The mushrooms...

Well, that is just a couple of them... Cape Cod mushrooms fresh from a bucket in our neighbor's kitchen. She picked them herself from Cape Cod. Jeremy wasn't brave enough to try them when I cooked them. He said they looked like "Billy turds." I cooked them the way she said her mother did back in Russia. Evidently, they used to pick them from mountainsides. Cool. They tasted ok.... but then again, I can eat just about anything. I need to give her something back now... I gave her fresh basil and fruit from the market, she gave hand-picked mushrooms, hmmm.... any ideas?

Scattered thoughts minus the mushrooms

I'm full of disconnected thoughts this morning. I wanted to write about my mushroom eating experience, and post some pictures.... then I realized that the pictures are on the camera which is in the car which is parked about a 7 minute walk away from our apartment. It is dreary out, so I'm too lazy to get out and walk to it, even though I am greatly enjoying fall and being able to wear scarves without it being cold or frigid. Alas, the mushroom pictures and my story of cooking them "Russian style" will have to wait.

Jeremy is out and about today. A friend of his who was a resident on his hall when he was a CL (Community Leader or simply an RA) in a dorm at Baylor wanted to come up from NYC and see Boston for a day. So, he's out playing tour guide. We've done this so much already that perhaps we should start a business. We've even got a route and pattern that we've been using when doing this. Maybe this is our calling in life.... ha!

Me, I'm staying in because I didn't feel like being wet, and also need to do some homework (I haven't done any reading, studying, or writing for grad school since mid-terms ended about a week or so ago). I came out ok with grades on papers and tests.... the hardest I've ever worked for A's in my life! I am beginning to feel like I belong at grad school where I am so that is a great blessing and confirmation.

I just noticed that there is moss growing on the tree outside our balcony, and only on one side. My thought was "hmm... that must be the North side of the tree cause it gets less sunlight." Yes, random thought but true. I learned it from Jeremy's mom who learned it in girlscouts. Remember, when lost, always look for the moss to determine North. Actually, maybe I learned that on Man vs. Wild too.

In other randomness, Jeremy turned down a second interview for a job this week, bringing out mixed emotions from our family of which one side is more understanding of the reasoning in doing so than the other. Perhaps we just should not talk with them about it anymore so that we don't get the "well, a job is a job" explanation again. A job is much more than a job.... it is where God places to portray Himself. If a job were just a job, we wouldn't be up here draining a bank account of savings when we could make much more money easier at an engineering firm in Houston or Los Angeles working in oil where the market is hot.

I've been babysitting more lately, which is great. They don't know how much of a blessing they are being in Jeremy's and my life's by giving me more work when we need it. They don't know that Jeremy lost his job either. I've just kept that quiet. Also, Jeremy's truck back home looks like it may sell soon, which would help us out in this waiting period. Anyhow God continues to give provisions as they are needed.

Finally, someone asked the other day if having continued faith in God's provision for us is getting harder as days continue to pass. I said no quickly, but then made a comment that I have thought back upon. I said, "it will when after we pass the mark of time that it took Jeremy to get a job last time." It makes me sad that I said this as I guess the quick utterance of my mouth may say something about the condition of my heart. I pray that I don't have "timetable faith." But, I also see that God values me admitting my doubts honestly as I try, and try, and try to continually look to Him.

Next time, I'll post a picture and talk about the mushrooms. Just to hold you over though, I'll post a couple pictures.... one of me old school dressed up in my SING costume about ready to leave and go perform with KXA/ATO (Yay for the 80's) and the other of what happens when I get out of bed in the morning. Thought both would be good for a laugh. :0)
And in light of Halloween coming, I thought I'd post the dog's in a clown outfit previous to Halloween this year. Don't worry, no one is dressing up here this year.

