Sweet Tea and a Soundtrack

2012-01-01T01:30:00.001-05:00

I love you all! I am ringing in the new year by moving my blog. Will you come follow me?
www.dreamsandswords.com

HAPPY 2012 to you all, I hope the new year brings you more love and happiness than you can imagine!

Happy Halloween everyone!

2011-10-31T13:12:00.001-04:00

I hope you all have a wonderful Halloween!

We hardly ever get Trick-or-Treaters at my house, even though we live in a pretty big neighborhood. Most of the kids go to Trunk or Treat events at the local churches.

It's Steven's favorite holiday, but this year we weren't able to go all out the way we usually do because of how busy he has been with classes and school.

Stay safe everyone!

And if you are participating in NaNoWriMo this year, add me as a buddy! (hizzle85)

It's time to pinch pennies

2011-10-12T14:23:00.002-04:00

Well the school year is upon us, and we've gone back into money saving mode, with Steven being in school and not working, my measly paycheck is trying to keep us afloat. So I'm trying to come up with a few ways to save money that work with our lifestyle, whether it be cutting back, eliminating, or taking advantage of something. If you have any suggestions or comments, they are greatly appreciated!

~We are getting a good deal on rent, ok, maybe it's like the best deal ever, because we dont pay much at all, and we could not get a nice apartment for even twice what we pay. So. We are good there.

~Take advantage of the library! Any books I want to own, I can just make a list.

~Any favorite recipes we have at restaurants we should try to replicate at home where it is cheaper, and healthier!

~Start really using coupons and watching the ads. Buy what is on sale.

~ Dont use AC or heat unless necessary! Avoid $300 electric bills before they happen!

~We've already cut back to basic cable and internet. I dont think we can scrape off any more there.

~Unfortunately we are big phone whores, so I'm not sure that we can shave any off there.

~Stop eating out! Duh! But it's pretty hard for us to stick with that. We like to go out to eat. We like to enjoy the atmosphere, and the food. But it's hard on our budget.

~Find free or cheap ways to hang out outside the house, like at the park, or something like that.

~Scout out the cheapest gas in our area each time we need gas. Only buy the cheapest gas. Our car only takes premium so this is a challenge!

Ok thats all i've got for now. Hopefully I'll follow up soon with more ideas :)

Shipped up to Boston

2011-10-12T09:17:00.001-04:00

I know I've been missing from the blog world for a while, and I apologize for that. As an attempt to reclaim my bloghood, I have a picture filled post from my recent trip to Boston. I met my wonderful friend Jill, a fellow Nestie from the September 09 "Niners" board. Her wedding was 3 days before mine, and we went through the wedding planning process together for the year leading up to the big day. We had talked for 3 years on and off the boards, and became close.
So, here are some photos of my trip, from 9/28-10/2. Cuz, you know, 'pics or it didn't happen'! Haha.

Staying on Track

2011-08-30T10:53:00.003-04:00

I'm trying not to get discouraged by the fact that a friend of mine is losing weight so much faster than me. Her progress is awesome! I feel like I'm working really hard so I'm not really sure. I know its not a race, but I am just hoping to see results more than what I've been seeing.
I meant to measure myself last night, but forgot, of course.
I'm wondering how much of it is because I haven't been drinking as much water lately. Guess I'll start doing that again to try to make a difference. My Weight Watchers weigh in is tomorrow morning, and I am hoping to see some results. I'd like to lost 2lbs over the next week so I've got to keep an eye on what I'm eating. I learned this week that just one day can through me off track, unfortunately.
Enough with the Negativity right?? Lets be positive.
Last night I worked out for just under an hour and a half. It's amazing how quickly time goes by at the gym! Its weird. I've been wanting to run outside but it's just been so hot here lately, I'd have to be running after dark and i dont really want to do that. So we go to 'The Rush' (our gym) at like 8 and work out for a while. I've been doing about half an hour cardio, half an hour strength. Tonight is Zumba! I'm looking forward to the class I think. Last week my friend came with me, but tonight she wont be able to make it.
Working out really puts me in a great mood all day long. I really like it. I've been wanting to get up early and do pilates in the morning but I've not been sleeping well so I just haven't had the energy to get up any earlier. Hopefully soon.

What does your exercise/workout schedule look like? Do you even have one?

Tunes I was jammin to last night during my workout:
Starrstruck - 3Oh!3
Boom Boom Pow - BEP
When I Grow Up - PCD
Goodies - Ciera
Sexyback - JT

Week 2 check in

2011-08-29T13:39:00.005-04:00

Its been two weeks! I havent met all of the goals I had made for myself,but I'm still doing good. I've lost about 3 pounds which is nice, but it's not the 4 pound goal i had set for myself. Thats ok though. I feel like I'm making the right choices as far as food goes, for the most part. And I've been exceedingly more active, as we signed Steven up for a local gym around here that is close to our house. My BFF also has a membership and she and I go to classes, like Zumba and Aqua Zumba,when we are able to mesh schedules.
I saw a post on tumblr about taking it 5 pounds at a time. I've got a big chunk of weight to lose, so sometimes the number looks daunting. {60, ooh yikes} So I'm thinking that I'll break it down into 5lb goals so as not to overwhelm myself, and still keep feeling like I'm making progress. I'll keep my big goals in check, but this is to help me stay positive.
I'm also going to start measuring. The way I've been working out and actually incorporating strength, I'm pretty sure that although the number on the scale may not be moving, my body is still changing. So I should have taken measurements two weeks ago, but today is as good a day as any. I'm going to keep pushing forward in this journey!

Some of Last Night's Workout Tunes: Britney - My Prerogative
JT - My Love
Katy Perry - Firework
Pink - Raise your Glass

Got some motivation!

2011-08-16T08:03:00.005-04:00

It's been a while since I posted anything of any substance, I guess I've just been in a slump these days. Living in a mediocre way, which happens to all of us occasionally, I suppose. But I'm back again, raring to go, facing the world head on.
Two of my friends and I have joined together on a journey for healthy living and weight loss. We are all hoping to make some long term lifestyle changes. I personally made the following goals for this week:
*Exercise at least 30 minutes a day [I'm secretly pulling for a minimum of an hour, but I don't want to aim too high starting off]
*Drink 64oz of water a day
*Meet but not exceed my WW points daily [as long as I use them wisely, I can succeed at this!]
*Eat a salad every day [well I didn't succeed at this yesterday, but I did have some fruit, which is a good thing as well.]

Yesterday and today I've gotten up early to go walk my dog at the park. This morning it was actually very cool- upper 50s. It was a great relief from the 90 degree weather we've been having.

Next week I'll post my weight flux on Monday- here's hoping all this hard work pays off even just a little so I can stay motivated. I've found some really motivational tumblr accounts and love the little nuggets of inspiration I see every day, encouraging me to keep going! Here's a few i love!

Promoting a rad giveaway

2011-08-09T11:47:00.002-04:00

Go check out Tahereh's blog and enter her BAMF giveaway. It's a chance to win her new novel ARC Shatter Me, Crossed, and Lola and the Boy Next Door.
Seriously- giveaways don't get better than this!

(image borrowed from tahereh's blog)

In my mailbox - July 31, 2011

2011-07-31T12:39:00.001-04:00

My haul from the library this weekend!

Review: Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky

2011-07-22T09:31:00.003-04:00

Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Read from July 12 to 14, 2011

If I had known the massive amount of awesome I was missing out on by not having read this book, I would have picked it up a long time ago. I'm sad to say that the main reason I read this is because I heard Emma Watson was going to be in the movie. Then, my friend Alli said she had read it, that I should as well. So I picked up a copy from the local library, and started in.

Now, having read this book, I again am astonished at the types of books that are "challenged". I'm not going to go off on a tangent about that, but this book is fantastic, and I hate that anyone would try to keep others from reading this work.

This wasn't a book that had me hooked from page one, but it was one that was good enough to keep me wanting to read it. Charlie's letters were interesting, written to an anonymous friend that we never find out their identity. The letters were written the way a teenager, just a normal teenager, would write in order to express all the jumble of feelings and emotions, just to get it all out, down on paper. Charlie is troubled, but he is a good guy, and that is refreshing. We don't really see Charlie do anything out of spite or malice, regardless of his own inner demons. Everything he does for someone else he believes is for the good of the other person. He is thoughtful and deep, and I really, really liked that.

So many of the books based on teenagers merely scratch the surface of the characters' personalities and emotions, but we get to know Charlie pretty well. The book represents Charlie in a very raw and honest way. He doesn't paint himself to be some awesome guy; even as he describes his actions, he doesn't puff himself up to make himself sound unique. He does what he does, because he thinks it is right, and assumes everyone else would be the same way, always trying to do the right thing. He learns, as he goes through his school year, this is not the case. Many other people are selfish and don't care to think about others.

There isn't some big revelation at the end of this book, and I don't really think there is a lesson to be learned. But emerging from this series of letters is a very subtle idea that even when you're screwed up, everything can still be ok.

★★★★★

quotes from the book:

"And in that moment, I swear we were infinite."

"I would die for you. But I won't live for you."

"I think that if I ever have kids, and they are upset, I won't tell them that people are starving in China or anything like that because it wouldn't change the fact that they were upset. And even if somebody else has it much worse, that doesn't really change the fact that you have what you have."

Review: So Much Pretty - Cara Hoffman

2011-07-22T07:55:00.002-04:00

So Much Pretty by Cara Hoffman
Read from July 18 to 21, 2011
304 pages

I feel like this book was trying to have substance, trying to have a deep dark message, but it missed. I felt like it was so wrapped up in trying to describe how horrible the world was, but mixed that in with characters we were supposed to feel compassion for but didn't. Maybe, had I actually been able to bond with at least one of the characters I would have felt a little more pull to the story, it might have grabbed me a little more, and it might have left me with the resounding fury toward mankind a story like this deserves to force upon it's readers.

Our world is ugly and unkind. There is not only black and white, but there is a gray area that exists and this story draws pretty much exclusively from that idea. I dont deny any of this, and much of this book left me frustrated at the actions of just about every narrator (and there were about 10 or so of those). And 99 percent of those narrators were guilty of something in a way that impacted the events in this story. They were all the bad guy in one way or another, some more disturbing than others.

Though I'm tempted to go so far as to give this book 2 stars, I'm going to have to say 3, mostly because of the attempt. Sort of the whole adage "it's the thought that counts." Hoffman is going for something really deep. She's tackling a subject that many of us readers feel strongly about, and she supports our side of the controversial issue. At some points she plays devils advocate, others she merely presents us with evidence and leaves it to us to make our own decisions and conclusions.

That being said, I feel like she is addressing a problem so big that the reader gets lost in the shuffle of facts and "witnesses", what the characters did or didnt or maybe did do through out the whole thing.

I dont think that 304 pages was enough to develop this story and conclude it in the best way possible, but the writing style was such that I really couldnt take much more of the bouncing from one character to another.

It's worth a read, and it's pretty intense as far as subject matter goes, so I'm going to recommend it to anyone who thinks they might be interested. If you stick with it, you will get at least something out of it. You might just love it. I didn't.
★★★☆☆

What I'm reading today..

2011-07-21T11:10:00.001-04:00

I'm sure there will be a follow up post on this book, because I'm already freaking out about this book's subject.

Have you read so much pretty?

In My Mailbox June 26

2011-06-26T00:02:00.003-04:00

So, I apparently keep acquiring books like they are going out of style (which, by the way, they totally ARE NOT!) So this week's In My Mailbox is brought to you by The Story Siren, you should link up with her and let everyone know what you got in your mailbox (or library bag, or shopping cart) this week!

Library books:
The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova
Pathfinder - Orson Scott Card
Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater
Darkness Becomes Her - Kelly Keaton

Borrowed from Alli:
Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris
Smashed - Koren Zailckas
Skinny - Ibi Kaslik
Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert

Borrowed from Mom:
The Bone Yard - Jefferson Bass

Purchased:
The Girl Who Was On Fire - multi
Elixir - Hilary Duff
Sisterhood Everlasting - Ann Brashares

In my mailbox!

2011-06-13T15:43:00.002-04:00

I went on a trip with my favorite friend this weekend, and came home with a delightful stack of books!
From the top....
The Giver. Lois Lowry
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Douglas Adams
Digital Fortress. Dan Brown
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society. Mary Ann Shaffer
The Thirteenth Tale. Diane Setterfield
The Night Villa. Carol Goldman
Torment and Fallen. Lauren Kate

I also have Sisterhood Everlasting on its way from b&n. I hear its sad, so at least I'm somewhat prepared!

Currently I'm reading Mothers & Other Liars by Amy Bourret.

Link up to In My Mailbox!

Philosopher for a Day... Maybe

2011-06-13T07:40:00.003-04:00

I woke up in a very strange mood this morning.

It's not uncommon that I wake up in a bad mood, or a lazy mood, or just a 'blah' mood. A good mood is rare- generally if I am going to have a good mood day, I wake up in a pretty level headed mood.

This morning was weird. Apparently, reading Divergent lead me to have some very strange dreams. Even so, when I woke up this morning, the first comprehensible thought I had was "Why am I even here?" So I spent the remainder of my time getting ready, pondering the meaning of {Life, the Universe, and Everything!} and jokingly answering myself with "42", although I knew I needed something more substantial to actually answer my questions.

I have never woken up in such a mood before. I've never woken up and thought, truly, what is the point? Why are we here? Is there even a point? Why do we have to do boring things, day in and day out, if there really is no end result? Are we living for God? What does he want us to do? Be nice to each other? Why? (Not that being nice to each other is a bad thing, just more along the lines of, again, what is the point?) Are there, in the words of Jake Chambers, "...other worlds than these"?

I dont really know that there are any answers to my questions, and for all I know, tomorrow I wont even be thinking of these questions. But today, ah today, I will be searching for truth. What kind of truth, I have no idea, because obviously these are not the types of questions that actually have answers to them- at least, not readily available. Maybe I have to make up my own truth, maybe this is something I wont find by Googling, but by searching with in my own heart, my own mind, to find the answers I'm looking for.

And because I love eminem, check out his video with Royce!
Fast Lane- Bad Meets Evil

Happy June!

2011-06-01T14:09:00.003-04:00

It's officially June! The half-way month of the year. And I'm not where I wanted to be. So, I'm dubbing June the "Get Back on Track Month"!!!
You guys are going to have to help me hold myself accountable for my progress toward my goals. Here is what I'd like to accomplish in June.

*Lose 8-10 pounds (I've done it before and dammit I'll do it again.)
I plan to do this by restricting my calories and sodium intake, exercising every day, and eating good amounts of veggies and fruits. I did this the first 7 weeks I was trying to lose weight and definitely lost 15 pounds during that period of time. I've strayed from the path and now it's time to get back on it! Its not just about losing weight... it's about getting healthy and being more confident in myself. Lifestyle changes.

*Rewrite my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days
I mentioned this over on my other blog where I document my progress on my list, but I'm really thinking my current list is just not reflecting things I really want to do. I have been constantly editing it, but I've decided I might create either a revolving list, or a shorter one. Something like 27 by 27, or 30 by 30, etc.

*Get my office organized again!
A while back my lovely husband helped me get my office/ library organized. Then it got cluttered and became a catch-all of the house- anything that didnt have a home ended up on the floor. it isnt a room that gets used often, but it would be if i made it more homely. So I've been working on this. I went through the mail that needed to be filed, and that made a huge difference. Now I need to straighten up my lia sophia stuff and maybe put up some curtains that aren't ugly.

*Read 13 books (to help with my reading 111 books in '11)
I'm currently at 32 books read for the year, and goodreads is saying that I'm 14 books behind. I need to catch back up. Originally my goal was 50, and i knew I'd reach that so I doubled my goal. I could adjust it back down, but who really wants to do that?

*Acquire some cute new clothes to wear at work and not roast in the 90○ weather.
I've got some cute dresses that work well with this weather, but not very many. I don't have enough to really satisfy my needs, so I believe some sundress shopping at Kohl's or Penney's is in order.

*Maintain the non-clutter living room, dining room, and kitchen we finally achieved.
We cleaned up the main living area of house about a week ago, and surprisingly enough we've done well at keeping it up. We have a tendency to get lazy, and we've both been trying to do better at it. I'd like to expand this goal to include straightening the other rooms in the house as well... but that isn't really a getting back on track goal.

Mingle Monday and Jennifer's Giveaway!

2011-05-16T14:59:00.006-04:00

Check out Jennifer's Blog y'all.

She's got a giveaway going on, for a gift card to one of four places.
The giveaway ends Friday- so make sure you go check her out!
*~~* *~~* *~~* *~~* *~~* *~~* *~~*
Also- It's Mingle Monday!! I love Meg and her Mingle Monday.

For those of you stopping by, hidy! Nice to meet ya!!!
Check out my most recent post, if you are a reader. I think you will enjoy it. :)

Do you have a tumblr? If so- follow me... I follow back!!

My name is Holley and I'm addicted to chocolate chip cookies and Veronica Mars at the moment.
Logan and Veronica forever no joke

Date a Girl Who Reads - Rosemarie Urquico

2011-05-16T14:24:00.003-04:00

I didn't write this, but I sure do feel like it's describing me! So if you are a girl who reads, or a guy who loves a girl who reads, check it out.

Date a girl who reads

Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag. She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she lovesAlice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who read understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes.

