Goodbye baseball, hello basketball!

There's a lot that has happened since I last blogged, but I guess that's normal since it has been a month. :)

In my last post I was blown away with God's provision. That continued for the rest of October and I felt like I was going to be able to use what was left over to make a payment towards my credit card. Then came the 30th. My phone was stolen. We were at our fall festival and my costume left me without a pocket. I felt like I had to have my phone out for parents or teenagers to call, especially since the front door of the school was locked. I kept up with it most of the day and then had to set it down while I dealt with a situation. After I was finished, it was about time to go, so I started dismissal. Then I moved on to clean up and when we were ready to go, I started wondering where my phone was. Kelsey called it and it went straight to voicemail. I knew that it had been stolen but wasn't ready to believe it. The fall festival was only open to our kids and teenagers, so I was really bothered that it had gone missing. I still don't believe any of them took it. I guess God could have made it disappear to teach me an expensive lesson. I went a few days without a phone, in the hopes it would show up, but it didn't. I debated on how to replace it for awhile. With the help of a donation from Brittany, I decided to replace the iphone. I got to the apple store and realized that it was going to be more than I thought to replace it. The last time I bought it, I was a new customer, so I got the best deal on it. I was eligible to receive a partial discount, but it was still painful.

For Halloween, Kelsey and I decided we wanted to experience the Village Halloween Parade. I had heard that it was crazy and would probably be a little inappropriate, but we wanted to do it once. I had a friend, Charlotte- my roommate from my first summer in NY, come in town, so we all went together. I have a small costume collection, so I packed them up and we dressed up before we went to the parade.





It ended up raining and we got soaked by the time we got back to Graffiti to change clothes.



Earlier in the day we spent some time in Central Park enjoying the fall colors. We went by the carosel and Kelsey and I decided to ride it. It was fun and reminded me of days at Fiesta Texas.





I just realized I left out an update from October. I experienced my first Baylor Homecoming as an alum, alumni, alumnae, whatever. I don't know the difference. I had a 6:00 flight, which is becoming the usual for me. The good thing is that I arrived about 11. I had a delicious lunch at Chuy's and then I was on the way to Waco with Deidre, Brittany, and their friend Jessica. We went to Deidre's parents house first and then ran around Waco. We ate dinner at the Olive Branch and then went on campus for the bonfire and Pigskin. I finally got to see Tri Delt's 1st place Sing act! It was fabulous! We went to the late showing, so we weren't out of that until about 12:30, and it was 2 before I went to bed. I had been up for 23 hours by then. We took what I would consider a good nap and were up again to get to the parade. I went to the Tri Delt homecoming breakfast and then met up with them at the parade. After the parade, I went to the Olive Branch again, but this time with my mom, Morgan, and my cousin Hannah. We did some more running around Waco and then headed back to Georgetown. Sunday I went to church and lunch at Dos Salsas and was on my way back to NY. It was a quick, but busy and fun trip and I'm glad I got to go.

Now it is the middle of November and we are in the holiday season- getting things ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is such a busy time of year, but also very fun!

Last week the Yankees won the World Series and people were loving it in the Bronx! I'm not a huge baseball fan, but I watched the playoff games when I was home. Now that that is over with, I'm ready for some basketball action!!! Tuesday there was a half day for elementary schools, so we didn't have after school. I ended up playing basketball with a group of teenage boys. I love their reactions when I come out to play. For those who haven't played sports with me before are surprised and start talking smack. Then we start playing and they are even more surprised. Tuesday was no different. My team won both games and I was named MVP at one point. :) I either got lucky, or I have somehow improved over the years with all of my not-playing or practicing. Maybe all my athleticism has built up since I haven't played much of anything in awhile. Whatever the reason, I had fun! After about 5 minutes my chest started hurting and I couldn't breathe as easily, but I got over it and survived.

God is GOOD!

When I wrote my last update, I was stressed out about money. Since then, I did a devotion that talked about experiencing God's peace. That encouraged me, but I was still stressing. Last Monday, I had another discussion about finances and wasn't feeling the peace yet. I continued to work on it throughout the week and then the flood gates opened. Friday night, I got a package in the mail. It included a rebate check and a check from my parents. Then Saturday, I received a check that someone sent to Graffiti for me anonymously for $250. I was blown away. Tonight I received another check from my sister that she was paying me back for, but she added a bonus to the check. I have been overwhelmed with God's provision and I know he will continue to provide for all of my needs, not just financial needs!

Thank you so much to all of you out there who continue to pray for me. Thank you for all of the financial support given, so that I can do a job that I love!

Back to AFTER school!