Fall Foliage Trip

So, last night I decided that we needed a mini-vacation. I've studied my eye-balls out lately (seriously sat so much that my tailbone hurts) and Jeremy has worked super hard at applying for job after job after job. We hadn't gone leaf peeping yet, and knew if we didn't soon we'd lose the chance. Anyhow, half a gas tank and 8 hours later, we have officially participated in one of the most traditional of New England activities. Since most of you aren't up here with us, we thought we'd be so kind as to share pictures (and hopefully a video if it will upload) with you all.
Red trees are my favorite. Jeremy loves the fiery orange.
We were up in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. There were tons of rocky creek areas.
There was no one driving where we were today. Just silent.
Jeremy in his Texas shirt. Funny though, cause rednecks (and Reddin's) fit right in in New Hampshire. Tons of rednecks. Jeremy chunked big granite rocks into the creek for about 20 minutes just trying to make loud splashes.
That's me way over there just soaking up fresh air and thinking.
Jeremy always says I look like a chemo patient when I wear hats. You can't tell, but it's a Red Sox hat.
Funny cause this picture is right after crossing back into Mass. right at the MA/NH border. The leaves here were prettiest in our opinion. Still, pictures don't really do justice. It was foggy and rainy all day, but it cleared up for us when we were out of the car.

Anyhow, here is a video.... this wasn't the most beautiful area, but still beautiful. Just thought we'd share!


I think that's about all. There is more pictures on Jeremy's facebook. The job search for him is ok. He had two interviews this past week, one went well and one didn't. Funny thing is that he felt like he might not take either even if offered. The one that went well is a company eerily similar to the last company that he worked for.

Jeremy's boss from his internship in Waco said in an email the other day that perhaps God's plan is to send Jeremy from one failing company to another just to use his gifts of encouragement and flexibility. That is a scary thought, but then again, we signed up for whatever He had for us up here. We don't see that right now, but who knows. I guess we asked for it in all those prayers for God to build our faith.

We have also been praying much more specifically about certain job openings lately as a result of a conversation with our pastor's wife about this when we were back in Waco. One's we have been praying towards have been companies that promote relationships and community among employees. We've also been praying that our motives in praying are pure and not praying towards our own agenda for Jeremy to be employed by certain companies(i.e... that we wouldn't pray towards certain jobs because of salary, perks, etc.). Needless to say, we aren't in any hurry to get a job just to have one, but are interested in seeking where God wants Jeremy. When I read over that, I wonder if we are crazy. Anyhow, that's all about that.... ask more about specifics if you want to know!

Apple Orchards

Thought I'd post some pictures from our apple picking adventures!
Heading into the orchard on the hayride.... It was a nice fall day! :)
How bout them apples!
Jeremy never knew his giraffe like height would become so useful.... many of the apples were higher in the trees.
Ahh.... finally apples I can reach!
All done.....
Whoa..... 49 of them here. The doctor will be kept away for quite a while in this house!

Anyhow, those are just a few.... it was really a neat experience. We've conquered quite a few of those apples so far. Yum! Earlier this week my cousin and his wife were in from Florida to vacation in Vermont. We were able to try this nice place that neither of us has tried yet in the North End, and get gelato. It was fun to see them!

Beauty

I REALLY should not be writing at this moment... I have 25 minutes before I need to start supper to have it ready between when Jeremy arrives and we leave for Tuesday night Bible study/discussion time. Anyhow, I am really loving this whole idea of Fall... the changing of the seasons, etc. I think down South the leaves are just green, yellow, and suddenly gone (and maybe without the yellow part).

It is beautiful here. The leaves are just starting to change. It seems that everyday I look out the window and the tree outside our place looks noticably different than the day before. I went out to coffee with a friend last Friday, and she suggested taking pictures of an area over the next bit of time to catch the change in seasons. Anyhow, it is cool.

We are going apple picking this weekend, which for the non-New England readers, is a huge tradition up here. Apple orchards are everywhere and that is just what you do... pick apples right off the tree. I'm super excited. We'll be going out about an hour west of here this weekend, and then up in New Hampshire in a couple weekends.

