1. Run and/or walk 100 miles.
Fail. I ended the month with a pathetic 15.65 miles. My worst month yet. Watch out January... I'm getting the 100 miles no matter what!
2. Continue writing Isabel's novel.
I have changed the idea of the novel and decided not to add parts from before NaNoWriMo started. I think it's better to start now and continue from this point on. It will help to keep going from here than to have the stress of trying to remember dates and emotions from the past four years.
3. Stay within budget for Christmas.
Epic Win! I honestly couldn't tell you how much we ended up spending (I probably should have kept track, but I'm taking baby steps here..) but we spent a whole heck of a lot less than last year. The best part was that everyone appreciated what we got them and we don't have to worry about any added debt.
4. Continue to not use any credit cards. Make a plan to pay off all debts by the end of 2013.
There was a need to use my Chevron gas card this month. I had to use it once and Patrick had to use it once. The only reason I had to use it was because someone tried to use my debit card number in Brazil. The transaction was declined but I still had my card cancelled and was issued a new card. It took 10 days to arrive and during that time I needed to get gas. No cash, no debit card = a need to use the credit card. I had already decided that my Chevron card was the only card I was willing to use on an "emergency" basis and it is the only credit card that I keep in my wallet. I considered this an emergency and I don't feel guilty about it.
I still would like to make a set plan in writing for the coming year. The only plan I have is to continue to pay on each of my credit cards each month. Credit card #1 should be paid off in 15 months if I continue to pay what I'm paying. Credit card #2 should be paid off in 5 and a half months. Credit card #3 should be paid off in 12 and a half months. Credit card #4 should be paid off in 2 months. Clearly this payment plan will not get me debt free in 2013, however when I pay off credit card #4 in 2 months I will be able to pay more towards credit card #2. When that one is paid off I can focus on #3 and so on.
As far as debt #1.. The current plan is to pay off as much as I can whenever I can. I put part of the money I made at the garage sale toward this debt as well as some of the money I received at Christmas time. I am also paying off a little with each paycheck. I know that this is not going to be enough to pay off the entire debt by the end of 2013, so I need to figure out some way to pay it off. In the past month alone I've been able to pay off $175 simply by making two small payments with each paycheck and putting any extra money straight toward the debt. If I continue this way I will pay off the debt in 24 and a half months. So I definitely need to make a plan and stick with it, no if ands or butts.
5. Get organized and stay organized.
I knew I was going to struggle with this goal and I will admit that at the end of the month I did better than I thought I would. I cleaned the apartment the Saturday before Christmas. I wasn't scrubbing the baseboards or anything, but the place looked good. Then Christmas happened. I'm hoping in the new year I am able to find a place for everything and make sure that the apartment gets picked up each night so that it doesn't become overwhelming. As for work, after the flood at work I changed desks. It's still not sure whether this move is permanent or not, so for now my desk is a little scattered.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Daily Review- 12/31/12
Calorie Goal- 1500 plus activity
Breakfast-
coffee, 3 splenda, 4 tbsp sugar free peppermint mocha creamer (64 calories)
1/2 cup oatmeal, 6 oz blueberry greek yogurt (280 calories)
Snack-
3 clementine cuties (120 calories)
Lunch-
4 oz tri tip (190 calories)
1/2 cup mashed potatoes (110 calories)
1/2 cup green beans (20 calories)
Snack-
jello sugar free pomegranate cherry (10 calories)
4 hershey kisses- peppermint (98 calories)
Dinner-
dream dinners- dreamy bocca chicken (167 calories)
1 cup buitoni whole wheat three cheese tortellini (330 calories)
del monte whole cut corn (70 calories)
Dessert-
Total burned- 0
Total eaten- 1459
Left over- 41
Glasses of water: 6
Definitely need to remember to get in some activity during the day. Had two walks planned and both ended up not happening for random reasons. Also, I only went over because I allowed myself a small (very small) glass of champagne for New Years. Stayed under carbs and sodium which is what I'm aiming for. Also I really need to drink more water throughout the day.
