Los Siete Takeos Quickos

I feel like I just insulted myself with that post title...and yet, I haven't changed it.

1. Sunday I posted about my newest item in my Etsy shop - These crocheted fingerless mittens

Stay tuned this weekend for a super cute pattern I found, perfect for those family Christmas photos.  Well...the pattern at least is cute...here's hoping the finished product turns out cute as well!  You know I'll post pictures, do not fret!

2. Found out I didn't get the job I interviewed for last week.  I felt pretty down again as a result, but the woman who interviewed me forwarded my resume to other managers within the agency and one of them called me to schedule an interview for Monday.  It would be a very different position that what I had anticipated - no client contact, more program planning...it would also be a further commute, and it is still unclear whether I would be able to get my hours for licensure with this job.  But.  I am desperate and therefore took the interview.

3. I still have this dream of working in a Catholic school.  Or as part of a parish.  Or at a faith based counseling agency.  I'm looking - but I feel caught in this Catch 22 of, "I'm licensed but not fully licensed which limits my job opportunities, but I can't get fully licensed without experience"  

4. Sometimes, I look around at our house and think - "Ok, when did the tornado hit, and how did I miss it?"  We don't have kids yet, so I know the luxury of dedicating an entire weekend to cleaning will be short lived - but I plan to take advantage of one of the few weekends we don't have plans to clean, clean, clean!  ... unless I decide my desire to go to High Rock is more important.

5. I went to Michaels the other day and was accosted by Christmas decorations.  At first I was all, "Dude, Michaels, it's not even Thanksgiving yet!"  but the more I saw all of the cheery decorations the stronger my desire to decorate our house became.  To the point where I came home and told Chris I was ready to decorate - he talked me down from the ledge.  But look how cute our lil house looked last year!

6. I really enjoyed reading Stephanie's blog post on being a Catholic blogger (I have also enjoyed reading about her adorable son - who coincidentally was born the same day as my goddaughter).  I started this blog mainly as a means to get my crochet items out there - but also a means to blog about daily life.  I am Catholic and therefore it was nearly impossible to blog without imbuing my posts with my Catholic perspective.  I never want to be "in your face," both in real life, and this blog, but a Catholic wife, counselor, crocheter is who I am.  And if I can give witness to my faith via this blog, well hey, I find that a win-win.  

7. This article has been trending on my Facebook newsfeed this week, and it caught my attention with it's title.  I wasn't quite sure what I was looking at, but after reading the whole thing, I have also come to the conclusion that marriage isn't for me either.  And since I just wrote a take about being a Catholic blogger - I'll add this perspective.  As I was reading the article, I kept thinking...marriage is for the glory of God as well.  A glimpse into how much God loves us, reflected in the love of our spouse.  A peek into the joys of Heaven.  Told ya marriage wasn't for me - it's for my husband, our future children if we are so blessed, and for God.

Happy Friday everyone!  Head on over to Jen's for more Quick Takes!

What I Wore Sunday + fingerless mittens

I can't believe it's November.  Seriously, where has this year gone?  I know the year isn't over yet, but it's hard to believe how much has changed since January, ya know?

Linking up with Fine Linen and Purple for What I Wore Sunday.

Buster, what an attention hog ;-)

Dress: Maurices

Boots and leggings: Kohls

Our priest talked about this story and how perhaps Pope Francis saw Christ in this little boy.  Sounds about right, doesn't it?  Unless we become like little children...

The Gospel today reminded me of a song I used to listen to when I was reeeeally young.    It was a cassette (wow, remember those?) called...either Little is Much, or Big Steps for Little Feet (or maybe neither of those, I can't quite remember).  Anyway, they were Christian children's songs...and I distinctly remember one verse that went

"Zacchaeus was small, he could not see

So he climbed up high in a tree

Jesus said come down and follow me

and listen to the words that I speak"  (this is from memory...so those lyrics could be very, very wrong but you get the idea)

I'm pretty sure I learned about Zacchaeus from this song!  I can't find it...so you'll just have to take my word for it that it was a cute song/cassette.

Ok, I'm done rambling about my childhood now...time for another shameless plug!  Check out my latest listing on Etsy for these Crochet Fingerless Mittens

These are the very first things I ever crocheted.  And to this day they are my favorite.  Especially for someone whose hands are constantly cold.

Speaking of crochet, I'm thinking of trying my hand at creating crochet patterns...I'll probably start with something simple, but we'll see.  If I come up with something decent, I'll post it!

