High Standards Versus Being Picky

So, yes, this is one of those "I'm a single girl" posts. Not one that should depress you or bring you down, but hopefully one that inspires you. I've been single for (cue the cringe) a little over a year. I've had a few dates here and there, but nothing really spectacular. I'm not one to complain and so I'll say this in the sweetest way possible: "Being single is a blessing, not a curse."

Yep. Breathe. You read that right.

When you are single you get to devote time for yourself. You think for yourself, act for yourself, and truly live for yourself. You can do whatever you are called to do without anyone holding you back or changing your mind. You don't have to turn down a job opportunity in another city because your sweetie is here. Being single is one of the greatest blessings and completely necessary in order to become the person you were meant to be.

However, the real meaning of this post is something that has really been bothering me lately (sorry about this complaint and if you've said this to me..then, oopsies). I absolutely cannot handle the fact that so many people have recently said to me, "Stop being so picky!" or "If you weren't so picky then you'd be in a happy wholesome relationship" or something along the lines which I'm sure you can understand. But stop. Just please hear me out on this. Just because I have high standards does not mean I'm destined to a life of loneliness and it certainly doesn't make me picky.

Definition of picky: Picky is drawing things apart and making sure each little thing is PERFECT.
Definition of high standards: High standards is knowing what you deserve and aiming for the absolute best option.

Do you see that difference? (maybe not, but maybe if you keep reading you will understand)

Anyways, ladies (gentlemen), hear me out. I have high standards and God forbid, I never knew that was a sin. In fact, I've looked at high standards as being a great blessing for quite sometime now. When you are a woman with high standards you don't stop for any old guy, you're willing to pay the ultimate price for a relationship: patience and waiting.

Here are some of my standards, what are yours?

A hard-worker: I once had a guy say to me, "I can't imagine working 40 hours a week." I knew it was just over the moment those words came out. Some weeks I work nearly 70 hours and I have this guy complaining about 13 hours. Yikes, bro.

A man of strength, courage, and faith: I have always wanted to have the ultimate "defender" guy. The one who shows you off to his friends, holds your heart in his hands, leads you in a faithful way, and enjoys just your simple company.

A "jack of all trades": This one is a bit trickier, but you can thank my Papa. My dad is a hard working guy, but on top of all that, I've never had to take my car to a mechanic. He knows how to fix any car problem. I've never had to get a plumber, electrician, or anything along this line. He knows how to fix anything (I swear).

A country boy: My brothers are outdoorsy, my uncles are outdoorsy, my grandpas are outdoorsy. We like country music, country living, and home cooked meals..you catch my drift.

Well that was lengthy, but thanks for hanging out.

xoxox- polka dot gal

The First Few Weeks of Summer Vacation

Okay, seriously, these first few weeks of summer vacation just seem to fly by. It is absolutely insane the amount of time that has gone by. Although I'm loving being home, I'm overwhelmed with the amount of un-productiveness I've given into. I've found myself laying in bed an hour past the time I wake up (can you believe it?). I've already got one novel under the belt and another one two hundred pages in. Did I mention this all happened and today marks one week since I got home? Wow.

Anyways, on a more serious note, I've been overwhelmed by all of the friends I've been able to see, the laughs I've had, and of course, the joy of being home in general. So many things have been working out and I have been able to relax. Here are some photos displaying what my last week has consumed of:

 Some crafting never hurt anyone and certainly never someone like me who is consistently concerned with the latest DIY project.

 Grilling out is a Wisconsin tradition (maybe other states, too) and my dad is a master at the grill. We made delicious kabobs , sweet potatoes, and lemonade!

 Attended a beautiful wedding with some of my favorite people! These deer "sheds" proved to be the life of the party.

All of us with the beautiful bride! 

 Visited my favorite bakery in the Fox Cities. They have the greatest cookies and Wednesday just so happens to be cookie day. FABULOUS.

 Working on my tan ;) We now have low temperatures again in Wisconsin, but believe it or not, Monday I got a slight burn!

 Spending some time at the old daycare center I worked at throughout high school has been exceptionally fun! I love seeing all the kids I used to have in my classes and then their siblings!

Of course, we've all been praying for the tragedy in Oklahoma, but this teacher has hero status in my book!

 If you haven't been to the Wild Truffle, convince your man or friends to join you there. They have the most delicious wood-fired pizzas, a lengthy wine menu, and delicious entrees. This was my cousin's yummy sandwich, but I had a similar basil pesto one that was just as pretty. The prices are phenomenal and the taste is even better. So yeah, there was my little plug for Wild Truffle.

How is your summer going? Keep me updated!

xoxo- polka dot gal

Things Get a Little Funny..

Last night I came home from college for the summer! Good heavens! I was so excited. I unpacked for nearly six hours and I'm almost finished (okay, but not really). The feeling of "coming home" is such an exhilarating feeling. It's this idea that "home" is a place where you are your truest you! My family has this pants off policy where we're all accepting of the fact that pants are optional at certain times of the day (but in my case, all times of the day). I'm sure your family might have some sort of tradition or policy, but I doubt that it is the same as ours .

Anyways, I love being home. Last night we cracked open a bottle of "Frisk" a "prickly" Riesling option. My mom and I polished off the bottle with the help of my brother keeping us laughing all night. We sat on our front porch and watched everyone drive by. I introduced my mom to "Instagram" and then we laughed some more.

When you see the happiness in things and the faithfulness of God's timing in things, you can so easily be filled with joy. When I saw how happy my parents were that I was home for the summer, I couldn't help but feel loved. When I talked to my siblings nearly twenty times yesterday about all the fun events for the summer, I couldn't help but feel thrilled. When I looked online for the young adult large group at church this summer and saw it was weekly on a night that worked for me, I was amazed at God's timing. So easily, I was reminded of His faithfulness in my life. I'm so thankful.
I'm just going to leave you with a few funny pictures from this week. Enjoy your weekend!