Breakfast-
coffee, 3 splenda, 4 tbsp sugar free peppermint mocha creamer (64 calories)
1/2 cup oatmeal, 6 oz blueberry greek yogurt (280 calories)
Snack-
3 clementine cuties (120 calories)
Lunch-
4 oz tri tip (190 calories)
1/2 cup mashed potatoes (110 calories)
1/2 cup green beans (20 calories)
Snack-
jello sugar free pomegranate cherry (10 calories)
4 hershey kisses- peppermint (98 calories)
Dinner-
dream dinners- dreamy bocca chicken (167 calories)
1 cup buitoni whole wheat three cheese tortellini (330 calories)
del monte whole cut corn (70 calories)
Dessert-
Total burned- 0
Total eaten- 1459
Left over- 41
Glasses of water: 6
Definitely need to remember to get in some activity during the day. Had two walks planned and both ended up not happening for random reasons. Also, I only went over because I allowed myself a small (very small) glass of champagne for New Years. Stayed under carbs and sodium which is what I'm aiming for. Also I really need to drink more water throughout the day.
Reminder...
When signing up for a race, check the course map and/or elevation before signing up.
At least we've both agreed to take it slow and walk up hills if needed. Our hope is to stick to our intervals the whole way back as it is down hill, but considering the race starts at 9pm I'm not quite sure what will happen... this could be interesting.
At least the medal is pretty!
WEverb12- Day 31
31: aspire [GROW]
What is your biggest aspiration for 2013?
I plan on posting my New Year's Resolutions later, but the two that I am looking forward to the most and need to stay on top of the most are writing in a journal and taking a picture every day.
I plan on doing both every night on here, so stay tuned!
I decided to make 10 resolutions for the new year, most of which are from my bucket list. I like making resolutions and think it helps to have it on here so that I can look back and remember what they are. To be honest, I have no idea what my resolutions from last year were...
What is your biggest aspiration for 2013?
I plan on posting my New Year's Resolutions later, but the two that I am looking forward to the most and need to stay on top of the most are writing in a journal and taking a picture every day.
I plan on doing both every night on here, so stay tuned!
I decided to make 10 resolutions for the new year, most of which are from my bucket list. I like making resolutions and think it helps to have it on here so that I can look back and remember what they are. To be honest, I have no idea what my resolutions from last year were...
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Daily Review- 12/30/12
Weigh In- 177.2
Calorie Goal- 1500 plus activity
Breakfast-
coffee, 4 tbsp sugar free peppermint mocha coffee creamer, 2 splenda (62 calories)
instant oatmeal packet (original flavor), 6 oz blueberry greek yogurt (240 calories)
Snack-
iced tea, 2 splenda, 1 sugar in the raw (20 calories)
2 clementine cuties (80 calories)
Lunch-
safeway select frozen meal- beef tamale (300 calories)
Snack-
cliff bar- peppermint stick (240 calories)
Work out-
6.21 mile run/walk 1:20:46 (1084 calories burned)
Mile 1- 13:38
Mile 2- 14:06
Mile 3- 12:19
Mile 4- 12:39
Mile 5- 11:57
Mile 6- 13:06
Mile .21- 2:58
Dinner-
6 oz tri tip, 1 cup mashed potatoes, 1/2 cup green beans, 2 slices texas toast, 2 glasses wine (1085 calories)
Dessert-
8 hershey kisses- peppermint (196 calories)
banana (90 calories)
nature valley granola bar- apple crisp (160 calories)
Total burned- 1084
Total eaten- 2473
Left over- 111
Glasses of water: 8
End of day one and I feel really good. By the end of the day I felt like I was trying to find food to eat to reach my calorie goal due to burning so many calories. I don't like doing that because then I feel like I'm not making the best choices that I can make, but to be honest I still feel good about my choices today.
