A Letter to the Weather

Dear Weather-

I am sick and tired of not knowing what season the next day is going to be. You have jacked my allergies up!  However, the last 2 days have been delightfully winter like, so I thank you for finally remembering what season it is and getting your act together.Now I would like a little snow please.

With anticipation,
Sheena

1 Year and Counting

Today is our anniversary. We have officially survived one year of marriage. It hasn't really felt like survival, though. I've heard a lot of people talk about how difficult the first year of marriage is. Ours was not and I'm grateful. There are several things that probably contributed to this. We dated for a very long time (over 8 years) which means we both knew what we were getting ourselves into - there were no delusions. We already knew what drove us crazy about the other one and decided we could cope (you're delusional if you think you're going to change that stuff!). We learned during our dating life that we had to communicate with each other (and use a GPS - another story for another day). People communicate in different ways - which can often be attributed to how they grew up, but we figured it out BEFORE we got married. It also helps if you really like the person - you'll spend a lot of time together. The most important element, though...God. He has to be front and center. Period.

Ronnie, you are my best friend and a wonderful husband. You love me with a depth that could only come from your love for God and your desire to serve Him even through our marriage. You cherish me. You lead with integrity and you provide with love. I am seriously blessed to call you my husband. Happy Anniversary - I love you!

A New Normal

Yesterday marked one year from the date that we moved everything into our apartment in Ohio. During the past year a lot has happened. I feel very blessed, but I've spent much of this year very frustrated, confused, and at times angry. Marriage is GREAT, but I have not worked full-time since June of 2011 and I H.A.T.E. it! (side note: for the stupid politicians out there who don't get it, let me give a real life example of why the government you've helped to create SUCKS! I have student loan debt because a degree supposedly = a job. SMH! So, now I have no job and a student loan because school costs too flippin' much to pay for out of pocket. I worked in a low-income school district for 6 years and you, Mr. Politician, work for a government that refused to forgive even a portion of my loans! You suck! Rant not over, but I'll save the rest for another day!)

This new chapter of our lives has been very good for Ronnie's career. He LOVES his job and God is providing, but I can't help but feel as though I should be doing more. I desire to do more with my life. I feel like I was made for more than just sitting at home. When we first moved, I felt a little jipped. I mean, I had established myself in Southern Illinois as a vocal instructor and coach. I had my own studio and students that I absolutely loved working with. (High School and College - those are the students I really like to work with!)

Here in Ohio, I still teach, but it's mostly kids - a lot of beginners. It is not my favorite time of the week and I really don't enjoy it like I used to. Right now, I'm just doing it for the money - and that stinks! I find plenty to keep me busy, but it just isn't the same as having a job AND finding plenty to do doesn't pay my student loans off or make a car payment.

I'm not certain if it is like this in other countries, but our identity in this country is wrapped up in what we do - not who we are. "Hi, I'm Sheena and I'm a _________. What do you do?" Even a year in, I still can't seem to identify myself beyond the things I 'do' and it's frustrating! I'm currently trying to accept this as my new normal and find what God has for me in all of this. I'm trying to seek His face and His will for me and I am praying for the courage and grace to accept whatever that is. I want to be able to walk through this next year content in knowing God has not forgotten me and that He has a plan for my life.

16 Going on 17

Ok, so it was more like 33 going on 34, but who is counting? (Besides Crys!)

I had a GREAT birthday! Hubby and I actually celebrated last Saturday. We went to eat at MELT in Cleveland! Yum! We ran a few errands, shopped and ended up going for ice cream at Mary Coyle's. It's an honest to goodness old-school ice cream parlor. Loved it!

I got breakfast on the morning of my birthday (hubby made omelets and toast) and he made homemade pizza for dinner. Holla!  I ate a free lunch at First Watch and I bought myself a new skirt and top. I had a very unexpected visit from a special friend of mine who stayed for dinner.

About a bazillion people called, text me, or messaged me on Facebook. I felt very loved and blessed.

