At Home with Heather

When we moved into this house we also "inherited" a refrigerator and a stove among other things. The stove was unused, which is really nice, but the refrigerator was a little bit on the older side. At the beginning of last week, I noticed that the light in the refrigerator was flicking on and off. I didn't think it was a big deal, I just thought, "well it's ok, I don't NEED a light." It was actually a sign that the refrigerator was going out.
A few days later, I noticed my water was luke warm, even though I had taken it directly out of the frig. The strange thing was that the freezer was still working.
I told Sam we needed to do something, because all of the stuff in the frig was getting bad. So he told me to go out and compare prices and research reviews etc. I did just that, non-stop for two days. I must admit it was a bit stressful for me because I am not good at these kind of things, but I didn't have a choice.
I had found some sales and looked at reviews and Sears was having a big sale on appliances the very week the frig went out. So I found the above Kenmore side-by-side refrigerator on sale and we would save $150. Sam made sure that I found out if it had a changeable filter. It does. =)
Before I actually went out and bought it though, Sam's dad came over to see if he could fix the refrigerator with a ten dollar part, because if it was only going to cost ten dollars, we definitely wanted to go that route. It turned out to be WAY more complicated than expected and we just decided to go for the new frig, since the one we had was pretty old anyway. I appreciate that he tried to fix it though.
I wish I had a camera to take a picture of the old refrigerator. This new one has quite a bit more space and it's just new, which is always fun and cool.
So I am very happy and thankful we were able to get a new refrigerator AND proud of myself for feeling good about the one I chose. =)

I have been looking for a second job for awhile. Well, actually thinking about getting a second job for awhile. =) I went into the Carolina Place mall last week and decided to scope out some of the stores that I would potentially want to work at. I have worked retail many times in my life and liked the experience for the most part, I just wasn't crazy about the pay.
So, I went into New York and Company, because I saw a lot of cute stuff in there a few days before. Plus, my husband would love for me to move on from wearing "teenage" clothes and onto "grown up" clothes. And New York and Company is known for the business/business casual look. So I applied, got a call a few days later and got a job. I even got the Store manager to pay me a little more than most retail stores and he told me to "keep it confidential." =)
I started on Tuesday and it was actually a lot of fun! PLUS, I get a discount on clothes-MY DREAM COME TRUE!!!! For serious. I am really excited about that.

I wanted another job to keep me busy at least until next semester and while Sam is gone. So this is something fun and low-key at least for the holiday season. Plus, did I mention I get a discount on clothes???!!! =)

I have been running for about 10 years.
I started running with my dad when I was 14 and have continued to run since then. I was a sprinter in high school track.
I have always enjoyed running for all the various benefits. The health benefits are wonderful. It helps tone the body completely, especially the legs. Running is great for your heart as well. Also, running is great to clear your head and send happy endorphins to your brain. When I am really upset about something often I will just go take a run and feel much better and have more clarity about any given situation. I can't tell you how many ideas have popped into my head while running. If I don't run for a few days I miss it and my body starts to feel sluggish.
So it has always been my life-long goal to run in a marathon. Recently, I realized that I was running between 4-6 miles 6 days a week, which puts me right at between 24-36 miles a week. I know I can run a marathon. So I looked into it. I thought it would be wise to run a half marathon (13.1 miles) first, rather than just jumping into 26.2 miles for a full marathon. I looked up training for a half marathon and it actually was advising me to run significantally less than I have been. This is actually a relief because I was beginning to get burnt out of running so much.
There is a half marathon in Charlotte on April 18 that I am going to run in. I am really excited about it. I also hope to one day run in the famous Chicago Marathon.
I feel really focused and encouraged to be doing this.

Running gives you a high like no other. I hope to be one of those people that runs throughout their life. I was able to conduct an Aid Station in Hawaii for the Ironman. I saw people of all ages doing this triathlon. Talk about inspiring! I hope to be in my 60's and still running strong.
If anyone wants to come cheer me on, on April 18th-you are more than welcome. I'll keep everyone updated on the training!

