Why Frozen's 'Let It Go' & Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' is Greater than or Equal to my Past.

Hey friends. Bet you weren't thinking that could even be an analogy or a math problem. I've been thinking lately how much I love both of these songs and why combined they don't just appeal to kids. If you think about the lyrics and while they're fun to belt out too -- they can be applied to your life!

 

I am a Taylor Swift + Frozen fan. That may make me totally unpopular but I really refuse to care. 

How do these songs relate to my life in any way? 

1) Both of these songs provide fresh perspective when I think about my past: relationships gone wrong with guys and friends, my not so pleasant experience in middle or high school. My teen years. There are many experiences I am not fond of and don't remember fondly but these songs literally help me remember to 'Let it Go because ALL of that is in my PAST.' No longer important to my life.

2) Keeps me focused on ME & my goals. These songs help me remember that taking a glimpse into my past even in the smallest window - is pointless and does absolutely nothing to edify me. Satan tries to use it as a foothold in my life because I was skinnier in that time period. This is why I enjoy creating scrapbooks with my mom & printing out canvasses of those real happy moments. It's my way of remembering my past but only the highlights and focusing on these.

3) Puts a smile on my face. Like I said - I am a Taylor Swift fan + a Frozen fan. I am already saving up and counting down to buy Taylor's new album. Hooray for Target exclusives. 

4) Reminds me of where I come from but not where I am staying at. These songs keep me motivated and encouraged that regardless of what happened years ago do not matter. Parts of my past did help mold me into who I am today, specifically some individuals more than others. But those times taught me who I am and what is important to me in the long term. All those years that I hated myself and I hated being bullied -- only made me stronger. Music became my alliance against them. Jesus helped me forgive, let it go and move on. {Not all of my past is negative or bad - but there are bigger chunks that I wish I could've avoided}.*

Regardless of what is in your past, I hope these songs can inspire and encourage you in some way as well. While they were meant for kids initially - I love finding music that I can enjoy and apply it to my life. So I wish to thank Taylor Swift + the songwriters of 'Frozen' who changed my life & put a smile on my face. I wish I could meet all of them, its on my bucket list. <3

Thanks for stopping by. ~ Jessica

Weekends, #Coldstone & work Christmas parties!

Happy Monday, lovelies!

Hope everyone had a fantastic relaxing weekend. I took my sisters Christmas shopping Saturday & was able to take advantage of the 10% discount they gave over the weekend. I also felt generous & treated my sister to Starbucks as a tradition we have. It was rushed but we have sister dates every so often. Then I spent the next evening fighting with my Mom's sewing machine & sadly, her machine won & I got zilch sewing done. That leaves tomorrow to finish all 3 projects.

Overall - I had a fairly fantastic weekend. Yesterday, my mister & I saw Frozen. I liked it but I guess I am more of an old school when it comes to Disney princess movies. I prefer that if you have a princess w/ a love interest whatsoever that they get married at some point. I feel like I prefer Tangled over Frozen, because I was more engaged & while there were funny moments - I was falling asleep in the movie.

However, after the movie - my hubs & I treated ourselves to #Coldstone, we definitely take advantage of the Groupon offers occasionally. My hubs went with Peppermint flavored & I went with Peppermint & Cookie Dough w/ Cake Batter ice cream - my signature preference.

Last night was our annual Christmas party at work. Every year, our company makes it the party of the year with incredible food, desserts, entertainment - and for the second year in the row - we brought my parents. It's nice to introduce them to my friends at work. So many people go so its hard to see people you know. They must've known I was coming with the mini red velvet cupcakes for dessert. Only one of the options, I had some of a brownie sundae complete w/ maraschino cherries, ice cream, warm hot fudge - the works. & on the way out - I had a flaming s'more. Incredible.

My parents & I always take pictures together at this party because I'm blessed they are my parents. & because I want people to come see how good we look. We take sweet selfies.

 Hope you & your family have a very Merry Christmas! Thankful for all of you who I met this year through my blog & excited to meet even more through various linkups to come. You stay classy! - Jessica

For Christmas this year...

For Christmas this year..

