Nature Pick-Me-Up

Thank goodness this week is a 4 day work week, and a 4 day weekend coming up. I need some time to relax and enjoy time spent with old friends. Lately I've been overwhelmed by some unfortunate arguing amongst some people very close to me, and as of Friday I had to choose sides. And I really hate that.

I escaped to DC on Friday after a doctor's appointment and spent time with my best friend and another good friend from college. It was nice to distance myself from the drama for a while. I pretended it didn't happen and certain words didn't escape from the hearts of people that I love and trusted more than anything. Yesterday I was still feeling very sad about the whole situation, so Sean & I went to Maymont Park to soak in nature and breathe in some fresh air. I needed to run away from everything; I'm not ready to face it just yet. Sometimes words come out wrong and people are misunderstood. It's even worse when words come out and they aren't misunderstood. Words can do some serious damage. For now, I need to sit back and let things unfold. I can't let it cloud my head.

Nature always seems to run at me with open arms when I'm feeling this way. And I am so thankful for the time spent yesterday out in the open. Taking pictures of trees while the sun is on my back. For a moment, life felt pretty perfect.

 

Flying Squirrels...

My mother-in-law is really good about spoiling me and making me feel super appreciated. A few months ago she wrote an essay about me and I was nominated as 1 of 100 "Hometown Hero's" in Richmond City and the surrounding counties. Last night we were invited to a Flying Squirrels baseball game, and all of the hero's got to go out onto the feild to be recognized! They also had fireworks.... but it was raining, so Sean & I watched from the car. It's been so long since I've been to a baseball game -- I am so glad that I got to see one before the summer ends!

what is a 20-something?

I've been reading a lot lately about my generation. People judge and criticise us for racking up thousands of dollars in student loans, living with boyfriends or girlfriends before marriage, and being "selfish" enough to still rely on mom and dad for extra cash. It is said by some that our dreams are more important to us than anything else, and we don't mind "taking others for granted" if it means that our needs are being met. Between you and I, those people who say these things... they don't really know us at all.

One 20-something doesn't necessarily look like the next in the sense that some of us are married, some are parents, others may still be living at home. But there's something to be said about us 20-somethings.  Most of us are dreamers. We have ambition, and don't take no for an answer. We're passionate. We take things slow. And most importantly: we don't rush in. We know the realities of being 'grown ups' and try our best to hang on to that last bit of youth while it's still in our grasp.

I cannot tell you how lucky I am. Unlike a lot of my peers, I am married to my high school sweetheart, have a really great paying job that is equally as rewarding, and am financially stable {for the most part}.  But that doesn't make me any better than my friends, by a long shot. I've traded certain things in my life to get where I am today. Sometimes I have to pass up lunch dates, because I'm broke from student loan payments which are close to $600 per month - and those are just mine. But we get by. We eat cheese and hamburger buns for weeks if it means we have extra cash for happy hour. We're also lucky to have parents who help us out when we need it the most - because we all have months that are financially tighter than others.

We 20-somethings have some pretty big expectations to live up to. Many of our parents were married and pregnant with us by the time they were our age. We change jobs and living arrangements nearly every year, while our parents were probably settled into their career by now and happily {or not so happily} married. It has left me wondering, am I a failure because I cannot financially afford to get pregnant right now? I mean, am I seriously ready to give up drinking and to put another life totally ahead of my own? But then I think about what I do have, and I realize that it's silly to think I'm not doing well. We may take a little more time than others, but us 20-somethings are anything but lazy.

It's funny and weird at the same time. In our past, every 10 year old was on the same page as every other 10 year old, as was every 14 year old as was every 18 year old. But that's not the case anymore. My life is totally different than other 24 year olds, and I can't even relate to many 21 year olds anymore. I wonder what our future children's first day of kindergarten will look like - some parents will be in their 20's, others in their 30's and probably a few in their 40's. Nobody will be at the same place in their life, and I think that's very different than the past but also very ok.

I remember in high school, I was working as a paralegal and to put it lightly - my check was pretty fat. One summer I spent about $700 in one shopping trip alone on clothes. I used to spend AT LEAST $300 on Sean every Christmas on presents, now we gratefully set aside $50. When did I stop obsessing over how I look or what I get for Christmas, and instead get equally as excited over my friends pantry space. I can't imagine spending that much money on clothes now, and it's not even an option because somehow, every week, my entire paycheck barley covers loans, gas, groceries {if we're lucky} and bills.

