Stephany Writes

Categories: Recurring Series

Seven Quick Takes Friday (v.10)

1 – I’m bringing back an oldie (but a goody!) with Seven Quick Takes Friday. The last time I did a “Quick Takes” post was in April of 2010! Whoa. Oh, and do I remember that time of my life so well. That was when I was in the midst of my craziest semester ever. I am so glad that season of my life is over. And to keep things interesting, some of my Project 365 photos will be sprinkled throughout!

2 – I have readers email me infrequently to talk to me about my Letters to My Future Husband series. And it’s always fun to respond back because it’s the #1 way people find my blog through searches. I had a girl email me this past week with a simple, “I came to your page after I started doing my journal entries. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t the only one! Thanks for letting my heart rest easy.” Sigh. I love that. I emailed back and in the process, we have spent the past week emailing back and forth, telling each other our stories and finding peace in the fact that God somehow put us together, at a time when my heart was in turmoil. I just imagine He’s smiling down at his handiwork with each email we send.

078/365

3 – It’s been a crazy week here in my life. On Friday, my mom texted me and told me her work was sending her on a cruise in June. She was allowed to bring a guest, so I had a lot of thinking to do. For one, we are going on a cruise the third week of May and I’ll be taking an entire week off work for that. The June cruise would be a 4-day one, so I would only need to take a half-day on a Thursday, and a full day off on a Friday. But still. Asking for time off five weeks after being off for a week? I cringed. But I asked and my boss was completely, 100% OK with it. That was my biggest obstacle and I thought to myself, When am I going to have the chance to go on TWO cruises in one summer? So I’m going. On two cruises. This summer. How crazy does that sound? Let the excursion planning begin! (And the saving. Oh, the saving!)

4 – My entire weekend was spent spending, spending, spending. I had the money to do so and had fantastic luck at the mall and Marshall’s. (Side note: I used to detest that store, but now it is my *favorite* place to shop for clothes. So cheap! So cute!) I picked up two cute dresses, a new pair of jeans, and several shirts, including two new undershirts from Old Navy.

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5 – I’ve been really disappointed in myself for how I’m doing with Weight Watchers. I’ve tried a few different times writing about it but the words just aren’t coming. Suffice it to say, I wanted my word for 2012 to be health but I can’t seem to break the cycle of unhealthy living. Every day, I set out with great intentions but I keep slipping up. And while I know the steps I need to take to break the cycle, sometimes it’s very hard to put it into action.

6 – Today, my nephew is having surgery to get his tonsils removed. Ironically, it is the same surgery I had when I was four. His surgery is happening this morning and I’m going to be a nervous wreck until it is over and done with. Say a few prayers for him, please?

On that same note, my grandma has her last CyberKnife treatment today. She had to go in four times for this where she has to lie completely still (they strap her down, even her head!) for about an hour while lasers shoot all around her. She can’t do anything but lie there. I. Would. Go. Crazy. But knowing my grandma, she’s lying there reciting Bible verses and praying during that time.

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7 – Sunday night, the March book for #twookclub is announced! Have you voted yet? The votes for all five books are so tight that I’m not sure at all which book will win! Go here to vote.

And one last thing! I’m giving away a pre-made template from Yellow and Savvy Design’s Etsy shop. Giveaway ends on Monday night and you have THREE ways to enter.