As I reflected on the past year, I realized a lot has changed. I lost my job in Cairo. I got married. I moved to Ohio. I've watched my mom fight cancer. I was diagnosed with MS. (I've done a ton of craft projects.) I have laughed and cried - sometimes within 5 minutes of each other. It has been an 'emotional roller coaster' sort of year. I have made new friends and mourned the fact that I can't see old friends as often as I would like to. In the end, 33 was a HUGE year in my life and I'm sad about some things coming to an end, but excited about all of the new things. 33 was bittersweet. I'm sure 34 has a lot in store and I've decided that I just want it to be a year where I ultimately spend time investing in people and in what God has for me. Here's to another year!

Oklahoma!

For those of you who know me well, you know that I love (insert gagging sound) - I'm totally lying - Rogers and Hammerstein. However, when I was invited to attend a local high school's production of Oklahoma!, I gladly said I would attend. Mostly because I adore two of the girls who are performing.

 

So, Ronnie and I attended their opening performance last night and this is my review of the Revere Players performance of Oklahoma!

The orchestra was quite honestly the best I have heard at any high school production. After asking questions, I was told that first chairs from the high school band have the opportunity to perform and the remainder of the members are from the community. A good pit makes all the difference in a production and your orchestra was wonderful.

The set was well-designed and worked very well with their choreography and over-all performance, allowing for efficient scene changes.The lighting was perfect for this production and there were very few glitches with sound (which is amazing considering the number of mics in use).

The choreography suited their performers abilities very well. Keeping chorus numbers fairly simple allows for numbers that look tight, clean and polished. My favorite scene in this show (and by favorite, I really mean the scene I loathe the most) is the Dream Sequence, however, the great choreography and the execution of said choreography made it quite tolerable. They had 4 girls who dance Pointe and they utilized them well, especially during this sequence.

The acting was superb. Keeping high school students in character for an entire production can sometimes be a daunting task, but they did it well. And these kids have great comedic timing! The audience responded well to all of the funny moments because of their timing.

The girls chorus had beautiful, blended harmonies, so props to whoever worked ensemble vocals. The entire cast numbers were spectacular, as well. 

Curly, Aunt Eller, Jud, Ado Annie, and Will Parker - spectacular acting. It was so fun to watch you. 

And last, but certainly not least - Laurey (Brittany Sigsworth) - BRAVO! You captivated the audience from the show's beginning to the curtain call. They adored you! I bought your story - hook, line and sinker - to the point that, at intermission, even though I know how the story ends, I decided that if Laurey and Curly didn't end up together I was going to be really upset!

Revere Players, you are a special, incredibly talented group and I would just like to thank you for a very lovely, entertaining evening. You did a fabulous job!

If you didn't go last night, you still have 3 more chances to catch this show: Friday and Saturday at 7PM or Sunday at 1PM.

Visitors

So, this weekend Ronnie's mom and dad came to visit. I LOVE HAVING GUESTS! Who's coming next?

They arrived on Friday evening, Ronnie made Shrimp Fried Rice and it snowed. You know, I never really bought the story about Debbie's snow boots, but, I too, am now a believer. It snowed and snowed and snowed some more. Typical weather for NE Ohio in February, however, we have been lacking winter precipitation and temperatures. Not. This. Weekend. (Thanks Debbie!) For those of you who don't know the reputation of said boots:  legends says that her boots make it snow.

 

I went to Blake's on Friday with the intention of bringing cupcakes home. Didn't happen. Why? Because they were O.U.T. at 3PM! WHAT???!!!! No cupcakes? So, I ordered a dozen for Saturday and we had lunch and cupcakes!

I don't know why their faces look red - could be the light from the window. It was a happy day!

Does that face look like it deserves a cupcake? No? I didn't think so either (but we still gave him one).