Finally, I love fall and fall colors...and I feel pretty darn lucky that I get this view from our deck...

Ok, I'm done my ramblings, head over to FLAP for other more fashionable ladies!  Happy Sunday!

7 Quick Takes

Another week gone by.  It's amazing how fast time flies some weeks.

Linking up with Jen at Conversion Diary for these Quick Takes!

1. Sometimes I wonder if I post too much on here...but, I have an interview this morning.  My friend from grad school (the one who just got married!) put in a good word for me, since she is currently working with this company.  The interview is for a part time position - so it would be a hugh pay cut...but as Chris put it, my sanity is worth more than the paycheck.  So prayers are so appreciated, please!!

2. Chris' phone is pretty much dead.  I've recently been thinking about taking a plunge "backward" and going back to the "dumb" phone days so I offered Chris my current smart phone.  I know I'll miss some apps...but I don't really do much on my current phone that I couldn't do on a "dumb" phone (except taking pictures/uploading them from my phone).  Plus, without a data plan, it'll hopefully save us some money on our cell phone bill.  I may regret the decision, but it's probably happening this weekend.

3. For Halloween we had exactly *drum roll* 2 trick or treaters!  haha  I've always loved handing out candy...but I also love having lots of chocolate left over!

4. We had to take our dog to the vet again this week...he somehow (I'm assuming by scratching) causes a huge bleeding sore on his neck that started to get infected...and the cheap "cone" we got from PetCo kept coming off while he was in his crate so we'd wake up or get home from work and his neck would be covered in blood.  I was a mess.  He's on more steroids, an antibiotic, and we're using an antibiotic ointment.  Thankfully his neck is looking so much better.  We also had to get a cone from the vet that was sized to him...this thing is not coming off while we're gone!  Chris is getting a little fed up with all of the vet bills...he's worrying about finances, and as cold as it sounds...he says if it comes down to the dog or being able to pay our bills...we need to be able to pay our bills.  I can't even think about it.  We're still hoping the shots work and that he'll be a normal dog...but they could take 6-12 months to see any result.  As I said in my Facebook status the other day, "St. Francis, help a brotha out!"

5.  I've had a lot of people recently tell me they want to order items from my Etsy shop for Christmas...which gets me super excited.  If I could do counseling part time and work on my crochet items the rest of the time...I would be one happy Tiffany.

6. Remember my friend Kathleen from whenitsyourown.com???  She just opened her Etsy shop that is currently featuring the cutest pacifier clips ever!  Check her out, she is super crafty and can sew and knit like no other!

7.  Happy All Saints Day!

7 Quick Takes

Linking up with Jen via Cari!  Head over to Cari's for more 7 Quick Takes

1. Remember the poopy that hit the fan and rained down on my job?  Yea, it's still raining.  I didn't get home until 8 last night [Thursday] (but came home to my amazing hubby having cooked dinner and done 2 loads of laundry...yea, he's awesome) due to a meeting where we talked (read: vented) about what's been going on with our job.  I usually feel better after these meetings...but then again, it's usually short lived.  I've been saying a novena to St. Jude, patron saint of impossible causes.  'Cause that's how I feel, like this is impossible.  I've been getting the prayers sent to my email via praymorenovenas.com.  Very convenient.

2. Speaking of convenience and technology making our pray lives easier - I've really enjoyed this rosary app.  I listen to the rosary every day on my drive in to work and it makes me feel like I'm starting my day out the right way.  Plus if I'm listening to a "Hail Mary" I feel much less inclined to scream some curse words and throw up that one finger symbol to the guy who just cut me off and made me slam on my brakes while on the B/W Parkway - those who live in the MD/DC area...you know. (kidding...sorta).

3. It's cold...remember a few posts back when I said I couldn't wait for fall?  I feel like fall lasted all of 3 days and now it's 32 degrees and freezing...literally.  However, cooler temps do feel right for Halloween, which is right around the corner!  I don't know if Chris and I are going to any parties...but if we do, I totally want to do this for our costume:

Cute, right?!  Now I just need a costume party to go to...or more semblance of a life on weekends that doesn't revolve around mounds of paperwork...

4. I ordered business cards for my Etsy shop.  They came in yesterday and I am super excited and happy with how they turned out!  Now I'm hoping to make some for my degree and licensure.  It may make more sense to make those when I'm fully licensed and have my own practice or something...but I figure it might be good to have some now too. 

