Challenge Day 4

Day 2 of my no shopping challenge was hard, temptation from every angle as I had to go out and shop for our office for some redecorating that I have on deck.  One store has their furniture scattered throughout the entire building which means you are going to come across something's that should belong in your home. For me it was quatrefoil's, everywhere, art, mirrors, pillows, dog items- and I do not even have a dog but it was so awesome.  I made out without purchasing anything, not even the table I carried around the entire time as I realized that it had a funky leg while I checked out.  
Day 3 was easier as office shopping only led me to Lowe's for paint chips and counter top paint.  While at work in the evening I was too tired to care about the items that came in the check lane and cleaning up areas kept me away from the girls clothing and clearance.

I did decide to document my clothing choice for each day.  After a week or so I will post those.
26 more days to go in the first half of this challenge.

The many different quatrefoils that tempted me a few days ago.  Sorry about the burned bottom its due to my case shifting on the phone.

Fashion(ista?)

I LoVE fashion.  A LOT, would be an understatement its more like a need, must have, give it to me so I can live kind of obsession.  While I would still live and be happy without fashion it definitely makes getting dolled up so much more fun.  I like name brands but of course vintage has also become my newest favorite thing in the past couple of years.  I may not be buying Chanel, Vera Wang, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton or other high end pieces off the runways of Paris or New York but I do make sure to buy a variety that will not be lost in time or unwearable as I continue to grow up.  Rather they might be statement pieces that make me feel bold, a punch up, a fun cut to the piece or the bright colors of another with a nice collection of basics.  It just makes me happy.  After some thinking about my weakness for clothing/fashion and my desire to continue to thin out my closet of the un-used I will be taking a vacation from purchasing items for myself and gifts (which tend to be most of my spending in thinking of Christmas and birthdays, Tegan's fault for being such a cute little niece).  Even though most of my buys are bargains sometimes one just needs a break from something they like so much. Thanks to Amy who did this awhile back and blogged about her 1 month of no personal shopping, just the basic needs.  Today is Day 1.  I have deleted all email's that pertain to shopping.  I would like to make it atleast a month, September 20th but will extend to our Cruise in October.  Shopping is an extra in life, where my extra money is going and I can do without a couple weeks or months of it.  This will also help me reach some goals in other areas which is a plus.Will power, challenge accepted.  

Can you blame me?! Pieces from my wardrobe that will be reused over and over again as I fight the battle of shopping randomly.  I love so many of my pieces that I know I have the ability to mix and match in new and different ways.

Another year

I recently had a birthday and it made me feel, well, great!  Birthdays are still a challenge for me because I want to be with my parents and siblings but that’s not what happens when you live 3 hours away, have a husband, an office to be at and well I am now an adult so things have changed.  

I was so elated with the surprises Darren had in store for me.  All the things I love to have, my favorite ale with a bottle of something new to try, mini plants to have at the office (once I find a tray to hold them all), a set of quatrefoil mirrors and some workout clothing.  It’s okay to say that I am slightly spoiled but this only comes once a year. 

We had a great dinner at a restaurant on the north side of town, even sweeter that my meal ended up being free because I am on their birthday rewards program.  So free $30.00 made for a nice dinner just for myself.  Dinner included soup and salad, I added tempura fried veggies as my treat and then my main course steak with steamed rice.  It was so delicious and almost gave me a food baby so we walked around the mall to walk it down to a comfort level.  Of course I let Darren have some of my steak and he shared his tomatoes.  His meal looked just as great.

The day was filled with a few phone calls/texts, well wishes, my annual e-card from my aunt and lots of love in different forms.  But the love continued on Saturday as we spent some time driving to Michigan City for some shopping and time with my mom.  I accumulated some items I always wait to purchase until this trip as they can be pricey and mom likes to buy-some of my favorite brands and things to wear.  My baby brother got in on the shopping as well as he would be going back to school soon and of course Tegan got to pick out a “magical pink dress,” pink is her favorite color and she loves to wear dresses.  Oh how I wished the time would not pass just to walk and talk and see Tegan being silly while also being as helpful as I could be with Eze’s shopping needs and time with my mom. 

