Things I'm Thinking About Instead of Doing Homework

I have to admit, I'm not doing homework. I'm supposed to be doing my world religions class reading and then dishes, but for some reason today I'm just having trouble buckling down and doing homework. So I thought I would share what I'm thinking about.

Right now, I'm thinking about wanting to go see my mom. We are really close and with the ups and downs of things with my grandmother, we are really missing each other. Its been really straining on both of us.

I'm also thinking about graduating from SPC. Its about two months away and I can't wait. It will be so exciting to know that I'm at least part way done with everything.

Along those lines, I'm thinking about the fact that I need to find a dress for graduation and can't find one anywhere!

Also, I'm thinking about the fact that I'm going to have some issues with USF because the major I want to do is not available at the St. Pete campus and I'm not sure where to go from here. I know that God will work it out, but there you go.

I'm thinking about the amazing frappucino poster I made (top of post) for my favorite frappucino from starbucks: mocha frappucino with extra mocha, espresso shot, extra whip cream, caramel drizzle and chocolate powder. It sounds sinfully delicious.

I'm thinking about how much I am missing my husband right now. With him being in classes 4 nights a week, I see him for 30 minutes for lunch and supper and then I don't see him until 10. I know it could be worse, he could at war or traveling all the time. But its been rough. Thankfully this last weekend we were able to spend time together and it was great. But it has been rough. Oh well.

Finally, and most importantly, I'm thinking about how much God loves us. Sometimes its hard to remember how much God loves me. I know His plan is amazing and I know He loves me, but sometimes its hard to remember when bad things happen. This weekend though, I was really reminded over and over how much He loves me.

What are you thinking about? Are you having trouble getting to whatever you are supposed to be doing too?

Birthday Giveaway Winner

Well, we have ourselves another winner. Our winner will get a $15 credit to UUPP. How exciting. I really, really love basically everything in her shop. I have to say, I'm pretty jealous. I would like to say thank you to Carrie for hosting this giveaway. I appreciate it.

The winner of this giveaway (picked at random from random.org) is Lucky Luna from Luckys Luna. She won with comment #39:

"My favorite item is the Every Woman Should Have a Blowtorch - Julia Child quote, so funny and cute!!".


I will be emailing you, please respond within 48 hours or I will pick another winner.






P.S. If you are interested, or know someone who would be interesting, in hosting a review/giveaway, please shoot me an email at katietamblingson at yahoo dot com. I'm always looking for something fun to giveaway to my readers. 

School Frustrations and Excitement

A while ago (like January while) I wrote about my school and all that was going on. At that point I had done a year at Clearwater Christian College (CCC). Then I took a semester off and was about to start at St. Petersburg College (SPC). I was so nervous. I had never been in a public school setting before since I was homeschooled since kindergarten, then went to a tiny Christian private school for my first year of college. Transferring to SPC was definitely the right decision, but it was not easy.

I went through my spring semester and after much going back and forth realized that it looked like I could graduate with my AA from SPC at the end of July. YAY I went and met with an advisor to check on it, and she looked at the class schedule I had and (being totally serious) suggested I get counseling because of the workload I had. Then she looked at my classes and agreed with what I had already thought, that if I took 3 rough classes this summer I could graduate in July with my AA. For those of you who don't know, an AA is an Associates in Arts degree or a two year degree.

My work load last semester was pretty crazy. Thankfully my dear husband took up the slack around the apartment since he didn't have a hard semester and encouraged me. I can't tell you how many times I called my mother super upset because my husband was doing laundry and dishes. I felt like a terrible wife because I was doing school and he was taking care of the house. My amazing, wise mother kept reminding me that it was ok. This is the period of my life I'm in. She reminded me that my husband really wanted me to get my education and the amazing man that he is was happy to help, and that it was ok. I have an amazing husband and mother!