Rosemarie Urquico

Seriously, If I Could Just Make Up My Mind...

2011-05-09T09:24:00.002-04:00

When I left high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do as a career. I changed my major three times in two years after I started college. Finally I found a major that I thought would lead to a great career field, speech communications, or public speaking. So I went on and got my B.S. in Communications, and when I was in my senior year, I told my mentor, I don’t want to be at a 9-5 desk job. That is just not for me. Well, here I sit, doing the one thing I knew from the beginning I did not want to do. The problem seems to be that I just don’t know where to go from here. What has happened to all that ambition? All the hopes and dreams that I had for what I was going to do. I was going to make a difference, and I was going to be important. Not necessarily CEO type of important, but definitely a decision maker, and influential. I’ve never gotten to do that, have that type of status in my job. I’ve never even gotten to pretend to do what I love! I know this happens all the time, rarely these days to people actually find a career in the field they majored in.

That isn’t my problem though. My problem is that I’m frustrated. I can do this job, and I’m happy with it. I have a great boss and the co-workers aren’t terrible. I don’t hate what I do all day, I’m not on the phone. It is a pretty laid back casual atmosphere. But there is just something missing.
I know I could go volunteer and be active in the community, and that would help me feel like I have a purpose in this life beyond what I’m doing. But that isn’t going to do it either.

But then another part of me is frustrated at the fact that here I am, and I want to be a stay at home mom, and I want to start trying to have a baby next year. So if I go out and make all these changes and really do find the direction in which I want to work, what am I going to do then? Just give up on it? I don’t want to do that either! I’ve got another year of just sitting still, then Steven gets out of school and I assume I will have to follow him to where ever he can get a job.
Honestly I just want to cry with frustration at my life today. I’m not unhappy with it. I’m just confused. Lost maybe. And definitely emotional. Gotta love this quarter life crisis.

Oh and I cant believe I’m going to be 26 this year. I don’t really know how to feel about it, but it makes me a little sick at my stomach. Mostly because I’ve got all this turmoil of “what to do” but part of me remembers the fact that my mother had me when she was 26.

Holy crap.

Anyway so this brings me to a couple of my favorite songs, which actually go well with this post.
Just Might (Make Me Believe) - Sugarland

Something More - Sugarland

What's With the Weather?!

2011-05-02T15:38:00.003-04:00

Guess what I finally did?
I went camping with the husband. Yeah... it was something else.
I actually really enjoyed it, so don't let me fool you. It was hard and definitely a challenge for me. The hike to the campsite was just about 3.5 miles, and most of it was scaling a mountain. I can deal with the hiking, but its the whole sleeping and living outside thing that gets me nervous. But I survived, lived to tell the tale. Exciting huh?
It was a gorgeous weekend. The sun was shining, but the clouds were also out to give some shade now and then, and we had a good occasional breeze. We went out on Good Friday then came back the next day.

I'm glad we got to enjoy that weather before Mother Nature kicked us in the ass with a serious windstorm on Monday evening that split or uprooted many trees in our area, especially on the campus where i work. It was insane! We were in shock. Little did we know, it wasn't over. Tuesday passed without a hitch, but Wednesday- just wow. The tornado warnings started at 10am, and went on until 1am Thursday. Luckily we didn't get hit hard- compared to other areas in the path of the storm. My car has some hail dimples, but in the grand scheme of things that's nothing, and I feel so thankful that none of my friends and family were hurt or killed in the devastating storms that tore through.
I was scared, I'm not going to lie. I've never been so scared because of the weather in my life. My parents have some hail damage on their siding, and every window on the back of my in-laws' house busted out because of the hail. They also had some damage to their siding. It was bad, and it was scary, but we suffered no deaths in our area.

Such is Spring I suppose, but the weather has been so volatile this year I can't help but wonder what is going to happen for hurricane season!

What I'm Reading Wednesday on Thursday

2011-04-21T08:15:00.005-04:00

What I’m Reading Wednesday

I have been reading like crazy lately! And I'm loving it! My house is not, however, because I'm reading when I should be doing things like cleaning.

Currently I'm reading:

So I finally read The Hunger Games. I had no idea how freaking AWESOME the book would be! If you haven't read it, go pick it up. Like, Now. Here is the synopsis from Goodreads

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

I give it ★★★★★ !!It's better than Twilight! Seriously. (Although, that isn't very hard) And since they will be making The Hunger Games trilogy into movies, I recommend you pick the books up ASAP so you will be ahead of the game next year when the movies come out.

I've read the second book as well, Catching Fire, and the third book, Mockingjay, is already waiting for me on my Nook.

I read the first two books in two sittings each. They are easy reads, but I tell you I was drawn in from page one. I finished both of these books at 2 or 3 in the morning. I just had to know what happened next. I'm making myself wait before I start Mockingjay, because I know I will devour it just like the other two, and I have 5 library books vying for my attention. Since they have deadlines, I'm going through them first!

Here are some other books I finished recently:

Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
★★★☆☆
This book was very well written! When I heard about this book, it took me a while to decide to read it. Circuses just arent that interesting to me. But Gruen made the story interesting. She made it enjoyable. Check out my review of the book here.

The Sherlockian - Graham Moore
★★★★☆

The Alchemyst - Michael Scott
★★★☆☆

Please Ignore Vera Dietz - A.S. King
★★★★☆

Foundation - Isaac Asimov
★★★☆☆

Hex Hall - Rachel Hawkins
★★★★☆

Do you have a goodreads account? If so, friend me! I get most of my recommendations from other readers in various places, and I'm interested in what you read! There is a link at the right side of my blog that will take you to my shelf.

What are you reading today?
Happy reading!

Not So Bad, Afterall

2011-04-11T15:26:00.005-04:00

I got really frustrated recently because I realized I haven't been checking out either of my lists to make sure I'm living the right way and accomplishing my goals. Last week went by SO-FAST with all the trips to the hospital and working, and normal daily life.

But then I realized that by spending all this time at the hospital, I was knocking a few of my Goals for a Better Life out of the park.

*Never let my negative thoughts take over. If I am having a down day, take measures to cure it
Why do we visit hospitals? To cheer up our loved ones who are in a rough way. I can't be having a negative day when I'm working hard to cheer someone else up! Success. Also, an effect that came from this unfortunate accident is the time for reflection on how lucky and blessed our friend is to have survived this thing with no permanent injuries, and that my life is something to be grateful for. Every day is absolutely a gift.

*Make an effort to visit friends even if I have to go to them.
Every day we visit him. At least once. And it's important. It's making a difference.

*Any time someone needs help, if I can help, volunteer to do so
Although our friend is not asking for help, and never asks for anything from us, I know that he values our being there. And I'm not volunteering it. I'm doing it. I'm not asking, hey can we come by? I'm stopping in. I'm making a point to help without being asked. Which I think was my point of this goal.

So way to go, Holley, on working to become a better person without consciously doing so.
This makes me feel a little bit more like I really am a good person deep down, a caring, considerate person, someone who gives without asking for anything in return. Which is my ultimate goal. To not become my father, someone selfish and apathetic, but someone better. And to shout out to the world that there are good people in this world, and dammit, I'm one of them!!

What have you done for someone else lately that you feel good about?

Song of the Day: Dead Wrong, The Fray
Current Mood: Charitable, thankful

I'm doing the best that I could
Trying my best to be understood
Maybe I'm changing slowly
I'd get out turn around if only I
Knew I was dead wrong all along...

I need sleep...

2011-04-08T15:23:00.003-04:00

This week has been nuts for me.
If you are just stopping in for Happy Hour, you might not have read my last post about my husband's best friend being in a life threatening car accident Sunday.

He is doing much better. We've been back and forth between the hospital, work and home constantly over the past 6 days. I've spent more time at the hospital than I have spent awake at my own home. But I wouldn't trade it. He is recovering much faster than any one expected, I think. He still has a good ways to go, but it is still encouraging. I looked at him today in awe at how much he has improved. The surgeries did wonderful things for him. I'm truly thanking God that we got some great doctors to work on him and fix him up.

But this has taken a toll on me. I'm exhausted. I'm grouchy. All I want to do right now is go home, curl up with a book and my pup, and relax. Then sleep. I need sleep.

I dont have much going on this weekend, thankfully, because we are going to still be spending time at the hospital. Tomorrow my aunt and I are participating in Bowl for Kids Sake, a fundraiser in our area for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee. Then, we are having game night with our family.
And Sunday is wide open for me, though Steven has to work.

This month's book is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I've heard a million great things about this book, and I picked it up one night this week and could hardly put it down. It was fantastic, and I'm not more than 50 pages in. Awesome.

Well, I'm going to close this up for now, but thanks for stopping by on this wonderful Friday!

Its most definitely a Lifehouse kind of day, so enjoy this soothing song from one of my favorite bands...

Today's Truth hits a little too close to home...

2011-04-04T08:21:00.003-04:00

Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

I have a problem with this question. It's supposed to be hypothetical, right? Well, shit like this actually happens. Would anyone not answer this way?

Yesterday we got a scary phone call. My husband's best friend since he was 8-9 years old, the best man at our wedding, was in a car accident early in the morning. Within two minutes we had Tiki put up and we were on our way to the hospital, 15 minutes from our house. We got the information of what room and etc on the way. Surgical Critical Care. He had been ejected from his truck, and the truck landed on him. Needless to say, we were trying not to panic. We drove quickly but carefully to the hospital, and rode up the elevator to see him.

It was rough. But he is damn lucky to not be paralyzed, even more so that he is ALIVE. I have a very strong faith, and I believe that he had an angel looking out for him.

I cant really go into details because I'm still pretty torn up about this. He has a long journey ahead of him, but we will be there every step of the way. I will post more soon on this, but for now, if you could just send your thoughts and prayers his way, it would be greatly appreciated.

(p.s. if you have any doubt to what my answer to this question would be, just let me know. )

Happy Hour! It's Friday!

2011-04-01T09:49:00.005-04:00

I'm joining Where we Love is Home for the first time for her weekly Happy Hour. Want to join in? Check out the info here, or click the icon above.

This week has been crazy nuts for me and my husband. He has been completely covered with homework and school projects. I haven't, but because of how busy he has been, we haven't gotten to spend as much time together as we usually do. He didn't even get to watch Grey's Anatomy with me last night! {tragic}

But his being so busy gave me the opportunity to kick ass on my weight loss goals, as you can read about here. April is a new month, and I'm hoping to do just as well.

The best part about April is the way the day started. As I mentioned yesterday, I have been active with myfitnesspal, and I've joined an April challenge. According to that site, I've lost 10 pounds now, but in reality I've lost 12. And today I met my first mini goal!! So I'm happy about that. My rewards are new tennis shoes to help optimize my running and exercising, some new Aerie boyshorts, and some new body wash from Bath and Body Works. I'm going to indulge in some spending this weekend to obtain these items.

This weekend, in addition to spoiling myself a bit, my mom and I are volunteering to judge a homeschool high school speech and debate competition, which I think will be pretty fun.

What are your plans this weekend?? Do you have anything awesome going on in your life?

Song of the day: Buzzin'- Mann
"They come around like honey, cuz i'm fly like a bee"

Current Mood: Exceptionally Happy. It's Friday, the weather is sorta nice, and I met my first mini weight-loss goal. What's not to love?

March Weigh In: How I Did

2011-03-31T09:47:00.005-04:00

Earlier this year, Steven and I decided to get for real about some weight loss. While my ultimate goal is 70 pounds (yikes!), his was a bit less. After struggling to lose two pounds in the first month of exercising, I joined myfitnesspal. Steven and I began to rethink what we were eating- the doctor told him he needed to cut back on his sodium. That's when we both began to see changes. We started logging our calories (ick!) and I began to exercise daily, or at least four times a week. He has already lost 18 pounds, and I'm not very far behind him.

~ I want to clarify, as we went to the doctor we both realized that we want to get more healthy- which of course includes losing weight, but it is not only limited to that. It also involves eating healthier foods and taking care of our bodies. ~

Upon joining MFP, I learned that other members were making "mini goals" so they would not get discouraged during their journey. This was new to me, so I began to read up on it, and finally started my own list of mini goals to help me reach my ultimate goal of 70lbs lost. I broke the goal down into 6 stages, and put a goal date beside each. Below that, I wrote a list of rewards for myself when I reach those goals. I made the numbers small so that they were not daunting. Step 1: lose 10 pounds. Step 2: lose 15 pounds, etc. Each goal is individual and specific only to itself, not contingent on the other goals before and after it. When I reach the 10 pound goal, I will start over on the 15 pound goal. I think this will help me achieve each step.

I've completed the 200 squat challenge, I've started doing the 30 Day Shred again, and I'm doing a Couch to 5k program. All of that is in addition to watching my calories and the types of food I eat, cutting back on red meat and carbs, and eating more lean meats, fruits, veggies, and salads.

This is definitely a lifestyle change. It's hard to get into, but I believe that since I want it to affect my entire life and the way I live, I will be more motivated to do the right things and make the right choices.

So how have I done so far, you ask? Well, since the beginning of March I have lost 11 pounds. 11!! That is ~16% of my total weight-loss goal. I am now able to fit in the jeans I was wearing before I bumped up a size during the winter, and I took my belt down a notch!
I'm not at my first mini goal yet - 2 pounds to go on that one- but that is a huge milestone and I did reward myself!

Another note- the mini rewards are just something I am giving myself to look forward to. Looking at the scale and seeing the numbers drop is reward enough, but I know that for me, a little extra treat is nice. While making my list of rewards, I didnt do many of the standard items. I included experiences, such as taking a trip to Dollywood's Splash Country, treating myself to dance lessons, and only buying things that I need, for example, new jeans when these don't fit any more, or a LBD when I get close to my final goal weight. I also included things like, for every 20 pounds I lose, donate clothes to Habitat for Humanity, and spending an hour or two each month volunteering for a cause I care about. There are only two food rewards for myself on the whole list, because that can be detrimental to my goal.

I also created goals for accomplishments beyond just losing weight to help keep myself going, such as: do Zumba 3 times a week for 6 weeks, or exercise 6 times a week for 6 weeks. That way I'm sticking with my goals and receiving rewards for that as well, even if the scale isn't going down.

I will be measuring as well, hoping to see success in losing inches, too.

Are you working on losing weight? What are you tips or tricks? How are you doing with your goals?

Song of the Day: LaLa - Ashlee Simpson
Current Mood: hyped and happy

What I'm Reading Wednesday

2011-03-30T10:00:00.013-04:00

What I’m Reading Wednesday

It's been a while since I did this! Hopefully I can bring it back now that I'm reading more!

Part of the reason I've been MIA is because I've been reading a ton! I've got 8 books right now that I'm trying to read.

The list is this:

The Sherlockian- Graham Moore
I've been reading on this book for a while now, and it is really good but it is slow moving. The main reason for this, in my opinion, is because every chapter switches point of views and travels back in time. Chapter one is told about Harold in 2010, Chapter two is told about Arthur in the late 1890s early 1900s.
The basic premise of this novel is to uncover what was in Arthur Conan Doyle's missing diary about what happened in the 8 years that he didn't write about Sherlock Holmes.
I'm about half way through, so more to come on my thoughts.

I'm also reading The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel - Michael Scott (YA)
This book is very interesting. Scott's writing style is not exactly as flowing as say, JK Rowling, but the world he draws up is incredible, filled with magic and fantastical creatures. Twins become intertwined in the world of Nick and Perry Flemming and soon discover that they have lived for hundreds of years running from the Dark Elders that want to rule the world. This is of course a loose synopsis, but I recommend the book if you are interested in magical worlds and stories of the sort- similar to Harry Potter. Again, I'm only about half way through, but this is the first book in a series of 6 (so far, I suppose). (For those hardcore HP fans, the name Flamel may sound familiar, as he was in the Philosopher's Stone.)

Next up are the following:
For Book Club In April: Hunger Games

Have you read any of these? What did you think of them? Let me know!! Thanks for reading, dears!

Day 20 of Truth

2011-03-28T13:54:00.004-04:00

Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.

Well, there is no black and white on this one for me. I personally have not and will not do drugs, and I will strongly encourage my children not to do them. Alcohol is another story. I don't drink as much as I used to, in fact I rarely drink any more. Just because I don't like how it makes me feel. I will drink on occasion. But I don't think it is so bad, as long as it doesn't get out of hand and interfere with your every day life. and... Drinking and Driving? Definitely one of my biggest dislikes in the entire world.

I've been really busy lately, dear followers, but I have a blog coming soon to bring you up to speed on my life!

Also, for those Mingler's stopping by: Welcome! And for the non-Minglers, go check out what the haps are at Life of Meg!

Days of Truth, 18 and 19

2011-03-23T10:28:00.002-04:00

Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
I don't think it hurts anything or changes the meaning of marriage. I don't have a very strong opinion about this, but I don't care if gay people get married. From what I've heard, gay marriages last longer, which could do wonders for the divorce rate in this country...

Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
The religion I was raised in is very different from most others out there so it is rare that I find someone who has the same beliefs as myself.
However, I think its awesome that I can say that my grandparents on both sides, aunts on both sides, and both of my parents, as well as myself, were all raised in the same church with the same beliefs. Rare, right? Especially considering that church is basically non-existant now.

~~I'm being brief of these because I dont want to discuss topics like this on my blog! Sorry :)

Loving the spring!!