All 20-somethings great and small -- don't let society pressure you! Work towards your dreams, live for your passions, and enjoy every moment that life has to offer!

i heart burritos!

Anyone living in Richmond knows exactly what Banditos is... it's practically the best place to get a burrito for miles! After the day that I had yesterday, I really wasn't in the mood to go out... but I am so glad that I did. We met my parents, Sean's parents, my grandmother, my godparents and Mitchell for dinner -- it was so relaxing to just joke around talk for hours and hours {yes... we were there forever!}. Isn't it funny how a bad day can turn around in almost an instant? Check out the menu, I got the "Blue Moon Burrito".... it was the size of a small child!

I wanted to give a little update on my diet, since I haven't really talked much about it. I am usually the person "chain-drinking" coca-colas like it's my job, and everyone knows I rarely pass up a Happy Hour! Well, I haven't had any alcohol or soda for almost 3 weeks!!! Do you know how hard that has been?!?! I've been going to the gym at least 3 times a week, and although it's frustrating because I can't really tell yet... I know that it's going to pay off eventually. It's funny, but even though it hasn't even been an entire month I feel so much better since I've been trading in my favorite drinks for water. Maybe this is something that I will stick to for a while............!

What are some of your favorite resteraunts?

mentally exhausted.

To be completely honest with you, today has left me with a bit of a headache. This morning drama started early at work, as one of my clients was "removed from the program" and will need to be picked up by Friday morning. Luckily that problem was solved several hours later and his family will be able to do all of that... because I was getting the feeling that nobody was really concerned about my super busy schedule or other client's waiting to be seen.

While all of this was going on, there was a huge disagreement between some of my family members and I somehow found myself in the middle. An uncomfortable place to be, to say the least. I found my heart beating about a million beats per minute and my hands started to shake. Conflict makes me uncomfortable. Especially among family members. And especially since I know first hand that little things slowly turn into big things... and it's not far fetched to realize that before long, those big things add up and before you know it - nobody is speaking to each other . It took a while before I realized that I needed to take a step back. Sometimes when people hurt you, you have to ignore it and move on. If you don't do that, there's a good chance you'll say something you'll regret.

Thankgoodness for friends like Denise. I know I talk about her all the time on my blog, but she is one of the few people in my life that gets me. And let's face it, sometimes I just want to vent to a person who knows what I'm going through and doesn't try to make me look at it from another perspective. Because sometimes that doesn't work. Denise -- you saved me from insanity today!

Not to mention, for some reason I am caughing like I have some sort of serious fatal illness... yet I feel fine otherwise? What's up with that?

My saving grace for this afternoon.... thinking about pumpkin lattes, crunchy leaves, grave yards, halloween candy, ghost stories, jack-o-lanterns, and basically everything I can imagine that has to do with fall.

mmmm... yes please!

Fern Gully.

This weekend I realized just how much of a tree hugger I actually am. I found an old favorite, Fern Gully, and literally cried when Krista tells Zac "How can you live in a world without trees?"

Such a great movie. Remember how after every childhood movie there would be a clip about saving the rain forest? What ever happened to that?

p.s. - I tried Krista's technique for helping things grow more than once in my childhood years... I was so disappointed when it didn't work!

how i define love.

People ask me all the time why I call my blog Once There Was a Tree. Sometimes I am surprised that friends have not read the book, but The Giving Tree is on the top of my favorite books... ever. Sure, there are other more adult books on that list, but nothing is as dear to my heart than this story. I cry every time I read it.

The book has gotten some criticism. People go on and on about how it encourages abusive relationships and how it's not really the best way to teach children about how to love others. I choose to ignore these comments, because I think they're ignorant. No offense, but people will find fault with anything. Please don't do that to this book, which encompasses my entire childhood and code of ethics which I have based my entire life upon!

When I was little, I spent all my time with a tree. Some people had imaginary friends {I had them, too... what can I say, I was an imaginitive child} - I had this tree. I used to sing and dance with her, tell her my deepest darkest secrets, laugh and sometimes cry underneath the comfort of her branches. The connection we shared was unlike anything I have ever experienced again. You can roll your eyes all you want, but until you have a conversation with a tree... you probably won't ever understand the magic I have felt. Spending time alone in nature is the best therapy out there, trust me.

