Magnolia Moment

Subconscious Choice

2012-01-26T21:01:00.001-08:00

I am single by subconscious choice. I rarely go anywhere to meet new people. I rarely smile when I am out and about. I don't trust men and I rarely try to attract anything. Yet, I complain about being single all the time. Umm...hello!?!?!? You don't have to be put on display at a meat market, but how is HE gonna recognize you behind all that frumpy bitterness?

Bridesmaids

2012-01-19T19:37:00.001-08:00

Dear Girls: High school is about finding your bridesmaids, not your groom. ~ Someone with experience

Not My Will

2012-01-12T14:32:00.000-08:00

This week's blog prompt is about the devotional that my friends and I are doing. It is prepared by our church in Southlake. Each day, there is a song, a message and a memory verse for us to learn. If you are interested in checking it out, here is the link. In Jesus' Name.

SJ has asked that I share with you which day's devotional touched me the most and why. I would have to say that Day 5, entitled "Not My Will" was the most touching thus far. The following is an excerpt taken from the devotional online to show you more about what that day's message was about:

"God’s will is perfect. When we pray, we must be about His will, not our own. Often, we find our prayer life stuck as we pray out of our own will, our own reasoning, our own understanding and our own emotions; but if we allow God to direct our prayers, we will begin to see the power, presence and provision of God released in unimaginable ways." Not My Will

I have always been a planner. I love to plan what I am going to do that day, the next week, the next month, the next year, etc. I come by it honestly - my Dad is also a planner. For most of my childhood, it would disappoint me beyond belief if my plans didn't follow through (whether it was from me changing my mind or letting others take over)...eventually, I stopped planning (for the most part). Over time, I got to be very passive, but still frustrated because nothing I wanted ever seem to come to be.

When I failed the Bar Exam the first time, I started praying. I asked whether I should take it again. God responded with a resounding yes, of course. I prayed that I would do very well on the Bar. I never heard His answer, but I failed it a second time. I asked whether I should take it again. God responded with a resounding yes, of course. So, I prayed that I would do what was needed to pass the Bar. I never heard His answer, but I failed a third time. I asked whether I should take it again. God responded with a resounding yes, of course. So, I prayed I would do my best on the Bar. I never heard His answer, but I failed a fourth time. So, I prayed for God's Will to be done. Just days later, my parents offered to pay for an expensive tutor to help me through it and I passed with flying colors. I've been licensed for two years now.

This year, I would really like to work on praying for God's Will, not my own. With my own prayers, I will always face adversities in trying to get it accomplished. With God's prayers, I will always have peace.

Let Go and Let God!

Something Better

2012-01-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

A few of my friends and I have seemed to be bickering about every little thing lately and it hurts. I miss being part of a group of girls who lift each other up, inspire each other and support each other. The thing that has bothered me most about it though is that our bickering has hurt someone who wasn't even involved in the bickering -- she was the peaceful one, but now, she is probably the one most hurt. Truth be told, I am to blame for that.

My solution was to change my attitude about the whole thing. I have let go of the things that hurt me and made me want to bicker and I will tell the things that need to be told and most importantly, I will apologize to the ones I have wronged. As hard as it is, I don't want to walk away from these girls. They mean a lot to me and I want our friendships to flourish.

We Can Do It!

2012-01-04T09:02:00.000-08:00

My friend, SJ, and I are giving each other blog prompts for those weeks that we don't have any thing to write about. This week, SJ has asked that I give 5 -10 TV shows I am looking forward to having start back up....So here they are.

1) Body of Proof - I love watching Dr. Hunt solve murders just by researching their body and cause of death.
2) Grey's Anatomy - I am hoping Meredith and Derek will finally get a baby and be happy, together
3) Private Practice - I am hoping Allison will finally get pregnant and will get back with Pete. I don't like her with Sam.
4) One Tree Hill - I am anxious to see the last season
5) Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition - This show is SOOOO motivating. If they can lose 100+ lbs in a year, I can lose 64 lbs.

On a separate note, I met a very strong woman towards the end of last year and am exited to say that she has now given birth to one of the cutest little babies I have ever seen. She is very young and I don't know her very well, but she seems to be handling all of this very, very well. I am not sure I would have been as strong as she has been if I had been in her shoes. I think she has a very bright future in front of her and I am hoping that I am able to keep in touch with her, to see where life takes her.

