Day {Twenty+Two}

Day 22 A photo of something that means a lot to you

I didn't post anything on Friday and I have gotten to the point that I feel a void in my day if I don't take a moment to just lay out my thoughts but I really didn't have any clue how to answer the question for day 22. I love a lot of things in my house, but I really don't have just one meaningful thing.


I could have posted a picture of my grandfather's tattered bible. The binding is worn off and the pages are brown with age. There are half a dozen flowers dried between the pages and I have no idea why or the occasion they represent. There are various notes scratched in between the verses which is meaningful because I have never been very clear on my grandpa's stance when it came to faith.


I could have posted a picture of a few of the ornaments that Sean and I have collected over the last couple of years. They are still shiny and new but they hang on our tree anxious to age with our family.


I could have posted a picture of a ragged copy of a book my mother gave me when I was in 2nd grade. It's a chapter book of "Beauty and the Beast" and it appears very unassuming but just inside the front cover is a long note written by my mother for being such a good big sister. It means so much to me because it was a gift she gave me for no reason and I remember never having felt so proud before. It sounds pretty lame but it has great meaning to me.


For now, though, I'll post a picture of one of my favorite days with the symbol of our vows. There have been quite a few things that have gone on over the last couple of weeks. A lot of really crappy things that have made us wonder why bad things happen, particularly so close to the holidays. Things that have made the view of our family turn a little sideways. Things that I have been forced to only pray about because I can't do anything else to fix the situation. My thoughts have been consumed with a family member's health problems, with a friend's preparation for a possible loss of a grandparent, with another family member's crisis, with the loss of my husband's step-grandmother, and with my own hurt feelings. Looking over my wedding pictures last night I was reminded of the beauty that day held for me. It was so much fun to be there with our friends and family members and it really seems so far away now. But the vows were for the good times as well as the bad. We haven't had a blast over the last few weeks, but we've done it together and that has been immensely better than going through it alone.

Day {Twenty+One}

Day 21 Plans/goals/dreams you have
Plans:

• Work until 9:00 pm tonight at my after school job
• Come home afterwards and make a coconut cream pie by request for our office Christmas party tomorrow
• Be at St. John's at 7:00 am for a meeting tomorrow
• Work tomorrow night until 10:30 (but then I'm done for a few days!!!)
• Scrub my house this weekend in preparation for our Christmas Eve family dinner with Sean's mother's side of the family. Have I mentioned that the count so far is up to 30 people? Yeah, I am not sure where they will all sit yet... or how we are going to feed that many people with the one ham we had intended on.
• Send out our Christmas cards
• Finalize my list of goodies to make with the kiddos for family and neighbors
• "Rent" a movie for a date night with the hubs. We deserve it and will probably need it

Goals:

• For now, just to survive until vacation after the new year
• Get Sean through radiology school
• Pay off all of our student loans
• Various house projects to really make our house a home
 

Dreams:

• Sean to graduate radiology school and be immediately hired on to a full time position at Cox where he gets to keep his benefits and, by then, almost ten years of raises
• Figure out what I want to do when I grow up
• Buy a new(er) car
• Sell our home
• Buy a nicer home with far fewer improvements required
• Have a baby
• Maybe two
• Be good parents
• Work hard at something we enjoy
• Retire
• Live happily ever after. :)

Day {Twenty}

Day 20 A photo of something that makes you happy

Note: The topic is someTHING that makes me happy and not someONE - otherwise you could just look at the heading picture.

My iPad is my very favorite THING. If our house was on fire, I'd grab it before I grabbed my purse. Recently, I have had a difficult time finding joy at home, but I can turn on my iPad and read a book or play on pinterest or watch something from either our Dish or Netflix and go somewhere else.

It also makes me think of when I got it - I am not someone who is easily surprised. No, I'm far too nosey and will usually figure it out on my own. I had absolutely no clue I was receiving this for my birthday and it absolutely has made my year.