So after school program has begun! We started on Sept. 21st and things are going pretty well so far. We changed the way we are doing it and I like it much better. We went back to just one program with all grades together. We still use both locations though- one is for homework and the other is for enrichment. Roles have shifted some, so I have more responsibility with the after school program. There are plenty of other things I could update about, but I want to make this brief tonight. We have seen growth in our adult and youth small groups. Youth small groups are bursting out of apartments and we are praying for a better solution to come soon. Adult small groups are working through more intensive bible study and personal devotions that have been encouraging so far. We celebrated a year with Graffiti 2 Church and are averaging 30-40 people on Sundays.

In personal news...

I am so very thankful that the new seasons of tv have arrived. I enjoy coming home to my nightly tv shows to unwind and eat dinner in front of. My new favorites are FlashForward and Modern Family. Great tv!

I am so thankful that it is October. I love October for many reasons, but the most important reason right now was the payday that came at the beginning of the month. I kept track of my spending and tried to keep a tight budget for the month of September. I felt like I did a really good job and I hardly ate out. I even brought my lunch to work most days. Even still, when I calculated my expenses, I spent exactly what my paycheck was. Actually it was .49 over. That wasn't including a payment on my credit card, or the plane ticket I bought to go to Baylor Homecoming. It is the 4th, and I feel like I have already spent my paycheck on bills, food, or things I will be buying soon. I really don't like to think about it because I get so discouraged by the fact that I am trying to live simply, but it seems like there is never enough money in my account. Yesterday I made a commitment to pay my tithe now, before I can even think about the rest of the month (which also wasn't included in Sept. spending). I wrote out my check and left it at Graffiti while I was there. Today at church, it was the once-a-year message on money. I didn't realize it was today-even though I make the power point every week. I knew it was generosity, but didn't really pay close attention to the things I was copying and pasting into the power point. Anyways... I felt so convicted by the message. As Andrew was speaking, I thought about reacting a couple of ways. I could have easily had an emotional breakdown and stressed about not having enough money. There were definitely phases of that, but verses kept coming up that combat those thoughts. I know that God will provide all my needs, but I also know the realities that I will be facing, i.e. credit card payment and student loan payments in the next couple months. I hate having to think about money. I hate having to think about next September when I won't have NAMB funding. I don't have a clue where that will come from and it stresses me out to think about finding it. This isn't just a personal issue now either. Graffiti 2 is having to search for more funding for all programs, and specifically special events coming up. There aren't easy solutions and we don't know where it will come from, but I am confident that God will provide what we need.

Right now we are participating in a DotOrgAThon. It is a fundraiser our teenagers are doing and we are doing a website push as well. This is similar to a walkathon, but it is benefiting many non profits. We are collecting donations and for every dollar we receive, the DotOrgAThon will match what we've raised. For more information, or to give online visit the link below:
http://register.dotorgathon.com/mission/orgprofile.asp?orgid=12

I will leave you with a verse that I am claiming for the next week at least.
"Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10

The Mouse Diaries

Alright, so today I officially started Operation Mouse Trap. After work I went to Rite Aid and got some new traps that were recommended to me. They were the last of their kind, so it was a divine meeting. I also wanted some sticky traps to put where it goes in and out of the heater, but they didn't have any, so I went to the dollar store and got some. On the way home, one of the traps snapped in the bag and made me nearly pee my pants. I got home and set them all up. I put one of each in the corner where it destroyed my other traps and the other ones at the other end of the heater.




I put the sticky trap between the wall and my staircase so it would have to go through it to get across. I sit on my couch and watch tv, and wait for my mouse to come out. I see it and it explores the new things. It knew something was up and didn't fall for my trick. It goes to the staircase and sees it, then goes around my staircase to get to the kitchen. Right after that, I take one of the sticky traps from the corner and put it on my stove where it comes in and out. Then I start watching over there. I see it and it realizes what has happened and doesn't fall for my second trick. Fail #2! Then I decide that the mouse is too smart , so I move my trap by the stair to right under the heater that it goes up in. I take a shower and a little while after I got out, I was sitting on the couch and was startled by the sticky trap moving around on the floor. 3rd times a charm! Ok, mouse is finally caught. Now what?!?



I was really really really nervous. It would still move around a little and try to get out of it which really freaked me out. I got my broom to move the tray away from the wall. Then I got my dust pan and a plastic bag. I was able to sweep it into the dust pan without touching anything. Then I held the bag open with the stick of my broom and dumped the tray into the bag. I squealed a few times and I think my heart was about to burst out of my chest. I tied the bag up, took a victory picture, and was ready to get rid of it!



I had already decided how I was going to get rid of it. I wanted to throw it off of my balcony! I went and got some shoes, and while I was getting them, it moved around in the bag a little bit. I freaked and dropped it. Once I gathered myself, I proceeded to my balcony. I tossed it off the balcony and watched it land in the lot next door- plastic bag and all! I shamelessly littered!

