30 Day Challenge - Day 13 and 14

Day 13

Goals

I find myself each year making a new set of goals... this year was no different. I did a recap of my new years resolution goals here - but i thought this would be a perfect time to re-visit them to see how they are coming since we are 3/4 through this year... updates are in teal

• Overcome my fear of numbers... and by numbers I mean my bank account and my weight. I never like looking at my bank account number because the number is constantly going down and I hate looking at my weight because it is constantly going up... so I am hoping this year my fear of numbers will go away because my bank account will creep up and my weight will dwindle down
  

**I have to admit - that I am becoming much more comfortable with this - I am much happier to step on the scale in the morning [as a matter of fact - i can't wait to go to the dr to prove to her that I can loose weight!] and paying my bills has becoming much easier - not stressing month to month has been so nice!**

• While were on the topic of weight.. I have really struggled since college with my weight (actually my entire life) however, I have really noticed since I have been dating Justin (not that it is his fault at all - but just because I am more comfortable than ever) I have lost interest in working out and focusing on my physical health. My goal for this year is start towards my ideal weight loss goal - to loose 23% of my current weight, and I would be where I would ideally want to weigh

**I have lost about 10% of my body weight since the beginning of the year - this is just a start in my weight loss challenge. I feel better than ever and I can't wait to get down to my ideal weight**

• Back to saving money - I want to save enough money to fly down and see my grandma and great grandma in Florida. I miss both of them dearly and the older I get the more time they spend down in Florida

**still working on this one - i promise!**

• I would also love to furnish the basement with Justin's help.
  

**we have the couch - now we just need to figure out the rest of the decorations - not as easy as I thought it would be!**

• Although I'm not a runner I would like to participate in one race this year - like a 5k - lets start off small and work and I can work my way up to a bigger race or more 5ks throughout the year if I get really ambitious

**never thought I would be able to run this - but I ran a 1/2 marathon. Unfortunately I was not able to run the 1/2 last week, however I plan on running the 1/2 again next May and the full next October.... yes I said a full... it was a challenge from my VP - and I don't/ can't back down from a challenge**

• I would also love to find a way to calculate walking/running 2oo miles this year.

**unfortunately I haven't logged this - I plan on doing this next year though. **
SOME FUN RESOLUTIONS

• Blog 350 days this year... so far were off to a good start

** Don't know if I'm going to make this one.... but I can still aim for it - right!**

• Paint my nails and keep them looking nice
  

**thankfully i got a manicure this weekend - but i can't guarantee they always look as nice as they do right now **

• Go on a date with Justin once a month... Although we go out to dinner together, sometimes its just so I dont have to make dinner and I'm being lazy or have no creative ideas - I want our dates to be planned

**We have gone on a few - and I love every time we do - its just a special time for the 2 of of us together!**

• Host a a girls night out once a month for my girlfriends. I am so fortunate to have such a large group of friends who live here locally, and I love it when I am able to get together with them frequently (scarf exchange, Saturday morning movie and breakfast, dinner, ect)

**sorry girls - you know that i have not done well on this one - hopefully my martini party will make up for our missed months during the summer!*

• Have my parents and Justin's parents over for dinner once a month
  **Some months are better than others at this**
  
• Write notes to my friends who may need encouragement, thank you notes to people who encourage me, just saying hi letters to my friends I might not get to see all the time, and an occasional love notes to Justin
• Continue to volunteer at my church nursery once a month

**They no longer need my sister and my help, there were too many people and not enough kids, so we no longer volunteer.**

Day 14

Picture that you love

Please know - that there i s nothing worse to me than a crying baby
I instantly want to comfort the baby and help them, however a picture of a crying baby to me is pretty much priceless. I know that Molly is very well cared for - and she rarely cries... so with that being said - this picture makes me laugh every time I see it!

one of my other favorite pictures is this picture of my great grandma, grandma, mom, sister and I at my sisters graduation 3 years ago. 4 generations. i love it!
Remember about my $35 CSN give-a-way! Don't forget to sign up - you have until Wednesday to sign up!

CSN Give-a-way and 30 Day Challenge: Day 12 - I believe.....

Happy Freakin' Friday!

