I know this is the season for good cheer and all that, but I am feeling under the weather - thus the reason for the post. These are some things that I dislike...in no particular order.
- COLDS. I'm talking the kind of cold that has you sleeping on 10 pillows just so that MAYBE you can breathe at night, that has you coughing so annoyingly that you are actually apologizing to whoever is around you, the kind that makes your eyes feel like they might just bug out of your head. I have one of these right now.
- balancing a checkbook. Yes, we are still a little old school and actually balance the checkbook. I don't like any part of the process EXCEPT being finished and knowing you've balanced to the penny.
- rap. I've really tried to be open-minded about this, but I just can't get into it - mostly, because I have no idea what the artist is saying.
- drivers who sit in a turn or go straight lane and don't turn.
- black licorice
- intentionally rude people...even though I can be this way sometimes
- cooked spinach
- when you put on a clothing garment from your closet and it no longer fits
- some politicians (this can be a whole different post)
- dust storms
We will definitely post on our Christmas and include some pictures. Also, coming soon is a belly shot and baby update.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Merry Christmas
Paul and I are leaving this evening for Houston. I am excited to be spending Christmas with my family there. I had some random thoughts that I decided to write down, so here goes...
- As I have been pregnant, I've thought a lot about Mary this Christmas season. I'm only 19 weeks along, but I've still had some of the discomforts that come with pregnancy. Can you imagine being A LOT more pregnant, travelling on a donkey, and then going into labor and delivering in a cow pin? But, I bet the sounds of that sweet baby made it all worth it.
- I HATE the busyness the Christmas season brings. Paul and I have been going 90 to nothin' for the past several weeks trying to get presents bought, laundry done, parties attended, etc. One of things that I really like during this time is listening to Christmas music in my car or around the house...it helps me remember.
- I really like having a clean house. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
- We have begun to think about the traditions we want to have with our family since next year we will have a child. I think it is hard to take the traditions from both of our childhoods and come up with something that is unique to our little family.
- I am so so thankful for the week and a half that I get off...starting today at 2:30pm. I need a break from work.
- And, lastly, our friends Holly and Justin are having their first baby - a boy - today. YEAH! The name has been kept under wraps, and I can't wait to know what it is and see pictures.
Merry Christmas!
- As I have been pregnant, I've thought a lot about Mary this Christmas season. I'm only 19 weeks along, but I've still had some of the discomforts that come with pregnancy. Can you imagine being A LOT more pregnant, travelling on a donkey, and then going into labor and delivering in a cow pin? But, I bet the sounds of that sweet baby made it all worth it.
- I HATE the busyness the Christmas season brings. Paul and I have been going 90 to nothin' for the past several weeks trying to get presents bought, laundry done, parties attended, etc. One of things that I really like during this time is listening to Christmas music in my car or around the house...it helps me remember.
- I really like having a clean house. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
- We have begun to think about the traditions we want to have with our family since next year we will have a child. I think it is hard to take the traditions from both of our childhoods and come up with something that is unique to our little family.
- I am so so thankful for the week and a half that I get off...starting today at 2:30pm. I need a break from work.
- And, lastly, our friends Holly and Justin are having their first baby - a boy - today. YEAH! The name has been kept under wraps, and I can't wait to know what it is and see pictures.
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Christmas Songs
At church on Thanksgiving we sang "O Come O Come Emmanuel", it was the first Christmas song I've sung this season. It is a great song, the words are so meaningful. Having grown up in a church full of hymns and liturgy, I really wished we could sing more "contemporary" songs because they were more fun and "cool". But now I find myself wanting the meaningfulness of those same hymns. I honestly have a hard time singing much of contemporary worship because I find it not being anything more than just words on my lips. I might as well be singing the latest top 40 song in the car. Anyway, read the words to "O come O come Emmanuel"... such a picture of anticipation, dependance and worship!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thankful
My friend, Charissa, tagged me in a "5 things I am thankful for" post. I don't have much time as I am in California with my in-laws, but I couldn't resist posting real quick...
1. My husband. He has loved me so well these past two and a half years of being married to me. I've seem this especially during these first months of pregnancy. He will hold my hair back when I am sick or just sit with me. We have so much fun together and love being in each other's company. Thank you, Lord, for Paul!
2. My friends. I am so blessed to have some friends that love me for who I am and not for what I bring to the table. I don't think it is often in life to have these kinds of true friends.
3. My family. I have such fun and wonderful parents and siblings. I always look forward to when we I will get to be around them.
4. My health. I realized the other day that I am so thankful that my life is not constantly full of doctors and hospitals. As I have felt gross during pregnancy, I've realized that I am not grateful enough for my health.
5. Jesus. Over the past 6 months or so, I've been more and more thankful for my relationship with Christ. Particularly, I am thankful for the peace that my life can have with Jesus.
May your Thanksgiving be filled with deep gratitude.
1. My husband. He has loved me so well these past two and a half years of being married to me. I've seem this especially during these first months of pregnancy. He will hold my hair back when I am sick or just sit with me. We have so much fun together and love being in each other's company. Thank you, Lord, for Paul!
2. My friends. I am so blessed to have some friends that love me for who I am and not for what I bring to the table. I don't think it is often in life to have these kinds of true friends.
3. My family. I have such fun and wonderful parents and siblings. I always look forward to when we I will get to be around them.
4. My health. I realized the other day that I am so thankful that my life is not constantly full of doctors and hospitals. As I have felt gross during pregnancy, I've realized that I am not grateful enough for my health.
5. Jesus. Over the past 6 months or so, I've been more and more thankful for my relationship with Christ. Particularly, I am thankful for the peace that my life can have with Jesus.
May your Thanksgiving be filled with deep gratitude.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
perfect saturday morning
You know those Saturday mornings when you are just enjoying life? Lately, my Saturday mornings have consisted of waking up, running to the kitchen for something to eat, eating, throwing up, and then laying around feeling nauseous. Well, this morning was really different! Paul and I woke up semi-earlyish (8:00 am or so) and kinda just enjoyed the snuggliness of the warm bed and cool room. We then decided to get up and change out of our pajamas and go get coffee and bagels from the coffee shop. It was so delightful! I didn't feel sick, and I FINALLY actually enjoyed drinking coffee. I am so thankful for this Saturday morning!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Three's Company
We wanted to introduce the newest member of our family...meet Baby Maney. That's right, folks, we're having a baby! We are super excited. The baby's official due date is May 19. We will keep you updated with all sorts of antics and progress as we anticipate the arrival of Baby Maney.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
I'm a thief
So, I (Sarah) got an idea for a blog post from our friends Seth and Kristen...there is a link to their blog on the right. For those of you who don't know (although I am sure that all 5 of you who read this blog do already know), I work in the admissions office at Texas Tech University. Specifically, I am an Assistant Director of Admissions. One of my job responsibilities is to make countless admission decisions for those students who have submitted their application to Texas Tech. Along with that comes a variety of phone calls to my office. So, I thought I would tell a few stories of instances that I have dealt with...
A mother called my office and wanted to know when her daughter would be accepted. I told the mom that her daughter's application was in review and that it can take up to 6 weeks for an answer. The mom then informed me that this was urgent! I asked the mom why. She proceeded to tell me that her daughter needed to be able to get on Facebook.
Recently, a father called me to ask if it mattered that his son was expelled from another school. I told him that we would require a transcript but that we do not do judicial checks on any of our applicants. He then decided that I should know that his son was kicked out of his current school for a DUI and having $5000 cash on his person along with marijuana, but the dad said his son WAS NOT dealing drugs.
I answered my phone one day to a woman screaming at me. She was irate. I actually imagined her being blue in the face because she was screaming and yelling so hard. She was mad because her daughter had missed our application deadline. Of course, I did not have much sympathy for this kind of behaviour. After telling her that I was sorry but that her daughter would have to reapply, the lady insisted that I give her the number to the president. I wouldn't do that but told her she could call the main campus operator and ask for his office. Later that day, my director told me she had a message to call a lady who had called the president. I think it is really funny that the president's office sent her right back to our office!
