Archives for 2012

What I Wore Wednesday 12.5.2012

December 5, 2012 by Amy 12 Comments

Today’s the day I share my outfits from the week with The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore Wednesday. I pair my outfits with inspirational photos. Read more about that here.

Fellow small-grouper Jenny and I were laughing that we had the same jacket last week. I realized we were both wearing blue too, so I just had to snap a picture and use it for this week’s WIWW!

Source: jchayward.com via Amy on Pinterest

I definitely was channeling Cyndi with this outfit. If you don’t read her blog, she’s great and you should! She has a very classy but trendy look!

Source: flickr.com via Amy on Pinterest

This was my Christmas-ish outfit for the town parade. I thought I might be cold so I tried out some warm boot socks with my boots. Shh, don’t tell anyone but I borrowed Scott’s boot socks. I keep meaning to buy myself some but never think of it.

Source: flickr.com via Amy on Pinterest

I can’t get enough of my bubble necklace.

Source: blog.patulrichphotography.com via Amy on Pinterest

Wow, so it looks like I was inspired by birds this week! Amazing when I find a theme and didn’t have any idea when I was picking my outfits out.

So at this point in the week (and compiling this post as I do it through the week), I finally broke down and bought a few items at Target. I tried something new and took my phone in the store with my Pinterest Inspiration board open. I was holding the phone with Pinterest pulled up to see how I might pair colors together. I was having so much fun.

I *love* how this outfit turned out. I would never have put these items together before. Some people would say I don’t match but it makes me happy and that’s not something I could always say!

Source: birdsinfocus.com via Amy on Pinterest

Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Question: What would you guys think if I posted a picture next week and challenged us all to find one outfit for the next week inspired by that picture? Then, if you wanted, you could snap a picture and email it to me and I’d share it? I think it would be super fun but it’d be up to you guys. Let me know!

Give Me a Moment

December 4, 2012 by Amy 4 Comments

Me, Dani, Joni at a band competition in 2000-ish

One of my favorite Christmas presents ever was a jacket.

I worked hard in school. Really, really hard. These days I look back and wonder why in the world I worked so hard. I think there was some competitiveness in there and perfectionism. Maybe some tall expectations on my part. Perhaps even wanting-to-fit-in-ness.

I was smart in school but I wasn’t one of those that naturally got it. I couldn’t just listen to a lecture, forget to study and still pass with A’s. I was the one studying for hours, crying over my notebooks, trying to memorize every single word.

My hard work paid off in the end though. I mean, I think. I probably could have enjoyed a lot more moments instead of studying, but it literally paid off. I ended up with a half scholarship to the local University based on my grades and SAT score.

I was only a teensy 10 points away from moving my scholarship from half to full though, so we decided I should take the SATs one more time. Sure enough, I improved by 10 teensy points and landed a full scholarship to Winthrop University.

So, for the last Christmas of high school, I asked to get a green hooded zipper jacket with my school’s name embroidered.

Sitting on the couch in my grandmother’s living room, I knew what the big wrapped box being handed my way had in it. If I remember, I wasn’t supposed to know but somehow I had found out. It wasn’t even a surprise when I unwrapped it, but I burst into tears.

Somehow that green jacket validated all my hard work. I was going to college. For free. The late nights studying and worrying and memorizing suddenly were all validated in that moment and that little jacket was like a constant congratulatory hug.

I want to provide that moment of validation for others this Christmas.

For a mom, I want her to know the late night feedings, dirty diapers and constant attention was worth it.

For a child, I want her to know that even when she feels unseen and unchosen, someone still is thinking of her.

For the family struggling to provide, I want them to know all the hard work to provide for their family isn’t in vain.

Compassion is asking this Christmas what the phrase “It’s About Giving” means. To me, giving gifts is about providing these special moments. Moments they realize someone cares about them, someone sees them, someone is validating what they’re doing.

We have the opportunity to give these moments through Compassion’s gift catalog to some people that really, really need a moment.

The cool thing is if you give, I have a chance to give too. For every $1,000 given through these campaign links, a blogger has a chance to give an extra $50 their sponsored child. Oh, how I want to be able to give that!

Would you consider including Compassion’s gift catalog as part of your giving this Christmas? The gifts start at just $4. We can make a difference this Christmas. And not just a difference, a moment.

