2011 in Review

This year has been one carazy year. Tons of fun stuff to reflect on, so lets take a trip down memory lane, shall we?

January - brought in the new year right.  Spent it with family and friends drinking, eating, dancing, singing.  It was perfection.  I find that over the years, going out and going crazy lost it’s appeal.  Staying in and bringing in 2011 at home felt right.

Went on photography adventure with my mom in downtown Birmingham

February – Mom and I with the help of my wonderful husband who drove us to Ohio and waited anywhere between 5-6 hours for us to get through all the lines where we met the Pioneer Woman and got her book signed.

I also started my new job as an HR manager.  SCARY!!!!!!!!!

March – Started making my own Ice Chai Latte’s – YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!

April – I talked about my favorite things

 

May – Mike and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary by keeping it low key.  We went out to lunch, saw a movie, had some ice cream and had dinner.  YAY!

My mom won tickets to the Oprah show’s very.last.show. no joke.  So we took the train down to Chicago and spent 3 days there sight seeing and having a wonderful time.

June – We got rained out in a big way.

July – Did some more with my photography, once again using Birmingham and Royal Oak as my muse

Treated myself to a lovely massage

Saw a Tiger Game with Mike and Family.

- Took our first pregnancy test and it came back positive!!!!

August – We celebrated a bunch of birthdays including

- My dad
- Mike
- My nephew

We also found out we were officially pregnant!!!!!!! Due in March!

September – Mike and I visited Washington DC and some friends.

October – Celebrated my birthday by visiting Saugatuck on the west side of the state with the Hubs.  We stayed at a very cute bed and breakfast, walked around the town, had a delicious lunch and bought a painting for our kitchen.  It was lovely!

 

November – Celebrated our 4th Thanksgiving with one another, Prepared for the holidays

Got a shellac manicure for the first time that lasted like 17 days.

 

December – Celebrated our 5th Christmas together, started putting the nursery together, paid off 2 credit cards (woot) Saved more money for baby fund, and ate a lot!

2011 was amazing.  No joke.  I am so grateful to God that he has blessed me and my family with goodness this year.  I traveled this year, I met new people, I tried new things, I failed at others, I saw a lot of movies, didn’t read nearly half as many books as I wanted, started a new job, found out we were pregnant, found out we were having a baby boy, kicked ass with our finances, and learned to love more and truly be grateful for all our blessing because life is good.  Looking forward to an amazing 2012

'Tis the Season

It's right around this time we all decide to give a little more than usual, try a little harder to be nice, remember to send cards to those we haven't bothered to pick up the phone just to chat in months. I do it too. The whole year I get wrapped up in me, my life, my problems... and once again the season comes around I am reminded that this season is much more than the gifts under the tree, the perfect decorations we set up in our home, the gingerbread candle we burn on our coffee tables. It's about Jesus, who was born on this day to live and die for us. It's about giving than receiving.

I wish I was better at applying these things year round - remembering and actively participating in my faith on a constant basis rather than a holiday basis, being nicer throughout the year to those around me whether or not I know them, to giving more than receiving, to not being selfish and remember that I am only human. I am imperfect. I get caught up in "making memories" and building traditions. And while those are magical things, I have to remember it's not everything. Sitting down and reflecting on all my blessings. I have so many. And remembering that not every aspect of my life is going to be perfect. Nor should I want it too. I am seriously blessed. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with emotion thinking how God has blessed me. How am I so lucky?

We are doing an Adopt a Family at work. The family is going through hard times, hard times I hope I'll never have to endure. They have three small children and the parents want to be able to provide something to their children... I can't say I blame them. So I signed up to purchase a couple gifts for the children. They wrote out what they wanted (toys) and I went to Target to pick them up. I didn't think too much about it that day, just grabbed some stuff off the shelves, threw them in my cart and checked out. A couple days later, I brought them back out to wrap them and I just stared at the presents and almost started crying. I was able to do this for that family. Me. It's not like I am rolling around in the dough, yet I was able to provide those parents a couple gifts for their children to open on Christmas day. That's a blessing. That I was able to do that for that family. Now I am not looking for kudos on doing a nice deed, I am simply stating that at that moment in time I didn't realize how lucky I am to give this season.

I am going to make a conscience effort to do better not just this holiday season but year round because God has blessed me enough to where I can. Tis the season to do better to be better and to give!

Candy Cane Survey

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What is your favorite Christmas movie? - Oh geeze! I love so many! But I think Home Alone is up there and A Christmas Carole. But I love so many!