Thankfully my husband & I will have Christmas day off work. It  pays to work for an organization that pays you to enjoy the day off with your family. We also get a half day off for Christmas Eve. Since we live in Florida, we are blessed to have sunshine but on that day, it doesn't feel like Christmas. I was born in Ohio so I used to have snowy or at least cold Christmas weather so it felt more like a holiday. I can wish all I want for snow but alas, it just won't happen here. So I live vicariously through my inlaws who live where snow is happening & will. 

Next month, my mom will be snapping our Christmas pictures of us and this year I am trying to find the right template to make a newsletter. Usually we do a Snapfish or Groupon deal for cutesy Christmas cards but it just got too expensive & I enter loan repayment right after Christmas. *What a fun gift to me from the Dept of Education.*

This year, I got reaallly excited for Christmas in September. I started buying gifts then and it didn't make my husband too happy with me. While its mid November, and nice to say I am 95% done shopping for others; I really wish I had just waited. Last year, I got everyone's Christmas presents for $50 and FREE SHIPPING. I was so proud of myself, and it was a great feeling. Next year, when I get the Christmas shopping bug -- I am going to push hard to wait. (My greatest joy is the Amazon black Friday sale or the other online ones).

I agree with Laura -- now that I am older -- I don't really have a flowing list of what I want for Christmas. People will ask but I am happy with gift-cards to Target. or Starbucks.  Give me a day at Target, with my wad of coupons, & the Cartwheel app -- I could wow you with the savings I find & all that I will end up getting. I will say, this year I am doing more homemade and trying to get into that as much as I can going forward because while its nice to get gifts -- that is not the underlining reason I celebrate Christmas. I celebrate it because of Jesus being born. I do get excited to go to the Christmas Eve services, seeing how churches decorate with candles, wreaths & Christmas trees -- that makes my day, or night rather. 

As far as I can remember, I had an real tree growing up. But my husband & I bought ours from Walmart at 70% off and its beautiful. My thing is finding ornaments from all the places we've gone that year or go to - this year I get to add our ornaments from our Disney Bahama cruise and from the Bahamas originally. I think it'd be beautiful to have a real Christmas tree, to breathe in the smell but with my pups out while I am at work, I'm afraid they'd try to eat the tree. 

But I think what I am most excited for -- is the cooking/baking involved & the reactions from family when they open their gifts. Also the big meal involved later that day with my mom's infamous homemade potatoes. Mmm. Deeelish. I'd rather spend the entire day with family than anywhere else. I will probably bring a dessert but I cannot wait to just celebrate the day with those I love most. 

Still a few weeks away but I am excited for Christmas THIS year. 

Day(s) 3-5 of #beingThankful

Where does the time go in a day? This can be said about every aspect of my life lately. Work wise, I am wrapping up my role in my current team before I move to my new role next Friday! Workouts, time with family, etc. I've been working out like crazy lately so I haven't had time to post.

I wanted to catch up on my being Thankful posts. I made them on Facebook but never posted them on here.

Day #3. I am thankful for Pinterest as silly as this is. As a first time homeowner, I love to peruse and find new projects for my house, for my future kids, & anything that seems relatively interesting,

      

Honestly, both of these things are things I love to read about on Pinterest because I have two pups & I am hoping to start our family next Christmas. Pinterest is basically an addiction for women, men & anyone who are creative & need an outlet.

Day #4. I am blessed because I have 3 families that I am apart of. Despite what family they originate from, I am thankful for each and everyone of them. I've been able to make some pretty amazing memories, big and small. I love seeing my family grow and can't wait to see it expand in the next few decades.

    

These pictures are all of immediate family but each person though not pictured is important. My roots were established in two great families, I also was fortunate to marry into a pretty awesome family who have shown me love and happiness before we even exchanged vows.

Day #5. Today I am excited for biweekly date nights with my mister @ Tijuana Flats. :) 

Tonight I got to celebrate my fave lil man's 2nd birthday. Since I won't be there to see him turn 2 tomorrow, and enjoy cake -- I also got a kiss & hug from my nephew which doesn't happen too often. I am so blessed & happy that we have a good relationship thus far.

