Random Archives - Page 7 of 8 - Trinkets of Thought

It’s kind of like “Two Truths and a Lie”…

May 17, 2007 by Maren 7 Comments

So for today, I’ve joined the bullet bandwagon. The only thing is that amongst the 10 bullets, I’ve added 3 lies. Can you figure out which is which? It may be too challenging for some of you…

We’ve been working on our landscaping–isn’t it amazing when it comes to owning a home how fast everything adds up, and how expensive little dinky- home improvement trinkets are?

Michael and I are saving as much money as we can to pay off our house– One way we’ve found to save money, is to bring our own bread to fast-food drive-thrus, we only order condiments and then make condiment sandwiches. This drastically cuts on costs!

This past weekend Michael and I drove up to Indianapolis where he competed in a regional speech contest. He came in SECOND and did a FABULOSO job! The guy who won had a style completely different than Michael’s, so it was obvious that the judges preferred the winner’s style over Michael’s. I know I’m biased, of course, but he did a GREAT JOB (deserving of first) and I’m so proud of him!

Another way we’ve discovered to cut corners is to siphon our neighbors gas at night–cuts down on the rising gas costs considerably–and all-in-all averages our gas prices out to only $1 a gallon!

I just took mail up to the mail room for work–yep, I ran all 66 letters through the meter for $.39. Got a call from a couple ladies who noticed my mistake– SO I had to go back up, run $.02 meter stickers, and place them on the envelopes in addition to the already LARGE postage mark. The size of the postage mark now takes up about half of the envelope. Hopefully the people who receive the mail will just attribute it to the ditz in the mail room. OOPS.

To save more money for the next year we’ve decided to go to the bathroom elsewhere because tp is so expensive these days…

Tonight, we’re having a cookout at our place to celebrate a couple from church’s upcoming wedding! Whoohoo! Then, tomorrow night, Michael and I are doing something to celebrate 6 years of marriage! He keeps dropping me clues that I have to figure out, but has not revealed where we’re going for sure– I do have a hunch because I begged him to go to see OKLAHOMA. This is the last weekend the show runs, so hopefully my hunch will be accurate!

There’s still 2 more spots in the walking challenge if you want to join! You just have to do 2 things–it’s pretty easy–set a weekly goal for yourself and complete it, and do a little something every day! It’s great accountability to be moving! If you want to join, you’re still invited!

One more day until weekend!

OBVIOUSLY, the ‘cutting cost’ statements are not for real. However, we are always looking to cut costs and pay down our house aggressively…Wouldn’t Dave Ramsey would be proud??? … I’ve been recently thinking of some not-so-serious ways to do so, and thought I’d share the just-for-fun-but-I’d-really-never-do-it-ideas. 🙂

You’d think I made it up…

April 2, 2007 by Maren 11 Comments

So, today, I came to work with my shirt on inside-out. Um…what is it with me? Maybe next week I should wear the whole outfit. I think this is a very clear indication that I’m getting up too late and there’s not enough time to get ready. Perhaps I should increase my 20 minute morning regimen…

On another note, during my pre-xanga days, Michael and I went to a B&B in a podunk town in Indiana. The new owners had just purchased (fully furnished), but per the sales contract allowed previously scheduled guests to keep their stays (which included us). The owners were nice and hospitable and kept mentioning how they just had to leave the metropolis they came from to ‘get away from the hustle and bustle….’ Something just wasn’t quite right. The owner kept throwing $ figures around…i’m talking hundreds of thousands… For instance, “This piano was one of 6 in the world. It’s an original made for royalty. Although it costs $400,000, we can only insure it for $250,000.” AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. We’re talking original oil paintings, antique furniture, etc. etc. etc. It wasn’t that I questioned the items he was showing us. I truly believe in their authenticity, but something about him was just not worth trusting–it was all the money figures being casually mentioned. Being the natural born skeptic that we are, when Michael and I got home Googled the man. ONLY to find out that he was being investigated for somehow rigging medical insurance cases–were talking HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS HERE. Just googled him again this week to find that he’s been indicted…I think it’s safe to say, we stayed at a B&B with a convict. Yikes.

In other news, I’m reading an excellent apologetic book called, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. Having met some friends who question the truth of the Bible, we have found that when discussing biblical issues, i.e. moral absolutes, they don’t just accept, “Well the Bible says…” as the basis for them to believe foundational truths. Since they are searching out if the Bible is true in the first place, they don’t automatically accept using it as a starting point to defend a moral position. From a logical perspective, this book walks the reader from logically thinking through the existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, and also the claims of Jesus. Great book to help as we share with others.

