Must Watch

This is a very inspiring video.  Watch it, you wont be sorry

 

| Artists Wanted | In Focus : Pete Eckert from Artists Wanted on Vimeo.

Working Hard For My Money

Ya’ll it has been such a week.  I have been traveling for work for the past three days including today and I am so tired, you just don’t realize how much traveling takes out of you till you do it.  On the road 4 hours in the day, talking to and at people, paperwork to keep track of, filling up on gas, trying to find time to eat and get a sip of water in before you get sick of dehydration.  Not cool.

But alas I am home, I am already in my PJ’s, I don’t care, I had a bowl of cereal for dinner, and Take Me Home Tonight is playing.  Mimi is chillin next to me chewing on her bone and I am content staying in tonight.  This weekend is about relaxation and relaxing is what I plan on doing.  Have a great weekend

Anti-social butterfly

 

You wouldn't believe how incredibly anti-social I have been over the last couple years.  Once an extrovert, I liked to be the center of attention, went to a lot of parties, had a ton of people to meet up with to go out to lunch with or catch a movie.  I was a social butterfly.  Over the last couple years, as toxic friendships faded, people moved away, mending broken feelings with others who matter, one change after another in my life has slowly but surely altered my personality into an introvert to the core. 

You want me to go somewhere where there are a lot of people I don’t know? No thanks.  Oh, you want me to force conversation and small talk, eh, not my thing - i’ll pass.  So you want me to walk up to a bunch of strangers....::::RUNS AWAY::::: that’s where I am at people.

However, I really enjoy being a home-body.  If someone were to say, which do you prefer? A night on the town with a new dress, limo to drive you around, VIP access to any club you want, free drinks.... OR..... a nice night in, PJ’s, pizza from delucas, a bottle of wine, a comfy ass blanket, a pile of good movies, and a book for later.  You bet your ass I would pick the Option 2.  I enjoy my home - the comforts, the warmth, the security I feel inside.  It’s nice.  But sometimes I feel as though I am missing out on some one life’s greatest adventures, the unknown, the spontaneity, the doing something that scares you each day.  How do you overcome years of being up all in my head fearing the unknown and just getting out there? Well, I think you just do it you get over that feeling and that voice in your head that says your not ready, your shyness is going to come off as bitchy, no one is going to want to talk to you... and you say instead I am ready to get back out there and meet some new friends, my shyness is easily overcome by laughter and funny stories I tell, and people ARE going to want to talk to me because I am interesting (at least I think so)

So I am doing things that scare me.  I’ve been taking more pictures, I have been going to different events (going to Britney Spears on Thursday!) I’ve been commenting more on other’s blogs and twitter and all around trying to just get out there, despite me being scared.  So here’s to doing things that scare us and getting the heck out there!

Pottermore

I have been a huge fan of Harry Potter. I never really voiced it on here, but every time a new movie came out - opening weekend I was there. Ready. Excited. So when the last one came out in theaters, I sat there amazed, chills running down my arms at how amazing this series is. About overcoming adversity, doing the right thing, and how important friendship really is. So when the final credits rolled, I thought to myself - it's over. No more Potter? Well, I recently came across this and... I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!

Random lists on a random Sunday.

1.) I’m sick of feeling unbalanced so I am going to try Yoga.  I did a 10 min video tonight and ‘bout died but it’s OK.  Every big change starts with one day.  And tonight was my one day.  Once I feel more comfortable with it I’ll take it to a studio because I’m not ready to make an ass of myself just yet.  My confidence and esteem can’t handle it.

2.) Been cooking more and it feels good.  Recently cooked enchiladas, stuffed shells, homemade pizza, fresh bruschetta all so yum!! We are saving money and making healthier meals.  We do much better when we plan our dinner’s for the week and buy groceries ahead of time for those dinners. 

3.) Been feeling anxious lately and I hate it.  Been trying to thinking calming thoughts, relaxing thoughts and breathing slowly.

4.) I haven’t been able top pick up a book and read it lately.  I’ll pick it up read a couple pages then throw is across the room.  What’s up?!

5.) I need a vacation.  I have a vacation coming up – it can’t get here soon enough.

Mid-week happenings

Hey everyone, happy Wednesday.  The week is half over and im so happy.  Not too much has been going on around these parts just working a lot and trying to keep up with the ever messy house that cant seem to stay clean for more than an hour.  Sigh.  In other news, I did get a new camera.  It’s a Nikon L120, my baby Nikon D40 is so big and I am always having mini panic attacks about it dropping or getting stolen – I already jammed by 18-55 MM lens because it fell – but we don’t talk about it much around here… too sad.  So I bought this little nugget to get similar quality in pictures but much more portable.  Annnnd, I love it.  Don’t mind my frazzled frizzy hair or lack of makeup in this picture…

Im always trying to find enough energy to get out of the house during the week.  After working 9 hours and then coming home and cooking and doing chores I don’t want to do much, but I got out of the house yesterday and went to Ann Arbor.  It ptobably wansnt the best time to do so since they wer e shutting down street after street to set up the Ann Arbor career fair, after a near fight with a very rude art fair helper and praying to the parking Gods that we find a sweet spot – we did.  We got some delcious pizza from Silvio’s Organic Pizza – delish.  And saw Midnight in Paris at the State Theatre.  The movie was absolutely delightful and made me want to visit Paris and travel abroad again.  Hopefully soon.

Hope everyone’s week goes splendid.  I’ll catch up with you all soon!