I'm so glad that its almost the weekend :)
and not only is that good news - but i also have an awesome give-a-way opportunity for one of y'all to win...

a $35 gift certificate to one of their stores

You can find anything from an amazing dining room table to this adorable comforter

To win a $35 gift certificate enter:
Mandatory: Visit CSN and tell me what you love
Mandatory: Follow my blog
(3 extras) blog about this giveaway

The winner will be announced next Wednesday, October 27th

30 Day Challenge
Day 12
What you believe....

I believe.... everything happens for a reason, even if you don't know what that reason is at that very moment it happens
I believe.... a smile is contagious
I believe.... a simple hand written note in the mail can make any one's day
I believe.... watching leaves fall can be therapeutic
I believe.... that there is a plan for everyone of us
I believe.... reality tv makes me cry more often than sappy movies
I believe .... determination today leads to success tomorrow
I believe.... that there is no better time than right now <- thats my motto for this year! I believe.... you choose your attitude every morning when you wake up... did you make it a good day?
I believe.... that i'm beyond thankful its friday [can you tell i'm ready for this weekend] and I have a few friends coming in today from out of town Aly and then 2 friends tomorrow - and I'm so excited to see them :)

30 Day Challenge - Day 7-11 - Catch - Up

Hi there blog friends....

remember me?

I know its been a while....

I almost had to look up my log-in because its been so long since I have blogged

... and if i didn't already nominate myself for the worst blogger of the year award a few months ago - I'm pretty sure I would accept the nomination again for my blogging hiatus!

But no worries I'm back! and I have a lot to catch y'all up on - so here we go!

time to catch up on the 30 day blogging challenge

Day 7

Favorite movies

Steel Magnolias
Elf
Blindside
Varsity Blues
The Holiday
How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days

Day 8

A place you've traveled to

I have been fortunate that my family has given us the opportunity to travel out west to snowboard for the past few years - however, my favorite place that we travel to often is Lake Cumberland in Kentucky.
It is so serene, peaceful, and when you get down on the water, there is not a care in the world. I love going on a family vacation almost every year there.

Day 9

A picture of your friends

OSU vs OU game

Did y'all know that Aly from Analyze This and I are real life besties?
She was my college roommate at school and I can truly say that I think blogging has only brought us closer together - and I love it!
She is coming this weekend to visit - and I can't wait to see her - i'm sure more pictures are to come!

Jaci and I at the golf outing
all of my sorority sisters at Ashley's wedding earlier this summer
and Justin and my best friends that moved to Boston a few years ago
Stacey and Ryan
Day 10

Something you're afraid of

This is a good question - I'm not so sure how to answer this question - it is much more difficult than I expected it to be.
Perhaps I'm afraid of the unknown - a little because i'm a control freak and a little because I don't like not knowing what is going to happen. I have always been a little bit of a worrier - and thats just my nature - i worry about people, things, and making sure everything goes as planned.


Day 11

Favorite tv shows

Oh my - don't judge my list of reality tv shows - deal?!

Biggest Loser
First 48
Top Chef
Teen Mom
Jersey Shore
Keeping Up with Kardashians
Modern Famiy

Alright - I think that gets me all caught up for now - I will try my hardest not to fall that far behind again! i apologize about that! not my intentions!

Come back tomorrow afternoon and I will have a great give-a-way from everyone's favorite site - CSN!!!! Make sure not to miss it!

30 Day Challenge - Day 5 - Picture that makes you smile

Day 5
A picture that makes you smile

Any picture of my Goddaughter makes me smile

I was BEYOND honored for one of my best guy friends from college and his wife, asked me to be his daughters God Mother, and I couldn't have been more thrilled to be a part of her life. She lights up my life! i love love love her!!!

our first home visit
3 days old
i can't get enough of this picture - its on my fridge, in a frame on my dresser and at work
her little baby feet
2 days old
and one of the more recent pictures - my little diva to be ;)

i love you molly kay - i can't wait to watch you grow up!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 5 - Siblings

Day 4

Siblings

Meet Alli [and her fiance Doug - because like me - we don't have many pictures of just ourselves] - my only sibling.
a wedding the whole fam went to earlier this year

Alli and I are 2 1/2 years a part in age

Growing up I don't think we could have been more opposites... she was into drama and i was into sports, i like playing sports and alli did it for the treat afterward [she may kill me for writing that - but its the truth!] .... we certainly didn't have that my sister is my best friend mentality [at all!], however since we have both graduated college and we are both in serious relationships [i think the boys totally help balance us out!] we have been able to lean on each other more for support and friendship!