Sam's sister gave us each two books as wedding gifts when we got married. She gave us each a copy of the book Love and Respect. I just finished it and I have to say it is THE most amazing book on marriage I have ever read. Believe it or not, I have read quite a few marriage books in my day, especially in YWAM, but this book takes the cake by far. There are so many words of wisdom and revelation packed into this book.
I think it is especially helpful to wives who wonder what the missing link is to reaching their husbands-respect. The book is very well-rounded in explaining what specific needs a wife and a husband have.
I can not say enough good things about this book! I am so thankful that it was put into my hands as a newlywed. I hope it can help us avoid many common upsets and also help us start our marriage off right.
I encourage EVERYONE to read this book. If you have an amazing marriage, a so-so marriage, a difficult marriage, you are engaged, or you ever want to get married at all!!!! Even if you never want to get married, but are in a relationship, the information in this book can really improve your relationship with your significant other.
It's amazing. highly recommendable by me. I think I am going to start it all over again now that I am finished, it was just that good!

*heather joy*

I remembered two more serious pet peeves I have. Chipped nail polish. Can't stand it. In fact I looked at my nails this morning and realized that my nail polished was chipped due to washing my hands multiple times working in a restaurant. I immediately fixed that problem. I'm sure someday soon I will avoid painting my nails at all, because I get annoyed that the polish chips all the time.

So, I always carry large purses because I don't like to leave home without feeling secure that I have almost anything I could need. Well, because I carry big purses, I can never seem to find what I need. I can seriously spend about 5 mins looking for lip gloss or something and it annoys me sooo much. I guess I need to get a big purse with many pockets so I can find things easily.

Anyway. That's all.

Ok, I just saw 11:11 totally randomly right now. That has not happened for a "hot 5." I am ecstatic right now.
All who know me know that seeing 11:11 is like essential to my life. To me it is a sign that I am on the "right track." I am heading in the right direction. I know it may some strange and superstitious, but it has nothing to do with superstition for me. It just gives me peace. Some people say, "Oh that's silly, it's just numbers..." but I'm sure everyone has their own little thing that comforts them or brings them peace, like spotting a bright star on a cloudy night, or getting a phone call at just the right time. Sure most of the time I try to wait until the clock turns 11:11. Ok, that doesn't count, but you know when you just see it, out of no where, that's when it means something. For those that are interested, ask me about it. It's a vulnerable topic, but I'm willing to share if you want to know.
Anyway. Just thought I'd share, that I actually saw it without cheating. Made my night for sure! =)

So, I always find it interesting to know people's "pet peeves." It is especially good to know the pet peeves of those you spend the most time with, to avoid doing those things in their presence! I can only recall a few things that really get on my nerves. One is when I am pumping gas and as I lift the pump out of my gas tank, there is still gas dripping from the pump. It annoys me SOOO much!!!!! I paid for that gas AND who wants their hands to smell like gas b/c it was dripping from the pump??!! People who drive incredibly slow also make the list-I think everyone has that pet peeve. When you go to a restaurant and they no longer carry one of your favorite items...
Ok and here is a loaded one...proceed with caution. It really bothers me when people say, "You know they are Catholic..." Like they are not Christians. They believe in Christ, the trinity and salvation. Sure to Evangelical Christians they have some rituals and ways of doing things that seem foreign, but that does not mean they do not love God. Every denomination in Christianity has put in their own two cents about how we should live our lives as Christians. No one denomination is completely right. I think as long as we are all out to find the truth and serve the Lord that is what He sees. I could go on about this for a LONG time. My husband hears about it all the time. I guess I want people to see GOD and not religion and rituals. I'm sure a blog is not the best place to discuss religious or political passions or views, but I can't help myself sometimes. It's hard for me to get in these discussions with many people because I am not an argumentative, confrontational person, so I usually avoid talking about these issues all together. But some of this stuff gets bottled up and you have to let it out!!!!

So what are your pet peeves???!!! I really want to know! =)