Recently I received some wonderfully wrapped gifts from Mr. & Mrs. D, a truffle bowl that I have talked about buying but never saw one that I really liked and a wonderful fluffy blanket with matching fuzzy socks in my signature color, pink.  I laughed at how great of a listener/observer my MIL is because I always wrap up in a similar blanket at their home to stay warm and take my naps as well as how I tried a truffle recipe of hers but had a bad container to display at the event.  She also sent me some additional recipes that I did not get to look at as Darren was too eager to put them in the recipe file that we were given at our wedding by her as well.  

All in all- great.  Grateful to have made it through another year, to be in such a great place in the life I have been given. 

I am not afraid of what is to come, because I am mostly stuck on today (or really trying to be) but I am ready for 30. 

Because: 

·          God has given me another day, to be loved and give love and any other support I can lend to those around me.

·          I am in the best shape of my life.  You did it 21 year old me!

·          I have a wonderful, loving, hardworking husband that brings so much laughter and light into our home.  Seriously, have you seen his perfect smile?!

·          I have evolved and am still working on myself inside and out.

·          I have an amazing support system, whatever tomorrow brings I know I will be held up by these amazing people God has blessed me with.

·          The additional adventures that have already started and hopefully a big cruise to celebrate.

Aging should not be feared but rather celebrated, its a day given by our almighty Lord to serve and love the way he loves us.  To give chances, take the unchosen route and see what he has in store for us and what we can conquer, give and do for others.  I am 29 years young, I am still growing up, learning and leaning on others around me to become a better person in this world that is not always nice.  Whatever tomorrow brings I know that I am not alone and my age only makes me better at taking on what is to come.

Year 2

It has been two years today.  Two years of wedded bliss, trials, adventures, joy and tears.  It has been exhaustion, teamwork, smiles and so many laughs that I wish I could time capsule it all and never forget the moments that lead us to the now.  So, since last year we have:

 

·         Evaluated and recognized as a family my career change and what it would mean, not always easy but we made a decision together.

·         Birthdays and Christmas shopping.  Darren’s gift to us were bicycles and initially not excited but now I look forward to putting on my buns(padded biking shorts) for a nice bike ride.

·         Family time with both our families at their homes and ours, shopping with my mom and sister while Tegan ran the show. 

·         Another cruise, only 3 days but it made me realize how much I enjoy them.

·         Our yearly ND football game and tailgating with great friends.

·         A weekend away as I went to homecoming in NC and we made our nightly phone calls to see how the other was doing.

·         Our 4^th annual Pumpkin carving with the little warriors, Carter, Chase, Noah.  And finding out we would soon be welcoming a 4^th that same day with Shana letting us know.

·         The change from Admin assistant to Office Manager and finding that I love what I am doing and the people who have the faith, support, encouragement in my work while being surrounded by a great work family.

·         The drives to our parents homes for the holidays, trying to read or nap only to be distracted by Darren until he decides to plug in his radio show to listen

·         New Years eve plans with friends that put us in bed early.

·         Making it through my first busy season while still eating well with Darren mostly cooking and hitting the gym.  And enjoying working even with the longer work days.

·         Helping out friends with different projects, hosting double dates, parties and savoring the time together.

·         A small party for Tegan at our home, watching her only eat the icing and apologize in her kid voice for staining the carpet.

·         The start of another race season, foot races for Darren and IndyCar races for both of us to enjoy.

·         Small groups with our church as well as my participation in the Co-ed volleyball team.

·         Getting stuck in Florida due to storms in Indy after trying to leave via plane to be back in the office after the long weekend.  The drive helped Darren have a sidekick plus I got to drive on this trip, felt like a big girl driving for the first time in Florida. 