During the spring semester I applied to the University of South Florida to enter in the fall. Isaiah goes to school there for business and they have a great social studies education program (my major). Honestly, I didn't think I would get. My grades were not stellar and to be honest, I never thought I would be good enough for a state school. It was like I had always thought I was not good enough for it, and I would be going to small schools. It was a hard time waiting to hear whether I was accepted. Honestly, I checked everyday. hehe

I ended the spring semester having a 4.0 semester (which brought my GPA to 3.2) and was so relieved to be done. I got a week off of school (so did Isaiah so it was nice) to recoup and (I thought) catch up on the house. God had different plans. Instead I got the flu, then when I was finally better, my grandmother went into the hospital. Oh well.

I started back to school with 3 classes (though they are summer and thus condensed so, according to the advisor, its considered twice the work). I have world religions (its.. interesting) and 2 sciences. UGH I'm takig oceanography and biological issues. I have to say, its different. I'm aweful at science so we will see how this goes. If anyone wants to offer tutoring..... lol

I started this semester with a bang, or my grandmother being in the hospital etc. Then this week I found out I got accepted into USF!!! I am now a bull. I am so excited. I'm really praying I can have the same schedule as my husband for fall, so we can at least drive to class together.

I am so tired of school, honestly. I can't cont the number of times I have questioned why I am doing all this. I know that God has a plan, and I'm ok with that, but sometimes its hard. My husband, thankfully is super beyond supportive and helpful, but its hard.

I have to say I'm excited to be graduating this July with my AA. I feel like its not a big deal, kind of like graduating from middle school. I feel like ok, yes I worked hard to get here, but it really does not count for much. But its something.

It will be nice going to school at the same school with Isaiah. And to being a bull (USF's mascot). So that is my school right now. How exciting. Or not.

Blessings Through Raindrops

Ever going through something and then BAM a song comes on the radio. The song really speaks to exactly what you are going through. That happened to me. I was really questioning God at one point. I was wondering why God would do things this way. Its been a pretty rough year. It felt like God was almost enjoying throwing things in our path. Ever felt like that? Am I the only one who has felt like that? I'm not saying that its the right way to feel, but it was how I was feeling at the time. I was wondering how God could keep giving us hard times. My faith in God was shaken to the extreme.

I was driving home from somewhere and suddenly the song Blessings by Laura Story came on the radio. It was like God was speaking directly to me. God was showing me that His plan doesn't always make sense to us. His plan can be painful, and miserable. We pray for God to bless in so many ways, but what if His blessings came through the painful times?

Through this time, my faith has grown in leaps and bounds. I am working things out, but I know that God is using all the rough times to bless me. He loves me so much, that He has a perfect plan for me and sometimes it includes pain. The peace that comes through having faith in God and His plan is beyond comprehension. I don't have to worry about anything, because my God is in control. His plan is perfect, even when His blessings come through raindrops.

Blessings by Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

Its My Birthday

So today 20 years ago I was a little red, thing with lots of hair. I would post pictures, but my mother has all the ones of me as a cute little kid. Oh well. But today is my birthday. I am officially not a teenager anymore!! WOOHOO.

 I love birthdays, and to me this is a big one. I can't tell you how many times I was told I was a baby and how am I married and on and on. Honestly, the teen years were not the best. So all that adds up to me being very excited about my birthday today. YAY.

We are not doing anything big. Isaiah has class tonight and I have school so its pretty low key. Last night Isaiah's brother Reuben, and his wife, Candace, surprised me and took Isaiah and I out to dinner at Red Lobster. I had crab legs for the first time EVER. YUM. Though the legs were a lot of work. And I have coconut shrimp left over for lunch.

Tonight, after class, Isaiah is taking me out to Outback (my favorite nicer restaurant). I am so excited. And before that my friend Heather is surprising me and we are doing something fun. Isaiah says he has something planned for Saturday, so I get to look forward to that.

The best birthday present I got was to have my grandmother be doing great though. She is probably getting sent to rehab today! She came through her surgery pretty well. My mother finally got to go home for the night last night in a long time. That is a great present to be getting.

So far, I am having a wonderful, lazy birthday. Its been wonderful.

Birthday Giveaway - UUPP

This giveaway is closed.

After the crazy weekend I've had (that is another post for another time when I'm actually awake) I needed something exciting and fun. Well here it is. My birthday is Wednesday (I turn the big 2-0) so I'm giving you a birthday present. Carrie from UUPP offered to do a giveaway and I was so excited I wanted to post it early, before my birthday even. So here you go, happy birthday to me.