Calorie Goal- 1500 plus activity
Breakfast-
coffee, 4 tbsp sugar free peppermint mocha coffee creamer, 2 splenda (62 calories)
instant oatmeal packet (original flavor), 6 oz blueberry greek yogurt (240 calories)
Snack-
iced tea, 2 splenda, 1 sugar in the raw (20 calories)
2 clementine cuties (80 calories)
Lunch-
safeway select frozen meal- beef tamale (300 calories)
Snack-
cliff bar- peppermint stick (240 calories)
Work out-
6.21 mile run/walk 1:20:46 (1084 calories burned)
Mile 1- 13:38
Mile 2- 14:06
Mile 3- 12:19
Mile 4- 12:39
Mile 5- 11:57
Mile 6- 13:06
Mile .21- 2:58
Dinner-
6 oz tri tip, 1 cup mashed potatoes, 1/2 cup green beans, 2 slices texas toast, 2 glasses wine (1085 calories)
Dessert-
8 hershey kisses- peppermint (196 calories)
banana (90 calories)
nature valley granola bar- apple crisp (160 calories)
Total burned- 1084
Total eaten- 2473
Left over- 111
Glasses of water: 8
End of day one and I feel really good. By the end of the day I felt like I was trying to find food to eat to reach my calorie goal due to burning so many calories. I don't like doing that because then I feel like I'm not making the best choices that I can make, but to be honest I still feel good about my choices today.
DietBet- The Initial Weigh In
Today is the initial weigh in for the diet bet I am in. We are required to submit a full body shot of us standing on a scale as well as a photo of the scale with our starting weight and a word provided by the diet bet officials.
I just submitted my pictures and they are currently under review. We'll see if I'm approved to play.. I hope so, as the pot is up to $120!
Since today is the initial weigh-in, it also means that today is yet again another start to this never ending weight loss journey.
And it couldn't be more perfect to have the following appear on my Inner Bitch calander:
"An Inner Bitch Diet Tip: "Diet" is a four-letter word for the foods we choose to eat every day. That's not a project to be completed; it's an on-going process."
So I'm back at it. I updated all of my stats on MyFitnessPal. And I'm feeling good.
The plan for today is to eat well and to track. I also am going to run 6 miles after Patrick gets home from work. I'm not sure what my plan for the next week is. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe it's because I need to just take things one day at a time. I did write down a few days this coming week that I want to walk. I'm not running this week other than today because we have a half marathon on the 5th.
Well, here goes nothing..
I just submitted my pictures and they are currently under review. We'll see if I'm approved to play.. I hope so, as the pot is up to $120!
Since today is the initial weigh-in, it also means that today is yet again another start to this never ending weight loss journey.
And it couldn't be more perfect to have the following appear on my Inner Bitch calander:
"An Inner Bitch Diet Tip: "Diet" is a four-letter word for the foods we choose to eat every day. That's not a project to be completed; it's an on-going process."
 |
| Embarrassing enough to realize I need to get going on this weight loss thing. Thank you Isabel for taking the picture! |
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| Up exactly 15 pounds from the wedding. What the hell happened? |
The plan for today is to eat well and to track. I also am going to run 6 miles after Patrick gets home from work. I'm not sure what my plan for the next week is. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe it's because I need to just take things one day at a time. I did write down a few days this coming week that I want to walk. I'm not running this week other than today because we have a half marathon on the 5th.
Well, here goes nothing..
WEverb12- Day 30
30: capture [LISTEN]
Post a picture taken of you or by you this year when you were happy.
I think it's pretty obvious when I was happiest this year. There were a lot of happy moments in 2012, but our wedding was by far the happiest day of 2012.
The picture I chose is one of my favorites because it's one that wasn't posed. Patrick and I were walking to the next area to take more pictures and he and I were just talking. I can't remember what he said, but I'm pretty sure it was something funny. This picture is just so genuine of us. Who we are as a couple. I love that we just get each other and our sense of humor is so similar.
Post a picture taken of you or by you this year when you were happy.
I think it's pretty obvious when I was happiest this year. There were a lot of happy moments in 2012, but our wedding was by far the happiest day of 2012.