Hope you're enjoying your week, I am so glad the weekend is getting closer!! ;)

{jess}

Day #2 of #beingThankful

Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend thus far. This am, I was able to sleep in -- always feels nice when Friday night & I don't have to set an alarm. Not even sure what time it was when I got out of bed but mornings like this make me appreciative that we're still a year away from starting our family. Granted, I know that when my nephew was born two years ago, after I waited in line (trust me, it was a loooong line) and got to hold that gorgeous little boy -- time stood still. I got to feed him a bottle & while I was tired, I didn't care. When that moment comes for me -- I will gladly be sleep deprived because the second I blink -- they will be much older.

Anywho -- Day #2 of being thankful. I am thankful for my beautiful house. Six months after we got hitched, we were able to use our wedding gifts outside of a cramped apartment & bought our amazing house. While we think the previous owners were a tad on the cray side -- they ripped out light fixtures, shelving, and had painted the upstairs hallway a dark teal. Our downstairs living room was a bright yellow. They definitely fueled our motivation to change all of these things in our home. The Home Depot & Lowe's by our house recognize us for good reasons. We've googled & Youtube-d demos on learning how to do various tasks around the house.

We are so blessed to live where we are. I don't always love our neighbors but slowly & surely we're making our house into the home we want. I am finding a lot of different Pinterest ideas & I am finding a lot of creativity within Target. I will say that my marriage & buying our first home together has taught me alot. Growing up, I was used to my parents' decor styles at their house & obviously my husband was accustomed to his. Merging these two very different tastes has been hard. i really like pictures hanging up & different plaques. He likes bare walls. I definitely have my work cut out for me & there is a lot of compromise.

{jess}

My life {in 5 years}.

Remember when you were a kid and that question would come around, the one that asks you to forecast your entire life on the spot -- where do you see your life in 5 years. It's fun to kind of put a time capsule on here today and then check back in 5 years to see what happened out of my guesses and dreams. I mean, I remember playing that hilarious game in school 'MASH'. You could see just in the title alone if your future would happen in a Mansion, Apartment, Shack or House.  With frilly options, you could end up with your celebrity crush, how many kids you have, the pet you have, the car you drive, what your job and your husband's job would be. Every time you played this game you could end up with a totally different 'future'.

Well today I won't be resorting to that game because one of the few games I loved from my childhood, I own already and its honestly much more fun than seeing what your future entails, which is Mall Madness.

Today I want to answer the 'where do you see yourself in your 5 years' question?

While I don't have kids yet, hopefully God will be blessing our family in 2015 with our firstborn, happy & healthy. Five years from now, our baby will be three years old. They won't grow up with luxury but a lot of love from family and close friends. They will make good friends in our neighborhood and enjoy their life in sunny central Florida where they will be able to go to Disney World, Universal, water parks, etc on a whim. Whether our firstborn is a darling baby girl who loves to accompany her mom on shopping trips and love the color of pink. Or if our firstborn is an adorable baby boy who loves cars, trucks, planes and choo-choo's.

Also, in the next five years, my hubby, Chris & I will be celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary, actually closer to 9th. I hope we will be traveling more, be in fantastic jobs who pay us generously, enjoying our lives here in central Florida with our multiple theme park passes. We'll be midway onto paying off student loans and have owned our first home for almost 7 years. We'll hopefully have made some improvements to our home that will make us enjoy our home more.

Personally, while I hope to have lost all my weight by next year -- I think five years from now, I will greatly enjoy my life. I will be in my early 30's which sounds so nerve-wracking but yet not really in my control. I will have a beautiful family of my own which expands both of ours. I feel like in the next few years -- in a professional side that my Master's degree will pay off and I will be working somewhere that is simply wonderful. I will be taking great vacations and making impacting memories with my entire family.

Life in 5 years seems so far away but in a blink of an eye, it will be here. Regardless of if all these dreams come true or if they happen differently - I am so excited to see what the future brings in all areas of my life.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

{jess}

Not so GLEE ful.

By now, everyone has heard about the tragic death of Cory Monteith a mere 3 days ago.  My reaction, being that of a non celebrity influence, felt like I had been punched in the stomach repeatedly. Let me explain.

This post is about to get real based on the passing of Finn Hudson, aka Cory. Please don't read this as I am some kind of an obsessed fan.  That is not me whatsoever. I am one of the millions of Gleek fans that like most of the world are simply shocked by this news. Cory was one of my absolute favorite characters on Glee and it just feels like since I woke up Sunday morning to find out that he had passed away, that I lost a dear friend. Now since we found out that he had a drug problem, that's not up to me to judge because at the end of the day, he was a human being that just happened to make a fatal mistake.

