Miscellany Monday.

{one} My husband showed ultimate love this weekend by buying tickets, attending and cheering for his rival college team, Mississippi State. He was even willing to wear a maroon polo I bought for him! Unfortunately, the polo was sized wrong and looked more like a dress on him than a manly polo. He opted to wear his green polo, a nice neutral color. He wasn't giving up his USM hat though.

{two} Whenever the day comes and God says, "Bam! You're going to be parents," I will be ready for little to no sleep. I woke up Sunday morning at 9am after sleeping a solid 8 hours. Took a 90 minute nap on the way home from Columbus. Visited with friends, ate dinner with Jared, and took a 15 minute power nap before working for 8+ hours. all. night. long. 

In other words…I've been up almost 24 hours with maybe two hours of sleep. BOOYAH! Bring on the crazy hours of motherhood. Just hold the screaming infant. I'm not ready for that. Yet. 


For now, I'll settle for my best friends' kids. 

{three} It's getting darker earlier, and I really don't care for it. But on a brighter note, last night we officially experienced "fall-like" weather! I even got goosies when walking outside! 

My BFF, Ally, and me taking a pic with our senior class gift to our beloved alma mater. 

{four}  I have today off. But not really. If Monday "officially" begins at midnight, I've already put in 7+ hours of work. Therefore, do I really have Monday off?


If I didn't have to work on Sunday/Monday, I would still be hanging out with my favorite ladies. :)

fivequestionfriday.

1. What do you do when you have time to yourself?

Read. If I'm feeling artsy, I'll do some crafts. 

2. When you look out your kitchen window, what do you see?

We don't have a kitchen window. :( 

Growing up though, we did. Looking out that window, I saw two big trees, one oak, the other pine, houses across the street, and a field where deer would roam behind the houses. Pretty cool to be doing dishes and see deer in the middle of the city! That's Mississippi for ya. :)

3. Who/What would you want to be reincarnated as?

A dolphin. They are so pretty and graceful!! I want to swim with dolphins one day. {hint hint, Jared!!}

4. What is your biggest pet peeve about other people's kids?

My biggest pet peeve is more about the parents and the lack of discipline they have with their children. 

Granted, I'm not a parent, but I know it's tough to discipline kids. We've watched and helped our best friends do it with their 3 year old. BUT it is soo worth it! Parents will give in to their crying, whiny kid instead of "manning" up about it and sticking to their guns. Geez...

5. Regular or Diet soda?

First off, it's coke. Not soda. Not pop. Definitely not sodapop. 

When it comes to coke, I'll take the regular stuff over the diet. Unless it's Diet Dr. Pepper. That stuff is fabulous. Hands down! 

Are dining rooms a dying breed?

Donna @ Funky Junk Interiors posted about dying dining rooms recently. {Check Donna's blog out! I love her "blog voice," and she always has an awesome project going on. She's pretty much amazing!}

It got me thinking about our dining room and how we use it. She posed the question, "Do you use your dining room for a dining room?"

Well, Funky Junk Donna....you might be surprised at how we use our dining room....

In our dining room, we have a small, four person table with four chairs and one small in-the-corner shelf that houses my china. That's it! Nothing on the walls. (Even after this post and all the great suggestions...there's still nothing on the walls. I'll explain that soon...) Not even bar stools at the kitchen bar or a pretty table topper.

We only eat at the table when friends or family are joining us. This is one thing that will change when kids come along. Some of my favorite childhood memories are spent around the dining room table at dinner time!

But our dining room, eh...I don't know if I have the strength to tell you what our dining room has become over the past year...

Ok....here it is....

Our dining room has become a dressing room. Yes, you read that right, a dressing room! With our oddball schedules, there are many days and nights that when Jared or me get off work, one of us is sound asleep in the bedroom. In order to not disturb the sleeping spouse, we change clothes in the dining room. And then in the mornings, we'll dress in the dining room.

Is this odd? Probably. But sleep is precious. And when I get home at 11:30 at night and Jared has to wake up at 4:30 the following morning (or vice versa!), I don't mind for my dining room to be used as a changing area. :)

Maybe if I get brave, I'll post a picture...maybe....

Today I am . . .

{I borrowed this from Sweet Nothings.}

Today I Am: Thinking.
Listening: clickity clack of the keyboard in the office, phones ringing, AC running.
Reading: Golden Days: Reminiscences of Alumnae, Mississippi State College for Women
Obsessed With: overthinking about the future...what do I want to do/be when I grow up??
Planning To: make a grocery list and ToDo list for the rest of the week/weekend
Praying about: Life. Future. What is my passion??
Dreaming Of: My actual dreams have been crazy lately...last night I dreamed we (me and sisters and friends) went to a local Mexican restaurant that we apparently frequent often. The owner of said establishment was upset we were taking up a couple of tables for over two hours. I overheard him venting in Spanish to his employees about us. I replied in a cool, calm, and collected voice, "If it's that big of a deal, sir, I'll take my business elsewhere." Odd thing is that 1) I understood his Spanish, 2) replied to him in English. If I understood Spanish, why not reply to him in Spanish??
Enjoying: A cool office. I do love that they keep it chilly in the office. I'm wearing a cropped, denim jacket today and I am not hot! Or sweating! Anyone who is hot natured understands how much of a feat this is. *fist pump*
Vowing to: exercise today!! It seems that when I take a "rest day" from exercising, that one day turns into multiple days. Not good for someone who needs to become healthier...aka...drop some poundage from the waist.
Excited About: The weekend! Thursday kicks off college football...USM vs. USC...Southern Miss TO THE TOP!  And Saturday we'll be cheering for MS State...MSU v. Memphis. Or at least I'll be cheering for State. Jared cheers for Ole Miss, SEC, or the underdog. Yes, folks, we watch all teams during football season. Even the puny high schoolers!!

