Back to Winter

This is the last official day of the holidays, and while I always love this time, I also love the feeling of starting anew after they are over. 

2012 held a lot of changes and contemplation about the future. I got engaged to my best friend. I left my job for the unknown and haven't looked back. I traveled most of the way across this beautiful country. I read 30 books. I ran a 5K. I started playing guitar. I quit drinking coffee. I shined a light on my own shortcomings. I became more thankful for my everyday life. While it wasn't necessarily a year of spectacular accomplishment, looking back it was definitely me laying the ground work for future goals and aspirations. And for a girl who let herself remain stagnant for far too long it's a lot to be proud of. 

I think one of the most important lessons I learned was one of self maintenance. I have always fallen into the cycle of do everything healthy and fulfilling for as long as you can, and then I jump ship for even longer. Sometime recently I discovered this pattern, and how trying it is on me. I'm never really improving myself, I'm just starting at the beginning over and over again. Realizing this above everything else has become my motivator. Starting places should be just that, and right now I'm still in the first leg, but at least I showed up.

Juicing

When life hands you way too many greens (seriously CSA - chard, kale, collards, mustard greens, the list goes on), make Green Lemonade. LOVING my new juicer!

1 Apple

1 Bunch of Greens

1 Large Celery Stalk

1/2 of 1 Lemon

1/4 of 1 Large Fennel Bulb

Thankful

A lot of my friends on Facebook are doing a month of thanks and everyday listing what they are thankful for in their lives. It's nice to see so much positivity, especially after this close election season. I really need to start a daily routine of reminding myself of everything I am grateful for.  I'm thinking about maybe just jotting down a few things every morning. Having a reminder in the first moments of the day to really put things into perspective before I have the chance to take everything for granted. I know when I have done thing like this it in the past, and it really helped to keep the wolves at bay. So here are few of honorable mentions for today - 

  

- Always first, John. He puts up with everything I dish out and continues to not only like me, but also really really love me.

- Dog training. Seeing major improvements in Sawyer's behavior thanks to our intensive new training regiment. Sometimes it can be difficult to actually see hard work paying off during a long process, but we have had some major breakthroughs lately and I can't wait for more!

- My health. I had been felling really run down (again!) over the last couple of weeks, and finally realized that I was once again low in Vitamin D due to the chance of the weather. I'm glad I'm finally reaching a point where I can listen to what my body needs and actually be able to give it what it wants.

- Music. I have been listening to the Dr. Dog station on Spotify as much as possible and loving almost every song. Many are by bands that are new to me and therefore much more exciting to listen to. Having something I really like playing in the background of whatever I am doing really changes my mood. Why did I forget this? I also went to see my friends play on Saturday night and am grateful to know such talented people!

Life is really good right now, and I just want to hold onto every moment for just a second as it passes, and appreciate everything that it is.

thirty

So, I turned 30 last month. 

Weird. I don't think that this is where I expected myself to be, mostly because it always seemed so old to me! Don't I have to be married with kids by now? After taking year 29 to really digest the fact that this is happening, I have come to terms. I can now realize how grateful I am to be moving on to the next decade. I'm truly at a turning point in my life and it's kind of nice to have it coincide with a milestone year. 

Only after some serious double-guessing of myself have I come to realize that every age looks different on everyone you meet. There is no standard for 30. Sometimes you meet someone who never grows up. Occasionally, you can look at a child and see someone wise beyond their years. I think I have known for a long time, that my one true goal is to try to have a life where I can find happiness and be comfortable in my own skin. So when my mind starts to wander to all the things that I haven't yet accomplished, I'm glad that I can revisit the thoughts of a younger wiser me, and remember what has always been important to me in my heart.

Actual day of birth thirty years ago! My Mom was one year older than I am when I was born. She had already been married for eleven years and had two children by the time she was thirty. This will always amaze me.

Do Over

Dog trainer says no more bedtime cuddles with Sawyer, and especially to not tuck him under the covers like we are his people servants. Everything else we have ever done with him has to stop too. Oops!

Bitchface

This made me laugh today, probably in a bitchy way. I also suffer from this chronic syndrome. Can be purchased here.

(photo via shop.krisatomic.com)

Fall Junkie

I may be biased because I was born in October, but Fall is the greatest thing ever.