The Here and Now

Hey, all. I don't seem to have the brain power or energy to full-on blog these days, but I had a thought today. I'm working on staying in the moment. I have a tendency to spend too much time dwelling on the BIG SCARY UNKNOWN FUTURE and all the things I can't control rather than focusing on what's happening right now. It's an ongoing process. Success varies.

Anyway, as I contemplated this, Mumford & Sons came to mind. As they often do cause TOTALLY AMAZING AND ALL THE LOVE FOR THESE BOYS. And it happens to fit my situation. These are the skies I'm under. And I can only control my attitude these days. Play on, fellas. : )

Changes

I moved about 2 months ago. The majority of those who might read my blog probably know this from some other source, but in case you don't, Hey! Here's a post about it! And some other stuff.

So, yes. I moved. To an apartment of my VERY OWN. It was all very exciting and scary. Yup. I now live alone. It's really fun and weird and bizarre and awesome. All at the same time. I have my own kitchen and can entertain and stuff! I'm really enjoying it.

My place is a small one-bedroom apartment. I was given quite a few things from loving family members: a table and chairs from Grandma and Grandpa, futon from mom and dad, and a desk from Uncle Garn and Aunt Diane. And I'm so grateful!

My desk. : )

Housewarming gift from my Aunt Julie! You don't miss it til

you desperately need one. 

And I also had a few projects. Like my book shelves! My dad was able to get some free pallet boards from work and he cut them to size so we could paint them for a new backing for the shelves. They're just cheap walmart build-it-yourself ones, so with the help of Pinterest and my dad, they're slightly classier. : )

Sprayin'. My hand was cold. 

Messy. I'd never get away with graffiti. 

And finally I was able to put up ALL my amazing art work that I haven't had room for the past couple years. So excited. :D

Danish cars and London collage. Plus ceiling fan.

Autumn in Paris and painting of the New York Skyline. And lamp!

So, yeah. I'm kinda loving it. : )

It should also be mentioned that there is another reason for moving besides independence and cause it's awesome: I really am moving forward with my cake business! It's still in its infancy, but slowly but surely it is happening. In the process of designing a logo with my brother-in-law, looking at business cards and other items, applying for a business license, and I have a friend in marketing that I'm hoping can help as well. Eep!  I'll keep you posted. Eventually. ; )

OH, and I cut my hair. Badly needed. A good change. My head feels so light!! Still considering a color since I've never done it, but we'll see. 

Ummmm.....I think that's it for now. I always have the intent of posting more, but ya know. See ya!! : )

To Be Honest

Hello, all. This post has been rolling around in my head for a few weeks now. Thought I'd put it in words. A while ago, I read a really good book. "Just Listen" by Sarah Dessen. I had been following her on twitter for a while and bought the book randomly sometime before that. Finally got around to reading it and her author friends online that I follow were speaking truth. It was excellent. She writes contemporary stand-alones, which I REALLY like. Sometimes I just want to read ONE BOOK and be done with it. There are sooooo many series out there, which are awesome, I know, but there's this constant anticipation of the next book and a lot of money spent in most cases. And I do read a lot of supernatural books and stuff, but it's nice to sometimes keep it more to reality. Just straight-up fiction. Sarah Dessen has written, I think, 17 books and they are all separate. Hallelujah! So far, I have only read the one and started another, but I know I'm a fan already. She's also obsessed with Good Morning, America and has an adorable daughter who looks nothing like her. She pointed that out, by the way, not me. But I digress…

So I read this book. It's really well written. Annabel is the youngest of 3 sisters and they each have their own issues to deal with.  It's when Annabel makes a new friend when her others have abandoned her that she comes into her own. This guy, Owen, seems scary on the surface but as they spend time together, Annabel sees the good in him. One of his good attributes is that he is completely honest. Not in a brutal sort of way, but he doesn't hold back. Annabel  isn't necessarily a liar, but there's a lot she doesn't say. Or she doesn't tell the whole truth. What is it they say? A lie of omission is still a lie? Yeah. There's some truth in that. 

