Thursday, July 31, 2008

Tonight's entry is a bit different... for me but not for you. I'm writing it with my new tablet pen and loving it.

This thing is awesome.

cb

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Its's now been five weeks sine I lost my job. I've had an interview here and there, even had one that I thought was promising but alas... still no job. Boredom is reaching an all time high.

I've decided today that if I don't get something soon, I'll start volunteering my time somewhere. I need to be productive. Anyone have any ideas for me?

cb

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

He's so sweet!

Yesterday my wonderful husband walked in the door carrying a surprise for me... flowers! I love flowers and since I don't get them often, its extra special when I do. I later asked him why... his repsonse: "no reason." Gosh I love him! So to surprise him I am preparing him a special dinner. Menu: Chicken Cordon Bleu, Onion Roasted Potatoes, Steamed Vegetables, Ceasar Salad, and Chocolate Dipped Strawberries for dessert.


He's so wonderful!


Here's a few pictures of my flowers.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Weekend Update

Last weekend was an important weekend for us. Matt played in the annual Greenville County Amateur, a golf tournament for amateurs in the area. Matt looks forward to this tournament every year since its really the only tournament that he competes in. He didn't play his best this year... we know he's capable of shooting some low scores, but low scores weren't in God's plan this year. Matt may not have played his best but I admire him for learning form the situation. He learned about humility. Matt has a good game. He knows it. I know it. But, that doesn't mean we assume every round will go the way we'd hope.

If you're familiar with golf you're understand the frustration of a triple bogey on a par five. Par fives are the holes you want to birdy. They're your best chance for lowering your score. But, Matt hit some trouble on a par five on his round Saturday. Off the tee box his ball hit a tree and shot backwards 50 yards. So Matt tried to play it into a fairway to the left and hit the green from there. But, the second shot went into the trees and into a hazard. You can imagine his frustration by now. He drops and his third shot.... you guessed it, hit a tree but it was playable. Matt was so aggravated, understandably so. But he maintained his composure, he finished the hole, took his "snowman" and went to the next hole and left that one behind him. He kept a good attitude and kept his cool. Now... let's compare this with one of Matt's competitors. This fella just graduated college and has played competitively for the last few years. Unlike Matt, he reached the green in two shots and had himself putting for eagle. Awesome, right? So he putted, missed. Putted again, missed. Putted again, missed. Putted again, finally. Bogey. His reaction like his performance on that hole leaves a lot to be desired. The young man swung his putter through the air and then ran to the closest tree and smacked it restulting in his putter breaking into two pieces. His actions were imature and irresponsible. Who played the hole better? If you ask me, I'll say Matt. Sure his score was two strokes higher but Matt left the hole with his temper under control, with a good attitude, and he didn't have to putt the next five holes with his wedge. Ha.

Matt's dad was able to make it out to walk and watch Matt's round on Saturday. I'm am so grateful for the relationship the two of them have. They have never had a bad relationship but in recent years they have become a great deal closer and I loved watching Matt's dad giving Matt a thumbs up after a good shot and after those bad shots, he gave him some encouragement and advice on how to best play the hole. I'm grateful that Matt's dad is supportive of Matt and likewise that Matt is willing to listen to what his dad says and understands that his dad has a lot of wisdom to offer.

So last week, we made a purchase. I am the proud owner of a Nikon D40. Since I've been unemployed for the last month (exactly one month tomorrow) I don't feel like I've been using my brain and that it could potentially be turning to mush. So I'm trying to harness my creative energy into my photograhy. It's something I've always loved but I have to learn to make more time for it. When I have some good shots I'll try to post them and you can tell me what you think.

I had an interview today. It went well. I'll post more on it after some prayer and discussion with Matt.

Ohhhh, how could I forget to mention?! Tomorrow is my wonderful husband's 27th birthday! Leave him some birthday wishes.

Alright, I should get ready for bed. I'm sorry if I've bored you but thats all I have to offer for now.

Goodnight.

cb

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

I know I know... I haven't been updating like I should. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to sit and blog for a while. But to appease you folks here are a few photos from the weekend of the important men in my life.






