Alone

I have never been one to like the feeling of being alone. For some reason though I keep thinking about going to a movie by myself. I just think that doing something by myself might not be a bad idea. I mean shopping is one thing that can always be done alone. I want to do some of the things I would never do alone.  This place has made me feel alone in general, so I think it is as good of a time as ever to try some things I would never have before!

Go to a movie.

Go to a coffee shop and relax.

Go to a restaurant.

Go sit in a park or a public area and reflect.

Try an art class.

What is one thing you wouldn’t normally try by yourself?

Tasty Tuesday #5

Okay. Clean eating sucks and is hard to do.  I am learning for myself that coffee cannot be completely given up as we have a daughter that still doesn’t sleep through the night. Having coffee with sugar and some milk (just a dab) is much better than the full sugar and yummy creamer filled stuff.  Soda has not been hard to give up. I was actually really surprised!

I am also realizing that moderation is what I will be doing. Portion control. Clean eating is my goal.  I will eat more veggies. I will drink more water. I will have a fancy coffee only on Fridays, and maybe one other treat during the week if I can keep all my exercise goals.  I do not have the resources up here to fully enjoy and try clean eating.  I am still researching a juice cleanse as I Have heard those are one of the best and easiest ways to detox.

Yes this is my cop out Petra 🙂  but I am trying to maintain an enjoyable life and healthy life so I am figuring that exercise can offset my bad eating.  I know you aren’t buying it though!

What are your tricks to help you stay on track? What are your go to meals and or snacks?

Proverbs 31 Woman – Virtue #6

6. Finances – A Virtuous Woman seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. (Proverbs 31: 14, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Ephesians 5: 23, Deuteronomy 14: 22, Numbers 18: 26)

Ugh – I hate the word finance and anything that goes with the personal type.  Ever since I left John Deere in 2009 mine have not been where I want them. It seems that when the paycheck went down everything else stayed the same and it makes it awful hard to make ends meet.  I have been humbled to needing Nick’s help with a lot of things and money was one of them.  I had to ask to make purchases and I didn’t like it , but it made me really think about things I needed and wanted.

I learning now that things have to be quality, not just about quantity. I might be able to buy 5 shirts for $20 but they will need to be replaced in a couple of months because the quality is bad. OR I could buy 3 for $20 that will last me all summer as the fabric is thicker. 

My kids might like the name brand cereal, but will they ever know the taste difference if I just buy generic and call it the same? No.

Do I really need to buy soda for $5 a 12 pack? No.

When I am not buying all that crap – I can save to make sure the money is here when I really need it.  I am forever learning on this one. Nick has really helped me too – not sure if he really knows it though. 

What have you done to help with finances?

Negativity

Drags you down. I am over it. I am finally in a happy place and I enjoy it. It has made all the change in the world.  The army moved us to Alaska from beautiful North Carolina.  At first I was excited. Then we got here and I got down. It wasn’t the same, my friends weren’t here, and my house wasn’t here.  I let the negativity of the whole situation  get me down.I prayed for help. I had encouraging friends who prayed for me. I have been reading a book about missionaries in Liberia that was given to me by my pastor. I was reading it and it changed my view. I gave up control just as the missionary did. I realized I was making everything worse.  Once I gave up control the mad feelings left me.

It made me realize how many people around me were so negative and I learned to live with it.  I was complacent. I will not go back that way and I will not think that way again. I cannot. It is like a prison.  I have decided that I am making some permanent changes.  I am going to whittle away those that are negative. Whether it be at work, on Facebook, or “Friends” I hang out with.  I am getting rid of the negative everywhere.  I want to stay happy and enjoy my opportunities. I want to enjoy my kids and my husband. Life is too short to be a Debi-downer.

Live the life God has given you. It is full of blessings and happiness.

Fitness Friday #4

“Apparently I get bored easily. I need to find something new to do…any ideas?”

This was how my post originally started. If you read my post from yesterday you will see I received what I was asking for today.