I don’t normally ask it outright, but please consider sharing this post with your friends and family? I love Compassion and what they do and would love to see this opportunity they’re providing shared.

Attention, Permission to Peruse Subscribers

December 3, 2012 by Amy 2 Comments

Two posts in one day! I have a little bloggy business I need to address quickly. If you are subscribed from a reader or from email, I need you to pay attention!

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If you’re not subscribed, please let me fill you in. You can get my posts in your email inbox every day by putting in your email address on the form in the sidebar under “Subscribe By Email” —>>>. You can subscribe in a reader like Google Reader by clicking here.

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After hearing Darren from ProBlogger at Allume, I finally made the decision to switch from Feedburner to FeedBlitz. There are rumors flying around about Google’s free FeedBurner service disappearing. While others have refuted it, they’ve had issues in the past and don’t offer some functionality Darren suggests. That said, I’ve converted and it may take some work on your part to stay subscribed!

For those of you reading through email, you may have already noticed a little different look to the emails but otherwise, the migration should have been seamless. If you’re not getting emails or want to, use the “Subscribe by Email” form on the sidebar.

As for RSS subscribers, it’s supposed to be migrating RSS readers for those subscribed to the site but if you’re subscribed to Feedburner directly (likely) then you probably need to update your subscription! I’d love for you to switch over to email but if you’re a Google Reader fan like me:

Let me say it in big letters:

Switch your subscriptions from

http://feeds.feedburner.com/PermissiontoPeruse

to

http://feeds.feedblitz.com/permissiontoperuse

If you’re not sure what feed you’re subscribed to in Google Reader, here’s a quick tutorial:

Log into Google Reader
On the top right, click on the Settings button on the far right
Click on Reader Settings in the drop-down menu
Click the Subscriptions Tab
Scroll down to Permission to Peruse. If it doesn’t say “http://feeds.feedblitz.com/permissiontoperuse” underneath, please delete that subscription and then click this to resubscribe –> http://feeds.feedblitz.com/permissiontoperuse

To my subscribers, THANK YOU for letting me into your inboxes and readers.

When Advent Season Goes Awry

December 3, 2012 by Amy 6 Comments

A few weeks ago I decided that I’d try to take our own picture for Christmas cards. We had just gotten back from church, the sun was shining and this bush in the front of our yard was burning this beautiful deep red and I thought it would be a perfect background.

I rustled everyone up, brushed hair, set up the ladder to hold the camera and then set everyone up.

But then we realized there wasn’t a good angle for the bush because our electric box was hidden behind the bush.

The sun was shining SO bright none of us could actually SEE.

Scott was irritable.

And Lexi was in near tears.

Sometimes the best laid plans fall short.

We’re in Advent season and amidst all the tinsel and bells, there’s going to be yucky stuff too.

Pictures aren’t going to come out, parties are going to be awkward, presents are going to be ill-fitting, uncles are going to be crass and grandmas are going to be bossy and tired.

It’s ok, y’all.

You’re not alone in your just-not-right moments and when the sun’s too bright and the electric box is too green and Daddy is irritable, take a deep breath and remember we’re celebrating the birth of a baby Jesus in a stable. It’s not going to be perfect, it’s probably going to be messy but if a baby can go on to save the world from that mess, we can probably move on and be ok too.

Five Minute Friday: Wonder

November 30, 2012 by Amy 8 Comments

Source: hoh1960.com via Amy on Pinterest

He hurts again and follows a path he ought not go. I wonder where is the justice? When will my God follow through of his promise to spite my enemies?

I wonder when I got so hard, so worried about making it right, so incapable of forgiving the 77 times.

I wonder if I’m doing it right. Any of it. Is it pleasing to Him? His will, his way?

I wonder if I’ll ever quit caring about what they think—second guess every decision instead of just letting joy be joy.

I wonder if he will ever be healed. Will his words not ever sting and my attempts thrown in my face. Will I ever stop trying, putting myself out there knowing I will be hurt again, him incapable of returning what I offered.

In all my wondering, I forget it is He whom I must wonder on.

He will provide justice–and more, grace–in His way. He will give me grace to forgive. He will heal, both he and me. He will direct paths.

If I only marvel at him, give him my rapt attention, wonder at the person instead of wandering my own way. Then, the wondering and wandering will cease and true wonder begins.

Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

Should Christians Play the Lottery?

