Monday, January 4, 2010

Today I..

Weighed myself.

Finished our reception thank you cards.

Finished Christmas thank you cards.

Started the Jillian Michaels Detox & Cleanse.

Signed up for a 7 day free trial to JM's weight loss website.

Purged my coupon binder of expireds.

Sent off for our free Calphalon knife and $20 Cuisinart mail in rebate courtesy of our Bed Bath & Beyond Registry.

Made a grocery list.

Added Jan. receipts to date to the budget spreadsheet.


Tomorrow I will...

Grocery shop.

Mail said thank you cards.

Do laundry.

Start taking Christmas down.

Start my JM workout plan.


Please note: I'm completely content with the fact that my year is starting out lame enough to bore you to death with the details of what tedious tasks my day included. Save the drama for your mama, cuz I ain't havin it. Mmmmmkaythanks.

XOXO

Saturday, January 2, 2010

NYE Randoms

The photo upload function is being cantankerous (but really, when is it not?) so these are in no particular order. I had planned on making this a wordless post but I felt the need to call out Blogger for it's ridiculously difficult system. So there.

Our night in pictures...

Friday, January 1, 2010

Nice to meet ya, 2010!

Resolution time!! I actually do not think that making resolutions is cliche. I love a fresh start. A new beginning. A time to make positive changes in your life. Love, love, love.

Not only am I getting on the world wide webs to share mine with you guys because I have been an awful blogger the past month, but to hold myself accountable. And to look back a year from now and revel in all of the accomplishments I have made. (I quite enjoy patting myself on the back for jobs well done, thank you.)

So here goes...

Personal

The mantra: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. I need to spend more time in this area of my life focusing on the blessings I have and less time focusing (and stressing) about the ones that haven't occurred yet. (This also applies to my wardrobe. Fo realz.)

1. Um find a job. This one is self explanatory.

2. Be a better blogger. I love blogging AND reading everyone elses blog. And I need to show it through my posts and commenting.

3. Practice PATIENCE. Be POSITIVE. Use PRAISE. All good things come to those who wait. I need to tattoo this on my forhead. I am a major instant gratification junkie. Enough's, enough. I also need to focus on putting positive energy into my universe. And expressing it with my words and actions.

4. More intimacy with my husband. And not just the nekid kind either. We have to carve out time to sit down and have more conversations with each other. Not just in the car on the go, or over the stove preparing dinner, or worse, half-heartedly catching up while playing on our phones. I'm talking real, sit down, listen to each other, conversations. Perhaps on a date night? Honey?

5. Research Occupational Therapy programs. I have decided that this is what I want to be when I grow up! It will be a lot more school, a lot more time, and lot more money but I am very confident that this is my fit! This is a field where I can build a career and a life. The whole idea and prospect is scary exciting, which is just more proof that this is where I belong!!

6. Read more. I have been spending entirely too much time in front of the boob tube lately and it's turning me into....well, a boob.

Finance

The mantra: SAVE, SAVE, SAVE! I need to stop spending money on stupid shit. Plain and simple.

1. Pay off the Mastercard. As in ZERO balance. $0.00 (I love the way that looks!)

2. Save $10,000. I won't lie. This is kind of a lofty goal for two people basically subsisting off of one income. And even more difficult when you throw in #1, but I know with a lot of diligence and patience that we can do this. It will be nice to have a hefty cushion. Or the start to a downpayment on a house. Or perhaps money for moving expenses should Drew get a new job. Or even just to have that much money in our savings account because I like the way it looks, okay. Either way. It's important to me to start focusing on our financial well being.

3. Get more proficient with coupons. Know where the deals are and what to look for. Learn better cost comparison. (This is where that whole patience thing will come in handy too. Talk about instant gratification...shopping is the worst for me. I have to have it right. then.)

4. What little clothes shopping I will be doing needs to be done on the cheap. I need to get better about finding designer-esque styles on the cheap. (TJ Maxx, I'm Lynn. A pleasure to meet ya!)

Health & Fitness

The mantra: Recommit, Refocus, Rejuvenate! (Kristen put this on twitter the other day and it really stuck with me.)  This is my year. I will be 30 this year and it's time to start taking this getting healthy thing seriously. I am not getting any younger and believe me when I tell ya, neither is my body.

1. More yoga. Not only do I need to do this to help myself relax but I need to work on being more flexible and strengthening my core. My body aches in places I never imagined and I am too young to have these aches and pains.

