Springfield Archives - Meredith Rines

Category: Springfield

M.I.A.

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

I feel as if I’ve been M.I.A. for the past few days. I haven’t felt like doing anything. My poor house is a mess, the dogs need baths, and my little ole blog has been neglected.

Where have I spending my time?

Well for starters I’ve been attempting to do Crossfit 3x a week… it’s slowly getting there. At least I can wake up the day after and not fall out of bed because my legs aren’t there to catch me.

Next, we went to a Springfield Cardinals game last week. J had won a contest at work and got free tickets to the Budweiser suite. Of course we could not pass up a night of Cardinals baseball, beer, and stadium hot dogs.

Then I’ve been adding prints to the MereLynne Etsy shop. If you haven’t seen the new listings, please check it out. Plus, learning the ins and outs of Etsy has been a bit challenging for me. Promoting my pieces, my site, and my Facebook page are a bit time consuming.

Finally, I’ve been spending some quality time with J and the pups. I’m sure they appreciate that the quality time does not involve water and soap, but they can’t escape that for long. Honestly, I should have cleaned around the house this past weekend. I really, really should have. But the couch looked some comfortable and there was a really good movie on all day… so alas I did not clean.

I’m pretty excited because my parents are coming for a visit this weekend. My Dad hasn’t seen our new place yet. Which means two things: 1) our house has to spotless before 8pm on Thursday night 2) we need to go grocery shopping so that it appears we have food and are doing just fine.

You know, the basics before any parent comes to visit. Don’t look like a slob and pretend that you have enough food to feed yourselves.

It’s going to be a pretty busy week and I’m glad that I took the weekend to prepare for it. See, I’m still trying to convince myself that it was a good thing I was lazy this weekend.

Cheers!

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Life is a ride. Simple phrase that explains so much.

I graduated from college with my Masters. Celebrated Christmas with my family and J’s family. Traveled over 8 hours in a car in less than 36 hours. Rang in the New Year with J and some great friends. Started living on my own again. survived what felt like a plague that lasted way too long.

I plan on sharing my New Year’s Resolutions with you in the next few days and to blog a bit more consistently in 2013.

Here’s to hoping and trying to develop better habits, spend more time laughing and less time stressing this year.

Cheers!

10 Things I’m Thankful For

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Happy Thanksgiving! I’ve decided that since it was Thanksgiving and all that it would be a good time to write down what I’m Thankful for this year.

1. My family. After this afternoon’s FaceTime session with them I realize that they are quite unlike any other family I know and for that I’m truly thankful.

2. J. It has been a wonderful year with him and I am grateful every day that we met sitting in Steak-N-Shake late one night. It’s great having a guy that is so supportive of my ideas, my dreams, and everything going on in my life.

3. My friends. The first text I received this morning was from friends wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving. It’s great to remember all the fun times we’ve shared in 2012: a cruise, a haunted house, road trips, weekends at the lake, ‘family’ dinners, and so many more.

4. Work. This year has been quite a departure for me from the past several. I started an amazing journey as a Weight Watcher Leader and have met so many amazing, supportive people since that time. I’ve also been blessed with a job at a local law firm that has supported me through my school with a flexible schedule and has always been a place to go when I need an extra quiet study room at midnight. Finally, I recently started a job as a Sales Associate at a retail store and cannot wait for my future with such a bright company.

5. Maggie. We all know how obsessed I am with that pup so it’s no surprise that I can’t even make it half-way through my list without mentioning her. Maggie and I have had quite a life together these past years. I am thankful that she picked me that cold, rainy day in a hospital parking lot.

6. Graduate School. Though I complain about it. I am grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to further my education. In less than 25 days I will be walking across the stage at Missouri State receiving my Masters in Business Administration degree. Alright, so I actually won’t be getting my diploma that day, but I will be receiving an empty leather holder that symbolizes all the hard work and late nights I have put in these past 2 years.