2011-03-22T15:40:00.003-04:00

Spring has officially hit east Tennessee!! It's lovely. It is currently 80 degrees, there are boats on the water, and the bees are buzzing around. I love it!!

I've been so bad about not blogging lately! I don't know what has gotten into me!
Part of it might be because I've been such a slacker in life lately... I haven't been doing as well on my eating habits, I haven't gained any weight, I'm just not cooking new things or anything like that. Also, I haven't been exercising as much lately. So bad of me! I've got to get back on that.
I'm starting the couch to 5k tonight, so that will be fun... I hope... And I'm hoping it does good things for my weight loss. I've got 5 lbs to lose in 9 days. It's borderline do-able.
Tonight we are going to the grocery store, and I'm hoping to try out some recipes soon from the AHA cookbook.
One bit of good news, I suppose it's good news...
I got invited to interview for Georgia's Teaching Fellows program in Savannah. I applied on sort of a whim, but apparently they thought I was good enough to interview.
I am going to go ahead and interview for it, but taking the position will be a seriously hard decision. Seriously. It would involve moving away from Tennessee, and my husband, and being alone for a year (til Steven finishes school). I've lived on my own before, but never that far from home, and not since we've been married.
The program puts students into low income schools and pays for tuition to become a certified teacher in GA.
Any advice or suggestions about this potentially life changing decision?
I don't really know what to think...

In honor of a lovely life: Mr. Chris Cagle

Chipotle Honey Chicken Salad

2011-03-14T15:15:00.004-04:00

Trying new recipes!(yet another one of my self improvement goals!)

Exhibit A:
What Steven likes to call our Chipotle Honey Chicken Salad
(please excuse my super blurry pic)

Recipe found here and is as follows

Ingredients

* 4 tablespoons Mrs. Dash® Southwest Chipotle Blend
* 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
* 1 Spanish onion, cut into 1/4-inch slices
* 2 tablespoons honey

Directions

1. Place chicken and onions in 2 separate bowls. Toss each with 1 Tbsp. honey and 2 Tbsp. Mrs. Dash® Southwest Chipotle Blend.
2. Lay chicken breasts on a 9 x 9 inch sheet pan. Place onions in an ovenproof casserole dish.
3. Roast both in 350 degrees F preheated oven and cook each 6-7 minutes, turning both after 4 minutes.
4. Serve onions alongside chicken breasts.

Verdict:
★ ★ ★ ★
Success!!

LOVED this recipe. Super easy and delicious. It was insanely quick to make as well, so it's good for a spur of the moment, unplanned meal.
The only reason it gets 4 ★ instead of 5 is because it was a bit spicy! I loved it, regardless, but we put it over a salad (as indicated by the picture above) with the ingredients of our choosing. The salad helped balance out the spicy bit of chicken.

Try this recipe! It's low calories and low sodium. Let me know what you think!

First steps in the right direction

2011-03-11T14:03:00.003-05:00

I'm excited to be taking steps in the right direction for my ☆★NEW Goals for a *BETTER* Life!☆★ list.

How often do we make goals for ourselves, then before long get burnt out or give up hope? I know I do it often. But in this list, giving up is not an option! This is my life I'm talking about here. My life needs improvement, obviously, by my mental (and physical) state. And I've got to do something about it! I'm twenty five years old, it's time for me to stop living in the college life mentality and move forward like an adult.

One of the ways I plan to prevent this idea of giving up is to make plans in advance! For example, the first item on my list is to "*Find a way to incorporate my charitable spirit monthly, at least". In the spirit of acting on this goal, I've already signed up for two charitable things. The first one takes place in two weeks! WHAT?! Ha. It's never too soon to start, right? The first event is a rummage sale for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of East Tennessee, and as we all recently discovered, I have a ton of "rummage" goods to take and sell for this event. They are saying that you can sell your direct sale products, so I will probably post up at a table with my lia sophia stuff and a bunch of random items from my house. If 1pm comes and I've still got rummage, I plan to donate it THAT DAY! so it doesn't go back into my house and do more cluttering.
Event number two takes place April 9th, and it is another Big Brothers, Big Sisters of East Tn event, Bowl For Kids' Sake. I participated in this event last year. Basically it's a fundraiser to raise money for the BBBS, then at the end you get to go bowling and they give you food. My aunt is joining me in this, just like last year. I'm really looking forward to it. So I'm keeping my eyes out for events in May and June already. I'm not going to cut myself any slack. I should be able to donate a few hours of my time each month for a good cause.

In addition to those events, I also volunteer at the local library and over see the creative writing program for teens once a month. I was already doing that, though, so it doesn't count!

On that note, and the note of prayers for those in Japan and the Pacific, I'll leave you with this touching song by MJ.

It really is all in the details...

2011-03-09T13:19:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, in the midst of my self improvement revelation, I created a list in which I challenge myself to become a better person.

Many people see me as, well, not exactly the nicest person. My mother says I don't have very good social graces. It's pretty much true, because I have a hard time hiding the way I feel- so if I don't like someone or something, it's fairly evident.

I used to pride myself on being an individual, but then I came to realize that this perception others have of me was not entirely accurate. Sometimes I may come across as short and snappy, but in all honesty, I have the biggest most emotional heart, and I truly care about the livelihood of others. We are talking about the fact that when I was five years old, I was afraid to step on grass in case it would get hurt. A girl that, to this day, is JUST LIKE Andy from Toy Story with my stuffed animals. Toy Story 3 had me bawling like a little kid when he gave his toys to the neighbor girl. My stuffed animals are real to me, and I'm extremely attached to them. But I don't play with them any more, and they belong with someone who will love and cherish them the way I did. As I was going through my stuff on Monday night, and putting the stuffed animals in the give away pile, I was definitely shedding tears. My understanding husband came over to me, put his arms around me, and said "Toy Story 3". I was all "I know..." but it is true, and that is what gave me the push to sever that bond. Sad day.

So that is who I am. The type of girl who will cry over news stories when someone dies, thinking of the pain and suffering the family is going through. The type of girl who has to pull over after driving past a wreck on the interstate to keep from wrecking herself because she's hyperventilating in tears of pain for those hurt or killed from the accident. That's just me.

So this list I speak of involves actions to promote the awesome side of me, the one who cares about other people even if I'm not always pleasant. Everyone's personalities are different, but I don't want anyone to ever question whether I'm compassionate or thoughtful. So it's not just a list to check things off after I've done them, like the 101 in 1001 that I'm working on. (Which reminds me- I need to revamp that list...) This is basically a change in the way I think about things, and living a healthier life, both mentally and physically.

You can see my list by clicking "it's all in the details"

I plan to blog about my progress on that list here on this blog, and keep my life tinted purple blog just for the 101 in 1001.

Do-Gooder Therapy

2011-03-08T09:43:00.004-05:00

I've been a Grumpy Bear lately.

Starting last Thursday, when I blogged about Josh, the days were gray and gloomy. I was sad about him, of course, but then I had a couple of 'not-good-but-not-necessarily-bad' things happen to me, and then Friday I found out I didnt get in to grad school. This, in effect, caused me to spiral into a whole "woe is me" mindset, in which i put myself and all my dreams down and made myself feel even worse. I had a little pity party.

Ok, so I'm pretty much over it now. I'm not entirely happy with the fact that I didn't get in but I'm trying not to dwell on it, and think positively. And *move on*.

One of the things I like to do that makes me feel good when I'm down is find something I can do to help others. Recently there was a fire that gutted an entire apartment complex, and the Salvation Army was asking for dishes. And I know I've got a ton.

Well, I have been thinking lately that honestly, I have so much stuff that we don't use, but there are so many people in our community who don't even have what they need. Why do I insist on having things I don't need? What is the point in living like that? It makes my life clutter-y. Sure, many of my items came from people I care about, but the items are NOT an extension of that person (usually, if you know what I mean...). Sure, I've got 20 pairs of shoes, and I generally wear most of them, but holding on to something because I "might use/wear it one day..." is really just selfish. Because there are people nearby who don't even have one pair of shoes.

Then I branched in to the line of thinking that I shouldn't need items to feel like I have a full and happy life. In fact, I think the LESS stuff I have, the better I will feel. And the thought of DONATING those items, instead of having a yard sale, and knowing that they will go to someone who NEEDS them, makes me feel happy.

So I called the Salvation Army lady, and told her I had some stuff she could pick up, and I went through my house and this morning, this is what I had gathered to donate. And I feel so much better.

So, while some people have Retail Therapy, I think I'm going to call this my Do-Gooder Therapy. Shopping will not be my release. Doing for others in need will be what I do when I need to feel better about life.

Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight; Here one day, Gone one night

2011-03-03T14:10:00.005-05:00

Dear Josh,

It's been six years that you've been gone. And I miss you.
Is it pathetic that it's been six years and I'm still not over it? Or that I still cry every single time I hear "I Can Only Imagine"?
Am I a horrible person because I can't remember the sound of your voice as clearly as I once could?
I can't describe the ache in my heart every year when March rolls around. Or the burn behind my eyes when I spend 8 hour days trying to hold back tears thinking of you.
I know you would kick me for blaming myself. I know you would hate for me to think that. And you would probably feel bad. Because you never wanted me to hurt. You wanted me happy. But I can't help it. I can't help thinking that if only I had been there. If only I had been in your life, if only I had not let you push me away that last year.
I have so many wishes. I wish I could have the chance to tell you goodbye. To tell you that your love and friendship meant the world to me, and helped me get through some of my darkest hours. I wish I could have one last of your gigantic bear hugs. I wish i could tell you again that you were the best friend I've ever had and make you believe it.
Because maybe if I had had that chance, you would still be here. You would still be in my life. You would have been at my wedding. You would have been there when I started dating Steven, the first good boyfriend I ever had. "Finally!" I can hear you saying. But not really. Because you aren't really here.
I know this is so selfish of me. You are in a better place where you aren't hurting, where you aren't in pain, and you don't have to battle any demons like you did here. And I'm so happy for you, that you have that relief.
But I miss you.
I love you,

Holley

The right way to motivate me...

2011-02-28T10:56:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I hopped on the scale to see that I had lost a pound since last Tuesday. Inspired and happy, I pulled out a huge box that I've been keeping for some unknown reason, full of clothes I used to wear when I was a smaller size. I went through the box, evaluating how many of those clothes I would wear as a 25 year old woman. The end result? Not very many. The early college years for me were full of short shorts and itty bitty shirts, all with the intent of attracting guys. Well, I'm married now, so that is not my goal. And I don't want to be one of those women trying to relive her past through her clothes. Now, I definitely could not wear these clothes at this point in my weight loss journey, but that wasn't the point of the closet purge. When I finally get to the end, I want to go shopping. I want to buy new clothes that will be flattering to my womanly body, not ones that flattered my late teenage body. I don't want to wear clothes that are 4+ years old. I want to own new clothes. Who doesn't love new clothes!?
So there are two items of clothing that represent my goal that I decided to keep. One is this super soft blue sweater, and the other is a jean skirt. Similar to this:
*(Warning: Britney Spears' Crossroads Alert.)*

Not even playin', i thought (and still think) that outfit was hott!! I wouldn't wear that top but I'd wear the skirt. So yeah. That's my goal, and that is one article of clothing I'll keep.

Those old clothes weren't motivating me. No matter how cute they were, they weren't motivating me in the right way. They were depressing me, making me reminisce about a size that I can't healthily be again. I finally took it upon myself to bite the bullet and go through them. I feel ten times better having cleansed my closed of those memories, and now I can work toward my goal in a healthy way. I can aim forward instead of looking backwards. Isn't that always better for you, anyway?

Here's to making progress the right way!!

P.S. I had lost another pound this morning!!

Day 17: Books That Opened Up My Eyes...

2011-02-25T10:22:00.004-05:00

Days of Truth
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.

Three years ago, I was unemployed for a "short" period of time, so I spent some of my free time reading books off the Top 100 Novels of All Time list. The first one I started before the unemployment was Stephen King's The Stand, per the recommendation of my mother. Although we have quite different tastes in our reading choices, she claimed this book was "awesome". It lacks the horror many of his novels possess, which is why she felt I would enjoy it as well.
She was right. From a few pages into this gigantic novel, I was sucked into the world he created. The creation of that world is what makes the novel so fantastic, the battle that wages between good and evil throughout the entire novel, the absolute pure evil found in Randall Flagg, and the epitome of good with Mother Abigail, and all the characters in between.
But how it changed my views on something? Well, I cant really pin the nail on that. I loved the novel, and one thing it did for me was redefine the term "favorite book." I had never read anything so in depth or riveting. I've never been so engrossed in a book that I absolutely could not put it down, regardless of the fact that it weight 10 pounds. I was there. I was traveling with Glen, Stu, and Nick, right there along that road with them. I was scared of Randall Flagg, and put my faith in Mother Abigail. More so than I've ever been with any other book. The post apocalyptic setting was also very much real, it was not incredibly far fetched, and the traits of each human were incredibly true to life. And Randall Flagg was just so EVIL!

Another book that I absolutely loved, I read right after I finished The Stand, was Memoirs of a Geisha. The book was incredibly inspiring, the story of an old geisha as she is being interviewed. It was exposure to a life I know nothing of, and so very honest. With all stories about those who are in difficult situations and able to eventually rise up, and live to tell the story, I was touched by the success. Although it was fictional, it seemed very real. Again, this book showed me the depths a novel can go to draw in the reader. Most mainstream novels barely scratch the surface of the intensity of these two novels.

The third and final novel, again on the list previously mentioned, is Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I read that recently for my book club, the book was chosen by my husband. The book was astounding in it's projections of the technology progression, especially considering when it was written. The story of Ender as he trains to become a commander of a star fleet is heartbreaking but intriguing nonetheless. The one thing that I learned was that the ability of people to manipulate others varies, but yet there are so many ways. The ulterior motives of a person may not be known to you. Others can control you in ways that you have no idea, or if you do have an idea, it is beyond your control or power to act any differently. It was an eye opening view of the military style of persuasion, the childish, selfish ways, and the evil conniving ways. All are effective.

I recommend all of these books to anyone who loves to read!!

Top Ten Tuesday- Movie Adaptations

2011-02-22T20:23:00.002-05:00

I'm linking up to Broke and Bookish for the Top Ten Tuesday! This week's topic is my top ten book to movie adaptations.

Without further ado...

1. A Walk to Remember- Nicholas Sparks has a few books that have been adapted into movies but this is my favorite. Shane West as Landon was exactly as I pictured him, and though I didnt picture Mandy Moore as Jamie, she did a wonderful job in my opinion. The book was quite a bite more raw and emotionally compelling but the movie was still awesome.

2. Runaway Jury- John Grisham is another author that seems to write books for movies. This one was a terrible book, in my opinion, but I loved the movie. Very much. Probably because the plot is only remotely similar between the two.

3. The Client/The Firm/The Pelican Brief- more Grisham novels, but one's that I actually enjoyed the story. This was back when Grisham wrote some amazing quality stuff at a much more in depth, slower read than what he has been writing for the past few years. It didn't hurt to have an all star cast for each of these, but the books themselves were riveting, so of course the movie was as well. With Great acting by actors such as Tommy Lee Jones, Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Gene Hackman...

4. Much Ado About Nothing- Many Shakespeare plays are adapted beyond belief, in ways that are only remotely similar to the play. But Kenneth Branaugh did an amazing job and did the play so much justice. It is hilarious, and Benedick and Beatrice spar through the whole movie. Branaugh and his then wife, Emma Thompson, played this leading couple, and they do well together. I really enjoyed it.

5. Little Women - Well written stories about close knit families always have a spot in my heart. This one is one that I love and have loved since before I could read when my mother read it to me. I connect deeply with Jo, the writer, and feel that her personality closely resembles mine. I watch the movie with my family every Christmas as well.

6. P.S. I Love You - I didnt enjoy the book nearly as much as the movie. And I cried forever through the movie. Like, 5 minutes in, I was bawling. I read the book after watching the movie, but i still liked the movie better.

7. The Outsiders - Great book and movie. Its been a long time since I watched the movie or read the book so i need to check that out again.

8. The DaVinci Code/Angels and Demons- I love Dan Brown's writing, and I love all his books. I love Tom Hanks, and he is totally Langdon. These two combined with mystery and mayhem, plus some world traveling and historical tidbits make for an awesome story.

9. Harry Potter - The books are of course better. But anyway! I'm sad the movies are coming to a close.

10. Gone With the Wind - The book is one of my all time favorites. The movie is not amazing, to me, but I really liked the book, and the story line, and the characters, and the description of the South (I'm a Southern Girl through and through), and everything... Ok so I liked the movie. Just not as much as the book.

The One Goal That Always Gets Me...

2011-02-22T13:44:00.003-05:00

Losing weight.

{Warning: Long Post, bear with me!}

I can save money all year long, buckle down and pay things off, participate in all sorts of fun events, but losing weight is something I struggle with more than anything else.

I have gained who knows how many pounds in 6 years, since I went away for my junior year of college. Something like 75 I'm sure. And I've lost it at times, like right before the wedding, but then it comes right back.

I need to be healthy. It's important to me, and it's starting to majorly affect the way I see myself. I was never the teensy girl, I've always had more meat on my bones than some of the other girls, but I wouldnt consider myself fat. Until now. I've reached a weight that I am completely unable to accept, and I've decided that it is time for me to get off my apparently lazy butt and do something about it.

