Sunday Snippets- I can't get no satisfaction

So I know I am usually upbeat and try to be inspirational in these posts, but I have a confession to make.  I'm not satisfied.  I've been feeling very unsatisfied lately.  I've felt kind of like a failure as a Christian because I know I should feel satisfied. How do I know?  Just read some of these verses:


Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:35

And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11

The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. Proverbs 19:23

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

But my eyes cannot stay focused on Jesus.  I keep getting distracted by all these things that I want...

Like a new house, a new car, a hot body that is bikini ready at a moment's notice, a maid, a family, a big family with at least four kids, prince charming, a hot prince charming that is head over heels for me and loves Jesus, a massage, a vacation, a turquoise bauble necklace, a promotion, an award, some recognition for my work, to be beautiful, to be recognized for my beauty, to be loved...I could go on and on.

And I know even if I got these things they would not satisfy me.  Just read the book of Ecclesiastes.  Or look at Hollywood.  All those beautiful, rich people who could have whatever they want with a snap of their fingers...they don't seem to be satisfied either.

I"m committing the sin of coveting.  I'm coveting everything everyone around me has, or everything society tells me I should have and I can't stop.  I really don't know what is going on right now but something has to change because I just keep trying to fill this yearning with food and laziness and despair and it keeps getting worse.  I know it sounds horrible and pathetic but it isn't as bad as I am making it seem here on a daily basis.  Normally I am fine.  I'm just getting really annoyed by this lingering "unsatisfied" feeling.

So I'm going to try some different things.  I started some new devotionals.  One is a "soul cleanse" and the other is a devotional on fasting.  I am going to try fasting at least once a week.  I am going to chase after God and ask Him to satisfy this craving and try to stop "wanting" so much.

Are you a No Reply blogger?? How to fix that!

One of my biggest pet peeves in blogland is when someone comments on my blog and I go to reply to them and I get this: "blogger@noreply-comment".  In fact back in 2011 I included that in one of my Blogging Tips posts.  (You should go read that post.  I still stand by all the tips in it!)

So imagine how horrified I was this week when the awesome Taylor replied to a comment I left her and included this at the end:

"...Anyway, attach your email to your blog so when I hit respond to your comment it doesn't show up at "blogger@noreply-comment"


WHAAATT!?  I was a no-reply blogger!?  How the heck did that happen??

I did a google search because after poking around my profile for a few minutes I could not figure out what had happened.  

Well apparently Blogger profiles were switched to link to your Google+ account at some point and somehow that breaks whatever you had set up to allow people to email you back when you comment on their blogs.  (Makes me hate Google+ even more!)

Anyway, I found a great tutorial Jenniffier did on how to fix it and hopefully have resolved the issue now.  If you comment on blogs regularly I highly suggest you do this!  It so much nicer when you can just hit reply to respond to a comment!  

I commented on my own post yesterday and it worked, but who knows if that was just because it was my own blog?  So if I comment on your blog and you still get the stupid no-reply thing when trying to respond, please let me know! 

If I had it to do all over again I would probably pick a different platform than Blogger.  They just have done so many things like this over the years that drive me batty!  But I have so much content here now that I can't imagine moving.  Who knows?  Maybe one day I will.

And how freaking awesome is Taylor that she took the time to find my email address to respond to my comment!?  That is going above and beyond the blogger call of duty!  Thanks Taylor!

Saw it. Pinned it. Did it. - Re-use those candle jars

It all started with this pin:

Source: snapguide.com via ncsuz on Pinterest

I recognized the jar as being from a Bath & Body Works candle because I use those all the time.  And I thought "why did I never think of this before!?!"  (Doesn't Pinterest always do that to you?)

It was super easy.  Just put the jar in the freezer.  (I do mine overnight usually.)

The use a knife and tap on the wax until it breaks apart.  Then it all come out super easily.

Then remove all the stickers and wash any residual wax out.

Easy!

This one I used for cotton balls in the bathroom.

And another one I use as a catch-all jar in the kitchen.  It had knick-knacks like my ear-buds, spare change, bobby pins, and lip gloss in it.  Much better to be in a cute jar than a mess on the counter!

I'm thinking of using some to do this next Thanksgiving:

Source: naptimedecorator.blogspot.com via ncsuz on Pinterest

Or you could do "LOVE" for valentines day or "JOY" for Christmas.  Or you could do "HOME" just for everyday.

So lesson learned: Don't throw out those used up candles!  There are so many possibilities for them!

Linking up!

Ten Ranodm Thoughts Tuesday

1.  I saw this movie on Friday and it was awesome.

I didn't think the torture scenes were too bad.  And I think Bin Laden would be rolling over in his grave if he knew it was a woman that found him and was the driving force behind his death!  Oh and I don't know how accurate the actual mission to capture/kill him was, but I loved watching the portrayal.  Seal Team Six was HOT!  Two thumbs up!