I think the reason that this passing of Cory has hit me harder than I thought is that when I found out Sunday morning like the rest of the world, I cried. I truly felt like a friend was lost and one of the best. I'm proud to say that I've watched GLEE since the beginning because this show has impacted my life.

Allow me to explain and share a part of my past. When I grew up, even in elementary school, I was bullied. I did not look like the other girls in my class. I was taller, and by the 4th grade I was the only girl that I knew of that developed quite prematurely --- in 4th grade. I have never been a popular girl and I will not lie to you --- I struggled with that for a longer time than anyone would ever want to admit. I didn't have sky high confidence like I told myself I did. That being said. -- Shows like GLEE, Movies like The Princess Diaries were written for girls like me. They gave me motivation, inspiration and encouragement when I needed it most.  People disagree with me when I say this but Taylor Swift's earlier songs were ones I wish I had been able to write and ones that I relate to most because that's what I dealt with and faced alot.

I realize that when GLEE appeared on our TV's in 2009, I was 23. You might be thinking that's kind of older to be struggling with self confidence issues. I will say that I greatly appreciated the stories and the songs that the show has continued to share. The big reason that GLEE and this whole passing of Cory has pulled on my heart strings is that this show roots for the underdog just like that of The Princess Diaries. Characters from both were almost non-existent to the world around them but to that character having an opportunity be thrown to them where they can showcase their talents and finally be recognized for the true rockstars we've known they were this whole time --- THAT is why I appreciate GLEE so much.

Especially in a society where kids are having to grow up so much faster than when I was growing up. Kids these days who are 5 today, feel like with the media pressures from every angle may as well dress, talk, act like they're 18 tomorrow. Shows like GLEE are perfect for every young kid because of the underlying messages that kids need to understand with their own eyes and ears. *DISCLAIMER: Not every scene or relationship on this show is appropriate for all ages of children.*

With all of this said -- take a moment to hug everyone around you a little tighter today. You never know when your moment will come. #carpediem

&& lastly, I will miss you Finn this fall. Thank you for 4 wonderful seasons of GLEE where you taught us all to have faith in ourselves and faith in each other in spite of what makes us different.. #RIPCoryMonteith

I am...

I got this post idea from my friend, Laura over @ The Every Day Joys. Sometimes its nice to share thoughts and feelings without writing a novel. Yeah, kind of in a funk today.

I AM...

• Frustrated at myself because I haven't worked out in 2 days, granted its that week that even if you do workout- its not really going to make a difference because I'm crampy, bloated and overall just feeling gross. I haven't been cheating really at all- but I just wish I had more energy after work. 

• Very thankful that I start my LAST MBA course tomorrow. Where has the time gone? It feels like 3 years ago when I took my MBA course and was wondering what I had gotten myself into. Lo & beyond, its about time to make my grad cupcakes and plan our celebration dinner w/ fam & friends :) YAY.

• Happy that I get a NEW phone on Thursday. I'm kinda sad already about wiping my IPhone clean but I'm ready to save $ by switching. Plus by dropping my contract, we save $50/mth to afford our Disney passes. So happy I live by Mickey :)

•  Exasperated with things I cannot change or control. I work really hard @ my job and I am just frustrated as I would really like to advance & I wish i could have an opportunity to do so. Instead I'm stuck working with immature people who bring their own issues on.

Happy tomorrow is Wednesday, meaning that my 5k is 3 days away :) YAY!

Already cannot wait for FAB Friday! ~Jessica

30 Things (pt 3)

Happy Sunday! Our plans were to originally spend time with family today but timing changed a bit. Last night I made my mom a cookie cake for her belated birthday party today :) She's not expecting it and I love surprising her this way for lunch!

Maybe two weeks ago, I wrote the original post of 30 Things and today I'll be continuing it with #15-21.

