Currently

Here is what I have been up to currently: 

Feeding - I'm still creating weekly meal plans, avoiding sweets and alcohol during the week and so far so good. We had a chicken and couscous  bowl last night that was amazing (roasted corn, garlic, dried cranberries, feta cheese and a dash of red pepper over grilled chicken and couscous - yum). I'm making sriracha burgers on Saturday - can't wait!

Reading - I'm in the middle of the Federalist Papers and am about to start another (less intense) read to break it up a little. I've read 15 books so far since January!

Conceding - That I'm the worst blogger ever. When this was an adoption/infertility blog I had such a passion to keep this place going, but now I feel its more of an obligation. I post when I have time and I feel like my time in the last year isn't expendable for things like this. I'm much better on other social media outlets. 

Watching - I'm on a Scandal binge (just started it on Netflix). Also Mad Men is back!!! 

Needing - To find some lamps for our living room. We have 2 tiny table lamps for that giant space. I've been looking at this one and this one. We are also looking for a new accent chair and I have my eye on this one in the navy splatter pattern and this one. 

Gearing up for - A baby shower for one of my oldest and dearest friends next weekend and a long weekend in NYC with Matt and Brighton at the end of the month! 

Procrastinating - Yard work. We have a few bushes and weeds along our backyard fence that need to be pulled up and I just keep stalling. 

Thankful for - This home that feels like a sanctuary for me, my daughter's health (she had a terrible stomach virus a few weeks back then got her thumb slammed in a door and we took her to urgent care immediately - just a bad bruise, but it scared the mess out of me), and my sweet husband. He is so good to me.  

What are you up to currently?

Thanks to Danielle for the idea of a 'Currently' post.

Links to Love

It's been a bit of an off week here with snow and slush and cancelled school days so all the posts I had planned are waiting in my drafts. So here is a little list of some fun reads and finds around the interwebs.

Is it blue and black or white and gold? Or both? The whole world has been in debate for the last 24 hours about it. (I saw both depending on when I looked at it.)

Loving this sweater, these flats and this swimsuit.

I'm in mourning over this show ending. Love you, miss you Leslie/ Ben/ Ron/ Donna/ April/ Andy/ Jerry/ Tom/ Anne/ Chris.  Also this and this and this and this.

Something to think about...

Is it just me, or is everyone cutting their hair into a lob? (Like I did last year - not to say I was ahead of the trend or anything, I cut mine due to terrible split ends and damage!)

The most wanted nail colors of 2015... (I liked the brights and the nudes, but just can't get into the blue tones.)

82 years of marriage! That is something to celebrate!

I just bought a Kindle (yes I'm like a decade late to this technology) and am excited that there are FREE books to read!

House of Cards is back! (I have maintained a weird crush on Mr. Spacey since American Beauty.)

Two of the most intelligent videos (here and here) I have seen in a while, both courtesy of this guy.

Also, on a serious note, if you care at all about the internet (and your ability to use it), read this.

Happy Friday, y'all!

Happenings

Some random updates and happenings from us...

I'm writing this blog post on a cold, dreary Wednesday when the entire southeastern United States is still in a panic over ice that happened earlier this week and cold weather. People came up with the silliest hashtags like #SnOMG and #Snowmagedon (really y'all?) We are such babies about cold weather here!

Monday was President's Day which meant a day off with my little one. We spent the morning running errands in parkas and hats and then eating too much popcorn and watching movies until nap time. Then I spent Brighton's nap time catching up on my freelance job, which I still can't believe I decided to keep because I have zero extra time. The experience is good and it keeps my brain fresh and the extra cash is nice, but I think I don't want to do it anymore.

Working out consistently has been going well. I finally bought some real compression running pants. Those suckers are no joke. They suck you in and are so comfortable. I haven't seen any change on the scale, but my pants are getting a little more loose. But I've really struggled with eating the right mix of protein to stay full and reducing sugar in my diet. Also, Girl Scout cookies are a real struggle. I ordered 5 boxes from my niece Sophie and then realized that I have 5 BOXES of cookies in my house. While I'm trying to lose weight. Dumb decision Motts.