November 29, 2012 by Amy 8 Comments

Last night was one of the biggest lottery drawings in history. An individual had a chance to get a pay out of over 300 million dollars. By the way, I cannot say that without accenting it like Dr. Evil’s meeellion dollars.

Having that much money scares me to death, to be honest. Too many decisions and responsibility. However, it could do a lot of good for my family and a lot of organizations I care about so I’ve been debating whether or not I should play.

Historically, I’ve blanketed the lottery as gambling and therefore bad. I voted against the SC lottery in the 90’s. However, I then proceeded to benefit from it with the the SC Life scholarship in college. It felt hypocritical in some way even though I didn’t ask for the scholarship as it is based on grades.

As I’ve batted this around in my head, I thought I’d work it out here and perhaps we’d come out with some good discussion.

Reasons against the lottery:

You gamble your money when you buy a ticket. Gambling is bad. Therefore, the lottery is bad.
I know of people whose lives and families are terribly ruined by an addiction to gambling and I don’t want my money to support it.
Contrary to popular belief, money usually makes things more complicated, not easier and it’s not the be-all end-all solution to people’s problems as they believe. Have you seen the horror stories of people going into debt, descending into crime and even being stalked and killed after winning? This is no good.

Reason for lottery:

The state and its residents benefit from the money as I was with my college scholarship. This is good.
Much benefit can be made for the winners of the lottery and those around them. Scott said “Someone has to win, shouldn’t it be us who would do something good with it versus someone else?” Good point, husband.
Even though the lottery can cause addiction, we don’t quit drinking Mountain Dew, eating Taco Bell or taking cold medicine because it has the capacity to do the same. That logic doesn’t stick when you start applying it to other things. Furthermore, 401K is basically gambling your money too and no one seems to have a problem with that.
The Bible is wrought with decisions being made by chance. People often casted lots to make decisions.
Contrary to the belief I’ve held for so long, the Bible never clearly talks about gambling as a sin. Or, I haven’t found one since researching this. Someone please direct me to one.

Given that logic, I still feel up in the air about it. While it can do a lot of harm, it also can do a lot of good.

Let’s see if we can put a wider lens on the topic. While the Bible does not condemn the lottery directly, it does give lots of information on how we should view work and money. Let’s see how those might apply:

Most want to win the lottery so they don’t have to work. The Bible does not look favorably on lazy people.
I know it sounds nice to retire permanently to a private island, but we cannot carry out the Great Commission living a life like that (darn it!).
Coveting is a sin and often, we want to win the lottery to have what others have instead of being grateful for what we already have.
Getting money often makes you more greedy and materialistic, not less. Love of money is the root of all evil. However, money itself isn’t the root of all evil.
Proven: gambling can become an addiction. We should not be slaves to anyone but the Lord.
We are supposed to be good stewards of our money. Is it wise to give money to a lottery where we often will have no direct benefit? Wouldn’t it be wiser to make a direct, personal impact to either our own college savings or someone needy around us? However, we are directed to take care of the poor and needy with our resources and winning could certainly help fund many good deeds.

Given all that, might I suggest it comes down to the heart? Why is that you want to play and win? Is it really to help others or is it rooted in greed, covetousness, laziness or addiction? Are you prepared to steward the money well?

I truly believe God can use any single thing he wants to accomplish his desires and if He leads a Christian to play and win in order to accomplish good, then rock on.

The bottom line is we must check our intent and ultimately, live out the command to live by the Spirit in all things. Did you pray about playing? What did the Spirit lead you to do?

What does this mean for me? I think I’ll be sitting the lotto out until I get clear direction to play.

I do have a very obsessive and addictive personality and I don’t need one more thing to battle.
As much as I say and have plans to help others, I can be quite greedy when it comes to money and I think getting that much would just fuel it.
I believe that much money would just add more stress to my life, not make it easier. Just the thought of someone killing me for my money scares me away. I’ve already been stolen from with what I have and it’s really not something I want to experience in any capacity in the future.
I would rather direct my money somewhere that I know is helpful rather than leaving it up to a group to decide where it might be helpful to me in the future. If you don’t think $2 is a big deal, did you know $1 can give someone water for an entire year?

What insights do YOU have? What did I miss? Why do you play or not? Let’s discuss!