One of my favorite things is when I read an essay that a student has written as part of their application packet and it starts, "I really want to go to Texas A&M because..."
A mother called my office and wanted to know when her daughter would be accepted. I told the mom that her daughter's application was in review and that it can take up to 6 weeks for an answer. The mom then informed me that this was urgent! I asked the mom why. She proceeded to tell me that her daughter needed to be able to get on Facebook.
Recently, a father called me to ask if it mattered that his son was expelled from another school. I told him that we would require a transcript but that we do not do judicial checks on any of our applicants. He then decided that I should know that his son was kicked out of his current school for a DUI and having $5000 cash on his person along with marijuana, but the dad said his son WAS NOT dealing drugs.
I answered my phone one day to a woman screaming at me. She was irate. I actually imagined her being blue in the face because she was screaming and yelling so hard. She was mad because her daughter had missed our application deadline. Of course, I did not have much sympathy for this kind of behaviour. After telling her that I was sorry but that her daughter would have to reapply, the lady insisted that I give her the number to the president. I wouldn't do that but told her she could call the main campus operator and ask for his office. Later that day, my director told me she had a message to call a lady who had called the president. I think it is really funny that the president's office sent her right back to our office!
One of my favorite things is when I read an essay that a student has written as part of their application packet and it starts, "I really want to go to Texas A&M because..."
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Catch-up
Well, here is an attempt to catch you up on the happenings of the Maney house...
1. Labor Day. We spent the labor day weekend in Houston visiting my (sarah) family. It was so much fun. We got to eat at one of our very favorite restaurants - Chuy's. We hung out in the pool. We had a "girls" and "boys" activity. The girls went to lunch at a unique place outside of town and then went shopping at Katy Mills. The boys played frisbee golf. We also had our very first annual family bowling tournament. We saw old friends, drank good coffee, ate really great food, and slept in. It was a wonderful holiday.
1. Labor Day. We spent the labor day weekend in Houston visiting my (sarah) family. It was so much fun. We got to eat at one of our very favorite restaurants - Chuy's. We hung out in the pool. We had a "girls" and "boys" activity. The girls went to lunch at a unique place outside of town and then went shopping at Katy Mills. The boys played frisbee golf. We also had our very first annual family bowling tournament. We saw old friends, drank good coffee, ate really great food, and slept in. It was a wonderful holiday.
2. September. Was pretty much a blur. We helped out with a training event at our church. We did the Race for the Cure. We were really busy with life. It seemed the slowish pace of the summer quickly changed gears starting in September. One thing that was a huge blessing was that the stuff with my work finally was settled. I got a nice raise and a job reclassification. I was so glad to have all that done with! I also got a pretty nasty cold which completely took everything out of me.
3. October. Well hear we are. It is still relatively warm outside. I really want fall weather. I am ready to wear sweaters and jackets and long-sleeve tshirts. Paul had to take his first business trip to set up a bank branch near Dallas. It was crazy that that was the first time we had spent the night apart since he left staff with InterVarsity. It was quite unusual before for us to go that long before one of us went on a trip. The great thing is that I don't travel nearly as much with my job anymore. This has made life feel a little less frantic.
I'll leave you with some pictures from our Labor Day weekend.
Paul, Sarah and Allison
the whole family at the first annual bowling tournament 
all the Snow girls
the girls at lunch...with my Grandmother
Tim, Netty, and Elliana (sarah's brother and sister-in-law and niece)
Mom and Dad with Elliana Tuesday, September 25, 2007
we're still here
I (Sarah) just wanted you all to know that we are still alive and kickin'. We have lots to blog about...a trip to Houston, the Race for the Cure, and everyday life. But, it has been hard to get motivated to write about it all. Pretty sad, I know. Right now I have a really gross cold that has laid me flat for the past 3 days. I am still feeling pretty crummy but decided to come to work anyway...we'll see how long I last. So, more to come - I promise!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
10 things about the most wonderful man ever...
OK, it's my turn. Here are 10 things about the hubs that most people may not know...
1. Paul never gets out of shape. He can not work out for months and months and then go out and run 10 miles.
2. Paul can at any given moment tell me or anyone else what age we would be able to retire and how much we would make at retirement. It is actually a phenomenon.
3. In elementary school, he passed a note in class about the substitute teacher in which he called the teacher "Mrs. Pruneface"...he got in trouble.
4. When Paul gets interested in something, he will dedicate a lot of energy researching that particular thing. Right now, his interest is flipping houses.
5. Paul's favorite movie is The Royal Tenenbaums.
6. He loves Asian food more than any other food genre.
7. He can bake really well...I love Paul's cookies.
8. Paul likes to eat popcorn and cheese as a dinner (usually on Sunday nights). This has become something I enjoy as well.
9. He enjoys the smell of new electronics
10. He is a really good photographer. And he is really good at photoshop.
There you have it. 10 things about the most wonderful man ever, Paul.
1. Paul never gets out of shape. He can not work out for months and months and then go out and run 10 miles.
2. Paul can at any given moment tell me or anyone else what age we would be able to retire and how much we would make at retirement. It is actually a phenomenon.
3. In elementary school, he passed a note in class about the substitute teacher in which he called the teacher "Mrs. Pruneface"...he got in trouble.
4. When Paul gets interested in something, he will dedicate a lot of energy researching that particular thing. Right now, his interest is flipping houses.
5. Paul's favorite movie is The Royal Tenenbaums.
6. He loves Asian food more than any other food genre.
7. He can bake really well...I love Paul's cookies.
8. Paul likes to eat popcorn and cheese as a dinner (usually on Sunday nights). This has become something I enjoy as well.
9. He enjoys the smell of new electronics
10. He is a really good photographer. And he is really good at photoshop.
There you have it. 10 things about the most wonderful man ever, Paul.
Extreme Makeover
I love Extreme Makeover: Home Edition! It makes me smile. It makes me cry. It makes me want to be more compassionate. I do not know how ABC and Ty Pennington have been able to make a show about serving and blessing others so successful. I love the idea that the people with a lot of money help those in need. It just seems to fit with the economy of God. And, the staff of the show are so compassionate and just willing to do what they do best to bless another family. I just love this show!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Ten Things About The Most Wonderful Woman Ever
I never know what to write about on our blog. Frankly, I think I am pretty boring and Im not sure why in the world anyone would want to read what I have to say. So, tonights topic will not be about me. Tonights post will be ten things that most people dont know about the most wonderful woman ever, Sarah.
- Sarah likes to watch bull riding.
- She owns a "Dusty Rose" colored Bible that a boyfriend name Thad gave to her in high school.
- She recently tore the page out in said Bible where he wrote her a (love?) letter. (I didnt make her do it... promise! I dont want that on my head when I step up to the pearly gates j/k)
- She got a new mountain bike for her birthday:
- When we go to Rudy's BBQ, she likes to get a bunch of slices of pickle to eat kind of like chips. Confession, I do this too now.
- She would like to move to Mexico some day.
- She likes to mow the lawn (sometimes).
- She likes Def Leppards "Pour Some Sugar On Me".
- When she crosses her eyes, they dont move symmetrically. One first, then the other.
- She always tries to peak a sneak about what Im posting about while Im writing it.
Well, there you have it folks.... Ten things about Sarah you probably never knew. Feel free to add any little nuggets of info or funny stories via the comments. Goodnight all!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Our House...
Well, after lots of sweat and a few tears, we are pretty much finished with getting settled into our new place. Here are some pics of the before and after...