Also reading. I can't get enough. I started my fifth book of the year last night and am hooked. I'm posting short reviews on my Instagram if you need a recommendation. Now I'm just trying to figure out how many books I can bring to Hawaii next month (I don't have a Kindle or e-reader!). Also, in other book news I was hired to edit a non-fiction book! It's a smaller manuscript, but I'm excited for the opportunity! In addition to writing, editing is a dream of mine and this is a nice step in that direction.

Hawaii! Thanks to everyone for suggestions on what to do, where to go and eat and the like. I can't believe we will be there in a few weeks. I also cannot believe we are leaving Brighton for so long - it'll be 10 days apart which is the most ever. I'm sure she will survive... me maybe not.

Did anyone else enjoy the SNL 40th anniversary show? It was a little long, but it was so good. Especially Bill Murray. And Steve Martin in his King Tut outfit. I have weird crushes on both of them. Also, I miss Stefon and Seth together. They were so funny.

I know Valentine's was last weekend, but it was really good this year. Brighton had a cookie decorating party at school and Matt and I went on a nice dress up date to a new restaurant. And Matt bought flowers for both of us (side bar: he also gave flowers and money to this homeless lady and her two daughters. He is seriously a gem.) I hit the jackpot with my little family. Here are a few pictures from our Valentine's weekend:

Brighton and her best friend* at school during the Valentine's party. They were so cute!

Brighton likes to cuddle and read books before bed. Her little arm around Matt's shoulder? I die.

Our one good V-day date photo. A super drunk woman insisted on taking our picture instead of letting us finish a selfie. Also, we were home by 930pm cause we old! 

Ok back to work. Have a great Wednesday!

February Goals

In October I started a monthly goal list of things I really wanted to get done in both my personal and professional life. Here’s how I did for my January goals: 

January Goals

• Continue to abstain from desserts, sweets and alcohol during the week. - Success for the most part. 
• Run for 30 minutes, three times a week. - Success, although I didn't run 3 times a week, but I did work out at least 4 times a week. 
• Fill out my first month of Powersheets. - Nope. Totally forgot about them and then got overwhelmed with the idea of it once I remembered where they were. 
• Take the bags of toys and clothes I sorted over the holidays to a consignment store. (Brighton has outgrown the clothes and/or the development level of the toys). - Failed on this one - I honestly never had a Saturday or Sunday to do this. 
• Re-do our monthly house cleaning schedule and stick to it. - Success. 
• Show more patience with both my daughter and my husband. - I think I was successful at time with this. At least I thought about it more!

February Goals

• Continue to abstain from desserts, sweets and alcohol during the week.
• Work out 4 times a week, whether it's running, walking, a workout video or some HIIT. 
• Go on one true date with Matt, preferably Valentine's weekend. 
• Schedule a girls night.
• Also schedule a monthly Sunday dinner with my parents. 
• Purge my closet and dresser of clothes I no longer like, wear or fit into. 
• Finish the items from January that I didn't accomplish.

Currently

(Office selfies are the most embarrassing kinds of selfies)

Here is what I have been up to currently: 

Feeding - I've been continuing to eat smaller portions and avoid certain foods to help with my goal to get healthy again. Food is truly my weakness - I love to cook, I love to eat - but if I want to lose this extra weight I have to start limiting much more during the week. Eating high protein meals have kept me really satisfied and have also reduced my cravings for sweets. 

Reading - Finished "Ready Player One" before my reading list deadline earlier this week. Now I'm making my list for this coming year!  (Thanks to those of you who sent me recommendations!)

Conceding - Working out, even for 25 minutes, is better than nothing. It's treating myself and I need to continue to look at it that way.  Also, sticking with a routine during the week - whether it be cleaning, laundry, meal planning, self-care (like washing my makeup off every night no matter what) - makes the rest of my life much, much easier. Routine = peace of mind (for me at least). 