Favorite Christmas song? Josh Grobin's - Believe or Noel both are so good. Christmas Shoes gets me all emotional everytime I hear it.
Favorite Holiday Memory? Running around to the different grandparents houses when we were younger. Pure bliss.

What is your favorite cookie/treat to make? The classic Peanut Butter Kiss cookie. Total yums!

Have you ever made an igloo? Haha! I think we definitely tried!
Do you love Starbucks? Of course!

Favorite Christmas Decoration? Hmmm, I am a big fan of our mistletoe above our kitchen doorway into our hall.

Do you hang stockings? We sure do! But our little puppy is a big fan of barking at them and biting at it so they are tucked away till Christmas eve!

Where will you be spending Christmas this year? Mike and I both come from very big close families so we will of course be spending time with both.

On Judgment

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I receive Gwyneth Paltrow GOOP newsletter and I am catching up on the one I received on Thursday. It was so perfect I had to share some interesting parts with you.

"Often times, when we occupy the space of 'I'm right and you're wrong' it keeps us from seeing our own responsibility in matters. When we judge others' foibles and personality traits, what does it really say about us? What can we do to identify and get rid of judgment in ourselves and in our lives?"

We condemn in others what we are afraid to see in ourselves.

Blame is the projection of guilt.

"Even as the game of judgment keeps society running smoothly, constantly dictating our likes and dislikes, our loves and hates, human beings are born to transcend. We can go beyond the setup of society, the ego and judgment itself. In that innate capacity for seeking the higher self, every hope and promise offered by the world's great spiritual teachers rests."

"When we judge others we often think that we are simply making an observation, and that this action or thought will not affect us. However this is not the case. When we judge others we are awakening and connecting ourselves to a force of judgment. It is like trying to throw mud at someone – we might or might not hit them but we are definitely tainted by the mud. And by acting in this way we don't necessarily affect the other person, but we most definitely draw the energy of judgment and lack into ourselves."

"In order to change and grow we need to be able to know what it is about ourselves that we need to transform. Yet if we are never completely capable of seeing our own faults, how will we change?"

"If we truly integrate this understanding into our lives, the next time we feel the urge to judge others we will instead look inward and find how we too possess the fault we see and forget about judging anyone. By acting in this way we protect ourselves from drawing the energy of judgment and lack into our lives. And most importantly, we gain a clear direction for own transformation and growth."

"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves." -Carl Gustave Jung

Fourth Thanksgiving

I can't believe this will be our 4th Thanksgiving together! How so much as changed over the last couple years. We'd eat two dinners to make sure we spent time at both families, we'd take two cars, we'd be completely and utterly exhausted but it would be completely and utterly worth it.

This year we are trying things a little bit different. Instead of eating two dinners we are going to have dinner at one family and dessert at the other. Hopefully this will eliminate the feel of having to be rolled around.

Next year will be even more different. Not only are we going to have to lug around our sweet little puppy, Mimi. But we will have a sweet little baby boy too! Who by this time next year will be 8 months :) Wow!

I am looking forward to spending time with family, eating amazing food, gorging myself with dessert and cappuccinos, and laying around enjoying the sounds of our families.

Hope you all enjoy your holiday! Gobble Gobble!

Have you seen these Wanderlust Video's?? I might be the last. But I love them! It is basically videos from a guy named Rick Mereki where he visited 11 countries in 44 days and experienced and learned as much as he could. Amazing.

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Check out his Tumblr page

Happy Halloween!

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!
Will resume regularly schedule blogging shortly!

Fall Bucket List

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It's my favorite season yo! AND it shall soon be my birthday month. Less than three weeks away! Hooray! I love fall. The cool air, the sun shinning, the starbucks pumpkin spice latte's and salted caramel mochas, the scarves, the boots the feeling of closing out another year and making the last couple months speacial. I want to make sure I make time to really enjoy the season so I have come up with a couple fall bucket list items I want to accomplish this season. Here they are, in no particular order:

1.) Go apple picking
2.) Make Leaf Art
3.) Go on a hayride
4.) Make homemade caramel apples
5.) Go to a pumpkin patch and pick out some pumpkins
6.) Carve pumpkins and cook seeds
7.) Make fall cookies (Hello, chocolate chip pumpkin cookies)
8.) Make a pie....from scratch!

Hope you all are enjoying this fall weather - if you get it! Michigan had a beautiful weekend with lots of sunshine and crisp breezes! Have a great rest of the day!

Back from Washington DC!!

