Wow, after years of xanga blogging, I am moving.  I was just ready for a change. :)  So you will find me at   http://shelleysmucker.blogspot.com/

   I won't shut this down right away, and I may even come back and visit this for old times, but for regular updates and pictures, visit my new blog, Frame of Mind. 

   Xanga, it's been great.  You've given me an outlet to vent about relationships, travel experiences, wedding planning and so much more, but it's time to move on. :)  You all have a fabulous Monday, and hopefully I will see you over at my new site!

Blessings,
-Shelley

   I believe I am enjoying the dawn of spring more this year than I ever have.  Perhaps it was because in past years I have been too busy to notice it.  I don't know.  But whatever the reason, I am absolutely loving it.  The trees with the delicate, pink blossoms, the bright, sunny daffodils pushing up through the green grass all over the place, the sun warming your face as you dream of swimsuits and campfires, not too far away.  I'm loving spring, but I love it even more because with each passing day it means summer is a little bit closer.  Can't wait!

   Sorry about the severe lack of posts...I think instead of make promises that I always seem to fail to fulfill, I will make acheivable goals, like one post per month.  I think that may be do-able.  So, I will briefly update you on February.  (And maybe a picture post someday? No promises though.:) 

   The beginning of Feburary found Randy and I at a weekend couple's retreat, and we had a lovely time.  Met new people, heard some good mini sermons and played The Newlywed Game, in which I did horribly.   But I console myself with the fact that Randy and I do actually know each other very well in real life, even if it seems I've just met him by my struggling skills at that game. 

   The next week was a flurry of activity as I was in charge of decorating for the youth group's Valentine's Dinner fundraiser and sis-in-law Jessi's baby shower.  Both turned out successfully, and I hopefully will post some pics sometime. 

   After that it was my first week at my new job!  I am currently employed at the Grocery Depot in Albany, and I'm really enjoying it!  If you're living in the area and you want cheap groceries, swing by and see me sometime!  They've got some killer deals. 

   That weekend we played in a volleyball tournament and the next week was more of the usual pregnancy center, teaching music, working, and volleyball.  Capped it off with date night on Friday, girl's movie night on Saturday and a potluck at which I consumed far too much food on Sunday.  And that brings us to March.

 

    So that is my very brief February update.  Baby steps.:)  Perhaps I will graduate to a more detailed post about March. 

   Fashion intrigues me.  I haven't always been so fascinated by it, and a definitely went through a stage in life where, judging from pictures, the concept completely escaped me.  However, that has changed with time, and now I find myself sitting in a bookstore, paging through books like Born-Again Vintage and Sew Liberated.  That's another thing I am getting into...sewing.  Or rather, the idea of sewing.  I haven't actually started sewing yet, but I want to, and I have a mother-in-law with a wealth of knowledge and experience, (not to mention a very nice sewing machine) and so today I am going to pick out a pattern and some fabric, and I am going to enlist her help in learning the art of sewing.

    I also love people watching and noticing interesting fashions they come up with.  To my left there is a girl with a short skirt and textured tights covered by colorful, striped socks that end in converse sneakers.  It actually looks pretty good.  She's also wearing a striped fisherman's vest with a gray t-shirt, and I can't help notice by the design of the sleeves that I have one at home exactly like it.  A girl behind me is pregnant and wearing a delicate, flowery v-neck top with an egg-shell blue cardigan, black pants and gray socks.  Skirts seem to be the trend today, as another lady is wearing a knee-length, brown corduroy one with black tights and boots, and another is wearing a denim one. 

   I think sewing has gotten a bad rep, especially for those of us that have grown up Mennonite.  Sewing is something for old ladies, it's boring and generally dull, piecing together quilts or sewing up a bland, colorless dress.  Well, I'm convinced sewing can be the next best thing to happen to your home decor, wardrobe and more.  I just need to actually learn how.  But why not?  I've certainly got the time.  Too MUCH time, at times.

   Ideally, I would be working in a coffee shop by now, but this seems to be the time of year (or economy) that hiring is the last thing on an employer's mind.  Pity.  So instead I find myself reading a lot, putting together puzzles, helping at the Pregnancy center and teaching music.  I'm hoping to increase my skills at guitar-playing too.  I spent some time doing that yesterday, and my fingers still feel a little bit tingly from it.  Playing guitar is something I absolutely LOVE while I'm doing it, but quickly forget about, so my callouses never get built up well enough that it doesn't hurt.  That it turn, discourages me from playing and that is my excuse for not playing more. 

Oh my, I've lost track of time and I'm going to be late for the chiropractor.  That's all for now!