Living in the Moment

Wrong way, lady.

I saw a lady make a left hand turn and found herself cruising in the wrong direction for a good 50 yards. Only when oncoming traffic swerved to avoid her did she swing her vehicle back onto the right side of the road. She was on her cell phone. I couldn't believe I witnessed it. What on earth was she thinking? I consider myself a dynamic multitasker, but I know I can space out pretty bad sometimes. I rarely talk on the phone while driving, but when I do I don't think I would forget where my turn lane goes. The girl behind me and I had a little moment in my rearview mirror exchanging dropped-jaws and stunned chuckles.

During that same car ride I was listening to the TRON: Legacy soundtrack (big surprise) and realized that while cranked, that music enduces speeding. It's quite amazing what the brain reacts to. Like earlier that morning I went to my first cycling class in years. Turns out, when you're not relatively fit, that work out can cause thoughts of suicide and major, major crotch pain. My muffin has been threatening to secede from the union for the last two days, if you know what I mean. I did enjoy my feelings of accomplishment that followed, but I can only imagine the amount of patience and padded biker shorts it'll take me to last through an entire class without falling over.

TMI...yet, too funny not to share.

I have had the Angry Beavers theme running through my head all morning long. Humming it...singing little parts out loud randomly, and honestly I have NO idea why on earth this tune is stuck in my head.

Then as I'm on break I run to the restroom and remember I'm about three days into my monthly visitor and I started cracking up out loud in the bathroom.

Angry Beavers...I can't believe it.

One Hundred Truths

I saw this fun little questionaire on my friend Tawni's blog, instead of posting the whole thing and taking up seventy five inches of my page, here is a link to the 100 Truths post.

I like those things because they let you reflect, and I think it's super important to reflect on your life from time to time!

101st truth: When the Lakers Win I go to bed happy.

Good Night!

"Routines, Shmoutines...."

...said college.

Just when I get into a schedule that not only am I excited about, but really works for me, of course school comes and throws a wrench in the works. I only need 2 more classes and when I logged on to register I found that the two I need were apparently the ones that half of Utah wanted to take because they're just so gosh dang wonderful. I refuse to go to certain campuses as they are either too far or a little wicked-scary. You might say "beggers can't be choosers" but what good is an education if I can't use it after being shivved in the parking lot? And I am so fed up with Redwood that I vowed not to ever take a class there again. Well folks that quickly changed when I became so desperate to get done with school that I was seriously considering endangering myself by dragging myself to the deepest darkest corners of the valley in quest of the degree I so badly need. Okay, South City Campus, I said, I'll bite. So I registered for the class and then quickly resorted to waitlisting myself across three other more preferred campuses for one blasted class. Turns out I'm not the only lazy ass that wants to take the only Biology class that doesn't require a lab. To my delight/dismay I get notified that a spot opened up and I get to go to a safe campus on.....Tuesday Night. Zumba is on Tuesday night. Damn it. But I guess it's not that big of a deal, considering there are different places and different nights. But when it's at the gym you're already a member of, it makes it super sweet. Oh well...I usually know its time for school around the time I start to make some sacrifices.  Anyway---at least I don't have to go to South City now. Like a lightning bolt, I dashed to my computer and typed like the wind. I have never before felt such great pleasure as I did when I dropped that class like it was hot.

I'm putting out some vibes that I hope reach my professor in the next week or so and he will continually end class early and make it easy to book it to Zumba. If that doesn't work, anyone have a voodoo doll they aren't using?

 

 

Eating Healthy

Now that it's no longer the most shameful time of the year, I'm jumping right back on the strict eating wagon. It's so easy to eat well when people aren't dropping off junk food onto your front porch by the truckload. Plus, it's a new year and a fresh start, and I've already had a few months of habit forming and I'm so very motivated.

My mom and I are dieting together now and making some fantastic lifestyle changes and I'm really excited. It's always easier to go through it with someone and it's important to be in the same mental place and only keep the right food in the house and encourage each other. I subscribed to Womens' Health over the holiday, too. Motivated to do so mostly after seeing Olivia Wilde on the cover. Talk about a role model, she looks amazing and is just fit and healthy. There were amazing recipes and ideas in this magazine and even though they aren't necessarily geared towards Weight Watchers, modifications are usually pretty simple and I really enjoyed reading that magazine and look forward to all the other issues!

  

One article had some great pre-workout energy foods and delicious healthy recipes, different ideas that I had never heard of. I tried this wonderful hearty spinach and veggie salad that had a little bit of bacon and shrimp in it and it's a keeper for sure. A breakfast idea was maple syrup and walnut barley. What?? yeah I'm definitely game to try it, but I've never had barley. At Target I couldn't find it, and while walking down the aisles I had "Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow" stuck in my head and had this flashback to 4th grade learning how to play the recorder.