Anyway, one day I looked outside of my window and I watched a big ugly tractor cut her down and take her away. She was gone. I cried and cried and my mother did everything in her power to comfort me, but it was no use. I tried everything to bring her back. I tried planting seeds inside of her stump, gave her lots of oatmeal {hey, I was four years old!!} and when all my efforts seemed to fail, I sat at her stump and spun my fingers along her rings -- praying to anything that would listen, begging to bring her back. It didn't work.

So I relate to this book. I really get it. During my childhood, I was that boy. So it was through those pages in that book that I learned about love. Love for myself, my family, and most of all - humanity. No critic can ever take those memories away from me, or make me feel any different about this story.

When I was in college, I donated blood for the very first time. I often joke about Va Blood Services being run by vampires, because as soon as we discovered that my blood was 0 negative, it's like they keep my number on speed dial. Seriously. But when I found this out, I just knew that I had a responsibility to the world. Maybe I'm being dramatic, but being able to donate blood and various other body parts to anyone made me feel special. I have always felt that if a person needed something from me and I was able to give it, I should. No questions asked.

And I know that this book is why I feel this way. The connection that I have with the words and pictures makes it all click. That tree gave the boy everything she had. And she was happy knowing that he was happy. That is love.

Many of you know that I donated my kidney in April. I think that my decision was so easy to make... almost to the point of being obvious... because I knew that I was 0 negative and I feel this enormous responsibility to give whatever I can - like the tree. A lot of my family members and friends didn't understand at first, but by the time I went into surgery, they got it.

Another thing that made it pretty clear - when we looked at my kidneys and the doctors decided which one would be best for the donation, they decided that it had to be my right kidney. A year or two ago I had the giving tree tattooed on my right side, as a perminent remind to give everything I can to humanity.

What more confirmation could I possibly need?

So this is my challenge to you: to give to humanity in any way that you can. Life has a way of coming full circle, and I know that one day I will need some one to save me and the stars will align and the universe will speak and some one will be there for me. Maybe even some one I don't know. We are all in this together, and we have to stand by eachother in order to survive. The world needs all the compassion it can get, and there is so much of it to give. Remember: we are all individuals, but we are also all human beings. We have the same wants, needs and desires. No matter your race, culture or background - everyone wants to be loved.

sleeping outside.

Today when I opened my inbox, I discovered some very exciting news... I'm officially going camping over Labor Day Weekend {so excited for another adventure with Denise!}

I am so excited to sleep outside, under the stars. To crawl into my tent, stuffed with comfy blankets and pillows. To tell ghost stories by the fire. To wake up early and explore nature. To dip my feet in the river and watch the waterfalls. To get entirely too dirty. And most of all, to connect even deeper with close friends.

And this is the place where all of that's going to happen! What are you doing for Labor Day Weekend?



p.s. -- I just realized that I have 50 followers! That's pretty awesome... xo

my husband jumped out of a plane this weekend!

This weekend, my husband and two of my best guy friends went sky diving. I tagged along to watch but after watching everyone go... I suddenly got the urge myself. I talked to a few of the instructors and they assured me that you don't get that dropping feeling in your stomach at all and you simply feel like you are flying. I'm not afraid of heights and this feeling was the only thing holding me back... so once Sean and the rest of the guys confirmed this, I immediately started planning our next trip so that I can jump out of a plane, too! Watching everyone's parachutes floating in the sky was amazing and it took everything inside of me to not pull out my wallet and purchase my ticket right then and there... I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would get so excited over their experience -- but if you were there and saw all of those parachutes gliding hundreds of feet above us... you may understand my excitement!

--Happy Customers!--

Have you ever been skydiving before?

what i plan on doing with *AHEM* the rest of my life:

I have been debating over this very question ever since graduation day two years ago. What am I going to do with the rest of my life. And to my surprise, I came to a very unsettling discovery: I may never really know. I change my mind so much, that one minute I want to be a massage therapist and the next I want to be a teacher. So I started thinking about my passion and what all of the things I would love to do have in common. I started thinking about a legitimate career that I would be truly happy at for more than a year or so. And I discovered, through self reflection, that all I really want to do is help people.

