Love

I can't blog today without commenting on what happened on Friday December 14th. I have thought a lot about what I could/should say about the situation but I'm still at the point where I cannot understand and comprehend what has truly happened.  I have been consistently thinking about the families and members of the Newtown community and pray that they are able to find peace. What has happened is a terrible tragedy and I will never understand how someone could do something so terrible to people so innocent.

I want to take a minute to talk about Victoria- a first grade teacher in Newtown. She is a friend of a friend from college. I never met her, but knowing that someone who knows her makes this hit so close to home. She heard the gunshots and hid every single one of her students in cupboards in her classroom. When the gunman came in- Victoria told him her students were in gym class. He shot her and moved on to his next target. She died for her students- saving her entire class. She is a true hero.

I started thinking about what I would do if there was an issue where I work. I work with children every day and I know without a doubt that I would jump in front of any of them and take a bullet without question. Anyone who would ever attack a child is sick, sick, sick.

This tragedy hit close to home and I have had a lot of trouble dealing with it over the past couple of days. I will resume blogging as normal tomorrow but it felt important to relay my thoughts and prayers for those affected in my little corner of the internet.

So if you were affected- god bless you- please know that I am praying for you and hope you can find peace in this difficult season for loss.

Habit No More

Does anyone have a bad habit they just can't quit?
I know in a previous entry I discussed quitting biting my fingernails but I don't believe I've ever mentioned my soda addiction.

For as long as I can remember I've LOVED soda but obviously knew it wasn't good for me. I was drinking at least one soda a day and even more on special occasions. My water intake was low at best and the only other liquids I was consuming were tea, coffee, and that was pretty much it!

Within the last few months I have quit drinking soda during the week. I have only been drinking soda on weekends, and not always. I usually have about two a weekend and and have been drinking water non-stop!

Today for instance I have had three 17oz bottles of water and am currently working on bottle number 4! I have always loved water but it was never my first choice of a beverage but now it is! I'm now choosing not to drink my calories.

So everyone should open up and guzzle down some of the delicious h20! =)

5K Training Challenge- Day 3

Day 3's training looked liked this:

5 minute warmup walk
1 minute running/ 1.5 minute walking 8 times
5 minute cool down walk.

This workout took 30 minutes and was only made slightly difficult today because I was feeling extremely sluggish. It took everything in me to get out of bed and complete this workout.

When I finished however, my app awarded me a badge! Check out my determination badge at the bottom of the picture:

During my runs I always listen to music and it drowns out everything else. I've been known to dance during walks when I have my headphones in because I only hear my music and forget the rest of the world is going on around me. During my run today I heard a loud noise which startled me even though my headphones were blasting in my ears.

Guess that's what I get for living in the county. I'd also like to point out that I also pass cows on my run...and if I went the other direction I would pass sheep. We definitely don't have a loss of livestock near me!

I stopped to take this quick picture, but my run was mostly dominated by my playlist, not animal noises!

5K Training Challenge

Day 3 Playlist

One, Two Step- Ciara

Last Friday Night- Katy Perry

Only Girl In The World- Rhianna

What Goes Around Comes Around- Justin Timberlake

Thinking of You- Hanson

Hurricane- Something Corporate

Never Grow Up- Taylor Swift

Finally check out what I did to my arm after my run.

I went to throw my stanky clothes in the washing machine after my run and scratched my own nail up my opposite arm! Guess that's what you get for quitting biting your nails- a weapon!

I quit biting my nails on New Years Day 2011, the year after I finished college. I hated the habit but had bitten them down to stubs for as long as I could remember. I attempted to quit every new years but never quite managed to get very far, then 2 years ago I somehow managed to stop, so now I have nice long nails! I love to paint them and try out different colors and they are so much more fun then my old bitten nails. 

Have you ever completed a New Years Resolution?

This was the only one I have ever completed!

Have a great day! =)

Middle of the week slump

Oh Thursday. This week has been moving along at a slow pace, I can't wait for the weekend!

Yesterday started off with a few hours of work in the morning and then back for a yummy salad for lunch. Originally this salad started off a ceaser salad mix but I decided I wasn't in the mood for croutons or ceaser dressing so I changed things up! I cut up some carrots, threw in some chicken and shredded cheese and topped it all with Kraft Thousand Island Dressing (love in a bottle- for reals).



I also had a delicious dinner last night: simple and yummy- spaghetti! Spaghetti brings me back to childhood, I always picture kids with sauce all over their chins. If I choose my pasta, I will often choose penne but this spaghetti tasted good last night!



I also ate some watermelon before I dug into my pasta. I have found that if I eat watermelon before I eat my meal it cuts down on my appetite and I don't consume quite as many carbs! I am 100% a carbs girl, I love my pasta, bread, anything that is filling! In my quest for healthy living I need to definitely work on substituting other foods in place of carbs in my diet!

Also helpful: Drinking 3+ water bottles a day! I mean who doesn't love to pee all the time?! =)

On another note, look how cool the sky was last night!!



