#Themouse

     It all started around a month and a half ago. I decided to work on a little sewing project in my little sewing corner in the living room. I went to sit down in the chair and noticed some little brown things. "What could this be?" I wondered. I discovered more on the side table. It dawned on me......there must be a mouse in my house! Cue Jaws music. EEEEEEK!!!!!!! I don't do spiders, roaches, snakes, or mice. I was literally jumping up and down and squealing like a little girl. I was absolutely terrified! But I had to put my brave girl pants on and take care of business. I immediately made a trip to Walmart to get some glue boards to catch Mr. Mouse. I cleaned really well and set my traps. The next day......nothing. I thought I heard something under the stove which was confirmed when my dog, Effie, went to check it out. So I had a feeling he was under there. So I added s glue board there. Every day I checked the boards and nothing! I stopped seeing any visual evidence that Mr. Mouse was still visiting so I thought he packed his bags and left the premises. WRONG! Eventually I started seeing where he was throwing a little party at night. So I went for the big guns. I got some traps and baited them with peanut butter and placed them strategically where I knew he had been hanging out. I very anxiously check them each morning scared of what I might find. And.....nothing! The little booger nibbled on the peanut butter and set the trap off but somehow escaped being captured! A friend from work suggested I put peanut butter on the glue boards. So, I tried that. I seriously saw teeth marks in the peanut butter the next day but no mouse. It was then I had to call in the experts. Enter Mighty Dad (& Mom) to save the day! See, my dad was in pest control for about 20 years and he was the best in the business (I may be slightly biased). He strategically placed more traps in better places after investigating things. He even slept in the living room because I was not sleeping in there with a mouse partying in there every night!!! Still, we never caught a mouse. However, my dad and mom plugged several holes in the wall behind my stove with steel wool to seal Mr. Mouse out of my house. As far as I know, our plan worked! Fingers crossed!!!

Properly set trap

Trap that had been set off by Mr. Mouse who must be related to Speedy Gonzalez

Teeth marks in the bait....which I was informed by the experts that I used entirely too much bait. Live and Learn!

Whirlwind Weekends

     The past two weekends have been so busy and like a whirlwind! The first one I randomly went home for fun with a couple of friends. One of my friends lives in town and the other one lives out of town. The latter asked me if I wanted to have a girl's night. I told her I wasn't going to be in town because I was going to be there the next weekend. She texted, "You never heard of driving two weeks in a row?" LOL. That's all it took. She really twisted my arm! I gave myself permission to do this simply because I am single and I have the freedom to do so. Everyone can't just drop what they're doing and visit friends so I'm going to seize these opportunities as they come my way!

      Once I decided to make this random trip home, I immediately made plans to have brunch with my friend who recently moved back to the area. I got to tour her new house and meet her pet bunny. She also showed me some of the schools where she works. Brunch was also delicious and we even fit in some shopping just like old times! We had such a fun time. I really enjoyed seeing her again and catching up!

     She has the cutest baby girl who I got to see for the second time in her life! We had such a fun time! I really enjoyed seeing her again and catching up.  Her mom and I had a fun little girl's night on the town. We went to a local pizza restaurant and then we went to see The Longest Ride. We had the biggest laugh at the movie theater because we felt old! She said she felt old because it was 10:00 and thought she couldn't stay awake for the whole movie. As she was saying this I looked up to see tons of teenagers. It was raining that night. Pretty heavily at times. We were the only ones carrying umbrellas! I said, "I can tell we are getting old because we are the only ones out here with umbrellas!" At this point, we both completely lost it. We stalled where we were because we were laughing soooo hard. She then said, "You can tell we are old because we have to stop and cross our legs while we are laughing so we don't wet our pants!!!" OH ME! So funny and so true!!!!!!! That's exactly what we were doing. The perils of being in your 30s LOL!!! Needless to say, we had a great time! :)

     Then the following weekend I went home to help co-host a baby shower for my sister-in-law! She is due soon and I am so excited to become an aunt to a baby girl!!! The shower turned out super cute! Her mother has several vintage-esque and shabby chic decorations and we built around that. Her sister made a cute pennant and I made a diaper cake that looked like a bassinet. It was darling! I can't take credit for the idea...I totally followed this tutorial I found on pinterest. :) My mom and I also transformed an old cabinet door from her kitchen to make a cute chalkboard sign. I was able to give her the baby blanket I had been making. I hope little baby loves it! :) It was a fun weekend! 

