Insert Catchy Title Here

Hi friends! I feel like every blog I write lately is a little dull and a little short, and I'm sorry. I went from having nothing going on to being quite busy & I'm struggling a bit to adjust. I still have tons to say, just not a good time to sit down and write it all out. I have caught up with three more friends I haven't blogged about yet, so I can knock the number on my list down by 5, but other than that I've got nothing significant to cross off. However, we did go out to eat with some folks from church tonight! A step in the friendship direction! And, we both had a good time! Its a little scary how excited I was when we left about actually hanging out with people, and people that I think I really like! I say that not because I question whether I like them or not, but because there were a bunch of us and I didn't get to talk to anybody a whole lot. I really, really hope we do this more often.

On another note, our church service was incredible tonight. We kicked off a new series called Body for God, and I already love it. I don't want to say too much because I'm now going to beg you to come tomorrow (9:21 am or 11:00am--we'll be there both times) and I'd hate to give it all away beforehand! You won't be disappointed, that I can promise, because not only is the message great, the worship is/was awesome too! God's presence was all over that church tonight, and I can assure you He'll be back tomorrow, so please come! If you need directions, you know how to find me:)

Lastly, I'm extending an open invitation for you to come visit me the 3rd weekend in February (18-20). My sweet hubby will be gone on a band trip and I really don't want to stay by myself. Of course I can find somewhere to stay, but if I can con a long lost friend into visiting, that would be even better than ideal! If you're game we could even check out that Jazzercise class (see 25 by 25 list) while you're here! So, whoever you are, let me know and come see me!

Its finally bedtime in our house though, so I'll be talking to you later.

XOXO,
Hannah

Job Shmob

Hi friends! I'm getting progressively worse about posting, so here is my legitimate effort to update you on life and possibly make you laugh at least a little. I had every intention of posting an Athens blog before I discussed my current lack of employment, but this is a new thing in my life right now, so Athens will have to wait.

I must start with the cold, hard facts that I have never looked for a job on my own before. When I was in high school I worked for my aunt & at the dance studio, then in college I found my job through Federal Work Study, which means they gave me a job because I'm poor. I had a little help landing my first teaching job, and a lot of help finding all jobs I have held thus far in Thomasville. So, Tuesday morning, I put my big girl panties on and went to find a job. I hit up the Publix first and I had to call my mom from the car before going in. Why? I wasn't sure if I was supposed to ask "Are you hiring?" or "Can I get an application?" first. I know this sounds completely ridiculous.  I'm 23 years, 8 months, and 2 days old (at that point, now you can add 2 more days to that) after all, and I should know how to properly seek employment by myself. After deciding that it was best to ask if they were hiring first, I got out of the car and went in. Luck would have it that someone else was applying for a job at the moment (they have only one computer for applying) and about 2 minutes after I entered the store someone called for a manager over the intercom because the darn thing broke. I don't know the details on this "malfunction," but I didn't get to apply. So I headed next door to Sally Beauty Supply. Let me add here that it was pouring rain and I looked a hot mess, so I didn't really expect to be hired for a job at a place with beauty in the name...I was told they hired someone last week. PERFECT! I hit up just about every other place I could think of in Thomasville, and then began the waiting game.

This morning, I got a call! Now, I signed a paper agreeing that I wouldn't blog about specifics or post them on facebook, so that's really all I can tell you. That and the fact that this job only lasts until Monday afternoon. But, its a start! And I must note here that I am quite proud of my little 2.5 day job. I have never obtained employment all by myself before, and I feel accomplished...at least until Tuesday. In the meantime, I'll continue praying for something permanent (and I wish you would, too!), but I'll remain thankful for what I've got. It's more money than I thought I'd be bringing in this week!

XOXO,
Hannah

I promise I'll make a decent post...eventually...