Needing - To do a deep clean of our bedrooms (like sweep under the beds really well, mop, dust everything, clean the windows and window sills, wash all the linens, and clean in the closets too) and also order a new bathing suit for our upcoming trip to Hawaii in March. 

Gearing up for - Dinner with girlfriends tomorrow night and a long weekend as a single parent (Matt is in Salt Lake until Monday). I've got so much respect for parents who do this gig solo - you are rock stars.

Procrastinating - I still haven't taken all those bags of toys and baby gear to consignment. Ugh. 

Thankful for - Good health (we are all not sick for the first time since early December). Also, I'm so thankful for my parents and in laws who babysit Brighton during the week and give us so much grace when we are late picking her up in the afternoon (sorry Mom!) 

What are you up to currently?

Thanks to Danielle for the idea of a 'Currently' post.

My reading list: a year later

A year ago I challenged myself to read 50 books in a year. Sadly I didn't make it - I read 34 books, 15 from my original list, the rest either recommended to me, or ones that I found interest in after I created this list.

Here is what I read from my original list (only 16 of the 50):

About Alice - Calvin Trillin

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain

Allegiant - Veronica Roth

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

Autobiography of Red - Anne Carson

Betsy in Spite of Herself - Maud Hart Lovelace

Cry the Beloved Country - Alan Paton

The Education of Little Tree - Forrest Carter

Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell

The Fault in our Stars - John Green

The Fire Next Time - James Baldwin

Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn

The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin

Happier at Home - Gretchen Rubin

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? - Mindy Kaling

Strong Willed Child - James Dobson

And here is what I read that wasn't on the list (18 books not on the original list):

Savages – Don Winslow

The Kings of Cool – Don Winslow

The Children of Men – PD James

The Passage – Justin Cronin

Twelve – Justin Cronin

Landline – Rainbow Rowell

Dad is Fat – Jim Gaffigan

The Best of Me – Nicholas Sparks

Crimson Roses – Grace Hill

It’s Kind of a Funny Story – Ned Vizzini

Brain on Fire – Susannah Cassan

#Girlboss – Sophia Amoruso

A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini

Packaging Girlhood – Sharon Lamb & Lyn Mikel Brown

Ready Player One – Ernest Cline

An Abundance of Katherines – John Green

World War Z – Max Brooks

Brain on Fire – Susannah Cahalan

I think for this next year, I'll still aim for 50, but not make a formal list. But if you have a book recommendation, I'd love to hear it!

Currently

Brighton figured out the selfie option on my iPhone and I found about 50 of these on my phone!

Here is what I have been up to currently: 

Feeding - I got into a little bit of a rut during December, so for January we have tried to have one new meal a week and one vegetarian meal a week to mix it up. Also, although I made fun of it on Twitter (cause I mean $8 for toast with avocado on it?) I have been eating avocado toast for lunch a lot. 

Reading - I finished "It's Kind of a Funny Story" and "#Girlboss" last week and am trying to get a few more books in on my reading list from last year. 

Conceding - (I always feel like this category is a confession time) I need to be more organized at work. I have this huge whiteboard and I need to start mapping out all my tasks weekly. I get distracted by email, my co-workers, even my phone. 

Needing - To schedule a wellness appointment for me and Matt (we get a discount on our health care premiums if we do a physical annually) and a dentist appointment for myself. 

Gearing up for - My business trip to NYC next week, a party we are hosting later in the month and a week of single parenting while Matt is in Salt Lake the last week of January. 

Procrastinating - Taking all these bags of kid clothes and toys to the consignment store. 

Thankful for - Repair men. Our fridge was leaking last week, then our external tankless hot water heater froze up. It cost $$$ to fix each but now my fridge is not leaking all over the place (or as Brighton said "Da fwidge going pee-pee on da fwoor!")  and I can take a hot shower, do laundry, wash dishes etc. 

What are you up to currently?

Thanks to Danielle for the idea of a 'Currently' post.