Generally this would be something that I would post on my 101 in 1001 blog, but because I've decided to make it a front runner in my life, I'm posting it here, and I'm going to start accounting for myself weekly on this blog. So, lets get started shall we?

Ultimate Goal:
Lose 70 pounds in a healthy way and then keep it off. Like, forever. The BMI recommendation for my height is like 125-140. Although that is quite small for my personal build, I'm going to make it my goal.

Short term goals:
It's all about baby steps, right? So the First Goal I will reward myself for reaching will be Losing 10 Pounds. The Second Goal will be 15 more pounds lost for a total of 25, a third of the way there. The Third Goal will again be 10 more pounds, putting me half way to my Ultimate Goal. These Goals will repeat to reach the final goal. I find it important to reward myself for the small goals so I dont get discouraged or daunted by the large goal.

Reaching the Goals:
The journey is just as important as the destination. So, I'm going to do this the right way. Not by starving myself or making myself sick, or anything unhealthy like that. I'm going to become more active and eat healthier. The latter will be the most challenging for me because I am a very picky eater. I like very few fruits and vegetables, and I love me some red meat.
Counting calories isn't much fun, but until I show my husband that I'm actually sticking with something (I have a tendency to be gung-ho about something for a few weeks then give up) he isn't going to let me join back up with Weight Watchers. I lost 20 pounds before the wedding on Weight Watchers, but then after the wedding I stopped using it. For now, though, I am using Loseit to count calories and log my food. I need to be aware of what I'm eating and how much of it.

I also created a work out chart of exercise for each day. I'm on the second week of the chart and I've done well except for two days when I was sick. I'm currently doing the 100 push-up challenge and the 200 squat challenge as well as walking my dog and playing kinect. I also do pilates in the morning 3 times a week. This has helped ease me into a routine of exercising at least a little every day, which is something I had a hard time doing for a while. The chart is a simple way for me to see what I need to do. It's just like a list, and I'm definitely a list person.

In March, I'm taking a self defense class, as well as attempting to complete a couch to 5k program. I've never been a runner. Ever. I've actually classified myself as 'not a runner' many, many times. Before the wedding, though, I actually ran a bit, and really enjoyed it. A lot. So, i think that this program has definite potential to do great things for me. Although the activities I'm doing right now are more focused on strengthening my core, it's giving me a starting point before starting this running business.

In Conclusion...
Combined, these programs give me some sort of exercise or workout every day for 15 weeks. The healthy weight loss is generally 2 pounds per week, so this should put me around the halfway mark to my ultimate goal. Sometime before the end of the C25K, I will design a plan of exercise more accommodating to my energy and strength level at that time.

I'm sure that many benefits will come about by going through this plan. The absolute best motivator for losing weight is seeing progress, so it's important that I stick with this plan, and I know I'll see results. I will feel better, sleep better, and probably start getting more of my confidence back.

Why Now?
I got on my food tracker and realized that I went WAY over my alloted calorie intake of the day. The sad thing? I thought I had done well for the day. My mind has been programed that all this food I'm eating is ok! And it's not! So, I realized I am in control of this problem, and I can set to correct it just as I would any of these other goals on my 101 in 1001 list. Why have I waited so long to start this? The one person who benefits this is me... here is an opportunity for me to be selfish, so why am I not taking advantage of it??

Another reason is Rachel. I follow her blog,{simple.little.joys}, and her success at the same goal is incredibly inspiring. I was reminded today of her amazing journey of weight loss as she was featured on another blog.

I decided to get back on the wagon.

Current Mood: Inspired
Song of the Day: Lady Gaga, Born This Way

I'M BEAUTIFUL IN MY WAY
'CAUSE GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

DON'T HIDE YOURSELF IN REGRET
JUST LOVE YOURSELF AND YOU'RE SET
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

Day 16 of Truth

2011-02-21T21:26:00.002-05:00

Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.

I could definitely live without any sort of tobacco. I'm so against smoking and all the nasty smells that come along with it. And have you ever cleaned any thing like a car or an apartment in which someone smoked? Nasty. Ew. There is a film of filth over everything. Please do not contaminate my already hardly clean air with that stuff. I wonder how much of a coincidence it is that I married the first guy I dated that didn't smoke... hah.

Something to Look Forward To...

2011-02-15T07:58:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone had a Happy Valentine's Day!!
Here is one of my goodies from my husband... I was definitely looking forward to enjoying this!

Days 14 and 15 of Truth

2011-02-10T15:36:00.003-05:00

Days of Truth- Day 14

Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)

I think the only think I could write about in this post would be my father, and I've already used that up on a previous post. Not that my dad is my hero, but shouldn't he be?
:)
Next....

Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it

Besides the obvious choice- my husband... I'm going to go with music. I'm not an artist myself, but I will go crazy if I dont have music at some point in my day. Life would be so empty without music. It serves all my emotional needs. My husband got me a subscription to Pandora One for V Day and I'm super ecstatic about it.
I've worked at jobs where I couldn't listen to music and it made for a rather dull day. I've ridden in cars without radios and it made for an awkward drive. My life is not complete without music.

Best TV Couples!

2011-02-02T16:01:00.027-05:00

Taking some inspiration from one of my favorite bloggers, Krysten, over at After I Do, I decided to embrace the month of love and do a blog on my own favorite TV couples.

TOP Five Without a Doubt Faves....

TV Couple Number One:
Emma and Sean from Degrassi

I will never give up hope for these two. They are MFEO!! All kidding aside, i think they would have a great foundation for a mature relationship after everything they have been through together. Getting back together would be the hard part, learning to trust each other again.

Couple Number Two
Veronica and Logan from Veronica Mars

I love them. They are so passionate. They cant stay away from each other, whether they are hating each other or loving each other. I love their dynamic together, because they really "get" each other. I didnt like Duncan and V, because they just didnt mesh well. And I dont like Piz or Parker at all.

Logan: I thought our story was epic, you know? You and me.
Veronica: Epic how?
Logan: Spanning years, and continents. Lives ruined and blood shed. Epic.

TV Couple Number Three
Rory and Jess - Gilmore Girls

Logan was a spoiled jerk, and Dean didnt have enough of a backbone. He did whatever made someone else happy. Jess and Rory were perfect, they understood each other and they were "real" together. I thought they were going to make it happen in the final season, but alas it was not to be. Here's hoping for a movie with some reconciliation :)

Number Four
Cory and Topanga

who doesnt love cory and topanga? they have their whole relationship chronicled before our eyes! they were the perfect balance, and everything worked out, every time. How lovely. Too bad I was a kiddo when I watched this and had expectations of a C & T kinda love for my future. (P.S. - it's not real!)

Number Five
Nick and Hannah

High school sweethearts, still obviously in love with each other. Too bad Nick ran out of town and Hannah felt like she needed to move on and do what was best for her and her son.
The show was short lived, but I still consider it one of the best shows I've watched! I recently discovered that there is a short finale on the season 2 disc that wraps everything up. I didnt know this, and now I must go purchase the first AND second seasons to refresh my memory on the story and find out (hopefully!) who Sam's father is. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's Nick. *If you know, dont tell me!!!

Great Couples or Should-Be Couples, But Not My Top Five

Number Six
Mary and Marshall from In Plain Sight

We all know Marshall loves Mary. We all also know that if Mary would open her eyes just a bit, and slow the heck down, that she would realize she loves him too. But of course, that is what makes the show intriguing, and that realization would probably change the awesome dynamic of their relationship, so I'm good with the way it is... For Now.

Number Seven
Elle and Sylar from Heroes

Villans in love are hott. And I dont think it's any coincidence that Kristen Bell makes it into two of my favorite couples. Regardless, I wish they had made this last a little longer before Sylar went back in to killer mode.

Number Eight
Jim and Pam from the Office

love this office romance. i loved how it built up, i loved their obstacles, and i loved how intense and REAL it was when they finally kissed. It's like Cory and Topanga, all grown up. With a baby.

Number Nine
Buffy and Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Most people might say Angel. But not me. You might notice, I like the bad boys with a splash of good in them. I'm just gonna say that Buffy really did love Spike. Not in the same way as she loved Angel, because OBVIOUSLY they were totally different, but I think what they had was real, and Spike loved her even when he didn't have a soul. Love isn't one sided, therefore to believe that Spike really loved Buffy - which is completely unquestionable in my mind, it can be assumed that Buffy loved Spike in return.

Number Ten
Luke and LoreLai from Gilmore Girls

I was really rooting for this relationship the whole time. From the moment I met Luke, I knew he should be with Lorelai, and they would be great together. And they were! I loved it. There was a bit more drama involved than for my taste, but they worked through it in a somewhat adult-like manner and I choose to believe it worked out for the best in the end.

The Runner-Ups

Number Eleven
Tony and Zivi or Gibbs and Jen from NCIS

Number Twelve
Max and Liz, Michael and Maria, Alex and Isabel from Roswell

Joey and Pacey from Dawson's Creek

Number Fourteen
Michael and Fiona from Burn Notice

Number Fifteen
Cappie and Casey from Greek and Lexi and Mark

What do you think? Who are you favorite TV couples? Any that you would add?

Happy Groundhog Day!

2011-02-02T08:00:00.003-05:00

So I hear Phil didn't see his shadow and that spring is coming! Yay! I, however, don't know if I believe it. I will welcome the spring with open arms when it gets here!
I've been working hard on my Day Zero Project, knocking some goals out of the water and changing some more goals!
It's the new year so I'm hoping to get back on the blog bandwagon.
I've got a new job that keeps me pretty busy, but I really enjoy it. Last year I did most of my blogging while I was at work, so I'll just have to figure out a new schedule.
And I might as well pick up where I left off on the 30 days of truth thing.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)

Dear Brad (3DD),
I have been through some serious drama in my life. Days where I didnt think I could face the world, or get through another day. Minutes that passed by like hours, praying that everything would just get a teensy weensy bit better. Begging to sleep all day just so I didnt have to be awake, thinking and drowning in pain. Searching for that light at the end of the tunnel, the light that would tell me I was almost to the other side, the side where things were better and life was good. Years I spent in this slump, and I wasn't alone, but I didnt have any one to help me out. I might as well have been alone, for all the help any one else was.
There was one song, though. One song that clicked with me, as i listened to every 3DD album I owned, over and over. Many of the songs spoke to me on a level that it seemed no one else could get to. No one I knew seemed to understand that I was lost in a maze that I just couldnt get out of. But this one song, it reached me. It grabbed my hand and lead me out of the dark, scary place i was in for so long. It wasnt like magic, and it didnt happen instantly, but there was something about that song that made me keep it on repeat sometimes, just to really listen to the lyrics. To really hear the message that the song was telling me. And finally, I began to hear it. The words came through the murky wall around me, slowly breaking through,until finally I heard them. Finally something could reach me and give me the one thing I was desperate to find. Hope.
So, Brad, Matt, Todd, Chris,and Greg, Thank you. You saved me. Thank you for saving me from myself.
Loyal Fan,
Holley

Song of the Day: The Real Life by 3 Doors Down

I wanted to find somewhere to hide
and I opened up and let those fears inside
and I wanted to be anyone else
only to find that there was no one there but me

but I woke up to the real life
and I realized It's not worth running from anymore
when there was nowhere left to hide I found out
that nothings real here but I won't stop now until I find a better part of me

I let those hard days get me down
and all the things I hate got in my way
I could've screamed without a sound
I found myself silenced by those things they say

but I woke up to the real life
and I realized It's not worth running from anymore
when there was nowhere left to hide I found out
that nothings real here but I won't stop now until I find a better part of me thats out there somewhere
and It cant be that far away
thats where I'll find myself
and I'll find my way out
that's where I'll find out

but I woke up to the real life
and I realized It's not worth running from anymore
when there was nowhere left to hide I found out
that nothings real here but I won't stop now until I find a better part of me

November is here!

2010-11-02T08:47:00.007-04:00

Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on

Definitely my eyes. Isn't that the same for everyone?
Well, i take pride in my eyes, anyway. This is the only picture I have that best shows my eyes, and it's not really a good one. I have a serious incline going on.

Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Seriously? There are a lot of things I don't get compliments on. Like how skinny I'm not. Or my kneecaps. Or elbows. Come to think of it... it's time for a hair cut.

So it's November!
Here is an engagement picture taken in November two years ago! Wow... cant believe it was that long ago... Anyway...

... i will probably not be around quite as much because of all I've got going on!
1. NaNoWriMo is happening. And I've made it my mission to win! I will reach 50,000 words.
2. The GRE. One week from today.
3. Shakespeare paper. I'm going to write on Othello, so it shouldnt take me too long to finish.
4. Thanksgiving! We are hosting again this year.
5. Book Club. I've got to read the book by the 19th!
6. Christmas shopping/making of gifts. We are going a little handmade this year to save money.
Oh yea and 7. WORK. Ha. Can't forget that little thing!

If any of you are participating in NaNo, look me up and friend me! hizzle85

If you ain't got someone, you're afraid to lose
Everybody needs just one, someone... to tell them the truth
Maybe i'm a dreamer, but I still believe
I believe in hope, I believe the change can get us off our knees

Song of the Day: What Do You Got- Bon Jovi
Current Mood: Slightly Overwhelmed. How am I going to get through all this stuff??

Day 10- I wish I'd never met you!!

2010-10-29T16:40:00.002-04:00

Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know

I believe everyone gets put in our lives for a reason. The whole 'Footprints' concept is a belief of mine.
That being said, I'll attempt to answer this question, the first part.
There is a member of my very extended family who is really a bad person, and does bad and disgusting things. That's all I'm going to say, but he is not a part of my life in any way, so I'm thankful I don't ever have to see him.

Half Full Friday!

2010-10-29T15:32:00.002-04:00

It's Friday again! I'm looking forward to a beautiful weekend full of Halloween-ness.

So, here's what I'm happy for this week!

~ Great weather! Ok, Monday was a bit frightening, but we got some rain, which was nice. Today it is gorgeous outside, if a bit cool. But I'm loving this weather, and all the fall colors that surround me in the Tennessee Valley.

~ Plans to see Harry Potter on opening night. Yeah, I'm crazy! It's mainly because some really great friends asked us to go with them, and any time we can spend with them, we take advantage of it! Our schedules are pretty much opposite, so it's hard to find time with these awesome friends.

~ Steven got a research job in his field! It's way excited, and will open some doors for him when he starts to search for a job. Also, we may be going to Belgium next summer! He has a study abroad opportunity, and I might come over at some point to see all the amazing places right around there, like Greece, Italy, France, etc. We might not have the funds to do it, but I feel like it's something we should aim to do.

~ NaNoWriMo starts Monday at Midnight, and I'm looking forward to the kick off party!

~ I'm planning on getting some hott boots this weekend. No one can stop me! Ha. And a haircut. Woot!!

It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark
Under the moonlight, you see a sight that almost stops your heart
You try to scream but terror takes the sound before you make it
You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes
You're paralyzed

Song of the Day: Thriller by Michael Jackson
Current Mood: Confident!

Day 09 - Drifted Apart

2010-10-25T14:23:00.002-04:00

Last week I was sick, so I didn't blog much. But I'm better now!
Catching up on my reads from the past week, I stumbled across a great interview post over at yes and yes, called True Story: I Didn't Buy Anything New for One Year. It is quite inspiring, a story of how someone went a whole year without purchasing on a list she made for herself. Go check it out!

Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.

So many people have drifted in and out of my life. I guess the person I didn't want to let go was an old friend, Amanda. She and I were inseparable for one summer, then she went through some rough times and I moved away, and we just drifted apart. She experienced a tragedy, and lost both parents in an unimaginable way, and there was nothing I could do to help her. No one could.
But she's doing so well now, her life is great and I'm so so happy for her. I'm glad I'm on the outskirts, even if we aren't as close as we once were, and I'm so happy for her and her little family. I'm glad I got to be at her wedding.

I tell my self that I'm not missing you,
but my heart it just wont listen,
even though I tell it to
I think about it all the time
Cant seem to get you off my mind,
and it just don't seem to matter what I do
cant stop missing you

Song of the day: Missing You- Imajin
Current Mood: overwhelmed thinking about everything that will be going on in November!!

Holley's Hobby Tuesday

2010-10-19T14:43:00.007-04:00

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine
Song of the Day: Mercy Me, I Can Only Imagine
Current Mood: Missing... and also feverish.
**I'm not overly religious, but this song touches me on a deeper level. It was played at my best friends funeral from high school, he passed away 5 years ago.

It's been a while since I did this!

In the effort to save money, husband and I are finding different things we can do cheaply to occupy our time. Here's what I'm up to!

Husband has been brewing beer.

I've been studying for the GRE.

Also:

In my library bag:
Certain Girls- Jennifer Weiner (currently reading)
Hunger Games- Suzanne Collins (jumping on the bandwagon, finally)
Speak- Laurie Halse Anderson
Eragon- Christopher Paolini
Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury

In my Netflix Queue:

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 2 *How did I miss out on this show!? Now I totally get the fuss about Angel.

What have you been doing lately to pass your free time(if you have any!)?

Day 08. Sippin on some sweet tea, jammin to some tunes

2010-10-18T14:08:00.003-04:00

when i see your face
theres not a thing that i would change
cuz you're amazing
just the way you are

and when you smile
the whole world stops and stares for a while
cuz girl you're amazing
just the way you are

Song of the Day:Just the way you are- Bruno Mars (LOVE this song!!)
Current Mood: Feeling pretty great today!!