Front yard before. We had actually just mowed...the grass was completely overgrown
Front yard after
The front door
Living Room before...notice the border and white walls
Living Room after....no border and a fresh coat of khaki colored paint
Kitchen before...we have a huge kitchen/eating area
Kitchen after
Our bedroom. I wish you could see the drapes a little better - they are beautiful...thanks, mom!
the Guest bedroom
a.k.a. the treadmill room
the office
YEAH for the laundry room
Backyard
Special shout-out to the men in our small group for doing the really physical part of moving...loading and unloading our good junk, to our good friend, Casey, for helping clean the kitchen (it was disgusting) and unpack the kitchen...one of the most important rooms of the house, and to Sarah's mom and sister, Kelly, for taking "the Snow show" on the road - they helped paint the living room and decorate just about every room of the house. We love you and are super grateful!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
The Ultimate Drive
On Saturday, Paul and I got to experience the life of a high roller. We participated in BMW's Ultimate Drive for a Cure. This is a partnership with the Susan G. Komen for a cure foundation to help find a cure for breast cancer. As participants, we had the opportunity to each drive 4 vehicles, and for every mile that we drove, BMW donated $1 to the Komen Foundation in our name(http://www.bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/EventsandPrograms/UDSK/). I really like participating in Komen events because I have a friend that fought a very valiant battle with breast cancer. Kristen Stone Hartland went to be with the Lord on June 7, 2005. Paul and I will be participating in the Lubbock Race for the Cure on September 22. I encourage you to find a race in your area. Most races will be taking place in September and October. Go to http://www.komen.org/ for details and race dates. This is something that is extremely important to Paul and I...we hope that you will get involved too! Here are some pics of us in the BMWs that we got to test drive. It was a blast!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Poor Me
***Sorry for the confusion, the "I" is Sarah***
So, I have had like 5 sinus infections since February...maybe it has been one very long sinus infection. Medicine doesn't seem to be working and my face or head hurts most days. I finally went to the doctor AGAIN on Tuesday just to be told I need to see an allergist. Yesterday was my appointment with the allergist, and I got a back full of scratches with different allergens AND 12 shots in my arm AND 2 viles of blood drawn. My arm hurt for the rest of the night. It is kind of funny to watch bumps come up after being injected with things I am potentially allergic to. It doesn't take a medical degree for anyone watching my arm to figure out that I am allergic to trees...that bump was huge (think of a VERY large mosquito bite) and it itched like crazy. I am also allergic to molds and grass and something else I can't remember right now. I think I am basically allergic to outside...yeah! But, the good news is that I am NOT allergic to dust mites, however, I was told that Lubbock doesn't even have dust mites...figures. I am glad to know why my sinuses have been going crazy. I am now on a series of medicines to help with these allergies. The doctor wants me to start allergy shots, but I am not sure about that yet. He is also going to do this scope thing up my nose next week. I guess he wants to look at my sinuses. I just got some sinus x-ray results back, and they said those looked fine, so I am going to call this allergy doctor and see if the scope thing REALLY needs to be done. Geeezzz, you have to be able to outsmart some of these members of the medical profession.
House News: we are pretty much D-O-N-E with the house! We still have to complete the front flower bed and prune the rose bushes on the side of our house. So, there will be pics up by next week. It has been such hard work, so it feels really great to be just about finished.
So, I have had like 5 sinus infections since February...maybe it has been one very long sinus infection. Medicine doesn't seem to be working and my face or head hurts most days. I finally went to the doctor AGAIN on Tuesday just to be told I need to see an allergist. Yesterday was my appointment with the allergist, and I got a back full of scratches with different allergens AND 12 shots in my arm AND 2 viles of blood drawn. My arm hurt for the rest of the night. It is kind of funny to watch bumps come up after being injected with things I am potentially allergic to. It doesn't take a medical degree for anyone watching my arm to figure out that I am allergic to trees...that bump was huge (think of a VERY large mosquito bite) and it itched like crazy. I am also allergic to molds and grass and something else I can't remember right now. I think I am basically allergic to outside...yeah! But, the good news is that I am NOT allergic to dust mites, however, I was told that Lubbock doesn't even have dust mites...figures. I am glad to know why my sinuses have been going crazy. I am now on a series of medicines to help with these allergies. The doctor wants me to start allergy shots, but I am not sure about that yet. He is also going to do this scope thing up my nose next week. I guess he wants to look at my sinuses. I just got some sinus x-ray results back, and they said those looked fine, so I am going to call this allergy doctor and see if the scope thing REALLY needs to be done. Geeezzz, you have to be able to outsmart some of these members of the medical profession.
House News: we are pretty much D-O-N-E with the house! We still have to complete the front flower bed and prune the rose bushes on the side of our house. So, there will be pics up by next week. It has been such hard work, so it feels really great to be just about finished.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
SO TIRED!!!
We are completely in our new house now. It has been really fun finding a new "home" for our things...I really like that part of moving. I enjoy decorating my home, so that part is fun. Our house was SUPER dirty when we moved in. So, we've spent a considerable amount of time cleaning. We still have two bedrooms' walls to clean. I have fought the temptation to think that I am absolutely crazy for cloroxing everything, but I just really like knowing that the germs and dirt are MY germs and dirt. Does that make sense? The yard is also something that has needed lot of work. Paul and I have spent the past two evenings mowing and edging and trying to get the yard looking somewhat decent. We will be working more on it tonight. We still need to trim some trees and till a flower bed in the front of the house. We also need to pull out a ton of overgrown stuff on the side of the house. It seems like the work doesn't end! We have been working non-stop on the inside and outside of the house. I am excited about the finished product!
So, needless to say, I am sooooo tired. I promise pictures soon. I just want the house to look good first.
So, needless to say, I am sooooo tired. I promise pictures soon. I just want the house to look good first.
Monday, July 2, 2007
a little of everything
June has proved to be a little busier than I thought it would be. I am not sure if we have physically been busy...more emotionally busy. A lot of transition is happening in my office. It all started at the end of May and has continued throughout June. I am really hoping that things will settle down soon. I have found over the years of my life that I handle stress in some negative ways. I will, for example, sleep a lot or get really sick or withdraw from things. And stuff at work has provoked this type of behavior in me. It is funny, I talk to my mom about the fact that I am sick or really tired, and she confirms that I have always been this way when there is an abundance of stress in my life. At church the past two weeks, the series has been about responding to life in the up, down, and everything in between. We talked about worry and our circumstances and claiming God's promises. Isn't it amazing how timely church sermons can be. You might think that God was there or something :)
Paul and I have pretty much settled into the routine with Paul's job. We have enjoyed being home in the evenings together. If we aren't home it is for social occasions, not work. We miss InterVarsity but have welcomed this new pace of life. We have been in a place of savoring the rest (except obviously what I just wrote about). Ministry is tiring. And, we have needed some time to just "be". I think the rest of the summer will be about that.
We are moving in a week! YEAH. We found a house close to our good friends, Casey and Adam. We are so excited about it. Our apartment has been a great place to live, but we are really ready for more space and a new neighborhood. We intentionally looked for a house within about one square mile of our friends. We have been praying about being able to live close enough for our lives to intersect on a regular basis...we want to "do" life with them. That means we have to live close enough to be spontaneous. So, we looked and looked and looked for a house to rent. And have prayed and prayed and prayed. Nothing was coming open in our price range. The house we ended up getting was one that I really liked the outside of but was too much money. Then, I noticed that the price dropped significantly. We moved very quickly with signing a lease. The house has a big living room (which was important to us), 3 bedrooms, a bathroom (it is only the two of us, so we can handle that), a nice sized kitchen, big backyard, garage and lots of storage space. I think we will really like it. We will be living 6 blocks from our friends...which is under half a mile. The move begins this next weekend. We have already started packing up our apartment. We are both super excited but also a little sad to be leaving our first home together. In a lot of ways, it feels like we are exiting the "newlywed" stage of our marriage and entering a "young marrieds" stage...I am not sure what you would call this new stage, but we are in a different place. We have labored through our first really big fights and come out on the other side. We are still learning how to love each other well but have more of an idea of what that looks like. We really like this phase of marriage.
Speaking of marriage...we will be celebrating our second wedding anniversary on July 9. We have been trying to figure out how to celebrate. Last year, we were in Cabo San Lucas. We want our anniversaries to be a big deal...especially in this age of treating the marriage covenant very flippantly. Since we are moving, we have decided to celebrate a week or so later than our actual anniversary. BUT, we can't decide what to do. We would love to get away for a weekend. We've thought about Santa Fe, Taos, Dallas. We don't want to spend a whole day driving, but when you live in Lubbock, it is hard not to. Any suggestions???