Jeremy is still chugging along at work as well. If it were up to him, we'd skip everything and go straight to winter.... he's crazy. I agree that I'm excited about Christmas time with actual snow.

My internship is super.... I like it a lot. I spend most of my days corralling the elderly. Telling them that no one is behind the piano stealing our secrets, that they can't be mean or yell at the nurses, and helping them remember what happened 5 minutes and 10 and more years ago. It's fun and sad at times. My supervisor is great. I talked with a "healing priest" today who is now a resident in the long-term care area.... that was interesting. Evidently, he used to have quite a following in that area of Boston.

Alright... gotta get busy with dinner.

Heatwave!

Just a super quick funny note. I woke up feeling dizzy, was sweating and wanted to barf last night(no....not pregnant :o)...). When I finally woke up enough to analyze further how I was feeling, I realized that the freakin HEATERS were on. Apparently our apartment complex felt that the first chilly evening (45 degrees or so) deserved heaters. We can't control it (I can't complain because we don't pay for it). Not just a bit of heat either.... enough that I opened the windows a lot in order to be able to go back to sleep.

I just found it humorous that it was mid-September and a heater was on. That's all.

A bunch of hogwash...

I went to a website a bit ago to read about this new Christian book that had come out that I was interested in, and then underneath it was another new book about getting over depression, and this was the beginning of the authors comment about his book:

''In a sense, a depressed Christian is a contradiction in terms.''

This comment bothered me deeply, and push me to come write my thoughts because I think that it will be refreshing for me to read my own words and for others like me in the Christian community who may feel ostersized if they have the same struggle. Very, very few of you know that I have stuggled with episodes of what I only recently am realizing that may be depression or at the very least a big struggle to adapt to all of the many changes and stresses in my life, for over a year now. It included a huge struggle with my image (I don't know a woman who doesn't find herself here), and how my faith fits in with all the many awful things I saw at work everyday in Texas. I have gone through times of constantly feeling guilt and being overwhelmed. In many ways, I am a different person than before all of the things that happened at my previous job. I cope with EVERYTHING differently than I used to. At times, I'd searched and dug through all areas of my life thinking that I'm missing something, that there is some sin there that I am not realizing, and then guilty again because I just "must not be praying enough" or I'm not "depending on Christ fully" even though in many ways I felt that I was crying to God and looking to him. I felt so guilty that I didn't talk about it... not even with Jeremy. Anyhow, here are the words of a wise, wise lady that I've been talking to from my church back home:

"I am not saying that there is not depression that is caused by circumstances, even sometimes by sin. But that is not true of all depression."

"Sometimes all the things you do to help the situation, including time in the Word and prayer (which I fully support), are not enough to keep you on an even emotional keel."

Anyhow, be your own judge if you will, but I just wanted to put it out there.... I know I'm not alone in my journey, and I think that it is refreshing for the Christian (and non-Christian) community to hear something different. Don't feel guilty.

Back to what I should have been doing, but haven't started all day.... reading. :)

Chili Cook off....

Funny story. So there was this joke circulating around Jeremy's workplace about this guy from the Midwest who was recruited to judge a chili cook off. Anyhow, long story really short is that he couldn't handle the heat. They asked Jeremy if this was true about chili cook offs in Texas, and not only did he say that it was, but that his wife has won a chili cook off. This is a little known fact about me, and actually the truth is that I've won twice..... in the 2nd and 3rd grade (Jeremy left this detail out... and merely boasted me as an "award-winning chili chef"). My second and third grade classes had chili cook offs each year and I won them both. Although I got the credit, and can make the recipe myself, I guess it would be more accurate to say that my mom won cause let's face it, no grade schooler should be cutting jalapeños.

Anyhow, now his whole office knows and is expecting a very large batch of chili any day now. One of his co-workers even went as far as to get my personal email address and email me personally about his request for a chili lunch.