2. I tried out this hot new place Rise in Durham.  I had heard a lot of buzz about it and a lot of people had experienced 30 min.+ wait times just to order.  We went Monday for lunch and it wasn't too busy at all.  There were two of us and we each ordered a biscuit and a donut and split everything.  It was all yummy!

From front to back: Fried Chicken Biscuit, Peanut Butter Cup Donut, Myer Lemon Bomb donut, Apple Braised Pork biscuit

3. I listened to this sermon on how God made Eve to be a helper for Adam.  In it the pastor talks about how men and women interact in the workplace and how a lot of relationships and affairs happen in the workplace because when women and men are working together this reflects God's original design.  It makes sense to me because I do think when you are spending so much time together and working as a team it can form bonds and cause attraction.  Thoughts?

4.  I am loving The Bachelor!  But is it just me or does Sean seem too perfect sometimes?  I gave in and looked at the spoilers at who supposedly wins.  I can tell you she would not even be on my radar if it weren't for seeing that.  Here are my favorites right now:

AshLee- but really?  how can you make a living as a personal organizer?

Lindsay- I know she was a little coo-coo for wearing the wedding dress, but I like her and she's from NC!

Lesley- I loved her awkwardness with Sean during her 1-on-1 time because that would totally be me!

I also really like Kaci B. (although I don't think she is really out of the "friend zone") and Sarah (but I think she could find a better match than Sean.  She wants someone more exciting than him I think.)

5. I just got my first paycheck of 2013 and I want to cry.  I spent months working on my 2013 budget and now I have to figure out how to cut $80/month out of it.  I seriously hate taxes.

6.  I didn't think I would, but I am totally loving this Mark of the Lion series I am reading.  A friend had let me borrow the first book and last night I just ordered the whole series from Amazon because I think this series will end up being one of my all time favorites!

7. Apparently Scotty McCreery came to our church on Sunday.  I did not see him because I go on Saturday nights.  Our campus pastor wrote a blog post about how to respond when a celebrity comes to your church. I'm kind of glad I wasn't there because I probably would have been one of those to point, stare and whisper with my friends.  Who knows?  The closest I've ever come to a celebrity was one summer the guy that played Minkus from Boy Meets World came to work where I worked.  It was right when One Tree Hill had just come on the air so he wasn't too famous for being "Mouth" yet.   His dad worked there and he was on break from Wake Forrest that summer.  I actually had to train him and acted totally normal, but that didn't mean the day before I wasn't pointing and staring and whispering with my friends.

8. I need a maid.  But that will not happen anytime soon.  (see #5)

9. I feel very blah and "stuck" lately.  Frustrated.  I can't seem to get myself out of this general funk.

10. Yesterday we had most of my team and a bunch of people from Worldwide Marketing in a room at work testing some new webpages we are getting ready to launch.  One of the guys in the room said "this is definitely Susan in this video." and people started joking about "was I moonlighting as an actress??"  Of course my heart dropped and I was scared to see what this girl looked like.  Do you guys kind of freak out when people say you look like someone?  The video is below and I do see some resemblance but that girl is way skinnier, younger, and prettier than me.  I said "Haha yeah maybe me when I was 16!"

Sorry for the randomness today, but it's been kind of a random month so far.

  

Friday Night Lights

I have a new obsession:

Back on Black Friday I noticed Target had the DVDs of each season for just $7/ea.  I had heard this was a great show so I bought the entire series!  I planned on watching them while I ran on my treadmill during these cold winter months.  I don't have cable or anything in my spare room but do have a DVD player and old TV.  So I figured this series would entertain me and make the time go by quicker and maybe motivate me too.

It worked!  I am about 7 episodes in now and I WANT to run on the treadmill everyday just so I can see the next episode!

And there are so many familiar faces from some of my current favorite shows!

The star quarterback is now one of my favorites on Heart of Dixie!

The coach's wife is now one of my favorites on Nashville!

There was even a guest appearance in one episode from this guy...

He is one of my favorites now on the show Suits on USA.

And I totally have a huge crush on this guy...

For some reason I just love coach Taylor!  He is the kind of man I would love to be married to.  I love his character so much!  And I see that he is going to be in Zero Dark Thirty!  Which I wanted to see anyway, but now I have made it a priority and will probably be going to see tonight!

I cannot express how much I love this show!  I was a cheerleader in high school in a small southern town.  It wasn't quite as big of a deal as it is in the show, but that certainly was what my fall season's revolved around.