We will post pics of the new house soon.
Paul and I have pretty much settled into the routine with Paul's job. We have enjoyed being home in the evenings together. If we aren't home it is for social occasions, not work. We miss InterVarsity but have welcomed this new pace of life. We have been in a place of savoring the rest (except obviously what I just wrote about). Ministry is tiring. And, we have needed some time to just "be". I think the rest of the summer will be about that.
We are moving in a week! YEAH. We found a house close to our good friends, Casey and Adam. We are so excited about it. Our apartment has been a great place to live, but we are really ready for more space and a new neighborhood. We intentionally looked for a house within about one square mile of our friends. We have been praying about being able to live close enough for our lives to intersect on a regular basis...we want to "do" life with them. That means we have to live close enough to be spontaneous. So, we looked and looked and looked for a house to rent. And have prayed and prayed and prayed. Nothing was coming open in our price range. The house we ended up getting was one that I really liked the outside of but was too much money. Then, I noticed that the price dropped significantly. We moved very quickly with signing a lease. The house has a big living room (which was important to us), 3 bedrooms, a bathroom (it is only the two of us, so we can handle that), a nice sized kitchen, big backyard, garage and lots of storage space. I think we will really like it. We will be living 6 blocks from our friends...which is under half a mile. The move begins this next weekend. We have already started packing up our apartment. We are both super excited but also a little sad to be leaving our first home together. In a lot of ways, it feels like we are exiting the "newlywed" stage of our marriage and entering a "young marrieds" stage...I am not sure what you would call this new stage, but we are in a different place. We have labored through our first really big fights and come out on the other side. We are still learning how to love each other well but have more of an idea of what that looks like. We really like this phase of marriage.
Speaking of marriage...we will be celebrating our second wedding anniversary on July 9. We have been trying to figure out how to celebrate. Last year, we were in Cabo San Lucas. We want our anniversaries to be a big deal...especially in this age of treating the marriage covenant very flippantly. Since we are moving, we have decided to celebrate a week or so later than our actual anniversary. BUT, we can't decide what to do. We would love to get away for a weekend. We've thought about Santa Fe, Taos, Dallas. We don't want to spend a whole day driving, but when you live in Lubbock, it is hard not to. Any suggestions???
We will post pics of the new house soon.
Monday, June 11, 2007
That's Hot...NOT!
If only my last name were Hilton. This is a list of everything I would be able to do...and get away with
- have platinum colored hair
- always look as if I had just rolled out of bed...or am actually just high
- coin really ridiculous phrases
- be BFF's with all the name brands in Hollywood and then hate them the next day
- never actually do any work but spend money like it grows on trees (I guess if you last name is Hilton, then it does)
- have an attitude like I am the goddess the world has been waiting for
- be late to my scheduled court appearance
- go to jail, decide I don't like it and get to go home!
I've just learned, however, that Miss Paris has had a change of heart. She evidently says that she is learning a lesson and has compared herself to the soldiers serving our country in Iraq. WHAT????
- have platinum colored hair
- always look as if I had just rolled out of bed...or am actually just high
- coin really ridiculous phrases
- be BFF's with all the name brands in Hollywood and then hate them the next day
- never actually do any work but spend money like it grows on trees (I guess if you last name is Hilton, then it does)
- have an attitude like I am the goddess the world has been waiting for
- be late to my scheduled court appearance
- go to jail, decide I don't like it and get to go home!
I've just learned, however, that Miss Paris has had a change of heart. She evidently says that she is learning a lesson and has compared herself to the soldiers serving our country in Iraq. WHAT????
Monday, May 28, 2007
where o where have the maneys been?
We've been in lots of different places and have been doing lots of different things! May has proved to be (once again) super busy for us. For the past four years, Paul has spent 2 weeks every May at REC week - InterVarsity's annual week-long student conference. Paul has to be there for two weeks because schools in the region don't finish up at the same time. So, Paul pretty much lives at Camp Buckner outside of Marble Falls for half the month. This year, my sister graduated from high school (yes, there is a large age difference...13 years to be exact). So, I flew to Houston for her graduation, and Paul was able to meet me there for a weekend away from camp. After returning to Lubbock for less than 48 hours, I flew out to Austin to be with Paul at REC week for the last three days of the two weeks. It was a lot of fun to see everyone as well as say goodbye. Paul and I have both felt really mixed emotions. This is my second time to say goodbye to InterVarsity since I left after 5 years of staff about four years ago. There is a sadness to saying goodbye to something you have given your life to. Paul and I flew back to Lubbock this past Friday in time for a long Memorial Day weekend. We have been anticipating what our new routine will be like as Paul begins his job full-time with Conetrix this coming Friday. The entire time we've been married, we have ridden to work together in the mornings and home again at night. We eat lunch very regularly together. Now, we will take separate cars to work in the morning and will have to make plans to see each other at lunch. It is going to be different.
We have really enjoyed this long weekend together. We've spent the entire weekend hanging out together and enjoying each other's company. We celebrated my birthday on Saturday by going to the movies and eating fajitas and drinking margaritas on the patio of On The Border. We've spent a lot of time looking for a new house (you can pray about that with us...we are looking to rent, so please pray for something that we can afford that meets our space needs in the area of town we would like to live). We also go my birthday present...A NEW BIKE! I am really excited about it. You know Paul is really into biking, and I have wanted to get into as well. So, for my birthday, I got a pretty, new mountain bike.
The past month has been good and hard and sad and exciting. We are really missing our family and friends that live far away. We are excited about the new cadence our life will soon have. We are sad about leaving InterVarsity. We are ready for the summer routine.
We have really enjoyed this long weekend together. We've spent the entire weekend hanging out together and enjoying each other's company. We celebrated my birthday on Saturday by going to the movies and eating fajitas and drinking margaritas on the patio of On The Border. We've spent a lot of time looking for a new house (you can pray about that with us...we are looking to rent, so please pray for something that we can afford that meets our space needs in the area of town we would like to live). We also go my birthday present...A NEW BIKE! I am really excited about it. You know Paul is really into biking, and I have wanted to get into as well. So, for my birthday, I got a pretty, new mountain bike.
The past month has been good and hard and sad and exciting. We are really missing our family and friends that live far away. We are excited about the new cadence our life will soon have. We are sad about leaving InterVarsity. We are ready for the summer routine.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Tagalicious
1) I love NPR. I was excited when we recently bought a second car because that meant that I would get to commute by myself and listen to NPR. Normally it gets vetoed because up until now Sarah and I have rode in the same car together to/from work. Too bad my commute is only 5 minutes.
2)I really like things that are practical. I enjoy having things like tools, extension cords, etc. I like things that are durable and help you accomplish a goal.
3)Things I am responsible for when Sarah and I are getting ready in the morning: Grinding beans, making the coffee; Making a quick bite to eat for us (usually something we eat on the way to work like an English muffin or instant breakfast); Plugging in Sarahs straighener when Im done with the bathroom.
4)I enjoy biking, always have and I probably always will. Ever since I was a kid I've loved riding. I like mountain biking, road, and I would love to try BMX (no, its not just for kids).
5)I like to spend money on big things, not little things. Sarah has an easier time spending money on smaller purchases. I have an easier time researching a larger purchase then "pulling the trigger" on buying it. Its good, we balance each other out.
6)I often try and "figure" money computations in my head... i.e. when we were out at a coffee shop I was wondering how well they did income-wise, so I tried to estimate their traffic, income, costs, etc. Ya Im kind of a dork.
7)I have a side business selling glowsticks on the internet. No, I dont have some sort of afinity for glowing novelty items...basically its a good deal because it was a low startup cost, the markup online is huge, and it doesnt take much of my time. I don't make a TON of money off of it, but its enough to put a little fun money in my pocket.
2)I really like things that are practical. I enjoy having things like tools, extension cords, etc. I like things that are durable and help you accomplish a goal.