Moving Up and On

These last few weeks have been somewhat of a blur to me. No, not because I was highly intoxicated or traveling the world losing track of the actual date or anything. They've been a blur of busyness, working, school, friendships, and a hefty amount of advocacy. As the semester has come to a close and all my once organized belongings are now stuffed into my car, I'm fully ready to hit the road. I know full well that this semester has made its way as being one of the best, worst, and trying semesters that I've experienced thus far. There are so many people who've encouraged me this semester, people who've hurt me, people who've seen me laugh, and even who've seen me cry.

I think one of the most difficult things that we do as we get older is make choices for ourselves. (I know that sounds simple, but wow, really.) We decide what and who makes us happy. We try to leave those who drag us down in the past so that we can grow. We endure sleepless nights and beautiful mornings of sunrise and hope. We find ourselves lost in prayer, wishing for difficult things that may never happen, and feelings of reject, lost hope, shame, and humbleness.

As I leave HWY 10 in my past and venture off onto HWY 114 (big difference, right?), I'm leaving behind those sleepless nights, days of worry, and times of pain to endure another chapter in my book: Summer 2013. I know it sounds cliche to say I'm just "moving on" and that's why I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that I'm so thankful for all the people who've been there for me and for all the memories that we've been able to share. I'm thankful for the idea of summer and being home for nearly four months. This feeling exhilarates me and gives me freedom. I can't wait to see my family, attend my home church, be around some really positive influences, and tackle some of those pins on my boards (Pinterest had to make an appearance..sorry not sorry!).

Above are a few of the people who've sincerely impacted my Junior year. I'm forever blessed by their kind words, laughter, hopefulness, and joy.

xoxo-polka dot gal

A Joyful Heart is a Thankful Heart

I've truly seen rock bottom and touched the clouds all within the same calendar year. I've cried tears to fill buckets labeled lonely, dark, hollow, hidden, sad, and overwhelmed. I've also filled those same buckets with peace, happiness, joy, thankfulness, and smiles. I had been on an emotional roller-coaster for what seemed like decades and I found lots of sadness in the sunniest days of the year. Do you want to know something really remarkable, though? Over the past year, I've found more joy in myself than I even knew existed.

As I wrapped up my last assignment and final of the year today, I felt moved that another year has come and gone. Another year of filled notebooks, twenty pound backpacks, sleepless nights, and extremely overloaded calendars and agendas. Another year of new friendships, old friendships, and discovering your own heart has come and left, yet again. I can't even imagine that next year is my last year of undergraduate schooling and that it will all be over then. What I do know, though, is that I will not let another day slip by where I allow someone to easily steal my joy away from me.

I have found that when I decide to make every experience into a joyful one, I'm so rewarded beyond even my wildest dreams. I have found that when I tell the Lord that he can have everything, and not just my leftovers, that He sincerely blesses me with way more than I deserve. I have found that smiling and laughing will help us to see things in a positive manner. Here is one of my most joyful pictures thus far and I love it. I'm not perfect, but I'm changing. I'm getting better, stronger, faster, louder, and more full of joy.

"I am learning what it means to be a woman—what it means to embrace all of my femininity and to see it as a loving calling. To know the difference between love of self, and loving myself, and to treat myself as tenderly as I would a friend."

xoxo-polka dot gal

Simply a Happy Birthday Kind Of Month!

I love birthdays because I love any reason to celebrate (perhaps why I'm always so joyful?). Anyways, April is bountiful with birthdays in my life! Many of my friends and family members celebrate birthdays this month and I feel so blessed to have them in my life for another year! I thought I'd showcase these lovely people on my blog today!

Happy Birthday to this sweet world traveler friend! 

Happy birthday to the most encouraging lady in the world! My beautiful mother! 

Here are three happy birthdays in one picture! Happy birthday to my step-sister Alyssa, my best guy friend Nick, and one of my oldest friends, Kelsey! YAY!

Happy Birthday to my lovely step-mom! 

Happy birthday to my baby brother! I love you, guy!

And there are many more so don't be offended if you weren't listed!

xoxo, polka dot gal!

(Wishing you all the dreams that can come true!)

Healthy Heart

This week was, well, not the greatest.

After waking up Tuesday morning and having some sort of stomach flu which then turned to massive headaches that have lasted up until this day, I can hereby say that I, polka dot gal, am not a fan of the flu bug! Although, I can definitely be a witness to the fact that sometimes being sick allows us a period of slow down time. I spent much time in my bed, reading, and dreaming up dreams. Through all of this being sick, I really took time to reflect on my blessings.

I decided in my somewhat clouded mind that I would start a list of blessings and try to add to it every day because I certainly am not thankful enough for this beautiful life. So here it is, an immature list of ten items I am thankful for out of the uncountable many. 

• Health, Health, Health, Health, Health (can I say it any more?) I am so thankful for being able to wake up every day able bodied and ready to tackle the world because I was born so darn healthy. 
• My jobs. I am so blessed to have jobs that even in financial stress I can still be thankful that I have a job to work at. 
• Iced Coffee! (umm..yes, no explanation needed)
• Quiet Time- Seriously, between journaling and reading, I am so blessed to be able to fill my heart, head, and soul with bountiful knowledge. 
• Strawberries on sale! 
• The feel of a brand new book, pages not bent and words just ready to be soaked in. 
• God's timing--because, well, every time I try to plan something it ends terribly wrong.
• The beautiful new fabric I snagged to sew up some skirts before the summer. 
• A Friday off! 
• My wonderful roommate who seems to constantly be encouraging me!

What about you? What are your blessings!?

xoxo, polka dot gal