And I have always loved guys that played sports.  My junior/senior year I dated the captain of the soccer team.  The fall of my senior year he was killed in a car wreck (read more about that here) and watching what the star of this show goes though after his accident (he ends up being paralyzed) has really brought back a lot of emotions around that.  I think about how much it would have hurt him if he had survived but was paralyzed or something and how that could have torn us apart.  It kind of gives me a little peace about it now and makes me realize how selfish of me it was to want him to have survived that crash at any cost so he could be with me now.  God's grace in that situation was probably him taking him so he wouldn't have to endure that.

Anyway I know I am really behind on this, but I love it and had to share!

Any other amazing old TV series that I should look into getting next once I finish this one?

Pinterest List Ideas- Travel edition

Inspired by Tara guest posting over at The Vintage Apple, I thought I would share with you guys some ideas for my next 40 before 40 list I have been storing up on Pinterest.  Of course I have to finish my 30 Before 30 list first!

Source: perfectbucketlist.tumblr.com via ncsuz on Pinterest

Source: perfectbucketlist.tumblr.com via ncsuz on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via ncsuz on Pinterest

Source: perfectbucketlist.tumblr.com via ncsuz on Pinterest

Source: perfectbucketlist.tumblr.com via ncsuz on Pinterest

As you can see most of these are travel related.  I need to find a travel buddy.  Most of my friends are having babies now so they will be too broke and tied down for trips.  I pray God will send me a travel buddy soon because I am kind of getting tired of being the only single gal on couples trips too.

Linking up

How I spent my Christmas Money & Bonus

For Christmas the only thing I got was money, but that is a-okay with me because then I can pick out what I want.  I also get a portion of my yearly bonus in December and since I have such a small family and not many Christmas presents to buy, that meant I had a lot of extra cash burning a hole in my pocket.

I know I should save this money. But I had to splurge on a few things for myself.

I had been contemplating getting an e-reader for years!  Like ever since the very first Kindle came out.  But I kept putting it off.  I also had iPad envy ever since they first came out, but resisted because I thought "why do I need an iPad when I have my iPhone and a small, very portable laptop?"

Last summer I bought a Lenovo A1 tablet because I work there and they were having a awesome sale.  So combine that with my employee discount, and I was able to get it for like $100.  But sadly after just a week I decided to return it.  It's an Android operating system and I didn't want to have to re-buy all these apps I had already bought on my phone.  And it was a little bit too heavy to use for long time periods as an e-reader.

For months I was contemplating a Nook.  I almost bought the Nook with Glow Light a couple times.  Then the Kindle Paperwhite came out and I was considering that.  Then I heard they were coming out with an iPad mini, so I decided to just wait to see if I liked that better because it would be the best of both worlds and I wouldn't have to buy an iPad and a separate e-reader.

Well Sunday I had to take my iPhone to the Apple store because it was randomly losing connection to Wifi and/or 4G at least once a day and I had to hard re-set it every time it did it which got super annoying.  (For those of you who think Apple products never have issues like all other electronics, you must have never tried to visit the Genius Bar on a weekend.  That shizz was cray-cray!)  I had made an appointment for 3:30, but between parking hell and then waiting in line to check in, it ended up being 3:43 when I made it to the front of the line.  Well, their system cancels your appointment after 5 minutes so I had to wait for the next available appointment which wasn't until 6:10!!

I went and ran some more errands but there was no way I was going to lose my appointment again so I got there at 5:45 to check in.  This gave me plenty of time to get sucked in to "i want" land.  I of course went to check out the iPad mini.  I spent about 15 minutes playing with it and comparing the specs and finally decided this was the device for me.  So I finally caved in and bought one.

I did not get the AppleCare+ Protection though and now I am second guessing that decision.  After meeting with the guy about my phone (which they ended up just replacing with a new one) I am scared that I may have made the wrong decision.  Those of you with iPads...did you get the AppleCare+ Protection?  Do you think it is worth $99 for an extra year warranty and accidental damage protection?  (You still have to pay $49 to fix accidental damage and are limited to only 2 accidental claims.)

The other thing I splurged on:

Not one but two new Coach purses!  Now before you go judging me I got both of these purses with tax and shipping and handling for just $205!  A few years ago I either stumbled across or was invited to this Coach outlet site.  Every few days they invite you to these secret sales.  They usually have pretty decent deals but this was an amazing deal so I just had to get both.  

Earlier this year I got this awesome messenger bag for my work laptop for just $100.  I love it so much!  It is just big enough to fit the essentials and I love the pop of pink on the inside.

If you want an invite to the Coach Outlet site just send me your email address and I will send you an invite.  It took a few months for my other friends to regularly get invited to sales (apparently not everyone is invited to every sale and you can't access the sale if you are not invited.)  But now they get regular weekly or bi-weekly invites like I do.

Do you guys splurge on non-necessities when you have extra cash or are you more diligent about saving it?