Gucci taste on a Goodwill budget

1. My favorite teacher was my 3rd grade teacher, Miss Lisa McDaniel.
2. I got my first “B” in 7th grade art.  How do you make a “B” in art?  Isn’t it in the eye of the beholder?
3. I am good at crossword puzzles.
4. I recently bought the video game Dance Dance Revolution.  You actually move to the music on a vinyl floor mat.  It’s fun.  No one will EVER actually witness this with their own two eyes, however.
5. I play a mean Guitar Hero.  I’ve even gotten to the Expert level.
6. I don’t understand “cat people”.
7. I think everything my mom cooks is delicious.
8. I collect Disney DVDs.  I think I have about 20.
9. I know how to play the piano but I don’t play very often.
10. My favorite college professor was Dr. Ross Cochran.
11. I have 1/3rd of a Masters degree in Counseling
12. My favorite kind of pizza is Meat Lovers.
13. I have an addiction to cool writing pens.  My favorite pen, a Zyvox pharmaceutical pen just ran out of ink and I am devastated.
14. I can’t stand sweet tea.
15. I have an ultrasensitive sense of smell, which is ironic considering my husband’s does not exist.  It’s almost like I overcompensate for him.
16. I have been to two foreign countries…Scotland and the Netherlands.
17. I wear a size 9 or 9.5 shoe.
18. My birthday is November 23.
19. I have an Amazon.com wish list (for #18)
20. I don’t understand the purpose of gazebos.  It’s not like they are weatherproof or windproof…why not just sit on the porch?
21. To say I dislike Barbra Streisand is putting it mildly.
22. I love “fair food” (i.e., corn dogs, funnel cakes, corn on the cob, cotton candy)
23. I have led mission campaigns to Juneau, Alaska and Coquille, Oregon.
24. I was born with a “strawberry” birthmark on my leg but it is gone now.
25. I don’t have any tattoos, but have contemplated getting one in the past.

1. I only wear silver or white gold jewelry.
2. I know all the words to “Ice, Ice Baby”
3. I think green is my favorite color.
4. Werther’s Originals are my favorite candy.
5. I have about 50 pairs of shoes.
6. I can type 80 words per minute.
7. People say I’m “outgoing” but I think I’m an introvert.
8. I do not know how to get the font on this blog any smaller.
9. I know how to crochet but I don’t know how to knit.
10. I went to the Kansas State Spelling Bee 3 times in elementary school.
11. I turn 30 years old in 32 days.
12. My best friend Cindy lives in Vanuatu, South Pacific.
13. If I could live anywhere, it would be a loft in New York City.
14. I’ve always wanted to be a famous singer.
15. I love pork chops.
16. I have blue-grey eyes.
17. I like spelling the color ”grey” instead of “gray”.
18. I love Grey’s Anatomy.
19. I work in automotive finance.
20. I love cars.  I am surrounded by beautiful cars all day.
21. My favorite movie is “Love Actually”.
22. I have been married for almost 3 years.
23. December 3 is my anniversary.
24. I am a preacher’s wife.
25. I am picky about grammar and spelling.  I automatically proofread everything I read.  It is not a blessing, but a curse.

Welcome to my new blog, which describes me to a “t”.  I just thought this was a little more lighthearted and will allow me to explore more of my fun side.  I played with several ideas for a title, but this one made me happy.  And no offense to Goodwill, I think they have wonderful items.  They actually have several of my old items! 

Ok, it’s boring at work and I’m bored. So I’m going to post this fun survey.

Introduce yourself: Krystal, Krystal Mae, Mrs. Maples

It’s Thursday at noon, where are you usually? Just getting to work. I work noon – 7 pm. It’s awesome.

Who was the last person to send you a text message? I don’t know that I’ve ever gotten a text message. OK, so I’m old. I get it.

What brand of shampoo is in your shower right now? Herbal Essences Mango something

What are you listening to right now? The news on TV. Yes, I get to watch TV at work. Jealous?

Do you watch MTV anymore? Never did.

You need a new pair of jeans, what store do you go first? Whatever store is having a sale.

How do you feel about your hair? My hair and I have a rocky relationship.

