Recurring Series

Monthly Check-In: Hello, July!

And just like that… 2013 is half over. I feel like I say this every month (I do), but man, the months just seem to fly by so fast. I can’t believe we’re already halfway done with this year! It’s time to kick everything into high gear, so I can knock off some of my goals for this year.

Following Jessica’s lead, I am ending the month by recapping three awesome things that happened in June and setting three goals for July.

In June, I…

1. Took Dutch to work! Last Friday, it was Take Your Dog to Work Day so Dutch got to come with me to work! Another coworker brought her golden lab and they were very interested in one another. Dutch tends to like bigger dogs more than smaller dogs, so he had no issues with a dog that had 50+ lbs on him! I was SO excited to have Dutch with me for the full day. He was a bit antsy at the beginning and it was hard to keep him near me (he wanted to inspect the place!) but he calmed down around 11am and took a nap. He was such a good little boy but he was tuckered out on Friday night!

2. Had some great nights out. It’s well-documented that I don’t get out much. I don’t like having a full social calendar and need lots of downtime on the weekends to just relax. But I also love getting out and forcing myself to be social and have fun. I had Friday night plans three weeks in a row and it was just what I needed. Lots of laughter and fun memories were made, with old friends and new.

3. Watched my cousin graduate from high school. All the odds were stacked against her. She was behind in every class, had a baby just as senior year started, dealt with her boyfriend-turned-husband joining the military and leaving her for months at a time. But she worked hard, caught up, and graduated on time with her class. She’s an inspiration and I am just so darned proud of her. I can’t wait to see what’s next for her! (First up, though, is moving to Texas to be reunited with her husband. I. AM. GOING. TO. MISS. HER. SO. MUCH!)

In July, I will…

1. Wake up at 5am every weekday. For the last half of June, I started making it a goal to wake up early to get work done. I work best in the wee hours of the morning when the world is quiet and sleeping. It’s where I feel the most refreshed and recharged and focused. Whether it’s writing a blog post or getting in a solid morning workout, I really love getting an early start to my day and knocking out some to-dos.

2. Spend less than $150 on anything that is not a necessary bill or expense. In June, I spent $269 in unnecessary spending. I want to take my No Spend Challenge more seriously because it hasn’t really been a true No Spend Challenge. While I have gotten a handle on my shopping habit, I haven’t gotten any sort of handle on the amount of money I spend on food. It’s time to get really strict and serious about this No Spend Challenge in July!

3. Pitch 5 bloggers on guest posting topics. I’ve worked through my list of bloggers who volunteered to let me post on their blog, so now it’s time to sift through the different blogs I’ve been wanting to guest post on and send out my most charming pitch email. We’ll see how it goes!

Categories: Recurring Series

Five For Friday

1 – Today begins Day 1 of my official sugar detox, with Nicole’s 30-Day Sugar Detox. The first 20 days have been about self-discovery, education, and giving us the tools to create a low-sugar lifestyle. I have been really enjoying doing the work this course requires because it’s caused me to get down and dirty with my feelings regarding sugar and how I use it as a coping mechanism. I’m nervous and excited about what these next five days will bring. I’m sure there will be withdrawals and cravings, but since I’ve never done a detox to this magnitude (literally, no sugar. Not even fruit!), I’m interested in what other epiphanies come to me and how it makes me feel once the withdrawals pass. It’ll be a hard five days, but I think I’m ready for it.

2 – Last Friday, I went out with a bunch of coworkers to happy hour at Carrabba’s and then to see the movie This Is The End at the Tampa Pitcher Show (this really cool movie theater where you can eat dinner while watching a movie) We might be the only four people in the world who thought this movie was terrible. The first 15 minutes were moderately funny and from then on, it just kept getting weirder and weirder and weirder. Maybe I’m just sensitive to topics like the end of the world and people poking fun at it. Maybe I just don’t get stoner comedy. Maybe I’m just too much of a fuddy-duddy but man, give me Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller over this group of guys any day. We all spent most of the movie shaking our heads and saying, “WHAT is going on?” Finally, about an hour into the movie, we just got up and left. Very disappointing!

3 – On Tuesday, I had to take my car in for service. Monday morning on the way to work, my “maintenance required” light turned on and didn’t shut off. For the past month and a half, it’s been flashing at me for about 5 seconds when I turn my car on but then goes away, so as any good car owner would, I’ve been ignoring it. So I made an appointment (online! Oh, how I love companies that let you book appointments online.) and took her in. Luckily, the only thing she needed was an oil change, although there was some slight corrosion on my battery and for a mere $50, I could get that cleaned up. (I said no thanks, as it’s something I can do on my own. I am woman, hear me roar!)