3)Things I am responsible for when Sarah and I are getting ready in the morning: Grinding beans, making the coffee; Making a quick bite to eat for us (usually something we eat on the way to work like an English muffin or instant breakfast); Plugging in Sarahs straighener when Im done with the bathroom.
4)I enjoy biking, always have and I probably always will. Ever since I was a kid I've loved riding. I like mountain biking, road, and I would love to try BMX (no, its not just for kids).
5)I like to spend money on big things, not little things. Sarah has an easier time spending money on smaller purchases. I have an easier time researching a larger purchase then "pulling the trigger" on buying it. Its good, we balance each other out.
6)I often try and "figure" money computations in my head... i.e. when we were out at a coffee shop I was wondering how well they did income-wise, so I tried to estimate their traffic, income, costs, etc. Ya Im kind of a dork.
7)I have a side business selling glowsticks on the internet. No, I dont have some sort of afinity for glowing novelty items...basically its a good deal because it was a low startup cost, the markup online is huge, and it doesnt take much of my time. I don't make a TON of money off of it, but its enough to put a little fun money in my pocket.
Friday, May 4, 2007
We've been tagged.
I (Sarah) will be a good sport and complete the taggee (is that what I would be called) assignment. I will also make Paul post his response. The assignment is to list 7 random facts or habits about yourself. So here goes...
1. I have had the same alarm clock since 5th grade. That is a pretty long time considering I will be 31 this month. It is pink and purple (what other color would a 5th grade girl have in the 1980's), and it is called the "P'Jammer". It used to have these little "earbuds" (fancy for earphones) that fit into the side of it, but those have been gone a long time. I have contemplated getting a new alarm clock for a while, but I am not sure I want to part with my P'Jammer.
2. I love really great hair. If I could, I spend A LOT of money on hair products, and I would get my hair cut every 3 weeks. It is of value to me to spend a little money on my hair cuts, so I do not like to go hair cutting chains. I also do not like to go stylists that have really bad hair. My stylists is moving to San Diego, so I will get my hair cut by her one last time in a week. Then, I must train someone new.
3. I was in a beauty pageant. You can laugh now if you want. I really was. It was my sophomore year in high school, and I was first runner-up. I got a big trophy.
4. I like things to be clean. I wouldn't so much call me a "neat freak"...mainly because I don't like that term. Cleanliness is a very high value of mine. This pertains to just about anything - my house, my office, my car, myself. I also like for things to look clean...this means no clutter. I like clean, crisp decorations that are fairly simple.
5. I have had 9 jobs in my life. secretary/do whatever I was told for a software company, sales associate at Gap Kids, student assistant in my residence hall, substitute teacher, staffworker for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, high school English teacher, secretary/do whatever I was told for the Texas Tech Library, Assistant Director of the New Student Orientation program at Texas Tech, Supervisor/Coordinator over admission's processing at Texas Tech.
6. I have fantasies about living in Mexico. Specifically in a little town called Guanajuato. My other choice would be running a quaint little hotel or coffee shop in a place like Cabo San Lucas. And that brings me to luck #7...
7. I have a set path that I take when I go to Target. First, I walk through the clothes and look at everything, then I go across the big aisle to the handbags. I then walk the outer aisle of the store past electronics, toys and baby stuff to the shoes. I keep walking back toward the front of the store to housewares, kitchen stuff and decorating stuff. I stop there for a good while. Finally, I make it to the cleaning supplies and toiletries and get what I am usually there to pick up. I LOVE Target!
And for the bonus...
I have a few dreams that I would love to be realities at some point in my life...own a coffee shop, go to graduate school (I could do something about this, but I am kinda scared), have babies...not sure how many and not at one time - that scares me too, own a house that is a blank slate for decorating, run a marathon, and own a chocolate lab.
1. I have had the same alarm clock since 5th grade. That is a pretty long time considering I will be 31 this month. It is pink and purple (what other color would a 5th grade girl have in the 1980's), and it is called the "P'Jammer". It used to have these little "earbuds" (fancy for earphones) that fit into the side of it, but those have been gone a long time. I have contemplated getting a new alarm clock for a while, but I am not sure I want to part with my P'Jammer.
2. I love really great hair. If I could, I spend A LOT of money on hair products, and I would get my hair cut every 3 weeks. It is of value to me to spend a little money on my hair cuts, so I do not like to go hair cutting chains. I also do not like to go stylists that have really bad hair. My stylists is moving to San Diego, so I will get my hair cut by her one last time in a week. Then, I must train someone new.
3. I was in a beauty pageant. You can laugh now if you want. I really was. It was my sophomore year in high school, and I was first runner-up. I got a big trophy.
4. I like things to be clean. I wouldn't so much call me a "neat freak"...mainly because I don't like that term. Cleanliness is a very high value of mine. This pertains to just about anything - my house, my office, my car, myself. I also like for things to look clean...this means no clutter. I like clean, crisp decorations that are fairly simple.
5. I have had 9 jobs in my life. secretary/do whatever I was told for a software company, sales associate at Gap Kids, student assistant in my residence hall, substitute teacher, staffworker for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, high school English teacher, secretary/do whatever I was told for the Texas Tech Library, Assistant Director of the New Student Orientation program at Texas Tech, Supervisor/Coordinator over admission's processing at Texas Tech.
6. I have fantasies about living in Mexico. Specifically in a little town called Guanajuato. My other choice would be running a quaint little hotel or coffee shop in a place like Cabo San Lucas. And that brings me to luck #7...
7. I have a set path that I take when I go to Target. First, I walk through the clothes and look at everything, then I go across the big aisle to the handbags. I then walk the outer aisle of the store past electronics, toys and baby stuff to the shoes. I keep walking back toward the front of the store to housewares, kitchen stuff and decorating stuff. I stop there for a good while. Finally, I make it to the cleaning supplies and toiletries and get what I am usually there to pick up. I LOVE Target!
And for the bonus...
I have a few dreams that I would love to be realities at some point in my life...own a coffee shop, go to graduate school (I could do something about this, but I am kinda scared), have babies...not sure how many and not at one time - that scares me too, own a house that is a blank slate for decorating, run a marathon, and own a chocolate lab.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
appreciating the arts
Paul and I took in the Lubbock Arts Festival this past weekend. We wanted to share one of our favorite pieces with you. In this crayon drawing entitled "Me Holding Gary, my Pet Lizard" you will find an artist from the realist movement. It seems to be a self-portrait. One might interpret this artist to be larger than life - almost egotistical (look at the artist's size compared to the house) and not care very much for Gary...hence the way this boy is holding Gary. Take a look for yourself. Maybe your interpretation will be vastly different than mine.
And, this is a close-up of Gary
And, this is a close-up of Gary
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
the stuff in my head
I don't know about you, but I have checked CNN and Fox News several times today looking for new information on the tragic events that have taken place at Virginia Tech. It is almost so horrific that I can't stop looking at it. I can't imagine the sheer terror that was felt by students and faculty. I can't imagine the sheer terror that MUST have been felt by the gunman - who we now know has a name...Cho. I am so sad for what his life must have been. And, I am so sad for intense grief his family must know at this time. Of course, I am also sad for those families that lost sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. This is just something I can't understand, and I am sure I will never understand this kind of brokenness. Praise the Lord that he is able to heal such deep pain, that he does understand, that he was there.
Sorry about the downer of a post. I'll give you a few updates on the Maney family. We are feeling pretty stretched with the job-change coming up. Paul is working about 12 hours a week for his new company while trying to finish the year on campus while trying to study for the exams he has to take to get some certifications for his new job...all of this while the normal parts of life continue to happen. Needless to say, keeping up with our blog has been hard, AND we are REALLY looking forward to the first part of June. We had Paul's mom here from Friday until this afternoon. It was a good visit, and we enjoyed having her. Last Thursday, I officially ended the "growing my hair out" phase and got my hair cut short. If you know me, then you know that I've often had short hair, and I really like having short hair. Paul likes it short too. It is kinda strange, but I feel more like myself with my new haircut. I've grown my hair out since the first year I moved back to Lubbock. At times Lubbock has felt kinda dark (figuratively). But, I think I am starting to feel like my old self, and my new haircut is part of that. Today there was a big storm and it hailed.
