Courage, Compassion, & Connection: Book Suggestion

I’ve been going to counseling since last October, and my counselor recommended that I read Brené Brown’s book, I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power. It is FANTASTIC. The book discusses shame v. guilt, perfectionism, inadequacy and how we can practice overcoming these feeling cycles by practicing courage, compassion, and connection. I’m especially learning from Brown’s discussion of empathy.

This book is geared toward women. Brown is working on a book geared toward men on these same issues. If you’re ready to grow and learn, this book is definitely one you’ll want to check out.

Some Helpful Links:
Author’s Website
Author’s Read-Along for This Book
Buy this Book on Half.com
Buy this Book on Amazon.com
Check out this Book from a Kansas City-area Library

Have you studied the concepts in this book? What is the most helpful insight you’ve gained thus far?

I’m Excited: Upcoming Concerts

Typically, Nathanael and I go to maybe 1 or 2 concerts together each year. This fall, we’re going to 3! First, we’ll hear Derek Webb. Second, we’ll see Ben Folds. Then we’ll hear The Swell Season. I’m so excited to experience these artists live!

My Second Part-Time Job

Primarily, I work at Nazarene Theological Seminary as Development Assistant (doing marketing/fund-raising/alumni relations) 20 hrs/wk. This summer, Nathanael and I decided it would be helpful for me to get a second part-time job, because I’m taking a break from grad school and he is beginning nursing school and working a bit less. I checked NTS’ job board, and found an advertisement for a part-time housekeeper. Cleaning and organizing are tasks I enjoy–especially because they translate into order, being at peace, and hospitality. I inquired, and met up with my potential employer, Geri, in July.

She and I clicked. She wanted not only a housekeeper, but a home manager, and someone who brings happiness and peace into her home, etc. She hired me, and now I spend 14 hrs/wk in Geri’s home, helping her space become more and more a place of peace and refuge. It’s been a fun and rewarding job. At the end of my days there, I can see my progress. I’m also grateful for a second job that helps me be more active. It’s neat to have a job in which I can use my gifts to enrich someone’s life.

What’s your favorite or least favorite household chore? My favorite might be laundry. My least favorite: dishes!

Meal & Grocery Planning

A Delightful Dinner, originally uploaded by laurajlyons.

A couple months ago, my mom told me about a helpful meal planning resource: e-mealz.

COST: $5.00/month (That’s less than it usually costs for one person to eat out one time!)

BENEFITS: This service provides you with a two-page PDF each week that includes 5 numbered dinner recipes (main dish and sides), along with a grocery list categorized by sections at the grocery store, numbered according to the items’ corresponding numbered meals, and includes price estimates of each item and the total grocery list. The meal numbering makes it extremely easy to cross off one meal and its ingredients if it doesn’t suit you or your family’s taste buds. It also makes preparation for making a grocery run an absolute breeze. In addition to printing the PDF each week, I save the PDF to my computer so that I will have the menu plans for future reference. (Because I’m paying for this, I want my money’s worth.)

CHOOSING A MEAL PLAN: Nathanael and I currently use the “Aldi’s for 2″ meal plan. The other options are the following: ALDI Family Meal Plan, ALDI Meal Plan for 2, KROGER Family Meal Plan, PUBLIX Family Meal Plan, WAL-MART Family Meal Plan, ANY-STORE Family Meal Plan, RALPHS Family Meal Plan, VEGETARIAN Any Store Family Plan, VEGETARIAN Wal-Mart Family Plan, Low Carb Wal Mart Supercenter Meal Plan, Low-Carb Any Store Meal Plan, Low Fat Publix Family Plan, Low Fat Wal-Mart Family Plan, Low Fat Any Store Family Plan, Points System Meal Plan: Publix, Points System Meal Plan: Wal-Mart, Points System Meal Plan: Any-Store, Meal Plan for 2 Wal-Mart (5-day), Meal Plan for 2 Any-Store (5-day), Low Fat Walmart for 2 (5-day), Low Fat Any Store for 2 (5-day), Point System Wal Mart for 2 (5-day), & Point System Any Store for 2 (5-day).

If you want to check it out or try it, click here:
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What resources do you use to plan meals and grocery trips? Share your tips for taming the meal planning beast in the comments section below.

Nathanael is Now a Student Nurse

Nathanael is now officially a student nurse at UMKC. He’s doing well in his studies, and enjoying furthering his vocational goals.

Missing My Small One

So Cute, originally uploaded by laurajlyons.
I’m in Orlando at the Church of the Nazarene’s General Assembly, and missing my Watson. I look forward to getting home in a few more days, and being greeted by his excited snorting and twirling around my feet.

Doodle: A Free Online Tool

I love organizational whats-its. I discovered a new scheduling tool called Doodle. It’s free, online, and you can use it to gauge people’s availability for a meeting or create a poll. Here’s an example poll I created. Doodle is an application on Facebook too.

I think it’s great, and you gotta love the name. Click here to learn how to become a Doodle-er.

Missing the Belcher Family

Jodi and Dave, along with their kids, Sam (in picture on the right) and Sophia (on the left), moved away on June 2nd. Jodi will be starting at Th.D. program at Duke this fall.

I miss them already, and thought I’d share a couple pictures of their cute kiddos.

Yay for 3 Years of Marriage

Happy 3rd Wedding Anniversary to Us, originally uploaded by laurajlyons.

On Saturday, Nathanael and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. Wow–time flies.

We started the day off right by making breakfast together–biscuits and gravy. Jeremy and Libby joined us. After breakfast, we all played a game of Ticket to Ride (our current fave).

For the afternoon, Nathanael and I went to Weston, MO. It’s a historic small town with shops and restaurants. We leisurely strolled through the town. The candle shop was our favorite. We liked the Cilantro and Olive Branch scents best.

All the shops shut down at 5… so we had an early dinner at O’Malley’s. Our appetizer was delicious, but the main course left a bit to be desired. We enjoyed the company of one another in spite of this, an intense nose bleed after dinner, and returning home to watch the not-so-great “W.” movie.

We’re happy to be married to each other, and look forward to the next 60 years (give or take).

Organizing My Home Office: Before & After

In my living room, I have a home office in a closet. (I saw the idea on Apartment Therapy.) Over time, my little closet office became a disaster as I turned it into a temporary dumping ground and shut its door.

However, now it is organized, ready to be used, and I am so relieved to know I won’t hurt myself if I open the closet door. More before and after pictures are here.