Basically won the lottery.

Okay if you don't have an item of clothing you would be willing to part with and love cupcakes you may stop reading now. For all the rest of you normal humans this is big!
Never going to turn down easy cash, I went to Buffalo Exchange (off Greenville) today with one of my friends this afternoon to try to exchange some clothes (note to self- take current fashion). After she insisted that we go next door to get "the best cupcakes ever" (also a claim by Ellen DeGeneres). Well twist my arm! This little bakery had the best deal EVER. If you live in Dallas, you are crazy to pass this up! Bring in one clothing item and get two free cupcakes! I had left all my clothes next door for them to donate over there, but my wonderful friend had her rejects from Buffalo Exchange. Four Free cupcakes!!!! Thank you Society Bakery! Jenny called her husband to tell him about our exciting news and he thought we had won the lottery or something. We sure felt like it!

Grateful

I spend all of my work day on the phone. I'm grateful when someone answers at the other end, even more so when they are friendly. After today I'm grateful for my job.
I call churches all over to gather information on salaries. In this crazy economy we all know that can be... crazy. This afternoon I spoke to a man on what seemed to be his cell phone (usually they are in the office). I should mention this was the senior pastor of a church. He was willing to help with the information. He answered some of my questions and when I asked about his salary he answered "as of this month, zero." I was speechless. This man's heart was so full. He has been the pastor at the church for 16 years and saw no reason to leave. wow.
He is looking for other work at the time, but will continue his 65 hr work week at the church. I'll be praying for Pastor G. and his family. It is neat to see someone with such trust and faith in the work of the Lord. I know he'll be blessed.

update...

Oh, and by the way, God is so faithful.
I was rereading the post that I wrote last Sunday.
About not worrying.
Well this has been a whirlwind of a week.
But God is so faithful.
On tuesday I got the glimpse of a new job possibility
So with that I quit my job at Francesca's later that day
Wednesday, the new job was confirmed.
God is so faithful.

Last Sunday I had to take a little trip back to Italy... in a sense.

Our family friends are housing a foreign exchange student from Milan for the year, so they came over and we did a little cooking!
Made stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta, and stuffed tomatoes to snack on, and for the main course... Tiramisu.

Why didn't know how easy it was to make?! If you love tiramisu like I do, or just want an easy, impressive dessert here it is

Expresso Syrup-
1/3 cup water
1/2 c sugar
2/3 c espresso
1/4 c Brandy or Dark Rum
Mascarpone Filling-
1 1/2 c heavy whipping cream
1/3 sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 pound Mascarpone cheese (softened to room temp)
Ladyfingers or pound cake

Espresso syrup- combine water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stirring to until dissolved. Remove from heat, cool and add coffee and brandy.

Filling- whip cream with sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Fold cream into softened mascarpone.

Assemble- ladyfingers or sponge cake slices in the bottom of a shallow 2-quart dish. Pour 1/2 syrup over. Spread with 1/2 filling. Repeat. ladyfingers.. syrup.. filling. cover and put in fridge...Wait 24 hours. bad news, i know. but so worth it! We shaved dark chocolate on top for a little

I've spent way too much time lately in the future. Thoughts very consumed with the whole job thing. Even though I have a job, its more something to bridge the gap until I find something more full-time.
I went to Starbucks this morning to read some before church. The devotional that I was reading had me looking at an earlier verse in Matthew, but my eyes wondered a page over to Matthew 6:25-34. Do not worry. huh. funny. Cause I know that. I know that I'm supposed to trust and have faith. I know that God's plans are bigger and better than mine. I know I have no control over it and if I tried to take control I'd just mess up His perfect plan. Right, I know that.

I've always claimed not to worry about things, to be carefree and not to stress, so really usually this isnt something I struggle with. But this time I've not been so great. Its hard when people are constantly asking so, did you find a job yet? Where'd you apply today? Any progress? People are constantly giving advice (which is great and VERY welcome) but at the same time it adds a little pressure (esp when it is coming from my mom... who pays my rent and other bills :/)
I needed this reminder. A reminder that no, I don't have my ideal job right now. I do have an income. I do actually like my job, just not long term. I do have parents that are letting me live at their house and eat their food. for free. so just breathe
A reminder that He is in control. my stressing and fretting and worrying is Satan. Yes, I need to fill out applications and send emails, but to stress and worry over it does zero good. so just breathe
So thank you Mr. Chambers. Hopefully I can get better again about pairing those books with my coffee.. and a little less Regis and Kelly.

Playtime!

a weekend off! Working in retail I don't get many weekends off, and really this one I'm not off off, but I'm not working at the store.... I'm hanging these two little girls that I started babysitting before the youngest was born and now she is in 4th grade! They are so great! We are just going to watch movies, play wii, and make cookies! Ohh and the thing I'm maybe (secretly) most excited about... We are going to have brunch at the American Girl Bistro. Yeah, be jealous.

Well, I hope your weekends are as great as mine! And if you need anything to help move your Friday along- I found this video a while back, its just a fun one to make you smile. And really its a neat, simple idea to bring people together! ENJOY :)

In town Vacay!

It is always great when friends visit and help you remember the great things your city has to offer. This past weekend two of my friends from my study abroad trip last summer came to play!
Carolyn actually had an interview Friday morning in Dallas so we met at Northpark and Laura and I just shopped and caught up until Carolyn was done. We had lunch at La Madeline, got our nails done; I ended up having to work that evening, but of course they had to meet me after work so we could get some gelato!

Satuarday morning we grabbed a little coffee and headed out to the DMA. AND bonus- because it was the first weekend of the month we got into the Nasher Sculpture Museum for free! I love these places! You dont have to be an art snob or really know anything at all to go. Its just to do something fun a little out of the norm (and really I'd like to make it a little more norm). I also loved seeing all the families that had their kids and there were activities for kids at both places! So great!
It wasnt quite the Uffizi, but it was so fun to catch up with these girls and show them my hometown. These are friends that I shared a once in a lifetime experience with and will always have such fun memories of!