This book really got me thinking. I can identify with Annabel sometimes. I don't think I'm a liar. I do my best to be honest, but I know I hold things back sometimes. Maybe I don't want to hurt someone's feelings or I don't want to cause contention. Both instance are warranted, but there are even times when I just give a noncommittal answer like "I don't care" when I do or "I'm Fine" when I'm not. So, I've really been trying to give an honest answer, even if he seems like it doesn't matter. When asked how I am, I'll say "pretty good" or "tired, but good" or "I feel like crap". Seems small, but it has made a difference. Untruths can be a burden. 

Honestly (ha), I've always been one to hold things back. Keeper of secrets. Shy to a fault when I was younger. Only spoke when necessary. I've come out of that a lot, but there are still times when I hold back. And it sucks. It's just a part of my character. Breaking through that is difficult, but the more honest I am, the lighter that burden gets. 

So that is my new resolve. To be honest. How honest are you, truthfully?  

With Resolve

Hey, guys. I'm baaaaaack. : )


After the marathon of blogging that was November, I needed a break. I didn't really plan on making it all of December, but it kinda turned out that way. *shrug*

I'm okay with it.


But here I am! And here is the new year. 2013. Wow. Kinda came outta nowhere. Not really, but ya know.


Honestly, full-on, hard-core resolutions never work out well for me. But I do have a few things I'd like to work on. And goals. Wanna hear them? MMkay.

1. Move Out. Yes, I am currently still living at my parent's house. Just as I did before college, after college, and now. It is really REALLY nice to not pay rent, but the commute to work is killing me and I am in desperate need of my own space. Definitely happening in the next month or two. Possibly in a 2 bedroom with my sister, Ashleigh. Makes rent cheaper and probably best all around. I also need a kitchen of my own for goal number 2
2. Start my own business. This plan scares the living crap out of me. No lie. But I have been doing an increasing number of cakes recently and I think with some effort and a lot of help, I could make this thing for real. I've had offers to help so it's still in early early EARLY stages and I'd be starting small, but it's something I want to make happen. I'll keep you updated. 
3. Accept Myself. This one's pretty personal. Yes, I have trouble with body image and self confidence and whatnot. As most do. I just want to be more comfortable in my own skin. Long and on-going process, I know. Just needed to put it out there. 
4. Eat Healthier and Exercise regularly. This one goes along with number 3. It's pretty cliched this time of year, but applicable. I've done it before. I can do it again. I'm still Vegetarian and I have no plans to stop. But also, I need to cut down on cheese. I love it SO MUCH. Too much. Yeeeahhhh. Need to work on that. I'm even leaning toward Vegan. I don't really enjoy eggs and I haven't been drinking milk for a long time. I don't know. We'll see. May not be total, just hints of it. Anyway.
5. Letting Go. This one's pretty serious. There's a lot of crap that I tend to hold on to. It piles up and gradually drags me down. Memories, guilt, regrets... Gotta let go. And people. I keep in contact sometimes with people who do no good for me and possible do harm. I did quite a Facebook friend purging today. Felt really good. Hopefully won't be the need for that often, but I'll be quicker with the unfriend button, that's for sure. Some don't deserve to be in my life. And I deserve better. Quality, not quantity.

Well, I think that's more than enough for now. Got pretty heavy there at the end. Oops! So, here's to new beginnings! A fresh start. : )

Any resolutions, official or otherwise, you'd like to share? I'd love to read them.

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 30: Self Portrait

This photo is not just of me but I took it and I'm in it!! So it totally counts. : ) Time with my sisters is rare and priceless so I treasure it!! A trip to the temple, Cafe Rio, and a movie made for a brilliant closing for November. It was a great challenge and I'm SO glad I did it!! But I'm ready for a break. Challenge became a chore somewhere along the way. But I'll be around. : ) So much to be grateful for! And I'm thankful for the reminder.

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 29: Light

This quote was the first thing I thought of when I saw that the subject for today was light. I think it is always worth remembering and applies to so many situations. It's a little obscure, but this is MY project. : ) And Dumbledore is awesome!!