·         Being able to catch Darren’s run times and location in his mini thanks to technology.

·         Picking up a second job and still trying to get used to the ever changing evening and weekend schedule.

·         Spending time with Mrs. D while Darren was at the track with Mr. D.  Then the trip to see Wicked in the Bend with Ash and Josh while also having Michelle along for the show and drive.

·         3 Races together this year with weekends filled with sun, lots of walking and great food.

·         Going home for a family event and spending time with loved ones I do not get to see very often as well as friends.  While Darren spent time with a friend in Iowa at a race.

·         Time with my work family outside of the office.  Lake, food, movies: it’s all very wonderful.

·         Long drives to various destinations including the North to the south of the country.

·         Darren working on our home projects while also refinishing a couple items for my personal use.

·         Trying to grow some garden veggies, no food just yet but the plants are growing.

 

I know I missed a lot of other things but this is what I recall and know I will remember years from now.  How exciting and crazed that this time has begun to fly by without us realizing it.  Looking very forward to the next year and the adventures in store for us.

Moments

 This time of year I reminisce about some moments that happened in 2010.  The trip we got engaged on, it was our second year to Toronto and now we are on our 5^th trip.  Something’s we never forget, this is one of the most vivid weekends I can recall.  The feelings, the shock, the whole scene replaying in my head for the rest of the weekend.  It’s hard to believe that we will be celebrating our second anniversary in just a few weeks and the whirlwind of planning a wedding in less than a year, from saying our “I Do’s” to relishing the time together surrounded by an amazing support system.  I can still see that hotel room, the pool and the ickyness I thought of it.  This weekend is almost like the moments at the Speedway over Memorial Day weekend, I hope to never forget how we met that led us to this moment.  I have to admit last year was a tough one and I believe this year started a little rough but right now it is amazing to see how much I feel we have each evolved, how much I have changed, in order to be a stronger, selfless partner (still working on this), sharing in life, home with all the little to big parts that make us and our dynamic.  It's quite a treat to know how a simple conversation brought us this far, looking for to adventure to continue.

Countdown

I have been keeping track of quite a few upcoming events, I have found that doing this helps in looking forward to more than the big events.  Seeing each one on my calendars (yes, I keep several to track home, office and work), and my countdown app makes it easier to know that there are quite a few small items to make it past before our big ones come to be.  Things to look forward to and make the tough, exhausting days a little easier to take on. It's like the excitement of going back to the dorms to see your closest friends and sisters come together from different parts of the globe for another exciting year of memories and adventures.  The joy and treasure of welcoming a new family member into the world after seeing them grow in the belly of someone you love and care for.  Being a part of special momentous occasions of those near and dear.  It is seeing your favorite people mingle in making new friends and connections, a party surrounded in love, laughs and my favorite-noise.  Its whispering a secret that makes the reality of it so much better, its making your kid sister from enemy to best friend, eating ice cream on a hot summer day and running in the rain on a steamy night.  Finding the perfect dress for that night out.  A water gun (propeller, as I had to say when working at camps) fight that makes the hot sun that much more sweet.  
In this, I keep thinking how close we are and hope to be in our home life.  The house has definitely changed and morphed into our (possibly forever-as Darren likes to think) home by the strength of Darren's hands along with those that have helped in its process-from my wonderful father to our friends.  It's a blessing to think that God has this for all of us and while trying to live in the moment that he has given us while looking towards an adventurous future that he has still in store for us.  
I guess countdowns may never lose their magic in making memories and adventures no matter the age.  They help me remember to be thankful for I have been given so much more than I could have imagined and its getting through the everyday moments that make it so much sweeter.  One item on my countdown before our 2 year anniversary and two more after that for our fall cruise.  I am certain to make more dates to look forward to but trying to enjoy this time before its gone.