Categories: Recurring Series

Odds and Ends

  • I tried writing my weigh-in post today, but the words just wouldn’t come. I hate when that happens. The past two weeks haven’t been weeks to be proud of, but they have been weeks that I can learn from. I’m back to tracking, drinking water, and eating healthy foods. I’m scared to step on the scale, so I’ll leave that for my meeting on Wednesday.
  • I spent the last week uploading all of my Project 365 photos to Flickr. I’m up to Day 73! I’ve never made it this far and the weekly updates on my blog can get cumbersome. Once I get my new blog launched, I’ll have a sidebar showcasing my photos but since most of them post to Twitter and I sprinkle them throughout my posts, I decided to do away with the blog updates.
  • I started a new boot camp class last Saturday. Through Living Social, my mom found a deal for four boot camp classes for $20. The instructor is only former NFL running back, Michael Pittman. After the terrible experience I had with my first boot camp, I was very apprehensive about this one but people love boot camp! They can’t all be terrible, right? Well, yes and no. Yes, because it was terrible. As in, hard and tough and made me want to pass out. And no in the fact that it was over an hour but the time flew by and the instructors were fantastic. Encouraging but tough. I need someone who’s going to be tough on me, make me work for it, and not let me quit. The instructors at my other boot camp gave up on me quickly. What I’m trying to say is that if you’re watching The Biggest Loser this season, Conda ain’t got nothin’ on me. And I need a Dolvett-like trainer to push me past what I think my limits are. After just one class, I’m seriously considering canceling my gym membership so I can afford to go to this boot camp every Saturday.
  • I’m reading L.A. Candy right now by Lauren Conrad. The writing isn’t great but there’s just something about that book that I can’t get enough of! Is it time for lunch yet? I need to get back to my book…
  • Speaking of books, I recently found out I can borrow books from the library for my Kindle. I can only request four at a time and only get a week to read each book, but it’s still pretty exciting! I love my Kindle but I never used to buy books before – I always went to the library. It’s been quite a financial burden, with the way I go through books.
  • Tuesday, I was dealing with girl problems and it took everything in me to head to Bible study instead of going home and curling up in a fetal position. I hadn’t finished my homework for the week and was feeling lousy. But man, I am so glad I went! The message Beth Moore gave spoke right to my heart, exactly to what I am dealing with right now. The wheels were turning in my head through the entire message and I can’t wait to share some of what I learned with you guys soon!
  • My running has sucked lately. Su-u-u-u-cked. Running has never been a favorite activity of mine to begin with, but I had been doing good for a few months there. I’m not sure what is going on, but I have a 5K to run in April. And I want to beat my time from last year’s 5K. So I need to figure it out and get to training!
  • I’m also thinking of running walking the Disney Princess Half-Marathon next February. But I’m still not sure I have what it takes to get through 13.1 miles. It’s not an easy feat, for sure!
  • I’m so happy it’s Friday. I have boot camp tomorrow morning and big shopping plans since I got a nice little bonus in my paycheck this week. I’m trying to be smart with the extra cash, but you can’t fault a girl for wanting to treat herself a little! Wheee!

Have you ever done a boot camp? What was your experience like? What are your weekend plans?

Oh! And a little reminder for #twookclub members! Sunday, I’m closing the discussion for our March book pick and putting up the poll to vote. If you haven’t given a suggestion yet, do so before Sunday at 8pm EST. We have a lot of great suggestions so far, but I’d love for some books that have been suggested to get another nod!

Categories: Recurring Series

Ten on Tuesday (Vol. 44)

1. How do you feel about Groundhog’s Day?

I have no opinion of Groundhog’s Day. I don’t get caught up in what ole Phil is doing on February 2nd, to be honest. I live in Florida and we have had summer-like temperatures for most of the winter season. I wasn’t too concerned with his opinion of winter this year.

2. What color are your fingernails right now?

No color. I never paint my fingernails. Anytime I apply nail polish myself, it looks so sloppy and makes me feel like my nails are suffocating. I like the natural look better.

3. Do you like riddles?

They are fun to try and figure out, but I’m usually pretty bad at doing so!

4. When you were 10, how old did you think “old” was? At your current age, how old do you think “old” is?

Hm…interesting question. For me, I think there was such a wide range, even starting with high schoolers! I think “old” to me was just maturity and independence, not so much an age.

5. Do you wish on stars?

No.

6. Do you recycle?

Yes! We recycle plastic bottles, aluminum cans, paper, and glass. Our apartment now has on-site recycling cans to make the process even easier. I think it’s irresponsible not to, unless your community makes it too difficult.

7. On a scale of 1-10, how good of a cook are you?

I would say 7 or 8. I am not a bad cook. I just don’t like to cook.

8. Do you color your hair? Professionally or at home?

I get my hair colored professionally. While I could do it for much cheaper at home, I can’t get the same results that I need from my salon. And I just like having someone else do it and know she’s not going to screw it up! Hehe.

9. On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate your manners?

An 8? Sometimes, I think my social anxiety gets in the way of my manners and my brain completely shuts down. I don’t mean to be rude or unfriendly, but sometimes it’s not in my control. I will say I always say “Please” and “Thank you” and always, always, always hold the door open for someone, even if it means I have to stand there for more than a few seconds. (Such a pet peeve of mine!)

10. Who are the last 5 people you have texted?

Melissa, Amber, my mom, Kate, and my boss.

Ten on Tuesday is a weekly series run by Chelsea of Roots and Rings.

Categories: Recurring Series

Fill-in-the-Blank Friday {2}

Happy Friday! My weekend will be a bit crazy. Saturday morning, I start a four-week boot camp, then I have a spa date to get my hair color touched up, my hair cut, and my eyebrows waxed. Saturday night, my brother and nephew are coming over and then Sunday is the Superbowl! My mom and I host a small get-together at our place. It’s not much but it’s still fun.

