Things Have A Way of Working Out

Learning not to worry and just see how things work out is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.I am not a patient person. I like game plans. I like being prepared. I like knowing what is going to happen.

Certain events lately have led me to have to let go of that controlling/ need for answers part of my personality. It's a lesson I know I need but is hard.  It's so hard when it all can change/ will change  my life but yet I don't have the control over it. I needed some signs that things do work out. When you stop worrying, when you pray and when you let go. Boy oh boy did I get a few.

1. Pulled over for speeding twice in one weekend ( I know. I know.) First time pulled over in 2 years and first ticket in 5 years.  First officer gives me a warning along with giving several samples of brotherly advice on how to keep myself safe on the rest of the journey.  Second officer gives me the ticket without hesitation. I immediately cry once he leaves( I do not use tears to get out of tickets) because I am worried. How am I gonna pay for this? Will it make my insurance go up?  I decide right then that I will say a prayer and continue with my plan for my savings ( which does not include the $135 needed for my disregard for the law). The very next weekend I get $185 handed to me. I also get to take defensive driving so it will not be on my insurance. Things always work out.

2. For some reason the way paychecks fell this month I was going to have to use my savings to pay my bills. I noticed today that my student loan payment had not been processed yet. I call them to find out that they drug their feet on my paperwork resulting in me getting to skip this month's payment. Instead of spending my savings I get to add to it! Things always work out for the better.

3. My bills are going up. My income has gone down. I see a few really unexpected costs over the next year. I'm not going to worry. It will work out. I am looking for a roommate. I have faith that the right one will be put in front of me at the right time.

4. I walked into a bar reluctantly one random cold night in January and walked out with the opportunity to get to know someone that there is no reason on earth we should have met. Different parts of the world, different jobs and journeys. Who knows how it will work out but I have a feeling he is being used to teach me to let go.


No more grumpy mood this week. Just love.

-J

Valentine's Swap = Blogger Fail

I was part of the Will You Be My Valentine Swap over at ABCDE  and    Sealed With A Kiss with Kaitlyn and Eryka. When you participate in a swap you dream of everything being coordinated and beautifully packaged but then reality hits.
I was given Cara over at The Marvelous Flight of Cara . Poor girl probably hasn't gotten her package yet.
The swap didn't start out as an uncoordinated mess. I loved getting to know Cara by stalking her blog. The things I learned most about her is that she LOVES her husband, Valentine's day, Hello Kitty and the color pink.
I hope I'm not spoiling anything for her by posting this but I wanted to send her a kit to make Valentine's or any day with her husband extra special. I included a heart cupcake pan, cupcake flags, sprinkles, note cards for her goal of sending 100 letters  and a Hello Kitty Pez dispenser. Sounds awesome right?  Obligatory blogger pic of the goodies?

Yep, thats it. Laid out on the counter at the post office as I attempt to stuff it ( yep stuff it) into a box to get it to her in time. It may not be beautifully packaged but the sentiment is there. I hope you enjoy it!
I on the other hand got a very awesome on time goodie box from my Valentine Katie over at Katilda.

I loved opening the box to find so many goodies! Katie's note to me mentions the one thing that I am known for my love of Hanson. Yes, Katie if the limit hadn't been $10 tickets to any Hanson show would of blown my mind. I did however love the box anyways! She got me heart shaped measuring spoons. Mint nail polish that I have been looking for since last summer and a heart garland. The heart garland is currently being used to decorate my office. It will stay up all year more than likely.  I have already used my measuring spoons to make cupcakes for a special birthday.

Thank you for the Valentines!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentines Day.
Happy Hallmark Holiday.
Happy Single Awareness Day
Happy Whatever You Need It To Be Day....just be happy.

I was not looking forward to this Valentine's Day this year but  it is really shaping up to be one where I truly feel lucky and blessed.
Work blessed my desk with an untold amount of candy and chocolate covered strawberries. Sometimes it really is nice to work with such a good group of ladies.
Someone special had these delivered to work. My first valentine's day flowers...ever. They were completely unexpected therefore they make my heart sing just a bit when I look at them.

 Tonight my bestie will be coming into town to watch horror movies and have a pizza night. I am looking forward to spending tonight loving on my friend.

I couldn't help but post a few Valentine messages for all you lovely girls. Just remember JT , Ryan and Marilyn never lie.

Have a happy day!
-J

Left Cheek Right Cheek

Sunday I met a friend at the gym to do one of my new workout routines.
First time that someone looked to me to be the leader in the gym.
First time my name was cursed for killing her legs with squats.
First time that someone was exhausted and sore from doing one of my workouts and I wasn't phased.
Correction, girlfriend can run faster than I can so my attempts to keep up with her on the sprints were killing me but squat and plank wise I kicked butt.
The workout we were doing was semi given to me by my friend, who stole it from the army.
I call it my Training to Kick A** Workout.
What is it?
Sprint for a quarter mile...like run like a pack of no sparkling wanna be your boyfriend Zombie's are chasing you.
Then 30 lower body moves. Take your pick of any exercise below :

•  squats
• jump squats
• squats with kicks
• ballet squats on heels 
• ballet squats on each individual heel
• lunges
• side lunges
• squats on a bosu
• donkey kicks
• bridges
• fire hydrants
• barre butt kicks
• dead lift
• kettle bell squats

Then 20 upper body moves. Again pick your posion :

• push ups
• triceps push ups
• triceps kick backs
• bicep curls w/ half way pulses
• chest flys
• dips
• shoulder presses
• dumb bell rows

Then 10 ab moves. When I do planks I hold them for a full minute

• plank
• side planks 
• plank pulses
• plank twists
•  plank tucks
• bicycles
• crunches
• Russian twists with weights
• superman
• leg lifts
• bosu planks

Repeat 5 times choosing a different exercise from each section every time.
I usually add on additional cardio at the end such as jumping jacks, burpees or the elliptical machine.
 I've gotten a little more use to this workout so I think I am going to add in a pyramid. Where I will go 30 20 10 10 20 30.