Thursday, July 17, 2008

True Fans

I know here lately I've been blogging about things I like... music, celebreties, etc. Well, here we go with another one but this one is higher up the list.... if you know me well, you know what's coming.

On the list of priorities, God is first, followed by Matt, then family (both blood and church), and right behind that is Duke. I almost never miss a game (on tv of course) during baskeball season and as of late I've been trying to watch their football games because lets all face it, they NEED some football fans. I say all of this because one thing is true, Duke fans stick together.

For example, Matt and I are sitting at the light today at 385 and Stone Avenue and someone kept blowing the horn and finally we looked around because it just wouldn't stop. Turns out it was a fellow Duke fan behind us. They saw the Duke stickers and magnet on my car and well they had a Duke license plate so they couldn't help but say hey. This isn't rare for me when I'm driving my Jeep. Once, I was on Woodruff Road and a SUV pulled up beside me and the window slowly rolled down and I thought what the heck... suddenly a blue duke fan came out of the window. Woo hoo! And then once I was getting out of my car back when I lived on Pelham Road another Jeep rode by and the driver rolled down his window enough for me to see his hat and he blew the horn.... yes us Duke fans stick together.

It makes me proud to be a Duke fan, despite what my husband thinks. So, I am proud to be a Duke fan and I will forever be a Duke fan... none of this bandwagon, fairweather fan crap. Either join us for good and find another team. Ha.

Ok I must stop ranting. Goodnight.

cb

Long time coming...


Alright, I've been meaning to do this forever but just kept getting sidetracked. I've been meaning to blog about an awesome cd that you need to purchase. Now, I may be a little biased because its a good friend that I went to school with at North Greenville but even without the bias... the cd is awesome. Andy Lehman is an artist who I hope and think has what it takes to rise to the top. He's dedicated to what he loves to do and he's freaking awesome too!


Matt and I were able to attend one of his local shows tonight at The Handlebar. Andy.... great job! So, go to itunes and check out Andy Lehman's record Landline. You won't regret it. It is worth every penny. Heck... its worth it just for the song "Winter," my personal favorite. If you go to his website you can see his music video for "Winter."


So, check it out and let me know what you think. I promise... he's awesome!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

A First In World History

Last night, I made world history. I, Crystal Brewer, beat my husband, Matthew Brewer (golfer extraordinaire) at putt-putt. Mom, Matt, and I played two rounds of putt-putt and in the eight years that I have known Matt and in the many rounds of putt-putt we have played, I have NEVER beat him. Granted, I only beat him by one stroke, but I beat him. And Mom was only behind him by one stroke. The second game of putt-putt wasn't as good as the first. Sigh.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Well... here I am... almost three weeks with no job.

For some of my former co-workers, this probably comes as a good break or a vacation for them. Those who had kids and rarely saw them because we were spending 50+ hours at work are probably enjoying this much-needed break. But, for a newly-married wife with no children, after about the first week, it becomes more taxing than anything else. Let me explain. I was one of those crazy kids in school who enjoyed taking tests and writing papers. I enjoyed algebra and working out chemical equations and physics formulas. School was easy. So I attended the magnet school and finally found some things I really enjoyed like forensic science and photography and hisory... high school is where the obsession with Thomas Jefferson started. Well, since high school, you could say I have this intense need... not a desire, but a need.... to use my brain, to stretch and test it. I need to learn and to use what I learn. My last job at CCM involved me using my problem-solving skills. I might have three pages of info but only two pages to put it on, so you get creative and you find ways to make it fit. Yes it is possible. Well, here I am at three weeks of not using my brain. I have only had two interviews and am starting to question what the heck is wrong with me?! I'm smart. I have skills. (haha I just pictured Napolean Dynamite.. I digress) So, I'm finding myself searching for a new hobby. I love photography but I'll be honest, I don't like 95 degree weather. Yuck. I like to draw but I seem to have lost my creative flair. I'm not inspired so my pencil lies still. I like to write but if you follow my blog, you'll notice I'm not inspired to do that very often. I've always wanted to learn a musical instrument so I'm tossing that idea around. I can play the piano... well sorta. I remember the songs I learned when I took lessons about 20 years ago. I have a guitar and after many, many attempts think its not the instrument for me. My fingers won't stretch that far! However, I am blessed with a husband who is wonderful on the guitar, so my little Austin acoustic still gets played and he can make pretty music on it. Matt suggested I take up fishing. But after discussing that I don't like to touch either the bait or the fish, we decided that probably wasn't a good hobby. I enjoy golf but its more fun with two people. Maybe Matt and I can get around to playing together more often when it cools off. (sidenote: Matt plays in the Greenville County Amateaur this coming weekend. cheer him on!) I like to read and I still do... alot. But I still need something else. UGH! If you have any ideas for hobbies, I'm open to suggestions.

