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!