Miscellany Monday.

[one] It's a sad day when I think I have Monday off after working all week and weekend. It's rare to have a weekend off nowadays. Even when requested, I'll still end up working Saturday or Sunday.  Be thankful for the j-o-b, right? I am thankful, I am thankful…

[two] The wedding I directed this weekend was wonderful! Despite having to work with a crazy, controlling church wedding coordinator, it was fabulous. The rain held off until all outside photos were taken. No one forgot their words to say. The cake didn't fall over. Both families were very loving towards each other. It was great!! 

[three] I'm battling a bad case of "What do I want to be/do when I grow up?" I need a full time job with a full time salary with full time benefits. But I don't know what field to conquer….???

[four] I've started using Google Reader, and I love it!! It's become part of my morning routine…check email, check reader. It's one of those things that I don't know why I haven't used it before!

five.question.friday

1. How many pets do you have? I have a furbabyniece and furbabynephew that live with my parents. They are both miniature dachshunds, Lily and Phinnaeus. Adorable!! I'll post some pics one day.

2. If you could switch places with anyone in the world for one day, who would it be? Gosh. I have no idea. Maybe the Queen of England. I'd love to play in her jewels. 

3. What is your favorite money saving tip? Yikes. I need some tips in this area!!

4. What do you want your kids to be when they grow up? Whatever they want to be. 

5. What is your favorite quote? I have several. If you're friends with me on Facebook, you can read them all on my profile. A couple of my favorites are: 

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." -T.S. Eliot

"Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" -Rosalind Russell

Misc Monday

I found a new linky party for Mondays! It's called Miscellany Mondays. I found it at lowercase letters. Just list miscellaneous and random things. Fits me well, don't ya think? :)

[one] Mondays aren't so bad. I actually looked forward to today! Mainly because I have the day off. (Although I'll probably go in later this afternoon!) There's just something about not having to go in to work...


[two] In 20 years, when I watch movies from today, will I make fun of the hairstyles like I do when I watch movies from the 80s?

[three] I miss my family. Yup. Lydia, the independent trailblazer that never needs anyone misses her loving parents and drive-me-crazy sisters. And those oh-so-adorable puppies! Miss you all.

[four] I believe the pool is calling my name. Definitely the best way to spend 100+ degree Mississippi days!!

5?friday.

1. Do you have any nicknames and if so how did it come about?

I have a few nicknames…
Lydja: Dad's always called me this. 
Lyd: This one seems self-explanatory. 

Michie (meaning kitten): my godmother is Peruvian and gave me this nickname when she first heard me cry as a baby. She said I sounded like a little kitten. 

Maverick: I got this name from summer camp. See the left sidebar for complete story.

2. What is your birth order amongst your siblings?

I'm the middle child that acts like the oldest. Apparently, when there is 4 or more years between the first and second born children, the first child tends to act like an only child while the second born takes on characteristics of the oldest. Makes it tough sometimes!! But I love my sisters no matter the order. :)

3. In a movie of your life, who would play your significant other?

Hmm….someone tall, short hair, ruggedly handsome…Brad Pitt comes to mind, but I don't like how he treated Jen so he's a no. George is too old. Or maybe Eric Dane, better known as "McSteamy." Nah. Wait. What about Paul Walker? He's played a cop in a few movies which fits the bill. Yes, I'll go with Paul to play Jared in the movie of my life. 

4. What is currently your favorite song?

Anything that gets the blood pumpin'…"I Gotta Feelin'" by Black Eyed Peas or "Party in the USA" by Miley (let the records show, it took me awhile to give this song a chance. Now, it's my ringtone. :) or almost any good oldie. 

5. Are you saving your money for anything right now? Big or small purchase?

Our best friends are moving to Arizona so we've started an "Arizona Fund" to visit them in about six months. We need to save more in general. Anyone have any good tips on saving?

The God we serve is absolutely amazing...

If you don't believe me (or if you do!), check out my fellow W alum's blog, Musings from Graceland. She tells a story that gives me chills. Why do we doubt our dreams  that God places in our hearts? He provides our needs, always!

(Said in my best Scarlett O'Hara voice)

Two posts in one day…I don't believe it myself! :)

Bad Case of the Mondays...???

Ever have one of those days where you'd rather lay in bed all morning only to get up at noon and move to the couch?

I've been having those days for about six months. And I do.not.like.it.

But I don't seem able to break this "Bad Case of the Mondays." During the winter, I self-diagnosed myself with SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder. Mainly because I was another person on sunny days than grey, cloudy days. I was happy and cheerful and up before noon tackling my to do list. Grey days I was just that...grey. Gloomy. Dreary. My mood matched the weather.

And then April came. I knew that the green grass, blooming flowers, increase in temperature, and the sun shining more often than not would help me come out of this funk.

I was wrong.

What bothers me the most about this case of the blues is that I'm ok with laying around. I'm ok with only doing dishes when there's no more counter space for the dirty dishes to sit. I'm ok with only doing laundry when Jared runs out of socks and undershirts. I'm ok with only tidying our home and vacuumming when guests are coming over. *Really, Lydia? Really??*

What is wrong with me???

This is not the Lydia I want to be or ever thought I would become. Eck.