I'm having a great Monday! I hope you all are too.

I got registered for the GRE last week, and I've been studying! That's a good thing, right?

I had quite an eventful weekend, but all I can remember is Saturday evening a tree limb fell onto the roof of our garage and took out our power. So that was nice. No one was hurt, nothing was hurt, and the electric company guys had it taken care of within a few hours. But it sure did scare me to death!

Friday of this week is the first meeting of my little book club. I'm looking forward to it. This month we read The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.

Saturday is Steven's birthday!! And what we shall get into, I have no idea. But it's the big 25! I've got to come up with something relatively affordable.

Now on to Day 08.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.

I don't really let people make my life hell, but as far as someone treating me like shit, well, I guess of all the jerks, I'll pick my ex, j.. He was the meanest person in the whole world! That may sound childish, but honestly, he showed a capacity for nasty a-hole behavior that I will never understand. It was an art for him, something he would preen and perfect. Have you ever read Othello? Well, J. was Iago. The most frightening part about him is that he isn't always mean. He will charm you and make you feel like he's a nice guy, but woah buddy, watch out, because his other personality is like a snake in the grass, poised to spring at any moment. I want to tell all his future conquests: Don't open up to him! He will shatter you like a glass window. Don't bother trying to find all the pieces when you try to put yourself back together, because you will never be the same again.

PSA: It is easier said than done to get out of a long term crappy relationship. Don't hate on girls who are in that situation, because unless you've been there, you have no idea what it's like. Ok- I'm hopping off that soap box now!

Are you excited for anything this week? What's going on in your world? Are you getting prepped for fall, or Halloween?

Half Full Friday

2010-10-15T15:59:00.005-04:00

This is my first week participating in Half Full Friday with Life as Eye See It, who by the way has a totally cute layout for her blog. I saw this on Amy's Ha ha. Wait. What?. You should check them both out!

So here is my list for the week.

I am so happy that I'm taking the risk to follow my current dream of going to grad school. Although it's scary to take that chance of getting rejected (again), I've got to take it or I'll never know.

I'm happy that we have made a huge dent in our credit card debt. We've been living like poor kids, but I love it. We eat at home, which is great, and we are trying new foods and using some of the great wedding gifts we never touched before!

I'm happy about joining NaNoWriMo this year. I've been waiting a whole year to be able to do it, and I think it will be a ton of fun. I've been working on my character sketches and plot outline this week, gotta be ready for November 1... spitting out 1667 words a day is going to be a challenge!

I'm pretty happy about how my Banned Book poster turned out for the library. They asked me to do it last minute, so it could have been a disaster, but it's not! Yay.

I'm happy that my husband and I will get some time together this weekend. Saturday morning breakfasts are a tradition these days!

Have a great weekend every one!!

Only the young can say
They're free to fly away
Sharing the same desire
Burnin' like wildfire

Song of the day: Only the Young - Journey ♥
Current mood: happy :)

Thoughtful Thursday

2010-10-14T14:37:00.002-04:00

Thoughts of the Day:

~I'm going to retake the GRE. I am scared about this. I've taken the GRE before and did not do very well at all, so hopefully this time around I'll do much, much better. So much better that I will get into grad school. Please, please, send me good vibes on November 12th that I will rock the socks off of that exam. I've got a ton of hopes riding on my acceptance to grad school, and although I know the GRE isn't the only factor, honestly it's the only one I'm worried about. I have just under a month to study my butt off and prove myself wrong!

~I hate trying to keep up with money.

~My husband is very frustrating sometimes.

That's all I've got today! :) Hope you all are having a great Thursday and are gearing up for a fabulous weekend!!

My One and Only. Day 07

2010-10-12T14:20:00.004-04:00

Now I’m waking up
I’ve finally had enough of this wreck of a life
How I never thought I’d survive
Now I’m taking back all I gave up for that
Leave my pain behind
Wash these stains from my life

Just when I thought all was lost
You came and made it all okay

Song of the Day: Invincible- Crossfade "Our Song"
Current mood: mushy in love with my husband, and I'm seriously getting tears in my eyes because of how REAL those words above are to me.

Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.

Alright, I know it's cheese-tastic, but honest to God, my husband saved my life from my own hell. I love him, he is my everything. He saved me from a self destructive path in which I was going nowhere fast. He saved me from staying with a guy who didn't love me, no matter how much I wished he did, and he showed me what real love is all about. He made me feel worthy of love, made me feel like I deserve more than what I had received before, which was nothing. He gave me confidence when I felt empty, he gave me light when all I could see was darkness, and he gave me hope when the world seemed to be falling in on me. He helped me find the real Holley who had been lost after years of being neglected, and helped bring her back to surface.

It is still a struggle, every day, to overcome some of these issues, even four years later. But he is the reason I want to get out of bed in the morning, and the inspiration I need to get through the tough days. I don't tell him enough, but my husband is everything to me.

Day of Truth 06

2010-10-11T10:42:00.002-04:00

beautiful enemy
i'll fix your broken wings
and let you lie here til
you fly away from me
And I'm the one you want...

Song of the day: Lady Bug by breaking benjamin
Current Mood: frazzled. I'm not feeling so hot, and I've got to finish Macbeth before class today. Woo.

Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.

There are so many things I hope I never have to do, but I think the number one thing would probably be, I hope I never have to experience the loss of a child.
I'm not a mother yet, but I think that would probably be the worst thing to ever experience. I never want to experience the loss of my parents and grandparents but I know eventually that will happen. But the loss of a child seems like it would be something so hard to bear. I've seen it tear families apart as well as pull them together. But either way, that's probably my choice for this question.

Bringing Back Thoughtful Thursday

2010-10-07T10:00:00.002-04:00

when i was young i thought of growing old
what my life was meant to be
would i have followed down my chosen road
or only wished what i could be

Song of the day: kyrie eleison by Mr. Mister
Current Mood: Sniffly

Thoughts of the Day:

* It's all quiet on campus today, since it's Fall Break. I have a strong desire to go home and curl up in bed, because I know I'm not going to have anything to do, and Steven is at home hanging out with our pup. I want to be with my little family!!

* My acting class finished up this past Tuesday. I had such a great time with that, it reminded me of how much I love acting and that I need to keep doing it, because it makes me happy!

* So, if my project for September was Acting, then for November it will be NaNoWriMo. It's another goal on my 101ish in 1001. I'm excited. Are any of you planning on participating? What do you think you will write?

* I'm already thinking about Christmas. For one thing, how the heck are we going to afford to have anything!? This year is rough for us, and I'm not sure what we are going to do for gifts. We luck out in not having to buy for every family member, but we usually try to make it count. I wanted to go to Biltmore for a mini vacation, like a weekend or something, but I'm not even sure if that is going to be possible. I'm actually pretty bummed about it.

* I am, however, excited to be staring a book club! Our first meeting is October 22nd, and we will be talking about Stephen King's The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. I cant wait, and I will be posting on my 101/1001 blog about it.

What are you thinking about today? Are you thinking about Christmas yet? What is going on in your life that is occupying your mind??

Day 05. Hopes!!

2010-10-04T14:43:00.003-04:00

So many stormy nights, so many wrong or rights
Neither could change their headstrong ways
And in a lovers rage, they tore another page
The fighting is worth the love they save....

Song of the day: Who's Crying Now- Journey ♥
Current Mood: I'm feeling pretty poor today. Even though I get paid tomorrow. It's never ending.

Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.

I hope to get a little more financially stable.
I mean yeah, there are quite a few things I hope to do in my life, like travel to certain places, or get my master's degree. But right now this is on the forefront of my mind. I want to get to a point in my life where I dont have to worry about spending a little extra here and there.
Currently, we are living on my full time and my husband's part time job. We went from both of us working full time making a substantial amount with a small amount of bills, to now we are struggling to cover that same amount.
He graduates in a year and a half, so I'm counting the days until he gets a stable job in his field, or I get a better job than what I'm currently doing.
This situation makes me frustrated with many aspects of my life. It's hard to be happy when it feels like you are drowning in bills.
But I just keep swimming :) and we'll get there eventually.

Talkin' about Forgiveness: the 'My Dad' version

2010-09-29T14:16:00.006-04:00

Forgiveness, is more than saying sorry.
To forgive is divine. So let's have a glass of wine.
And have make-up sex until the end of time, time, time, time,
timmmmmmeee!
Time.

Song of the Day: Forgiveness(?)- Samantha James in the movie Just Friends
Current Mood: trying to not have a headache. Does that count as a mood? because it's really all I can think of... And yes, I'm totally leading this negative post with a silly song in order to avoid feeling so... depressed... about today's Day of Truth topic...

Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.

Easy one: My father.
I know that it's not good to harbor ill will toward others, or to have anger inside that you keep bottled up. I'm fully aware that holding on to pain can keep you miserable for years on end.
But this is one person who I've yet, in my 25 years of life, to grant forgiveness. As I've gotten older, I've heard phrases telling me forgiveness is a gift you give yourself, it heals the soul, on and on.
I believe that. Completely, beyond a doubt. But for some reason I just can not forgive this man. I feel like I have on some days, but other days my hurt and anger rears it's ugly head, and I feel like I need to forgive again.
Maybe it's because he keeps doing things I feel like I need to forgive him for. Instead of improving, he goes and does something worse. And it's hard to keep forgiving. I'd rather just not care. I'd rather just let it go.
If forgiveness is an art then forgiveness is not my specialty. But maybe one day it will be.

For a quick synopsis that barely skims the top of my relationship with my father, here are some of the high points:
*Divorced from my mother when I was 18 months
*Never paid child support...
*Therefore, gave up what little bit of custody rights he had
*Saw me twice a year, once for birthday once for christmas, but never on the actual day
*Talks about women like they are for his entertainment
*Complete manipulator, guilt tripper, and charmer
*Crazy mood swings- but NEVER happy
*Feels entitled to have or get everything he wants (this includes women)
*Currently in a loveless marriage with his 3rd wife
*For more accurate descriptions, listen to Jeff Foxworthy's "You Might be a Redneck..."

Who do you need to forgive? And why is forgiveness so hard sometimes?!

30 Days of Truth- Day 03

2010-09-27T14:42:00.005-04:00

You've got some fascination
With your high expectations
This love is your obsession
Your heart, your past possession
Let down your defenses
Wont be up to the one who cares

Song of the Day: Ask the Lonely- Journey ♥
Current Mood: fairly chipper for some reason! :)

Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.

I don't really know how to answer this one. I've been trying to think of what my answer would be. There are quite a few things I have screwed up in my life, but I'm not one for holding grudges too long. I also truly believe that everything in life happens for a reason, and because of that believe I dont beat myself up over dumb stuff I do for too long. I have a hard time answering this also because I fight myself to not give into negative thought processes. I have a hard time being positive and being happy with my life, so it is a daily struggle for me to not give myself a hard time over many things that I do.

Attempting to answer this question, though, I suppose the answer would be spending too much money! I like to spend money when I shouldnt, on things that I don't need. I forget some times how our money situation is and get carried away just wanting random crap and then having buyer's remorse! It's something I must over come. Now, I don't always have buyer's remorse. When I buy scrapbook supplies? Oh, I'm elated at the possibilities. Books? Who can ever regret buying a book!!
I guess the buyer's remorse is usually on food. I hate buying food. Junk food, that is. Chips, or even eating out fast food. (Unless it is certain fast food places that I love, but we rarely go those places...) But I tend to find myself purchasing that mid-afternoon snack... adding those extra calories I dont need and subtracting those dollar bills that I do. It's very frustrating. Almost like an addiction. I'm fighting it right now. :)

What do you need to forgive yourself for?
If you are participating in the 30 Days of Truth, let me know. I'd love to come learn about you!

Truth Day 02 and What I've Done Checklist

2010-09-22T15:42:00.005-04:00

Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.
(see Day 01, and the list, here)

This one is harder for me! I know that is depressing, but really, it is. I can see the negative about myself easily, but ask me what I love about myself, and I have to search like it's buried treasure.
So... upon soul searching, I believe what I love about myself is how empathetic I am. My capacity to feel what other people are feeling is astounding. My emotions run deep, and I know it might sound skeptical to some people, but the intensity to me feels like it's on a whole different level- almost like a sixth sense.
The reason i love this about myself is because it makes life seem real to me. It makes me feel more connected to others around me, makes me feel like a part of the world. I feel like I have a very deep passion for the things I enjoy- I enjoy them to the absolute fullest degree. I also love very deeply.
There are some downsides to this characteristic, but for this purpose I will only share the positive, and there you have it.

Something else I'm borrowing from someone I follow, Sammy at Bits and Pieces posted this today. It's, as she says, sort of a bucket list.
The deal is, you bold the things on this list that you have done before, and put the ones in italics that you plan on doing, and I've commented in parentheses ... So here goes :)

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive (in my dreams maybe!)
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said "I love you" and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope

26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run (unless the wii counts! hah)
36. Danced like a fool and didn't care who was looking (umm... story of my life)
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day ( i was wayyy younger. just sayin'.)
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment ( this happens occasionally)
39. Had two hard drives for your computer (if you'd met my husband, you'd know why...)
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk (always has a terrible grand finale to the evening when he drinks too much)
42. Had amazing friends (this makes me sad.)
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched whales (i want to do this so bad)
45. Stolen a sign (it made me feel hardcore. but my bf at the time did it. i was just an accomplice.)
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Taken a midnight walk on the beach (no one told me about the crabs. I totally freaked out. not so romantic.)
50. Gone sky diving

51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than [you thought*]you were actually in love (I'm amending this for my situation. Wasnt in love, it was an obsession.)
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs (it's a way of life. my life is alphabetized.)
57. Pretended to be a superhero (always.)
58. Sung karaoke (never again.)
59. Lounged around in bed all day (oh how i love to do this)
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain (one of my faves!)
63. Played in the mud (country girl here, so, definitely)
64. Played in the rain (summer rains make me giddy)
65. Gone to a drive-in theatre
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken (my hubbers!)
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced

76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on a television news program as an "expert"
83. Gotten flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage (it's a hobby. I thrive on this!)
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Passed out cold
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over

101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking with the windows open (again, story of my life)
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart (sadly)
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a TV game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol (again, country girl)
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse (never again)
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for 30 hours in a 48 hour period
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. States
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days

126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey (loved them!!)
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts (i have helped my husband though)
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone's life by not hitting them with my car

What have you done??

30 Days of Truth- Day 01

2010-09-20T22:01:00.002-04:00

Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are...

Current mood: sleepy

One of the blogs that i follow, After 'I Do', posted this project she found on 20sb, 30 Days of Truth. I thought I would hop on board.

Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

So something I hate about myself? Well, I guess that's easy. I hate that I can be a bully and mean sometimes.I'm not always nice to the people I care most about, and I really want to change that about myself. I want to be someone that people want to be around and spend time with. I feel like sometimes my harsh personality comes across wrong sometimes and people just dont want to be around me.
Part of me feels like people should accept me as I am, but the other part of me knows that regardless of that, people don't want to be around mean people. So I'm working on it. I'm working on being a nicer more patient person. Shouldn't we all want to be those things?

improving my space

2010-09-18T10:01:00.004-04:00

Current Mood:I'm a bit tired to do the song of the day right now... I'll have to get back to you on that one...

Hello, my name is Holley, and I'm addicted to HGTV.

There. I said it. I have taken the first step, which is admitting the problem.
One problem that I have encountered as far as being so obsessed with this channel, is that I feel the need to have my home look like those on the shows. That requires more money than I have, and it makes me very frustrated.I look at my home and truely believe that I would be more relaxed here if my living area was more organized, not so drab looking, and more my style.

It's hard to "add a splash of color" when you aren't allowed to paint the walls. I want to add color, but not in a teen flamboyant way. My couches are tan, I have hardwood floors and all my furniture is mahogany. Brown, brown brown!! So my dilemma is to add color where I can without breaking the bank. I thought I was doing well with my blue pillows and rug, but guess what the accent color is on those? You guessed it- brown.

I'm thinking about refinishing some of my furniture to add that bit of color. But that takes time and I dont have much of that either.

I also need to de-clutter! I feel like I have sooo much stuff and not enough places to store it! No matter how much stuff I try to get rid of, it still feels like I have way too much. Maybe I do still have way too much stuff, but I seriously believe so much of it has to do with storage space- or lack of it. We live in an old home so we don't have too much storage space. It's terrible! I must accommodate for this, somehow.

If you have any tips or advice, I will surely welcome it! Is anyone else having this problem??

Props to the hubby

2010-09-14T15:44:00.003-04:00

When I hold you in my arms
I know that I can't do no wrong
and when I hold you in my arms
My love won't do you no harm...

Song of the Day: I Feel Good by James Brown
Current Mood: fairly happy, in love with my darling

I love my husband. He's just a little cheese-ball. :)

Currently, our situation is one in which I do all the working, and he does all the schooling.... meaning I work full time and he goes to school full time. He has a part time job, but we are trying to get him very involved on campus so that he will have a better chance of finding a job in his career field than I did. Because, well, I didn't. (Find a job in my field, that is).
I was aprehensive at first about letting him quit his job to go back to school full time because he doesnt have the best school track record.
Well, today it has come to my attention that he is really pulling through. He is doing well in his classes, while his friends are faltering, slacking off, and having a hard time.
So, to my darling husband, I'm proud of you for doing so well on your studies. I know it is hard and distracting. Sometimes it is discouraging and overwhelming. But I'm proud of you for doing your best and working your butt off.
I love you!!

