Challenge - Blog Every Day in May

Jenni over at Story of My Life is hosting a blog challenge for the month of May.  And a challenge it shall be - blog every day!!  While I may not blog every day, I plan to join up most days.  Jenni has come up with a great list of topics, which I think will be entertaining:

Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable
Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it
Day 5, Sunday: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member
Day 6, Monday: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?
Day 7, Tuesday: The thing(s) you're most afraid of
Day 8, Wednesday: A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.
Day 9, Thursday: A moment in your day (this can be just a photo or both a photo and words)
Day 10, Friday: Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill. 
Day 11, Saturday: Sell yourself in 10 words or less
Day 12, Sunday: What do you miss? (a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life...)
Day 13, Monday: Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.
Day 14, Tuesday: Ten things that make you really happy
Day 15, Wednesday: A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)
Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it
Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why
Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.
Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them
Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.
Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you've learned that school won't teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. Use Grooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

BTW, go check out Jenni's blog.  She is a great writer who keeps it real.  No sugar-coating over there.  One of my favorites is this post about her wedding anniversary.  Add her blog to your reading list ASAP.

Anyone want to join me in this challenge?  Any topics above that you really want me to write about?  There are definitely some that will be easier to write than others.  Let me know what you think.  Cheers to May and a challenge!

Fear / Worry / Doubt

I often feel like so much of me is filled with fear and worry and doubt.  I tell myself to stop it and hand things over to God, but I sometimes just can't make it go away.  So many thoughts are continuously running through my mind - from personal to work and beyond.  And again, my devotion book, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, saves the day.  Today's devotion says:

"I am always with you, so you have no reason to be afraid.  Your fear often manifests itself in excessive planning.  Your mind is so accustomed to this pattern of thinking that you are only now becoming aware of how pervasive it is and how much it hinders your intimacy with Me.  Repent of this tendency and resist it, whenever you realize you are wandering down this well-worn path.  Return to My Presence, which always awaits you in the present moment.  I accept you back with no condemnation."

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

 --Psalms 46:10

Being the accountant/control-freak that I am, it's hard to let go and let God, but it feels so much better when I do.  It feels good to know that He is there no matter what, even when I make the same mistakes over and over again.  

Friday's Five Faves

Another week down, another work deadline almost done.....come on April 15th!  Here are some things that are making me happy this week:

1.  Watching my friend, Leanne, as she awaits the arrival of her baby boy.  I love it that she is at the anxious & not sleeping phase (sorry, Leanne!).  Check out her blog and adorable nursery.  My guess for Asher's birthday is April 26th.  Not much longer!

2.  I had my second beach trip of the year last weekend.  The Boyfriend had a work conference in San Destin, FL so I tagged along. 

3.  Working out - I feel the need to brag on myself a little that I've still be going to the gym some mornings.  It helps so much that I have people to go with and that makes it a little better when the alarm goes off at 5:45 am. 

4.  Pool time - I'm hoping it will get warm enough this weekend that I can spend a little time at my neighborhood pool.  Can anyone say "lounge chair nap!"

5.  Caffeine - given the early mornings at the gym, I've needed a good dose of caffeine to keep me going.  I love that Starbucks now has an iced caramel macchiato.  Perfect summer version of my favorite coffee drink!

Happy Weekend!  Make sure you have your taxes done by Monday!

Where Was I.....

Since we last spoke, I have survived a big work deadline and spring break.  Here's a phone picture dump of what all has been happening:

I'm trying to move into Spring clothing.  I've put the boots away and pulling in fun colors.  I'm also toying with this whole mixing prints thing.  Black gingham and leopard print.....baby steps.

I went with the former roommate family to Tuscaloosa to a UA gymnastics meet.  Though we didn't see a ton of gymnastics, we had lots of fun.  And, Alabama beat the #1 team!  Roll Tide!  Here's me and Ella. 

The boyfriend and I celebrated St. Patrick's Day with some of his friends.  Obviously you can't tell from the picture, but I had a cold and had almost completely lost my voice that day.  I'm still not over that nasty cold. 

The Harlem Globetrotters came to town.  I gave my nephew tickets for his birthday.  It was such a great show game.  Definitely entertaining for kids of all ages and I recommend it if you've never seen them. 

After a busy weekend of the aforementioned gymnastics meet, St. Patty's Day, and Globetrotters, I boarded a plane for a work conference.  Is it just me or are planes getting smaller? 

Don't feel too sorry for me, though, because I was headed to Palm Springs, CA.  I spent a day and a half lounging at the pool. 