The problem that I have with my current job as an Adolescent Substance Abuse Case Manager is not that I hate my clients or that I can't handle the enormous amounts of paperwork that Medicaid shoves on us {to what I can only explain as a mass conspiracy to limit the time we have left for our clients, thus saving them money and leaving these people ultimately helpless, I digress} . No. My problem is that it's hard for me to be passionate about something that I can't relate to. The first time I got drunk was in a college dorm room freshman year. I didn't go to parties in High School, and I never went to class high. I never even smoked marijuana until Sophomore or Junior year - and I didn't ever get addicted {yes folks, marijuana can be addictive. spend an hour with one of my clients and i dare you to tell me it isn't...}. My parents weren't raging crack/cocaine addicts, I didn't have to join a neighborhood gang to ensure day to day survival, and I didn't spend my childhood years raising my mother's children from various one night stands. I actually had a painfully normal adolescence with two parents who loved me and provided me with nearly everything I wanted.

This leaves me in an uncomfortable situation, because I feel as though I am not making any sort of difference and as a result I cannot do anything to help these kids other than be there for them and love them as much as I can. While love is important, helping teenagers dodge a life in prison is probably something society would rather I spend my time doing, that's just the reality. And on another note, maybe it's just me, but if I'm going to talk to some one about my problems and expect them to make some sort of an impact, I will more than likely look for some one who has actually been there.  This has been my dilemma lately.

So I know in my heart that my gift is working with people. I'm really good at it, and it seems that {lucky me} the more difficult the population, the more I enjoy it. That's just fucking crazy, excuse my french. But that's another reality that I am facing -- I like working with difficult populations. So now it's confession time: a few years ago I was raped and ever since that happened I have wanted to reach out to other victims of sexual violence. It's uncomfortable to talk about, and as a victim I can relate to the feeling of lonliness and lack of self worth.... because let's be honest, who really wants to talk to their friend about how they were raped last night? Especially when they were raped by one of your friends. Or maybe not a friend, but maybe the guy that sits behind you in your Biology Class. Who wants to feel how painful and scary and random rape is? Nobody. So the victims of these crimes live every single day, for the rest of their lives, re-playing the moment over and over again and thinking of ways that it could have been prevented. Because every rape victim is told on a daily basis, wheather intentional or not, that it was their fault. This is another reality. And maybe they aren't told flat out "Hey, that was totally your fault!" {although some of them are, sadly} but they begin to notice that people around them avoid certain topics, say certain things certain ways, or maybe even watch a movie with a sex scene in it that coincidently looks a lot like a rape scene and even though it isn't supposed to be, they feel a little sick and the person their watching it with looks at them like Uhhh, what's wrong with you... it's just sex!

So I know how it feels to be that isolated. And there's actually a huge population of men and women who seek services to deal with these feelings, and I am pretty confident that being there for that person would feel pretty rewarding. Almost like coming full circle. I think that I have always wanted to come to the point where I could work in this environment without it becoming too emotional or too personal, and I really believe that I am able to do that now. I can sit and listen to some one else's story -without sharing my own- and help them think of ways to move on.

Then, I decided that I was going to get my Master's in Social Work because I figured that this degree would be flexable enough that I could persue this dream that I have. I did a little research, and the School closest to me has a dual program that made me feel -for the first time in a long, long time- this is where I fit in! Can you believe that they offer a Combined Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) and Certificate in Gender Violence Intervention? Perfection!

I love when things fall together and all feels right in the world. Fingers crossed, I'll get accepted and somehow be able to afford this program {not looking forward to re-uniting with my old not-so-good-friend FAFSA}.

What are your passions? How do you fit them into your everyday life?

Babies.

Have you ever noticed, people treat their dogs as if they were human...and I know I am not alone in this because I see it every single day! They have dog birthday parties and dog play dates and dog sitters. People bake them dog cookies and treats, let them sleep in the bed, buy their favorite foods at the grocery store, dress them up in t-shirts and dresses. My mother in law even gets a to-go box at resteraunts so their little one can eat when they come home. {and I'm not much better, because my dogs like to steal the covers and I'd rather freeze to death than wake them up!!!}

People love their pets!!

Yesterday I decided to take my dogs to puppy daycare so that they could get groomed while I was at work. Well, the guilt I felt leaving there was so bad you would've thought I had left a newborn! All day I worried about if they were being treated well, if they were scared or if they had taken them out to get some sunshine. As soon as I could leave work, I gathered my things and sped all the way to the doggie daycare... looking back it's kind of funny how nerve wracking the whole day was!

Well... my dogs were fine and actually seemed to have enjoyed themselves. But isn't it funny how we treat our animals as if they were human? Here's a few pictures of my "babies"...