My friend Martha challenged herself when she read my Wednesday post and then asked if anyone wanted to join. I love a good challege, and since my fitness life was becoming dull – I was so happy Martha asked! 

Alaska has proved to be a challenge for me on the fitness level. I hate cold. Just ask Nick. I think he is tired of me being cold. Lying next to a girl in sweatpants, socks, and a hooded sweatshirt CANNOT be attractive.  I have really been struggling. Martha was my answer and I am not sure if she will ever really understand how much it was needed. Thank you Martha.

What have you done to overcome a funk? How do you keep your fitness routine exciting?

All About A Challenge Huh?

My Dear friend Martha read my post from yesterday (especially the part about reading 10 books in March) and then decided to create her own set of challenges on her blog HERE. She asked if anyone wanted to join her – well who loves a challenge? That is ME!

So here it goes Martha along with some answer to your challenges (duh)!

#1 – I will up my ante to 20 books by Easter.  I have a crap load of books that I wanted to read but never read. So not proud of that, so I have pulled out my list of books I keep with me. I will whittle it down .I will be watching your Goodreads.com progress Martha!

#2 – I will join you in both A and B. I cannot do push ups and I was a competitive gymnast for 8 years and was a very strong person.  What happened??? I think Nick will even get a kick out of this one. He knows how much I suck at them – and even Petra knows how bad I am. I want pictures – and I will take them too!

#3 – I will make a schedule and stick to it. This one has helped me with my post I wrote for tomorrow. I needed something to help me.  You my friend, just helped me. So thanks for making me re-write tomorrow’s post. Thank you for this…really.

Monday: Stationary Bike  ( I like the idea of the bike, just because it is different)

Tuesday: Pilates & Yoga

Wednesday: Run & Yoga

Thursday: Pilates & Yoga

Friday: Run

Saturday & Sunday I will try to take my girls for walks as weather allows. Maybe some Yoga too 🙂

Martha – can’t wait to see how we both end up by Easter!

What’s New Wednesday #5

Three new things coming at ya today!

#1 I found my new favorite pen. Yes, one of my weird OCD things is pens. They have to write with ease and not glob in. PaperMate InkJoy is it.  I got an assorted colors pack and am in heaven.  I also have to use one pen until it is out of ink. I cannot use 100 pens and have them all over. I keep the same one (or two of different colors) with me and never use another if I can help it. I am strange I know.  Getting back on track – you need to try one of these pens.

#2 I have decided that in March I am going to read 10 books. This doesn’t seem like much to you I am sure. But to me this is huge.  I consume my time with Facebook and other time warps. I am going to try to turn that around.  Will you join me?

#3 Last, but not least – I saved the best for last. For lent (yes it starts today) I am giving up Facebook.  Yes folks – I am doing it. My blog is automatically linked and I am not taking the time to un-link it and such. I, however will not be on Facebook.  I will keep up my Twitter just because I have lots of motivational quotes and blog links through there. I actually use it more than stalk it like Facebook.  I think it will actually make me happier 🙂  My husband thinks that I will still get on it at work….Um, no.  I am really going to do this.  For me. 

Managing Monday #5

I have got to get out of this funk! I try my hardest to keep everything going and make sure things are in order and nothing gets missed.  I just still can’t seem to shake whatever it is that I am in.

My awesome husband got me a yoga mat for no reason. He heard me say I wanted one and then went and brought me home one! He rocks to say the least.  I am hoping to incorporate yoga into my day in both the am and pm to help. I think I need to focus some more attention to my mental health. I worry about getting things done for both my kids, the house, and I think that I just need to schedule me in.

Today I am going to try out a couple new things.  Things for me. This will in turn help my family out I am thinking and then we will all be in a better place! For me Mondays are always a great day to start something new as it is the start of the weekly routine. Why not add something in at the beginning, that is what I always say!

You could say I am going to manage myself this Monday.