You may remember UUPP from my wishlist. I fell in love with her Home Is Where Your Story Begins print. I really want one. Someday.

One of the neat thing about her prints is that she lets you customize a lot of the colors of the prints. And she has all kinds of fun prints, and cards.

Here's some more fun stuff from her shop:

But for now, you my dear reader, get to get something very exciting from her shop. Carrie is offering one of you a $15 giftcard to her shop. YAY


The giveaway ends May 25. Make sure your email is visible in your blogger profile, or in your comment. Also, make sure each entry is in a different comment to count.  This giveaway is only open to those in the United States (sorry those of you worldwide).


To Enter:

Mandatory First Entry: (this must be done before any other entries)

1. Visit UUPP and tell me what your favorite item from her store is in a comment. 

Extra Entries:
2. Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect. 1 entry
.3. Follow Carrie's blog, Happy to be UUPP. 1 entry
4. Follow my blog via Networked Blogs on facebook. 1 entry
5. Vote for my blog on "On The Fence" (see side bar). 1 entry
6." Heart" UUPP on etsy. 1 entry
7. "Like" Carrie's facebook page. 1 entry
8. Buy something from UUPP. 5 entries


Lots of ways to win this one. Enjoy.  

Please Pray

I would like to ask those of you out there who read this blog to please pray for my Meema (or grandmother for those of not from the south). She has very severe Alzhiemers. Late last night she fell at her nursing home. My mother did not find out until today. But evidently it is very serious. She broke her hip and leg, though for those who understand medical things I do not have much more information. The doctor says she has to have surgery, though are not sure when yet. 

Its very hard because with her Alzhiemers she does not understand what is happening to her or why she is hurting. She has a compulsion to take off any kind of dressing or bandaids or pull out stitches. This surgery is supposed to be pretty intense, and we are concerned with her recovery.

Isaiah and I are headed to see her, and my family after Isaiah gets off work today.

I would ask people to be praying. I will know more when I get there tonight, and if possible I will post more. I just ask you to be praying for her and for my family.

Let's Get Excited!

Church on Sunday was amazing. I could write a weeks worth of posts about what I got out of it, and what I learned. It was a real revival. Sunday morning service was amazing. After the sermon, the altar was four and five people thick. Over a quarter of the congregation were at the altar. It was so moving. The visiting preacher really preached his heart out. It was one of those services you remember your whole life.

Sunday evening service was moving, but in a different way. The preacher preached on getting excited about God. It really convicted me.

How many times have I sat in church and thought about all kinds of things that were not about church? How many times have I woken up on a Sunday morning and not wanted to go to church? How many times have I spent times have I talked about God in a way that was boring?

I can't count how many times I've gone to church basically dreading it. I've gone just hoping to get through the day, or wanting to get through service just so I can talk to my friends. But how many times have I been excited about an Auburn football game, or going to hang out with my friends? 

How convicting it is to think that I'm more excited to go to Starbucks with my friend than worshiping my God! I want to be like David who was so excited to worship God that he danced around the ark. I don't want to be like Michal who looked in scorn on David's worship. 2 Samuel 6:13-23

I want to be excited about God. I want people to see how excited I am about my Savior. Its an exciting thing to serve Him. Its an exciting thing to worship Him. Its an exciting thing to follow the plan He has for my life. Its an exciting thing to love Him.

Another thing that the pastor talked about in his sermon, that really hit home, was that children will mimic the worship and excitement about God that their parents have. I can see that in my life. I have seen families where the parents do not act excited about God. They act like worshiping God is a chore to be done. In those families, you can watch the children and quite a few of them have fallen away from the faith or don't have a good relationship with God. Then I see those families who parents have an excitement about God and their families and the children are close with God. I am not saying that all children that fall away from the faith are caused by parent's not be excited about God, or that children whose parents aren't excited about God can't be excited. I am just saying that I can see a correlation in my life.

I want my children to see my worship of God and want that. I want my children to get excited about God because they see Isaiah and mine worship and excitement of God. 