The picture I chose is one of my favorites because it's one that wasn't posed. Patrick and I were walking to the next area to take more pictures and he and I were just talking. I can't remember what he said, but I'm pretty sure it was something funny. This picture is just so genuine of us. Who we are as a couple. I love that we just get each other and our sense of humor is so similar.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
WEverb12- Day 29
29: connect [LIVE]
With whom did you make the most worthwhile connections in 2012?
I am horrible and keeping in touch with people and I really wish I made the time to do so. It's just the way my friends and I are, and to be honest it works for us. Most of my friends live out of state, so spending time with them is difficult and expensive. However, I'm the same way with my friends who live here. I just choose to spend my time with my family.
I'm going to work on this in 2013. I want to work on how I spend my personal time, focusing on taking dates with Patrick as well as scheduling two days a month with Isabel for just the two of us. I think if I am able to do this then I may not feel as guilty if I take a night off each month to hang out with friends.
I think friends are important. Really important. I don't have a lot of friends, but the ones I do have are lifelong friends and I wouldn't trade that for anything. I know that if I needed them they would be here and I would do the same for them. Getting married this year was amazing for so many different reasons, one of them being all of my closest friends were there and I got to see some that I haven't seen in years.
With whom did you make the most worthwhile connections in 2012?
I am horrible and keeping in touch with people and I really wish I made the time to do so. It's just the way my friends and I are, and to be honest it works for us. Most of my friends live out of state, so spending time with them is difficult and expensive. However, I'm the same way with my friends who live here. I just choose to spend my time with my family.
I'm going to work on this in 2013. I want to work on how I spend my personal time, focusing on taking dates with Patrick as well as scheduling two days a month with Isabel for just the two of us. I think if I am able to do this then I may not feel as guilty if I take a night off each month to hang out with friends.
I think friends are important. Really important. I don't have a lot of friends, but the ones I do have are lifelong friends and I wouldn't trade that for anything. I know that if I needed them they would be here and I would do the same for them. Getting married this year was amazing for so many different reasons, one of them being all of my closest friends were there and I got to see some that I haven't seen in years.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Sunrise..Sunset
 |
| Yesterday morning's sunrise. |
 |
| Tonight's sunset. |
 |
| My manicure. |
 |
| Isabel's manicure. |
 |
| Isabel drying her nails and toes. |
DietBet
I guess this is the new way to lose weight. Betting with other people.
Or in other words:
Some of the other boardies on the Weight Watchers boards were talking about this yesterday and I decided to join today. Who knows, maybe I'm a gambler at heart and need that as motivation to kick start my weight loss for the new year. At the very least I lose $10. If everyone reaches their 4% goal I win my $10 back. Anything more than that is cherry on top of a perfectly frosted cake... Mmmmm cake..
My plan is to donate 100% of my winnings. After signing up and seeing this was an option I feel like this is more of a motivation. I always work harder for other people than I do for myself. Sad, but true.
However, this may be more difficult than I anticipated. I weighed myself a few nights ago and I was in the 170's, meaning I will need to lose 7 pounds in order to hit the 4% goal. Difficult, but doable. And motivating!
If interested in joining our challenge, or starting your own, follow the link below:
http://bit.ly/ZHnr3D
Or in other words:
Welcome to DietBet!
Lose weight. Have fun. Win money.
DietBet is a game where you've got 4 weeks to lose 4% of your starting weight. To begin, everyone puts money into the pot. After four weeks, whoever has hit their 4% goal is a winner and splits the pot.
Some of the other boardies on the Weight Watchers boards were talking about this yesterday and I decided to join today. Who knows, maybe I'm a gambler at heart and need that as motivation to kick start my weight loss for the new year. At the very least I lose $10. If everyone reaches their 4% goal I win my $10 back. Anything more than that is cherry on top of a perfectly frosted cake... Mmmmm cake..
My plan is to donate 100% of my winnings. After signing up and seeing this was an option I feel like this is more of a motivation. I always work harder for other people than I do for myself. Sad, but true.