Hey friends! I still need to give you more details on my Athens trip & seeing friends, but at the moment I'm filling out so many job applications that I can't see straight, and I'm a little stressed about dance. I know that sounds ridiculous, but here's a cry for help. I need recital music. And I can't seem to think of anything. I've sat on iTunes for seriously hours at a time and googled all I can think to google, but I keep coming up empty handed. So I'm begging for your help. Even better part? I really need to start my routines today. So, to give you maximum time to think, here's what we're working with. The theme is Country Mouse/City Mouse. Now, I need songs with city names in them & songs about the country, but not actual country songs. Does that make sense? I have a ballet class & tap class ages 4-7, and I have a 7-8 year old jazz/hip hop class. So...suggestions? I'm literally making myself sick about it, I seriously have to get started ASAP. Any help would be supreme! And don't feel like today is the deadline...I doubt I'll come up with all of the music before classtime. Thank you!

XOXO,
Hannah

Home Again, Home Again!

Hello friends! Another short blog, but I just have to share/brag a little bit. Despite the fact that I less than eagerly ended up driving and had to cancel plans three times, I had a really great weekend in Athens. I got to see some awesome friends (more to come on that one), and spend a lot of time with some really great kids. My hubby is blessed with some incredible children to teach. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to talk with these young people (given that they're all 15+ they're not really "kids" are they?) and even learned a little bit from them in the process. We only took 7 up to Athens with us, and I've got to say that was the perfect size for actually getting to know them. I think this is extremely important in being an effective teacher (not the going on trips part, but the getting to know the students part), because they eventually realize you know what you're talking about. I can definitely see why my husband loves his job and likes to go almost everyday. The boys I drove even thanked me (GASP!) when we got back to the school, which made it all worth the while and stress of driving. Hopefully they learned how much a simple thank you means--definitely a lot for a girl like me. All in all, I left this weekend with a little more hope left for the future of humanity and that's enough for me. I will say, though, if I get to pick the gender of my future children, I'm kind of hoping for boys.

XOXO,
Hannah

The 2nd Love of my Life

Hello from the Holiday Inn! Lucky for me, the kids opted out of watching an afternoon concert so I get some time to spend writing about my life (I'm narcissistic, so I like talking about me) and reading. Which brings me to my splendid topic of the day, the second love of my life (husband aside): Reading!

"Anyone who says they have only one life to live, must not know how to read a book."-Unknown

I could not agree more with this quote, and must add that getting to become someone else, at least in my head, is one of my favorite parts about reading. Just this week I have been: a profiler with the BAU (think Criminal Minds), a girl in the witness protection program who falls in love with a high-profile professional football player (GASP!), a little girl with an abusive step father, and a journalist who studies human cadavers. VERY COOL. Given my current state of unemployment and overall lack of things to do, reading has been a perfect escape. It was, in fact, a very easy escape at the high school band concert I attended last night. Now, its not that I don't appreciate music (I do! Its a high school band program that keeps me fed and clothed!), but I don't understand it or appreciate it like my husband does. So, I used the best gift ever (my Kindle) and escaped to the world of a 10 year old girl who was abused and killed by her stepdad. That sounds like an awful escape, doesn't it? Turns out you can't be picky when you're reading free books though:). And what can I say? I love a good crime drama.

Given that a lot of my friends (and possible blog readers?) are fans of books and reading as well, I thought I'd share mine from this week. First though, here's my ploy to get YOU to purchase a Kindle. I can promise if you're a reader its the best investment you'll make. Only $139 and there are so many FREE books! At the Lipsey house, our motto is "we take free things," so this is a very important aspect. It also helps that you can download books instantly so you don't have to wait around to go to B&N or Borders and get a new one. Its so small that it fits in my purse, so I literally take it everywhere I go!

 And now for my weekly reading material:

This book was divine! Its a sequel to the novel Crush (which was free) and I was sucked in from day one! I can't really tell you much without telling all, but if you like FBI/crime novels and shows like Criminal Minds, you will love it. Though the first book was free, this one was $12.99. Worth it though!

