A favorite of mine! Jaunita Bynum's sermon style is pretty much take it or leave it. And she did marry that sketchy I'm-pretty-sure-he's- gay guy...nevertheless I LOVE this sermon (it's 9 parts).
I do a lot of things solo. I attend school on the other side of the state from my hometown, hate driving (and now with gas, hates to spend all that money), and I get car sick. So, I really like to just stay here in my house, be lazy and do some work.
However, over the holidays most of my friends are home and so I do end up being by myself. And that's okay because I get to experience quiet. When was the last time you were quiet? When was the last time you had no obligations, nobody to talk to, just nothing? If it's been a long time ago I encourage you to do it. It's absolutely fabulous.
But if you're like me and you like to plan, here are some things to do this Easter if you're by yourself:
Go to Barnes and Noble (avoid Starbucks!) and read all those random magazines that always want, but can't afford to buy
Sleep in
Go to Sunrise Service, buy a paper on your way home and spend all day reading the paper and watching movies
*I don't actually buy cartons of eggs. I don't use them often enough, so I buy the egg whites in the tiny container. They last longer and I don't really like the yolks anyway. For the lasagna, I buy the family size frozen entree. It's $7.95, but since I can stretch it out 3 meals it comes out to 2.65 a serving. On Friday I added a chicken breast because usually I have a smaller amount left. For my PBJs I buy uncrustables (well actually the Sam's version: Jamz). They are amazing! I can throw them in my book bag and by the time I'm ready for lunch they're thawed and ready. I don't like thawed bread, but you honestly can't tell.
My meals are much healthier when I'm not in school, but honestly right now this is the best I can do with working 15+ hours a week and take 16 hours of classes. I also need my sleep. If I don't have 8 hours I am not a happy girl!
What this menu doesn't include are my snacks that I randomly eat. I love the laughing cow cheese wedges (last forever), hummus, grapes, pineapple and natural peanut butter that I make at Fresh Market (I buy most of these snacks at Fresh Market). I also eat popcorn when I want something salty. For my drinks I alternate b/t water (at school, I just refill my bottle), diet pepsi or Diet Dr. Pepper (yes I still have some of these) and juice. I usually have soda in the am. That's when I crave it.
The items I buy can be a bit expensive especially since I shop at Fresh Market. But my snacks last me such a long time. That's one of the bonuses of being single. You can 'splurge' on your groceries because you don't have to worry about your family gobbling them up. Also, when I buy my fruit I get what's in season (during the summer I pick strawberries and blueberries and a local farm at home) so that's cheaper too.
Does anyone know which store is better in regards to selling local foods. Unlike my hometown, the town my college is in doesn't have a local co-op. We do have Fresh Market and Whole Foods. I prefer to buy foods that are as local as possible (there are some farmer's markets around, but they are either closed for the season or so far away that I can't justify using the gas). I may do a CSA, but I don't want to get too much food that I waste it.
Let's see if this will help me stick to eating at least one healthy meal a day and not resorting to subway on the way home....
I don't eat breakfast usually. Most of the time I eat a cheese stick and a diet-soda on the way to school. My grocery cart often looks like I'm shopping for a toddler. I love my cheese sticks and gummy snacks.
Sunday Lunch-->omelet (need to use up some eggs*) Dinner-->chicken breast and stuffing
Monday Lunch--> PBJ and cheese stick Dinner-->Sausage and leftover stuffing
Tuesday Lunch/Dinner-->Subway (I'll buy a foot long and eat the second half for dinner at work. I'll work right after class until 930 pm.
Wednesday Lunch-->Bagel w/cream cheese and gummy snacks Dinner-->vegetable lasagna
Thursday Lunch-->Ramen (I'll have about an hour at home after school before I go babysit) Dinner-->vegetable lasagna
Friday (good Friday so no school) Lunch-->Ramen Dinner--> vegetable lasagna with chicken
In 1954 Sylvia path wrote the "Mad Girl's love Song". The sentiments conveyed in the poem can be seen as a reason single people are well single. Being in love (or simply a relationship)can cause such an emotional roller coaster...that it's better to be alone right?
I should have loved the thunderbird instead; At least when spring comes they roar back again. I shut my eyes and all the world is dead. (I think I made you up inside my head.)
And then there's the idea that you shouldn't be single, because by doing so you're missing out on God's purpose and plan for you: wife and mother (click on the links to read the articles):
My opinion? CALM DOWN PEOPLE. If you're single like me, then I encourage you to go on with your life. Whether that be school or a career. I don't think you have to remain under the headship of your father until you marry. I think as women we are capable of going out into the world and making our own way.