---

We bought Wii Fit and I absolutely love it. Beth, I think you'd like it. Its fun and you really do get a work out. Yoga is freaking hard. It starts you with some basic games in each category: Yoga, Strength, Aerobic, and Balance. The more time you spend using the game, the more games you unlock. Let me just brag on my husband for a second and say that he is awesome at the hula-hoop game. ;-) I'll let you know if it helps me to actually lose weight, providing I eat healthier.

Sigh. Its 2:17 am. I should probably try to sleep again. Pray that I get to sleep soon. I'm finding that I either can't sleep or when I do, I have crazy nightmares. God, what are you trying to tell me?

Goodnight.

cb

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

About me

Ok so I've been "tagged" by Beth.

So here goes:

What was I doing ten years ago?
I was 15 and headed into my junior year of high school. Chances are I spent that summer somewhere doing a mission trip or some such thing. Other than that, I don't really remember much more.

What are my favorite snacks?
Hmmm, sour cream and onion potato chips. Milk and cookies. Cheese.

Five things on my "to do" list:
1. Take care of my cobra insurance papers
2. Find a job
3. Work on de-cluttering our house some more (we have so much junk)
4. Grocery shopping.
5. Put away the clean laundry.

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Move to Ireland and do missions.
Provide (set aside) for my future children's education
Give Matt expemptions on the PGA tour
Start my own business

Five jobs I've had:
1. Layout Artist
2. Sales Associate at The Home Depot
3. Cashier at Wal-Mart (it was short-lived)
4. Childcare provider (daycare)
5. Tutor

Five Places I have lived:
1. Greenville
2. Tigerville
3. Hartsville
4. Ireland
5. Greer

Five random things people don't know about me:
1. I have a strong aversion to spoons that I have been slowly overcoming. (yes I'm serious)
2. I'm deathly afraid of water (when I can't see the bottom i.e. the ocean)
3. Although I'm not diabetic, I take medicine to regulate my blood sugar (blame it on the PCOS)
4. I still grieve the loss of my grandmother. (every single day)
5. I attended a magnet school and scored really high on the SAT and ACT. (and yet I went to North Greenville.)

Five cds I would take with me to a desserted island:
I have to agree with Beth on this one. Who really listens to just cds anymore? I'd be lost without my IPOD. So, I'll name five artists:
1. The Beatles (a given)
2. Randy Travis (another given.... who by the way has new album coming out next Tuesday. Thats right I've already done the pre-buy thing)
3. Michael Jackson
4. Chris Rice
5. Chris Tomlin

Well there you have it. Don't you feel like you know more about me now? lol

Adios.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

1 Peter 2:18-20

Jesus never promised that our walk with Him would be easy. Actually it is quite the opposite. As we strive to do what is right and live according to Scripture, we are bound to face situations that we had hoped we would never have to deal with. If we respond to hard situations with Godly counsel and words from the Bible, we are bound to face suffering. It is inevitable.

The comfort when this happens is that God will reward us for our perseverance. So... stick with it. Stand strong and stand firm even when folks throw fiery darts at you. Stick with it. Your rewards may not be of this earth but God sees our actions and hears our prayers and praise God, he sees the big picture.

cb