TWELEVE THINGS. . .

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I saw this on Nikki's blog and immediately stole it

 [thanks girlie :) ]

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12 Things You Should Be Able To Say About Yourself...

1. I am following my heart and intuition.

In terms of love, YES! I'm finally happy with the leading man in my life and 100% ready for the next step. My heart has had very tall walls around it since college, but I can now say I'm listening to what my heart says. I think I've always been good at following my intiuition. I know when someone is leading me on, or is a bad apple. And I defintley know when I "shouldn't go in the dark scary room", unlike movie stars. What is their deal ;)! 

2. I am proud of myself.

I am proud of my optimisim, good nature, my ability to connect with people and my ability to learn new things. I am not proud of my negativity, my judgement of others, my lack of patience [especially with my family], my lack of drive, my work ethic at my job and my fear of new things. 

3. I am making a difference.

Daily, no. But, have I made a difference in someone's life, yes. I've done mulitple mission trips throughout my life and am proud of the difference I have made. I've helped Katrina victims, built churches in Brazil, helped the homeless at my church and choose to donate clothing as well. I only HOPE that the little bit I contribute actually makes a difference. 

4. I am happy and grateful.

I believe I am. Do I covet other things, yep! But, I know I am blessed and I am so grateful for the people in my life. God is very very good to me. 

5. I am growing into the best version of me.

I hope I am. I know I am no longer the doe-eyed, naive young lass I was, even two years ago. But, I'm not sure that is a good thing. My humor has become drier and more quirky. My optimistic nature has dropped a little, which I don't like. I've become more protective of myself and possibly a bit more judgemental. I am not the best version of me spiritiually and I've been struggling with a change to be a better Christian. I think ONCE I am happier with my faith, I'll be the best version of me possible. 

6. I am making my time count. 

Depends on the situation. Do I goof off at work then rush around to get things done? YES! Have I let time get away from me and missed opportunities? Sure. But, I believe that I have grown up recently, and have become better at making my time count. I know when to buckle down, but I also know when to relax and make my DOWN time count too. 

7. I am honest with myself.

Kind of, maybe ish?!?! I have cut myself a lot of slack about my faith and my fitness. I think "Oh a prayer here or there or a bit of fitness here or there will make me a better person", when we all know it takes a lot of dedication to get better. Sometimes I think I'm stronger and more bada$$ than I really am. My bark is WAAAAAAAAY worse than my bite. But, when push comes to shove, I can tell myself the hard truth, which is a good thing.

8. I am good to those I care about. 

I'd like to think I am. I try to put others first, especially those in my Tier One friendships and family. But, I know that those closest to me recieve the brunt of my rudeness and lack of patience. I try to make those closest to me know how much they matter and how much they are loved. 

9. I know what unconditional love feels like. 

I am so blessed to say YES I do. My parents, sisters and now C have shown me unconditional love and I am a better person for it. God blessed me with amazingly loving people and I'm so thankful. 

10. I have forgiven those who once hurt me. 

Eh, for the most part yes. There are two or three people that I STILL get mad at when I think about their names. Like right now, there is some extra heat flaring around my neck. But, for the most part, I forgive and try to forget. I need to remember to grant people the grace God gave me.

11. I take full accountability for my life. 

Yes. I am the one who said the mean words, didn't try hard enough, or let opportunities pass me by. I'm not always the best at holding myself accountable for my attitude. Sure life gets tough, but I can choose to see things in a positive light or a negative light. I need to be more accountable for my attitude. 

12. I have no regrets.

Wish I could say 'no regrets' but I can't. I 100% understand IF things had been different I wouldn't be where I am today. However, there are goals I never reached, plans I gave up on, people I hurt and things I did that I am NOT proud of at all. I believe as long as my regrets TEACH me something, it is okay to have them. 

Monthly Goals February

 So these are a little late,

but it's still the 'first week of feb'

so technically these are still relevant?

RIGHT!?

Well, it's my blog so I say RIGHT!

My girl C-LO, who happens to be a bestie

and totally awesome lady,

began a monthly goal list last year.

I loved watching her lists change

and grow and thought this year

I'd try the same thing. 

So thanks C-LO!

YOU THE BEST GUUUUUUUUUURL!