However, this may be more difficult than I anticipated. I weighed myself a few nights ago and I was in the 170's, meaning I will need to lose 7 pounds in order to hit the 4% goal. Difficult, but doable. And motivating!
If interested in joining our challenge, or starting your own, follow the link below:
http://bit.ly/ZHnr3D
"Everything"
This song explains my relationship with Patrick so well. I emailed these lyrics to him about a week before our wedding. I love when this song plays on my iPod. It makes me happy to know that I found my better half, the "one", my soul mate. He gets me. For better or worse. On good days and bad. He puts up with my moods and wants to make it better when I'm feeling down. Our relationship is in no way perfect and we are definitely working on some kinks in the early stages of our marriage, but I couldn't imagine my life with anyone else. He makes me happy even when he's irritating me. He makes me laugh when I want to cry. He teases me and pushes me to the edge and then brings me back with that smile of his. He gives me hope for the future. He supports me and every decision I make. He listens to me ramble when I talk about my day. His hugs make everything better. He knows when to talk and when to just listen. I couldn't be more proud to have him as my husband. I love you Patrick James. Thank you for making my life better just by being in it.
"Everything"
Alanis Morisette
"Everything"
Alanis Morisette
I can be an asshole of the grandest kind
I can withhold like it's going out of style
I can be the moodiest baby and you've never met anyone
Who is as negative as I am sometimes
I am the wisest woman you've ever met.
I am the kindest soul with whom you've connected.
I have the bravest heart that you've ever seen
And you've never met anyone
Who's as positive as I am sometimes.
You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I'm ashamed
There's not anything to which you can't relate
And you're still here
I blame everyone else, not my own partaking
My passive-aggressiveness can be devastating
I'm terrified and mistrusting
And you've never met anyone as,
As closed down as I am sometimes.
You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I'm ashamed
There's not anything to which you can't relate
And you're still here
What I resist, persists, and speaks louder than I know
What I resist, you love, no matter how low or high I go
I'm the funniest woman that you've ever known
I'm the dullest woman that you've ever known
I'm the most gorgeous woman that you've ever known
And you've never met anyone
Who is as everything as I am sometimes
You see everything (you see everything), you see every part (you see every part )
You see all my light (you see all my light) and you love my dark (and you love my dark )
You dig everything (you dig everything) of which I'm ashamed (of which I'm ashamed)
There's not anything (there's not anything) to which you can't relate (to which you can't relate)
And you're still here
(You see everything, you see every part)
And you're still here
(You see all my light and you love my dark)
And you're still here
(You dig everything of which I'm ashamed)
(There's not anything to which you can't relate)
And you're still here...
I can withhold like it's going out of style
I can be the moodiest baby and you've never met anyone
Who is as negative as I am sometimes
I am the wisest woman you've ever met.
I am the kindest soul with whom you've connected.
I have the bravest heart that you've ever seen
And you've never met anyone
Who's as positive as I am sometimes.
You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I'm ashamed
There's not anything to which you can't relate
And you're still here
I blame everyone else, not my own partaking
My passive-aggressiveness can be devastating
I'm terrified and mistrusting
And you've never met anyone as,
As closed down as I am sometimes.
You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I'm ashamed
There's not anything to which you can't relate
And you're still here
What I resist, persists, and speaks louder than I know
What I resist, you love, no matter how low or high I go
I'm the funniest woman that you've ever known
I'm the dullest woman that you've ever known
I'm the most gorgeous woman that you've ever known
And you've never met anyone
Who is as everything as I am sometimes
You see everything (you see everything), you see every part (you see every part )
You see all my light (you see all my light) and you love my dark (and you love my dark )
You dig everything (you dig everything) of which I'm ashamed (of which I'm ashamed)
There's not anything (there's not anything) to which you can't relate (to which you can't relate)
And you're still here
(You see everything, you see every part)
And you're still here
(You see all my light and you love my dark)
And you're still here
(You dig everything of which I'm ashamed)
(There's not anything to which you can't relate)
And you're still here...