Day {Nineteen}

Day 19 A photo of your favorite place to eat

The kitchen: before, a photo by Stephanie.Sekscinski on Flickr.

Now, I'm not boasting because when it comes to cooking, I'm really not that great. I can make a pretty good pie and am learning something new with each sweet treat I attempt, but I can't do much on the stove. Each time I've tried to make gravy has resulted in an epic fail. Epic.
But I love to try something new and even if it tastes horrible, I'll stomach at least a taste before I pull out a can of spaghettios which we always have in stock. It's a work in progress!

Day {Eighteen}

Day 18 A letter to your parents

Dear Mom & Dad,


Thank you for giving me a “normal childhood.” I don’t feel scarred or misdirected in life and judging by some of the parenting I have seen, I think that is a huge accomplishment.


Thank you for getting text messaging. People get all defensive about how texting is ruining our ability to communicate. I think we have probably communicated more in the last couple of months than we have since I moved out and I know you have texted Sean more than you have talked to him on the phone. You may not have done it purposefully but texting is our primary form of communication. Without it, that was a real barrier so thank you for getting it. I don’t always feel like I can call you but I know I can always text you.


Thank you for not disowning me when I quit college.


Thank you for showing me how to love others and how family should be treated. That phrase, you better be nice to me – I’m the one that will pick out your nursing home, will hopefully never apply. You have taught me the importance of treating others the way you want to be treated, and not as an incentive to get others to be nice to you but because it’s just the right thing to do. I cannot imagine the difficulties of taking care of your mother-in-law. My mother-in-law and I get along just fine but I cannot imagine the patience and immense love for another that it takes to bite your tongue so frequently in your own home. That said, Dad, I know it’s fun to antagonize the old lady but let her just be grumpy some days. Think about how much fun I’m going to have with you when you are 90. I will just be that blessed to have you around for that long.


Thank you for showing me a marriage that God has enriched. More of our friends have separated than gotten married since we got married a year and a half ago. My biggest fear is a failed marriage. I am so very proud to call you my parents. It also makes Christmas about a thousand and a half times easier only having one family Christmas to attend than multiples. That said, because we do have to attend so many different family Christmases on Sean's side, you never once have gotten jealous of the time we spend with that side of the family. I get jealous all of the time so your patience makes me feel better. Thank you for showing me the attributes that I don’t want incorporate into my marriage, too. Dad, you’ve told me on more than once, “Now, don’t do what I would’ve done. Have patience.” The good far outweighs the bad though.


Thank you for showing me how to work hard and to appreciate a full day of work as opposed to a day spent idle. I am proud of my work ethic; it could be much worse.


Thank you for never letting good be enough.


Thank you for giving me a Christ-centered childhood. I may not always have a strong foothold but I have a solid foundation.


Love,
Your favorite child

Day {Seventeen}

{Day 17 Something you crave a lot}

Delish!

Day {Sixteen}

{Day 16 A photo of somewhere you want to go}

I really think I may have been born in the wrong region of the United States. No wait, God doesn't make mistakes so that's right... in fact, I was born in the right part of the US, it's my parents that uprooted us and moved me away from the East Coast.

If I had a free ticket to anywhere in the world right this minute, I would visit the Massachusetts/Maine area. I realize that there is a much bigger world to visit, but I am enamored by the stories I've been told and the cuisine I've heard so much about. My grandmother hasn't lived in Dedham for probably 60 years at the very least but she still sounds like she's just left Massachusetts. I would love to go see where she grew up and the sights that she was accustomed to so long ago. I'd love to visit old lighthouses and read the history of where our country was formed.

In reality, I know that much of this area is quite a bit more populated that when she was born in 1921. I know that times and people have changed but it would still be so much fun to me to visit, especially if she were there to supplement the sight seeing with stories.

Most importantly though, it is all about the food. For me, vacation is about 95% about the dining experience. It can rain the entire week but feed me some crab legs and I'll be alright. The lodging could be unfit for a homeless shelter but as long as there is some buttery lobster in front of me, I could care less about the bed bugs.


