Author: thegraduatewife

Beauty and the Budget · Finances

Beauty and the Budget

thegraduatewife4 Comments

Greetings!  I am really excited to start this “Beauty and the Budget” series for the graduate wife. This project has become a great interest of mine as I have seen far too many friends give up on making their homes feel comfortable and beautiful because they were on tight budgets.  So, these blogs are being started for one reason: To inspire and encourage you as you seek to spruce up your space on a budget.

I don’t want to overwhelm you or leave you thinking, “Eek, I could never do that.”  It is definitely not my point to show you lovely things and make you think, ….I wish.   I PROMISE that all of the projects I am going to highlight are totally possible to do.  Yes, by you and you alone.

I can’t go on enough about the importance of beauty, balance and comfort in your personal space.  I believe it can be truly life changing for you and your family and can be achieved if you are willing to get a little messy (with some makeovers), dedicate a bit of time and allow yourself to tap into your creative side.

So, if you are reading this then you are probably a graduate’s wife and you are no doubt on a budget….a pretty tight one at that, budgeting with an income that you are bringing in or possibly even living off the luxuries of a student stipend (as I find myself).  Don’t fret!  I know that you feel there is probably nothing you can do with a meager budget to liven up your flat, apartment, dorm suite, or wherever else you now find yourself, but these blog postings are for you!!  I am going to show you some easy steps to transform everyday items and thrift store/market finds into beautiful pieces that will bring life to your home and not put a hole in your pocketbook.

If you are interested in using some of these tips, be warned.  :) Once you liven up something like a small bookcase, it is very tempting to feel depressed that the rest of your space is not ‘up to par.’ This is going to be a work in progress and you have to be patient with yourself as you slowly but surely bring a new sense of harmony and beauty to your home.  Most projects will range from around £5-15, so start budgeting in a few extra pounds or dollars a month for a new project.  I will try to do a series on one room at a time so that you can allow yourself to focus on getting one room in good shape before jumping to the next.  Or you might be like me and want to jump around…feel free!

I pray these tips are helpful and fun.  I’d love your thoughts, feedback and other ideas that can be highlighted on here. I hope to include more thrifty ideas for cooking, etc. and would love thoughts on those as well.  Tune in next week as we start on the below project!

Until then,

M.C.

Faith · Inspiration · Patience · Trust

My Mantra, My Prayer

thegraduatewife7 Comments

During the season of our lives that was a Master’s degree, I struggled daily with where God had placed us. Because of my faith, I never doubted that we weren’t supposed to be there, but I did doubt that God was around, walking the journey with us. I smiled through my frustration, cursed through my fear, and let my heart cry silently as life moved ever so slowly by.

For my birthday, I asked my husband for The Message Bible. (Secretly, I wanted it because of the psychedelic 3D cover. I have strange taste in art…..ask any of my friends).  He granted my wish – hooray! – and as I read through the New Testament I stumbled on this verse:

So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it. 1 Peter 4:19

I literally felt the verse lift off the page, as if it had been written for me. I made several copies of it, placing them in my car, my bathroom, and my office. It became my mantra, my prayer.  It encouraged me.  My head and heart repeated constantly, ‘Trust Him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it.’

I have walked around with that verse for the last 5 years.  It will always be meaningful to me, even when this season we are in passes.

What verse, quote or book has carried you through this season of your life?

Mandy
x

Community

Welcome!

thegraduatewife14 Comments

 

If you googled “Supporting Spouse Through PhD”and found this website, then you’ve come to the right place.

I’ve been a graduate wife for 8 years. There has been many a time over the past few years where I felt alone, and was sure no one knew what I was going through. When I began to have conversations with other women who were in similar shoes, I started tracing themes: identity, finances, careers, motherhood, family, dreams, desires, depression, and goals in the graduate life. After many, many, many months of conversations with graduate wives, and graduate husbands, this blog was born.

MC and I truly believe life is to be lived in community, and we want this blog to be part of your journey.  A journey down the graduate road should not be traveled alone. While we will cover issues that we think relate to being a graduate’s wife, we also want this to be an interactive community.  If you post a comment in the comment section, we will answer; or, feel free to email us at thegraduatewife@gmail.com if you have any questions about graduate life. If you have an idea for a blog we’d love to hear it, but don’t be surprised if we email you back and ask you to write it!

My own personal hope is that the women who write for this blog will be an encouragement to the women who read it. We are telling these stories to nurture you on your own journey.  You are not the first woman to walk this road, and you definitely won’t be the last.

It takes an amazing woman to set aside her own desires and dreams to support the one she loves the most. Not many can do it; but if you’re taking the time to read this blog, then consider yourself amongst family.

And know that you are loved.

~Mandy