The holidays

The (Christmas) holiday season lasted over a month - we had parties and celebrations and family dinners and out of town guests and post New Year's Christmas celebrations for those family members we couldn't or didn't see the week of. It was long and fun and tiring and wonderful all at once.

Matt, Brighton and I spent most of the month sick. First Brighton with a head cold, turned sinus infection, turned deep body shaking cough that kept her from sleeping, then I got the head cold turned sinus infection turned cough, then Matt. Then Matt's eardrum ruptured one night after Christmas due to all the fluid behind his ears. He spent the next day in urgent care for 3 hours and then went to see a specialist a few days later. That poor man was sick for two and a half weeks.

Despite our sickness we went to a National Lampoon Christmas Vacation themed party (there was a food truck there too), I took a half day off work to attend Brighton's school party and take her to see these singing/dancing robotic bears; we made Christmas cookies, we had a loud and chaotic Christmas Eve dinner with 30 members of my extended family and a nice quiet Christmas morning with just the three of us at home. We ate turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes with my parents on Christmas night and took so many photos of Brighton opening presents and dancing in her new Queen Elsa dress.

Party at B's preschool

The only family photo I got of us during the week of Christmas (and it's blurry!)

Opening gifts on Christmas Eve

Queen Elsa

My best friend and her family came into town for a few days and we took them our favorite places, let their girls and Brighton run wild and have a sleepover in Brighton's room. We played cards and drank bourbon and talked into the night about their next adventures and ours too. I cried when they left, as usual, since distance has kept me from seeing them regularly for almost a decade.

My best friend and sister Crystal

Greenlee, Leland June and B-Love - these crazies got up at 530am after their sleepover!

We celebrated New Years with a quiet dinner with friends, did the countdown at 9pm for the kids and were in bed before midnight. Then we had a second Christmas with my in-laws last weekend -  first a dinner and present exchange with the siblings and their significant others, then a full fledged brunch at our house with the rest of the family.

NYE fun

Our Motts family Christmas

We spent whole days in our pjs too. We went to the park when it was sunny and we watched movies under big blankets when it was raining. We slept in when we could, stayed up late when we wanted to. We relaxed and enjoyed each other.

We also had a bug infested tree, but that is another story for another day (it was gross and I screamed a lot as I frantically took off ornaments and lights.)

As I was watching Brighton open her gifts and hug her toys with delight, then run around kissing and hugging and yelling "Thank you" over and over to her family on Christmas night, I thought "this is the best gift - watching her joy overflow." When I had gifts to open I could hardly remember what I had asked for because I already have what I need and I want for little. We are so blessed, not because we are well to do financially, but because we have so much in the places that count. We have our friends that we consider family, we have our community, we have our blood family, and we have each other. We are wealthy where it matters.

This was my favorite holiday season yet. Hope you had a good one too.

January Goals

Image via Lara Casey

In October I started a monthly goal list of things I really wanted to get done in both my personal and professional life. Here’s how I did for my December goals: 

• Continue to abstain from desserts, sweets and alcohol during the week. Somewhat of a success. During the holidays I did let myself have a glass of wine or eat dessert. 
• Keep the family schedule and commitments  limited to only the things we want to do and/or love to do. Success. This was so hard because I always feel guilty saying no to people, but it kept our family sane and well rested. We all ended up being sick in late December so it was good that we hadn't planned anything. 
• Spend intentional play time with Brighton every day I'm off work for the holidays. Success. We had a blast!
• Make Christmas cookies as a family. Success. I'm still finding tiny glitter sprinkles in my kitchen though. 
• Take Brighton to see some Christmas displays or lights. Success. I took her to see the singing bears in uptown Charlotte (not real bears, see here for more) and to a few streets in Charlotte that had great light displays. 
• Have a few date nights with Matt. Failure! Matt was so sick the last two weeks of the holiday and we only got to go out once and it was with his siblings and their significant others. Which was fun, but definitely not a real date night for us. 
• Start running again. Success. I have a whole post about this later this week. 