Here are my goals for 

1] Try three new recipes. Since C and I eat mostly primal style, most recipes I find on blogs or Pinterest are no-nos. I want to try to 'primal' up recipes or find new primal recipes to add to our repertoire.

2] Attend at least one Zumba class a week. I recently rekindled my love of Zumba and really want to bring it into my workout rotation. I've been on point working out and changing up my lifting, but I need a boost in cardio. Check out my 'miles' from the class I went to on Tuesday night.

3] Spend at least five minutes every night/day stretching. I'm sure this will be a fail, but I really want to try and make stretching a part of my routine.

4] Make a list and NOT OVER PACK for SFKO. This one is gonna be hard!!

5] Finish a new book. I've been way slow on reading recently, I need to find a new book to reinvigorate my love of reading. TV needs to turn off, Kindle or book needs to turn on.

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Crossing my fingers most of these will be in GREEN by the end of the month.

Do you have any monthly goals?

Have you Heard?!?!?

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There's a rumor in St. Petersburg...
[name that movie...anyone anyone?]

Most of us are at our computers 2340802348 hours
of the day, so most of us SEE
the BIG stories out there.

But, sometimes we miss the intriguing
hilarious, precious and
down right creepy stories.

Today, I thought I'd share some of the
random yet interesting
articles I've come across the past two weeks.

I hope you enjoy!

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McStay Family Disappearance

I mean seriously?!?! A family that just disappeared?!!?! 

And has stayed gone for three  years!

I can't even imagine what actually happened. 

Baffling I tell ya, baffling.

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Cheerleader Not Invited to Super Bowl

I know the Super Bowl is over, but did you hear this story? 

A 5 year veteran cheerleader was NOT invited to cheer

 at the Super Bowl. How rude is that?!?!

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Kid on the Court

I mean how precious is he?! Super glad he wasn't hurt o

r prevented a game winning drive, because 

I think this is just a sweet example of a child.

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Dan the Man = Dan the Double Dad

WOW, squeaky clean Dan Marino has another kid

....and paid the mom off. Sigh....MEN! Keep it in your pants!

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Creepo Doctor Spied in Men's Locker Room

Again, can I just say MEN! EEWWW GROSS! 

And what an invasion of privacy. 

 
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Former Model Quits to Play Football at SMU

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelllllllo dream boat!
I maybe the only one that agrees with his decision,

he has a great head on his delicious shoulders and abs ;)

What's Companies Got to Do W/LOVE?

February, the month of LOVE. 

The month of cookies!

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Of Red&PINK

Source: michaels.com via Claudia on Pinterest

Of flowers!

Source: mobilephun.com via Pinky on Pinteres

t

 The month of overly commercialized poppycock.

Now, I'm not a Valentine's day hater. 

My parents always made sure I had a lovely 

Valentine's day every year, up through college. 

I've had the amazing boyfriend Valentine's day celebrations

and the super fun single ladies party nights.

I'm sure I've even celebrated Valentine's day by myself.

But, ever since high school I've felt
Valentine's day is SUCH a fools holiday.

Why do we let companies tell us WHEN 
to love our loved ones?!?!

Why is it important to receive a gift
a flower
a poem
a ring [!?!?]
a card
on this ONE special day?

Why do we HAVE to go out to dinner
all fancy schmancy?!?!

Why do we let one day define our love
the rest of the year?

Why are red roses so important on the 14th?

 Don't get me wrong,
I LOVE

L*O*V*E!

I love flowers and romance

and lace and chocolates

and hearts and stars

and love letters and poems

and gift giving and receiving.

I'm a hopeless romantic and I've always 

known I'd find my

knight in shining armor. 

But, I don't NEEEEEEEED to be shown love on February 14th

because that's the day it's everywhere. 

I'd much rather have random "I love you" flowers

on a cold March Thursday.

Personally, I think people should

JUST SAY I LOVE YOU EVERY DAY!

Source: catchmyparty.com via Pinky on Pinterest

Now, Miss Pinky can't truly dislike a holiday 

that CELEBRATES PINK. 

That would just be CAHRAZY!

I love the pretty pinks everywhere, and the reds too. 

Stores do look lovely this time of year. 

And I find children's Valentine's day cards

so fun and precious. 

But, I feel bad for the dudes of the world,

that get scammed into buying 

EXTREMELY expensive gifts

and flowers

[that usually are much cheaper]

 or seksi underoos

because they are told they should.