15) Describe when you knew your spouse was the one or when you fell in love: When I met Chris, he was literally weeks away from being done with the Disney College Program and we met on a Christian dating site. He told me that he'd be returning to finish up his last semester at college in KS in a month but that'd didn't matter to me. We got to know each other, talked every day and our first date was at Disney (perks of living in FL & he got in free) park-hopping with a few friends. There was just something about him that I caught early on. He has these amazing blue eyes and a smile that can make your knees buckle right away. But the chemistry we had from early on- I was immensely blessed I found someone this amazing- I had just graduated college 2-3 months prior. The day he left- he met my mom/sister for the first time and just being with him- I wasn't sure if I could handle months away until he came back. I drove him to the airport and when we kissed, it felt like part of me had disappeared. Two months later, I celebrated my birthday & moved half way across the country to be with him. The rest is history.

16) What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?

Graduating with my Bachelor's in May '09.

Getting married in June 2011.

Buying our first house in Dec '11.

Paid off our car loan 18 mos early in 2012. 

Graduating with my Master's in April '13.

17) What is thing you wish the most you were great at? Art. I draw stick figures, I try to get inspired when I'm @ JoAnn's or Michaels and look at all the different areas of art but I'm just not blessed to be talented like my sis in law who is an amazing artist.

18) What do you think your spouse loves most about you?

He's told me before & there's a long list but at the top- its a 50/50 thing with my big brown eyes and my smile. There's no clear winner between the two. 

19) How did you feel when you became a parent? This will be answered hopefully Spring 2014. Until then, I have two dogs and that's the closest I am to a parent. When we got our first, Coco- I wanted to make sure that I did everything I could to keep her healthy and safe, but enjoying life (as much as a dog can).

20) Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood. The first would be when my grandma passed away when I was 11 from a long battle with breast cancer. She & I were very, very close so her death really impacted me. I remember saying goodbye and   it just hurt for a very, very, very long time. The second was when my sister was born when I was 14. I remember holding her for the first time and just excited to see who she'd become. Update: She's almost a teenager! The third would be: too painful to talk about, sorry. Just know that bullying is real and it does impact people's lives and mentality. 

21) Describe your relationship with your parents. Welp, I know that if It was 10 years ago, I'd be 17 and I'd give a typical answer. Thankfully its 2013, I'm 27 and those past days are very much behind us. My parents and I are very, very close now which I am so so SO thankful and happy for. I enjoy spending time with my family and I know that my best interest is always on their minds. We've come a long way & I know they've always got my back. 

Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Now that my knee isn't bothering me, time to work out. I have my first 5k this coming Saturday and I really want to do well :) My LAST MBA class starts Wednesday, praise the Lord!  ~Jessica

So WHAT Wednesday

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if....

• I haven't worked out intensely like I was. I just deep cleaned part of my house that needed it for 2.5 hours tonight. 
• I've already helped myself to half a sleeve of Thin Mints, they freeze really well and 4 Thin Mints= 1 serving. Justified? You better believe it.
• I come home and slip into my comfy pj pants, life is more comfortable to pay bills, do homework and clean my house than having to do more laundry for a few hours.
• I've been specifically researching the perfect desserts on Pinterest, I fully plan on making My Top 5 whether if it goes on my 'while I'm pregnant' board, my general foodie board or if its just saved on my desktop. None of you may ever know.
• I haven't been the most 'productive' for the past 2 weeks but I am about to start my LAST grad class and if its below sitting in a tub full of scissors than the next 2 months will LITERALLY be a blast.

~Jessica

30 things

If you follow me on Pinterest, you know that I love LOVE to pin a smorgasbord of topics from food I want to cook, fashion ideas, baby shower ideas & also for my future kids. Hopefully that last train will start this Christmas (fingers crossed!)

One of the pins I found (on my lunch break at work) was 30 things my kids should now about me.

I just now got a chance to really look at it and for someone who doesn't have kids yet- I think its important to have this info handy so that when we welcome our first, second, etc-- they will know more about us than we are their parents.  Plus its just good info to know overall- who knows maybe a family tradition to start!