What I Wore Wednesday 11.28.2012

November 28, 2012 by Amy 7 Comments

Today’s the day I share my outfits from the week with The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore Wednesday. I pair my outfits with inspirational photos. Read more about that here.

Source: wired.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: luthienthye.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: picasaweb.google.com via Amy on Pinterest

But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. Romans 1:19-20 (MSG)

Hart of Dixie

November 27, 2012 by Amy 11 Comments

OK I have a new show for you. And for those of you with Netflix, pay special attention.

So. My friend Mary Carver kept writing about Hart of Dixie. It was on my list when it debuted last year and I just never found the time to watch it. Well, Mary assured me at Allume that I needed to watch and since Scott has been on night shift the past month, I’ve been using my night to catch up. And ya’ll, season one was so good!

The gist of the show is Zoe Hart is trying to be a surgeon in NYC (same kind as Grey’s Cristina Yang) but gets turned down for a fellowship so she finally accepts a General Physician’s job in small-town Bluebell, Alabama. It turns out she’s not very wanted and struggles to fit in but it makes for some great TV.

It took a good 5 or 6 episodes to really love it but I do now and here’s 10 non-spoilerish reasons why:

First and foremost, you must know I love that one of my beloved FNL characters is one of the leads. I love that Scott Porter plays a similar type of role with Bluebell’s town attorney George Tucker. I mean, QB1 and small-town attorney aren’t exactly similar but they’re similar in that he plays one of the town favorites in both shows.
I never watched Rachel Bilson in The OC so I’m not really sure how to compare characters or her acting but I simply adore Zoe Hart. She’s smart and fashionable and funny and horrible with guys and yeah, I love her. Did I mention I love her clothes? Even Scott won’t quit talking about her shoes Did you see those shoes? Those are awesome. Look at those shoes.
Who cannot love Wade? He’s the bad boy everyone loves to hate, or you know, just love to love. If I were single, he’d be welcome to come paint my house any day.
I love that they picked a former NFL star as The Mayor. It’s so random but so awesome too. Lavon Hayes would say so too, I think. Speaking of, did you know I heard Michael Jordan has a house not 10 minutes from me? I had a friend say they nearly ran into him when he was pulling into his neighborhood. Anyhoo.
Lemon. Oh, Lemon. I seriously cannot believe they named her that. I don’t know that I like Lemon but she sure is interesting to watch and the Jaime King plays her to absolute Southern perfection.
I enjoy Zoe’s lifeline to her high school friend, Rose. I feel like we get a glimpse into the high school/CW realm without actually having to live in it all the time.
I really like how they play the big city against the small town. I definitely find myself pulled in both directions. I live in the suburbs but work in the city and enjoy bigger cities. I appreciate both sides so it’s kind of nice to reminisce about NYC (I know, all of my 3 visits) with Zoe and make fun of their small town-ness but I also love how The Mayor, Lemon and other residents stick up for their small town.
I enjoy the medical side of the show. I know it’s no ER or Grey’s but I like it that way. I like a little suspense when someone gets a snake bite or something. Nothing too dramatic but enough to keep you involved.
The Southern Belles. I can’t help it, I love all of Lemon’s friends. Although I’m in South Carolina, to my knowledge we don’t have these Southern Belles and I just find the whole thing entertaining. In fact, DO these people exist in the South these days? Anyone? Annabeth is my favorite and she is HILARIOUS. There was one episode in particular when she was actually being friends with Zoe and it was pure gold.
OK and finally and not surprisingly–I LOVE the love triangles. Zoe-Wade-George and George-Lemon-Lavon could go on forever and I’d be happy. And does anyone else want to see Zoe and Lavon just one time figure out if they could work? I mean, I feel like there’s something there, no?

Now, I’m not TOTALLY sold on the whole deal. Their morals are out the door. This is no family-friendly show. Someone is always scheming and lying. I’ve been pretty disappointed in Season 2 especially with all the friends with benefits things going on. Not a fan of Zoe going there. I mean, he IS cute but come on, Zoe Hart, have some scruples. It is what it is, though. It’s near to impossible to find a show that isn’t like this in some respect.

But given that, it’s such a unique, interesting, fun, heart-warming world to live in for an hour a week.

So the entire first season is on Netflix and if you hurry up you can watch most of Season 2 on Hulu!

Do you watch Hart of Dixie? Let’s chat in the comments!

This post is linked up with Top Ten Tuesday