Again, it seems like everything I wrote was deep. I won't make it a habit :)
Sorry about the downer of a post. I'll give you a few updates on the Maney family. We are feeling pretty stretched with the job-change coming up. Paul is working about 12 hours a week for his new company while trying to finish the year on campus while trying to study for the exams he has to take to get some certifications for his new job...all of this while the normal parts of life continue to happen. Needless to say, keeping up with our blog has been hard, AND we are REALLY looking forward to the first part of June. We had Paul's mom here from Friday until this afternoon. It was a good visit, and we enjoyed having her. Last Thursday, I officially ended the "growing my hair out" phase and got my hair cut short. If you know me, then you know that I've often had short hair, and I really like having short hair. Paul likes it short too. It is kinda strange, but I feel more like myself with my new haircut. I've grown my hair out since the first year I moved back to Lubbock. At times Lubbock has felt kinda dark (figuratively). But, I think I am starting to feel like my old self, and my new haircut is part of that. Today there was a big storm and it hailed.
Again, it seems like everything I wrote was deep. I won't make it a habit :)
"I'll Be Home For Easter"???
We had a really fun Easter weekend...birthday dinner for my good friend Casey, fajitas and games with several friends of ours, and of course a Sunday full of good food, relaxing, and Jesus. The best part of the weekend was the blast of winter. Here are some pics.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
My Divorce, Work, and Iraq
My Divorce - So, I got divorced a few days ago... Facebook divorced that is. Sarah's Facebook account got randomly erased from existance. She tried to go through technical support to have it recovered, but you can guess how responsive they were. So to make a long story short, she just created a new account. The catch is, when she tried to list me as her husband, it said that I was already in a relationship with someone (her Facebook ghost... creepy!). Anyhow, I had to end our relationship on Facebook so I could re-marry her new account. Where does one go for an online honeymoon? Do I have to pay alimony?
My Facebook divorce:
My Work - So, I have to apologize, this news is a little slow in making it to our blog. A couple of weeks ago a friend in Sarah's womens group heard I was looking for an IT job. She said I should get her my resume and she'd give it to her boss. I got it to her, and after a few interviews I have a job! I am still working with InterVarsity for a few more months but I have a contract to start full time as soon as I'm done with InterVarsity. Woohoo! It's so nice to have something lined up this early. I am actually working one day a week there to try and get up to speed so I can hit the ground running when I start full time. The company is called CoNetrix and my title will be "Network Engineer". We basically are the outsourced IT department for several area businesses (a lot of banks). My position will mainly consist of installing and maintaining servers and networks. My first two weeks have been great. Some of the most attractive things about this company are the company values and the way people treat each other. While it's not a Christian company most of the people there are and they do business like they are. There is just an overall value of working hard and doing what's right (by the customer and to our employees). Even though there is a steep learning curve ahead of me, I am way excited to start full time.
Iraq - I just got done reading a special issue of NEWSWEEK called "Voices of the Fallen". It is basically just letters from Iraq of soldiers who have since lost their lives to it. VERY powerful. It made me even more grateful for my country and our freedom. There is an article on the last page of the issue that contained two quotes that struck a chord in me as I read and re-read the words of fallen soldiers:
"Amid the strategy, the cost, the risk, the politics, do policy makers remember that when they start a war it is as if they dragged heavy hands across the map of the world and altered the details of daily life? Every name on the sloping black wall of the Vietnam Memorial tells a story. It is a collection of might-have-beens, a book with half the pages gone. "
"The rationale for going to war has to meet many tests, but one of them -- perhaps the most important one -- is whether the mission is strong enough to carry the weight of so many ghosts and so much misery, here and in Iraq, too."I encourage you to pick up a copy of this if at all possible. I read it cover to cover tonight. It really gave me a new perspective on the war (any war for that matter). I am not anti-war, but it makes me think, and thinking is good.
-Paul
Sunday, April 1, 2007
8 seconds
Paul and I went to the Lubbock rodeo last night. I really like the rodeo - calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bronc riding, the bull fighters - aka rodeo clowns, mutton bustin' (little kids riding sheep...pretty funny), and most of all...I love me some bull riding! I don't know why, but I do really like bull riding. I will even watch PBR on TV. There is just something about the adrenaline of a smallish man riding a 1000 pound animal that is thrashing about wildly. I have no idea what drives a person to make this their career. Can you imagine a day at the office? Bruises, broken bones, blood. And the client is a bull. It is so exhilarating. I think Garth Brooks says it best:
Well, its bulls and blood
Its dust and mud
Its the roar of a Sunday crowd
Its the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go round
Its boots and chaps
Its cowboy (and girl) hats
Its spurs and latigo
Its the ropes and the reins
The joy and the pain
And they call the thing RODEO
Well, its bulls and blood
Its dust and mud
Its the roar of a Sunday crowd
Its the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go round
Its boots and chaps
Its cowboy (and girl) hats
Its spurs and latigo
Its the ropes and the reins
The joy and the pain
And they call the thing RODEO
Sunday, March 25, 2007
car shopping
Paul and I are in the market for a car. So, we've begun to do our homework - deciding what we can afford, what type of vehicle we would like to buy, etc. For the past two years, we have been a one car family. This has rarely posed huge frustrations and headaches because we normally go just about everywhere together...work, church, grocery store, coffee shop, etc. We do go places by ourselves, but usually that happens when the other person is staying at home or is out of town or something. Sometimes we do have to get creative when we both need to be someplace different at the same time. But, with Paul's new job NOT being near my job, we are going to need to get a second car. Yesterday, we ventured out to take a gander at what our options might be. Now this isn't my first time to buy a car...I've been around the block a time or two, and some things just never change. Here are a few observations from my recent car-buying experience:
1. Your car (the one you are currently in) is your fortress of solitude...they can't get you while in it. You may wish to take up the "Maney Technique" of doing a drive-by before getting out of your car to look. This way, you don't have to deal with salespeople unnecessarily.
2. Should you choose to get out of your fortress of solitude, NEVER, I mean NEVER get separated from the person with whom you are buying the car. That is their strategy...pull you away from the pack and then take their prey.
3. ALWAYS say you are not looking to buy today - that will minimize the amount of "knowledge" you have to give up. Like - do you have a trade-in, how much are looking to spend, etc.
4. Speaking of knowledge - that is one of your only lines of defense...use it wisely.
5. Don't be mean to the salesperson (after all they are trying to earn a living), but you do have the right to look around without being followed.
6. We haven't gotten to this point yet. But, when you are ready to buy, KNOW your stuff...the internet holds a wealth of information that you can and should use.
I think we have ultimately decided to buy something fairly cheap that we can pay cash for. We want to move and would rather spend money each month on a bigger place than a car. This second car will be used for the sole purpose of Paul getting to and from work.
1. Your car (the one you are currently in) is your fortress of solitude...they can't get you while in it. You may wish to take up the "Maney Technique" of doing a drive-by before getting out of your car to look. This way, you don't have to deal with salespeople unnecessarily.
2. Should you choose to get out of your fortress of solitude, NEVER, I mean NEVER get separated from the person with whom you are buying the car. That is their strategy...pull you away from the pack and then take their prey.
3. ALWAYS say you are not looking to buy today - that will minimize the amount of "knowledge" you have to give up. Like - do you have a trade-in, how much are looking to spend, etc.
4. Speaking of knowledge - that is one of your only lines of defense...use it wisely.
5. Don't be mean to the salesperson (after all they are trying to earn a living), but you do have the right to look around without being followed.
6. We haven't gotten to this point yet. But, when you are ready to buy, KNOW your stuff...the internet holds a wealth of information that you can and should use.