Oh hey! What's up? Not too much over here. Can't believe we are already in the month of September and entering into one of my most favorite times of the year: Fall!!! Cider Mills, Pumpkin Spice Latte's, Leaves changing, SCARVES, crisp air, Halloween... it just doesn't get any better than that. I know we have a couple weeks till summer is "OFFICIALLY" over, but hey we can start lovin' up on our fall, can't we? I think we can. Plus, I would much rather leave this summer behind me (i'm not a big fan) I dont like the heat NOR the humidity, I don't like not having my shows, I don't like the constant GO GO GO (parties, graduations, bdays etc) sometimes it's good to chill... im a chill kind of person (well, most of the time)

Mike and I just got back from a fun vacation in Washington DC. We did a lot in the short 4 nights/5 days we were there but I still feel like we accomplished everything we wanted.

And on the last day we were able to get in for a last minute tour of The White House.  To be in there to walk those halls gave me chills.  Was it tiring? Yep.  Was it hotter than Hades? You bet! Was it a blasty blast? Uh huh!!!! Thanks to Matt and Lisa for having us

August...you creul beeotch

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August has been one of the most insane months this year. My work had three recruiting sessions this month which meant I was traveling every single week 2 hours away, interviewing, background checks, orientations, and more. We have a couple week reprieve then we are back on the road again. I am playing catch up with my e-mails, paperwork and trying to keep everything straight. We also had 5 birthday's and an anniversary to celebrate. But alas, I feel pretty content today.

My poor house is in shambles. My car needs an oil change, a good vacuum and a wash. My purse is in two different purses currently, I need to stock up the house, I need a new shower liner thing because mine is getting nasty, I need to clean a sink full of pots and pans, I need to catch up on laundry, and I need to pack for our vacation. We are also going to make time to see my brother and my sister in law when they come in Wednesday night. We are shooting for Thursday and Friday. So as you can see, my August has been absolutely chaotic right down to the very last days.

I also saw something very traumatic this month, it was the first time I ever had to call 911 and it was the 2nd worse thing i've seen in my life. It makes me thank God for my blessings and those who I keep close and cherish. It makes you realize that life is precious and we just dont know. We are playing out our lives, but let's be real - we have no control. None. We experience the things we do for a reason, we are placed in each others lives for a reason and God is protecting and watching over us at all times. I know this. I thank God for putting me in that place that day, regardless of how hard it was, so I could learn another very valuable lesson. Thank you God, thank you.

That was a lot to unload about this month... but since I haven't opened my laptop in ages and im barely hanging on with Twitter, I wanted to touch base and talk about this crazy ass month. I've never felt closer to God than I have this month... and I am happy for that. I hope you all have a splendid rest of the month, and I'll try to do another post before I leave for our vacation. Take care!

Done my soul good

So far today has been a good day. It started with my contemplating going into work since I was feeling burnt out and under the weather. But alas, I sucked it up and went. Although I would have much rather stayed home and catch up on some R&R. Check out this cute video of my hyper dog. I love her.

So I went into work friends, and let me tell you I do not look the part. My hair is half ass, my clothes looks blah... whatever, I still made the effort and that counts for something right? Anyway I walked into my crazy messy office and promptly freaked out over not only my work TO-DO's but my personal TO-DO's. So I turned on the music, got out a notebook and wrote down everything (including projects) that I had to get done for work. Then I began to write down all my home TO-DO's including cleaning (well mostly cleaning) and I felt better. Getting it down on paper always helps. So I began to get things done off my work To-Do's.

Around 12:30 my stomach began to grumble so I headed over to Panera and got myself a Tomato and Mozzarella Panini. As I was walking too and from the building I thought to myself what an awesome day it was outside. The sun was out, it wasn't muggy and there was a crisp breeze blowing. So I did what I typically DO NOT DO! I ate lunch by myself.... outside! PEOPLE I just dont do this!!! But I did. It was just too nice of a day to bring my lunch back to the office and eat inside. And it was decadent.

So i'm just finishing up my lunch hour and i'll be getting back to my list. Have a HAPPY WEDNESDAY everyone!

Busy Bee

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The last week has been jammed packed with a very busy work schedule leaving me exhausted. It has also been filled with

+ Cousin's BDAY party. Jenna is 10 and Laurel is 8... where does the time go?!
+ Madmen Marathon (it's streaming on netflix)
+ Visiting family
+ Trying a new recipe with Mike (beer can chicken - delish)
+ Reading (My name is Memory)
+ TRYING to keep up with the house
+ Lazy Sunday's
+ Being thankful

How has your week been?

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.

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!