We have been so busy lately that we've not spent too much time together or with our darling furbaby.
But I just want to say, waking up in the morning, cuddling with my pup and my love, is the absolute best part of my day!

On a final note, everyone should stop by Life of Meg's blog and participate in Mingle Monday! I love reading new blogs and of course getting new followers :)

09.09.09 Happy Anniversary Babe!

2010-09-09T10:34:00.001-04:00

Oh, my love
my darling
I've hungered for your touch
a long lonely time
and time goes by so slowly
and time can do so much

Song of the Day: Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers (our first dance song!)
Current Mood: romantic and in love

I'm so sorry I've been missing for so long! Slacker me.
Of course, I was trying to get my life back together... and I'm still working on that!
But I'm back, hopefully in a more regular manner than before.

Today is mine and my husband's 1 year anniversary. I thought I would share some wedding pics with you all, so you can see the best day of my life!!

Thanks to my photographer, david payne!

We were married in a renovated historical theatre in our town, and it was the absolute perfect wedding for us. I remember it and wish we could relive it all again!
After some of the things we have been through this first year, today is momentous.
And I am excited about many more years to come with this man!

I'm 25!!!

2010-08-06T15:48:00.006-04:00

I had such a great time on Wednesday. It was probably one of the best, if not THE best, birthday I've ever had.

But can I just say that this is the first year I actually have felt older for my birthday? You know how people used to say, do you feel any older? Well no one asked me this year, but my answer would be yes. I feel like I'm getting old now. I'm getting to be an actual adult. There is just something different about 25, I feel like.
I'm not going to start about where I feel like I should be in life right now, though, because this is a happy post!

I took the day off, steven had no classes, so we went swimming with our friends at about 11 at their apartment's pool. The heat index was about 105 here and it was sweltering. The pool felt AMAZING. The water was the perfect temperature. And I got more tan. Yay!

Then, we ate lunch at Hibachi Factory.

Next, my mom and I got pedicures.

We went bowling for two games, then ate at one of my favorite restraunts in Knoxville, Louis'. They are amazing, and best known for their awesome spaghetti. Yum!!

My stepdad and mom made this centerpiece

They are so creative!

Following dinner, Steven and i went home until about 9, then we went out to see Knight and Day, which was a super cute movie.

That was the end of my birthday, and it was a great one!!!

Another Late Thoughtful Thursday

2010-08-06T14:59:00.004-04:00

I'll do whatever it takes
to turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know that I let you down
And if you give me a chance
Believe it, I can change it
I'll keep us together
Whatever it takes

Song of the Day: Whatever It Takes by Lifehouse
Current Mood: broken

So, I'm not big on airing out my personal problems to the world (never know who might be cyber stalking me...), so I'm just going to be quite vague about the specifics and only give you the scoop on my emotions on how I'm feeling. Sound like a plan?

Basically I was an idiot and the hubs did not approve of my actions. And now we are at this point... well. It's not a good point to find yourself.

So I'm going to tell you right now that I love my husband more than everything in this world. He is the reason I wake up every day, he is the reason I strive to be a better person. He inspires me. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me in my whole life, and he saved me from a life path that would have been filled with angst and emotional turmoil.
Losing him, obviously, would be the worst thing to happen to me.

Because of this, hurting him kills me inside. Seeing him in pain, pain that I brought on no less, tears me up. In any situation where he is hurt i want to kill the person who did it to him. Well guess what. This time it's me.

I'm torn up inside. Disappointed in myself, and scared about what is going to happen next. Hoping for the best, fearing for the worst. Wishing I could do it all over, and not screw up. Wishing I could rewind to Wednesday, {best birthday ever!} and savor it just a bit longer before the bomb dropped on Thursday.

I want and need friends. All the people I used to turn to and confide in have disappeared. The girls I would hang out with and spend time with, the one's who would be right by my side right now... They're gone.

I've got to fix this. It's my fault, i did wrong, and now I have to fix it. I only hope he will let me.

I guess only time will tell.

It's Monday!

2010-08-02T13:44:00.004-04:00

stop comparing who you are
to who you want to be
let's step out beyond the surface
don't give in to everything
the world around you tells you to be
open up your mind, release your self...

Song of the Day: Beyond the Surface by Kutless
Thoughts of the day: feeling confident and happy. i think this week is going to be a great one!

Goals for the week:
Mail Hilary her requested catalogs this evening
Order some pieces out of the new lia catalog this evening
Plan our Christmas break vacation
Have a kick ass 25 birthday (Wednesday)
Rock my lia sophia show on Saturday
Clean up around the house a bit
Surprise Steven with something on Thursday and be ready for next Tuesday (our 4 years of being together anniversary)
Take lots of pictures to document!

Gratefulness:
Celebrating 25 amazing years of living
Re-meeting my husband on August 6th 2006, which transformed my life
Having an amazing family
New friends who make life so much fun
A vacation to look forward to!

What are your goals for this week, and what are you grateful for?
Brought to you by Ok, Dan

Way Late Thoughtful Thursday

2010-07-30T10:17:00.002-04:00

all day long just takin it easy,
layin in a hammock where its nice and breezy
and sleepin off the night before,
Cuz when the sun goes down we'll be back for more

Song of the Day: When the Sun Goes Down by Kenny Chesney
Current Mood: wanting to be at the beach. Is that a mood?

Thoughts of the day...

~ It is so frustrating to have my mind right now. I mean, only two months ago I was so excited to determine my path for education and career was to be a Middle School Teacher. As much as I hate to abandon that path, it just doesn't seem feasible. Because I already have a bachelor's degree, I was excited to learn I could go back, take a few classes in my chosen area, and move on to get my Masters in Ed. But of course, it could not be that simple. I must take about 19 credits in Gen Ed courses, since I got my bachelors elsewhere. Then, I must take 15 credits of upper level English courses. All this would be prior to admission into the teaching program. Please forgive me, but I'm not interested in putting that much more time into my education while working full time and being the breadwinner of the family with Steven in school. This awakening lead me back to square one. I have a dream of opening my own book store in Savannah, but that's a big dream, so it's kinda scary. i don't really know what to do to head down that path, so I'm slightly apprehensive about moving forward on that. I guess at this point I'm just happy to have a goal at all...

I've got to find a way to lose some weight, because I'm getting pretty upset about it. I lost 20 pounds for the wedding, but then I gained it right back. I dont do well with diets and it's hard to stick with exercising when it is not convenient or fun. But i am really wanting to lose 50 pounds and keep it off, without starving myself. I cant eat next to nothing, because regardless of how much weight i lose I cant stick with it- I cant stand being hungry. I've tried Curves, Weight Watchers (which worked so well!), and Zumba. But weight watchers focuses on what you eat, and I just cant much do that for long. I dunno. I'd like to be more active. But I'm so not motivated. :( I need someone to join me...

I've been trying to relax a bit this week, in that I'm trying to not get so upset about stuff. I think I've been doing well. I have a tendency to get uptight and pissed about things that I shouldn't really be upset about, and it stresses me out and makes me a tad un-enjoyable to be around. I'm going to try to keep it up. I feel a whole lot better than I did before- so that is nice! But I'm still not motivated to do things like clean my house and all that.

Baby steps, right?

What are your thoughts today?

Holley's Hobby Tuesday

2010-07-27T13:45:00.004-04:00

I can't remember anything, my thoughts are constantly moving
Where will I be tomorrow? Where will I be next year?
I'll never put my finger on just what I wanted to say
My motivation changes when things turn out this way

Song of the day: Stolen From Some Great Writer by Spitalfield
Thoughts of the day:Still working on that positive outlook thing. So far so good, but it's only been a day. What better way to take it though? One day at a time right? Also, I love to imagine myself as someone else, living a different life... Maybe I should be an actress.

Holley's Hobby Tuesday

I'd like to begin this week's Hobby Tuesday with a conclusion I have made about my TV watching style.

Observation of the day: I think that if I have to like a show that is canceled, I'd rather know before hand.
Example: my recent obsession with Veronica Mars. I know that it is only 3 seasons going in. I like knowing that before I get wrapped up in the story. I feel prepared for the show to possibly have an open ending.

Opposite example: October Road. Was only on 2 seasons, and I didn't enjoy finding out that the show was canceled leaving such a freaking cliffhanger. I was actually quite upset and heartbroken when finding out the news that the show was canceled without us being able to find out who Sam's father was. I'm STILL pissed about that.

Alright on to the details!!

Books:
i went a bit crazy at the library yesterday, so here is my list that I checked out. Let me know if you've read any of them!

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist- Cohen&Levithan. This is my currently reading. I loved the movie, just thought it was so cute, so i decided to read the book. Because... the book is always better, right? So far so good.

Outlander- Gabaldon. I've heard great things about the series and decided to give it a shot.

Confessions of a Shopaholic- Kinsella. Yet another movie I thought was cute and decided to read the book! It's a series, too, so I'm excited to embark on that journey.

Fortune is a Woman- Adler. Elizabeth Adler is the one romance writer that I absolutely adore. She's so great! I love that she adds in a twist of mystery that is not the same plot in every story. I love that many of her books are about traveling to beautiful places like Tuscany, Malibu, Providence... I love them.

I checked out a bunch more but I'm going to hold off on listing those til next week.

Netflix

DVDs:

This week we have **Book of Eli** coming. We watched **Punisher: War Zone**. It was disappointing. I don't even want to think about that movie. Boooo!

Instant Queue:

So I am two episodes shy of watching the first season of Veronica Mars in like 4 days. I LOVE that show. Love. And Logan is a serious hottie. Oh, the good old high school days.

Also, I have a bunch of Mary Kate and Ashley movies lined up. I don't know what has gotten into me, but I am just loving high school stuff right now. Weird.

Just to go back to Veronica Mars for a moment, there is apparently a huge push taking place for a Veronica Mars movie. If we can get enough people to show some support for the movie, maybe we will get one.
I had never even heard of the show until recently, and I love it. So if you haven't seen it, check it out, and support the push for a Veronica Mars Movie!

What's on your list this week?

Mind Right Monday

2010-07-26T11:49:00.003-04:00

Unforgettable in every way
And forever more, that's how you'll stay
That's why, darling, it's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too

Song of the day: Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
Thoughts for the day: attempting to think positive and not bring my self down. i dont need help thinking negative things, i need help with positive thoughts and actions. i'm tired of struggling every day to not get worked up over little things. I need to learn how to relax.

It's time again for Mind Right Monday!

Goals:
~Try to make it 4 days being positive, or maybe just less negative
~Plan a trip for Christmas vacation
~re-decide what the next steps to take are (more school? another job? a second job? etc)
~Make a list of 30 things that make me happy, begin logging them on this blog
~Blog even just a little every day this week.
~Make a new friend... some how...

Gratefuls:
~a fantabulous husband who wants me to be happy
~the best mom I could ask for
~the little afternoon thunderstorms we've been having
~a working A/C

Thoughtful Thursday- Where my head's at today.

2010-07-22T21:19:00.003-04:00

she says we've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We got each other and that's a lot
For love we'll give it a shot

Song of the day: Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Current Mood: emotional

Thoughts of the day:

* I just watched Love Story, which is most definitely one of the saddest movies I have ever seen. If you havent seen it, you should, if you are in to total tear jerker movies about true love. I'm not going to spoil it or any thing, but it sure was a good one. It really made me think about life and how fragile it is. how important it is to hang on to every moment. It is so important to cherish the ones you love every day. And I love my husband so much I feel my heart could burst some times. I just wish i could really show him that.

* I started and finished Burned by Ellen Hopkins. If you have never read any thing by her, you should. Her writing style is so different than every one else's. She writes some serious subjects and this book is about a Mormon teenager who struggles with finding love- not just romantic love, but family love as well. It's so heavy, it really made me think about how lucky i am to have the amazing family that I do. And it also reminded me that you never know someone elses situation until you've actually seen where they come from. You have to watch the things you say to other people, and how you treat them. It makes me sad, my heart goes out to anyone who has a family life like Pattyn in this book. Which, as a side note, is a very nice girl name.

*Also watched Fried Green Tomatoes, yet another movie that makes me think about life. I'm thinking about how frustrated I am with my life and frustrated at myself for not being able to figure it all out, but sometimes you really just need someone by your side, a friend to talk to, just a companion. I know I can find my way out of this mess, I just cant give up. i've got to keep trying. And I'm lucky enough to have the best husband possible to help me find out where I need to go next.

I think those are enough thoughts for today.

What are you thinking of today?

Holley's Hobby Tuesday

2010-07-20T10:28:00.008-04:00

It seems like I spend my whole life runnin'
Runnin' away from what I couldn't be...
Down some endless road just south of nowhere
Always movin' but never really free

Song of the day:Glenn Frey - This way to Happiness
Thoughts of the day: I'm trying to find something that fills me up, whether it be a creative outlet, a new job, or a move to a new city.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In order to encourage less spending in our household, I've been doing more entertaining of myself at home as opposed to going out in the evenings. So, these are ways I'm choosing to spend my time.

Welcome to the First Edition of...

Holley's Hobby Tuesday

Books:

Emma, by Jane Austen- I've been working on this book for longer than I planned, because I'm not enjoying it very much. But I'm going to finish it, dammit!!

Burned, by Ellen Hopkins- I've read a couple other books by her, and though they are an easy read, the stories tend to be hard to hear. Drug abuse always pulls at my heart, as I've lost a few friends because of it. She writes in an awesome style, though, so I recommend her books if you just like to read over all.

Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley- Amazingly enough, I've never read this book. So I've decided I'm going to.

Sophie's Choice, by William Styron- I've heard great reviews of this book, and I'm looking forward to reading it.

Netflix

DVDs:

We just finished **Three Kings** with George Clooney, Mark Whalberg and Ice Cube. I didn't like it at all.

Next up is **Punisher: War Zone**. We havent seen this yet, amazingly enough. Mostly because I hate when main characters are recast, and Thomas Jane is the Punisher in my mind, not this other guy. But I'm going to give it a shot, just to see how it is.

Instant Queue:

I have quite a few things in my instant queue that I want to watch. I watch most of these while Steven is at work, because I love my girly movies and high school sports/feel good movies, and he says not so much.

*Tuck Everlasting- Obviously I read this book when I was younger, but I'm nervous to watch the movie. I'm eyeing it, though, so I plan on seeing it this week.

*Bolt- I love cute kid movies. I'll have to watch this one with Steven though. Probably tonight.

*Lost In Austen- Goes well with what I'm reading this week, dontcha think? I'm apprehensive though, it is supposedly about a girl going back into the story and changing the chain of events, and I dont know if I will like that... Guess I'll just have to watch it and see!!

Have you seen any of these movies, or read any of these books? What are your thoughts?

Follow Us and Mind Right Monday Blog

2010-07-19T10:09:00.000-04:00

Another Monday is upon us....
So, My Goals for the week are:
*call to set up an audition
*Dont get carried away eating
*Finish Emma
*Work on my show for Sunday
*dont eat out/spend money

Things I'm Grateful For:
*the husband
*family
*friends
*the rain we are finally getting
*a stable job
*good books

This week I also will participate in Follow Us Monday from Frugality is Free

The question of the week is:
How did you get started with blogging?

for me it was just a natural progression. I've always been a journal writer, but now that I'm working most of my day, and on a computer, this is a great way to get my thoughts and life experiences down fairly instantly. I can sort through them in my blogs, as opposed to just in my head, and that really helps.

If you are interested in participating in Follow us Monday, check this weeks blog out here.

Blog Award "Be confident in this skin Be real See the beauty inside this skin" Jessica Simpson- In This Skin

2010-07-15T09:31:00.000-04:00

Lori at Life Full of Laughter was oh-so-kind enough to pass along a blog award to me.
She's got a great blog going on, you should definitely check it out.

First I've got to thank Lori. Thanks Lori!! :) She always posts pics, which makes reading her blog even more fun.
Then I must sum up my blog philosophy in 5 words... hmm that's hard. How-about...
my life with a song?
I think that's a good one.

And to pass it along...
Ashley at I wish I was a Disney Princess. She's honest, open, and hilarious. She uses pictures. She posts how-tos on occasion. And she's really interesting. Check her out.

"I wanted to be anyone else.. Only to find that there was no one there but me..."3 Doors Down- The Real Life

2010-07-13T18:25:00.000-04:00

I've been an incredible slacker lately with the bloggage. I apologize. I suppose I shall now introduce you to the darker side of me. Let's call her hizzle. Because that nickname just sounds suitable.

Some days, the days when hizzle takes over, I'm relatively uninterested in everything around me. I have no motivation to do everyday things like cook supper, straighten my home, exercise, eat right, and even wake up. She causes me to not care about furthering my education, or even maintaining a professional image at work. This, of course, includes blogging.

How long this phase lasts varies every time it happens. Sometimes it only lasts a day, sometimes it lasts a month. You can only imagine what the condition of my home (not to mention the relationship with my husband) is after that long period of neglect.

I distance myself from others. I have not met too many people I can trust, and the "friends" I thought I had end up leaving me at one point or another. I suppose they give up or lose faith in me. I just want to find someone who doesn't run, who takes the time to get to know me and someone who loves me. I've got Steven, but girls need friends.