I stayed at the La Quinta Resort & Club.  Very nice and so beautiful. 

Packing for the trip was slightly challenging.  I was packing for days, work conference, pool, and evening dinners/outings.  Think I brought enough jewelry?  In all seriousness, I wouldn't have packed that much, but my friend who also went asked that I "bring options."  I had enough for the two of us and then some!  Please note that I did not take a picture of the shoes (couldn't fit them all in - just kidding, or am I?). 

Then, back to reality and back to the gym.

I'm looking forward to a full Easter weekend.  Church services tonight, tomorrow night, and Sunday morning, a baby shower for Leanne on Saturday night, and Easter lunch with the boyfriend's family.  I love Easter weekend and these are some of my most favorite church services.  I go to Trinity United Methodist in Homewood.  Check out the schedule of services if you are looking for somewhere to go.  I hope the weather holds out for the outdoor sunrise service!  Maybe I'll post some pics of my Easter dress (yes, it's the same one as last year, but I was in Lineville for Easter last year). 

Have a very blessed Easter weekend!

Friday's Five Faves

I am so glad it's Friday!  I've needed every day at work this week and always feel bad wishing away my days, but I've been living for weekends lately.  Here's a few things that are putting a smile on my face today:

1.  Feeling better - this time last week, a nasty stomach bug had invaded my body.  Two days of sickness and nausea.  Props to the boyfriend for being a great nurse (and somehow not getting sick himself).  It pretty much looked like this:

2.  Good sports - some coworkers got together last night.  One guy is infamous for his jello shots.  I got (pregnant) Leanne to pose pretending to drink some so that I could text the picture to her husband.

3.  Juice - I'm juicing again!!  I got an Omega juicer and have been juicin' it up!

4.  Fun outfits - I'm so ready for spring and lighter/brighter clothes.  Here's what promises to be a staple Saturday errand outfit:

5.  Speaking of spring - the weather is going to be fabulous this weekend!  Sunny and possibly 70 degrees.....if only we weren't going to lose an hour....

Have an awesome weekend! 

Friday's Five Faves

I have had two 4-day weeks in a row and have never been so glad to see a Friday.  I only have two things planned for this weekend and I hope to be able to accomplish some things around the house that I've been putting off.  Here are some of my favorite things from the past couple of short weeks (sadly, I don't have another until April).

1.  Ashes - The Boyfriend and I went to the Ash Wednesday service at my church.  I love the Easter season and all of the wonderful worship services.

2.  Beach Trips - first beach trip of 2013 was last weekend!  The Boyfriend and I went to Pensacola Beach.  Yes, we were the folks sitting fully clothed on the beach because I refused to let the cool weather and wind keep me from going out there.

3.  Valentine's Day - who doesn't love having a boyfriend on Valentine's Day???  Of course, he did not disappoint!  Bakery treats and jewelry - The Boyfriend knows the way to my heart. 

Baby Bites from Pastry Art (red velvet, vanilla, & turtle)

Kate Spade bow earrings

4.  Brunch -  Who doesn't love an excuse to eat breakfast for lunch?  Or, to have alcohol with breakfast?  The Boyfriend and I have so many good brunches lately.  One of the beast was last weekend at the beach and for sure the very best $2 bloody mary. 

5.  Coffee - a Keurig has been on my wish list for many years.  I would just carry it over from one Christmas list to the next.  Finally, I got one.  Not even as a Christmas gift, but just as a "hey, ditch that tiny 4-cup coffee maker and use this" surprise from The Boyfriend.  (spoiled much, Cassie)  I love it!

Happy Friday!  Cheers to the weekend!!

Who's that girl?

Well, here I am back on the good 'ole Blog.  It's been a little while.  Here's mostly what I've been up to....

The Townhouse - I'm fully moved in, but not very settled.  There are still a few unpack boxes (mostly things that will stay in boxes anyway - china, etc).  All of the updates were done, but nothing has been hung on a wall or decorated.  I'm trying to not do the same things I've done in the past.  That started with new rugs for the living room and bedroom.  I also added a new TV console.  Once things are a little more put together, I'll post some pictures.

The Boyfriend - I've been spending a little time with this guy.  He's kinda cool.  ;)

  

Work - about the same.  Of course, January was crazy as always.  Now, I'm just working my way through upcoming tax deadlines.

What else.....hmm....that's all I can really think of right now.  I plan to blog more, so look for more updates soon.