January Goals

• Continue to abstain from desserts, sweets and alcohol during the week. 
• Run for 30 minutes, three times a week. 
• Fill out my first month of Powersheets. 
• Take the bags of toys and clothes I sorted over the holidays to a consignment store. (Brighton has outgrown the clothes and/or the development level of the toys). 
• Re-do our monthly house cleaning schedule and stick to it. 
• Show more patience with both my daughter and my husband. 

Linking up with Haley who started Grace for Goals. 

Goals for December

This post is late, but better late than never!

In October I started a monthly goal list of things I really wanted to get done in both my personal and professional life. Here’s how I did for my November goals:

• Abstain from desserts, sweets and alcohol during the week – I continued to do great on this one, but I did have some wine during the Thanksgiving holiday.
• Eat a green vegetable daily – success!
• Read 4 more books on my reading list – I did read 4 books, but 2 of them were not on my list. Whoops!
• Start landscaping the backyard by pulling out the random shrubs, weeks and vines next to the fence – we didn’t pull them all out, but we cut them back significantly. When we have a warm weekend, I am going to work on them again.
• Decorate the guest room/office – nope but I plan to do that before our guests come in late December!
• Stick to our monthly food budget – success!

December goals

• Continue to abstain from desserts, sweets and alcohol during the week.
• Keep the family schedule and commitments  limited to only the things we want to do and/or love to do.
• Spend intentional play time with Brighton every day you’re off work for the holidays.
• Make Christmas cookies as a family.
• Take Brighton to see some Christmas displays or lights.
• Have a few date nights with Matt.
• Start running again.

Linking up with Haley who started Grace for Goals. 

Happy Thanksgiving (a day late)

I had typed out a Thanksgiving post, then a food post, then re-wrote the Thanksgiving post, then my computer somehow ate all of it and it disappeared. So here is my Thanksgiving post, a day late, written in the late afternoon as Brighton naps, and Matt braves Costco for some groceries and much needed baby-wipes, and I am procrastinating folding laundry and meal planning. I feel tired and a little thinned out. The holidays are always a special time, but if I'm honest they are really tiring too.

I am thankful. I am thankful for a lot of my life, what has come to me through no work of my own, and thankful for what I have worked really, really hard for too. Both are equally wonderful.

I am thankful that my sweet potato casserole turned out to taste fine yesterday, and thankful that hardly anyone ate my other side of roasted sweet potato wedges with marshmallow and brown butter dipping sauce because they actually came out tasting sort of strange - overcooked, dry and too sweet.

I am thankful that my daughter took a long nap yesterday, in a place she was unfamiliar with, which in turn gave Matt and myself a chance to play a board game with his brother and sister. I have been their "other" sibling for over a decade now and for the longest time it was just us four kids - no significant others for either of them for almost seven years. Now they both have partners. It's still good, and I'm thankful for them having love in their lives, but it felt like old times, the four of us playing a game, and teasing each other, and laughing to the point of tears. I am thankful that I married into a family that accepted me as their own so quickly.

I am also so thankful for my parents who accept that we have to switch families for holidays, and are graceful about it. They make the best of being parents to an only child. I am thankful that they take such good care of my daughter and that she loves them so much. I could not raise her without them.

I am thankful for some material things too - my new washer and dryer. We left our front loaders at our first house for the renters and the machines at our new home had were terrible - it sometimes took 3 hours to dry one load. It's silly to be thankful for appliances, but they have saved us a little money in electricity costs and they work the first time, every time. It saves me time too. And everyone always needs more time.

I am thankful for Brighton and Matt. That goes without saying of course. I am thankful for all they are, and all they are not (if that makes sense), and all the light they bring wherever they go. I am lucky to have them as my family. I love them so much.

And I'm thankful for this little corner of the internet. I've been blogging here since 2010 and I have loved all of the wonderful people I have interacted with here and through social media. The internet is weird for sure, but I'm thankful for what it has brought to my life too.