I also feel bad for the poor schmuck

that 'forgets' to get something

and then gets reamed out. 

I wish we women could relax

and not make Valentine's day 

such a big deal. 

If we expressed our disinterest

then there would be no demand

and the emphasis would lessen. 

Love is LOVE

everyday of the year.

NO IF ANDS OR BOOTYS

about it.

So bloggers, will you be my Valentine ALL YEAR!?!?

Source: weheartit.com via Pinky on Pinterest

2012 Resolutions Check List

Yes, today, February 5th, I'm recapping
2012's resolutions.

Shocking right ;)!

I know this isn't timely,
but I wanted to hold myself accountable here
so today, you get to read about 2012.
Again!

My GOALS FOR 2012 were semi-ambitious, 

and even though I dropped the ball a lot, I still want to grade myself.

As you might recall, last year I graded myself on my 2011 goals.  

That was pretty rough, because I did NOT uphold many resolutions. 

I'm pretty sure this year was just as bad. DRAT!

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1) Be a better disciple and follower of Christ. C+
I was better than last year, but still no where NEAR where I wanted to be with Christ. I've started going to a different church with C once a month and even though it's contemporary I enjoy the sermons. I participated in a few devotionals with my iPhone app, but I often forgot to read them and then played catch up. I'm not sure WHAT is going to get my butt in gear, but I do know I need to be more Christ centered.

2) Return to my more active lifestyle and get in the healthiest shape I can. C+/B
C and I kicked BUTT at the beginning of the year. We were waking up in the mornings and working out, while eating extremely healthy. He went strict Paleo/primal and my first time trying it was NO BUENO. I had to change my take on food by March because I was so miserable with my diet. I did a pretty good job managing my portions though. I continued to suffer from shin splints, which hindered my ability to run, but I began incorporating HIIT workouts which were awesome. I was in great shape for my kickball tourneys, but my cardio tolerance was way lower than I hoped for when we ran our mud run. I want to run the Tough Mudder after my 30th [eeek] so that is my goal this year. I could have worked harder in the gym and not made as many excuses last year, but I was finally able to shed the 3-5 pounds that annoyed me around August. 

3) Eat better......MORE WHOLE foods less processed. B/B+
I think this was my BEST resolution for 2012. I significantly eliminated processed foods from my diet. I stopped eating processed carbs and concentrated on eating whole foods nine time out of ten. After dabbling back and forth, I've adopted a Primal take on food 80/20. As mentioned before, processed breads, cheeses, pastas, rice, boxed foods, easy foods, and packaged foods were pretty much thrown out. There were still up and down days, and days where I ate three bowls of Lucky Charms for dinner. However, my pantry and fridge look much healthier now and I'm very proud of my impact on the earth. I'm eating more foods from the farmers market in order to eat lesser processed foods. 

4)Drink More Water, Take my Vitamins. B
I am still doing great with drinking water, but not as great with my vitamins. I stopped taken them around April I think. I'm really happy with my yearly water intake though. Some days were better than others, but for the most part I succeeded in drinking more water. 

5) Stretch Daily: A until March then F
I was really really good at stretching everyday the first few months of the year. I was doing yoga daily, just easy vinyasas or sometimes deep stretching sequences. I also was more aware of standing and stretching while at work or just hanging out at home. Unfortunately, life got in the way and sleep or other forms of exercise took place of stretching. I miss the good deep stretch feeling, and hope to get back into it in 2013.

6)JUDGE LESS: Ehhhhhhhhhhh, C+/B
I went through phases with this one.  I became very understanding and actively chose to not bad mouth or bad think about people that made me mad. And then there were times where obscenities and rude comments flew out of my mouth without hesitation. I continued to let people's opinions and actions bother me, when they really shouldn't have. There were still moments where I silently judged a friend or colleague or family member even though I knew I was being rude. I'm still trying, so I guess I'll leave it at that. 

7) Actually create and stick to a budget. EPIC FAIL!
Nothing to write here, except EPIC FAIL!