I am going to practice more yoga. When researching on yoga some this is what I found on the Gaiam Life Homepage: “Yoga can help women find physical and emotional balance, as well as self-acceptance.” Yes please. I think I am going in the right direction!

I am going to make it a habit to read everyday. I am going to have a couple of books going at the same time. That way I can read for whatever mood I am in. Humor, educational, spiritual, self-help, or maybe just some good old-fashioned mystery reading. I have always enjoyed it, so why again did I stop?

My dear friend Martha made a spot on comment in her blog. She said it is the getting started part that is another story. I love to run, but the thought of getting ready to go do it sucks. I need to get over that and just start running again. It gave me so much energy and just made me feel good. I think I am going to sign up for a St. Patrick’s day 5K and the Run with the Reindeer race to give me some motivation since my running partners are still in North Carolina and I am not.

Last but not least I am going to try to give back some. I don’t think this will be a daily practice just yet – but I want to make it a practice. I feel it is something that I need to show my kids. You should help others if you can. That is just how it is.  I have been reading online some things that other people have done and I like some of them and others I don’t. I feel that helping others is good for the soul.

What are some things that you want to put into practice in your life? When will your start?

 

Random, Yes.

I love bananas. I cannot get a good fresh banana here that isn’t bruised or overripe. I saw this “theme” and decided I would keep it to pay homage to my long time favorite.

To you banana – I miss you.

Sharing Saturday #5

Not much to share today except for a list of thoughts I have kept all week – just for you!

1. The Bud Shootout is today – I am so excited!

2. I found out Dale Jr has a girlfriend – kind of a bummer – but I hope it turns out good for him. He deserves to find happiness – unlike what happened between Kurt and Eva Bush. Gold digger might I say?

3. So excited that Delana and Kevin Harvick are going to have a baby.  We need another Happy Harvick.  She will not be wearing a fire suit this year, but I think a pregnancy version would be super cute!  Joey Logano will need a new statement to think of in case of another fight.

4. I am also excited to have the Stanhope’s to watch races with! They are good people!

5. I miss nights at Fayetteville with the dirt cars. A single tear just dropped.  Enough race talk 🙂

6. An unforeseen opportunity has presented itself and has progressed to one more step. I am excited to see what this is about. It could mean really good things – please pray for me on Thursday.

7. I am really enjoying my time reading! I am glad I decided to pick up a book and get back into the habit. Any really good reads you want to share? Find me on Goodreads.com – I love it!

8. Ryley turns 3 on March 7th. My baby is growing up.  Curious George will be the theme this year.

9. I love the animated movie Curious George.

10. We are being challenged to move 100 miles by April 25th at work.  I have only walked and done organized fitness classes last week.  I have 20 miles. I will be running full-time again next week as my first 5K is coming up. I should hit 100 miles by early March. I love free stuff so why not let it help motivate me!

11. We were challenged to also take 10,000 stair steps by next Thursday. I am all about getting my bonus miles by completing this challenge so I am going to the mall tomorrow and will be taking steps every chance I can!  I will make 10,000 stairs, even if I have to do nothing but walk stairs for 10 minutes a day.

12. I get to babysit a super cute girl named Emma every Saturday. She makes me smile.

13. I need a new hairstyle. Any ideas or color ideas?

14. Daytona 500 is next weekend. Okay, now there has been enough race talk.

15. Our taxes are done thank goodness – too bad the refund is almost gone too and we don’t have it yet.

16. I have not had coffee or soda this week. Or my normal 3:00 butterfingers. Go me.

17. I have been a little cranky this week – I wonder why? Refer to #16.

18. I have given up on crafting. My mojo is not there anymore. I have still yet to find it. I threw some stuff together last month but that was what it was. Thrown together. I don’t like creating that way. I will wait until the mojo comes back so I don’t hate what I create and then hate it in general.

19. I found out this week that chickens (including Roosters) can bring peace. I think I will now look for a chicken and/or rooster charm for my pandora bracelet.

20. Nick has a 4 day weekend.  I do not. I do get Spring Break off though – so take that!