It has come to my attention that I have a terrible habit of starting something (like a craft project, trip or even a sentence) and never really finish it. I've also noticed that I do this with blog entries.
For example, a while back, I mentioned that we were working on our guest room/office. I then promised pictures of the room after we had finished.
Did I ever do it? No......
So I decided to break the cycle of unfinished business and share some of that with you right now! I mentioned before that we painted both the walls and ceiling, and replaced the light fixture. We also ripped out the old carpet and installed a new laminate and base boards, which match the rest of the house pretty well. The room isn't decorated just yet, but I'll share with you the before and after pictures.
I hope you like it! But if not? That is okay too, because we do. And as far as our house is concerned, that's really all that matters. Hehe.
The Before:
Notice the lovely shade of ice blue
The After:
I hope to show you the end product too, after we add some furniture back in!
I stumbled upon this song, while reading another blog.
I instantly fell in love.
The group is the Honey Trees and the song? Moon River.
For those not acquainted with the song, I personally remember it from the movie
Breakfast at Tiffany's featuring the lovely Audrey Hepburn (an actress I like, but do not love due to her over the top dramatics....a little more realistic cry/sob would've been appreciated Audrey...)
Anyway, I digress....the song itself is lovely in its' own right and this duo makes it even more so!
The girls voice (and dress, ha ha) gives me chills every time I hear it.
Again, why didn't I embrace colored tights earlier?
To me, they make a plain outfit a little less ordinary.
(well that and my bib necklace...)
Now I want some turquoise and purple ones. Maybe some in all colors of the rainbow.
I never know when to stop.
Sweater: Gap
Cami: Maurices
Necklace: Royal Touch (local boutique)
Skirt: Old Navy
Tights: Payless Shoes
Shoes: Famous Footwear
As a side note, I feel compelled to tell you that while I was writing this post, I was wondering where my other shoe went (notice there is only one in the picture above.)
So I went searching and found it, in the washing machine with my scrubs.
It was soaking wet and a bit crushed.
OH NO!
So now they are stuffed full of rags, sitting in front of the heater. I'm hoping for a speedy recovery.
So...last week, I mentioned how I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort level.
I also mentioned that I signed up for "boot camp" at a local gym.
The class I signed up for is at 5:45 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, for six weeks.
Guess what? I actually followed through, got out of bed at 5:15 (unheard of) and went.
I'd been working out for TEN WHOLE DAYS and felt pretty confident that I would do just fine ( now that I re-evaluate this idea, I realize that idea is the definition for cray-cray).
We started out by warming up. It included jogging in place, then doing knee lifts while running, followed by jumping jacks. I was breathing harder, but figured I could handle it, and I did.
Then we then went straight into our first series of fitness tests (there were seven different ones) to see what level of fitness we're at. The idea was to complete as many reps we could within a minute, then rest for a minute in between each exercise.
Our trainer said we should push ourselves, but to be careful, because some people pushed themselves too hard and ended up puking. The rest of the class (all 5 of us) laughed a little. I thought, "how embarrassing."
But push it I did.
I made it through four different exercises, then things quickly went downhill.
The next exercise on the list was burpees. In case you don't know, burpees suck.
See?
I'm thinking of wearing this at my nest class...haha
At this point, I was huffing and puffing. Then my vision started to blur and my ears started ringing.
For me, this means something big is supposed to happen...like imminent death, or puking my guts out. I knew burpees would send me straight to death, so I told the teacher I had to step outside.
Then the dry heaves came.
(yes this is all true.)
I stood outside while the rest of the class made it through the beloved burpees. Then dry heave #1 came. Okay, whatever. It was a silent one. I didn't have time to eat breakfast before the class, so no harm, no foul. But soon afterward, the instructor came to prop open the door and tried to reassure me that not all classes would be this hard.
That's when dry heave #2 came, along with something that sounded like a Barney Gumble belch
(....again, as humiliating as it is....all true.)
Remember how I felt pity for the girl who actually puked and thought, "how embarrassing?" Well, I was so embarrassed, but also felt like I was going to pass out, so all I could manage to say was: "Sorry, " quickly followed by, "I think I'm going to pass out."
At that point, I couldn't believe I was that out of shape and lame. But I believe it now!!
She then told me to bend my knees and prop myself against the wall, so I did.
I managed to recover pretty well and was back inside for the next exercise, but then I decided to pace myself for the rest of the test.
Best. Idea. Ever.
Two other girls went outside and sat down and I felt a bit better about myself.
(after all, classes are all about comparisons, am I right?!)
But I was still the poor-dry-heave-loser of the class.
Oh well. Things could only get better from there. And they did. I reminded myself why I was there in the first place: to get in better shape. So, my only option was to do the best I could and keep moving.
45 minutes later, I managed to keep up with the rest of the class and even finish it!
45 minutes later every muscle group that I never knew I had was "worked out."
I went home flushed, sweaty, tired and sore and ready for the next class.
Fitness testing comes again in a couple weeks...we'll see how I do!
I've never been one to be too excited about another new year rolling around.
I understand the excitement, what with new beginnings, fresh starts and all, but have never been one to subscribe to it myself.
But for some reason, I hope this year (for those not acquainted: the year 2013) is a little different.
Just one day separates 2012 from 2013, but I've been ready to dismiss 2012..to say goodbye forever. It was not my favorite year and became less and less so down to the very end.
I'm ready for a fresh start.
This month not only brings in a new year, but another year of marriage (9 years) and my birthday (32 for those still counting.) This month I will begin the year a little older, a little wiser and just plain ready to move forward.
So in honor of turning 32, I've made a list of 32 goals ( I don't do resolutions....but I still do what I want..haha) that I would like to embark upon- some big and some definitely small.
Here goes:
Learn how to apply makeup that results in a good cat eye
lose at least 40 pounds
continue (and hopefully finish) my "women of the bible" project (for those of you not familiar: find, read, research and meditate on the examples of all the ladies in the bible.)
revamp my blog
simplify my life by taking on/in less of everything that should make no difference to me
take more "date nights"
take a much needed vacation
Continue to push myself outside of my comfort zone (I signed up for a "boot-camp" at a local gym and I'm really nervous!)
Talk less
Listen more
Go to an awesome concert
Go on a sister-trip with only my sister, of course
Read the bible and meditate more
Finish decorating a few rooms
Shop for clothing less (repeat after me: I have enough!)
Sew more clothes
Learn how to knit more than a scarf
Try to make new friends (It's harder than it sounds!)
Continue to cultivate the old friendships. They are more than worth it!
I've already started working on a few of these things. It could be more interesting on this blog if I do actually complete some of these things and choose to blog about them.
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