Thats part of why I have started seeing a therapist. I have some anger issues also that I would like to resolve, and some unspeakable demons in my mind that I must be rid of.

But everyone has these issues right? Surely not everyone is happy all the time.. and others struggle to fight the darkness in the depths of their mind? Please tell me it's not just me!

"Yes you could say we've always been, Red, White, and Blue" - Lynard Skynard Red,White, and Blue

2010-07-02T08:27:00.000-04:00

I seriously love the 4th of July. It is one of my favorite holidays. I love the cookouts, the fireworks, spending time with my family, and celebrating America, my home. I'm a pretty patriotic person all things considered. I don't have the American flag stickers on my car or anything like that, but I love this country and so much about it. I get chills when I hear God Bless the USA, and I always put my hand over my heart when I hear our national anthem.

And this makes me want to do an American themed scrapbook!!

So I'm very excited about this weekend and any festivities that may ensue. Sunday we will be cooking out with my parents for sure, and their neighborhood does fireworks and all that. I wont have to go out in the big city and deal with so many people.

This week has been so good! Check out my progress on my 101/1001 here

Last night I got a pedi with my mom as a belated mothers day gift for her. I'm loving my new toes :)

I also got a Blog Award from JoJo!
I love her blog! She's so funny. She's also Team Jacob, which makes me happy.
~>

ANYway. So apparently I'm supposed to mention seven things about myself for this one.
here we go.

I could probably be in love with Eminem if I was not married. In fact, I was completely obsessed at one point - but not in the over the top stalker kind of way.

Ice cream is my weakness. It's my mom's fault.

Nicholas Sparks is my favorite author, but he didn't write any of my all time favorite books.

I met my husband when I was 16, but we didn't start dating until I was 21 and lived 300 miles away from him.

I HATE Hunt's ketchup.

Breaking Benjamin is my favorite band EVER. I've seen them 3 times but it will never be enough. They are a band whose CD does them no justice to how they sound live.

Getting pretty for my wedding introduced me to pedicures and eyebrow shaping, and now I have no idea how I lived without either of them.

Now, to pass it on...
Ashley at I wish I was a Disney Princess
Meg at sunshine & cool breezes
Debbi at This Lovely Life
Angie at one cat per person
Lizzie (&Isaiah) at Our $10,000 Windy City Wedding

Blog Award! "Live and Die but this will not get old" - Tantric, Down and Out

2010-06-29T09:50:00.000-04:00

I want to give a shout out to Penny Ann at Beauty in the Breakdown and Thank her for giving me this award! It means so much, because her blog is so for real!
So I've got to:
1. Thank the person who gave this award to you (see above! Thanks Penny Ann!)✓

2. Copy the award and put it on your blog. ✓

3. List three things which you love about yourself. ✓
~ the ability to be persistent ~ my eyes! ~ being a good listener

4. Post a picture you love. ✓
Steven and I on our honeymoon, at Tradewinds- our favorite local ice cream place!

5. Tag five people you wish to pass this award on to.

* JoJo at Newlywed Adventures ~JoJo is always so humorous and honest with her posts. I love it! She makes me laugh everyday. Of course, today, I was more drooling than laughing, as she posted a gazillion pics of TL aka Jacob {insert girly swoon here}. Age ain't nothin' but a number! Anyway, this makes JoJo pretty darn awesome in my book.

* Sara at Feed the Soil ~ Sara is a multiblogger, she also works on 2000 budget wedding, which is awesome! She had a great post on Anniversary Planning, which was so interesting. Her personal blog, though is full of random tidbits of information on things like photography and yoga.

* Lauren at Believe, Dream, Achieve ~ Lauren seems like such a sweetie! She's a bit spunky (check out her vacation fiasco/drama under Heading Funniest Part). I love her snippets of life!

* Dani at OK, Dan ~ Dani is just awesome! She's artistic in just about every sense of the word and she's so funny! I love reading her motivational Mind Right Monday, and her Week in Review at the end of the week.

* Megan at somewhat voluable ~ Megan is a refreshing read. I love when she posts, because it is always full of pictures and loaded with information. She doesnt just dart through her posts, she writes them at a leisurely pace that is detailed but in no way boring. I get sucked in, even if I'm in a hurry.

Check all these ladies out- I'm sure you will love them!

~Mind Right Monday~ "...Dance all night, despite the heat it'll be alright" Lovin' Spoonful- Summer in the City

2010-06-28T13:55:00.000-04:00

I have taken a bit longer on blogging than I meant to! But I'm back in full swing now I hope.
I dont know how hot you all have been but here it has been so hot and humid! I spent all weekend at the pool. It was quite enjoyable.

Today is Day 1 of a health plan I've decided to undertake on my own. Basically I'm cutting out everything except fresh fruit and veggies, and some healthy organic chicken and some tolerable fish, for three weeks. Then, I will start adding things back in, and see how my body receives it. Some foods seriously make me feel like crap, and I would like to see if I can pinpoint any of these things, and get my health back on track by eating better foods. I'm also definitely taking multi-vitamins to make sure I'm getting everything I need.
I can do anything for 21 days right? Here's hoping. Wish me luck...

Ok so on to Mind Right Monday brought to you through me via Dani at OK, Dan.

Goals for the week...
**Stick with this health plan thing I've got going on
**Do great at my lia sophia show tomorrow
**Clean out my closet
**Get ready for the yard sale to rid myself of all things unnecessary
**Save mucho money from these checks for the trip in September
**Finish Earth Abides
**Start the next book in the stack
**Get a pedi with mom

Grateful for...
*my family
*pools and lakes
*great friends
*summer days and nights filled with fun and laughter
*my car <3
*Geoffrey and Patricia who I will miss very much now that they have moved :(

Ongoing Challenges
~Spending money only on bills, groceries, and gas.
~Get rid of 50 things (25 down- but I'm not stopping at 50)
~Work on my 101ish in 1001 (7 down, 9 in progress, 88 to go!){you can check out my progress here!}
~150 books in 2010 (working on 3!)

Let's get this week rolling!

Everybody's workin' for the weekend" Loverboy

2010-06-18T16:07:00.000-04:00

In honor of the weekend here is an old picture of the hubs and me about 4 years ago...

Although I do have great excitement for the weekend- as usual- I am excited that on the opposite end of this weekend is the Eminem Recovery release, and I'm most excited about that.
Tonight I have a Lia Sophia Show, and Sunday is Father's Day (aka just another day, to me anyway. All you with close relationships with your father's: enjoy the day!)

However, I do have quite a chore list for my weekend this weekend. I must be productive and unlazy. I must accomplish the following in my two days off.
**Balance Checkbook :: this is super sucky when you have been spending money you should not have, which describes my situation lately.
**Organize A's lia sophia show :: I've been working on that today at work actually, so I've got a jump start on this
**Mail A's invitations to her so she can hand them out :: this branches off of the last one
**Put clothes up in the bedroom :: I really don't like getting all my clean clothes out of a basket, but I've been lazy. Also, this would be a perfect time to go through my clothes and get rid of some things... Hmmm...
**Laundry :: nuff said. Of course, I'm trying to get ahead of the disastrous piles of laundry that will arise if I dont do it this weekend, so this is pro-activeness.
**Put up mail in the office :: my desk is covered in many piles of mail. It drives me crazy, and I cant use the dang desk!
**Close H's show on Sunday :: this would be a bad thing to forget
**Deposit checks :: this is also important.
**Clean kitchen :: I'm using this clean word lightly. 'Straighten' might be more appropriate.
**Be active each day :: I don't want to be stuck inside all day each day, even though I do have enormous picture windows in the living room. I must spend some time outside walking or something similar.
**Try to book some more shows :: I've not been doing well in my lia sophia endeavors, so i would like to try to put some effort into getting more bookings or catalog shows.
**Make grocery list of sales and coupons :: in an effort to be more thrifty and save money for our 1 year anniversary trip, this is quite important. I'm looking forward to it.

Do any of you have big plans for the weekend?

"Thank you for loving me" - Bon Jovi:: Blog Awards!

2010-06-17T14:15:00.000-04:00

I feel so very special! I got my very first (two) Blog Awards ever!! Thanks to Dani at OK, Dan, for sending much love my way :) You should definitely check out her spot, if you haven't yet!
So now for the awards!!

Blog Award #1

In order to accept this award I must right down where I will see my self in 10 years and then pass this on to 10 people. Sooo... In 10 years I'll be 34 (oh wow...)... I see myself still happily married to my loving husband Steven with two little kiddos, teaching middle school reading in Savannah, Georgia and living on Tybee Island by the ocean. Well. That's where I hope I'll be!
Now, onto 10 people to pass this blog to:

Michelle at Random Ramblings of an Artsy Crafter
Randi at wild magnolia
Meg at sunshine and cool breezes
Celeste at Celeste's 101 in 1001
Kristen at Ladybug Blessings
JoJo at Newlywed Adventures
Jumping in Feet First
Sam at Simply Sam
Lauren at Believe, Dream, Achieve
NYC Island Gal

Blog Award #2

The rules of the game are:
* Make a post about the award, mentioning person who gave it to you (Dani!)
* Put the award on your blog
* Give award to 10 sweet bloggers:

Penny Ann at There's Beauty in the Breakdown
Shannon at ...bliss be me
Ashley at I wish i was a Disney Princess
Lori at Life Full of Laughter
Laura at My Thoughts Uninterrupted
Kelly and Sara at peace.love.taco bell
Jennifer at more than a MOMMY

I definitely recommend you check out these girls' blogs!! I enjoy them very much and I'm sure you will too!
Thanks again to Dani who gave me love!! :)

"I'm raising the bar, I shoot for the moon But I'm too busy gazing at stars, I feel amazing" Eminem, Not Afraid

2010-06-16T13:26:00.000-04:00

Good grief... I've been gone for less than a week and I am such a slacker because I've got so much to post about.
First of all, just so you know me, I'm a rather large Eminem fan. No joke. It's like the one celeb crush I just cant kick. I think he's extremely talented, among other pleasant qualities. So I'm psyched for Monday when Recovery is coming out. I'm going to elaborate slightly, and tell you that Relapse was a bit of a disappointment to me, and I havent truly enjoyed his stuff in a while like I did with the Eminem Show, my favorite album of his. "Not Afraid" has restored my faith, though, and I have high hopes for this new album.

I'd like to give props to my favorite Etsy shop, It's My Day. Jori is absolutely FAB at her memory/guest books. Seriously. I've bought 3 of them now: one for myself, two as gifts. I can not give her enough props. She customizes these books in a way that is just so perfect an awesome. I know most of her stuff tends to be for weddings, but I'm actually going to be asking her if she can do something for a family reunion I've got coming up. But I love this girl and will continue to give her memory books for wedding or baby gifts as long as she keeps making them!!
The last wedding I was in, I had her make one to match the kilts the groom and groomsmen wore, and she did such a fabulous job even just having simple descriptions. her work is so good and she obviously takes pride in what she does. This is just an example of her work that she posts on her website, but I'll upload a pic of the one she most recently did for me this evening.

I'm going to Kohl's tonight. Can I just say this is dangerous? I am on a shopping for summer dresses spree because I'm actually loving wearing short dresses this summer and I think that is awesome that I have the confidence to do so, so I shall reward myself. I need to lose 50 pounds, but you know what- if i dress in clothes that make me look bad I'm only going to feel worse about myself. So I need to attempt to look good, so I can be happy and love myself for who I am. This is important for a woman, I believe.

Working on a book review for My Name is Memory, you will be able to find that here. I'll give you a hint: It was sooooo good!!

"I'm Steppin' Into the Twilight Zone" Golden Earring

2010-06-09T10:07:00.000-04:00

What I’m Reading Wednesday

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner was good as a supplemental read to the Twilight books. If you have not read the others, this book would seem a bit pointless and confusing, basically because it is written for the reader who knows what is going on outside the life of the main character, Bree. I do think that it was nice to hear this side of the story, and it describes the world of the newborns in the army. It’s a different perspective to see Victoria as someone who is feared and respected, as opposed to the way we know her as simply the enemy.
I recommend this book to those who love or are somewhat interested in Twilight and all that it entails. Anyone else, this is not the book for you.
Rating: ★★★☆☆

"Monday, Monday... So good to me..." - Mamas and Papas. (Mind Right Monday)

2010-06-07T13:28:00.000-04:00

Great idea stolen from Dani (see her answers here) at OK, Dan!

I think this is great for motivation on a Monday, I struggle on Mondays with staying positive! Tee hee. So for Mind Right Monday we just post our goals for the week, and what we are grateful for at the moment.
I'm going to put these on a post-it note and stick it to my monitor to remember it through out the week!

Goals for the week:
**Not injure myself in any way this week.
**Send in application for Teacher Licensure Program
**Do (at least) one of the exercise options per day from 101/1001
**Clean the house a bit. More specifically, sweep and straighten bedroom (top priority for the week)
**Help Patricia with wedding tasks
**Call LeeAnn and Annette to schedule lia sophia shows!

Grateful for:
my poison ivy being almost gone!!!!
this beautiful weather
my own office
losing 2.5 pounds
the new school plans
the husband, as always
my momma (also as always)

Well I feel pretty good right now! Looking forward to the week ahead.
I feel a new anticipation about life now that I am excited about my future again. I don't feel stuck or insignificant. I feel rejuvenated and refreshed with a new outlook on life. It's about time! I've just been wandering aimlessly for the past three years, trying to decide what to do next and how to prepare for it. No more! Wandering aimlessly is only fun for so long, then you just feel like a loser. Well, I did anyway.

I also kind of just realized that I was supposed to be doing research for a cabin for Thanksgiving. Oops... I started a while back but never really finished. All the good ones are probably gone by now. Just a side note, if you ever see pictures advertising the Smoky Mountains, and think, man, that is so pretty, does it really look that way? The answer is yes, it most definitely does. I love it here!

I'm so excited.. And I just cant hide it... " - Pointer Sisters

2010-06-04T15:31:00.001-04:00

This excitement comes in the form of two books that I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of on my front door step. Oh, how I do love amazon!!
Exhibit A:

So I cant help that I madly love Ann Brashares, Ms. Traveling Pants. But seriously, I do. The Last Summer (of You and Me) was really great, and 3 Willows was so well written, even if it was about middle school girls. Anyway, I'm psyched that I found this book so soon after it's release (Tuesday!).

Exhibit B:

Yeh yeh, leave me alone. Another YA, and Stephenie Meyer no less. Well, I'm excited to see what it's all about... plus the book was only like $7, and you cant get much better than a new release for cheap. Right? Forget the fact that you can read it online for free. I've got to have it in my hands in order to fully enjoy it. I don't like reading books online (ahem...midnight sun...)

I simply wish they would arrive in time for the weekend, because I'll actually have time to read! Next weekend is my lovely friends' wedding. Cant wait. Also excited that all of my bridesmaid days are occurring after my own wedding, if that isn't too snide of a thing to say. These friends are moving to Milwaukee! Leaving me behind. Boo hoo. Hopefully my dreams of moving to Savannah will come true, then I can leave home as well.

Any which way, I'll enjoy reading The Dark Tower this weekend. It's about darn time!

"I Count the 101" - Albert Hammond, Jr.