Now I can relax a little bit. I'm still nervous that there will be another one. I'm just not ready to go through this again. The first sight was Easter weekend, so this has been a long battle! I feel like I deserve a lifetime achievement award or something.

He has RISEN!

Ok, so I know in my last blog I shared another mouse story. I thought I had caught it the morning I left to go to Texas for 3 1/2 weeks, but now that I am back, I am fully convinced I threw out an empty trap or my mouse has risen from the dead. I am not upset that I threw it out, because I believe that God allowed that trap to close so that I would not worry about a mouse taking over my apartment.

Alright, so here we go...

I first saw "evidence" (droppings) on my kitchen counter. I was annoyed and frustrated. I got back on Wednesday and Saturday Kelsey came and was staying with me until Tuesday. At some point while she was here, my traps moved from where I put them, the bait was missing, and we finally spotted it. I saw it first and let out a small gasp and then she saw it and let out a bigger one. I discovered a new place it went up in my heating, so I rebaited a trap and set it by the entrance. The next morning, the bait was gone and another trap was moved. This mouse is continuing to blow my mind and I am trying to figure out what is going on.

In the past when I've seen the mouse, I am sitting on the couch watching tv at night and I usually see it run around my kitchen, only once or twice on the counter. This weekend I have had quite a few sightings. I was sitting watching tv and I see it come out. I sit very still and quietly and just observe. It goes over to a trap and starts eating at it. There was some old bait still on there that was stuck under in a hard to reach place. I tense up and am just waiting for the trap to set off and scare the bejeezus out of me. My heart is racing and my eyes are starting to hurt from focusing on the same spot for so long. It is going at it and tearing up the trap and I am not taking my eye off of it. I don't know how long this goes on, but it was quite a while. Then it decides to go to the kitchen. I discovered where it comes in and out to get on the counter now. There is a space on my oven where the clock is and it gets in through there somehow. It searches around the range, near the microwave, and near my clean dishes on the drying rack and then goes back through the same spot.

Just saw it come out- for the record.

Let me back up a minute. Saturday for lunch I was making a grilled cheese. I got my bread out and set it on the counter. I buttered one piece and set it down. I pick up the other piece and there are 2 mouse droppings stuck to it from the counter! I nearly throw up, then I get another piece of bread out. My countertops are granite and they are speckled. Mouse droppings conveniently blend in. After my appetizing lunch, and seeing how often the mouse visits the kitchen, I no longer use my countertops. I will do a thorough cleaning when it is all said and done, but for now, I am staying away.

So back to my trap. I take a closer look and see pieces of my trap all over the floor and see how much the mouse has eaten through. Here was what it looked like.



I was watching Friends dvds and stopped and just stared at my wall for a long time. I am so consumed with this, it is ridiculous. My eyes go back and forth from one corner to the other just waiting for it to come out again, with an occasional glance in the kitchen. Later on in the day I rebaited it, hoping I could see what happens with the bait. Sure enough, it comes out and it just takes the bait like it's no big deal. It doesn't matter if it's smushed in there or not, it just takes it with so much ease!

Alright, so I go to sleep and I have this dream. I was at my parents house and while I was sleeping, there was a mouse in my bed. In my dream, I grab it with my bare hands and I am just holding on to it while I figure out what to do with it. It is biting me and everything and I'm just talking with my mom about what I should do! Completely consumed I tell you!

I was gone all day today and didn't have a chance to get any new traps. I've thought of all these plans on how I could get it, but the problem is... I don't know what I'm going to do once I catch it. I'll have to get rid of it somehow and that part makes me nervous. Anyway- so I'm gone all day and wasn't sure what to expect when I got home. I looked at the trap again and here is what I found this time...



Tomorrow I plan to begin "Operation Mouse Trap" in the hopes of winning this war! I feel like my life could be a reality tv show right now.

2 more stories...

I have an update that I have forgotten to mention. And a new story from today. Here it is!