I really, really enjoy having strong women in my life ~ They inspire me to be a better person. They are also wonderful people to lean on when things seems to be falling apart. I have been blessed with amazing friends who are incredibly strong and have provided me with such an amazing support.

For example, this is a sample edited text conversation from yesterday:

Me:   Long hard day...
SJ:     Aww, why?
Me:    Work didn't go well
SJ:      Well, what can you do to make it better?

SJ is awesome about constantly pushing me to be a better whatever I am trying to be...I love that she didn't just say there, there poor baby...she asked, how can you do better...

Adios 2011

2011-12-31T08:28:00.000-08:00

Ten Best Things About 2011: (in no particular order)
- My Best Friend's Wedding
- Trip to Washington, DC
- Trip to Galveston with my best friend and her family
- Making a boat with my Mom
- TCU winning the Rose Bowl
- UT having a winning season
- Judging a bunch of debate tournaments
- Having an intern this summer
- My law school friend passing the Bar
- My aunt's wedding

35 Random Facts

2011-12-29T15:24:00.000-08:00

Since I will turn 35 in 2012, I thought I would post 35 random facts about myself:

1) I love country music.
2) I am only 5 feet tall.
3) I have an nine year old Scotty-Bichon mix named Dobie.
4) I crashed a plane a few years ago.
5) Target is my favorite store.
6) I love to write.
7) I can't stand turtlenecks.
8) I probably have ADD or ADHD.
9) I want to write a book.
10) Helping people gives me the warm fuzzies.
11) I was born on Halloween.
12) I qualified for U.I.L. State in Cross-Examination Debate.
13) I use to work for Dr. Phil.
14) I collect Goebel Easter Eggs.
15) The fact that Texas A&M went to the SEC angers me greatly.
16) Matthew McConaughey is my McDreamy, except I call him McConahottie.
17) I am a University of Texas graduate and avid football fan.
18) I have never been married, divorced or engaged.
19) I love teddy bears.
20) I played piano and flute as a child.
21) If I could live anywhere in the world, it would be Austin, Texas.
22) I talk to myself quite a bit, out loud and in my head.
23) My favorite color is Mediterranean Blue.
24) I don't have any children, but I would love to have them.
25) I was a student of U. S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
26) I collect glass vases.
27) I secretly want another dog, but don't really want the responsibility or the financial obligation.
28) I would really like to move into a house.
29) I absolutely loved the T.V. show FRIENDS.
30) I can't stand to argue in my personal life, but absolutely love it as a profession.
31) I was also a student of Texas Criminal Court of Appeals Justice Barbara Hervey.
32) I was a Campfire girl.
33) I have a crush on Pat Green.
34) I have never broken a bone. (knock on wood)
35) I am doing the job that I have always dreamed of doing.

New Year Goals -- 2012

2011-12-29T12:16:00.000-08:00

So, in a few days, 2012 starts...I think the start of a new year because it is the perfect time to start fresh. I have spent so much time waiting for things to happen. It is time for me to make them happen. I am gonna start making them happen by making these 10 goals happen.

To keep myself accountable, I will check back once a month and strike out the ones I have accomplished or add in details about how I am doing.

~ Work more
~ Do three 40 days fasts ( Winter Fast: Jan. 1 to Feb 10th; Lent: Feb. 22 to April 2nd; and Fall Fast: Sept 22 to Nov. 1)
~ Start a savings account and save at least $600 in a year
~ Lose at least 5 lbs per month
~ Write in my blog at least once a week
~ Pay 1/3 of the remaining balance on my car
~ Pay an extra $600 on my student loans
~ Go on at least 12 dates
~ Write 2 chapters of my book
~ Finish my Fresh Start and Freedom classes
~ Get 50 hours of CLE

I have a friend who is doing the same thing...Check out her blog ~ Lovin' Non-Perfect ~ She hasn't blogged in a year, but she will. She promised. ;)

Note: I realize Lent is from Ash Wednesday to Easter, but for some reason this year, that is more than 40 days and I don't want to do more than 40 days. I will start on Ash Wednesday and end shortly before Easter.