8) Stop wasting time (i.e. too much computer and too much tv) C
I was good and I was bad. I usually am NOT on the comp blogging at home, I do that at work [shh]. But, sometimes when C and I are hanging out we are both on the comp searching on Facebook, kickball forums or just news. We also watch way too much TV together. Even though they are just reruns while eating dinner, I think we wasted time we could have been prepping food for the next day, chatting or organizing. I don't want technology to run my life, so I'm going to try to deTV/Comp/phone when I'm at home. 

Overall I think I was average. Just a C.

Better than failing, but not GOOD.

I plan to keep a few of these in 2013, 

but make them more of a lifestyle change,

instead of a resolution.

Did you make resolutions?

If so how are they going?

If not why?!

Weekend Recap

Football is over

and now it's just winter.

WAH!

Before we get to Sunday, let's check out
Friday and Saturday mmmkay?!

Friday night C and I took my parents bowling
to celebrate my dad's bday.
We had a great time and C and I actually won
by 8 pins, woot woot!

Saturday morning we were supposed to have kickball practice,
but due to some random happenings
we were unable to find the correct field.

I chose to veg out on the couch for a bit,
before meeting up with the sissys and a family friend
for an amazing lunch in DC.

We went to Founding Farmers and it was fantastic.
If you're ever in DC, you MUST check it out.

Saturday night I attended a surprise party for a college friend,

and channeled my inner rocker chick.

What do you think?!?! 

Sunday was spent at church, laundry,

prepping food, eating food and hanging out

with my family. 

I didn't really have a dog in the fight last night,

so I wasn't glued to my television as usual.

This year was more about food and family.

 Beyonce was pretty good for the halftime show I thought.

I've seen her in concert and I think she 

lived up to expectations. 

I LOVED the Destiny's Child bit, so awesome.

So what was with the Super Dome losing power!?!?

The momentum swing was crazy after it happened.

I hadn't planned to watch the whole game,
but everything became so exciting. 

Congrats to the Baltimore Ravens for winning. 

Now, on to pics from the weekend!

L-R
*Fed the laundry monster with 5 loads on Sunday
*Lots of snow flurries Friday through Sunday
*Delicious drinks at a girls lunch on Saturday @FoundingFarmers
*New Hair products, sooo happy
*Before the Super Bowl, caught up on PinkLouLou's Family Feud Episode
*Busted out the STRAIGHTENER for Church.

*Top Left - Bacon wrapped prawns
*Bottom Left - Turkey sliders, sautéed onions, crockpot mac&cheese
*Top Right - Veggie Platter
*Middle Right - Babyspice reading during the game! SHOCKER!
*Bottom Right - Homemade chocolate cake for Daddy's Bday

So how was your weekend? Did your team win? 

What did you think of the halftime show?!?!

Fearless Fashion Fridays

This Friday I'm trying something new and linking up with

 the uber fabulous Kelly of Messy.Dirty.Hair for:

Kelly from Messy Dirty Hair | Lindsey from Peace Love Sequins

Kelly is my girl, I just love her and her fun fashion projects. 

Have you checked out the Messy Project yet?!?!? DO IT, so fab.

Anyhoodle, today I'm sharing one of my Fashion fears/crushes.

LEOPARD PRINT!

I've always admired the girls that wear it, because they look tre chic. 

However, I've always been too scared to wear it,

in fear of looking

like this

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instead of this!

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I've never tried on leopard print ANYTHING and probably 

never would have if I hadn't been gifted

an amazing leopard print piece. 

ENTER SECRET SANTA SWAP 2012!

My fabulous fabulous wonderful secret Santa

sent me a gorgeous leopard print infinity scarf

and I LOVED IT IMMEDIATELY!

The DAY I received it. LOVE LOVELOVE!

This leopard print scarf has now become my GO to item.

I wear it with anything and everything.

Dressed up for work.

Dressed down and traveling.

Hanging with some creeper kids ;).

 

Sportin stunna shades with the Gpa.

Not only is this scarf fashionable, 

it is incredibly soft and warm.

WIN WIN I'd say.

I'm so glad I'm over my fear of leopard print. 

I won't be buying many more pieces, 

just because I don't wanna look 

like a jungle cat. ;)

However, I'm thinking I'll invest in a nice 

pair of flats or heels and maybe 

a skirt or shirt.

What do you think ladies,

is leopard your go to or your fear?!

HAPPY FRIDAY FRIENDS!

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Today is my daddy's bday!!!!

LOVE YOU DADDYBEAR!