Last Wednesday of March!

Hard to believe March literally flew by.

I'll be linking up with Mel, Shearer, and Shay for What's Up Wednesday - March Edition.

What's Up Wednesday [01.27.16]

Hello and happy Wednesday!

Today I'll be linking up with Shay for 'Whats Up Wednesday' - so excited!  First link ups with this lovely lady!

What we are eating this week...

A 'very plain' order of #10

Ever so often, I get to go out on a lunch/dinner date to Pho Van with Andrew. And Sunday it was! It's one of my favorite places - Vietnamese Beef Noodle bowl!  Except, I'm lame and get get the #10, chicken noodle, with just chicken, broth and noodles.  I swear, they all think I'm this crazy lady, but what can I say...I'm weird with food. Once this piping hot bowl of yumminess comes, I add my own flavoring of Sriracha sauce!  Of course, I get an order of the salad rolls and a diet Coke to top it all off. Mmm...makes my mouth just water thinking about this delicious soup!

What I'm reminiscing about....

Day 2 of our 'Spirit Week' [Just us girls].  We sure know how to make work fun!

Day 3 of Sprit Week - Legggggs for days!

My old 'Kroger/Fred Meyer' co-workers and all the good times we had.  Seriously, best bunch of people to work with!  I miss working with them already #sadface

What I'm loving...

This. New. Bag.

This new bag has arrived!  I ordered this for myself for an early birthday gift to myself/congrats-on-the-new-job.  Stole this little gem for a fabulous deal online.  I'm so in love with the padlock style on this bag.  Can't wait to use it!

What we've been up to...

Just working away. Learning as much as I can about the new job [and by the way, I am totally loving it!]  We did have a proud mama moment this week - using the big girl potty!  Who knew you could be so excited to see your child use the big girl potty?  Of course, it has to be her idea to use the big girl potty...and waiting until she's almost 2 is fine with me.

What I'm dreading...

My baby will be turning 2 in February.  Don't get me wrong, I've so enjoyed watching her grow up, but 2?!  Wow...time has sure flown by.  I feel lie just a few months ago she was 2 months old.  I will say though, I am super excited for 2!

Oh...and the dentist.  Went to the dentist the other day, to find out I need to have a filling. Really?!  A filling? So...I'm totally dreading that part. #sugaraddict

What I'm working on...

Becoming a better me!  2016 is my year to shine! I'm excited to see what this year has to offer!

What I'm excited about...

Birthdays!  Celebrations!  As if we didn't have enough excitement during the holidays, we [my sister, my daughter, and myself] top it off with birthdays in January and February - go us!  Although, I will be turning *gasp* 31 [and it's an odd year], I'm still excited!

What I'm watching/reading...

This is the current book I have been 'trying' so hard to get read between bedtime routine and falling asleep at night. It's a struggle sometimes. But so far, I love it!

Currently watching a handful of shows - Younger being one of my absolute favorites right now!  If you haven't seen it (TVLand) go see it!

Also, just finished catching up Teen Mom OG where Catelynn and Tyler got married - seriously, such a gorgeous wedding!

I did catch up as well on the Kardashians.  Yes, it's my guilty little pleasures in life that keep me sane.

What I'm listening to...

At this very moment? Total silence. And it's pure bliss!
But as of lately, it's been the Ke$ha or Sum41 station on iHeartRadio.
Occasionally, I'll throw on the Lil Wayne station for some 'hard-core' rap. [because it's motivating and I can]

What I'm wearing...

Currently LOVING the blanket scarf trend right now!  I love pairing the plaids with the stripes, or the animal prints with bright colors!  Being from the NW, I like to keep my neck toasty warm.

What I'm doing this weekend...

Yes, this is a birthday margarita. Courtesy of last year's birthday outing.

It's the start of the birthday weekend!  In our family, my sister is born on January 25 and I'm on Feb 6th...so birthday dinners and outings typically begin this time of the month.  Which means, Saturday night - first birthday dinner [for me].

What I'm looking forward next month...

Lots!!!  But most of all, for the new job to take off!  I love learning! It's been a little "rough and weird" transition since we all work remotely from our homes.  I'm hopeful this week's training will get me up and running like the wind!

What else is new...

That about sums up life right now - birthdays.  Pretty low key.