Happy Thanksgiving, a day late!

Currently

Here is what I have been up to currently: 

Feeding - I'm still holding strong on the no sweets, no alcohol, no soda during the week. I feel a lot better without the extra calories and caffeine! We have also cooked a few dinners that are on our favorite list, but are very seasonal for us - roasted red pepper chicken parmesan, butternut squash mac and cheese and chicken pot pie - plus side salads for some extra greens. Yum!

Reading - A Thousand Splendid Suns and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Very different books, but both so good (I read Finn in high school, but it's great the second time around)! 

Conceding - (I always feel like this category is a confession time) I need to have a tough conversation with someone close to me. You know that feeling of dread when something is weighing on you, but you can't get the courage to bring up the topic? That has been me the last week and I know I just need to bite the bullet and speak up. 

Needing - I need to start stretching more and also sitting up straight at work. My posture is awful, and it's starting to catch up to me. My back and shoulders hurt almost daily. 

Gearing up for - Thanksgiving and Black Friday. I never shop on Black Friday, but we do go get our Christmas tree that day! 

Procrastinating - Decorating the guest bedroom, painting this one random wall in the kitchen that needs some touch ups, painting the shoe molding in the entry way and taking some winter clothes to consignment. 

Thankful for - Good friends who give sound advice, my parents and in-laws who care for our daughter during the week, and my electric blanket. 

What are you up to currently?

Thanks to Danielle for the idea of a 'Currently' post.

Family Photos

We are so lucky to know and love Carrie Coleman. I met Carrie a few years ago randomly in a restaurant and we immediately clicked. Carrie is a professional photographer and has taken some of the best family photographs of ours to date. We adore Carrie and the bonus? Brighton loves her too, and that little munchkin is very particular about who captures her heart!

Carrie photographed us in our home a few weeks ago and of course I love the results. We will definitely be using one of these for a holiday card!

Thank you Carrie! We love you! Also, if you are in the Charlottesville, Virginia area and looking to book a great photographer, Carrie is your girl!

Currently

"Princess Anna" and her mama on Halloween night. 

Here is what I have been up to currently: 

Feeding –  I did so well the last week, eating healthy and limiting portion size. I also didn't eat any sweets or foods with added sugar or drink soda or alcohol. Limiting those items from my diet makes a huge difference in how I feel every day. I am still meal planning a few weeks at a time and that makes dinner time is a lot less stressful! 

Reading - The Autobiography of Red and also reading a lot of poetry again from Gerald Stern and Alice Walker. Also my talented friend Terence (who is also a poet) just launched his site this week - amazing work, truly. 

Conceding –  That hosting parties at our house should be done more regularly. We had friends over for Halloween evening and it was such a blast. The kids went trick or treating before it got dark, then we had a cookout. I love having a house full of friends. 

Needing –  To find a new winter jacket. I have 2 wool car coats (the kind that are long and fancier looking) and a leather jacket, but I can't really wear them on the weekends to the park or when I want to be more active, which is like every Saturday and Sunday! I'm kind of in love with this lightweight puffer from Uniqlo. I bought Brighton the cutest army green fleece lined jacket from Target - it has pink bows which are her "FAVWITE". 

Gearing up for – Girls night this weekend at my house. We are having a little spa night with manicures and facials. Also, my first Hornet's game in over 20 years is coming up in a few weeks (the Hornets just came back to Charlotte! Long live the Hive!)

Procrastinating – Yard work. I've put it off for a month now. There are just so many other things to do on a weekend!

Thankful for – My wonderful friends, gel nail polish, dry shampoo and this book, which is helping me get through those epic showdown tantrums we get to participate in about twice a week with Brighton. (She's a wonderful child, but she's 2. It comes with the territory.)

What are you up to currently?

Thanks to Danielle for the idea of a 'Currently' post.