No weigh-in post for this week, instead kept it light for Friday with a “Fill-in-the-Blank Friday” post! (Hosted by Lauren.)

1. If money wasn’t an issue, the first thing I would cross off my life list is traveling. One of my big travel dreams is to visit Germany since I’m half-German and feel so connected to that country. I’d just like to experience that culture for a week or two! And to travel across Europe, experiencing new cultures, tastes, and sounds. I feel so sheltered in my traveling experiences that it’s one of my big dreams to see the world and step out of my comfort zone.

2. Harlequin romance novels are something I like that other people think is weird. (I have found a few good writers amongst the cheesy ones! But I love the silliness of these stories, sometimes. A nice break from reality.)

3. If my life were a movie right now, the title would be “Surviving the Quarterlife Crisis.” Must write about this soon. It’s been on my “to blog” list for a while but I have never gotten around to it.

4. Three things I am looking forward to this month are the Superbowl, hopefully starting my blog move/redesign, and meeting MELISSA!

5. My favorite song to sing in the shower is nothing. I don’t sing in the shower, but I can belt it out good when I’m alone in the car!

6. If I found out the production of Victoria’s Secret yoga panties was ending this month, I’d go out and buy as much as I could tomorrow.

7. One thing I’ll never grow tired of is Dutch’s excitement every time he sees me. We’re pretty much attached at the hip. He’s never going to die, right?

What is one thing you’ll never grow tired of?

Categories: Recurring Series

Everyday Moments: January 2012

1 – Taking down the Christmas decorations and putting our apartment back to normal

2 – A strong run

3 – A long, refreshing chat with my mom and grandma

4 – Breakfast for dinner. We went hog wild and bought cinnamon rolls to eat with it. I’m not even kidding when I say I was looking forward to those rolls all day.

5 – Waking up from a nightmare to find my mom alive and well. It was so scary and so vivid.

6 – Leaving work at 1pm to start my Orlando vacation! Also, a package in the mail that contained my new Kindle cover. And shopping at Premium Outlets in Orlando and getting some seriously good deals. (What can I say? It was a good day.)

7 – Watching my nephew experience Disney World for the first time.

8 – My mom finishing her second marathon, on a bum knee and fighting the mental battle to quit for a good part of the last half.

9 – Picking up Dutch from the boarder’s after a very long three days without him.

10 – Quiet moments before work, reading a fantastic book.

11 – Selecting a winner for our latest giveaway.

12 – Getting back into the mode of tracking what I eat.

13 – A nap after work

14 – The 49ers winning their playoff game.

15 – Sleepy snuggles and kisses with my favorite boy.

16 – Texts with a blog friend who completely gets me. And makes me feel less crazy.

17 – Joining a new Bible study and feeling so welcomed and accepted.

18 – A great loss on the scale

19 – A warmed-up chocolate chip cookie. Yes, it was 6 points but totally worth each point.

20 – A busy day at work after four very, very slow days.

21 – Sleeping in, a two-hour nap, and a very relaxing night in.

22 – Filing my tax return and finding out I’ll be getting enough to pay off my cruise deposit and pay for my excursions in Jamaica and Grand Cayman. AWESOME!

23 – A relaxing night of catching up on Bible study homework. The TV and laptop didn’t go on at all. It was divine!

24 – Staying in control of my eating, even when I didn’t want to.

25 – A great drop on the scale on a mentally tough week.

26 – Fun dinner with my co-workers.

27 – Babysitting my nephew who was in a super good, super fun mood.

28 – A coffee date with a new friend, buying a new Bible, and finally purchasing my bridesmaid dress for my brother’s wedding.

29 – A lunch date with my grandparents, a long afternoon nap, and #twookclub!

30 – A coworker brewing Columbian coffee when I got into work. I was functioning on 4.5 hours of sleep and needed something strong to get me through the day. It worked!

31 – 9 hours of sleep, speaking up more about scary, personal subjects in Bible study

 

Everyday Moments is a series I started after reading Kathleen’s posts about tiny moments of happiness that happened each day of the month. I keep a file on my computer and every day, I sit down and think about what made me happy that day. There’s always something to find, even on the worst days. This is my way of finding happiness in the little moments.

I’m giving away a copy of Jessica Keener’s new book, Night Swim. The giveaway ends TONIGHT at midnight so leave a comment on the post to be entered! I’m announcing the winner tomorrow.