Favorite Valentine's Day Treat...

Dove Dark Chocolate squares. Need I say more?

What's even better than the above?  The Dove dark chocolate WITH almonds!  [that's a little added protein, right?!]

Pre-Planning 2016 Goals: I Put the PRO in Productive!

This last weekend was pretty productive.
[I put the pro in productive.  Oh wait...I put the pro in procrastination. Ha!]

Last Friday night I sat down with a pen in hand ready to put thoughts and notes together on paper.

I had been jotting notes down all last week of what it was I wanted over the next year and generally speaking, in life (aka long term goals).

It's been proven that if you write down, visualize and believe in what it is you want in life, you'll achieve it.
And no, I'm not specifically speaking about material items, but who we want to be in this world as well.

That's right, I'll be completing a 'vision' board!

Once I gather my goals and vision for my future, I'll lay it neatly out on a board - my "vision" [or dream] board.  I tend to take my time on these as I like them to be atheistically pleasing to me - especially if its something that will be seen on the daily.

What is a vision/dream board?  
It's a visual representation of everything- your dreams and goals - that you want to achieve/accomplish in your life.

I created one last year and loved it!
I remember designing [I say design because I took great interest in making that thing pretty last year] my vision board a little over a year ago.  I also put down those same goals/visions on index cards,  tucked them in my top dresser drawer, and would occasionally look at them. [I will admit, I didn't take last years vision board as serious or to the extent I should have #lessonslearned]

Warm Ups Are Over-It's Game Time!

Whew, did this weekend fly by after a super fast week or what?

I guess time flies when you're having fun, right?!

Well not exactly.
Don't get me wrong, my new job is exciting and I'm enjoying it very much so!
I'm just not feeling like myself these days. Which makes life and everyday tasks tougher than usual.

This weekend, I started a little "life"  planning and goal setting. 

Things I want to accomplish.

Things I want to re-evaluate.

My 5-7 year goals.

Things to make a better version of me in 2016.

I've tired this in the past, and it usually takes me awhile (if I ever complete it fully as I tend to procrastinate, then get sidetracked and then I get overwhelmed and give up).
This time I really want change (new year, new career, new me?).
That sounds pretty good to me.

So far, I've got my journal, colored markers, pen and index cards.
(I love index cards for the fact that I can write the goal on one side, and add the details on the backside).

I {fuzzy heart} simplicity when it comes to this kind of stuff.

Here's what I'm wanting hoping to accomplish with this life journal:

1. Create a better version of myself  (ways of doing things, list making, planning)
2. Re-learning what makes me happy and refills my happiness tank (as a previous counselor once referred to it as) and how to implement that into my life
3. Writing down goals and accomplish them

I think we can all agree that life can be challenging. Add kids into the mix and life gets a little more tricky and hectic (well...for me it did). Then, add some stressful situations and it can get even more stressful. 

Which is why I want to make 2016 my best year yet.

2014 was practice.

2015 was warm ups.

2016 is game time.

Game on!

More specifics on my goals the next few weeks as I prepare them.

What are some of your goals for 2016?

How do you plan on accomplishing them this year?

What are some of your 5-7 year goals?

Tomorrow's A Big Day...

Tomorrow is a big day for me.
Life changing.
A new career.
That's right, I'm starting a new job tomorrow.  Eek!

I'm actually super excited, but nervous at the same time.  Another step forward in my new life.

See, this job isn't a typical show up at 8am and leave at 5pm kind of gig.  This is a 'remote' job since there's no regional office in my town. Say what?! Remote? Work from home? Why yes, I would love that, where do I sign up?

Happy New Year - Let 2016 Shine Bright Like a Diamond!

Happy 2016! The first day of a new year - geesh, 2016 already.  I just want to know - where did 2015 even go?!  Seems like it literally flew by. Nonetheless, I am so beyond excited for the 2016!  I can remember sitting down before the start of 2015 thinking of what I wanted to accomplish during the upcoming 365 days.  I can say, I've checked off a few goals (yah- go me!). One of my 2015 goals was to start a blog.  "Technically" I started this blog in 2015, but didn't physically post. However, I did have allllll year to think about blog ideas and what kind of a blog I would want (that counts as an accomplished goal in 2015, right?!).