my little guy, eddie

{ -- Eddie and his birthday cake, thanks to my friend, Brady! -- }

I can't believe I forgot to blog about my little man's birthday! I gotta say, I can't believe he is already a year old! Awwwws, he's the cutest puppy ever and will always be my little guy. Happy Birthday little man Eddie!

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a great thanksgiving

{-- my little guy, Eddie, napping with me after we got home --}

The end of this week (Thanksgiving) has been so awesome. And, honestly, I am so happy because I worked out :) Not because of the food, not because of the family, not because of anything but working out. I didn't feel as awesome on Thanksgiving Day because I did eat too much and felt uncomfortable but not only did a I do an hour and 15 minute Jazzercise routine that morning at 8:15am with my sister but we worked out to Dance Central that night AND, the next morning at 5:40am(!) we did an hour class. FOR REAL! I am gonna be super sexy :) Forget what I ate, I don't feel guilty eating my Grandma's awesome gravy I eat every year because I burned all of it off!

{-- up front. GO BIG RED! --}

THEN! I was able to hit the last game of the year with my sister, brother-in-law and my dad. We played great, we sucked and then we played great again and then they scored...however, we won!!!

Despite the tiresome journey of Thanksgiving, I look forward to it every year. I'm home now and I got to nap with the puppies. They got to run around and play with my niece, Apple. We're a happy family and I am...thankful :)

Are you?!

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thanks

{-- my boogers chillaxin' with me on the couch --}

I love Thanksgiving, I do. Albeit, I can only spend so much time with my family at a time — it's still a favorite holiday. The reasons are simple and across it all, there is a ton of laughing, smiling and napping after stuffing our faces. Here are reasons and gratitude as to why I love this holiday:

One, because I eat a lot of really, really yummy food that everyone takes part in.

Two, because while I'm grateful everyday, this is THE day to revel in thanks and gratitude. Be sure to thank someone on that day or to say out loud what you're thankful for. You'd be surprised how much goodness is going on. We get so focused on all the negative aspects in life, it's so easy to get sucked into. I know from experience with myself and others around me.

Three, because I join in on the early morning Jazzercise class with my sister. I believe this is our 3rd or 4th year doing it and it's become tradition. I really enjoy that I can share my healthy values with someone in the family and they help support that by motivating me.

Four, because I get time off of work :)

Tonight, I've got to prepare for a potluck at work tomorrow...that's right, I'll be stuffing my face twice with Turkey and fixings. All the more reason to join in on the Jazzercise classes. I still have yet to figure out what to bring! I am so last minute.

{-- UPDATE: looks yummy, eh?? I ended up making Cream Cheese Brownies --}

Hope you have awesome Thanksgiving plans to look forward to, no matter what they are, there is gratitude in there somewhere. Enjoy!

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how i motivate me

{ -- my litte bud hanging out w/me on the couch -- }

It's not easy but, then again, sometimes it is. I have to admit, half the time my motivation comes from others around me that have hurt me. Moving on from that has been a great push for me to keep being the better person. Life is, after all, a step-by-step/day-by-day process. What's in the past, is past and you can't change that. But, I can change what happens in the future. Or, at least, make better choices for myself. Part of that has been letting go of the people that have hurt me. It's been a lot easier than I thought and I've welcomed the ones who have supported me and have opened up more to them. Not only that but I've made new friends as well that are inspirational to me. That have drive and motivation in what they do; day in, day out. Whether it be their career or their personal lives; like cooking/eating healthy and working out. Generally someone who doesn't think life is a burdon and that they deserve something they really don't. Someone who works hard, enjoys life and looks at the positive side.

What else motivates me? The drive to not disappoint. To not take advantage and to not be like the others have been. My family and friends. I thank the people in my life for being there for me. For listening; whether they like my choices or not, they've heard me and they don't give up on me.

It's not healthy being so negative and we all have to learn to forgive and maybe not necessarily forget...but to move on and learn from it all. I hold no anger anymore and I'm happy to let go because I'm in a much better place. I'm honestly happy these days and can prove it with a smile...which I do every day.

What motivates you?

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my awesome morning

{ -- hmmm, what's this? -- }

I have my moments of doubt about a lot of things. I am super hard on myself and for good reason. I'm not easily motivated and if I don't give myself a hard time, I'll slack. The downfall with that...a lot of paranoia about what other people think of me at work; how am I doing? Am I doing my job right? Am I fast enough? Smart enough? Am I producing quality work that is worth it? All of my suspicions have now been put aside because this morning, when I walked into work there was a sealed envelope on my keyboard. Hmmm...what could this be?? I unloaded my things, sat down and opened it. Inside was a single, blank card with handwriting on one side. Below is what it said:

Shannon, 

We don't get many chances to sit and chat, but I want you to know that I am so happy you are here. I appreciate everything you do and I really enjoy spending time with you when we can. You are a true talent in what you do and a beautiful person inside and out. We are lucky to have you here with us. 

:)

Jen

What a great start to a great weekend. Tonight is a chill night and tomorrow is my friend's annual friend Thanksgiving. I'll need to find something to cook and bring! I can't wait. She cooks so much food, everyone brings something, there's even a full size turkey! We all sit down together and eat a turkey meal. I look forward to it every year.

Definitely thankful for today, my letter I received and my friend who puts together our annual friend thanksgiving. So thankful.

Happy Friday!

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another step

{ -- my little boogers, chillin' -- }

I admit, I've been lazy...but not lately! I FINALLY made it to a morning Jazzercise class and I cannot recommend working out in the mornings enough. I've done it before but it's been years and I did it today and I feel amazing. Yes, I'm tired...yes, I will want to crash when I get home but I've made plans so I'm thwarting that as much as I can. Dinner is being made for me, watching Big Bang Theory and An American Horror Story...can't get better than that :)

Tuesday evening, I forced myself to class and I left feeling so good. I noticed a poster up about a class called, "Pure Muscle"...ahem, all of Jazzercise's 'extra' classes always sound dirty. Maybe it's just me but the other one I remember was called, "Personal Touch". Seems wrong? Eh? I think so...

Anyway, I jumped on it (woah!) and asked about signing up. It'd already started but there are three left and they cut the price for me. Bonus! I figured it's a good way to get a head start on my way back into being fit and much, much more happier about everything including myself. Thing is, it was the next day (Wednesday)...screw it, I'm going! It was almost an hour class of all weights and bands and it was definitely hard but felt so good (my mind is totally in the gutter now)

...

okay, so already being sore that night and tired I decided to go to a morning Jazzercise class (coming to today now). What's wrong with me?! The class is at 5:45AM! I'm so motivated now. On top of all of this getting back into working out, I've cleaned house as well and I feel even better...if that's possible. I was attempting a morning class on Tuesday but it just didn't happen. I've been waking up in the night feeling sick, cold sick but this morning I said, I'm going...and, I did. No regrets.




{ -- my sister, Erica, and me...eating in Lawrence, KS :) --}

While this past year has been...I can't find words...it's been a wake up call. I'm feeling better about myself; who I am and these last few months, life has been getting better by the moment. I've been to New York, I met new people, I made up for some concerts and went to Kansas City...it's all been so good AND now I'm back to working out AND looking my best for...well, tsk tsk, I'm not saying what for ;)

What's getting you motivated? A life experience? The people around you? Family? Work? I have my regrets and my pitfalls have been enormous this past year; while some my doing, I didn't deserve more than half of what'd happened to me. Things were stolen, I lost a lot of money, I was taken advantage of and I regret it BUT it's made me a better person because of all of that. I am a better person today and will continue being a better person. I am loving life.

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