There were all these pink clouds scattered in between the trees. I can't wait till my skyline pictures include the colored leaves. I LOVE fall, one of the biggest perks of living in New England. As much as I will complain about the snow and winter and how much I can't wait for summer, it is always a big relief to see the leaves change colors and the weather get cooler =)

This blog post is getting long so I'm off to bring my dog for a walk before heading back to work for the night!

Have a great day everyone!




What's your favorite season? How do the season changes affect you where you live?

78th Birthday, Books I'm Reading, Christmas Shopping

Wow, this summer is flying by. I can't believe it is already the end of July...

I never got around to sharing pictures from last weekend's family birthday party for my Papa, so here they are.

Roxy, our party puppy. She is never quite sure how to respond to the attention she gets at family parties. Sometimes she takes off and hides under the desk in my mom's office. That is her usual sleeping location. In the picture she is sitting next to her daddy who will keep her safe from guests!

My dad and Annabel enjoyed posing with their hats, Annabel's hat was a little more flattering!

Everyone seemed to enjoy swimming in the pool. It was crystal clear thanks to my wonderful mom!

Vivian (my Papa's girlfriend) got to try on my dad's hat.

Roxy getting some love from Dan!

Cailean and his grandma playing some wii games!

Then it was time for singing and cake and presents! Happy 78th Birthday Papa!

The kids also like to torture their Uncle Bob!

And poor Roxy

There goes Papa with balloons on his car- hope you had a great party!

At the end of last week my papa, uncle craig, and cousins Annabel and Cailean left to go on a trip to Scotland. They invited the rest of the family to go, but it was such an expensive adventure and I had to worry about finding a job so it just wasn't in the cards for me. Someday I'll get over there! They are even going to be staying in a castle! I am so jealous! I do hope that they are having a fabulous time and I can't wait to hear all about the trip when they get back! Love them so much! =)

My job at a local daycare is just as challenging as ever. I have gotten quite attached to the kids though! One of the little boys yelled "wapow!" in his sleep on Friday and pumped his fist in the air. It was such a funny moment! A few of them cry and throw temper tantrums when they either have to leave me or I leave to go home for the day. It is nice to be loved. I definitely don't want to do this forever though, as much as I love to work and be with kids all day I would prefer to not change diapers! Yuck =p

Life has been pretty boring around here. I've been working so much that when I come home all I want to do is sleep! 

I have managed to catch up on Pretty Little Liars and Dance Moms though. I couldn't believe everything that is happening in PLL, it is so dramatic and makes me nervous every time I watch it!!!

I also finished the book I've been working on called On Mystic Lake by Kristin Hannah. It was excellent! The story follows a woman who deals with her failing marriage by going to her childhood home where she reconciles with a childhood friend who needs her help. The book had so many twists and turns. I honestly love everything that Kristin Hannah writes, she is such an amazing author! I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a nice summer read.  Right now I am reading the new Emily Giffin novel which I will try to remember to mention once I finish it! 

Yesterday I went shopping with my mom just for a quick run into Pier 1. I absolutely love that store. I picked up quite a few things for... (okay you're going to laugh at me)....Christmas Gifts! I am one of those annoying people who shop for Christmas all year long. I don't get any big gifts incase people end up buying them for themselves but I am well known for having all my gifts wrapped up in October eagerly awaiting the holiday season. Once my birthday (October 3rd) has passed, we are on our way to Christmas in my book! =)

I did however buy one little itty bitty thing for myself...
http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/DiningEntertaining/tabid/977/CategoryId/892/ProductId/9474/ProductName/Owl-Mug/language/en-US/Default.aspx

How cute is this owl mug?! I had to buy it for myself because it was too adorable to pass up! But everything else I bought was for gifts...

Well I'm off to get some things done and then watch some of the Olympics today, especially the gymnastics! Why is there no dance in the Olympics though? Just a thought.

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Stress and Anxiety

Oh my goodness, I finished zumba about an hour ago and I am still feeling warm! I had a wonderful workout with all my fellow zumba-ers (is that a word..?) My zumba teacher, Laura, definitely kicked my butt tonight!

When I left class, I was so hungry I couldnt wait to eat until I got home so I enjoyed a granola bar on my short little ride home! Can you tell by how red my face is that I was exhausted and sweaty and gross?!

Of course I forgot to take a picture of what I had for dinner! My weight watcher rigatoni with vodka sauce meal was delicious! I had a piece of toast on the side and drank an entire bottle of water. (my 5th one today!)

Stress/Anxiety

I wanted to take a few minutes on my blog to talk about stress and anxiety since it is a huge part of healthy living. I have always been extremely anxious and stressed. Even when I was younger I remember being so anxious I couldn't fall asleep at night. I now have my stressed managed by don't think that it doesn't sneak up on me from time to time. I am currently prescribed anxiety medication to help me deal with the stress in my life which is of course an option some may not take. I also like to make sure I get exercise everyday to let out frustration. Now I also have worked on being patient with other people and taking deep breaths and REALLY listening to what they are saying. When I go to bed at night I simply focus on falling asleep and how tired I am. I used to just let my mind wander but that led me into trouble and I would end up staying up all night writing down things I didn't want to forget, making lists, and worrying about things beyond my control. 

Overall I believe that anxiety is not worth dealing with your entire life that's why I chose to take control of mine and have honestly been happier everyday since then!