Weight Loss Challenge

2011-12-01T17:45:00.000-08:00

* I have been challenged to lose 80 lbs over the next few months - for health reasons, mainly, but also for the improvement of my spirit. So far, I've only lost 2.4 pounds and feel tremendously better.

* I suspect that it will be easier to find and keep love once I lose the weight -- not just because I will look better, but I will also feel better. I used to get really upset when I felt that people were judging me based on the fact that I was overweight, but now I get it. I look at myself and I just see unhealthiness. I don't want that anymore. I wouldn't blame a guy for not wanting to date an unhealthy woman or others for feeling uncomfortable around an unhealthy woman.

* I think the biggest reason I am overweight is that I eat when I worry and I worry all the time, about everything. I am generally overwhelmed with worry most of the time. I have got to learn to just let it go.

* The plan: cut out candy, count calories, exercise at least three to four times a week (more if needed). I am using myfitnesspal.com. I encourage you to join and find me (eapbear96). The more friends I have helping me, the easier it will be. There is a girl out in West Texas I rarely talk to, but the fact that she is on there everyday and I see her posts inspires me and encourages me to do the same. The biggest deal is that I need to stick with it...even when I really don't want to...

* This is a tough thing to do, but here is a before picture (I look pregnant, but I'm not):

**** I have lost 2.4 pounds since this picture was taken on November 20, 2011.****

* I believe I can totally do this. I have accomplished so much in life thus far, just by sticking with it, no matter what. There is no reason this can't be the same.

Have a great day and God Bless!

Dreams Do Come True. Just Ask Dobie.

2011-11-22T12:30:00.000-08:00

* I love the fall colors. I can't wait to go over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house for Thanksgiving.

* The BCS is going to be interesting to watch. Right now the top three teams are from not only the same conference, but the same division of the same conference. Somehow or another, by the announcement of the BCS National Championship game, I promise you the top two teams will not be from the same conference. Its sad, but college football is all about money and TV these days.

* I am in this small devotional group of girls and am having a lot of fun with them. However, it is glaringly obvious that I don't fit in. Two of the girls are very, very creative and crafty. The other girl is very much into public service and missionary work. I, on other hand, am not so crafty (creative, yes, but crafty, no) and am very into making a career and family for myself. There is nothing wrong with who I am, but I don't seem to fit in with these girls. I love spending time with them though. They keep me inspired.

* I struggle a great deal with being able to focus in my life. (As I write a blog at work, lol.)

* Thursday is the end of an era. No more UT - Aggie football after Thursday. I sure hope my Horns end it right. It will be a tough battle ~ all of our good running backs are injured and our quarterbacks are young and unpredictable.

* Dobie (my puppy) finally got a yard, for a while. I am house sitting and Dobie not only has a yard but three friends to play with...He is a lucky dog.

Creativity

2011-09-14T20:15:00.000-07:00

Good morning! Hope life is treating everyone well. I decided to start up by blog again...but this time instead of a list of things going on in my world, I thought I would just write whatever I wanted to write about. I truly enjoy writing and I miss getting to write as often as I did in college. I will spare you the comparasions between Mary Shelley and Jane Austen though.

I think one of the things that is interesting about hard economic times is the resourcefulness and creativity that it stirs in people. I have a friend who started a photography business about fours years ago (and now she has about 1000+ regular clients), another friend started a baking and crafting business, (I think her business is on hold right now because she has a new baby) another started keeping kids in her home and fostering, another opened a yoga business, and another opened a boutique and several have decided to go back to school to pursue their dreams. Its just incredible and I am so proud of each and everyone of them! Good job guys and girls! I truly admire you.

If you have a talent and are thinking about opening a business, I encourage you to do so. Its gotten very easy to do...with social networking and all. Please let me know and I can help you through it. I am sure several of my friends who have done it will gladly answer your questions.

Has everyone looked into Pinterest? Its a pretty great place to dream...you should check it out...http://pinterest.com/magnoliamoment/for-my-home/ If you need an invite, please let me know.

Well, I have a pretty busy day ahead of me. I better get back to it!

Love, Miss Moment