What time do you wake up in the morning? Anytime between 8 am and before I leave for work (11:30 am, depends on how late I stayed up the night before)

What movie is in your DVD player? I think the last one we watched was probably Nacho Libre.

Last two numbers in your phone number? 19

Who’s in your house? Right now, just the doggies. Hubby and I are at work.

What side of the bed do you sleep on? Standing at the foot of the bed, the left

Do you like roller coasters? Hate them.

What magazine(s) do you buy regularly or subscribe to? People, Real Simple, Oprah, Readers Digest

What kind of car do you drive? 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

What do you think about gay marriage? What I think doesn’t matter, it’s what God thinks that matters.

What do your pants look like? Blue jeans

Do you own an iPod? No, and I have mixed emotions as to whether to get one or not. I mean, do I really want to walk around with earphones in?

What kind of cologne/perfume do you wear? Gucci Pink & Brown Sugar and Fig from Bath and Body Works

What are your plans for Saturday? I think I might go to a scrapbooking class at Scrapbook Garden. Hubby and I may go eat dinner at Texas Roadhouse and then go see 3:10 to Yuma. Can you tell we don’t have kids?

What is the dumbest thing you have ever done with your cellphone? Get a contract. BOOOO ALLTEL!

Does mind over matter work for you? Not really. I’m more of a realist.

Are you paranoid? See above answer.

What was the last thing you were invited to? Sunday dinner at my parents.

What item should never be shared? Gum and toothbrushes.

What do you usually order at Taco Bell? Crunchy tacos with no lettuce, or chicken chimichanga

Have you ever sat all the way through Gone With the Wind? I think I had to in 5th grade.

When was the last time you were up all night? Thankfully, not recently.

Where is your favorite place? Scotland or New York City

Do you ever think about the price of gasoline? Only when I am filling up and get disgusted at the bill.

Do you sleep with a fan on? A ceiling fan, yes. Even last night when it was freezing outside.

What is the best thing about Winter? It’s not summer

How often do you hold back from saying what you are thinking? Multiple times daily

How many states have you been to where all you saw was the airport? Probably a few

Are you currently planning a trip? Alabama for Thanksgiving

How many plants are in your home? Probably three? Are they fake? Absolutely.

Have you ever googled your name and found somebody? There was actually another Krystal Proctor in Missouri that got married around the same time I did. We both registered at Pottery Barn and I got one of her gifts by mistake. I returned it.

Whose number one in your top 8? Probably Hubby

What is your favorite possession? My doggies, Mia and Henry

What makes you feel like you are young again? Listening to music like New Kids on the Block or hair bands

Do you know how to play chess? No

What are you worrying about right now? lots of things, trying to give it all to God though

Are you picky? usually too much so

You have one wish, what would it be? To inherit millions from a rich uncle I don’t know I have

Where were you at 11:45p.m last night? Sound asleep

Ever talked to someone that was high? I worked in mental health, I saw it all the time

How tall is the person you like? I like lots of people, of varying heights.

Last message you sent? I sent some invitations to my jewelry party tonight, via snail mail….I know, how retro!

Last comment you left someone? My sis-in-law, Emily, whose little preggo belly is looking so cute lately!

Do you have a Facebook? Yes, and prefer it over MySpace

What color are your underwear? What’s with the pants and underwear questions?

Last person you were in the car with besides your family? Kim from work

Do you own a polo? heavens, no

Are you currently frustrated with a girl? Not that I can think of

Are you excited for winter? YES!!!!!!

If it was free and it would work perfectly, would you get plastic surgery? Yes. Although it would be more appealing if you would add “and it wouldn’t hurt a bit”

Have you ever slapped someone in the face? No… but boy, have I wanted to.

Have you ever been called Prince or Princess? Not nearly enough

What do you hear right now? Someone paging a salesman over the intercom

If you had to change your eye color, would you? I would love green eyes.

Last thing you wrote your name on? A debit card receipt at the grocery store

Where do you want to be right now? On a vacation that someone else is paying for

What do you want for Christmas? A leather couch

Does it snow where you live? Yes, bring it on!

Where did you get the pants you’re wearing right now? Again with the pants!

When is the next time you will see your grandma? Probably Wednesday at church if not before

How is your hair right now? Dark brown and straight?