4 – I know the weather is the most boring thing to talk about, but on Wednesday, I woke up at 5am and I looked at the weather. EIGHTY FRIGGIN DEGREES. At 5am! Every time I walk outside, it feels like I’m walking into a furnace. A wall of intense heat and humidity just hits you smack in the face. It’s awful. And it’s only June. Wah, wah, wah. I’m totally used to this type of weather (and hot > cold for me), but I still want a chance to complain.

5 – I have a very low-key weekend planned since I’ll be detoxing. I want to get in two workouts on Saturday and Sunday, a trip to the farmer’s market, grocery store, and possibly check out an organic food market (though I hear their prices are outrageous, so I’m not sure if it will be a very successful trip…), and a trip to the library to pick up a requested book. I’ll be sticking close to home for most of the weekend, though, as I know my energy levels will be down. Lots of reading and lots of writing (and lots of napping?) are on the agenda!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Categories: Recurring Series

Weekend Love List

Happy Monday, everyone! I feel more refreshed and recharged than ever for the week ahead and I’m ready to make it a fantastic one! This weekend was really one of the best weekends I’ve had in a while, which is funny because I spent most of it by myself. (My mom’s boyfriend took her to Ft. Lauderdale for the weekend so I had the place to myself!) And why was this weekend so great? Well, how about a list of what I loved this weekend? Yes? Yes.

>> Driving to Sarasota after work on Friday to meet up with a friend and listening to my first-ever audiobook on the way. (Jennifer Weiner’s The Next Best Thing.)

>> Playing Apples to Apples with a group of 13 people at a coffee shop and having the best time, being more social and lively than I usually am.

>> Leaving the coffee shop with the aforementioned friend to see a late showing of The Internship – good movie, but not as funny as I had hoped.

>> Getting home at 1AM on Friday night – so late for me! – and falling into a deep sleep until 9:30AM.

>> Waking up and immediately doing a fabulous, hard workout that left me super sweaty with fatigued muscles.

>> A visit to the library to pick up a requested book and find some smutty novels to read.

>> Having lots of time to myself to read quietly, get lots of writing done, and do a ton of cleaning.

>> Long walks with Dutch, one where he rolled around in the grass to his heart’s content.

>> A quiet, rainy Saturday night to myself where I picked up my favorite dinner, ordered Knocked Up from On Demand, and further developed my crush on Seth Rogan.

>> A lazy Sunday morning spent at the pool. I had the place to myself and it was so divine!

>> Reading a cheesy romance novel and finishing Mockingjay.

>> Barely turning on the TV and taking a break from social media for the weekend. Ahh, the peace!

>> Cancelled Sunday evening plans meant another quiet night in. I watched a favorite rom-com (He’s Just Not That Into You) and snuggled on the couch with Dutch. (Three movies in one weekend! That’s a record for me.)

>> Being alone with myself and just thoroughly enjoying the quiet and calm.

The theme for the weekend was peace and quiet, for sure. (And movies!) It was just so nice to be alone and take time for myself. I was hoping to have more social plans, but I ended up being really happy they fell through and I could really rest and recharge. It’s nice to have full, busy weekends but also nice when weekends are calm and I can get a lot of other things done.

Tell me, how was your weekend? What was your “theme”?

Categories: Recurring Series

Currently…

Feeling: Very proud. Yesterday, I watched my cousin graduate from high school and I was just filled up with so much pride in her. I don’t talk about family much on here, but this cousin had a baby in October and before then, she was behind in her classes. She managed to catch back up and graduate right on time while being pregnant and then caring for a baby. She put in so much hard work and it all paid off! I’m really proud of her and how she’s turned her life around since having baby Mia.

Reading: Mockingjay, the last book in The Hunger Games trilogy. I have enjoyed this series immensely and I love being back in the world of Katniss Everdeen. I can’t believe it took me so long to finally read these novels – they are so fantastic. I’m a bit nervous about how it all wraps up, based on reviews I’ve seen, but I’m trying to form my own opinion of the series.

Watching: Currently obsessed with The Voice and MasterChef. I feel like I’m the only person in the world who’s happy with who America is sending home each week. I’m torn between Michelle Chamuel and The Swon Brothers as my favorite. I would really just like to be Michelle’s BFF, but then Zach Swon is, like, my perfect man. That’s a toughie.

Anticipating: This weekend! I actually have a pretty full weekend of social plans, which I’m excited about! I lead such a boring life usually so I’m always psyched when I have things to do. I’m also learning that being around people and being social can recharge me. Not in the same way being alone does, but when I’m surrounded by supportive people who get me, it feels right and exactly what I need.

