Tuesday, May 7, 2013

What I do

What do I do (but not in terms of a job)?
 
Props to you, Jenni, these posts are really making me think!
 
Let's see here....
 
 
I read.
Oh gosh, do I read! Since I was really young, few things make me happier than diving into a new book. I've finished 200+ page books in one day, just because I couldn't tear myself away. I'll put it this way: if I could read all day and get paid for it, I would!
 
 
I love.
Justin, my family, my friends, animals...the list goes on and on. I feel so lucky to have all these people I care so much about. And animals, well that's just a given. I'm always cooing over other people's puppies and kitties. The day we're able to get a pet will be an awesome one, that's for sure.
 
 
I nap.
Sometimes there's nothing more soothing than napping for an hour or so. I'm not sure why I'm tired so often, but on my day off there's almost always a nap involved. It's like hitting a reset button, and when I wake up I'm much happier.
 
 
I workout.
A new part of my routine lately has been working out. Going for walks, doing ab challenges, and the Tone It Up routines. I have to push myself to do it sometimes, but I'm always glad I did. I'd eventually like to get into running too.
 
Speaking of working out, I need to go do that now!
 
 
 
 
 
 


Sunday, May 5, 2013

The Sunday Currently #4

It's Sunday, and you know what that means!
 
Yep, it's linkup time!
 
 
Reading: the newest issue of Better Homes and Gardens. I'm still on my decorating ideas kick and drawing inspiration from everywhere I can.
Writing: my to-do list for the week. I keep procrastinating on things that have to be done, and it needs to stop!
Listening: to the birdies chirping in our yard. Spring for the win.
Thinking: about how I need to run to Target later to pick up a few things. I might look at some swimsuits while I'm there, hoping that goes well!
Smelling: hairspray, it's my secret weapon on days I don't feel like doing my hair.
Wishing: there were more hours in the day. So many things I'd like to do, so little time! Also, that I lived somewhere that this was possible:
 
Hoping: Justin will be back from his guys weekend early enough that we can have a date day :)
Wearing: truth? I'm still in my pjs...but that will change after this post.
Loving: that the stupid snow we got on Thursday is gone!
Wanting: to be done with my workout for the day, but I know I'll feel better once I do it.
Needing: Lunch. I'm looking at you, Little Caesars.
Feeling: Productive, I'm close to catching up on all my blogs for the week!
Clicking: Etsy, still looking at wedding invite options.
 


New friend!

So today's challenge post is about a blog friend of mine. I've just recently connected with her through the Hello Box project here, but I'm already way excited about making a new friend!
 
Meet Rachel, from My Wholesome Home!
 
 
 
Why Rachel is awesome:
 
~ She's super nice! I've never really emailed back and forth with another blogger before, so this is definitely a plus!
 
~ She has awesome recipes, especially this two part one here and here. As someone with little to no talent in the kitchen, I'm impressed and in awe! Despite my lack of cooking skills, I will be trying this!
 
~ She has the cutest pug ever! Seriously, look at this face!
 
I don't know if I've ever mentioned it on here, but pugs happen to be my favorite dog in the world. They're so sweet, their facial expressions are priceless, and I love the happy snorts they make :) Someday, when Justin and live somewhere that allows pets, we will have a pug of our own.
 
~ She's a book lover, just like me! There is nothing better than a day spent reading, and Rachel has quite the extensive book collection, which I am jealous of! Too bad we don't live closer, we could start a book club. :)
 
So what are you waiting for? Head on over to Rachel's blog, you'll be glad you did!
 
 


One of my faves

Quotes. Picking a favorite is really a challenge for me, I have an entire board on Pinterest dedicated to them.
 
So when I had to choose one for this linkup, I decided to go with one that's relevant to my life lately.
 
 
It took me a long time to acknowledge this, but it's so true. I used to have some friends who were all about image. They were seemingly perfect all the time and from the outside, it looked like their lives were charmed. It turned out they weren't such good people, and were quick to judge anyone who wasn't like them. It's not true friendship if you have to constantly censor yourself, to do and be the right things all the time.
 
I'm extremely grateful that in the past few years I've made a few true and genuine friends. We don't have to be doing anything cool or impressive, we just have fun and enjoy being together. We listen and try to help each other when problems arise. Isn't that what friendship should truly be?
 
Long story short, I'm a lucky gal.


Friday, May 3, 2013

That uneasy feeling

Linking up with Jenni once again!
 
Today's topic is what makes me uncomfortable.
 
 
I like to think I'm pretty laidback, but there are some things that bug me, no matter what. 
 
They include:
 
- public speaking
 
- thinking about paying bills
 
- spiders and centipedes
 
- having my feet touched
 
- people who are blatantly racist or homophobic (major dislike)
 
- getting lost while driving
 
- anything math related
 
I'm sure there are more, but these are what I could come up with for right now.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


The expert of....hmm

So for the next linkup here, I'm supposed to educate you all about something.
 
I thought to myself, what do I know a lot about?
 
And then it dawned on me...taking leisurely baths.
 
(If the photo below is what bath time looks like for you, consider me jealous.)
 
 
So I bet you're wondering how I became such an expert at baths?
Well, practice makes perfect, and considering I take at least 3 baths a week in addition to my daily shower, I think I'm getting pretty good at it.
 
First, run the water. It should be hot, but not insanely so.
Unless you're me, in which case your fiance will dip in his toe and proclaim it feels like lava.
This means it's perfect.
 
Add the bubbles. Extra points if they're the kind that turn the water fun colors.
 
While the water is running, gather your reading material and something to drink.
 
Baths are the prime occasion for reading celebrity trash magazines like In Touch and US Weekly. How else are you going to know if LiLo went to jail again or Amanda Bynes got even crazier? Exactly.
 
Pour some yourself a drink (I like moscato myself) and head to the tub.
 
Sink in and zone out for a good hour or so.
 
And that, my friends, is where I'm headed now.

My life in 250 words

After seeing a lot of bloggers talk about the Blog Every Day in May challenge, I was like, 'oh yeah, I can do that!'
 
 
As you can see, it's the 3rd of May and I'm just now starting. Oopsies.
 
 
BUT! That means you'll have plenty to read today!
 
 
First up, we have my life in 250 words or less:
 
 
I was born on November 16, 1986 in a small town in Iowa. My parents drove me home from the hospital in a blizzard. When I was 3 my sister was born, and 4 years later I got a little brother too. As a kid I loved to read, play Barbies and get my sister in trouble. (Love you Sam!)
 
My early teen years were spent obsessing over the Spice Girls and Titanic. Oh, and reading magazines, especially the articles about boys because I hadn't had a boyfriend yet. In my spare time I was trying to perfect that hairstyle where you twist back your hair in butterfly clips, but it never worked for me. Damn.
 
In high school I finally had a few boyfriends, and when I wasn't with them I was hanging with my group of girls. I did all the usual stuff, prom, plays, etc.
 
When it was time for college I ended up changing my mind a lot about what I wanted to do. Sociology, family services, nursing and studio art were all considered at one time or another, but I could never decide. While going to school I started my current job (Hobby Lobby) and eventually decided to work there full-time. Also while in school I met my fiance Justin in one of my art classes. We fell in love and now here we are four years later, getting married this September!