Today's sunrise.

It's pretty beautiful, isn't it? Something about Fall makes my heart quiet.

It's finally fall!

I gladly layered up this morning before heading downtown - I love sunshine and crisp air, scarves and pumpkin spice lattes. Kayla met me at the Nordstrom Cafe and we caught up over toasted sandwiches, soup and cupcakes. After lunch we went to Anthropologie to drool over the beautiful things, and then to The Salvation Army to look for beautiful things we can afford :) I didn't come home with anything, but Kayla found a sunflower yellow pyrex bowl and a vintage green hobnail flower vase, and wouldn't you know it was 50% off everything day! I made sure she got to the ferry on time, yes there was some jogging involved, and then headed home to reboot. For me that means, my Bible, Pandora and a cup of tea.

After a little down time I started searching for an old map to get crafty with. I found one in a junk drawer and didn't waste any time cutting it up for bunting. I love sewing paper together for simple, inexpensive garland.

I think it turned out alright, what do you think?

Glamorous Life: Rough morning.

So, my office has a team headed abroad for two weeks for a job. We've been frantically trying to get everything in order before they leave. On Tuesday we shipped lots of gear to the locations in China knowing that it would barely get there in time for the shoot, if at all. It was a calculated risk and on top of that I'm learning a lot, every day I'm learning something, and admittedly this was my first try at overseas shipping. This morning one of my bosses called for me "Oh, Valarie. Can I see you for a minute?" Crap. There's been a hold up and after a few minutes of troubleshooting we came up with a plan b. And then plan b failed. The point of this story? I can't help but feel like I failed miserably --- that this was directly my fault  and I'm being judged for it.

In God's providence I was just discussing this with my friend, Kim. Tuesday night I went to her house and she told me about how God's teaching her not to walk in defeat when she makes a mistake. This is a trap Satan lays to keep us from walking in freedom. So, what is the truth? 

and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 

1 Timothy 1:14

His grace is big enough to cover any of my mistakes. It was never my job to be perfect.

The Word: Jeremiah 33:3

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Hot Bodz: 5am is WAY too early.

 I set the alarm for 5am today with good intentions - you see my friend Michelle just started an early morning boot camp at Green Lake and for the sake of solidarity I decided to get up with her and work out on my own. But I had trouble sleeping last night and by the time my alarm went off I was NOT in the mood to sweat it out. I drifted in and out of sleep for about 10 minutes...until John came to say good bye. I picked up my phone to look at the time and opened facebook. If a high school friend hadn't already posted that she was at the gym and ready for more punishment I would have promptly rolled over for another 45 minutes of blissful sleep.

I had already positioned my spin bike in front of my laptop, slept in my workout clothes and had shoes and socks waiting for me - so I really had no excuse. Just laziness. But thank God for social media - it helps keep me accountable. 

If you're looking for a free resource for indoor biking classes, I want to suggest SweatBloodDirt.com. I found it a few weeks ago and love it! Without Craig I would be riding a flat for 45 minutes. He motivates me to sprint and climb monstrous hills! Check it out!

Wish me luck for a successful work out tomorrow morning!

Ode to Team Jag

To Team Jag: You are my best friends and I love you so. 

The laughs never end and I know I can count on each of you to be ruhl with me. I'm better for having known you. Here's to lifetime of tomfoolery.

xoxo, Val

Thanx Lotz: Nine Ten Eleven

Today I am thankful for the little things, wait...it's always the little things:

1. Hot summer days and crisp nights. I had my first pumpkin spice latte this week - a sure sign that fall is on it's way. 

2. I've had the opportunity to learn something new every day this week.

3. Team Jag Happy Hour lives on. It's never disappointing to spend time with Melissa and Nate. 

4. Michelle took me to the Kasbah tonight for dinner. Moroccan food at the Kasbah. It's no big deal. 

5. I work for people who appreciate me. It makes all the difference. I have been really happy lately.

6. John and I started attending a community group in our neighborhood a few weeks ago. I forgot how much fun it is to make new friends.