So the first week in August I discovered that my mouse was back and it was braver than ever. I was sitting on my couch and I watched it climb up on top of my counter and try to get into my banana bread that was on top of the microwave. I didn't even realize it could get up there. It couldn't get in, so it found the pan that was still on the oven. It climbed all around the edge of my bundt pan and I finally decided to throw my shoe towards it. I didn't really want to hit anything in my kitchen, but I threw it to scare it away. Sure enough, it was scared and I saw it run back to its spot up into my heater. After that, I moved my banana bread up on top of the refrigerator, on top of a basket. I think this was Monday when this happened. Tuesday night, Katie had stayed with me and Wednesday morning I was getting some banana bread for breakfast. I got my plate down and cut a couple pieces. I was about to put them in the microwave when I saw my mouse leap from behind the refrigerator to behind the microwave. I screamed and jumped back. Katie was on the couch and I told her what happened. It was really funny despite the fact that it scared me so bad. It looked ridiculous flying through the air like that. After that, I didn't eat banana bread. I saved it though so I could use it as bait- this time, it was stored in the microwave. So I changed my bait and got some "high tech" traps since mine weren't working well. I got the kind that are covered so you don't see the mouse and it goes in a little hole, then twists shut. I put banana bread in one, and cheese in the other. I put them in key places and checked often. I continued to see "traces" of my mouse, so I knew it was still around, but not in the trap yet. I was getting nervous about being gone for 3 1/2 weeks with a mouse running around, or catching it and having a dead mouse stinking up my apartment for 3 1/2 weeks. Monday morning, I get up to go to the airport and before I leave, I check my traps. Good news! I finally caught a mouse! At least that's what the trap said. I picked it up and tried to shake it to hear something, but I couldn't tell, so I'm assuming it was in there. Yay! Ashley-1 Mouse-DEAD!

Now for my second story. So over my vacation, I ate a lot of mexican food and drank lots of Dr. Pepper. I noticed on my parents scale that I gained a couple pounds, no big deal. About half way into my vacation I put on a pair of jeans I brought and they were noticeably tighter on my hips. So I continued to enjoy my mexican food and Dr. Pepper, without walking anywhere or going up 4th floor walk ups. I was curious to see what the wii said when I got back. I had done it a couple days before I left, so I did it yesterday when I got back and sure enough, I had gained 9 pounds in 3 1/2 weeks. Awesome. It is good to be back to the land of walking, stairs, and a limited food budget.

So today, I go into work. There was a lady that came by who I had helped out some during the summer. We are talking and mid conversation she tells me, "You've gained weight!" What are you supposed to say to that? Yes, 9 pounds to be exact, thanks for noticing! It was funny and I didn't take it too personal. :)

So there you go... two posts in two days. Don't get used to it.

A wedding and vacation

I think the only reason I am blogging is to get my dad to stop bothering me about not blogging.

So I went home for vacation and as soon as I got in town, the busyness began. It was Megan's birthday, so we went out to dinner to celebrate (as if she wasn't getting enough attention that week) :) Then Tuesday the wedding marathon began. We had errands to run and things to get ready. Wednesday was the lingerie shower and bachelorette party. We got 2 hotel rooms for the night in downtown Austin and went to dinner and dessert/coffee downtown. Thursday morning we got up and went to Salado for the bridal luncheon. After, we went and got mani/pedi's and then got ready for the rehearsal. The rehearsal dinner was gorgeous. It was in the Carnley's backyard by the pool. The weather was great also, so it didn't feel like August in Texas! Friday we spent the day getting ready until the ceremony. Megan and I got our make up done (which I absolutely loved!) and then went to get our hair done. Most of the other girls already had their hair appointments, so once we finished, we went to the church to get ready and take pictures. Then it was time! At this point in the week, I had only shed a couple tears at the luncheon. I was doing well and then we got downstairs and I looked back and saw Megan and my dad and nearly lost it. I looked away and then all the other bridesmaids saw me, so they all started tearing up. Later I learned that nearly everyone was crying as they came down the isle. I held it together for the most part (even though it was obvious I was trying to hold it in) until I got down to the end of the isle. It came and went throughout the ceremony, so I had apparently bottled up all my emotions until they burst. Surprised anyone? :) The reception was gorgeous. There was a candy bar that was gone before we got there and some great food. The flowers and decorations were incredible. I'm not just saying this because I'm family... it was truly the prettiest wedding I've been to. After the reception we all had to clean up and tear down fast. We had an hour to get everything outside of the building. We got it done and spent the day Saturday getting things back to their places.

The rest of my vacation was much more relaxing. I had Megan's car while they were on their honeymoon so that gave me freedom to visit people and of course, make a trip to Waco and the Olive Branch! Megan and Clayton came back Thursday, so I got to spend time with them before they went back to school. The next Monday, Davis and Morgan started school, and the Carnley's were going back to Lubbock on Tuesday, so we had a family dinner together and went bowling afterwards! It was a fun night. Tuesday was the start of the real test. I would be home without a car all day, so I was expecting to get bored. I actually enjoyed my time and read and watched movies. Friday and Saturday I spent time with all of the grandparents, and then spent some time with Deidre and Brittany.

Today I got back to New York and got resettled. It is back to the real world, but I'm excited about seeing people and what's coming ahead!