Here we go. {I will be completing quite a few for the next week, or two. One day I will print them in a book for my kids.}

1) List 20 random facts about yourself.
a) I was a Miss South Carolina finalist.
b) When I was little, I wanted to start a band named Skittles.
c) My parents told me that had I been a boy, I'd been named Clay.
d) My first blog was on Xanga after high school.
e) I associate with my personality to that of Lorelai Gilmore.
f) If you look closely at my grandma, my mom & my pinkies- they all curve in on both hands.
g) I only let myself have Coldstone once a year (or twice if we feel generous).
h) I dyed my hair blonde on a whim and it took 13 hrs.
i) I have to have music playing all day or I get a migraine.
j) I once evacuated a hotel on a youth retreat.
k) For my 30th birthday, I'm making myself a cake boss cake.
l) I met my husband online (& I'm perfectly content with this).
m) I've coupon-ed since I was 17.
n) When I was younger, I used to put dryer sheets on my pillow to sleep.
o) Every night, I put on baby night time lotion to fall asleep.
p) Every time I watch DC Cupcakes, I brainstorm cakes for friends' birthdays. One day I'll make one.
q)  When I was a girl scout- (thanks to my dad)-- I sold 300 boxes as a Brownie.
r) When I need a good swim, my husband & I take a swim at a Disney hotel ;)
s) I wasn't introduced to my love of queso until Spring 2010 in grad school. ;)
t) After every (major) holiday, my hubby & I stock up decor/holiday items. Kinda cute, eh? :)

2) Describe 3 legitimate fears & how they became fears.
a) Spiders- think its quite clear. They're gross. Just seeing one makes me want to be sick :(
b) Heights- when I get too high up, I get lightheaded and fail I will faint.
c) Broccoli- Every time I've ever eaten it-- I gag. It could be good but I just cant stomach it.

3) Describe your relationship with your spouse.: As I mentioned I met my husband on a non well known website about two months after I graduated college. When we talked, I found my better half & genuine best friend. Every time he looks at me, I feel giddy. He knows me so well-- can easily make any thing better. He gives the best hugs & kisses. We work as a team and we know what our goals are & what we need to do to achieve them. I could easily write a book on this one. Baha he makes me laugh.

Our first cruise. Fall 2012

4) List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could: 
-Don't be mad at mom, she's not the one with an attitude. It's all you.
-Not all things are worth getting upset about.
-Having a boyfriend isn't the key to happiness.
-Eating your feelings is sO not worth it.
-The popular girls won't always be #1.
-Only give people your time and friendship when they are willing to do the same. 
-You are loved no matter what.
-Mom & Dad only have your best interest in my mind, keep them on your side.
-It's okay to be different inside & out. 
-Laugh more!

5) What are the 5 things that would make you the happiest right now?
-If my student loans were mysteriously paid off in full.
-If I could miraculously lose the remaining 85 lbs overnight.
-If my teeth could be as perfect as a models.
-Having more money in my account.
-A much nicer car!

6) If you could have three wishes- what would you wish for? *Better neighbors, fudge, a Jacuzzi in my backyard.

7) What is your dream job & why? There's a 50/50 on this. Wish I'd stuck with education in college so I'd be that second grade teacher I wanted to be. Or to be a counselor/therapist. Basically I want to make a lifetime of difference for others and feel I have genuinely impacted a life for the better. 

There are many more but I'll pick up with the next few tomorrow. 

Friday's Letters

Dear Root beer Floats: I love you, and the magical goodness you bring with you. Not everyone always gets excited for you but why not- its a two in one: ice cream/root beer. Plus if you want to be extra corny like me, you can say you're enjoying the buzz.

Dear Pitch Perfect: Why did it take so long for this movie to dominate my life. Already own it, and I now want to watch it daily. Rebel Wilson practically makes me pee myself each time, and the hopeless romantic in me gets excited for Beka/Jesse sarcasm & how the Breakfast Club is tied in.

Dear Scale: Thank you for rooting my team this week & making me extra happy that I lost 3 pounds this week. Hopefully this is a weekly friendship from now on.

Dear Thin Mints: I love you, and the excitement that I get to enjoy you so soon is making me excited. You literally have the power to fill me with unconditional joy. Probably comes from the 6 boxes I ordered.... from my little sister to help her out.

Dear coworker who sings like a screeching cat: Hi there, its really getting old and just know that it makes me feel like screaming and throwing water balloons your way.. Hearing you sing makes me feel like there are nails on a office wide chalkboard all day; but we both work in an office, not at a church. I'm sorry if this bursts your bubble that I don't love your singing but this ain't American Idol- I'm not paid to lie to you about your "talent."

