Free. One of the greatest words ever.

 In today's society, a lot more people are (or should be) watching their finances more closely. I know several people who work multiple jobs, inculding myself. So I'd like to share a few deals around town to help out.

First off, it is almost August and the temperatures are still climbing. But along with several safety precautions I advise you take, it's a great time to join a gym. The Hub, as I have posted about before, is a great facility for getting back in shape. (And we always have the A/C on full blast.) Through the end of July we are offering half off enrollment for all new members. That is at least a $50 savings per person. In the month of August we are offering only a $10 card fee instead of the enrollment for students as our "Back to School" special. Also our next round of boot camps starts next Monday.

Next is an opportunity for a gas card. This is something everyone has to deal with and I personally love the sound of a free gas card! Especially now that I have my own vehicle again. iluvcheapcars.com is offering a gas card giveaway this week. The way to enter is to stop by the lot, and show the guys that you checked in on facebook. A winner will be randomly selected at the end of the week.

Exactly a month from today, Broken Arrow students will be back in classrooms. The first thing that pops into my head is "I still need school clothes!". Don't worry school goers, there is still plenty of time to get those new hipster threads. Oklahoma tax free weekend will take place August 17-19. Be safe in your shopping!

Would you like to test drive that?

Ladies and gents, it's that time again. (Everyone moan). Car shopping. Now, I know what you're thinking. Either you're thinking "I want the newest car with all the bells and whistles", "Car shopping can be fun," "Dave Ramsey says no car payments.", or "I just hate car shopping all together, it's like regular shopping but more expensive with more variables". I personally agree with all of those statements. But if you know me personally, you know I have been working my dancing little behind off for months to save to replace my little car who passed on to car heaven last October. Well, I've come within sight distance of my goal, and have found a great deal. Tomorrow I will get to take home my (new to me, but "gently" used) Ford explorer.

I am beyond excited! This will be a huge accomplishment for me and a lot of hard work finally paying off. Now with that being said, I still have a little bit of the price to pay off. In return for the great deal that I was offered, I'm helping the dealer get some publicity. This will be my second time buying a car off this lot. I have nothing but good things to say about the place.

iluvcheapcars is located off county line anbd 11th st, just before you hit Catoosa. They are reasonable with their prices and will work with you on payments. The lot gets a new selection in on a regular basis, and is always shifting around inventory. Their Facebook page is a great way to keep up on the know of their sales and deals, as well as new inventory. (Also google their name for their website). iluvcheapcars is open from 10-7pm Mon-Sat.

Now my little SUV does need some cosmetic help on the inside, but that's nothing this pinterest princess can't fix! And by the way, the gas mileage is not any worse than my mom's mini van. I've done my homework. I'm not afraid to clean it, change the oil, and make the repairs that I am capable of.  Plus it sounds like it will be a beast in the snow. So when we get our next blizzard, let me know if you need me to come rescue you. But best of all, I worked for it.

Our First Anniversary

On June 22, 2012, Jonathan and I celebrated our first anniversary as girlfriend and boyfriend. I have to say, I am definately the luckiest girl in the world!

Throughout this past year, we've been through ups and downs in our lives, school, finances, trials of faith, and of course, our relationship. We survived a year of high school drama together, birthdays, holidays, and our families complaining that we're never home. It's been such a blast and we have so many incredible memories.

One of the awesome parts of the whole thing is that this is the longest relationship for both of us, and first one year day with someone. And I'm so glad I got to spend it with you Jonathan!

To celebrate our first year together, we had a fantastic dinner at Macaroni Grill. There we exchanged our gifts. I made Jon a 365 jar ( a jar with 365 peices of papers with memories and things to make him smile), a journal, and a B-Dubs gift card. He gave me an adorable key chain and souvenir mini license plate with my name on it, and a beautiful necklace with charms and "Everlasting" engraved in it. Then after dinner Jon took me to Academy to get some Thunder gear! Needless to say I had a great time! Thank you again Jon!

Jon, I can't wait for more great memories! I want you to know I'm very proud of all your accomplishments, and I'm so glad I have the honor of calling you mine!

Ladies and Gents, before you go, I ask you to keep Jon and his youth group in in your prayers. They are currently sharing God's love in Joplin. Then in mid-July, Jon will be on the group going to Belize. These are amazing young people that are going to do great things! Thanks for all your support!

Now to these groups: I am proud of all of you! Be careful, but be bold for God. I cannot wait to see you all when you get back and hear about all the great fun you had! Love you!

Sweet Summertime

Summertime is sweet, and there is no doubt about that! I know my posts can often be a bit random but here are some really cool ideas, things to do, and just fun things to know this sunny season:

     I absolutely love Sundays! Sleeping in from the busy week, going to a late service, eating lunch with the family, and that amazing Sunday nap. This is usually the day I try to prepare for the week, but also rest. Today I spent my Sunday doing all these things. I would also like to invite anyone to join us next Sunday at Lifechurch. Pastor Craig is a great teacher that can truly relate to his audience.

   Okay, shifting gears. For those of you who are creative like me, pinterest is about to be your new best friend. This site has so many ideas to reuse household items, plan easy lunches and meals ahead of time, and countless tutorials. I personally have already made several recipes that were cheap, easy and delicious with just a few ingredients from my pantry. You can find pretty much anything on pinterest; including a way to pass the time!

     I also want to encourage parents and students to keep their eyes on the sales overy the next six weeks. Stores will have school supplies out as soon as Fourth of July has passed. If you start purchasing a few items that you know you will need here and there, your expense load will be lessened. Thus the week before schhool finance panic is dismissed. Then when teachers release the list of needed supplies, you will already be able to cross of a majority of the items needed. When it comes to clothes, remember that the stores will take place in the annual tax free weekend in early August. For teens I highly recommend visiting Plato's closet for unique and gently used items, and Hollister for it's back to school sale. ($20-$30 jeans, and $20 hoodies)

    

    

I Don't Want Perfection.