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 28: Night

Nighttime is the BEST time. : ) I've always been a night-owl. I get the tendency from both sides of my family, it seems. Even if it's against my better judgement or common sense, I still seem to stay up way too late! Right now, I'm up late watching a movie. "I.Q." To be exact. Have you seen it? SO GREAT. :D

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 27: Daily Routine

I am a big BIG fan of routines. It's hard to truly represent my routine through a few photos, but it'll do. Alarm. Running late (of course). Drive up the canyon. Make yummy and pretty things. It's not a bad life. ; )

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 26: Transportation

This is my beloved Chevy Blazer. I've had Belinda (yes, she has a name) for almost 4 years. She has her quirks and is currently attempting to make me broke. But I'm fighting back by letting it go until it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to fix it. ; ) I kid. Sorta. But really, she's been good to me. She also functions as my storage facility for snowboarding crap. She does really well at that!! Haha. I'm grateful to have it in whatever capacity right now.

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 25: Artwork

I never have been good at anything traditionally artistic: drawing, painting, sculpting, etc. But I have found a creative outlet in food. I do enjoy the presentation and precision it takes to make things look good along with tasting good. Here's a small representation of what I've done in the past.

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 24: Gratitude

Seems like a vague subject for today, but whatever. I found this quote and felt like it fit the bill. I'm all about the quotes. : )

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 23: Closet

Here it is! In all its cramped and tiny glory. : ) No cleaning took place before photographing. Keepin' it real! Baha. Mostly consists of graphic tees, which remains my preferred item of clothing. Grateful for a full closet and a place to put it all! : )

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 22: Clothing

I focused on my favorite item of clothing: t-shirts! I have more than my fair share of graphic tees but I just can't get enough! I love how as you go about your day, one person can recognize the reference and just for that second, you're connected. Puts a smile in my face. : )

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 21: Where You Sleep

My bed. I love it!! Queen-sized and glorious. Even more fantastic after sleeping on a futon all Summer. ; ) So grateful for a roof over my head and a comfortable bed! : )

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 20: Seasonal

Tis the season to be thankful. Obviously, considering the holiday and I've been doing this challenge the WHOLE MONTH. 2/3 way through! Woot. : ) It is also the season of PIE!!! No doubt, the most exciting part of the meal. These picture are from last Thanksgiving. I actually had the day off and spent it with some great friends whom I miss. (This means you, Kim!! : ) ) Tomorrow is pie-making day. No work. But I do in fact work on Thursday this year. : / Sigh. I am thankful for my job, though!!

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 18: Something New

Hmmm. Something new. I just went literal and posted some of my newest purchases and interests. My newest TARDIS t-shirt from Doctor Who. I think I'm up to 5! My new boots that I absolutely LOVE, even though I'm not shoe person. And my most recent obsession, Mr. Marcus Mumford, lead singer of the band Mumford & Sons. THEY. ARE. SO. GREAT. And he is rather attractive. ; ) So, yeah!

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 17: Memories

Ah, memories. Top left is my friend Kim and I at the Birds of Prey skiing competition in Beaver Creek, Colorado, last year. It was really fun! Top right is a trip to IKEA with my youngest sister, Alex, that was bizarre and awesome that resulted in her in a box. And the bottom is with my youngest sisters and our dad at my cousin's wedding last year. Really good times. : )

p.s. I did in fact do the challenge yesterday (Saturday) and posted it everywhere but didn't get it on blogger. So. Whoops! ; ) Catching up.

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 16: Animals

Clockwise from top left: my old roommate's sweet dog, Matty; a tiny gerbil eating a potato chip from the palm of someone's hand; the "cannot be unseen" cat; and Josh Groban with a cheetah. These were all random pictures from my phone that I thought fit the category. Sadly, I have no pets right now but hopefully soon! I do love animals. : )

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 15: Technology

Today I was on Pinterest while watching tv and took a picture with my iPhone and posted it. Amazing. I am also posting on this blog from said phone. Technology and how quickly it advances continues to blow my mind. It's fantastic and I am so grateful to be a part of it!

Gratitude Photo Challenge Day 14: Movement

I thought a lot about what to post for this subject. Snow falling was high on the list. Almost posted it but then had to go back to my roots. : ) This is my wonderful KitchenAid Professional standing mixer in motion. It was my college graduation gift from the entire family. I love it SO much and am truly grateful to have it. It's whirring sound is one of my favorite things. Ever!!