2010-06-03T09:04:00.000-04:00

The Challenge:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

Show Me Your Soul…

1. Give 5 ‘just because’ gifts (1/5)

☑2. Leave an inspirational note inside a book for someone to find

☑3. Make a wedding photo book for Steven's parents

4. Surprise Steven with something nice once a month

5. Compliment 2 people every day for 4 months (0/120)

6. Convince Steven to read/listen to 10 books

7. Participate in 4 fundraisers (0/4)

8. Send Christmas cards to friends and family

9. Think positive things about people I don't like

10. Donate 100,000 grains of rice through FreeRice.com (8,100/100,000)

11. Leave 10 operation beautiful notes (0/10)

12. Inspire someone to make a 101/1001 list

13. Make eye contact with everyone I speak to in person

Seize Everything You Ever Wanted…

14. Re memorize 4 of the things I used to know (0/4)

15. ~~Vacation in Deerfield Beach again~~ Visit Savannah and Tybee again

16. ~~Visit the Outer Banks~~ Go on a Disney Cruise

17. Learn some Italian

18. Go to a drive in movie again

19. Re-learn how to knit

20. Sing in the shower more often

21. Learn 100 words in ASL

22. Be able to define the 100 words every high school graduate should know (0/100)

23. Make a list of things that make me happy

24. Create a passive income

25. List one positive thing about myself for 30 days (0/30)

26. Use the waffle maker we got for our wedding

☑27. Use the crock pot for meals

Risk Something, Take Back What’s Yours…

28. Clean the house every week for 4 months (0/12)

29. Organize my DVD collection

30. Shred bills from over 1 year ago

31. ~~Move to Savannah, GA~~ Get my Masters

32. Get a big girl job

☑33. Decide what to go to grad school for

☑34. Go through my clothes and get rid of 25 things I no longer wear

☑35. Go through the office and get rid of 25 things I no longer need

36. Make a chore list and stick to it

37. Host at least 3 family and friend Game Nights (0/3)

38. Plan grocery shopping trips around coupons and sales 4x (1/4)

39. Book at least two lia sophia shows per month (3/33)

40. Cook meals 3x a week for a month

Listen to the Money talk…

41. Pay off my car

42. Build my savings back up

43. Pay off 75% of my credit card debt (0/75)

44. Balance the checkbook by the 20th of every month

45. Pay off my tuition

The Rest is Still Unwritten…

☑46. Write a letter to myself to open in 1001 days

47. Take a self defense class

48. Showcase my writing more often to more people

49. Take singing lessons

50. Become CPR certified

51. Take dance lessons

52. ~~Get licensed as a real estate agent~~ Take a kickboxing class

53. Learn how to tell when someone is lying

54. Attempt to rid myself of anger and/or see a therapist

55. Answer at least one of the "50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind" every week (0/50)

I Could Write a Book…

56. Write a book

57. Finish reading Stephen King's The Dark Tower Series(17/845 pages)

58. Read 150 new books in a year (3/150) (0/150)

59. Review every book or movie I see/read (goodreads and the movie tracker)

60. Blog or journal at least once a week

61. Keep track of what i read on goodreads and what I watch on the movie tracker (find me: hizzle85)

62. Read all Jane Austen books I have not yet read(Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, Emma)

63. Write a list of 365 things I love about my husband

64. Participate in NaNoWriMo

65. Join or create a book and/or writing club

66. Write 1 hour a week for 6 months

67. Do 20 creative writing prompts(0/20)

68. Make a personal ranking of favorite books and movies

69. Read 75 of the 100 best novels listed here (36/75)

☑70. Make a custom recipe book from our favorite recipes

Let’s Get Physical…

71. Lose 50 pounds (4/50)

72. Run with Tiki 3x a week for 6 weeks (2/24)

☑73. Do a Zumba class

74. Do the 100 push up challenge

75. Start doing pilates again 4x a week for two months (32)

76. ~~Finish the 30 day shred again~~ Find a work out regimen I like and stick with it for 30 days or 10 weeks

77. Eat a good breakfast every day for a week

78. Drink 60 oz of water a day for three weeks

79. Complete the 200 squat challenge

80. Cut out fast food for one month

81. Stick to watching my WW points

If A Picture Paints a Thousand Words…

☑82. Order wedding prints and frame them

☑83. Make a photo album of honeymoon pictures

84. Print off old pictures and add them to albums

85. Become a confident photographer

86. Be in 101 photos and love them (0/101)

87. Finish Steven's scrapbook

88. Finish Wedding Scrapbook

89. Develop some PhotoShop skills

90. Complete the 100 snapshot challenge

It’s Time for a Good Time

91. See at least 4 plays a year

92. Hold one date night a week with Steven

93. Watch 101 movies I have not seen (3/101)

94. Finish Zelda on the Wii

95. Play my Wii twice a week

☑96. Get caught up on Degrassi

97. Replace the windshield in the RX-7

☑98. Get the RX-7 up and running

99. Finish putting subs in the Prelude

100. Play Guitar Hero

101. Complete an A-Z challenge (places)

102. Exchange 10 postcards on postcrossing (3/10)

103. Spend more time outside

104. Have professional pictures taken of the family

"Life's like a road that you travel on, When there's one day here and the next day gone..." Tom Cochrane- Life is a Highway

2010-03-16T13:01:00.000-04:00

Tisk, tisk on me! I'm a little disappointed in my lack of blog-age. The past month though has been a bit of a blur. Mostly because I've been surrounded by a house full of Girl Scout cookies, and running around with 6 to 8 year old girls who have more energy than I've exerted in many years. But the girls are great, and the Great Girl Scout Cookie Sale has been quite an adventure of sorts. Dealing with money is always a bit nerve wracking, but if I can just make it ONE MORE WEEK...
Also, in the midst of the shower of cookies, there was a wedding in Georgia. The wedding of a close friend of mine on the beach, 9 hours from home. It was a lovely wedding and so much fun, but unless you are just a guest, a wedding is far from relaxing. The bride was lovely, and the ceremony was touching... then my husband and I ran away to Savannah for a mini-vacation of our own.
But of course life does not stop when you are on vacation, for when you return you discover more things To Do than you left behind.
Like, starting a new job. March 1 was the beginning of this adventure, simultaneously kicking me in the butt with all these other experiences. Getting paid, though, is always welcome in my book.
Unfortunately with all these occurrences, I've not had time to do my Lia Sophia shows, another something I love to do. I'm hoping to hop on that bandwagon again ASAP, after the cookie sale.
Ah, well, such is life. If I had nothing to do, I'd be bored. I'm kicking myself for the Post Wedding Blues, however, because that is what got me signed up to be a Girl Scout leader of first and second grade girls when I don't even have a child! It's rewarding, though, so I'm not going to complain too much. No boredom in my future.
Alas, here I am, arisen from the depths of the chaotic world that I've dunked myself into, so I should be returning more often to share my thoughts.
I believe that's about it for my creative thought juices for today, however, as the Chemistry office I now call my work home just got chaotic with TA's and professors...

"Nobody's really seen my million subtleties" - Ashlee Simpson - Autobiography

2010-02-11T09:49:00.000-05:00

One of my weaknesses is surveys. I see a survey, I have to fill it out. I can't help it! Maybe it is just because I like to talk about myself. Who knows.

Upon catching up on the blogs I follow, I saw one of them (http://wildmagnolia9.blogspot.com/) mentioning something called the Proust Questionnaire. Turns out, Marcel Proust was like me on the survey bit. In the early 1800s it was the cool thing to do to fill out surveys and talk about yourself.

So, because I have not done one in a while, I thought I would share some of it on my blog.

*Your most marked characteristic?

The general consensus seems to be that I'm a bit of a realist. Some call it pessimism, but most people realize its realism. Also, I prove to be extremely giving, but I'm not very nice.

*The quality you like most in a man?

It it vitally important to me that a man be honest and loyal. He must also be confident in himself and stick to his guns- not let anyone manipulate him.

*The quality you like most in a woman?

Again, Honesty. But faith in others is another quality that should be held. Women have a tendency to dislike other women, and it turns into this vicious cycle.

*What do you value most in your friends?

Honesty! I want friends who will tell me the truth, and I want friends who will stick by me through the hard times.

*What is your principle defect?

My tendency to not get past the small stuff. I tend to over re-act. A lot.

*What is your favorite occupation?

Writing and/or reading.

*What is your dream of happiness?

One where I can get over some of my personal boundaries.

*What to your mind would be the greatest of misfortunes?

Not having the mother, and maternal family, that I have.

*What would you like to be?

Calmer and less reactive.

*In what country would you like to live?

I'm generally good with this one for now.

*What is your favorite color?

Purple!

*What is your favorite flower?

Purple Iris.

*What is your favorite bird?

Hmm. I dont have one.

*Who are your favorite prose writers?

Shakespeare is my all time fave!!

*Who are your favorite poets?

O'Neill, Donne, Shakespeare

*Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

John McClain from the Die Hard movies!

*Who are your favorite heroines of fiction?

Jo March in Little Women, because she knows what she wants and she goes for it

*Who are your favorite composers?

Beethoven

*Who are your favorite painters?

I'm more in to photography than paintings, but some amazing pieces came from the renaissance time period.

*Who are your heroes in real life?

My mother and my mamaw.

*Who are your favorite heroines of history?

Joan of Arc is pretty awesome.

*What are your favorite names?

It changes frequently

*What is it you most dislike?

Dishonesty.

*What historical figures do you most despise?

Hitler!

*What event in military history do you most admire?

None...

*What natural gift would you most like to posses?

Inner peace... the ability to control my emotions

*How would you like to die?

Peacefully in my sleep, and hopefully an old lady

*What is your present state of mind?

I really cant get past how cold I am right now

*To what faults do you feel most indulgent?

my favorite foods happen to be not very good for me

*What is your motto?

Everything happens for a reason, and if it's meant to happen it will happen

Fun times!
I must now try to go thaw out... I'm having a hard time typing with my cold jitters.

http://www.chick.net/proust/question.html

"Ease it over son, I'll show you how she runs, Screamin' like a demon when the quarter mile comes..." Little Village - She Runs Hot

2010-02-03T21:34:00.000-05:00

Driving around today I was jamming to my new Dark Horse cd, being in love with my car. I feel this way often. I would compare the way I feel toward my car to the way people feel about their pets. You might find that odd, and tell me my car is not a living thing. But I would say you are wrong. I would tell you that it has all necessary organs needed to be considered living. I would tell you that it has a soul, and can feel. Does that make me crazy? Or does that just make me more aware, or more open minded, or more sensitive? I have a bond with my car. She speaks to me. My car can be sick. My car can be excited. My car does more than just get me from point A to point B, which the extent of thought some people put in their automobile. The relationship I have with my car, in my mind, is similar to what the natives did in Avatar with their braid, it connecting them to the world around them.
When I'm driving down the highway I feel as though my car is a extension of myself. A car is fluid, also a work of art. It has the smooth, gliding lines, sloping from the roof of the car, starting as a sharper slant of glass for the windshield... down through the more gradual tilt of the hood which flows into the front bumper and headlights. Under that hood is the heart of the car, the fuel injected engine. The soul of the car flows throughout. It is everywhere. Without the radio on the car will speak to you. You can hear the pulse, and the solid sound of the tires on the pavement below. Sometimes, she begs you to go faster. Sometimes, she just wants to cruise along. And if you listen, the ride is sure to be a great one.
So my point in all this is that you need to listen to your car as more than just something to use for necessity. Take joy in your time in your car. Take pride in your car too. She has a soul. Remember that.

"I'd love to be the light that finds you, I see the silver lining on your cloud" Default- Count on Me

2010-01-31T20:43:00.000-05:00

Watching this movie gets me every time - Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I cry every time I hear Carmen tell her dad that she wishes his apology was enough. Because I've been there; I've heard and said the same things. My life isn't like that story, though, because my dad didn't just magically fix his actions and start attempting to make things right. He actually didn't change anything at all. I had to change. I had to accept him as he is, and figure out whether whether I could deal with it or not. Before I see him, I have to ask myself: Can I deal with this today? Am I strong enough today? Some days I'm not. Some days I'm too weak, and I just can't handle the emotional battle that I go through, or the strong protective shield around my heart just isn't tough enough.
Just like some days its hard to be happy. Some days I try and try to be positive, but I fail, and I just cant quite make it. I know it's all about the journey and not the destination, but not everyone can be happy all the time.
But that is neither here nor there, I was not intending to blather on about my daddy issues.
Avatar. Less than impressed but apparently I'm the only one in the world who feels that way. James Cameron is an awesome director, but Avatar was no Titanic. The political undertones were subtle enough, but three hours and a headache from wearing the 3D glasses later, I was not entirely satisfied. The CG effects were great, and the story line was interesting, and, while usually those two combined with such a talented director would make for a fantastic movie, I was left wanting more. I believe what I wanted more of was a connection to the characters. I didn't feel emotional attachment to any one of the characters, or even the setting. I definitely saw the connection on screen, but I didn't feel it. Considering the amount of work and money that went into making the movie seem real, I expected to actually share some turmoil, anger, pain, anything, with the main characters.
The people I went with thoroughly enjoyed it, though, as does most of America, so don't take my word for it, and go determine your own opinion.
Next up to watch in theaters is Valentine's Day or Dear John. I'm not expecting much from Dear John, but I must see it, as it is based on a novel by my favorite author Nicholas Sparks. The book was not one of my favorites, thus why I'm not expecting much from the movie. Valentine's Day, however, looks similar to He's Just Not That Into You, which I loved! Also, it has Taylor Lautner in it (aka Jacob Black) so that will be wonderful. Yes, now and then I do enjoy mindless YA writing.
On the book spectrum, I'm reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, and I do quite enjoy it. I'm a fan of his, I've read all the books, including Deception Point. My favorite of his is probably Angels and Demons, though I do have a passion for art by DaVinci, Raphael, Michaelangelo (I always feel like I'm listing off the TMNT when I talk about them).
On another note, all my snow is almost melted. So much for a blizzard...

"I'm just beginning, the pens in my hand, ending unplanned..." Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten

2010-01-28T20:14:00.000-05:00

Last night the hubby and I watched Julie & Julia. It was a cute movie. I identified with Julie quite a bit on the level of wanting to be a writer but being stuck in cubical hell, so her story was inspirational. I do enjoy cooking, but I am a bit too selective in my eating habits to give Julia Child's recipes a shot. She found something she could blog about, that she was passionate about. I'm going to attempt to follow her example.

Today turned out to be fabulous. I got a job interview lined up next week, and I put in an application for being a substitute teacher at my old high school. This still allows me time to do my lia sophia shows on the side as well.

So what makes a day 'fabulous'? To me, it's slowly waking up to the soft sunlight streaming around the edges and through the cracks of my off while curtains - instead of to an alarm blaring in my ear, startling me awake....
....The smell of toast and eggs first thing in the morning, coming from my own kitchen, and being able to eat at home, lounging in my pjs....
....Curling up on the couch with a new book, under a soft blanket, a mug of hot chocolate beside me on the table, begging me to take a drink as I'm lost in a world other than this one....
...Watching reruns of my favorite show and being able to laugh and cry as loudly as I want without my husband looking at me like I've lost my mind...
...Taking a brisk walk with my mother through the local park, the cool wind whipping around our faces, the chill of the coming snow in the air....
... knowing that tomorrow we are going to get (hopefully) the biggest snow east Tennessee has seen in 17 years, hoping for a blizzard just as I have every winter since I moved back from NorthEast Tennessee...
... having supper with my husband at our favorite Japanese/Chinese restaurant, being greeted by the servers who always ask us how our lives are going and know what we are going to order before we even sit down....
... coming home to watch a new and exciting Burn Notice with the lovely Michael Weston before winding down after what I am considering to be a fabulous day.

Of course, the fact I acquired an interview is also a contributing factor to the awesome-ness of my day.
:)

Also, some websites I find to be extremely useful-
www.imdb.com
www.experienceproject.com

"It's down to this- I've got to make this life make sense..." 3 Doors Down - Away From the Sun

2010-01-27T15:43:00.000-05:00

I feel like I have no direction. The feeling you have when you are underwater in the ocean and a wave comes by- you're swimming and swimming but have no idea which way is up. That is how I feel right now.
I'm 24 with no direction. I have a degree in something apparently useless. Why did i even go to college? I quit my job with high hopes and ambitions- no job prospects to speak of, but fully believing that things would fall into place for me, like they always have.
Now, I'm in no way regretting the decision, as I was extremely unhappy at the job, however, I don't know where to go from here.
There's got to be a 'right' direction for me. I've been on this path, or so I thought, that was supposed to lead me up or... around... to somewhere other than NO where.
Right now, unemployed, I have an opportunity to really figure out at least what my next step should be. But I'm stuck! I'm overwhelmed, confused, and frustrated. Very frustrated because I feel like I should know what to do next - especially since I took such a drastic step with quitting my job... But here I am.
I have so many interests that I don't know which direction to go. I have to figure out what I want to do as a career, and not just as a hobby. I don't know what interest I have that I'd be happy to do with most of my time for the rest of my life. For instance, I love to sing and dance, but I don't want that to be my job. I love reading, but only if I can read what I enjoy and not be forced to read something I find dull. Like in school, I loved English, but hated reading when the required piece was uninteresting and seemed to have no point.
I enjoy research but only when I'm interested in the subject.
Also, I hate sitting at a desk all day. I know that isn't something I was cut out to do. I've always known that. I like flexible hours, but who doesn't? I think the crazy part, the part that is pushing me along, is the knowledge that I'm different. That I don't belong in Corporate America.
But what makes me special? What makes me stand out? That's what I need to discover...

"I pledge allegiance to a world of disbelief" Sum 41 - Walking Disaster

2010-01-26T20:06:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my life. It is nothing spectacular yet, I'm merely an innocent bystander. That's the problem with most of us, isn't it? We go through the motions everyday, not taking the time to actually enjoy the world around us.

A brief bio on yours truly: I'm a twenty four year old Tennessee girl. I love music, movies, and Corvettes (not necessarily in that order). Singing, dancing, reading, writing, photography, I love it all. I hate working behind a desk, but that seems to be the most available job out there. I had a small wedding in a local historical theatre, and it was so perfect I couldn't ask for anything else. My husband is a huge computer nerd who loves to hike. He's currently an Engineering student.
That's all on that for now.

So today I almost ran my car off a hill today in the middle of town. It was very embarrassing- and completely uncharacteristic of me. Luckily I can classify it as an "almost disaster," and I was able to save my own day. Quite empowering. Also, a reinforcement to always put your emergency brake on and put your car in gear when you park.

Can I just say that the NEW Domino's pizza is really not as good? Am I alone in this opinion? Domino's used to be my favorite pizza place, but now, not so much. I liked the sauce and the crust before this new revamping! I would like for them to change it all back.

I'm unemployed at the moment, so I've been working on getting my life plan in order. I feel like the only person in the world who is searching for something more. I know that isn't true, but it feels like I'm the only person who's not going to settle until I do something about it. I quit my job, with no prospect of another, because I wanted the freedom to figure out where I need to go next without the constrictions of a corporate desk job that drains me of all inspiration and desire to succeed. My desk job seemed designed to suck me into a black hole of unstimulated misery.
I don't even want to think about it any more.
More on a job search later.

Obviously my thoughts today are a bit chaotic.

"Life is about more than salary. Life is about perks... " Michael, The Office