If anyone has some great recipes they can share or weight watchers snacks or recipe ideas that'd be great. I love getting as many ideas as possible! The key is keeping things different and exciting and not getting bored with the food I eat and having lots of variety.

New Year New Jac

Well I'm not going to change that much I guess....I mean physically yes. I will be getting back in soccer-shape. That's what I call it. You may call it "not fat" I call it that too, sometimes. I am, however, determined to be healthy mentally and emotionally. Everytime I hang out with my girlfriends I realize how lucky I am to have such true friendships. It sure sets the bar high for what to expect in a friend. But being a good friend isn't about expectations. It's about being as good of a friend to others as they are to you, and even better; in spite of how you receive others. I'm going to work on giving more than I receive and being more patient and forgiving. In some instances being more understanding without being a push over. As I've mentioned before I'm doing weight watchers and have finally started a consistent work out regimen. I am so excited to see some more positive results!

I had a great Winter break, full of lots of time with friends and family particularly Sadie, and my sister's pets. She and her husband went out of town to enjoy all that Southern California has to offer. I got to enjoy 12 legs worth of cats, and 12 legs worth of dogs...as well as some of the coldest weather in recent memory. My knees got to enjoy two swift bangs on the driveway...it wouldn't be winter without eating shit hard at least once. I got a double dose this year...the ice gods have a wicked sense of humor. My first knee-cement collision happened during the first storm on Sunday. I went to my sister's house to pick up the kennel and dog to bring back to my house for the night and after loading up the pooch, I shut the door and confidently strolled aroun....BAM! From the ground I felt a mixture of massive pain and fear...then as I got up that quickly faded and turned into pride. The latter because I saw the snowprint where my boot clearly slid, and he result being my knee print located quite an impressive distance from the boot print. Way to be flexible, me! The second instance happened during a little story time while Sadie and I returned home from a little Thursday out and about. I was telling her none other than the story of the first fall when ironically I slipped on ice. Why not even out the bruises so you can have one on each knee the ice god gawked from above. Apparently when I fall I break the fall with my knees. My butt has plenty of extra padding, but no I'll condition myself to just slam into the ground with the boniest part of my body.

I saw TRON five times. Yeah, I did. I'm all about Sam Flynn. Disclaimer: Don't invite me to see it again. I won't say no. It's becoming a little ridiculous. I also saw True Grit over the break and I really enjoyed that one, too. I got to see my dear friend Melissa over the break, too! We met for coffee before Christmas and then after Christmas went to see The Fighter. It was fantastic. My first night of the break I went to Zumba, dinner, and saw Burlesque with the girls...liked that, too! Lots of movies during the holidays!

New Year's Eve was a blast, I spent it with all of my favorite girls: Sadie, Mika, Tawni, Janessa, Brittany, Erin, and Laurie. Their husbands were there as well and it was such a blast. Sadie and I slept over at Mika's to have a Vampire Diaries marathon New Years Day. We stayed up insanely late just chatting away. I love when that happens, it is so rare that I get to stay up that late, and even more rare to spend that much quality time with friends, so it was just wonderful. Janessa came back in the morning and we made a delicious breakfast. I really enjoyed this New Year's celebration!

My sister and her husband got home New Year's Day evening and brought me a freakin awesome TRON: Legacy T shirt...complete with a light bike zooming across the bottom. I love it...they also brought me a Lakers shot glass. If only they weren't losing so much this year. So thoughtful, I loved my gifts! And it was great to have them back!

All in all I had a great holiday season! I'm eager to start a new year and better myself. Bring on 2011! 

Kayla Aimee

This post will melt your heart. I have been reading Kayla's blog for a few years now. I have enjoyed following her journey and reading her wonderfully humorous and heartfelt posts. She inspires me to blog, be crafty, and just find the humor in life. I feel like I know her by simply reading her musings all these years. Please take the time to read her recent posts. Her current story is a beautiful and heartbreaking one. I'm so happy she is sharing it with her readers. After reading her post today, I dried my tears and immediately started writing this post. Make sure you read back into her blog as much as you can! You will fall in love with her and her blog as I have.

I have been promoting her blog since I started mine because I definitely credit her with inspiring me to start blogging. I think she's one of those incredibly talented and wonderful people that only come around once in a blue moon.

I wish her the best and can only hope Scarlette's condition continues to improve she gets to take her beautiful daughter home soon.

Right now...

Its tough being a Jazz Laker fan.

Oops. Freudian slip.

 

 

Yeah, Kobe. Me too.

Thanky Thanksgiving

That was the phrase I told my dear friend to tell her mother today as we woke up early from our Kinect slumber party festivities. I of course meant Happy Thanksgiving, but even my error made wonderful sense. I think I will wish many Thanky Thanksgivings in the future.

 
 

    I had a great Thanksgiving today, I hope you all did, too. I'll give you the run down in a minute, but I'm so thankful for my family, friends, and the life that I have. It's not perfect, in fact it is a lot harder than it ever used to be lately. But, I'm still completely grateful for my family and everything I still have and the strength I have grown up acquiring.