WEverb12- Day 28
28: empower [HOPE]
What made you feel powerful in 2012?
I felt powerful completing the LA Marathon in March. After 7 months of training it finally came time to prove if we would be able to finish or not. We didn't take the advice of not making a time goal for our first marathon and planned on finishing under six and a half hours. After our training runs and realizing that there was no way we'd be able to do intervals the entire way we wanted to give ourselves a buffer so that our goal would be obtainable.
Our last long distance training run was in Venice and we were to run 13 miles down the beach, turn around and run 13 miles back. Rachel and I decided that .2 wasn't much more and ended up running our own marathon that day, finishing the training run in 6 hours 25 minutes, five minute faster than our goal. Of course we had to up our goal for race day to beat our training run time.
And we did, by 10 minutes! We crossed the finish line with an official finish time of 6 hours 15 minutes 11 seconds.
I've never felt more powerful than at that moment. I proved to myself that I could finish something that I started. Of course now I want to finish in under 6 hours...
What made you feel powerful in 2012?
I felt powerful completing the LA Marathon in March. After 7 months of training it finally came time to prove if we would be able to finish or not. We didn't take the advice of not making a time goal for our first marathon and planned on finishing under six and a half hours. After our training runs and realizing that there was no way we'd be able to do intervals the entire way we wanted to give ourselves a buffer so that our goal would be obtainable.
Our last long distance training run was in Venice and we were to run 13 miles down the beach, turn around and run 13 miles back. Rachel and I decided that .2 wasn't much more and ended up running our own marathon that day, finishing the training run in 6 hours 25 minutes, five minute faster than our goal. Of course we had to up our goal for race day to beat our training run time.
And we did, by 10 minutes! We crossed the finish line with an official finish time of 6 hours 15 minutes 11 seconds.
I've never felt more powerful than at that moment. I proved to myself that I could finish something that I started. Of course now I want to finish in under 6 hours...
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Thankful Thursday- 12/27/12
Christmas Edition...
1. I am thankful to my family for hosting such a wonderful Christmas Eve Eve. I love that we are able to extend our Christmas celebrations to three days and able to spend quality time with each of our families without feeling rushed. Thank you for being so flexible in celebrating on the 23rd each year. Thank you for spoiling us yet again with wonderful food and wonderful very generous gifts. Everything was greatly appreciated and will be put to great use (once we can find room to put everything).
2. I am thankful to my in-laws for Christmas Eve. It's an entire day filled with family and laughter and it's so wonderful to be able to see everyone and catch up. You also spoiled us this year and we are so thankful for everything.
3. I am thankful to Rachel's in-laws. I've heard so many horror stories about awful in-laws and then I look at both my in-laws and Rachel's and feel so blessed and lucky. Rachel's in-laws have felt like family since the beginning and I will always be grateful that they accepted us into their family. I am so glad that Isabel is able to have three sets of grandparents. She is so loved and it is an awesome feeling as her mother to see how much love there is. Thank you for the wonderful gifts!
4. I am thankful that I stayed within budget this year and did not use any credit cards to buy gifts. It was a lot less stressful knowing how much I could spend on each person. Although I would have liked to been able to spend a little more so that I could have given a little more, it gave me a chance to realize that Christmas is not about gifts, it's about spending time with the people you love.
5. I am thankful that Christmas is over. As much as I love seeing everyone and giving/getting gifts, it's exhausting spending three days running around. We have a plan in place already for next year and plan on saving throughout the year so that it's not as much of a financial burden as it's been in the past. I feel like this year was good, but it could have been better at the same time. I'm hoping that we are able to save up and be a little more creative with our gifts next year.
1. I am thankful to my family for hosting such a wonderful Christmas Eve Eve. I love that we are able to extend our Christmas celebrations to three days and able to spend quality time with each of our families without feeling rushed. Thank you for being so flexible in celebrating on the 23rd each year. Thank you for spoiling us yet again with wonderful food and wonderful very generous gifts. Everything was greatly appreciated and will be put to great use (once we can find room to put everything).
