& that's the way life goes » girl thoughts

pieces of me – february 2012

ria — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:52:08 +0000

Pieces of Me – February 2012

I like:

mild winters † puppy snuggles † januarys that fly by † vacation plans† coffee

I don’t like:

feeling disappointed with myself † always worrying about money† feeling out of place

I want you to know:

I’m really excited to share the stories of of Tampa trip!

I’ve planned:

To start eating better and taking calcium tablets

I want to say to someone:

There’s gotta be something more

*Thanks for the toothfairy for starting this

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12 changes – January wrap up – February goal: vitamins

ria — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:31:59 +0000

The goal? 12 changes in 12 months.

January – Run more; 30 miles in 30 days

Check! To keep this up I vow to run at least 5 miles a week this year and will be keeping track of it in my mini notebook.

With January wrapping it up it’s time to make my February goal:

Vitamins and Supplements

I’m horrible at taking vitamins. At the very least I need to take calcium, Asian women have been known to be highly susceptible to osteoporosis. So for the month of February I vow to take my Viactiv (it even has some vitamin D in it too). I also am going to add coconut oil to my daily regimen. I’ve heard good things about helping the immune system and metabolism. (But there are other articles out there cautioning the use as well.) I don’t think it’s a miracle drug but I’m going to try it out for the month of February.

I put some coconut oil in my coffee, as was suggested on a website, and I should have known better. I’m very sensitive to vitamins and especially on an empty stomach. I was nauseous all day. From now on I’ll be taking it after a good meal and will probably start off slow and with a smaller amount than is recommended.

What vitamins do you take? Do you use Viactiv or coconut oil?

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last minute trips and learning to paint

ria — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:13:35 +0000

I feel like there has been a lot going on but nothing going on all at the same time. I’m happy to announce that C and I made a last minute decision to continue our yearly tradition of going to Florida. I adore last minute trips. You don’t have to spend weeks counting down to vacation. For us it’s like “oh we are going to Florida in 16 days” when the day before the trip was only something we talked about.

My life is really blessed that we have opportunity to do things like this. We have bills, probably too many, but this is the way we decide to spend our money. We may not have a huge savings account but we have a little excess money left over from the death of my mom and his dad. I probably could benefit from a how to save money course, but it is what it is. I also believe that my mom would want me to have fun with the money she left me. I did do some financially responsible things too.

So in two weeks we’ll be on our way to sunny (hopefully) Tampa for a couple days to see my 2nd favorite hockey team and then head to Citrus Springs to see my mom’s good friend who moved there in September when she retired. I’m really excited to see her new house and for her cooking. Mmmmmm

We’ve also started finishing our basement, the drywall is almost all up. I don’t think we can mud and sand in the winter though so the project might hit a wall until spring.

That’s the last wall that needs drywall unless you count the one section C isn’s sure he’s going to do and it requires another trip to Home Depot.

I was invited to a private party at a painting studio that allows you to have drinks last week! It was so fun and for a non-painter like myself I think my painting turned out a-ok. I’m going to hang it in the basement when it’s done

Other than that all I do is work, get up at 5am on Wednesdays for 90minutes of hockey drills, take the dogs to training on Thursday nights and work on my fitness.

What’s going on in your life? do you feel like it’s moving slow, lightning fast or something in between? I’m curious.

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a look back : 2011

ria — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:49:15 +0000

I found the post I did for a look back on 2010 and I figured it should be easy enough to do again…