2. Eat more fresh fruit & veggies. I have been awful through the holidays and I can feel it in my body and see it in my skin. I am going to try to implement an extra fruit or veggie in with every meal.

3. Pick running back up. I used to love to run but lately every time I have tried I don't follow through. My first goal is a 5k. That is all. I don't want to wear myself out before I even get started. We'll see how the year goes. Maybe a half marathon. But that may be reserved for 2011!

4. Lastly, and probably most importantly, I am going to start focusing on my reproductive health! We would like to be trying for Baby B. by the end of 2010 and I want to meet any potential problems I could have head on by asking questions and checking things out now.

That about sums it up friends. So what about you guys? What are your big resolutions this year?

XOXO

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Bite Me

That's right 2009, you heard me...

BIIIIIIITE. MEEEEEEE.

(Whew, that was surprisingly cathartic.)

See you pretty people next year! Heh. Come on...I had to.

XOXO

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

From our home to yours!



With much love and joy!!

XOXO

*Card by the ever fabulous Worsham Designs

Sunday, December 13, 2009

tap, tap...this thing on?!

Well...I just treated myself to a little bloggy break. Drew and I have had so much going on and there have been quite a few changes in the past few weeks that getting on the computer was really the last thing on my mind. If I follow you on twitter then that is pretty much the only way I have been keeping up with you.

First, Drew's grandma passed away on Friday, December 4th. It was very unexpected and very sad. I only knew her for a very short time and she was very loved and will be immensely missed.

Second, my job assignment ended. I was currently working for a temp agency so it is to be expected. It's actually a nice break in the midst of the holiday madness. Now I have time to get started on my holiday baking. (I recently acquired a bread machine so this could be an interesting season. First loaf and subsequent blog post with details coming soon.)

Lastly, I have really been trying to focus a lot of my attention on my next career move and what steps I need to take to position myself for success. I think I am finally headed on the right path and I feel so great about that. I will share that with you in a separate post, also coming soon!!

I just wanted to check in and say hi to everyone that I have missed. I will be around this week commenting and updating!! Glad to be back!!!

XOXO

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Some of the things I am most thankful for this year...

First and foremost I am thankful for my husband. He continues to amaze and surprise me on a daily basis. His patience is unmatched. His unwavering support is more than I ever expected. I am truly grateful to be sharing this journey with my best friend. I love you, baby!

My friends and family. Drew and I are surrounded by an array of beautiful, loving, kind and immensely generous people. We are beyond blessed to know each of them and are so thankful for the light they bring to our lives on a daily basis.

My animals. They are a constant source of unconditional love. And they allow me to step outside of myself and realize that no matter what may be going on in my day, their needs must still be met. And their cold nosed greetings are always a welcome distraction!

My new job. It's not my dream job but I am beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to acquire gainful employment. There are still so many out there without a job and in a far more detrimental situation than me. This job provides steady financial security and frees us both from a little stress this holiday season.

A great hair dresser. Nothing makes you feel as good about yourself as a great hair day!!

My black cardigans. I wear one practically every day. They keep me warm and add polish to my outfits.

Girl time! There are few things that feed the soul as well as a good cry, gossip session and/or a good laugh over a bottle of wine with your girls!

My ability and drive to tackle the art of using coupons. I feel empowered each time I save more and more money. Mark my words, one of these days I will be one of those women that walks out of Walgreen's with oodles of goodies for $5. Yes I will.

Lastly, and oddly enough, I am thankful for the experience of losing my job this year. Sometimes I think, in life we are provided with opportunities (read: life lessons) to learn things about ourselves and this was definitely a life lesson for me. This hurdle, which started out humbling and terrifying, has only brought positive things into my life. It's brought Drew and I closer. We have been forced to face a defining hardship early in our relationship and we survived and are prospering. It has taught me so much about myself and what I am capable of doing and adapting to. It has shown me the value of finding and doing what you truly love. And it taught me not to take myself too seriously. Your job and title do not define you. Life happens and you will be far better off if you just learn to roll with the punches. These life lessons, and the time off, have given me the opportunity to discover what I really want to do and I am so excited and thankful for that. I really feel like there are some great changes in store for us this year and I can't wait to share them with you guys as they happen!

Happy Thanksgiving friends! May your holiday be full of joy and blessing!