2. I am thankful to my in-laws for Christmas Eve. It's an entire day filled with family and laughter and it's so wonderful to be able to see everyone and catch up. You also spoiled us this year and we are so thankful for everything.
3. I am thankful to Rachel's in-laws. I've heard so many horror stories about awful in-laws and then I look at both my in-laws and Rachel's and feel so blessed and lucky. Rachel's in-laws have felt like family since the beginning and I will always be grateful that they accepted us into their family. I am so glad that Isabel is able to have three sets of grandparents. She is so loved and it is an awesome feeling as her mother to see how much love there is. Thank you for the wonderful gifts!
4. I am thankful that I stayed within budget this year and did not use any credit cards to buy gifts. It was a lot less stressful knowing how much I could spend on each person. Although I would have liked to been able to spend a little more so that I could have given a little more, it gave me a chance to realize that Christmas is not about gifts, it's about spending time with the people you love.
5. I am thankful that Christmas is over. As much as I love seeing everyone and giving/getting gifts, it's exhausting spending three days running around. We have a plan in place already for next year and plan on saving throughout the year so that it's not as much of a financial burden as it's been in the past. I feel like this year was good, but it could have been better at the same time. I'm hoping that we are able to save up and be a little more creative with our gifts next year.
WEverb12- Day 27
27: sacrifice [GROW]
What did you, as an individual, let go of to further the greater good this year?
I don't really have an answer for this because I don't think I did anything to further the greater good.
Maybe I'm not understanding the question, or I'm reading into it more than need be.
I did let go of parts of the past. I realized I couldn't change certain things that have happened. I learned from the past, grew as a person and let go the hurt people had caused. It helped my greater good because I was able to let people in and I was able to trust more than I had..
What did you, as an individual, let go of to further the greater good this year?
I don't really have an answer for this because I don't think I did anything to further the greater good.
Maybe I'm not understanding the question, or I'm reading into it more than need be.
I did let go of parts of the past. I realized I couldn't change certain things that have happened. I learned from the past, grew as a person and let go the hurt people had caused. It helped my greater good because I was able to let people in and I was able to trust more than I had..
WEverb12- Day 26
26: chronicle [LIVE]
Did you have a perfect day this year? Describe it. Would you have changed anything about it?
October 12, 2012. The absolute most perfect day of the entire year.
Our wedding took 14 months to plan. Well, that's not true.. I probably spent about 2 months total planning. I was so excited when we got engaged that I jumped in head first to plan every detail. I wouldn't have done it any other way and I wouldn't change a thing about that day.
I am so grateful for all of the help I received. It made that day less stressful than it could have been. I was able to take many moments during the day to take a step back and appreciate everything that was happening. I was able to enjoy the small moments, like my dad dancing to Gangam Style.
Now I am able to look at pictures and enjoy that day all over again anytime I want to.
October 12, 2012. The absolute most perfect day of the entire year.
Our wedding took 14 months to plan. Well, that's not true.. I probably spent about 2 months total planning. I was so excited when we got engaged that I jumped in head first to plan every detail. I wouldn't have done it any other way and I wouldn't change a thing about that day.
I am so grateful for all of the help I received. It made that day less stressful than it could have been. I was able to take many moments during the day to take a step back and appreciate everything that was happening. I was able to enjoy the small moments, like my dad dancing to Gangam Style.
Now I am able to look at pictures and enjoy that day all over again anytime I want to.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
On the Third Day of Christmas...
We just kept on celebrating:
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| Kris and Sandy's Christmas tree (Rachel's in-laws). |
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| We took some pictures. |
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| And watched some basketball. |
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| And opened presents. |
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| So many presents. |
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| It just hasn't stopped. |
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| For three days. She couldn't be happier! |
On the Third Day of Christmas...