I love that this workout. It is never the same. Time flies so I don't get bored. I shaved a minute and a half off my 5k time since doing this. My mile time has dropped to 11:30 from 13:00. I call that success.

Make sure you stretch really well afterwards or you will be sorry!

Let me know if you try the workout.  And just because it's my new favorite song to do squats to I will leave you with some T-Pain.
Booty Wurk

-J

Lent = No more Moo, Oink, Swimmy or Cluck

I'm not Catholic.
I still do lent.
I do it because some of my friends are Catholic.
Big surprise there aren't that many Catholics in the heart of Texas so I do what I can to be supportive.
I'm giving up meat for lent. Why? I think it will be challenging but do able. I honestly don't eat that much meat to begin with. I eat chicken, turkey and salmon. I'm hoping this will help me move away from processed frozen meals and toward healthier and cleaner eating.
I am a bit worried that this is going to lend itself to weight gain.
I think it could lead to a 40 day 40 night carb binge of all the pasta I want.
If anyone has any non pasta related veggie meal ideas. Share them! Otherwise it might be a marathon of veggie burgers and pasta.

Meal ideas to avoid the 40 day carb binge ( ideas stolen from Pinterest) :

1. Homemade black bean burgers
2. Spinach pizza crust
3. Spaghetti  Squash Pasta
4. Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
5. Tomato Basil Soup
6. Quinoa Mac N Cheese
7. Bikini Rolls
8. Veggie Lasagna
9. Spinach Rolls
10. Stir Fry w/ Tofu
11. Black bean, corn stuffed sweet potatoes
12. Quinoa stuffed bell peppers ( Idea totally stolen from Southern Girl Gets Fit)
13. Veggie tacos
14. Black bean and Spinach Quesadilla
15. Baked Parmesan Portabella Mushroom
16. Veggie Pizza
17. Zucchini slice pizzas
18. Spicy Thai Noodles
19. Beans and Rice
20. Spinach Enchilada
21. Salads

Obviously I am going to need some help with this. :(

- J 

Chances, Change and Risks

There is a legit chance that I could move overseas.

A door I never contemplated opening has cracked open.
A door I craved to be open since I can remember.
I just never thought it was possible. 
I am tempted not even to look into it out of shear fear that I will fail.
But oh the amazing things that could happen.
I have always had a very linear plan that included roots and doing everything by the right time in life.
What if I dont?
What if I go explore?

I can still have the roots and milestones but I can have adventure also.
I've got too many thoughts, fears and questions on how this could happen.
Do I take a risk?
I don't know yet. 

Currently in the Life and Times of Me...

  Sometimes is is hard to find time to just stop and think. I keep a detailed calendar on the front of my fridge with every work assignment, every meeting, every social event and every workout. Yesterday, I looked at it and realized that I had something everyday. When was the last time I took a second and just appreciated the way my life is going? One goal for this year is to become a more positive and relaxed person ( total type A personality here) and that involves slowing down sometimes.  I decided to do a " Currently" post so that I could take the time to acknowledge what is going on in my life.

WATCHING //  Grey's Anatomy. I know I am like 5 years behind the times. The only reason I even watched it now is because A). My little sis  and my best friend are completely addicted/ obsessed/unhealthy attached to this show.  I also don't have cable B). I only have Netflixs and Hulu ( super cheap I don't even turn on my heat when it's freezing out) which has led to me watching every season of a ton of shows in massive marathons. I have a crush on Karave and love Hunt. When they sang Snow Patrol in their musical episode...I died.

LISTENING // I have been a long time fan of Snow Patrol but after seeing them in concert in November that love has turned into an obsession. I have found a new love for songs I use to pass over. I use them to stretch to after my workouts some of them are even on my running playlist. I am currently in love with Just Say Yes, Crack the Shutters, Run and Signal Fire. Signal Fire especially  has been blasted with my windows down recently.

 The perfect words never crossed my mind,
Cause there was nothin' in there but you.

There you are standing right in front of me
There you are standing right in front of me
All this fear falls away to leave me naked,
Hold me close, cause I need you to guide me to safety.
- Signal Fire Snow Patrol
 

PLANNING // A vacation. Good grief I can not wait. I am also planning to be a tour guide in my city this weekend. Experiencing the city where you live from an outsiders view is incredible. It has made me fall in love with my town all over again.

THINKING ABOUT // Distance and if this is something I want to do. Only time will tell.

How much people's first impression of me has changed since I started working out. This past weekend I was told I was obviously a fit person and they could tell I love to workout....really me? Hello, do you not know that I just started running in June? Oh wait you don't because you only know the new me. I was also told my squats were beautiful the other day in the gym. Excuse me, but are you sure you are talking to this former fat girl? It's made me think about how much I've changed and if people are getting to know me or someone new....I don't know yet.

LOOKING FORWARD TO //  Girls Night on Friday. Skyping with Kari!!! Spending the weekend exploring Austin. Working out.

READING // Beautiful Creatures. I want to read it before I see the movie. I love Hunger Games, Twilight and HP so I figured I would love this as well. So far so good but I'm only on page 51.

MAKES ME HAPPY //

• Squats
• Snow Patrol
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Dark Chocolate with Almonds
• Reading outside
• Blue Skies
• Breezes
• 85 degrees in January
• Meeting new people
• New confidence
• Smaller size jeans
• Feeling attractive in workout clothes
• New attitude
  

Loving this year so far.

-J