We went to Mexico in January which was loads better than being in Missouri in January, but I don't know that I would necessarily want to re-visit. It rained about half the time and the ocean was not the most fun even when it wasn't raining because I was scared to death of sting rays and the floor was comprised of sharp rocks and coral. Not fun, but I could overlook that. What I couldn't overlook was that all of the food tasted the same. Don't get me wrong. The selection was good, the service was wonderful and the steak was delish. But I can eat steak at home any day of the week; I cannot, however, eat fresh seafood. The only time I had fish in Mexico was from the buffet and it had definitely been frozen at one point in time, and probably for a while.

When you think about good eats, it's on the east coast. It's caught fresh, cooked up by people who were fed oyster juice in their bottle and know what they're doing in the kitchen. It makes the experience memorable and brings back a craving whenever thoughts wander to that last vacation. The most memorable part of Dauphin Island? Sean & I visited a run down establishment that had the.best.flounder. It was amazing and produced my favorite picture of the entire trip.

So yes, I would love to visit Italy one day and to experience the Eiffel Tower another day and I would be thrilled to explore the Greek islands. But really, you should know that I would only be going to see what real Italian pasta tastes like and to tour authentic French bistros. For now though, I would be satisfied with a hearty plate of seafood, caught just this morning.

Day {Fifteen}

{Day 15 A picture of somewhere you’ve been}

I love winter.
I love the cold. I love the snow. I love the crisp, clean feeling of winter.
But I .LOVE. the beach. I realize now that I had a very blessed childhood; my parents took us to the beach nearly every summer. When I got into high school, my parents also let me invite my best friend. How many people (from the midwest) can say that they got to visit the beach with their bestie FOR 4 YEARS IN A ROW!?  Those are some pretty sweet memories. 

I can't remember if it was 3 or 4 years ago now, but my parents were in need of a vacation and asked me to go with them, but also asked Sean if he would come as well. Sean knew my parents but wasn't quite at the point that he felt comfortable in a room alone with them. My parents knew Sean but really didn't know much about him other than what I had told them. Essentially, this was an important trip in our relationship. 

We went to Dauphin Island in Alabama. Sean had been to the beach but he had been so young he could hardly remember it. We spent the entire time in the water or on the beach drinking an icy margarita. It was a blast!

We did nearly everything as a family. Sean had a good opportunity to really get to know Will, which was supremely important to me. My family left the beach with a much better idea of who this guy I had been seeing was and were satisfied. I knew this boy would fit in just fine and I was proud. It was a good trip.

Day {Fourteen}

{Day 14 Something you could never get tired of doing}
Ok, in the literal sense, I could get tired of doing anything. I just don't have that long of an attention span. But these two things instantly popped into my mind when I read this question:

1. Gift wrapping. Because I could do it tirelessly, though, does not mean that I am a wrapping paper mastermind. In fact, I could research bow-tying a little more and improve the look of my gifts about 150%. Yesterday I got all of Sean's Christmas shopping done minus one gift I need to order online and one edible stocking stuffer I need to purchase closer to Christmas. All of my hidey-holes are filled with things I have no place else to store at the moment, so I had to come home and wrap all of his presents before he got home last night. It's a rough life. I love a beautifully wrapped gift with a handsome bow on top. It makes the gift that much more special - even if it is just socks. :)
2. Baking. And none of that gluten, sugar, fat free crap. The kind of baking that requires Crisco and (real) butter and lots of brown & granulated sugar. There is just no other way to bake. And if it weren't for all of the cleaning up, I would do it more often. I was trying to remember back to the last pie or cobbler I baked and I can't even remember. There have been lots of times that I have come home determined to make a batch of cookies, and then get distracted thinking of all those dishes I will have to wash afterwards. December 23rd I have dedicated the entire day to baking and making goodies with the niece and nephew. They have a blast and I have a blast being their favorite for a few hours. Afterwards comes the best part: distributing our goodies to our neighbors and family members. That will be most delightful. 