Meet Mc

Short for my momma car, she is my new ride and so far our relationship is working out exceptionally well.  I had to think about a name that meant she made it into my heart and well I started calling her my mom car because of the convenience that comes with her model and space I never thought about.  She has some sparkle to make her black exterior glisten in the sun, connects to my iPhone and of course the 4 doors and back loading that makes it plentiful for all the crazy errands I run.  But of course Darren's favorite part is how she can change light colors through the interior, does not matter if its daylight and you can't tell, he is already playing with the switch.

I think MC and I are going to have some great memories and hopefully she is up for the challenge for years to come.  

Well rounded

I started doing some research on what foods should be consumed by a distance runner.  The week of the mini marathon, Darren cuts out soda and drinks water.  Well I was thinking how hard it is to carbo load him in his preparation of 13.1miles (from downtown Indy, thru speedway, around the track and back to the center of the city) as he does not eat pasta and he crashes after its all over.  I do not know if its age or just his bodies reaction of needing being completely fueled, I am going with his lack of fulfilling his bodies needs as men is are supposed to become better runners with age.  Either way I came up with some light options for dinner and kept fruit on hand to grab and go.  Making protein a priority as well as veggies in order to have a well rounded nutrients for his body to store and use on the long run.  It ended up being a success for a staring point as Darren dropped about 4 minutes since last year but of course the weather was quite a bit cooler making the run much more manageable.  For my hard work Darren will be taking me to a musical of my choice come fall.  And I will get to do this meal plan all over again for his 7 miler in the middle of summer while pushing him to eat all that's on his plate.

Happy

Happiness comes from...
•Packages with great fashion stuffed inside.
•A niece that thinks your her jungle gym.
•Pumpkin carving with Darren and the excitement of lighting them up.
•Darren getting his hobby on, autographs of course.
•Delicious, sweet treats to share with family at holidays.
•Snow days that make you feel like a kid but this time your cleaning it up instead of playing in it.
•Experiencing once in a lifetime historical events and Darren going along with it cause its what I wanted.
•Bicycling together as dusk came in.
•Pink cupcakes for the niece that only cares about the homemade frosting- a recipe only a mother in law could help with.
•The odd eater of avocado and spoons of frosting that only a 3 year olds pallet would crave.
•And Tegan playing nice one minute and locking up Uncle Darren the next all the while playing princess.

Sorry I have been gone but busy season is almost over. More soon on happiness, craziness, busy-ness, photos of the sassy niece and growing up.

Another day

New Year's Eve started great, left work early to go to the Pacer game then rushing home to get dressed for a great dinner with friends.  We relaxed, enjoyed each others company, filled up with some hibachi and slight entertainment in the process.  It felt like it was going to be another chance at starting the new year off right.  Then to get back home and the anticipation of midnight died off as we realized that we all were a little tired.  With our friends retreating a couple hours to go before the first of January I realized how this became another year that was being replayed by a few before.  Just the two of us watching a movie, making it past midnight to go straight to bed.  No "happy New Years" being chimed from loved ones or champagne to drink, hugs and kisses to be given to those around, but instead we got washed up and in bed.  If I ever felt old in age it was this moment, occurring for the 4th year in a row, no loved ones to share the moment with that make it even more special, (to me, big moments/celebrations should always be shared).  Life has changed and not the way I  thought it would but it did.   Mostly this made me think, how was I going to change this pace, cycle, comfort/discomfort?  I need to make a change is all I have been thinking.  If this is a new year what am I going to make it about?  What will be my focus for change and fufillment?  I realized that even though I have many personal goals for the year and some that will roll into the years to come until I can reach them but I still want more for this year.  I want more out of each day, for myself, my marriage, Darren, career and social life.  I want to be greater than I am, then I thought this needs to be the year of happy.  Then I thought this year should be about us, Darren and I, a year for us to accomplish our goals, enjoy each day we have together.  To live it up for ourselves.  This year is going to be about us for me and about living in the moment.  I am looking forward to it as we take on new challenges and meet our goals.  Watch out 2013, I am here to live it up and not worry about the past but live up the moments we are given.