What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Traveled out of the country to Ireland, started raising a puppy, saw Kid Rock in concert
Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t really believe in new years’ resolutions though I do try to make goals for myself throughout the year.
What countries did you visit?
Canada and Ireland
What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A finished basement, a bay window, a slimmer waist
What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory?
Hiking in Dingle, the view was amazing and I was with the person who’ve I’ve spent over 8 years with.
What was your biggest achievement of the year??
Starting a new job
What was your biggest failure?
Weight gain, not taking care of myself
Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thanks goodness, unless you count the pulled hamstring that still bothers me.
What was the best thing you bought?
Tickets to Ireland
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Meeting Vinny Lecavalier and getting his autograph, our first trip abroad, gaining a new furbaby
What song will always remind you of 2011?
Ceelo Green’s F*ck You
Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
So much happier and more grateful for everything that I have
What do you wish you’d done more of?
Organizing
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Complaining
How did you spend Christmas?
With C, my dad and the furkids. Comfy, relaxing and perfect.
Did you fall in love in 2011?
There were definitely moments where I fell more in love
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t hate many people – so no
What was the best book you read?
I read a decent amount of books but nothing comes to mind.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Country music! I love Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert
What did you want and get?
a Kindle, puppy, Vinny’s autograph
What did you want and not get?
long weekends during the summer
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
29 – it was the last day of my job and I just wanted a low-key evening. C and I spent the only long weekend up north on the boat and working on the cottage.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being more organized!
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
comfort with some business casual thrown in
What kept you sane?
my friends, my furbabies, hockey, tkd
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Alex O’Laughlin
Who was the best new person you met?
I met a whole bunch of people who are now my new co-workers
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010?
Change is good. It is hard and there are times where you question moving on but you are where you need to be.

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January – 12 changes – check in

ria — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:15:48 +0000

- – 12 Changes in 12 Months – -
http://12changes12months.wordpress.com/

The first week of January is coming to a close. I’ve been sticking to the plan to run 30 miles in January. In the past week I’ve ran 8 miles. In addition, since the weather has been so nice I’ve walked Scooby and Liko for some extra mileage.

My food diary is helping me keep track of what I put in my mouth. I’m not restricting myself necessarily, but I do think about what I eat because I have to write it down. I have to lose the weight I put on. Not only because it makes me feel better but because there are numerous health problems that run in my family and keeping the weight off is the best way at avoiding health issues.

If you’ve made new year’s resolutions or goals how are they going?

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current obsession : alaska

ria — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:10:19 +0000

I’m obsessed with watching everything Alaska on tv. Clearly, if these shows are being aired to peak interest in travel to Alaska, then they are working, at least on me. It’s like a whole different world that has cities closer to Russia than the state’s capital. How crazy is that? Alaska is just so wild and untouched it’s hard to wrap your head around. The vastness is unimaginable. Some villages don’t even have running water. And almost 85 days of complete daylight? Crazy. I get my Alaska fix from these shows.

Alaska State Troopers on National Geographic

via Nat Geo

Coast Guard Alaska on The Weather Channel

via Coast Guard Alaska

Flying Wild Alaska on Discovery

via Flying Wild Alaska

VIP Alaska on the Travel Channel
(though this is far from a favorite)

So have you ever been to Alaska? Would you recommend a trip?

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making the cut – it’s a tough blog reader

ria — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:03:58 +0000

I’ve been feeling pretty good lately. I think it’s all the time I’ve had off and withou having massive amounts of things to do. I like using my vacation days to actually go somewhere and this is probably the first time that I’ve had a lot of time off with nowhere to go.

I dig it.

I’m even thinking that it might be possible to make time to blog again. I’ve been kind of out of it for the past 6 months with my new job and no real inspiration to write. Before I left my old job I purged my reader. I unsubscribed to blogs that I didn’t connect with. Even though I’ve been “away” there were a handful of blogs that I continued to read on my phone before I went to bed. A couple of them I’ve never even commented on, I just like the way the blogger writes.

Here are a few that made the cut. If you are looking for new blogs to read maybe one or two of these will interest you.

LifeLoveandHighHeels - I’ve been online friends with this awesome lady for a couple of years now, through a couple different blogs. She just moved from one Minnesota city to another for a new job and a new adventure in life.

The Lovely Nora – She is just someone I would love to hang out with for the day. Her writing is interesting, heartfelt and inspiring.

