a move worth mentioning

I made it! I am officially in my house and it's so, SO unreal but incredibly awesome and I could not be more proud of myself at this very moment. I need to remember this moment. So, here we are. Eddie, Suki and I in a house. It's pretty awesome. Move-in ready but I have so many things I want to update and I think it's going to be so fun.

Work is going great. We hired someone new who I'm teaching and mentoring. He started today and is super nice and willing to learn. I just hope he knows what he's in for :)

My birthday was yesterday, I turned an age no one wants to ever turn but, it's all good. I've got a lot to be grateful for and am every day.

Slowly and surely I am getting everything unpacked, a few things left to do at the apartment and then I can really settle in. I've got a great office already set up, fridge and treadmill are coming Thursday...life is good. Life is really good.

I'll post pictures soon!

Lots of <3

i did it! i SO did it!

Today was a gloooorious day. I got up bright and early, feeling good and set out in my workout gear for my parents. Picked up a good friend and set out for Louisville, NE, about a 45 minute drive. Why?? Today was my wave for THE WARRIOR DASH at 10:30am! I have to tell you, I've never signed up for a run of any kind, not even a flat out run so this, was a big step for me to have The Warrior Dash be my first. I was so anxious to get started; waiting to go was probably the worst part! I wasn't scared but I was just really ready to go, get it done and upon finishing, I felt like I could keep going.

{ -- badge of honor -- }

The Warrior Dash is a 5k run, with TONS of obstacles in the way; climbing walls (there were FOUR on our run!), jumping over fire, going through rope nets, a crick and crawling through mud. Obviously, you're not required to do every obstacle, as some would try and give up BUT, I did every one of them and I'm so glad I did. I'd have so much regret had I not made it through them. It was SO much fun and I plan to do again next year. I really thought it would be such a struggle but I felt so good throughout the whole thing. I am so proud of myself and I'm glad I did it. I DID IT!!!

{ -- me with the ladies after our finish...completely covered in MUD! -- }

{ -- my white (?!) socks and shoes (donated) aftermath -- }

Lots of <3

a breather

{ -- lunch break, potle bound! -- }

I'd be lying if I said things were super great right now, but they're not all that bad. It's all about how to handle everything and realize that it'll pass. "This isn't meant to last. This is for right now." It's going to be OK and what I'm stressing about is so little compared to what could be. Ever wonder why it is we get SO caught up in such moments that are so trivial? Ever take a step back and analyze the situation? I try to, all the time. It usually does wonders and helps me realize the truth. It's certainly, probably, saved my life in the last year. I've made some of the best decisions for myself in the last year and I'm thankful for being able to take a breath and step back from it all.

{ -- my girl, napping in the sun -- }

My current woes; I am SO busy at work and there's a lot of pressure but there's no point in getting emotional about it or getting upset about it. I just hunker down and plug away. I'm doing my best and if my best isn't good enough, it wasn't meant to be. I can only be my best me. Also, my gal pal, Suki hasn't been feeling good. I think she's just got an overly sensitive stomach. I just feel so bad for her sometimes. I wake up to her growling tummy and wimpers to get outside and eat some grass. It'll pass but I just wish sooner than later and that it wouldn't ever come back.

~

Ooookay, I feel better now and am totally looking forward to this summer. There's so much going on. A few concerts here and there, some weddings, moving...I'm looking forward to all of it and whatever else this year brings me. Bring it on!

Lots of <3

yummeeness: planning, planning fooooood

{ -- a new staple, tofu w/seasoning for tofu/bean tacos -- }

A huge challenge I face is knowing what I'm going to have for dinner. Lunch, for me, is super easy. I either throw a Lean Cuisine in the microwave (obviously not ideal but being single, not a lot of time...it's nice to have just in case and I'm still NOT eating out) or if I go home, I make some eggs and toast. My lunch when I go home has to be quick— like, 20 minutes-cook-eat-clean quick. I'm lucky to work at a company where I don't have to 'clock in' so it's somewhat flexible when it comes to timing, however, I'm usually busy and it's not always good to take 2 hour lunches...even tho I could, and have.

This morning, I came across this blog post from a favorite blogger and my jaw dropped! I LOVE this organizing stuff and typically will get half-way there with my own things before I give up or realize how crazy I must look. This though, this...I'm super impressed and hope to get close to that organized, especially when I get my house (oh! Did I just say that?? ...)

I think the closest I've came to organizing meals is just in front of one week. It changed mid-week and I moved a couple things around because I would end up having more leftovers and would need to eat those before I moved on to new food or a new recipe but overall it was super helpful. Anymore when my grocery shopping happens, I sit down and (try) pick out one new recipe and one old, familiar recipe. I always have eggs and toast on hand when I want something quick (it also serves as budget conscience because eggs/bread are so cheap). I also always have cereal on hand for a quick meal or snack as well. I know it'll be better than chips or cookies :)

How do you plan your meals? Do you even plan them? I'd say 50% of the time I don't and it always hurts me in the end; I can't decide what to eat, I don't have this or that...oh, fine, I'll just go out or I end up waiting until it's super late. Now, that does not bode well with my waist.

Lots of <3

thank you and hello, dapper eddie

Last week was a mess. I was a mess but it turned out to be a good mess. A lot happened, a lot of good things and then the weekend...duh, duh, duuuuuh...I got sick and am still recovering but I sometimes enjoy being sick. I know, right? Mostly because I can be lazy and not feel guilty for any of it. I deserve rest damnit!

Besides the crappy end of the week, during the week I went to two concerts; Fun. and Like Moths to Flames. Both amazing and both I would do over again without thinking. And, am once again thankful I only had to buy one ticket. SINGLE! No supporting anyone but myself. Feels great! I'll keep saying it as long as I want to. I just want to scream it every time!

{ -- me with Like Moths to Flames lead Chris Roetter -- }

In other news...Eddie got his hairs did and man, does he look handsome. My dad doesn't like it when I get Eddie's hair done but no matter how often I brush him or bathe him, it needs to be done more often than it seems. He had several tiny knots started everywhere and you can't brush that out. You have to cut them out. Also, when his hair gets long, he seems to retain stink longer. I typically bathe him 1-2X a week depending on how he's smelling or how much of a mess he's gotten himself into. I'll wait as long as I can anyway because the cost to maintain a cut is fairly pricey. It'll grow back and it'll keep doing that so, my dad will get his little buddy back again soon.

{ -- Eddie, looking dapper -- }

Happy Wednesday!

Lots of <3