Starbucks is My Friend: A Giveaway

Two days on the new job and I am exhausted! Don't get me wrong, I love what I'm doing (so far) and am looking forward to tackling the many, many things that need to be tackled, so the exhaustion is exhilarating. But yeah, I'm definitely exhausted.

Never one to need an excuse to pay my local Starbucks a visit, if these last two days are any indication of what my days are going to be like, well, let's just say that it would behoove me to buy some Starbucks stock.

Now, there are some of you that are likely thinking, "Wow, must be nice to be able to afford a $6 blended coffee drink every day [insert sarcastic tone here]" but the reality is, I try to limit the blended drinks to no more than one every one or two weeks. Too many carbs and/or fat. No, I actually go there for straight up java. It's strong, caffeinated, tasty, and did I mention strong? And these days, strong coffee has become a necessity. I'm actually trying to figure out a way to safely mainline the stuff straight into my veins; I'll let you know if I find a good solution.

In the meantime, I will keep a steady supply on hand for the long days ahead. Call me addicted. And because I know so many of you are also java junkies, for whatever your reasons, "It tastes great!", I am finally ponying up the giveaway I've been teasing you with these last two weeks.

Here's the skinny (latte, anyone?) on the giveaway:

The prize - One $25 Starbucks gift card, to be used at a Starbucks of your choosing for your favorite java concoction.

To enter the contest - tell me, by way of a comment on this post (be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you win!), your favorite Starbucks drink. Are you a "Tall Pike's Peak with lip for cream", a "Grande Skinny Cinnamon Latte"or a "Triple Venti Soy Caramel Macchiato?" (my personal favorite when nothing but a blended drink will do.)

One entry per person, please! (Multiple entries by the same user will be deleted!)
The winner will be selected randomly from the comment entries.
Entry deadline is 5pm (CST) Friday, March 26, 2010.
Winners will be announced sometime over the weekend; exactly when will depend on my level of exhaustion!

One last bit of messy housekeeping: Contest open to US residents only. Sorry rest of the world!

Here's to having some Starbucks, on me!


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Guilt and Movitation

I declared today pajama day at my house. This meant we were going to hang out in our PJs all day, effectively making it a lazy Sunday. I had no intentions of working out today, and was completely okay with that.


Then the dog started getting stir crazy. She hadn't been out for a walk or run in at least four days, and she was restless. I tried to ignore it as I lacked all motivation to go work out. I really didn't want to ruin PJ day by putting on my running gear and taking her out for a much needed run (ok, the much needed part is probably more for me than her!)

Finally, knowing I'd been eating junk all weekend and had skipped at least two much needed workouts, I finally dragged myself off the couch and out onto the street, no longer in my jammies and with the dog raring to go. I lacked all motivation for this run, but did it anyway, mostly to appease our sweet girl, Bristol.

As we burned one, then two miles on our excursion, I reflected over how much I had dreaded this run, and on how good it actually felt to be running. I realized that, while I may often lack the motivation to get up off my duff and workout, I never regret it when I do. Yet, inevitably, every time I'm a lazy bum and skip my workouts, I always feel guilty!

I suspect one day I'll actually like working out. For now, I'll just keep reminding myself that the lack of motivation is not worth the guilt that always comes later. And so, I'll keep dragging myself out for a run with Miss Bris, even when I really don't feel like it. Even if it's PJ Day.

Here's to good health!

Today Was a Blessing

Today, we blessed a friend. A group of 20 wonderful people came together and collected between them $690, a Wii game console, extra controllers, a few games and a DVD. These were given to a very special lady, that she might breathe a little easier during this difficult financial time, and give her twin, teenage boys a few small Christmas gifts and a big helping of Christmas cheer.

To those of you who reached out to help a stranger, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul. To those of you who reached out to help a friend, I extend these thanks as well and am blessed and proud to call you friends. And to all of you, I pray that God would bless each of you sevenfold for opening your hearts and hearing the call of someone in need, and then acting upon it.

Today, we were all blessed. We were given the gift and privilege of being God's hands and feet, and doing HIS work. I can think of no better gift to receive this Christmas.

May God bless you all this Christmas and throughout the new year.

It Really is Just Stuff

Ever wonder how you would handle losing all of your possessions? Think about it. What would you do if you lost your home, your car, your clothes, jewelry, electronic gadgets, every thing that meant something to you? In a time when amassing stuff seems to be the norm, we often convince ourselves that our lives would be incomplete without these things, that somehow, we would be less of a person if not surrounded by our worldly items.

I am guilty of this. I like to think I'm above it, that I have a loose grip on the things of this world and could move through the rest of my life without so much. And in my heart, I know it's true. But every now and then, I catch glimpses of a person who sometimes feels she is defined by how much, or how little, she has. 

Today, as I learned of dear friends losing their jobs during one of the worst economic times our country has seen in memorable history, I was reminded of what is really important, of who I really am and what defines me. I am grateful to still have a job, my health, a husband who loves me, and my family around me. If all else went away, even my job, I would still be wealthy beyond measure.

I pray those faced with the challenges of this economic downturn remember what is important this holiday season. Hold your families close, bask in the little things, and remember that God has a plan.

Praying peace, love and hope for all those affected.

Merry Christmas and may the new year be filled with the wealths that can not be taken from you.

Stress + Speculation = Distractions!

Last week we learned that our company would, for the third time in 12 months, be downsizing. While this is normal for our country these days, you must understand that presently, our company has about 41 employees. To downsize yet again means reducing our workforce to roughly half what we have now.

I can't decide what's worse, knowing we're downsizing, that the senior leadership team asked for volunteers to separate from the company, or the uncertainty of what happens next.

I do know that this week, so far, has been filled with a lot of stress and some serious speculating. This effectively results in a whole lot of distractions. There is so much work to do, yet I would bet maybe half of it is getting done.

Is it better to know what's coming, or is not knowing the right thing?

Life is an uncertainty; maybe our real job is to just try and make the most of each day we are given, starting with the present one. After all, no matter how much we worry, stress, or speculate, we can't change tomorrow before tomorrow even gets here, right?

~Matthew 6:34