Santa came to town:
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| Our Christmas tree with Isabel's big girl bike from Santa. |
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| The Lion King movie. |
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| The new Fresh Beat Band CD. |
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| Hello Kitty tissues. |
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| Headphones... |
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| iPod player... |
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| My own iPod! |
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| With music already on it, including the soundtrack to Sofia the First. |
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| A Bubble Gun. |
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| Isabel on her new big girl bike ("with training wheels"). |
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| Patrick: "Marley is so long. She's the Cadillac of cats." |
On the Second Day of Christmas...
We also celebrated with Patrick's family:
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| The Sawlsville's Christmas Tree. |
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| Isabel and Me. |
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| Leah and Me. |
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| Patrick and Me. |
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| Hello Kitty Clock. |
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| Makeup Kit. |
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| Nerf Gun. |
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| "Another Picture?" |
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| Isabel's Gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Sawlsville |
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| Drawsome Tablet for our Wii. |
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| Twister Dance. |
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| Kitchen Aid Citrus Juicer. |
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| Gracie. |
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| Spike. |
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| Leah's New Scooter with Isabel Chasing Her. |
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| All the kids at the Sawlsville Christmas Party. |
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| Santa. |
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| Isabel sitting on Santa's lap. |
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| Leah sitting on Santa's lap. |
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| Kaleb sitting on Santa's lap. |
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| The kids with Santa. |
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| Santa and Me. |
WEverb12- Day 25
25: give [CREATE]
What was the best gift you gave someone this year?
We decided to adopt a family this year at work for the second year. Lorien came up with a great idea last year that we should adopt a family instead of doing a secret Santa at work. After an incident at our last secret Santa exchange it made more sense for us to give to the less fortunate than to each other. We really don't know each other's taste and it was interesting to say the least.
This year we went through a different foundation and were assigned a family of four, a mother, father, 5 year old and 5 month old. It was so rewarding to be able to buy something for someone who may not be able to afford the things they want and hopefully it makes their holiday just a little better. Lorien and I also wrapped the gifts and it made it so special for us to help someone else this season instead of buy someone at work a gift card or something they didn't need or want.
I think this may be our last year adopting a family at work. It was frustrating to organize and get everyone to participate, so I've asked Lorien if she and I can just do it next year. I know it's not about how it makes me feel, that it's about donating to the less fortunate, but I can't help but feel good about doing something like this for someone else.
We decided to adopt a family this year at work for the second year. Lorien came up with a great idea last year that we should adopt a family instead of doing a secret Santa at work. After an incident at our last secret Santa exchange it made more sense for us to give to the less fortunate than to each other. We really don't know each other's taste and it was interesting to say the least.
This year we went through a different foundation and were assigned a family of four, a mother, father, 5 year old and 5 month old. It was so rewarding to be able to buy something for someone who may not be able to afford the things they want and hopefully it makes their holiday just a little better. Lorien and I also wrapped the gifts and it made it so special for us to help someone else this season instead of buy someone at work a gift card or something they didn't need or want.
I think this may be our last year adopting a family at work. It was frustrating to organize and get everyone to participate, so I've asked Lorien if she and I can just do it next year. I know it's not about how it makes me feel, that it's about donating to the less fortunate, but I can't help but feel good about doing something like this for someone else.
Monday, December 24, 2012
On the Second Day of Christmas...
We celebrated with the kids:
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| Strawberry Shortcake Bubble Bath. |
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| A new t-shirt. |
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| Blue pants with stars on them. |
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| A Lalaloopsy comforter. |
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| Lalaloopsy slippers. |
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| Sofia the First autographed book. |
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| 125 pieces of play food. |
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| Minnie's Bowtique Bingo. |
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| A hand made scarf. |
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| Duct tape. |
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| All Duct Out duct tape kit. |
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| Deluxe Shimmer Glitter Tattoo Kit. |
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| 2013 Guinness World Records. |
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| $10 one dollar bills. |
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| Dollar Bill Origami book. |
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| Video camera. |
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| Cat treats and toys. |
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| Inspection of the cat toys. |
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| Coupon book. |
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| From the kids to Patrick. |
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| Hand made with love. |
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