Saturday Debbie and I went to Hollo's Papercraft Store. It was snowing like crazy, but we had a mission (and a truck with 4-wheel drive). It was my first visit, but Holy Paper, Batman! They have hand-made paper, any size and color of envelope you could possibly need, scrapbook stuff, gift wrap stuff, any side craft bag or cellophane bag you could want, cardstock by the pound, art supplies....it was CRAZY!

After lunch we went West Point Market, dropped the boys off at the mall and went to Hobby Lobby and Archiver's. I got a lot of ideas for projects I may sell on Etsy. (oh yea - since I'm a blog slacker I haven't told you that my Etsy shop is up and running - I am going to try to be better)

Saturday evening we had dinner at The Rail. So yummy!

I made cranberry-orange scones with orange butter for breakfast on Sunday and we ate lunch at First Watch. We napped, at Poppyseed Chicken Casserole for dinner and watch The Grammy's. They left this morning and are back in Illinois as I type this - not quite home, but back in The Land of Lincoln and I already miss them!

I'm not gonna lie. I miss family and friends. I am getting used to living in Ohio and I have friends here, but I still miss Illinois. Little things remind me of certain people. My reaction depends on how emotional I am that day. Some days I cry. Some days I smile. I was so grateful to have a "little taste of home" this weekend.

So, who's coming next?

I come home to....

I left last Tuesday to drive to Illinois. I spent several days there with my parents. I'm going to be very vague here simply to protect privacy, but it wasn't the sort of trip people look forward to. However, I am so grateful that I was able to spend 5 days there. I'm not currently working (which is driving me nuts), so it wasn't a huge deal to take off and go.

Can I just go on a little rant for a minute? I understand that God has purposes in everything, but sheesh some things are just almost unbearable. I really want to be the one who doesn't ask "Why?". I would rather be the one who says, "Ok, what now?" But days like today just leave me feeling more like screaming my head off. I just want to skip the questions and go straight to the fit pitching.

But just as I am mid kicking and screaming like a kid in the cereal aisle who didn't get the box she wanted, God reminds me of my many blessings. Today, they revolved around my family and my husband - my husband who had done all of the laundry, cleaned the kitchen, made the bed and bought me flowers which were on the table in vase when I got home from Illinois (that and some chart on the fridge about why the heat in our apartment rarely kicks on - too much time on his hands). I am very blessed.

Updates from Ohio

I have several things that I haven't shown you mostly because it's really just a few things because I'm pityful and can't remember to take stupid pictures. I didn't take one single picture at Thanksgiving. Bad Blogger. Bad Scrapbooker! Grrrr.

So we opened 2 more envelopes. Keep up people - it was a wedding present. A really awesome wedding present.

This was envelope #2 stop in Canton, OH.

This was envelope #3 stop in Fairlawn, OH.

and my "treats"

 

Yesterday I made cupcakes with butter cream icing - SO YUMMY!

For dinner I made Maple Glazed Salmon and Green Bean & Roasted Potatoes in a chive and butter sauce:

I'll try to do better. Not making promises, but I am going to try. Except tonight...I made Parmesan Chicken and was too lazy and hungry to get my camera out before dinner.

My New Favorite Places

The Root Cafe is located on Bath Road in Cuyahoga Falls and is my favorite cafe in Northeast Ohio.

The Rail is located in Fairlawn and has delicious food!

The Fairlawn School of Music is a great place and I am excited about joining their staff!


Blake's Cafe & Cupcakery - BEST CUPCAKES EVER!

An Adventure and An Office Supply Problem

Saturday, we didn't really have any plans, so we opened an envelope. WHAT? An envelope. Yes. Those things that you lick and seal and sometimes send in the mail. Ok, since you're really confused, let me explain...

For a wedding present we received a gift from the Best Man and his wife that contained colored envelopes. The directions said to open an envelope when were were lacking something to do and to follow the directions. And they gave us a Visa gift card to pay for our adventures. Saturday we opened the YELLOW envelope. It told us to go to Nervous Dog Coffee Bar. Umm. Coffee? Yes. I think so.