Diaper cake!

Me and Megan

Mama and Megan

Baby blanket

     Oh and I almost forgot! It was Effie's birthday the other day as well! I made her a little chalkboard sign to celebrate her 4 years! ;) I also attempted to make Effie cupcakes from a picture everyone had shared with me from facebook. Let's just say mine didn't exactly turn out great. :) Effie is still absolutely adorable though!

Happy Birthday, Effie!

Effie and I are road warriors! She helps me drive sometimes! ;)

Win a Date With Tim Tebow!

     In my previous post, I discussed things you should NOT say to a single lady. Well, here is the perfect example of something you SHOULD say! Yesterday, my aunt came over to visit. We were talking and somehow we got on this topic. But instead of feeling inferior and getting upset like I usually do when this happens, my aunt's comments encouraged me. She said she wanted to figure out a way to write Tim Tebow and tell him she knows a wonderful girl that would be good for him! WHAT?! Yes, please! I need you to get on that ASAP, Aunt Dianne! Win me a date with Tim Tebow!!! :) :) :)

The Top 10 Things NOT To Say To Or About A Single Lady

     The following list is my recommendation of what NOT to say to single ladies in your life. Yes, unbelievably, these are all things that have been said to or about me. Sometimes I get downright puffy, lol. Don't worry, I don't stay mad very long. Now, I realize that most people mean well and just don't know what to say. All that said, this is just for fun!

10. "You must have dyed your hair to get a man. That's the only reason women change anything." You keep on thinking that, bud. 

9. "Did she get a boyfriend, because she lost a lot of weight!" Oh no he didn't!

8. "She's going to wait until she's 40, hahaha!!!" Haha, so not funny. 

7. "What's his name, because I know you didn't buy that car yourself?!" Excuse me?!

6. "You know, a good place to meet guys is at Lowe's." Do you think I'm desperate? 

5. Whenever someone is talking about a significant other, please don't jump at the chance to say, "Does he have a single brother, cousin, or friend?!" Singleness is not the only requirement for future prospects. 

4. At weddings: "You're next!" Awkward. 

3. Car salesman: "Yeah, all the guys have been asking me for your friend's number." Really, now? I'm the one that was buying a car. I'm single too. What a slap in the face. 

2. "It will happen when you are content with God." Not true.

And last but not least, my all time fave...........

1.  "No one wants you." Thanks. (And NOT true). 

My Unusual Story

     Each of us is living our life story so to speak. They are all unfinished stories until we take our final breath. Most of the time, we don't understand what is going on while we are in the middle of them. Sometimes I feel like I have a very unusual story. Here I am 30 years old and single. And not just single---I’m single with no past, present, or seemingly future prospects. Seriously. There were no awkward dates in high school. No going to prom. College boyfriends? Nope. No post-college boyfriends either for that matter. Sure, there have been a few to look at the “bait” as my mom says, but none to actually take it, lol.  I'm sure I'm not the only person this has ever happened to, but it feels that way at times! 