Do you spoil your pets?

Update

Last Wednesday I had my first taste of real meat in six years. We were out to dinner with Sean's family, and much to everyone's surprise I ordered a chicken ceasar salad. I had been debating this back and forth for a while now {almost 4 months}... so trust me when I say that I did not make this change lightly. I went back and forth, weighing the pro's and con's, before coming to this decision. And honestly, it feels totally natural for me at this time and I haven't even felt much guilt. The truth is, I have gained a lot of weight due to my un-healthy lifestyle... and the processed, fake meat products had to g o.

But I didn't stop there. I have also stopped drinking alcohol {minus last Saturday} and won't do so for another 2 months to help "jump start" my new "diet". I still have an occasional glass of orange or cranberry juice, but mostly just water for now. Which is really really freakin hard, considering I used to go out to eat and get at least 5 glasses of Coke before having to cut myself off!!!!!! Seriously... waiters have joked about me getting a "Sugar Buz" more than once. Many of my friends are really bummed out by this, but I haven't been comfortable in my skin since college and I'm not used to barley squeezing into my fat jeans {you know, the pair that's supposed to make you feel better about yourself because it's a size or two larger than your normal pair... yeah, my fat jeans have officially become my normal jeans. Not Cool!!!}

Ugh. And I already talked about how I've been trying to go to the gym several times a week. I am fortunate enough to have a gym right down the hall from my office at work, but that doesn't make it any easier to go... I will however say that once I do go, I leave feeling sooooo much better. I am shooting for 3 times a week, for 45 minutes.

Here's my inspiration...............

Senior year of high school vs. now... well, minus the dreads {I brushed them out in June}

I have to be honest with you, it's not easy looking at myself in that second picture. I've gotten used to being called too skinny or complimented constantly on my weight, that it's really hard to admit that I've gained weight. It's funny how we sometimes base our worth on how we look. Even those of us, like myself, who like to pretend the opinions of others don't matter. But it's more than just gaining a few pounds, I actually feel unhealthy and sluggish. And as a past swimming & rock climber, I don't like feeling that way. So enough day drinking, munchies, happy hour, pizza 4 nights a week...................... I am officially holding myself responsible through this post and announcing to the world that I'm finally going to commit to getting in shape {no matter how bad I want that pizza & coke.... and ice cream... and cupcakes.... and potatoe chips.... and french fries... you get the picture}!

Charlottesville

This weekend Sean & I packed our bags & headed to Charlottesville for our friend Stuart's surprise birthday party. Denise did such an awesome job with decorating their new home, and I still can't believe she pulled the whole thing off! We had such a good time with them, and it reminded me how much I took for granted when we all lived on campus 2 years ago. We had brunch on Sunday and spent a lot of time talking about how funny our dogs are {their pup Baboos is pictured above} -- it's hard to believe that in a few years we'll probably be bragging about our kids! {this reminds me of a conversation that I had with Denise about how awesome her LAUNDRY ROOM was... man, we're getting old!}

So today I am feeling a little less than energized at work. I was out with a client this morning, and I couldn't help thinking about how excited and ready I am for fall. Cardigans, boots, hats... I can't wait for any of it. Not to mention, I kind of miss walking to work... which is basically impossible in this heat.

This morning I'm typing on my iPhone from Denise's couch. So... Sunday Funday will have to wait another week. But I wanted to take a moment to let all of you know how beautiful you are & how I'm positive that my blog friends are the best around! Your words in my previous post gave me a sense of peace & reminded me that things will be okay. I love you, and hope today brings you happiness & sunshine!!!

dreamers shouldn't have to pay bills.

Money makes me extremely anxious. I avoid the subject at all cost, and judging my social work career it's obvious I'm not driven by it. If I could move away to a place where money didn't exist, I'd be there in a second. Each Friday rolls around and I am so excited because it's payday, and then I pay all of my bills and have a whopping $5 left over, if I'm lucky. Why do I look forward to this depressing/stressful/goddamn day!!!

Now that that's out of my system... you know, the pitty party... I want to ask all of you out in blogger land how you go about saving money. If I didn't have student loans, I'd be rich! And it's a shame your college tuition isn't equivalent to you expected income... because Citi Bank doesn't seem to buy my reality that social workers cap off around $60-70,000 {The lucky ones}. Check this out.