What is tomorrow? Tuesday October 23rd

…to get out of debt! After reading my friend Dustin Dopps’ blog (thanks Dustin!) about getting out of debt, it inspired me. So Chad and I are on a budget and we will be out of debt (besides our student loans and cars, and almost one car) by January! So please don’t ask us to go on any extravagant vacations or donate large sums of money to your charity until then!

In another note of awesomeness, I am over halfway done with our Christmas shopping!! I shop year-round because 1) I love to shop, and 2) sometimes I see something that jumps out at me and I think “Wow, my sister-in-law would love that.” So when all of you are shopping on Christmas Eve, I will be snug in my bed with visions of sugarplums dancing in my head.

Hi all! I wanted to tell you about my new job that I am VERY excited about. My old job at the hospital was extremely stressful so I got a new one. They called me out of the blue and wanted to interview me (I applied for a job in May at this place), and I got the job!!

I am working at a car dealership in the finance office. I work on loans and take payments, work with people on their car loans. I really like it and it’s a lot more laid back than the hospital. And my hours are noon-7 pm Monday through Thursday, and noon-6 pm on Fridays, some Saturdays too. It’s great. I get up around 8:00 am (instead of 5:45!), do laundry, make dinner for later that night, play with Henry and Mia, etc., and then go to work at 11:30 (it’s only a 20-minute drive instead of a 50-minute one!). I get home around 7:30, and then all my housework is done and I can relax and spend time with the hubby!!

I read this article today and thought it was worth sharing. It mentioned one secret to happiness is random acts of kindness towards others: (from msn.com)

“Do you perform five acts of kindness in any given day? That’s the number of good deeds that boosts your sense of well-being and happiness, according to research by Lyubomirsky. Your karmic acts can be minor and unplanned – giving up your seat on the bus; buying an extra latte to give to a coworker. You’ll find that the payback greatly exceeds the effort. “You see how much you’re appreciated and liked by others,” she says. Be sure to keep up the good work: When Lyubomirsky asked her study subjects to space their five good deeds over the course of a week, the actions started to seem routine and lost some of their therapeutic effects. But don’t fret if you can’t make the quota daily. “Being spontaneously kind also delivers rewards,” she says.”

This has always been my personal opinion, but now it’s proven research!

Chad and I have a new nephew! Zachary James Maples was born on Wednesday the 15th. His parents are Todd (Chad’s brother) and Julie Maples. He is Chloe’s little brother! He is adorable, of course. Here is a picture of the little sweetie:

This brings me to my next topic of conversation: Baby Names. I work for pediatricians, and every day I shake my head in amazement at some of the names that people come up with. Due to confidentiality, I can’t actually tell you any of them, but suffice to say they sound more like a conglomeration of random syllables than an actual name. My heart breaks for these kids who have to go to Kindergarten and probably won’t be able to spell their own name until they are in high school. Chloe and Zachary are such cute and normal names! And the cutest niece and nephew in the whole world, of course!

Besides all that, my job is going very well. Thanks for your prayers. It is still pretty hectic, but I think that’s just going to be par for the course. I will try to do better about posting.

I started my new job Monday and I really like it. There’s a LOT to learn, though, due to the fact that the lady who had my job previously did not leave any training instructions for me. And, the girls training me do not even know my job—they work in different departments doing different things. Needless to say, it will be awhile before I feel totally comfortable with all the responsibility.

I am the Patient Coordinator for 9 doctors. Three of them are pediatricians, and the rest are pediatric specialists. So I see a lot of kids each day! Wesley is a great place to work and their benefits are outstanding.

In other GREAT news, Chad got offered a job at Learjet through a temp agency. It is supposed to be for two months, with the possibility of being hired on full-time by Learjet at the end of that term. We are so thrilled! Being out of work for 2 months + has really taken its toll on our finances, but now maybe we can start digging ourselves out of debt. We ask for your prayers regarding that.

Thank you for all of your prayers up to this point, we don’t know how we would have made it through if it hadn’t been for them.

Here is a TOO CUTE picture of our friends’ kids, Mitchell and Karissa. Aren’t they adorable? And great photography by their mom, Apryl!