     Let me just say, it is SO confusing! I watch as all my friends get asked out on dates, get boyfriends, get married, and start their families. I wonder, “What’s wrong with me??”  There was a time in my life I honestly believed that I was too shy, too short, not pretty enough, or not skinny enough for guys to be attracted to and interested in me. I mean, I had to blame it on something, right?? Maybe I’m too this or not enough that. But, I've learned that this is simply NOT true. Women with different shapes and sizes and personalities get into relationships all the time. As logical as this may be to you, it was news to me. There is no magic formula, Candace!      
     Now, I have a different mindset. I believe now more than ever before that I am amazing. Yes, I said it. I am amazing and beautiful. And I am totally not being conceited here. Trust me, I know I am no Victoria’s Secret model. I am not a size 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and on and on. But you know what I am?? Uniquely me. One-of-a-kind. Candace. I'm the only me in this world. I am very short and curvy. I am awkwardly shy in groups yet talk too much when I am one on one with friends. I am sweet and loyal to a fault. I am a picky eater. I try to be a good friend, but I often mess up. I get angry and say things I shouldn't. I am honest, caring, and compassionate. I am intelligent and hard-working. I love kids and they usually love me. I am sincere. I am often unorganized. I have more unfinished projects and unread books than I can count. I try to be fashionable but can usually be found chilling in a t-shirt and shorts. I am not perfect. But you know what?! Beauty is not perfection. It isn't being who everyone thinks you should be. It is loving and living life confidently in who God designed you to be. 
                                     

     The flip side of this is that I now have nothing to “blame” my singleness on. It baffles me how other people seem to date haphazardly and get into and out of relationships on a whim and even enter into marriages so easily while I’m still dreaming of my first kiss. I scratch my head in bewilderment and ask, “What are these guys thinking?!?” It really hurts at times. My opinion has shifted from "Why would he want to date me?" to "Why wouldn't he want to date me??" The only answer I have is that God is ultimately writing my story differently than everyone else's. He is Sovereign and He knows what He's doing. This is such a cliché, but it is the truth. My story is so unusual and I know for certain that He has a purpose and a plan for this even though I can't see it or understand it or figure it out. 
     Even though it is difficult, I would not change any of it because I am on a journey that is bringing me closer to Him. Circumstances in my life are not just happenstance. God is working in the background orchestrating it all into a beautiful masterpiece. He is working all things for my good and His glory......whether or not my story ends with love, marriage, and a family of my own. I can't wait to see how my story unfolds. :)

 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work]and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. Philippians 1:6 AMP

The Single Girl's Car Buying Guide!

     Ok, so the title of this post may lead the reader to believe that I am an expert in buying cars and that if you follow steps A-E you will get the perfect deal. That is simply not the case. I am no expert, but I AM a single girl who just bought my first car without having a guy by my side! I always envisioned having my dad or maybe husband/boyfriend going with me to buy a car as assurance that I wasn't being cheated. Well, my dad doesn't live in town and there is no husband/boyfriend in my life so scratch that idea! It's just me here in these parts, so I might as well research what I want and give this car buying thing a try!!
     A little history: I drove my last car for 11 years. It had 176,000 miles on it and squealed like crazy every time I cranked it. It is a good car, it just needs some TLC. A couple months ago, I went to a used car dealership and test drove a car. The salesmen would not even tell me how much the car was but wanted me to say "YES" I will buy this car tonight! I'm thinking, "Man, I don't even buy a sweater at JC Penney unless I know the price of it and it is on sale." Ludicrous. My personality can only handle so much. I try my hardest to say what I want, yet be very polite and cordial at the same time. When people don't listen, my fuse is very short. So after haggling me to buy a car they would not tell me the price of they bring out the manager to talk to me. That's when I blew up. I walked out on them as they were saying, "You need a new car. Your car is old." Yeah, whatever. 
     This week, my boss saw me in the hallway and said, "Candace, when are you getting a new car? I thought you would get one for Christmas?" I laughed it off and thought it was funny. Mental note: You know you need a new car when the principal notices. So that night, I looked online and found one that I thought I would like. I hesitantly placed an offer on it. Never heard from them. So, on Friday I contacted them again. Within 5 minutes a salesman had called me and left a message. He then texted me a lower price than the one on the internet. So, I negotioated a different number and asked to test drive it.
     On the way to test drive it, I whispered a prayer that I would not get cheated or feel pressured to buy the car, and that I could get it for the price that would fit my budget. So, the first number he showed me was a no-go. The second number was a no-go. I stood my ground and negotiated a fair interest rate and told them I wanted to think about it. They really didn't want me to leave without buying that car but I stressed that I wanted to think about it. So, that is what I did! I thought that God totally answered my prayer about not getting frustrated and not letting me get cheated!!! I also did a little search on the internet and didn't see another car I liked as much in that price range. On Saturday, I nervously bought my first car! EEEEK!!! Ha ha. It is such a huge purchase and I feel like I signed my life away lol. But, it's all good. I love it so far! It's been a long time coming. 
     Moral of my story for the single gals out there: don't let car salesmen run over you or pressure you into doing something. Do your research and don't be afraid to negotiate. If you don't want to buy it, you don't have to. This really made me feel empowered haha! I am strong and independent and with God by my side, I got this! 
     A little extra story: they were out of inspection stickers at the nissan dealership so they sent me to the toyota dealership to get one. (They are owned by the same company). Well, the Toyota car salesman tried to get rid of me. "Yeah, they aren't supposed to do that. You can go back over there on Monday, you won't get a ticket." Old Candace would have politely said, "Oh, okay, I will go back to Nissan on Monday to get it. Thank you so much!!" Oh no. Not anymore. New Candace said, "I am not doing all this running around." And then I called my car salesman back and asked him to call them. And so I got my inspection sticker. Go me. Now, I'm about to start using my new found negotiating skills/courage and apply it to the world of dating. ;) ;) 