It is my humble opinion: that all dreamers and others who are not driven by money should not be a slave to it! Nice idea, right? Now if I can just get Obama on the phone... in the meantime, do any of you have a savings account? How to you make ends meet?

{photo credit}

confession time.

I have a confession. I never in my life thought that after 6 years of vegetarianism, I would even consider eating meat again. I have stuck by my beliefs for so long and taken so much pride in my ability to quit cold turkey, that these new feelings are basically a huge shock. Physically, I feel that this is what my body is telling me it is time to do. And I have always been pretty good at listening to my bodies needs. Psychologically, this is going to be really tough.

A few months ago I started eating fish again, and I would be lying if I told you I didn't get emotional about that. The guilt that came with that decision was almost overwhelming, and I felt so much shame admitting to friends and family that I had failed my journey. Very similar feelings arose when I started saying out loud that I don't believe in Christianity. So why am I now considering the return of hard core meat into my diet? I guess it's because sometimes life leads you in different directions and down a separate path than you may have chosen for yourself.

My husband eats meat. My friends eat meat. My dogs eat meat. My co-workers all eat meat. I am essentially alone in this journey, and given my lack in cooking abilities I have found it extremely difficult to stay motivated. I miss little things like sharing food with Sean and ordering off of a menu without needing to substitute or change the meal in some way. I also get embarrassed when I order pizza with my girlfriends and I insist that meat-infested pizza arrive in a totally separate box. I miss normalcy.

Besides the fact that I have been eating the same core meals year after year and am starving for some variety, I am beginning to realize that I need to take better care of my body. This is the reason I believe I am feeling deep inside my being that it is time for a change in the way that I eat. I feel sluggish, fat, and carbed-out. The more I exercise, it seems my efforts are cancelled out by the bowl of pasta or bag of chips that I consume directly after. God, and let's not even get into the amount of processed soy I eat in a day. It would be different if I liked raw veggies or knew how to cook up something different once in a while, but I don't. The more I read about ex-veggies, the more I hear about how they've "never felt better" and how they seem to feel more energized than ever once meat has been re-introduced into their diet. I want to feel that way, too.

But deep in the back of my mind I am still clinging to my values and struggling with how to be at peace with this decision. I was reading an article today about eating animal products that were raised locally and fed a grass diet, rather than corn {also, ones who were not pumped with hormones}. That does sort of calm my spirit, I do enjoy buying locally. And that could be just as effective in helping the environment. And it is probably much healthier than eating processed soy products and imitation meat.

Of course, I will also more than likely suffer mockery of this decision... the same people who constantly make fun of me for being vegetarian are more than likely going to poke fun at me falling off of the vegetarian band wagon. Not to mention my soap box.

But it is so important to listen to your body. And mine has been talking pretty loudly for several months now. I'll keep you posted.

rain man.

This morning I awoke to quiet tapping. I snuggled close to my sheets and shut my eyes tight and tried to steal another five minutes of sleep. Just five more minutes. Soon the quiet tapping transformed into a full orchestra. It's sole purpose, to sing me back to sleep. Back and forth I rocked, comforted in cool sheets and fluffy pillows. Minutes passed slowly and my body became paralized as I slowly drifted to sleep. Then, the alarm rings and I am shoved back into reality so quickly that I sit up with my head spinning.

I really want a grilled cheese.

All I want right now is a grilled cheese sandwich!!!!

{and a side of ice cream and cup cakes and anything fried!}

This weekend I promised myself that I was going to start back at the gym. Every day. 45 minutes. It's pretty easy, because we have a gym where I work... well, easy to get to anyway. I spent my entire lunch break on the treadmill. Now I am sitting here eating a 100 calorie pack of cheez-its because I forgot my lunch. You see, I haven't worked out in 4 months -- I haven't been able to since my surgery {for those late in the game, I donated my kidney in April}. Today was absolute hell.

I was in a really awesome habit of running every morning at 5 a.m. ...like, 3 miles every day but Sunday good. Then we moved to the City and I didn't feel comfortable running in the dark, so I started running on my lunch break. Well, I am now down to brisk walking, sadly and having trouble with that!

Don't you hate getting out of a work out routine, and then trying to get back into it again? Blah... it's the WORST!

mental note: working out and forgetting your lunch is a really bad combination... don't do that again. ever.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is Sean & my 2 year anniversary!!! {hence  the lack of Sunday Funday...}

B

Best day of my life!! I love you, Sean!!