Day {Thirteen}

{Day 13  What you would find in my bag }


Ha! After today’s shopping excursion, you won’t be finding any money in there, that’s for sure!

In my purse (because that’s the only bag I carry):

Wallet with about 28 cents in pennies
Chapstick
Phone
Keys
Sunglasses
Rainkissed leaves hand lotion
iPad -most of the time – I have my calendar and some work stuff on it so I can look at it anywhere. Also, I usually have my book on it so I always have something to do even when I am not connected to the internet.
A smaller make-up bag with whatever nail polish I’m wearing that month and assorted lip glosses.
A smaller make-up bag with pens and pencils and a flash drive for when I’m not working in my office
Family video card
Family video cheat card of daily deals
Tums (for Sean)
Pepto (for me)
About 50,000 receipts that I always take to put into our register later and then never do.

Day {Twelve}

{Day 12 Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play}

1. Revelation, Third Day
2. Have You Ever Been in Love, Celine Dion
3. Learning to Breath, Switchfoot from the A Walk to Remember soundtrack
4. Slide, Goo Goo Dolls (sigh... <3)
5. Pastures New, Nickel Creek
6. Sin Wagon, Dixie Chicks
7. You, Breaking Benjamin
8. Tent in the Center of Town, Sara Groves
9. Until the Whole World Hears, Casting Crowns
10. Just the Way You Are, Bruno Mars

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! My momma and I are going shopping tomorrow. We are doing a little bit of Christmas Shopping and a lot of Sam's shopping. Dad gave me a budget to get a few staples. #1 in the Sekscinski house: ketchup. This family puts ketchup on e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. #2? Country Bob's. If you can't put ketchup on it, then you'd better be able to put country bob's on it. Sean bought himself a new toy a while back because there has been some theft in the area recently and just for an added sense of security. He is taking it to the shooting range on Saturday with some buddies. It makes me nervous so I don't want to go to the range with him. He said that was fine, he'd just tell me we were going to Cheddar's sometime and take me there instead. I told him, way to go genius, now I'll never agree to go eat at Cheddar's again and we love Cheddar's.
Sunday I have to work. The after school job has been going better lately. They are only working me 5-10 hours a week, which is perfection. That way, even though I work on Sunday I still have the better part of the day to spend with family.
Monday I am way excited for, though. My sister-in-law & I are playing hookie from work and going outlet shopping in Branson. It's all the holiday deals without all of the people!

The List

For some reason, I can't comment on my own blog (?) but maybe it's blocked at work.
I couldn't find just one 30 day list I liked. I don't like to get very political and each list had questions I just didn't want to answer. So, I Frankensteined a list together and am much more satisfied with the questions.

Day 1 Your favorite song

Day 2 Your favorite movie

Day 3 Your first date.

Day 4 Your favorite photograph of your best friend.

Day 5 Something you don’t leave the house without.

Day 6 The meaning behind your blog name.

Day 7 What’s in your makeup bag?

Day 8 A song to match your mood.

Day 9 A TV show you’re currently addicted to.

Day 10 A photo of the item you last purchased.

Day 11 A bad habit

Day 12 Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play

Day 13 What I Would find in your bag

Day 14 Something you could never get tired of doing.

Day 15 A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

Day 16 A photo of somewhere you want to go.

Day 17 Something you crave for a lot

Day 18 A letter to your parents

Day 19 A photo of your favorite place to eat.

Day 20 A photo of something that makes you happy.

Day 21 Plans/dreams/goals you have

Day 22 A photo of something that means a lot to you.

Day 23 A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Day 24 Favorite super hero and why

Day 25 A picture of your family

Day 26 A letter to yourself in 10 years

Day 27 Short term goals for this month and why

Day 28 A photograph of yourself today and 15 facts about you.