Dear 28th birthday: I'm really excited for you. I realize you're 8 months away but I can't wait to see all of the effort paying off from working out & making great choices. Plus you brings presents, hopefully my favorite Disney movie on Blu-ray & my Disney Cruise with my husband. Can you please hurry, I am in dire need of a vacation. Like a Pinterest obsessive, lazy day while snuggling with my husband. You bring good times & paid vacay.

Fab Friday

Today I want to talk about these FAB things:

1. I get the entire weekend with my sisters ! I get so busy and I don't have girl time with them so its nice to have that for a few days. 

2. Weighed myself on Tuesday & I was down 3 pounds this week, hoping I've lost some more since then.

3.  My Girl Scout cookies are on their way! (yes, this is plural)

4. I'll be partnering up with my Pampered Chef team for a bridal event here in Central Florida, time to talk to brides to be and hopefully generate more leads/bookings.

5.  I feel really great, the weight loss is coming off & its made me feel amazing/confident of my future.

6. Final grade for my second to last grad class: 97. Extra benefit of working ahead: I get 3 wks to relax before starting my last one. Not thrilled about the topic but ready to graduate with my Master's :)

Hope you all have a FAB week, & I will probably add more to this when I'm not so tired..

SO WHAT! Wednesday :)

Today I'm saying SO WHAT if....

• Last night when we pulled in our driveway, there was a massive wolf spider (think Africa sized!) on our house. Decided leaving my house for my nightly stroll to work out wasn't happening.
• I've been craving CFA lately like a beast. Tonight I made sure that my dinner complimented the CFA sauce packet I found.
• Today @ work my migraine literally almost made me run out screaming. & I almost freaked out someone took my massive calculator-- looked like a crazed hobo for 15 minutes.
• Spent my lunch hour at work on Pinterest- Food & Drink. Already know what I'm making when I find out I'm pregnant (next year).
• Per #5, I've decided to start a 'When I get Pregnant' board on Pinterest for the delish foodie ideas.
• Unless there is something specific to watch after work, after I cook dinner for my hubs & I-- One Tree Hill begins again.
• Counting down the days til my boxes (yes, that's plural) of Thin Mints arrive!

Memories.

One Tree Hill has the best quotes.

Next Thursday is already Valentine's Day. Now that I'm happily married, it really doesn't phase me. I do remember growing up in elementary school and the excitement of buying the cute Valentine's to give to all my friends in our special Valentine's boxes. 

And I remember being in college. single and I was pretty excited that my mom sent me a Valentine's note encouraging me that just because I didn't have a 'Valentine' that particular day to buy me roses or chocolate that it didn't mean God loved me any less. In fact, she encouraged me to stay strong and be the person I am despite. Glad I have a wonderful mother/best friend in my life.  

Now that I am grown, I get to do Valentine's for my friends/bosses at work and I found a cute idea with Rice Krispies. I'm also going to make them for my hubby's team just for him to get extra brownie points. 

His wish for Valentine's day is that I make him chocolate mint fudge: pretty easy to please, that one.. He's not big on cards so I have to oblige. 

Any one doing anything special for Valentine's? Or any past memories from Valentine's that you'd like to share? 

See you tomorrow for So What, Wednesday with Shannon @ Life After I Dew :)

We're not promised tomorrow.

Hope everyone had a better start to their week. I woke up sore from an intense workout session & soon after I got to work, I found out some sad news. One of my suite-mates/roommates from college had gotten into horrible car accident yesterday & passed away last night. Tiffany was so free spirited & friend to all who knew her. So full of life and she will be missed. No matter what happened, she met the face of Jesus last night & is no longer in pain. Be praying for her family/loved ones as this is so sad and definitely has the potential to change a family dynamic.

While I haven't talked to Tiffany in awhile, I just wanted to take a moment to pay my respects in her memory. I only knew a tiny, tiny part of who she was.  Just because this car accident ended her life on earth doesn't mean her memory or legacy has stopped. Everyone she met-- she left a blueprint of her heart and her mission to serve Jesus. That won't stop now or any other day.

Blessings to all of my friends & to the Beene family for the hard, painful moments ahead.

(L): Tiffany Beene

Right now the best verse that helps me process this is 1 Cor 2:9. 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.'

Rest in Peace, Tiffany.