5. One of my friends sent me an email the other day telling me about Etsy competitors...one of them being Zibbet.  Apparently with some of Etsy's new policies - including redefining "handmade".  One of the things I understood is that now manufacturers can also sell in the 'handmade" section of Etsy...which is difficult for those artisan (no, I don't quite put myself in this class lol but I can understand where they're coming from) who make their handmade items themselves and have to compete with larger manufacturers (this is what I understood and I could be wrong, so feel free to do your own research on the matter).  So, Zibbet, a site that has never really been able to compete with Etsy, is suddenly seeing an influx of new sellers.  Myself included.  I'm still keeping my Etsy shop - but I'm going to have both.  I'm in the process of copying over my listings to Zibbet.  One positive of Zibbet I've already noticed is that you don't need to pay to list an item.  Score!  So, without further ado, heres my "new" shop (please be patient as I transfer listings, I need to change the file size of the photos I have)  http://www.zibbet.com/GloryDesignsbyTiffany

6. Sunday [which at this point was yesterday...but I don't feel like changing this to make it grammatically correct]  Chris and I are going over to Joe and Kathleen's for a horror movie marathon.  They're hardcore and use survey monkey and everything so that we can all vote on movies we want to watch.  The line up this year?  Hocus Pocus (yes!), Silence of the Lambs (never seen it), Ghostbusters (who ya gonna call!?), and Lost Boys (never seen it).  I'm pumped...and am bringing the baby blanket I am working on for a friend to distract me when I get too scurred.

[Update: all of the movies were fantastic.  Although I'd have to say Silence of the Lambs, while disturbing, was probably the best.  I love a good psychological thriller]

7. Any and all prayers for a good week are greatly appreciated...every Sunday I feel some sense of dread wondering what the week will bring...and yesterday was no exception.  Our pup is also getting worse again after it seemed like he was getting better...we were weaning him off some meds and that clearly did not work out so well...St. Jude, patron saint of hopeless causes...pray for us!

What I Wore Sunday

I haven't joined a What I Wore Sunday link up in ages.  We get home from mass and I immediately change into my RAVENS jersey and then "whoops, no WIWS pictures yet again"  So, today I made a point to take a picture (and include a shameful plug, yet again, for my Etsy shop)

Make sure to head over to Fine Linen and Purple for more outfit inspirations!

I never quite know how to pose for pictures...

Crochet Poncho: Glory Designs by Tiffany

Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft Thrifted from 2nd Ave

Boot: Kohls

I am mildly obsessed with my poncho(s).  They're super comfy and perfect for this fall weather when it's not warm, but not super cold either.  Also, I am super excited because I got my first order through Etsy for one of my items (the newborn owl hat).  A girl I went to college with ordered it; she said she wanted to support a fellow Mountie!  Love it!  Especially since we didn't interact much in college.  One of my coworkers ordered two of the owl hats from me as well.  It's such an awesome feeling having people ask for items from me!  If I could do this for a living...I would.

Have you ever been at mass, and hearing one of the readings felt like God was reaching down from Heaven and giving you a strong shake?  I felt that way with the Gospel today, it spoke a lot to how I've been feeling as of late.  Persistence in prayer.  It's like what I wrote about in this post, earlier this week.  I"m trying. I promise.

I hope everyone has an awesome Sunday.  I'm off to finish (read: start) the mounds of paperwork I have and watch the RAVENS hopefully beatdown on the steelers.  

A Lesson in Trust and Patience

I have not hidden my feelings about my job from this blog.  I'm sure if you've read a few of my posts you know how I feel...less than happy where I am.  This week, the poopy has hit the fan...and then continued to rain down on us all week (too graphic?)  I try not to get into details because I don't want to badmouth my company...I'm just venting usually.

You can often hear me say something along the lines of "I'll be able to handle any counseling job after this!"  or "At least I'm learning something about how counseling agencies can run."  All of my comments are focused on things I can learn from this experience from a career standpoint.  Not once have I thought about how this can be a learning experience from a spiritual standpoint as well.  I've certainly felt and seen the results of how this has affected me spiritually (no lie, definitely just googled "affect" vs. "effect"...always get those wrong, and still may have!), but still I did not think to view this job as a way to grow spiritually.  Instead I have chosen to complain, cry, question whether God even listens to my prayers, and shut down.  It was not until this morning when I was reading about how someone's prayers for a new job were answered after they prayed a novena for the intention (the same novena I had prayed with the same intention).  My initial reaction to this was something along the lines of Stephanie Tanner's "Well pin a rose on your nose. Glad God listens to YOU."