Alli and Doug's engagement dinner with the fam
fishing in lake cumberland - an early morning for everyone!
our immediate family
{clearly i took a TON Of pictures the day that i wore this argyle sweater because it has appeared in the last 3 posts of mine... i promise it was ALL in one day! hockey game, visiting molly and my dad's 50th surprise party!}

To sum up Alli: creative - opinionated - cardigan wearing - starbucks lover - skiier - has more love for her dog Lily than a normal human should - slob becoming more of a neat freak [where i am the opposite!] - can wear any hat and make it look good - wine drinker - graphic designer - and pretty much a damn darn good sister!

and just because y'all know after yesterday's post that were not a mushy gushy family - this is how i will always remember my sister - even if she is getting married in 372 days!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 4 - My Parents

Day #4
My Parents

Meet Brad and Laura, my wonderful parents

[and yes, I have called them Brad and Laura ever since I was little
the would be much more likely to come if i was in the grocery store
if i called out Laura than Mom, when 254786 other mom's looked my direction!]

[our family is not big into taking pictures together - don't ask why... and this is after i ran the 1/2 marathon in the rain... JS!]

They are my role models as to how a relationship should be - the have been married for 29 years and are still crazy about one another!

Mi Madre
at her 50th bday party last year in Put-In-Bay

hard worker - detail oriented - organized - budgeter - coupon cutting - wine loving -skier - fun loving - health conscious - stubborn [i blame your mom and grandma on this one!] - decision maker - and a wonderful role model!
{and as much as i thought i wanted to avoid becoming just like you, i know that you see more and more of it happening every day!}

Daddy-o
at my dad's surprise 50th bday party last year

driven business man - golfer- clean freak - meticulous - has a love for boats - snowboarder - loyal -miller lite lover - quiet unless he has something valuable to say [i think this may be because he lived for 22+ years with 3 girls in the house!] - love shack singer - tiki torch lighter - someone who i know I can rely on at any time and he will be there for me!


My sister and I are so fortunate to have such amazing parents! They know when to take the time to "parent/mold" us into the girls they would like to be but they also know when and how to have fun with us!
a family trip to Vail a few years ago - hanging out in the George!


I think my sister's fiance said it best when describing our family dynamics... you know that they love one another and you know that they would be there for each other in a heart beat, however they are not always vocal about it.... which is so true!
love it!

30 Day Challenge Day 3

Day 3-Your first love

So i struggled with this topic - I had to call on one of my besties - Aly from Analyze This to help interpret what it was actually about - a boy - an activity - a thing??? clearly - there is nothing EVER simple in my life! So after discussing with her - I think I have had a few first loves ...
i love babies!


i have always loved them even from when I was small... there was nothing better to me than to get to hold my baby cousins when i was 7 or 8 years old. i loved every minute of it - it probably explains as to why i babysat all through middle school, high school and college, and now i volunteer to watch my friend's kids if the parents need a day/night out! i just can't get enough of them! there is nothing better than a baby laughing, smiling, or falling asleep in your arms!

i love golf!
via
this was the first sport that i played, that i loved. i had a passion for it, which helped me be dedicated while practicing and playing. i played all through high school on the varsity team [and yes we had more than just the varsity squad - we had a jv and and a jr jv]. i loved the girls that i played with at both my school as well as the local schools in the area that we would compete against. one of the great things about golf is that i continue to enjoy the sport with justin and our friends during the summer months - its a passion that i started in 8th grade that keeps on giving

and finally Justin!
[i know shocking - right?!]
sure, i dated guys briefly throughout high school and college, but in my opinion if i new i wasn't going to marry the guy i wouldn't prolong the dating because honestly- why waste my time?? i would rather just be friends than put someone through something that i knew wouldnt be forever
i think this worried my mother just a little bit because at one point she told me that i needed to "practice dating" - thanks Laura -ha!
I think everything worked out pretty well ;) i kinda like the guy that i'm with now!



Day 1 and 2 are here

Happy Hump Day! we're half way through the week - woohoo!