One last random thing– You know at pot lucks, there’s always ONE person who brings a gourmet-slave-all-day-in-the-kitchen-yummy-dish that makes them look like a honorable version of Martha Stewart? Meanwhile diminishing you to the level of the kid with a new Easy Bake? Well, we have one of those at our church. They brought a terrific dish (Butternut Squash Lasagna) to Thanksgiving potluck, and I instantly fell in love. I know it’s more of a fall recipe, but while it’s on my mind, just thought I’d share. I baked it on Saturday–I had some pumpkin puree left over in my freezer that I needed to use up. If you know me well, you know that I despise grocery shopping, but I am the queen of creative substituting. This recipe was no different as the substitutions abounded (no milk, amaretti cookies, mozzarella cheese or fresh basil), so we’ll just say that mine was a more healthier version, but it is definitely a favorite.

Here’s to Randomness & Happy Monday!

Guacamole and a cute leather couch

March 17, 2007 by Maren 5 Comments

Some things in life are meant to be savored. Guacamole is one of those wonders!

Today, started out rough. I canceled everything this week due to our sickness–OR SO I THOUGHT. I got a call at 9:17 this morning from a friend who was WAITING for me at a Breakfast restaurant! Shame! I hate letting people down, but I’m thankful that she was SO understanding! I told Michael that I think sickness has clouded my head this week, too. I’ve done other random /weird stuff this week, too, and that’s the only thing I can attribute it to…

We’re resting today, trying to get back to full strength. Michael’s fever hasn’t gone back to normal since it went up, so we’re hoping that today is the day… We’re just taking it easy. While watching The Ohio State team play, I fixed up a batch of one of my absolute favorites–Guacamole! Mmmmmmmm. Life is good–even when sick. 🙂

I stopped by a thrift store and was 2 minutes behind a couple of girls that found THE CUTEST leather couch made out of barrels for only $40! I was so disappointed, but congratulated them on finding “a steal!” I took a pic, because I thought it was so cute– I’ll try to post later. Back to the Guacamole…

Happy weekend!

EDIT: THE COUCH…sniff, sniff. It’s alright if you don’t like it. I know I have odd taste. 🙂

My Xanga Hiatus

January 9, 2007 by Maren 8 Comments

Currently, I have found myself in the uneventful times after all the family Christmases, New Year’s Eve parties and festivities have all passed. Getting back into the groove of my monotonous job and doing some self evaluation–yep that’s me–

I’ll try to keep this as interesting as possible, but if you find this extremely boring, that sums up my current life.

I’m reading three books at the same time–A first for me, but it has helped my A.D.D.-type self. I never can seem to finish what I start, but I’m liking all three. They are: The Book on Leadership by John MacArthur; The Path: Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and Life by Laurie Beth Jones; and One with a Shepherd: The Tears and Triumphs of a Ministry Marriage by Mary Somerville.

As far as resolutions go, I didn’t make any. I have been working on my personal life mission statement and trying to eat better–but nix on the resolutions. I went out on a date to a Chinese restaurant a couple weeks ago with Michael and ate my fortune from the fortune cookie! It was a defunct fortune and was hidden way up inside the cookie…hope that’s not indicitave of anything…

Today at work, I was talking about how I’ve had my dog for 16 years, and how he was such a great dog. Meaning to express that I had known my dog longer than my husband and how my dog is such a faithful friend, I told my coworkers, “My dog is more faithful than my husband.” Somehow, I don’t think that came out quite right. I tried to reverse what had been said, but no luck! It’s stuck for the inside joke of the day–even though I’ve tried to assure my coworker’s of Michael’s faithfulness.

Mums the word on the Ohio State game. They obviously forgot there was a game to play and didn’t even show up!

And now I’ll leave you with an interesting observation. It’ll probably be the most random thought you’ve ever read on xanga, but nevertheless, a random thought that went through my head today (if it’s actually worthy of xanga, that’s up for debate, but I’m doing so regardless). Am I the only lady in America that has a phobia of running into people I know in the restroom? It’s like I don’t want anyone to know I use it. Or if there is a lingering odor, I would hate for them to think I CAUSED IT. I think all women secretly have this phobia–it’s just one that’s never discussed. My theory, anyway.

I’m sure everyone is riveted.

Now if you ever wonder again about my xanga hiatus, you’ll know there’s not much news.

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