Sabrina Elvira Flossie Minnie Pearl Sentra :)

Simply Having A Wonderful Christmastime!

     MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

     I have had a most wonderful Christmastime this year! I have been able to hang out with friends and family and do some fun holiday things! I actually decorated my apartment before Thanksgiving, just because it was so late this year. I think it turned out nice.

Smile, Effie!

Little reindeer!

One of the first things I did was go to the local Christmas parade with some church friends. Silly me didn't take any pictures, probably because it was sooooo cold outside that night!! Like, I could not feel my feet cold. Also, I had NO CLUE that the Clydesdale horses were such a big deal. But apparently they are. I was so close, I could reach out and touch them. But, they would have trampled me they were so huge! Here is a picture (from budweiser.com).

Such beautiful, magnificent horses!

Then, one weekend, my parents came to visit. We had the annual Christmas gathering at my aunt's house, about an hour from where I live. It was fun as always to hang out with the family. I especially love playing with my sweet, little 3 year old cousin. Little children make my heart smile! 

Effie loves her grandparents and they love her too! Even though they try to claim they aren't a dog's grandparents!!!

With my cousin Michael!

My sweet little friend! She was showing me her breath in the cold air!

The sweetest Mama in the world!

With 2 of my other cousins! Taller than me by the way.

Little doll.

With my Daddy

The very next day, I went to see the singing Christmas tree at Bellevue with my Sunday School group. It was fun! My friend Merrill gets credit for this picture. Once again, I failed lol. I wish I had taken a picture of the part where there were puppets filling it up singing! I did puppets at my church when I was a teenager.

So pretty!

On the way to the singing Christmas tree, one of the guys in our group had the idea to get dressed up one night and go out to eat. I was game! What girl doesn't love to dress up and go out on the town?! Plus, I got to wear that "red" dress I've been wanting to get!

Merrill and I :)

With Amy

Nice looking bunch ;)

On Friday, some of my college friends were going to come into town for a mini reunion. However, two of them were unable to make it. Meghan and I still got together for a mini mini reunion and we were able to facetime with our friend Lauren who lives too far away to come. We went to dinner at a new fun place in town, had coffee at Starbucks, and then went to a movie.

Both rocking our new hair!

That brings us up to Christmas with the family! Here are the pictures from this week!

She hates it, but it is so funny!

Me and the little Effie Claus!

Daddy trying to teach Effie to beg! haha

They came prepared for a picture for once, so I took it! Such a great looking couple! :)

Half the fun of presents is playing with the box, right??

Yay, sibling pic!

Effie loves my brother so so much.

Well, that's all! It has been so busy, but fun this year! I am thankful to be able to spend time with all the people I love!! I am mostly thankful for JESUS! He is the reason we have this season! He is truly everything to me.