Goals for November

In October, I started a monthly goal list of things I really want to get in both my personal and professional life. My goals for October were:
- Continue to abstain from desserts, sweets and alcohol during the week (I started this in September). I failed this one miserably. 
- Finish at least 4 more books on my reading list. I only read 3. 
- Take the family to a pumpkin patch and use my real camera (not my iPhone) to take some photos. Complete! Posted about that here. 
- Celebrate my birthday with friends. (Last year I didn't celebrate at all so this year I want to have some fun!)  I had a great birthday celebrating with friends! 
- Finish painting the interior doors of our house. Almost complete, but I would like to note that Matt actually did the first coat for me. Thanks husband!
- Do a little facelift on this blog. Score! Thank you Etsy for helping me find a new blog design. 

My goals for November are (and some will carry over from October): 
- Abstain from desserts, sweets and alcohol during the week.
- Eat a green vegetable daily.
- Read 4 more books on my reading list. 
- Start landscaping the backyard by pulling out the random shrubs, weeds and vines next to the fence.
- Decorate the guest room / office. 
- Stick to our monthly food budget.

Linking up with Haley who started Grace for Goals. 

36

Sunday I turned 36.

Matt planned the whole party for me - he's such a gem!

It was a beautiful day - sunny, unseasonably warm for late October and the skies were a perfect Carolina blue. I slept in, drank coffee in my pajamas, had a mommy/daughter date and then a grown up date with Matt and a group of friends that night. We rented a private room at a restaurant, drank margaritas and ate good food. We laughed, took pictures and my friends sang to me.

my little afternoon date

I love my friends!

Seriously these ladies are the best!

It was perfect day and a perfect night. I am so lucky to have all these people in my life.


So I could wax poetic about all the things I learned in my 35th year of life, but this time I'll just share the most important ones:

• I still don't handle conflict or drama well.
• If you want to change something in your life, don't put it off - do it now. 
• You'll think you've heard or seen it all, but people will still surprise you. 
• Forgiveness is a process, not summarized by a moment of letting go, but by choosing to let go every single time you think of how you were wronged. 
• A few extra pounds on my waist and hips affects everything in my life. It's 5 pounds on the scale, but it weighs so much more than that emotionally. 
• Bitterness is a fast growing weed and can easily smother everything around it. 
• I'd rather be great at one or two things than mediocre at a few things. 
• Investing in people is always, always worth it. 
• My greatest wealth is in my friends and family. 

Cheers to 36! (I can't believe I'm four years away from 40!)

Currently

Blurry date night photo. Love this guy to pieces. 

Here is what I have been up to currently: 

Feeding – The weather has been such a strange mix of super hot (like 80 degrees this past Saturday) and then rainy and cold. I crave different foods depending on the weather, so this week I have a few "fall" type meals planned - butternut squash & parsley penne, bacon and apple mac & cheese, mexican meatloaf with roasted potatoes and veggies and white bean chicken chili. 

Reading - I'm a chapter away from finishing “Dad is Fat”, but I just bought Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Autobiography of Red from Amazon this weekend.

Conceding – Girls nights are like fuel for my soul. I love my friends and feel so out of touch when I don't seem them on a regular basis.  

Needing – To tackle my to-do list for the house. We have some artwork that is just leaning against the wall that either needs to be hung, or stored properly. I also need to clean all the windows in the house (one of my most disliked chores) and finish some of the yard work we stared earlier in the month. We have SO many bushes/shrubs around the perimeter of our home and they need to either be cut back or removed altogether.  

Gearing up for – This week is a big one at work with a lot of meetings and tying of lose ends before a deadline next week. I'm a little stressed but excited to finally be done! Also, this is months away, but Fleetwood Mac is coming to Charlotte. Can't wait to wear a fringed poncho and twirl like Stevie Nicks while she sings to me. 

Procrastinating – Actually I'm not this week - I've been really motivated to get stuff done (it's a small miracle). 


Thankful for – My job, even though this last month has been stressful. And health care coverage. (Gosh I sound so old!)

What are you up to currently?

Thanks to Danielle for the idea of a 'Currently' post.