Planning: On starting a new virtual Bible study with some blog girlfriends. It was Kathleen who first sparked the idea and there’s been a lot of interest. I’m really excited about it because I haven’t been involved in a Bible study for over a year and I really, really miss the fellowship. It’ll be a different experience doing it online, but I think it’ll be really fun! Our first study will be on 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker and we start the study next week. (So if you’re interested in joining our group, let me know and I’ll pass it along to Kathleen.)

Enjoying: The worksheets I’m doing for Nicole’s 30-Day Sugar Detox. I’ve had so many eye-opening revelations while going through the questions and it’s really showing me how I got to where I am now. I’m really interested to see what other revelations will come to me as the weeks go by.

Wishing: That making healthy choices was easier for me. I want to make the healthier decision because I know it makes me feel better about myself in the long run, but when the moment comes down to it, I always seem to choose the option that will taste good now, but leave me feeling like crap later. Sigh.

Learning: That I am in charge of my future. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want out of my life and how to get that. I think I’ve been holding myself back from new experiences and paths because the change is scary and I’m worried about what other people will think of me. But there are very specific goals I want to accomplish in the next year and in order to do that, it’s going to take standing on my own two feet, asking for what I want, and not being afraid to go after it.

Thinking: About my dad, since today is his 50th birthday. On a day like today, I can’t help but wonder if he’s missing my brother and me, or if he’s still angry with us. I really, really wish he could be an active part of my life and it’s just sad that he’s not willing to make the effort for that to happen.

Loving: Fig Newtons. Strawberries. Sunny days. Sleeping better. Sore muscles. Kisses from Dutch. Being back at church. A lighter closet. Being social. Opening myself to new opportunities, even when they scare the pants off me.

Categories: Recurring Series

Monthly Check-In: May/June

Tomorrow is June 1st! SAY WHAT?!

I’m quite excited that it’s summer, though, and all the fun that awaits me this upcoming month. Things like not spending any money, quitting sugar, and doing the 30-Day Shred! Oh. Wait. It will be a challenging month, that’s for sure, but I’m more than ready to handle it.

For my new style of recapping the month and looking forward to the next one, I’m following Jessica’s style of reflecting on three great things that happened in May and setting three intentions for June. Let’s get right to it, shall we?

In May, I…

1. Came back from another fabulous cruise. It feels weird that I just came back from my cruise at the beginning of May. Between settling back into normal life and a spontaneous mini-vacation in Orlando, my cruise feels like a lifetime ago! As expressed in my multiple blog posts on the subject, my cruise was nothing but wonderful and I’m so happy I had the opportunity to go. I’m not planning on cruising again for a while (I have two major life goals I want to cross off before I even think about booking another cruise!) so I tried to enjoy every moment and soak up all the incredible experiences.

2. Vacationed in Orlando! I just came back from a fabulous, whirlwind trip in Orlando on Monday and it was such a fun little getaway. We visited Hollywood Studios and Disney World and while it was hot and crowded on both days, I still had a fabulous time. I love Orlando!

3. Won a spot in Nicole’s 30-Day Sugar Detox program. When I found out about the 30-Day Sugar Detox program, run by the fabulous Nicole of Life Less Bullshit, I knew I wanted to join in. But when enrollment rolled around, I was at a crossroads with my finances and I couldn’t fit all the pieces together to make it work. So when Amy hosted a giveaway for it, I immediately put my name in the ring and I won! I am super, super excited because I desperately need this and I just know it is going to be life-changing for me.

In June, I will…

1. Shut down all electronics by 9pm. I had been doing good with getting to bed at a decent time, which made waking up early to exercise before work almost easy. (Almost. A 5:30am alarm is never actually easy to wake up to.) Lately, though, I’m getting to bed later and later, leading me to press snooze and tell myself I’ll work out after work. (Which is not my favorite.) I think I need to get back into the habit of powering down the laptop, turning off the TV, and preparing for bed by 9pm to get back to my early bedtimes. My mornings are feeling rushed and frantic, which leads to me feeling very panicky and stressed on a daily basis. Early bedtime = more sleep = happier me. It’s a win-win!

2. Do the 30-Day Shred. I need a boost in my fitness routine and I thought completing another 30-Day Shred challenge would be just the ticket! The last time I completed this challenge, I lost 4 inches around my body so I’m hoping coupling the workouts with better eating habits will bring me even greater results.

3. Drink water with all of my meals. I go through highs and lows with my water consumption. Some weeks, I’m a water drinkin’ machine and other weeks? It’s all I can do to down even 20 ounces! I know I feel better when I’m drinking a lot of water, so I want to get back into the habit of it. Plus, it’s June in Florida which means hot temps and crazy humidity. Water is a must!

What is one great thing that happened in your life in May? Have you set any intentions for June?