As the school year closes, I'm learning things I will do, say, act, buy, or think differently next year. I'm making a mental list of activities I must take part in, school clubs I want to be involved in, and ways to make a name for myself in my senior year. One thing in particular I've learned, is my unending disgust for perfection. I am my own worst critic.

Looks. Everyone is judged in high school for how they look. And I'll be the first to admit that I stereotype students by how they dress. Typically, it tells a lot about the person. But dear fellow high school preps, snobs, and even people who judge me- I am human. I am a teenage girl. My nail polish will hardly ever be perfect AND match my outfit at the same time. I have more bad hair days than I can count. I don't always wear make-up. I oversleep. I don't always look like I stepped off the cover of Seventeen or even American Cheerleader. I often wear things that are already old news in the fashion world. Or last year's tee shirts.
On the flip side, I like to keep my wardrobe fresh by mixing outfit combos. I love to accessorize. I highly recommend resale shops. I love to bargain shop. I like to create my own flair and style. And be me. I love to look pretty, but it means nothing if I don't feel pretty. And that does not mean I have to be perfect.

School work. Sometimes we have days that we are sinply not in the mood. Some days we have other things in our lives occurring that make it hard to focus on a history assignment about the French Revolution. Or maybe we physically feel awful, but absences aren't an option. These things happen. And I am no longer going to beat myself up over them. I am promising myself that I will try harder than ever during my senior year, to excel with my future in mind. But that doesn't mean perfection.

General personal flaws. Rumors, bad names, fallouts, and just plain jerks. They are everywhere. In high school- trusting no one is the best policy. (But you learn nothing that way.) Several points I need to make here-
A. I believe in a conflict, that you should try to "be the bigger person." Although, I don't think it always solves the problem. Hear me out though, I think there are certain ways according to each circumstance to handle ths issue. Maybe the person in question needs a non confrontational request for an apology. Maybe parents or police should be involved. (Please not that I am not promoting violence. Simply saying that "letting it roll off your back" does not always work.)
B. I am a Christian. I do believe the commandments of Jesus Christ. But being a Christian means that you are forgiven when you do wrong. Not that you are perfect. The only perfect being to ever walk planet earth is Jesus himself. I have my own personal opinions about piercings, tattoos, etc. I believe everything has a boundary. And not everyone's boundary is the same. This however does not give you the right to be rude or hateful to someone because of that choice. Live your live, not theirs!
You Only Live Once. Yes, this rap song by Drake and Lil Wayne has gone viral, and isn't the cleanest. Although, the message is so true. We have one life to live, and it could be taken away at any moment. Why waste so much time, money, and disapointment trying to make it perfect? It won't ever be. Obstacles are thrown our way each and every day to teach us and help us grow. So what if someone does something different than you? So what if your wedding isn't traditional? So what?

I only want happiness. I don't want perfection. One day I want to be able to tell my grandkids that I worked hard at what I did, but I had a great time while taking each moment and making it last. I want to inspire them to do crazy things, and learn from them. I want them to know that I will always love them, no matter what dumb things they do, and that I won't judge them. I want the best for my family, now and in the future. But not perfection.

New Perspective

Over the past year I have developed some opinions about things due to experience. One of them being school. I love to gripe about school. The list of things I hate about it is endless. The list of things I'd rather be doing is rather lengthy. I so often feel sorry for teachers and the students they have to put up with, and the work they put in for little recognition.  I have strong opinions about the things BA schools is doing right and wrong. BUT, I've come to realize something...if you don't like something- change it. Do something about it.

(Pictured above is Mr. Chitty, the 2012 BAPS District Teacher of the Year)

If you would have asked me in January what my college plans I would have told you that the sound of college makes me want to barf. If I don't have to go, I'm not. I am going to work and save and ponder on my future. But seriously, what good will that do me?

When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher. I love office supplies, decorating, teaching, presenting, getting dressed up for work, etc. Teaching is something I just keep coming back to. I realize that with teaching there are a lot of things that could stress you out. Defiant students, students who simply don't care, hateful parents, grading homework, etc. But (differing with age group) I've seen on so many occassions, the best teachers are the happiest. If you truly enjoy what you do, you are happy. If you are happy, your job is done to a higher standard. With some age groups, (and with boundaries in play) friendships are made. Memories are made. Teachers impact kids more than they ever know.

Throughout the school district I attend, there are things that I support, and things that simply disgust me. However, sitting back and complaining or planning on discriminating, I can join the team and work to make it  better. This entire mindset is going to take a tremendous amount of hard work, and heart. I've decided to make this my goal to make my family proud, support a future family, and make a difference.

So the moral of the story, little tykes, is- if you don't like something, CHANGE IT.

Senoritis. And I'm only a Junior.

I have just been self diagnosed with a pre-mature case of SENIORITIS. Everyone I know has it, and it's spreaading faster than wildfire. Broken Arrow seniors have already recieved their caps and gowns and the surrealness of it all is setting in.

Stores are stocking up on bikinis.

College acceptance letters are in the mail.

Warmer temperatures and tornado warnings are moving in.

The growing pains and itches of becoming that many steps closer to being an independent adult can be felt everywhere.

School becomes harder to focus on as teachers cram in more information for end of the year tests.

BA is on the brink of starting the dreaded block scheduling that lasts nearly a month.

Summer classes and programs are popping up on every corner.

Vacations, internships, and camps are being planned.

Are you ready?

Summer is within reach. Keep the goal in mind and keep your mental train on the tracks. Just a little bit longer...