January in Review
Posted: February 4, 2012 Filed under: books, food, I love..., inspiration, movie, projects, running, work | Tags: books, goals, January, movies, pictures, progress 1 Comment »I wanted to post a “highlights from 2011″ post about a month ago but was having problems remembering what I did. I am going to post a monthly recap at the end of each month noting to highs, lows, trips, pictures, etc. It’ll be a good reminder of progress and change! I’ve been planning on posting this sooner and I realize that this is a few days late, but this week has been hectic. My big aim for the year is to ”simplify my life” - re-set my priorities, cut back on my possessions, spending, cut out wasted time on electronics , etc.
This was my January:
- I completely sorted and organized my closet – this was huge feat! I donated what I no longer use/need to a local charity. It feels good to start simplifying my possessions and give to others who are in need
- Completed volunteer orientation at the hospital
- Tried out new recipes! One of my goals has been to reduce the amount of pre-packaged and processed foods I consume. Although meal planning requires more effort, I have been feeling better about what is going into my body
- I completed week one of a “couch to 5K’ program
- I taught myself how to crochet hearts and then make them into a garland/chain – see here
- Began the capstone course/project for my graphic design certification class
Favorite Movies and Books This Month:
Positives
Posted: January 29, 2012 Filed under: books, food, inspiration, projects, running | Tags: 5K, books, couch to 5K, crochet, Ghiradelli, hearts, inspiration, jogging, Peppermint bark, positive, reading, weekend Leave a comment »
- I went three days without drinking a diet soda (4 weeks is my record to break)!!! *insert mini victory dance here*
- Went to church twice this week and have been devoting more time to prayer
- I think I only used a Ziploc once this week & a paper towel maybe twice
- finished week one of the Couch for 5K plan (except I reversed the jogging 1, walking 1.5 minutes/jogged 1.5, walked 1 and took a “cool down” walk for 5 min)
- got to leave work a bit early on Friday – always nice!
- found this cool site for recipes. It’s nice because you can add what you already have (or want to use) AND exclude certain items.
- These lyrics from Martina McBrides’s song “I’m Gonna Love you Through it”
She said, “I don’t think I can do this anymore”
He took her in his arms and said “That’s what my love is for”When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear that I’ll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death,
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.And when this road gets too long
I’ll be the rock you lean on
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.
I treated myself to Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark!
Got Crafty!
New gifts for Valentine’s Day! <–my Etsy shop
Over the hump
Posted: September 7, 2011 Filed under: links, running, work Leave a comment »Oh, sitting down feels so good! Today was a pretty tough day with the kiddos! I should have known that their better behavior from yesterday would be short-lived – wishful thinking… There was too much chaos, tattle telling, hitting, not getting and staying quiet. Definitely did not help my headache go away!
Tomorrow they’ll go outside after everyone is checked in, have snack, and homework/reading time. Then I need to do a “language” activity so I was thinking sentence starters and this game where you have to draw a few cards and include the words that are listed on them in the sentence – also working on creativity. Then it’s supposed to be “fitness day” but we haven’t got the curriculum started for that so I was going to try some bean bag relay races and maybe some “group juggling”. By this time most of the kids will be gone so I might break out the play dough or “How-to Draw Animal” sheets I’ve printed out that I found on this site.
Part of my goals include reading a (non-entertainment) news article a day. I guess I’m paying more attention to “education news” since I’m working at the after school program.I thought that I’d share an article that I found particularly interesting: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/05/school-curriculum-falls-short-on-bigger-lessons/?ref=health
So random story time – yay! My brother was fortunate enough to meet one of his heroes, Reed Timmer, yesterday! My brother and I have a joke that I should marry Reed that way he could be his brother-in-law. When he told me that he got to meet him I was like, “did you give him my number,” half-joking. But then I get a call from my brother about 30 minutes later. From REED (using my brother’s phone). I guess my brother went back to have him sign his hat and got to talk to him for a little bit. Oh goodness, highlight of my day!
My brother and Reed!
I had a lot of energy/excitement after I got off the phone so I took off down the street. I alternated jogging and walking for about 32 minutes. It felt wonderful! I haven’t jogged in such a long time. I’m trying to get back into the groove!
Two more days ’til the weekend, two more days…
Birthday Weekend!
Posted: July 29, 2011 Filed under: food, future, running, weekend, yoga Leave a comment »Thankfully I came home to a much cooler house yesterday afternoon! Just in case you were wondering, I am not a fan of no a/c and 100 degree + weather!
I finally got up the courage to talk to the office manager that I would only be able to work until 1 pm (they mainly need me in the afternoons). I told her that I was going to start tutoring once school started again. She seemed OK at first. I think she thought I was going to start classes because she asked me how much longer I had left in school. When I explained that I had graduated this past December and would actually be tutoring elementary school students her disposition changed. I could tell she isn’t too happy, but I need to be moving on to find something that will be better for my future (hopefully help me decide if I want a career teaching kids).
I’m just glad that convo is over with. I just thought I’d feel better or relieved, but I don’t. Not yet anyways… Actually, after how crappy the past few days there have been I don’t feel as guilty about leaving for good!
I have been pretty anxious this past week thinking about leaving my current job, getting all the paperwork completed for my new job, and trying to make birthday plans. I haven’t been sleeping well which doesn’t create a good basis for the day. Every thing seems so much worse when you don’t have enough rest.
Yoga or time in the gym usually help perk me up.
“Exercising gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” - Elle Woods, Legally Blonde
Except instead of focusing on my work out a million thoughts fill my mind, making me feel like my work out is less effective. “I need to take that book back to the library before it’s another day late, I need to mail that form by Friday, I need to text Kristin to see who all can come out Sunday.” You know what I just realized? Those thoughts all contained the word “need.” Ugh, my anxiety level increases just thinking about all I feel like I “need” to do. I vote that growing become less stressful! 
Thank goodness this week is behind me. I already finished my weekend cleaning so it’s out of the way and so that I can enjoy my birthday weekend!!!
Fiesta Friday Dinner:
Black beans, toasted corn tortilla, Tyson’s fajita chicken, & salsa
Thrown off – round two
Posted: June 29, 2011 Filed under: books, running Leave a comment »Another day off to a less than perfect start! Boo! I love my brother, I really do, but his chaos is just a bit too much for me right now. Other than leaving his things scattered everywhere he has been up early to get things done for Kylie (she’s over here now). Mornings are me time. The only time of the day when I feel sane and can accomplish things. I haven’t done yoga in days and it’s killing me.
I haven’t taken my pictures for my Photoshop class tonight mainly because I’m not sure what I want to take pictures of. It’s for a “multiplicity” assignment. Your wouldn’t think it would be that hard, which it’s not. It’s just putting forth the effort. I just need to do it now and then I’ll feel better and not have it hanging over my head.
Luckily I was able to hit the gym last night, which usually helps me calm my mind – or at least distract me. I was surprised by how far/much I was able to jog considering Saturday I was just alternating walk/jogging every 1:30. I guess I had a lot of steam to blow off… Still felt really anxious after though…
|
Walk
|
5
|
|
Jog
|
7:30
|
|
Walk
|
2:30
|
|
Jog
|
2:30
|
|
Walk
|
2:30
|
|
Jog
|
2:30
|
|
Walk
|
2:30
|
|
Jog
|
2:30
|
|
Walk
|
2:30
|
|
Walk
|
5
|
|
|
35 min total
|
|
20 min walk
|
15 min jog
|
|
2.71 miles
|
 |
| My Supplemental Reading Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. |