I think we have ultimately decided to buy something fairly cheap that we can pay cash for. We want to move and would rather spend money each month on a bigger place than a car. This second car will be used for the sole purpose of Paul getting to and from work.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Paul & Sarah go to Washington
We realize that you have been anxiously awaiting THE post on our vacation to Washington DC. Well, here it is. We had a great time seeing stuff we'd only read about in History books as well as spending time with our friends, Seth and Kristen Kolb! It was one of those vacations where we got home needing a vacation from our vacation, but it was so fun none the less. Upon setting out to DC, we made a list of all the things we wanted to do while there. And, I am happy to say that we got to most things on our list - Yay us! I think all in all, we probably walked a total of like 40 miles during the entire week that we were there. Here's a list of everything we got see:
- White House (yes, we had a tour of the INSIDE). On the way out, we saw a secret service agent. Kristen mentioned to him that we were supposed to have breakfast with the President. The secret service guy played along and couldn't believe that George didn't honor that commitment. Then, I opened my big mouth and said that we would've taken the First Lady...you don't say things like that at the White House.
- Capitol - another tour set up by our Congressman
- Library of Congress
- Supreme Court Building
- Air & Space Museum, American Art and Portraiture Museums - part of the Smithsonian Institute
- National Holocaust Museum
- Washington Monument
- Lincoln Memorial
- Arlington Cemetery and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Mt. Vernon - George Washington's house and tomb
- International Spy Museum - we are well trained to spot spies among us!
- Vietnam Memorial
- Union Station
- Old Town Alexandria
- Folger's Shakespeare Museum
- Ford Theater and house where Lincoln died
We also got to eat lots of really good food...I guess the perk of being in an international city. This is something we really miss living in Lubbock!
As with any trip, there were a few antics along the way.
1) on the day that we toured the Capitol, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress, we forgot the camera...we bought a disposable one. We were pretty sad not to have our camera this day!
2) on our last night, we decided to see The Mall all lit up. We had been out and walking around for the entire day and wanted to eat dinner then walk around The Mall. So, we went up this one street looking for a place to eat. The menu of this one Mexican eatery looked good and affordable, so we went in. Now, we had been outside all day, but we still didn't look disgusting. The hostess told us that their bar served their entire menu, so we could just take a seat there! I asked her how long before a table would be available, and she sat us immediately. We knew what that was about. We were pretty upset to have been treated that way...this places prices did not warrant snootiness. We went ahead and ordered, and our food came - it was bite size servings! We dropped $30 on dinner, Paul talked to the manager about the hostess, and we got pizza later that night.
3) for the last two nights of our trip, we stayed in a hotel near the Capitol. It was a little warm in our room, so Paul turned on the air. It sounded like a car that needed some work, and no cold air came out. The next morning, we told the front desk. They said they'd fix it...but of course didn't. So, we sweated as it was unseasonably warm in DC.
4) Upon returning to Lubbock, we stood at baggage claim patiently waiting for our bags that never came. Somehow through all the plane changes that we made on our way home (four total), our bags got lost. Thank goodness they showed up later that night, and Southwest delivered them to our house.
Here are a few pictures. Enjoy!
- White House (yes, we had a tour of the INSIDE). On the way out, we saw a secret service agent. Kristen mentioned to him that we were supposed to have breakfast with the President. The secret service guy played along and couldn't believe that George didn't honor that commitment. Then, I opened my big mouth and said that we would've taken the First Lady...you don't say things like that at the White House.
- Capitol - another tour set up by our Congressman
- Library of Congress
- Supreme Court Building
- Air & Space Museum, American Art and Portraiture Museums - part of the Smithsonian Institute
- National Holocaust Museum
- Washington Monument
- Lincoln Memorial
- Arlington Cemetery and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Mt. Vernon - George Washington's house and tomb
- International Spy Museum - we are well trained to spot spies among us!
- Vietnam Memorial
- Union Station
- Old Town Alexandria
- Folger's Shakespeare Museum
- Ford Theater and house where Lincoln died
We also got to eat lots of really good food...I guess the perk of being in an international city. This is something we really miss living in Lubbock!
As with any trip, there were a few antics along the way.
1) on the day that we toured the Capitol, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress, we forgot the camera...we bought a disposable one. We were pretty sad not to have our camera this day!
2) on our last night, we decided to see The Mall all lit up. We had been out and walking around for the entire day and wanted to eat dinner then walk around The Mall. So, we went up this one street looking for a place to eat. The menu of this one Mexican eatery looked good and affordable, so we went in. Now, we had been outside all day, but we still didn't look disgusting. The hostess told us that their bar served their entire menu, so we could just take a seat there! I asked her how long before a table would be available, and she sat us immediately. We knew what that was about. We were pretty upset to have been treated that way...this places prices did not warrant snootiness. We went ahead and ordered, and our food came - it was bite size servings! We dropped $30 on dinner, Paul talked to the manager about the hostess, and we got pizza later that night.
3) for the last two nights of our trip, we stayed in a hotel near the Capitol. It was a little warm in our room, so Paul turned on the air. It sounded like a car that needed some work, and no cold air came out. The next morning, we told the front desk. They said they'd fix it...but of course didn't. So, we sweated as it was unseasonably warm in DC.
4) Upon returning to Lubbock, we stood at baggage claim patiently waiting for our bags that never came. Somehow through all the plane changes that we made on our way home (four total), our bags got lost. Thank goodness they showed up later that night, and Southwest delivered them to our house.
Here are a few pictures. Enjoy!
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Some thoughts on leaving
So as many of you know I work for InterVarsity as a campus staff worker... training students, discipling, etc. Most of you also know that this is my last year to be working for InterVarsity. I feel like God has given me other gifts and abilities that I want to explore using. Anyway, this past Thursday I told my fellowship that I wont be here next year. It was an interesting experience because on one hand I want there to be weeping and gnashing of teeth when I leave, because I want to feel important and missed... everyone does. However I felt an even more satisfying emotion when one of my leaders said basically (paraphrasing) "whether or not there is another staff worker here next year to take your place, I feel like we'll be OK because you have given us the tools necessary to make it on our own." That felt good. I think it will be hard to let go because I see the fellowship being on the verge of some really big and amazing things. But, i must exit so that when God does do those things, he is the only one people will see.
By the way, the DVD burning worked great. Although, apparently there is a limit for the maximum length of the filepath for the files you burn to a DVD. Also, Windows doesn't have built in support for burning DVD's like it does CD's... you have to use 3rd party software.
By the way, the DVD burning worked great. Although, apparently there is a limit for the maximum length of the filepath for the files you burn to a DVD. Also, Windows doesn't have built in support for burning DVD's like it does CD's... you have to use 3rd party software.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
check it out!
I was very excited to see that one of the articles I wrote for Urbana.org was published. http://www.urbana.org/_articles.cfm?RecordId=1049. Enjoy!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
and that's LUBBOCK for you
Today, we awoke to the hissing sound of violent wind. Upon looking outside, we soon found not only violent wind, but a pink sky. We wanted to go to a coffee shop for a bit this morning. Just leaving the house was an ordeal...you gotta make sure there is absolutely nothing on your lips that dirt will stick to then you gotta put on your shades (event though it isn't sunny outside) because you do, in fact, run the risk of something flying into your eye at 40 mph...who would want that to be the reason they went blind. Then you gotta get out the door and run really fast to get into your car. Now this can sometimes be challenging because the gale-force winds can make it very difficult for one to get the door to the house locked and then the car door opened without something going terribly wrong...like your car door flying off. One must keep their head about them, staying focused during all aspects of the procedure. If all goes well, you can reach your car with minimal dirt caked to your lips or in yours eyes and nose, your car door still attached to the car, and still resembling what you looked liked when you last looked in the mirror.
By the way, we made it to the coffee shop and had an enjoyable time listening to some great live jazz. If you ever come visit us, we will take you to our coffee shop...and hopefully you will not have to experience a Lubbock dust storm.
By the way, we made it to the coffee shop and had an enjoyable time listening to some great live jazz. If you ever come visit us, we will take you to our coffee shop...and hopefully you will not have to experience a Lubbock dust storm.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Hello World!
Ahem... SO... You may be asking yourself, "Self, I wonder why the Maney's blog says 'Paul and Sarah' when Sarah is the only one that posts"? Well wonder no longer. He I am world.
Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of blogging, and I've had plenty of subjects over the past several weeks that I thought about posting on, but you know how it is, it just didnt happen. So as the weeks rolled by and the comments in jest about me be being a dead-beat blogger husband began to pile up, the pressure only mounted. I thought long and hard about my first post. It had to be good. Funny, insightful, unique. But then the more I though about it, the more I realized if the first post made the heavens part and the angels sing, I'd have nowhere to go but down. So I decided to set the bar low. It's like I always say, if you set the bar low enough you're bound to trip over it sooner or later ;) Are you ready? Brace yourself. I recommend sitting down. Here it is:
I went and bought some blank DVD's today to back up all of our digital pictures. I have to admit, I've never burned a DVD before and in a weird way I'm kind of excited about it. Will it work? How long will it take to burn a whole DVD of pictures? Is it just like burning a CD? Ack!!! The suspense, the excitement! I'll let you know.
Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of blogging, and I've had plenty of subjects over the past several weeks that I thought about posting on, but you know how it is, it just didnt happen. So as the weeks rolled by and the comments in jest about me be being a dead-beat blogger husband began to pile up, the pressure only mounted. I thought long and hard about my first post. It had to be good. Funny, insightful, unique. But then the more I though about it, the more I realized if the first post made the heavens part and the angels sing, I'd have nowhere to go but down. So I decided to set the bar low. It's like I always say, if you set the bar low enough you're bound to trip over it sooner or later ;) Are you ready? Brace yourself. I recommend sitting down. Here it is:
I went and bought some blank DVD's today to back up all of our digital pictures. I have to admit, I've never burned a DVD before and in a weird way I'm kind of excited about it. Will it work? How long will it take to burn a whole DVD of pictures? Is it just like burning a CD? Ack!!! The suspense, the excitement! I'll let you know.
By the way, official congratulations to: Holly (your review), Seth& Kristen (your post/assignment), and Ludlows (becoming parents, & Charissa on becoming an author)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Day of LOVE
Happy Valentine's Day!
Paul and I decided not to give each other presents this year - for a few reasons:
1. we FINALLY had our engagement photo professionally framed (it is ready today and we are about to go pick it up...maybe a post later), and that wasn't cheap.
2. You can buy the same chocolates, balloons, and flowers for a fraction of the price on February 13 and 15. Don't get me wrong - I really enjoy getting flowers. But, now that it comes from the same bank account, I don't need them on Valentine's Day
3. We would honestly rather spend the money we would have spent on gifts doing something fun together.
I think it is important to celebrate those that we love and care deeply about. So, you may be thinking, "How do Paul and Sarah do that?". Well, I got up extra early to make pancakes for breakfast. We had lunch together. It has been snowing all day, therefore, we think we are going to order in some of our favorite food (and I do mean some...from several different places) and probably get some coffee. We got engaged on Valentine's day, so we like to return to the place of our engagement - Sugar Brown's Coffee. It would be fun to drink some good wine with dinner, but I don't think we want to drive out to get it...we live in a dry county.
Here's to Valentine's Day. I hope you have all been celebrated today.
Paul and I decided not to give each other presents this year - for a few reasons:
1. we FINALLY had our engagement photo professionally framed (it is ready today and we are about to go pick it up...maybe a post later), and that wasn't cheap.
2. You can buy the same chocolates, balloons, and flowers for a fraction of the price on February 13 and 15. Don't get me wrong - I really enjoy getting flowers. But, now that it comes from the same bank account, I don't need them on Valentine's Day
3. We would honestly rather spend the money we would have spent on gifts doing something fun together.
I think it is important to celebrate those that we love and care deeply about. So, you may be thinking, "How do Paul and Sarah do that?". Well, I got up extra early to make pancakes for breakfast. We had lunch together. It has been snowing all day, therefore, we think we are going to order in some of our favorite food (and I do mean some...from several different places) and probably get some coffee. We got engaged on Valentine's day, so we like to return to the place of our engagement - Sugar Brown's Coffee. It would be fun to drink some good wine with dinner, but I don't think we want to drive out to get it...we live in a dry county.
Here's to Valentine's Day. I hope you have all been celebrated today.
Monday, February 5, 2007
sweet husband
I just want to take a moment and let everyone know that I have the best husband ever. I have been feeling pretty under the weather. Tonight for dinner, Paul went and got a really good sandwich for me from one of our favorite eateries - all because that is what sounded good to me. When he got home, he had 3 red gerber daisies with him. I love gerber daisies! And I love Paul.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
planning a vacation...
One of the hard parts about Paul's job with InterVarsity and my job with the Office of Admissions at Texas Tech is that we often have to travel...not together. The plus side of that is the frequent flyer miles. At least once in a 12 month period we both receive free airline tickets which, needless to say, is very helpful when one who doesn't have a lot of money wants to go places they've never been. Last year, we got to go to Cabo San Lucas. This year, we are planning a trip to Washington DC. Neither one of us have ever been to our nations capitol. The absolute bonus of this is...we have friends who recently moved out there (here's a shout out to Seth and Kristen). SO, as any trip planner would do, I immediately got on the internet to research every aspect of our vacation from what to do, where to go, etc. I had this great idea (actually my mom had this great idea) that we should take a train to New York City for a few days of our vacation. Now, this trip is going to be relatively inexpensive...the whole reason we are taking it, so I had to find a cheap hotel in New York. Well, cheap in New York means a room with two beds that shares a bathroom down the hall...your typical college dorm room. Actually, they are called hostels. Now, if I were in Europe, I might be more inclined to participate in this type of hotel living. But, I am not. So, I am less than thrilled at the cheap options in New York. I selected every area that was a possible option on priceline, expedia, cheaptickets...you name it, I tried it. Cheap hotels do not exist - well, unless you want to share a bathroom with other people you don't know. I think we have decided to nix the New York idea and just spend our whole vacation in Washington DC.
I heard from a friend at work that if you contact your congressperson, you can get tours of places like the capitol, library of congress, and the state department. So, I filled out the form. I haven't heard anything, but I sure hope my congressman come through for me. I think we will have plenty to do in DC. I am really excited about this trip. If you have any suggestions of things that are "must sees", please let us know.
Lastly, Paul and I had the opportunity to work on the Urbana.org team while at Urbana this past December. My job was to edit and write pieces that would be posted on the the Urbana.org site at later dates. I just saw that a piece I edited (our friend Pete wrote it) is up on the site...you should check it out. http://www.urbana.org/_articles.cfm?RecordId=1033
I heard from a friend at work that if you contact your congressperson, you can get tours of places like the capitol, library of congress, and the state department. So, I filled out the form. I haven't heard anything, but I sure hope my congressman come through for me. I think we will have plenty to do in DC. I am really excited about this trip. If you have any suggestions of things that are "must sees", please let us know.
Lastly, Paul and I had the opportunity to work on the Urbana.org team while at Urbana this past December. My job was to edit and write pieces that would be posted on the the Urbana.org site at later dates. I just saw that a piece I edited (our friend Pete wrote it) is up on the site...you should check it out. http://www.urbana.org/_articles.cfm?RecordId=1033
Monday, January 22, 2007
fun in the snow
Well, we had our storm. It wasn't nearly as terrible as predicted (I could have told you that it wouldn't be). We got several inches of snow and lots of ice. We got to leave work at 1 pm on Friday...that was an excellent treat! It was a great weekend staying inside, drinking warm drinks, watching episodes of our favorite TV shows on dvd, and just hanging out. On Saturday, "stir-crazy" began to set in a bit. So, Paul and I ventured over to our park. After bundling up, we headed out to take pictures of the snow (you know you live in Texas when this kind of weather is a novelty). Here are a few of the faves...
the "you'll shoot your eye out!" movie
fun with icicles
more fun with icicles
our wicked tree...look how big those icicles are
Mr. & Mrs. Snow Angels 
our real Lubbock snowman! The next day, we noticed that someone had kicked him over...why are people so mean?
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