Here's proof that we did as instructed:

While we were on our adventure, we saw THIS. I know. It's SO awesome. I want one! I'm not sure what I would do with it, but isn't it fun?!!?

And then we came home and made dinner - spaghetti and salad. Yes, it was yummy. I don't fix un-yummy food.

Office Supplies! Office Supplies!

Now for the office supply portion of this post...this past week on Facebook, we had a discussion about office supply hoarding issues. I promised a blog post in hopes that my admitting my problem will be the first step in the "healing process" of this addiction. In the meantime, if you need office supplies, I'm your girl!

I had to move stuff around in the note pad drawer just so you could see everything.

Yep, it's a problem - but it doesn't stop with note pads and post-its. Here's the writing utensil drawer:

And the Sharpies (which go in the writing utensils drawer):

Let's see. What else? Oh yea, CDs and cases (which I use for lessons, so don't judge this drawer - it's a tax write off).

And the binder clips, paper clips, rubber bands, push pins, etc.

Anyone else have this problem? Tara. Kate. Anyone? :-)

Happy weekend - back to unpacking tomorrow for me. What are you doing this week?

Where you find out that I DON'T have it together!

For those of you who think that I have myself together and prefer to keep believing that - stop reading...or look at the first set of pictures and THEN stop reading. It's really in your best interest if you don't want your view of organized me shattered into itty bitty pieces.

Here's the kitchen (well, one side of it - if I showed you the other side, you could see the massive boxes in our living room and I'm not going to do that to you, but use your imagination...there is a dishwasher, sink, and a counter space with a coffee pot - which you will see in a minute. I figured out how to take a picture of it without showing you the mess!):

I ended up purchasing the 14-piece Rachael Ray set because it was on sale and cheaper than any of the 10 piece sets. I LOVE this set. 

Silverware drawer - I've already discovered that I need more spoons. Anyone else use WAY too many spoons?

The dishes all fit nicely into one cabinet since I added the Real Simple shelf. I like it because it's solid - many were wire and the cups wouldn't sit on there straight.

I have tried uploading this picture 2 times and it keeps rotating it, so turn your computer sideways!

Pan racks. Love. Them. And yes, those ARE waffle plates for our Cuisinart Griddler!

Our hodgepodge of glasses!

Ok, so let's talk about this cluttered mess and why it's ok...spice rack is from Pampered Chef. It spins and I found bottles at BB&B that fit, so I can buy my own spices in bulk at The Mustard Seed or EarthFare (Think Neighborhood Co-op). Check out the top rack.

Utensils. Middle bucket is metal untensils - don't use on the pans! Right side is plastic. Left side is silicone. 

Behold - COFFEE!

Bowl organization - love things that nest.

And my apron storage:

Master Bathroom:

Master Bedroom:

My new make-up table! So exciting!

Remember this?

Ok folks, that's all for now...well, that's all if you want to keep believing that I have my crap together.

This is your final warning. The next set of pictures are NOT pretty!

It's mostly for my new friend, Hannah. She and her new husband married the same day that we did. These are so that she knows she isn't alone in this newlywed, stay home and unpack garbage.

However, I DID make progress today. I'll post more pics this coming week.

This is the hallway - just enough room to walk. We have to shut the bedroom door so that I can't see it or I wouldn't be able to sleep.

This week I've learned that my husband is a bit of a paper hoarder. I have an office supply, clothes, shoe, and purse problem, but let's focus on him, shall we? This was in the middle of my trying to sort through the MASSIVE amounts of paper. I shredded so much last night that the paper shredder was finally like, "umm, yea, so I'm gonna stop working now because I am exhausted - try me again tomorrow!"

Oh, the disgrace!

This is the spare bedroom - the spare bathroom is equally bad. Ok, it's worse! So bad I refuse to even take a picture of it! 

For those of you who didn't heed the warning - DON'T BLAME ME!