Worshiping God should be the highlight of my life. It should be the thing I get the most excited about. I should get ecstatic about the chance to go to church, read my Bible, pray and all other acts of worship. Everyone around me should see that worshiping God is the highlight of my life and want to learn more.

I Got An Award!

ver·sa·tile/ˈvərsətl/Adjective 1. Able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities

blogger / blog / noun 1. Blog - is a short form of “web log”. Log means a diary or journal, usually a notebook where you write regular reports of what you did or thought.

I am really excited. My blog was awarded The Versatile Blogger award by Ruth (my wonderful sister in law), at Life With Ruth Is..... Thank you so much Ruth. Check out her blog, she has all kinds of poetry that she writes, and her musings on life. I am supposed to write a few things about myself, and then nominate a couple other blogs with this award. How fun.

About me:
1. I love pasta. I have never met a pasta I didn't fall in love with immediately. Its a terrible obsession, but its my lifelong love (yes, my husband knows of this love).

2. I am Italian and Irish, with a few others things thrown in but those are the main two. Its a random combination, but it made me.

3. My mom is my best friend. We talk just about every day. After my husband, she knows the most about me.

4. I love history, and politics. That is why I wanted to go into social studies education. I can't wait to teach teenagers about history and government. Lots of people tell me I'm crazy.

5. I teach piano. I only have a few students for now, but I wouldn't mind growing it some. I am just starting to teach, but I enjoy it.

6. I love sweat tea. In that way, I am a total souther girl. The more sugary and syrupy the better.

7. I am almost wearing some kind of flower, clip or bow or something in my hair. And, my hair is almost always up in a messy, curly bun thing.

I am awarding The Versatile Blog to learning to love and Fit, Fierce and Fabulous.

My Wishlist

As of this afternoon I am officially done with this semester. I start back to another semester in about a week and a half, but for a blissful week and a half I am school free. To celebrate I am doing some dreaming and hoping and wishing and posting a list of a few things I am wishing for. Some are more realistic than others, and honestly there is probably other things I would wish for, but here are a few things.

I am not trying to sound un-thankful for the wonderful things I have. I have a wonderful husband, two adorable cats, food to eat and an apartment. But these are just a few things I am day dreaming about, and wishing for. Oh, and its almost my birthday so its nice to dream about that too.

1. This purse, Olivia, from the amazing Vera Bradley. I really love the colorful flowers, and the cute bows. Oh, and did I mention its on sale?

2. This wallet from Target. I have had my whole wallet for a while. I love it, but its starting to get old and I would really love to replace it sometime soon.

3. I found this etsy shop through a blog giveaway and I totally fell in love with some of their prints. This is probably my favorite one. This print from the shop UUPP is just so cute.

4. Now comes the more expensive stuff. We REALLY need a new car. I am in love with this car. I am a huge Chevrolet fan (I come from a Chevy family) and I love this car. Its big enough to grow into as our family grows in the future, but is not as large as an SUV. Its the Chevrolet Traverse.

5. I love Starbuck's Frappucinos!!! My favorite is the mocha flavor. I get mine with extra whip and with caramel drizzle. I know, its terrible for me. But I splurge every couple months and get one.

6. If you wear skirts, like I do, you have to check out Style J. I have one of their skirts, and I fell in love with them. They are very comfy and modest. Oh, and did I mention cute. This is the one I really want to get next.

7. I found Lilla Rose through a blogging giveaway and I have to admit, I really want one. They are so pretty, and (from the reviews I've read) work well for holding up masses of hair, like mine. This is the Celtic Know clip, which is special to me because I love all things Irish.

8. Here's another expensive one, but maybe more on the radar. I do not like my phone. Its really frustrating, and does not work well. Now that the iphone is on Verizon its possible. yay. I am up for a new phone this summer, so we will see.

9. This one is a little different. We live in a tiny apartment in not the best neighborhood. I've always dreamed of having a cute, vintage, wooden house in a quiet neighborhood. No, this is not the exact house, but its the basic idea. 

10. I really love this slipcover. Our couches were generously given to us by my dear sister in law, but I would love to get this slipcover and then sew some accent pillows. 