No worries, I can't back out, cause it was announced at the company wide state of the company meeting yesterday.

Sorry about the lack of blogging. I really do have some topics to write about, but it seems that everytime I'm in the mood for blogging about something serious and deep (haha), I'm really busy. So, to suffice for today, I'll list the topics that I mean to blog on just to make our readers salivate while they eagerly await our next post (haha... again). Here they are: my calling to social work, observations of some who think they are well-meaning at a planned parenthood picketing (I sure did think I left the part of the country where this occurs, but no), and politics. Yikes. Now maybe you see why I haven't sat down to those yet.

For now, I'm off to buy my final book for school, back to finish some homemade potato salad (Jeremy and I are going to BBQ tonight with another couple... I haven't had BBQ since I left Texas!), and tend to Billy. By the way, if you think about it, pray that Billy would be ok and that we wouldn't have a big medical bill coming. He did something to his leg and it is noticeably swollen. Poor guy.... he's really not acting like himself. We called our vet back in Texas and he said it would probably be ok to wait it out until Monday before going to the vet.

I've been tagged....

Kristin, you're lucky today cause I usually don't answer things like this. So, feel blessed (j/k)....

So here goes:

The Rules

1. Post the rules

2. List 8 random facts or habits about yourself.

3. If you are tagged, then you must Post the rules and list 8 random facts or habits about yourself.

4. After you post, tag people and let them know they must read your blog for the rules.


1. I find it incredibly amusing to talk back to Jeremy when he wakes me up from talking in his sleep. He doesn't wake up, but can carry on a conversation. The other night he was talking about drive shafts in cars.

2. Shamefully, I am addicted to iced coffee from Dunkin' Doughnuts. So, in order to make myself feel better about my unhealthy addiction, I'll order my drink with skim milk and splenda instead of cream and sugar. Toasted almond flavoring is my favorite thing in life other than God and Jeremy. Try going up to the counter next time and order a small toasted almond iced coffee with skim milk and splenda instead of cream and sugar and see if you don't feel silly.

3. On any random Friday or Saturday morning, you will find me at the Haymarket in Boston getting my fruits and vegetables. I love the market and bargaining atmosphere. It puts me in a happy mood all day. Just so you know, last week I got 4 lbs. of potatoes for $1, 2 lbs. of strawberries for $1, a pint of blueberries for $1, and 6 kiwi for $1.

4. I love to study so much that I'll study things in other areas of expertise just to say that I've read about such and such. I hate being nerdy, but the closer and closer that I get to going back to school the nerdier I'm becoming. It is rather scary. Jeremy has said that I know everything about everything, and that is embarrassing.

5. My favorite frozen treat is watermelon sorbet. The only place in the world that I've found it is Coldstone Creamery. It is especially good with a mix-in of fresh blueberries.

6.I have a very strange bedtime routine. I have to put chapstick on my lips and lotion on my feet and hands just prior to turning out the lights.

7. I have turned into a big Red Sox fan, so much so that it annoys Jeremy sometimes.

8. I peed my pants from laughter and made a small puddle in the Around the World Coke room at Disneyworld in the 9th grade. I was mortally embarrassed cause I was with this guy that I liked at the time. Sorry for the embarrassing fact, I couldn't come up with a good less embarrassing 8th fact, so I went with the really embarrassing one.

Tag you're it Lara and Laura. :)

Gotta love paying rent.....

No, but really.... I have come to really enjoy walking to go pay the rent and here's why. Interestingly, the place where we pay rent is just down the block from the hotel that we stayed in in March when Jeremy and I got our pre-moving exposure to Boston. I walk about 10 min from the T stop, and as I'm walking (the same walk as to and from the T in March) I just find myself reflecting on the journey God brought us on as he drew our hearts towards Boston. I think about how he grew our faith in increments, preparing us at each step for the step ahead. The walk reminds me His provisions for us, and how He continues to bless us. All in all, the walk causes me to pour out praise and be thankful.