Day 29 Three good things that have happened in the past 30 days

Day 30 In this past month, what have you learned?

Day {Eleven}

{Day 11 A bad habit}




Thank goodness this is day 11. I have had 11 days (plus 2 weekends and a major holiday) to think about this question. And not because I don’t have any bad habits, but because I was having a difficult time picking just one bad habit that was also not so bad that I could still share with the great unknown.


I am a huge quitter. The very first time it dawned on me was actually when my father told me in the heat of a very intense argument we were having. It was mean and spoken out of anger but after much contemplation over the words, I do realize that this is a very big personal flaw of mine.


I went to college for 5 years. I couldn’t decide on a major and finally experienced some major burnout (combined with some enormous debt) so I quit.


Aside from my current position, I’ve never held a job more than 2 years. I get bored and move on. The only reason I’ve had this job for 4 years is because for the first 2 years I did one job role and then got a promotion into another role for the next 2 years. I just passed my second anniversary in this role and I am beginning to feel the burnout.


I begin Bible studies and quit around page 32. I start blogs and then don’t post anything for months. I create budgets and then ignore them by the second pay period. I start habits that would make excellent traditions but that don’t make it past the first year.


Reading back over what I’ve written, I feel the need to justify myself to myself. Just because I am a huge quitter doesn’t mean that while I’m at work I don’t give 126%. Just because I went to school for 5 years doesn’t mean that I am dumb – I did very well in school and continue to love to learn. Everything I have started has begun with the very best of intentions. I really mean to improve my life or the lives of those around me with my efforts. I just have a difficult time following through.


Ever since the night my dad said that to me, I have made it my mission to prove him wrong. At the beginning of the year I declared my word for the year to be {quality}. I have meditated over this word each time I begin to quit something or I feel the burnout begin. And I can see changes taking place. I have observed myself following through on things that I seriously considered quitting. A lot of the problem, I have realized, is my attitude. My burn out can easily be curbed by finding something to liven up the current situation. Work got incredibly overwhelming for a while, and then immediately got slow. I am finding tasks to do to improve work flow for not just myself, but my teammates as well (when I apply myself, I really am a smart cookie).


We put the Christmas tree up last night and it was very rushed because I usually do it on the weekend or when I have the entire day off. I only had a couple of hours so I had to work quite a bit faster. But going through our boxes I found several things that we have worked on making tradition over the last couple of years and I truly hope that we can continue to do them over the next several years.


This isn’t really a tradition, it just happens to be something that we’ve done each year. Our parents were wonderful about giving us and keeping meaningful ornaments throughout the years (Sean just has to look a little harder for his, there’s no telling where they’ve been stored!). For the last couple of years we’ve “borrowed” an ornament from our childhood to add to our tree. Sean has brought his set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle ornaments from when he was a kid and a little Rudolph ornament had his brother’s name inscribed in it from 1985 (why doesn’t anyone do those tin type ornaments anymore?). I have several ornaments noting the first 5 years of my life so in about 18 more years I should have them all on my tree.


This tradition isn’t very original. When we put up our first Christmas tree we bought an ornament to commemorate our very first home. Last year we bought a silver bell and had it inscribed “Just Married” with the year. This year, we are very excited to receive in the mail (today) our 2011 ornament:

Finally, this is my very favorite tradition. I’ve sent Christmas cards out for each year we’ve been in the house. I’ve kept one of the Christmas cards and put our usual greeting that we’ve sent to everyone else (it’s usually the “oops” card that I’ve misspelled a word or have the very worst handwriting). On the back I write the year and put down 5 things that we have accomplished or the things we did for Christmas. The first year I was so excited to write that we bought a house! We also went to see Sherlock Holmes that Christmas night. The second year, we got married! We also put all of our money into improving the house and stayed home on Christmas night because Sean had to work. This year, Sean got into and began Radiology School! We were able to eliminate all car payments and will be having Christmas dinner at our house on Christmas Eve.