Just say NO

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Mike and I are looking for ways to save money. We cut down on our groceries bills by shopping smart, we keep the thermostat in the summer at 72 to save a little cash, we use an energy efficient washer and dryer, and most recently, we got rid of our cable and replaced it with a Roku it is a streaming player for Hulu Plus, Netflix, Pandora, Crackle and much more. We are saving on average $70 a month on cable. I especially like it in the summer since most of my shows are on their summer hiatus and I'm not paying for a lot of reruns.

Since we got rid of cable I've found myself being a little more productive. I've been spending a lot of time taking pictures and editing them, branding myself, trying to take on some freelancing work and cooking more. It feels good. I am my happiest when I am in movement, working, being creative, thinking...living!!! It's amazing how easy it is for me to migrate to the couch after an exhausting day and watch episode after episode of my favorite show (which recently has been Friday Night Lights on netflix, BOOO that its over) next thing I know, 5 hours have gone by and i've moved my legs from one side of the couch to the other. Can I get those 5 hours of my life back, please? No... ? Ok... [sad face]

So, in an effort to get busy and to eliminate distraction from my life I have decided to remove TV time this week. A mini experiment if you will. By eliminating TV time this week I hope to concentrate more on Me, my house - keeping up with regular chores that need daily attention (laundry, dishes), my relationships - write replies to those emails I need too, schedule phone dates with friends, put myself out there more. My passions - taking more pictures, networking, reading more on those points of interest, practice. My productivity - this blog being one of them, regular updates instead of the sporadic, working on personal tumblr page which documents my life in pictures.

Do I think I can do it? Absolutely. Do I think it will get hard? You bet. But I feel like it's a personal testament to myself and my life that I don't need television to make me happy, or to fill me up. So stay tuned on my progress. Should be interesting!

26 before 26 update

Revisiting my 26 before 26 list and can cross off two more things on the list!!!

19.) Get another Massage – got a Swedish Massage on 7/2 and it was divine!!!

9.) Go to a sporting event. – Went to the Tigers vs. White Sox on 7/17 with some family members in from out of town.  It was 90 degrees out but luckily we were in the shade.  It was a close game but the Tigers won 4-3!!! Had a great time despite sweating out a small child.

Weekend Agenda

After a particularly frazzled Friday, I am ready to get this weekend started! We have another busy weekend as per usual with the summer. Here is what's on the agenda.

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+ Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Part II in 3D in the luxury seats at the theater. (if you are going to do it, you gotta do it right.)
+ Celebrating father in law's birthday
+ Good food
+ Laughter
+ Tiger Game
+ Hanging with family + friends
+ Catching up with some reading
+ Taking more pictures
+ Sleeping in
+ Hanging out by the pool.

I hope your weekend is safe, fun and relaxing. Enjoy!

Book Review: Catching Fire

The book I read for the month of June was the 2nd installment of the Hunger Games Trilogy – “Catching Fire”

Here’s what Amazon had to say

Every year in Panem, the dystopic nation that exists where the U.S. used to be, the Capitol holds a televised tournament in which two teen "tributes" from each of the surrounding districts fight a gruesome battle to the death. In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the tributes from impoverished District Twelve, thwarted the Gamemakers, forcing them to let both teens survive. In this rabidly anticipated sequel, Katniss, again the narrator, returns home to find herself more the center of attention than ever. The sinister President Snow surprises her with a visit, and Katniss’s fear when Snow meets with her alone is both palpable and justified. Catching Fire is divided into three parts: Katniss and Peeta’s mandatory Victory Tour through the districts, preparations for the 75th Annual Hunger Games, and a truncated version of the Games themselves. Slower paced than its predecessor, this sequel explores the nation of Panem: its power structure, rumors of a secret district, and a spreading rebellion, ignited by Katniss and Peeta’s subversive victory. Katniss also deepens as a character. Though initially bewildered by the attention paid to her, she comes almost to embrace her status as the rebels’ symbolic leader. Though more of the story takes place outside the arena than within, this sequel has enough action to please Hunger Games fans and leaves enough questions tantalizingly unanswered for readers to be desperate for the next installment.

I enjoyed the second book, it took a little for me to get hooked unlike the first, but this one didn’t disappoint with the action and the dang tension between Katniss and Peeta, will they just get together already FOR REALZ and be done with it!!! They both love each other, whether Katniss wants to admit it or not. I thought the 2nd book lacked a little something different than the first, as it had the same idea. I know it’s a builder for the last installment but, eh I thought it was going to be something a little different. But I still enjoyed it!

Book Review: ***

Picture catch up!

Happy 1st Birthday Mimi!!!

1 year ago today, my precious baby puppy was born.  Mimi, Moo-moo, Mi-moo, Mimi-loo, Boo Boo’s, Mimi-moomoo, Mim’s, Moomoloo, Mimi’s… you have brought so much joy into me and Mike’s life.  You are so sweet natured, so loving and the sweetest dog I’ve ever known.  We are so lucky and happy to have you in our lives.  I love you so much!

Weekend Agenda

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Happy Friday!!! Have a super fun weekend planned and to top it off, it’s a 4 day weekend for me, huzzah!!!

This Holiday weekend will include:

• An invigorating massage from the spa
• Hanging out poolside
• A birthday dinner
• Firework parties
• Breakfast with the usual's
• A trip to the DIA
• Going to see a documentary I've been waiting to see
• Family and friend get together's
• Soaking up the sun
• Eating too many s'mores
• Drinking too much wine
• Grilling some delicious food
• Catching up with my summer reading
• Thanking God for all my blessings.

What are your plans this weekend? Got anything fun and exciting planned?

Either way, be safe and have fun!