    My sister and I went out for coffee at Java Jo's as we usually do on Thanksgiving morning, it usually preceeds or follows our gathering with our old high school soccer girls, but that didn't work out this year to my great dismay. But we headed to Java Jo's got some delicious coffee, warmed our souls, and had some quality sister and family time before she went home to get ready for our feast. She returned later with her hubby and we enjoyed a wonderful family dinner, listened to some Christmas music, watched a little football, then I passed out for a few hours. No joke, I didn't even say bye to my sister and brother in law sorry guys I'm awful. Part of me blames it on the fact that it's been a year since I've gorged myself with twice my weight in turkey etc., and it's also been a couple months since I've had a big meal. My portions are rather small and limited due to my being on weight watchers and my body SHUT THE EFF DOWN. Then I woke up and had some pie.

    I watched the Hangover tonight, as well as a great little documentary on the team I love dearest, the Lakers, and their experiences through last season leading up to the playoffs. Excellent...even you Laker haters should watch it. Any sports fan could appreciate the love of sport and human experience of a championship team. Totally got me amped up for game 1 of my four FAVORITE games of the year tomorrow night.

    Also, if you haven't heard it yet, please scroll down and select Sia - My Love in my playlist and give it a listen. It's such a beautiful song and I'm totally obsessed with it right now. It is sad, and emotional but it's totally moving and I always love when a song comes along and has that affect on me.

Countdown to Thanksgiving

I love this time of the year! So much feel good stuff going on. We got dumped on last night, six inches of snow in our yard and many many more in the mountains. My dogs thoroughly enjoyed rolling around in it and bringing it in the house. I spent lots of time crafting this weekend, however I can't post pictures just yet as they are gifts and I don't want the recipients to see them!

Friday was an off day, usually Fridays are wonderful with the anticipation of the weekend, but not this one. After a long workday I came home with a headache and just lounged around for a while. My mom and I ran an errand and had some dinner, then Sadie came over and we had  usual mellow evening. I had to get up early to go with my sister to her hair appointment. Her new hair is so freakin' cute I can't even tell you. Melissa did a wonderful job! And I love any excuse to see her anyway. After that I went shopping with my mom for crafts, a birthday gift for my brother in law, and groceries. Well that was the plan anyway. All three hours were spent trying to find everything I wanted to make crafts. No matter the early Christmas shoppers making this search more annoying than I ever thought possible, but I couldn't find what I wanted after scouring the globe going in and out of countless craft stores. I even resorted to Wal Mart. (Those that know me well can understand how desperate I was.)

Anyway, no grocery shopping happened that trip. I got home in just enough time to throw on a hat, making myself mildly presentable, ran to pick up Sadie, headed to Dan's birthday bash, only to realize the card with the aforementioned gift located inside was still sitting comfortably on my kitchen counter. Said hello to the group as we made it all the way there before my great discovery, then promptly headed home, nabbed the loot, went back over to party town, hung out for an hour or so, headed out to dinner then west (WAY WEST) to my lovely friend Mika's new house which is amazing I must add and had a wonderful craft night. A short time after arriving there the snow started. And didn't let up until a couple hours before I woke up the next morning.

 
(I found this amazing salt lake city snow picture on google, but wanted to point out the credit on the lower left of the screen, check out her blog it's amazing, too.)

Rewind: we left craft night at around 9:00pm because we knew the roads were getting bad and wanted to make it back in time before getting buried on the side of the road somewhere. Surprisingly my little car did wonderfully. Granted we never once accelerated past 30 mph. And that was on the freeway that had most of the snow driven away. Second gear was the top gear. Once I dropped Sadie off, I passed a couple traffic signals that were out, and arrived to my very dark neighborhood. Walked into my very dark house. And started a fire in the fire place. I don't know how the pioneers did it. Electricity is necessary. I would like to make a shout out to Franklin and Edison. Mad props gentlemen. I'd ALSO like to make a shout out to the MORONS I had the great DISPLEASURE of sharing the road with on Saturday night. I don't care how big your car is driving fast in snow is not a good idea. You'll just kill me with more force you jackass. Oh and that slush you bludgeoned me with after weaving into the build up between the lane was not scary at all after it hit my windshield decreasing my visibility to negative 8. You live in Utah, just like I do. The roads are dangerous at LEAST 4 months out of the year, learn son! SLOW DOWN and DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY, and YOUR GIANT FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SUV/TRUCK/GIANT VEHICLE IS NOT IMMORTAL.

But holy moly there are only a few more days until Thanksgiving! It's a two-day work week for me, and both of those glorious facts are more than enough motivation for me to get up and enjoy my first of only two mornings where I have to adhere to my normal weekly workload. Count your blessings everyone, thanks for reading even though I've been HORRID at posting, and enjoy your holiday week!