If you wait around for marriage and do 'Biblical Courtship'- in my opinion- you're going to look BEYOND desperate. Honestly have you seen the women in church who are pushing 30, 35 and feel the need to get married? They practically hound the single guys.
If you don't want to get married or have children. Then sister do your thing and live your life as you please.
If you're like me and you do want a family someday, don't wait around on Friday nights and have a pity party. GO OUT and have fun. I seriously doubt you'll meet Prince Charming, but you will create memories that will give you a smile when you are a married woman, juggling a husband and baby with a stinky diaper.
You can:
Join the singles group at church (although if it's like my church they are mostly for older adults and have more women)
Commit to going out with a group of friends once a week. This can be done cheaply. You don't need to have dinner or buy a lot of expensive drinks. Many wine bars in town have free tastings in the afternoon and specials. If you go on an 'off' time you'll probably miss the college crowd and have an opportunity to meet guys you can actually have a conversation with.
Join an athletic group. My local Y has a triathlon club. When I can actually do more than just float (WITH A NOODLE) in the pool, I really want to join it. Let me tell you, that club is PACKED with some cute, fit men.
Get involved in groups you like (political campaign, charity), you'll be with people who have similar interests.
Critically look at your wardrobe. Do you have jumpers from 1980? Wear socks with sandals? Girl stop, do not pass go, do not collect $200--but run to Walmart (discount on magazines) and buy a Lucky magazine. I LOVE Lucky, there's no juicy celebrity gossip/interviews. Just pages and pages of good fashion tips. And don't go in debt and buy expensive clothes, but look at what will work for you when you go shop at stores you can afford (visit the Style it Less blog on my sidebar for more info).
Do the same critical analysis of your makeup.
Don't look desperate
Don't act desperate-->You are a beautiful woman. You deserve better than to take the first man who comes along. If he doesn't treat you like you should be treated 'kick him to the curb' (wow I am pulling out all the Maury phrases tonight) and move on.
Honey, your time will come. You will be happy if you aren't already. Your happiness may not come from a man. Your happiness may come from developing a deeper relationship with God. It may come from being close to your nieces or nephew. And your happiness might just come from loving yourself.
I've added a play list to my blog. But don't worry it doesn't start automatically! I have a variety but my favorite artist is Amy Winehouse. I know her life is pretty crappy right now (or should it be cracky?), but I'm not looking for a role model, just a good singer. And she is AMAZING. Most Americans know Rehab the best and that honestly isn't my favorite song.
Like all good college Republicans (and for the record I won't be voting for McLame, I will be voting for Senator McCain. An American hero and a senator who has a proven record of achieve legislation to change America and can/has worked 'across the aisle'...but I digress) I listen to talk radio all the time. So when I do listen to music it's heavily influenced by the Blues and Gospel my mom listened to as I was growing up.
Hope you enjoy! If you have any suggestions of music I might like, leave a comment.
Besides shopping and reading the news, the only thing I really do on the internet is go on forums. I belong to frugal living on about.com, I don't post on there often because some of those people are CRAZY. The are the most pessimistic group of people in the world. I mean EVERYTHING is the end of the world and America is basically about to explode. But there are some good tips so I read that occasionally.
Then I belong to a private forum that I love. The women there are amazing.
I also belong to another forum that I have been a member of for going on 3 years. The first year or so I really liked it. But honestly I've never fit in. I haven't posted on it for almost a year. I don't need to be judged etc. But (and I know this sounds crazy) I feel attached to the board. I recently realized that the board I'm attached to is not what the board is now. I really should just log off and not even read it. But it's like a a train wreck, you know you shouldn't but.......
So all of this is to say that with the exception of the private forum, I really need to find another community that I fit in. I'm looking for a forum with mostly single women (and not hyper Christians- you know the ones who wear only dresses and think you're going straight to hell for going to college). Any suggestions? I'm thinking about joining ivillage
Have you ever felt guilty for your purchases? Have you ever told someone what you recently bought and they said 'must be nice'? Well I no longer am going to feel guilty for what I buy. Why?
Because I work hard for my money I don't have a credit card and am not buying on credit Yes I know there are starving children in Africa, no I don't feel responsible for them I like nice things and hate used things I rarely splurge but when I do I like to use the motto: go big or go home!
Name: Renee Home: United States About Me: I'm 22
I like to read non fiction
I love politics
I like good beer
I pay too much for purses
Being happy is the only goal in my life! See my profile...
posted by Renee at 