7. My parents. I know that I mentioned family as number 1, but the more I thought about it I really think my folks deserve their own number. My Mom and Dad are awesome. Seriously, I have the best parents around. They support one another as they support their two kids. I cannot say thank you enough to the two people who brought me into this world, guided me, and taught me to be an independent, educated, young adult.

8. J’s family. They have welcomed me into their lives this past year and I’m grateful. J’s family is absolutely wonderful and knows how to have a good time.

9. My Grandmas. I’m lucky to have two amazing Grandmothers that have taught me a lot as I’ve grown up. Still to this day the sound of wind chimes puts a smile on my face thanks to my Grandma D. who always had them on her front porch. Grandma W.’s sandtart cookies are my all-time favorite and each Christmas I look forward to them.

10. Creativity. I like that I can think out of the box (most days) and have a passion for creating. There are so many ways to reduce stress out there and I’m glad that the one that helps me calm down the most is just so simple.

Okay, I know this post was a bit long. Sorry. Happy Thanksgiving and may your day be filled with happiness!

2 weeks

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

It’s been a long while since my last post. I figured it was time for an update.

Life has been crazy and not in a sweep me off my feet, good crazy. More of a I want to pull my hair out, I miss sleep crazy.

First change – I started a new full-time job at a major retail chain. Training has been a great experience so far and I’ve met a lot of new people who are super nice. The downside to training is that… well, I’m training. I keep being moved from department to department and have absolutely no idea where I am going to land. Another downside is that Thanksgiving is next week and this will be the first time in 5 years that I am working retail for the holidays. It’s going to take some adjustment not being able to spend days with my family. On a good note – I am so freakin’ excited about my new job! Retail is a passion and I’m finally back in it.

Second – I’m still working my other 2 part-time jobs. Honestly, the hours are meniscal each week and I enjoy what I’m doing so I can’t really complain. They are just adding to what is keeping me uber busy.

Finally – 30 days until graduation! One month. I can do it. I can do it. I have no choice at this point! Projects. Projects. Projects. They are kind of taking over my life. Group projects, individual ones, tests to study for, papers to write. It’s ridiculous how much time I’m spending at the library each evening. Honestly, I got done an hour earlier than expected tonight and that’s why I’m writing my post.

I can talk on and on about how tired I am or how I constantly seem to be sick; and perhaps that’s what this post will come off as, but I don’t want it to. I wouldn’t change one thing about my life right now. I really don’t know what I’ll do when I have graduated. It’s going to be a surreal, out of the body experience for a bit.

Grad school has been an amazing adventure and I’m pretty proud that I kicked its butt. Maybe, the next time I have some free time, I’ll write about my favorite parts of grad school… ya, that’d be a good, exciting posts. Right? Right!

Until next time…

twirly, twirly, twirly

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

When I was a little girl my favorite game to play was dress-up. My mom would save what I called “twirly dresses” where I could spin and spin in them. I dreamt of this life where I would be able to wear fancy dresses on a regular basis, have my hair beautified.

I was the little girl who would play in my Mom’s makeup collection. I would step away with makeup caked on, mascara all over my eyes and the brightest lipstick shade that I could find.

Years later, I’m still that same little girl when it comes to getting dressed up. Well, minus the mascara all over my face. I have a little bit more skill in applying makeup these days. Although, I find that I still like the bright lipstick from time to time.

J and I went out for a night on the town a few weeks ago for a red carpet night at a local bar. It was nice getting all dolled up and meeting up with friends for a good stiff drink.

It was my first time

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

J and I went to the races a few weeks ago… it was my first time at a dirt track. Truthfully, it was the first time at any race. As soon as the cars started to go around and around, I just got pretty caught up in it.

J and I started trying to pick our winning car. I have to say, by the outside and having absolutely zero racing ability I can pick the winner majority of the time.

Playing with camera filters

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Finally felt like playing with my new camera filters this past weekend. I think the outcome turned out pretty darn good.

I use a Canon Rebel T1i. It’s a prized possession for sure. I’m still a budding photographer by all means, but with some simple filters I’m starting to feel like I have some skills!

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