And then I stopped, told myself to stop being so bitter, and finally realized that I am missing out on some prime spiritual lessons.  Lessons to trust in God's timing, not mine.  Lessons in patience, knowing that He knows best.  Lessons in prayer, and continuing to pray, even when it feels like God isn't listening (spoiler alert: He is!)  Lessons in jealousy and how it can rear it's ugly head.  I was to rejoice with other's in their blessings and remember how abundantly (and undeservingly) I have been blessed.

Now, this is not to say that starting from this moment I'll be a little ray of sunshine all the time when it comes to my job (and I'm definitely still praying for something new)...but here's to hoping that I start reminding myself that I am learning lessons for my future career and learning lessons on how to better my spiritual life, and better myself as a Child of God.


Orrrr maybe I'll just resort to this...*wink*

Hello Again

I can't believe it has been so long since I wrote a post.  The past couple weeks have been all over the place.

Starting with me getting some sort of plague.  Fine, in reality it was probably just a really bad cold, maybe the flu.  I came down sick on a Thursday, aches, pains, fever and all.  I take my temperature every morning for NFP and I have "ice queen" temperatures.  Ok, they're not that low, buy my norm is in the low-mid 97s.  Post ovulation my norm is the low-mid 98s.  I also knew that lovely time of the month was coming (TMI?) so my temperature should be falling back down.  So when I woke up Thursday morning with a reading of 99.0 I knew I had a slight fever and the sniffles/sore throat weren't from yelling at my students.  Stupid me went to work, and stayed late for Back to School night anyway.  Come home to a 99.8 fever.  Good job, Tiffany. That weekend was my friend's bachelorette party in CT.  I had Bridal Jeopardy, bridal mad-libs, bridal pictionary and other games ready and waiting to go.  I woke up Saturday morning and new there was no way in h e double hockey sticks I was making a drive to CT...not to mention I would hate getting the bride sick before her wedding.  I had to miss out on the festivities.

It was rough, missing one of my closest friends bachelorettes, plus feeling sick and miserable, plus it was that lovely time of the month which meant no baby.  Not a big deal, I know, we've only just begun "throwing caution to the wind" but still a bummer none the less.

I worked a two day week  the following week and then it was my friends wedding in northern NJ!  It was a beautiful wedding...but I forgot that in non-Catholic services the bridal party stands the whole time...and it was so HOT.  When I should have been paying attention to the service all I could think about is the sweat dripping down my back (a less than ladylike look), and a groomsman almost fainted too - poor guy is never gonna live that one down!  The wedding was a blast, and I am so happy for the newlyweds!  Congrats Andrew and Danielle! [Pictures to Come - need to upload them from my camera]

I finally made my first sale on one of my crocheted items!  A co-worker ordered two of my newborn owl hats...it's amazing how that has become the highlight of my last week.

Friday I got am email from the Pastoral Counseling agency I so desperately wanted to get an interview with.  They had an influx of resumes and decided to pursue other people.  I was crushed...like, bawling my eyes out, totally messy cry crushed.  This agency felt like my last hope so getting that email made me feel helpless, like I was going to be stuck in this hell of a job forever.  (I swear I'm not an overly dramatic person)

yarn and pumpkin ale always helps my mood

This weekend was great.  Chris knew how upset I was and was extra sweet to me.  Saturday we went over to our friends house and got together with some people to carve pumpkins!  Our friends host this carving party every year, and it's always a ton of fun...plus this year there was the added bonus of getting to see our super cute goddaughter.  She's two months old already and holy smokes is she cute...and already so strong!

Our pumpkins - Chris' and mine in the middle

Speaking of our friends and their cute daughter...Kathleen has starter her own blog!  Kathleen is the wife of my husband's best friend - so thank God we get along or I'm pretty sure my husband wouldn't have proposed lol  She is the most amazing cook (so if she posts a recipe, trust me, try it), the hostess with the mostess (I aspire to get to her level), a fantastic wife, wonderful friend, knitter/crafter extraordinaire, and awesome new mom.  Now, go check her out at whenitsyourown.com ... You won't regret it!

And with this post, let's hope I get back into the blogging groove, I've missed you all! ;-)