Erin B. Inspired – I don’t even know when I started reading Erin’s blog but she’s got cute animals, down to earth posts about every day life, DIY tips. What’s not to love?

Katelin – I feel like I’ve been reading Katelin since I started blogging 3 or more years ago. She always seems so happy, positive and living a fun life.

Life is Bananas – I adore her sassy writing and great photos. The end.

Any blogs you think I need to check out? I think I’m ready to add some more to my reader

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12 changes : run more

ria — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:06:28 +0000

Stephany and Katherine came up with a great approach to making small changes that last.

The goal? 12 changes in 12 months.

Where to start…well I talked about my non-resolutions (because I suck at keeping them) I have some weight to shed. So for January the goal is to trick myself into liking running. I ran my first 5k last March and I plan to run the same one this year and then another in April.

I don’t love running and I probably will never run more than a 5k, but it’s a goal and definitely something I can accomplish. To jump start running becoming routine I’ve started 30 miles in 30 days. It doesn’t matter how I log 30 miles in January or how long the runs take me, it is just about getting out there.

I’ll run as much as I can outside because Stella, at 11 months, is a ball of energy and the added exercise and fresh air helps her sleep better through the night. When it’s impossible to run outside I have an elliptical I bought last year but I hate it. It is so hard! It takes me forever to log a mile because it’s not broken in yet. *whine, whine, whine*

Here’s to a healthier new year! Are you participating in 12 changes? If not, what is on your list of things to accomplish this year?

© ria for & that's the way life goes, 2012. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 12changes, exercise, running

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pieces of me – january 2012

ria — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:40:05 +0000

Pieces of Me – January 2012

I like:

a lot of country music † cake † spending the afternoon with my bestie † lots of vacation days in a row to spend how I want † the promise of a new year † new opportunities for C, keep your fingers crossed

I don’t like:

seeing family members getting older and health problems worsening † winter † people making me look bad † not having the money to send my dad on a vacation since he hasn’t had one in years

I want you to know:

I’m really interested in Feng Shui, does anyone have a recommendation of a good beginner’s book?

I’ve planned:

To start tracking things for C and I on a white board.

I want to say to someone:

God made you for the ups and downs

*Thanks for the toothfairy for starting this

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just another new year’s post

ria — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 01:36:10 +0000

I’ve never been great on recapping the year. And I really suck at making New Year’s resolutions. Always have.

Stella's happy face

But there are a few things that need to be accomplished in the coming year. I’m turning 30 in less than 6 months! Most of the time I don’t even think about it but at the doctor’s office on Friday I had to fill out an insurance form with my age on it and it dawned on me that my 29th year is coming to an end.

Without further ado – things that MUST get done in 2012:

Lose the weight : I’ve gained 10lbs in the past 6 months and before that I had gained at least 6 from my comfortable weight. I’m blaming my new job for really messing with my workout schedule. (Not that I stopped working out completely, I get a least a couple workouts in a week) My metabolism is only going to start slowing down more. I can’t imagine if I stopped working out all together, I’d be 900lbs, for realz.

Get the credit card debt under control : C and I recently realized a shared dream we hope to bring to life sometime in the future. It has to do with opening our own business and definitely not something that will be fulfilled in 2012. Baby steps, people.

Score a goal : I will score my first hockey goal this year, I will! (well maybe not but I’m really hopeful)

Launch a website : My new job has me redesigning and restructuring the current website. My hardwork will be launched in 2012.

Declutter : I will simplify and declutter my life. Starting by not buying myself anything that is not a necessity until at least April, longer if I can. More and more I’m realizing that I am so blessed with loving family and friends, a roof over my head and a job that provides. I don’t want to be one of those people that constantly wants things, just because.

Anything on your New Year’s List?

Have a safe and happy night!

© ria for & that's the way life goes, 2011. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 2012, here's to the new year

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