This book was a little dark but incredibly interesting. At least if you're interested in what happens to bodies donated to scientific research like I am. Mary Roach's dry humor is laced through all of the facts about said cadavers, which makes it easier to read. I found myself laughing out loud and even reading aloud to Tyler. After reading, I feel the need to share that I do intend to donate my body to science--as long as nobody sends it to The University of Tennessee.  $12.99

FREE BOOK! I got it because it was free and read it all in 2 nights (hubby goes to sleep before me, so that's how I occupy my time when I'm not tired). This is about a a girl who was formerly kidnapped and is now in the witness protection program (which makes me think of that Mary Kate & Ashley movie, not sure what it was called). She unexpectedly falls in love with a professional football player and obviously lots of drama unfolds. I couldn't put it down!  

FREE! This one is dark (I'm 49% through it) but I have high hopes. It takes place in Georgia and I really appreciate all of the city references that I can actually place. My biggest problem is that the author writes everything in an overly southern dialect that gets annoying to read. Plus, poor Lori Jean (the main character) just has a lot of tragedy in her life. I want to find her and give her a hug! I'm interested to see where it goes and I'll let you know when I finish!



Well, that's about all I've got...it got a little lengthy, but I appreciate book recommendations so I thought you might too. Dinner with two of my favorite people in Athens tonight--one of which I haven't seen in 6+ months, so I can add her to my list! I'll let yall know how it goes!

XOXO,

Hannah

Back to Dear Old Athens Town!

Hi friends! Quick post from your not-so-regular blogger...sorry for the lack of things to say, I've been distracted. But I am in Athens for the weekend and so happy about it! We're here with kids for a band festival, but I'm mainly here to eat (yes!) and reunite with friends I've not seen in too long. So excited! I apologize for how short this blog is, but I promise more for tomorrow--what else am I going to do while the kids are at rehearsal and I'm procrastinating my studying?? Time for dinner and band concert #1 of 4 (eeek!)

XOXO,
Hannah

Here's to Lifelong Friendship!

Hello again, friends! I promised to talk about our Sunday in Chatsworth & I will. The highlight of my Sunday was catching up with not one, but TWO friends I haven't seen in 6+months. If you've read my 25 Before 25 blog, you know that leads me closer to completing my list! One of my goals to be completed in the next year and 5 months is to catch up with at least 10 friends I haven't seen in 6 months or more. So on Sunday, I caught up with 2 of my lifelong friends, Tabitha & Lindsey.

That last time I saw them was at Tabitha's wedding last September, but I didn't get to spend time with either of them, given the overall stressful nature of a wedding day (and the fact that I had to leave ASAP to get back to Tville before it was too late). Yesterday though, we talked about a lot of things and a lot of people and spent the majority of lunch cracked up. Which, in my humble opinion, is exactly how friendships should be. Too many people are too hard to be friends with and it ends up not being worth it. That's not to say that I've not had my share of drama with each and both of them, we did grow up together after all, but now that we are grown, being friends is easy and most of the time its hilarious. We've all three had a lot going on (job related, husband related, kids related, etc), so we chatted about that a little, but mostly we laughed. I loved that. I realized when I left how much I'd missed that, and how much I miss my friends!! It reaffirmed that this catching up deal on my list is indeed a good idea. So, I must leave with you with a few favorite memories from my time with two of my favorite girls (some from Saturday, others not)

• 42nd St. our tap trio when we were tiiiiiiiny and the reason Tab is in the middle of every picture we take
• "I'd rather bleed out or perform open heart surgery on myself!"
• Lindsey doing the macarena on the roof of the elementary school (seriously ingrained in my memory forever)
• Being Tab's "twin" and dressing alike until we were at least 13 and way too old to be doing so
• Playing Mary Kate & Ashley even though my jerk friends staked their claim on MK&A and little miss pushover (that's me) was stuck playing a made-up older sibling/triplet!
• Our parents (my dad, specifically) getting us mixed up and inevitably trying to take the wrong kid home from the studio at least once a week.

I'm sure there are many, many more, but the brother-in-law is heading over for dinner in about 20 minutes, so I've got to make sure it's done. Love you, Tab & Linds, we've got to do this more often!

XOXO,
Hannah