11. Finally, I really want to do a photo shoot with me and my dear husband. Our wedding pictures turned out, well less than stellar. I have wanted to do this since we got married. 

12. I love this necklace from The Vintage Pearl. You can have your initials on the little heart. Its called Vintage Lovebirds. Its my favorite of their necklaces.

13. Finally, and this is the new one that I just added, I love these shoes from Toms. I think its great that they donate one pair of shoes for every pair of shoes that is bought. 

That is my wishlist. Its things I wish for, most of which I will probably never actually get. But its nice to dream.

What is something you wish for? Do you have a wishlist? 

Weekend in Orlando

This past weekend Isaiah and I stayed stayed with my biological dad in Orlando, FL (only like a 2 hour drive from where we live in St. Petersburg area). It was really nice to have a relaxing weekend to unwind before finals week (which I'm in right now, double ugh) and the summer gets into full swing. I hadn't seen my dad since January (which is crazy for us) so it was nice all the way around.

We left after Isaiah got off work on Friday. We stopped for Chipotle (my favorite restaurant) on the way over as a special Friday night treat. YUM! Then drove on to Orlando. We got there kind of late, but it was nice to see my dad. We chilled and went to bed early (at least early for us, which is like 12 pm).

Saturday we stayed at the hotel (more like a small apartment, with a kitchen and all) most of the day. Isaiah went swimming, I napped and my dad had some work. It was super relaxing. Saturday evening Isaiah, my dad and I went to Citywalk at Universal Orlando. Its an area with all kinds of shops and restaurants. Its really a neat place.  My dad took us to eat. I had an amazing hamburger, with guacamole, cucumber, tomatoes and ranch dressing. Yes, I'm odd, but man was it good.

Me and my dad outside the Hard Rock Cafe. 

Isaiah and I at Citywalk. 

I love my husband! <3

On Sunday, we slept in. My husband spoiled me and made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. We didn't eat until 12 ish but it was worth it. 

Isaiah making me breakfast. 

As Isaiah says, "Chocolate chips with a little pancake thrown in to keep them together." And its pretty.

My dad waiting for pancakes too.

That afternoon we met Isaiah's brother and sister-in-law at the Florida Mall. They go to church in Orlando, so it worked perfectly. It was really fun. Then we went and met Isaiah's sister and her boyfriend for supper at T.G.I Fridays. They had gone to Seaworld. I have to admit I was a little jealous. We honestly didn't plan for all of us to be in Orlando the same day, but it worked out that way.

Isaiah and I stopped for lunch at a McDonald's with a bistro. I had never been there, but Isaiah had gone there the morning of our wedding, so its kind of special to us. This McDonald's is crazy. You have the regular McD's food there, but there is also bistro type pastries and sandwiches. Inside its set up kind of like a fancy coffeehouse. On the second floor, (yes there's a second floor) there is a full arcade. It was crazy.

Isaiah sitting in the very comfy chairs. Isn't my smoothie pretty?

If you have never been to the Florida Mall, its a crazy place. There is a hotel that is connected directly to it. It amazed me. Its huge. I could easily spend days there. 

In the Florida Mall there is a an M&M world. I loved it. Chocolate is my downfall. I'm still trying to figure out what happened to make that splotch on my shirt. Its not actually on the shirt, odd.

Isaiah's little sister, Abigail, and her boyfriend Matt at supper with us. 

It was a really fun weekend. As you can see, I ate way too much. It was nice to relax. Now to get back to the grind of studying for finals. 

Giveaway Winner - Laurelleecreativity

Folks, we have a winner! We are on vacation this weekend (pictures and post to come later) but I wanted to post the giveaway winner. I have to say again, I'm super jealous. The giveaway was for a headband from Laurelleecreativity. I really encourage you to check out her shop, and buy something. Her blog, Create, is a lot of fun to read.

The winner was picked using random.org and the winner was #8, Marija with, "following you via GFC". Congratulations. I am emailing you today. Please respond within 48 hours or another winner will be picked.


P.S. I love hosting giveaways/reviews, especially for etsy or handmade items. If you have an etsy shop, or any kind of product and would be interested in doing a giveaway/review on my blog, please let me know. Email me at katietamblingson at yahoo dot com.