Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Everything Happens for a Reason...

So apparently I had to have a crappy Monday to force me to go to the mall and buy new pants that actually fit (down practically two sizes, yippee!). While shopping for said pants, I had to see a dress that I fell in love with for New Years. After not even trying it on, I had to go back to see if I should get it, even though I don't exactly have plans for New Years, hahaha.

Joanne came along with me for advice, and after trying it on...YUP, it was perfect! Just a tad too small in the bust, but the way things are going these days, it should fit perfectly in the next month. So, I decide that since it's 40% off and I have a coupon from my birthday, it's totally worth it. Then, since I put it on a charge card, ANOTHER 15% OFF!!! Guess this week is looking up after all. I tried to find a picture of it online to share, but no luck. You'll all have to anxiously await the visual until I can snap a shot of it with my camera. And speaking of...I need to get back to some photos on this blog...sorry for the lack of photo love lately.

Off to Carrie's for dinner and trivia at the Barley House!

Monday, November 26, 2007

My Crappy Day

1. Planning my outfit ahead of time since I had to leave the house at 7am today, only to find that the pants I planned on wearing actually FELL OFF when I put them on. Normally, I would be excited about this, but not when I was already running late and didn't have time to iron. Guess it's been a few weeks since I'd worn them last.

2. Putting on the second choice pair of pants only to find that they were too big as well. Seriously, this is NOT a great time to spend money on new clothes, but I can't go into work looking like an idiot either. Finally settled on a different outfit that was still too big, but manageable.

3. Dropping my car off at the garage to get inspected, only to be reminded that it's time for the 30,000 mile check up. That will be $400, thank you very much.

4. Coming into work after a four day weekend, knowing that I have a ton of projects to get working on, only to find that the servers are down at work. No e-mail, no internet, no network folders, no accessible work.

5. Knowing that I also have a few meetings scheduled, but didn't actually print off my outlook calendar before the server issue, so running around trying to figure out where I'm suppose to be and what kind of meeting I'm suppose to be prepared for.

6. Getting to sit down at my desk to get my work done (computer server back up and running) to realize that it's already 3:30 and I only have an hour before I get picked up by the garage to get my car.

7. Getting my car back, but learning I have to bring it back in when they get more parts to fix my dome light (luckily that part will be under warranty)...P.S. You're also going to need new tires in the Spring...plan on another $500-$600...thank you very much again!

8. Treating myself to a manicure/pedicure after my horrible day only to ruin the pedicure on my drive home. Sweet!

YIKES...what a Monday!

Sunday, November 25, 2007

It's Official...

I'm at my halfway goal for weight loss!!! After today's workout, I decided to weigh myself and I'm down 15 pounds! I am so excited and proud of myself for really sticking to my exercise routine and healthy eating...even through the Thanksgiving holiday. But the work doesn't end here, I'm ready to tackle the next 15 and start 2008 off on the right foot. I'm hoping that if I put in even more hard work at the gym, I might be able to reach my goal by New Years.

Perhaps I should treat myself to a new outfit today...especially since most of my clothes are starting to become too large and I have a fabulous g/c to Banana Republic from my sister's family from my birthday. Not that I need an excuse to shop, but seriously, how could I not want to after such an awesome morning?

Friday, November 23, 2007

Thankful

With all the cooking going on yesterday, I didn't get to let everyone know what I'm thankful for this year...there are far too many things to list here, so I will keep it to the short list version:

1. My parents- for showing me that true love is attainable and long lasting. For showing me unconditional love and support over the years and for knowing that you are always behind me and my decisions 100% I love you guys!

2. My sister- for always taking care of me and being there for me. For encouraging me to take chances and risks in life, and making sure I always enjoy the adventure without regret. There may be many miles between us, but knowing you're only a phone call or a plane ride away make me feel better. (See you in less than a month!)

3. My nieces- for your innocence, your laughter, your wonderful smiles, your inner beauty, your health, your laughter and your ability to always make me smile. I miss you girls everyday!

4. My friends- for the ones that have always been a part of my life, for the ones that I have recently reconnected with, for the ones that are new to my life and for the ones that I don't even know anymore. You have all had an impact on my life in one aspect or another and have each taught me something about myself. You have all been a part of the person that I am today and for that I am thankful. Thanks for the shoulders I have cried on, the jokes that have made me laugh, the phone calls that let me know I am being thought of and the good times together that make up some of my favorite memories.

5. My health- for taking control of my life this year. For exercising and eating healthy, for taking care of myself as a top priority, for removing unnecessary stress in my life. For becoming proud of the person that I am today.

6. My extended family- for reconnecting with extended family that I don't get to see very often and knowing that no matter how much time passes, I can always count on them. For knowing that many of us will be together on the beach next summer!

7. My job- for knowing that I work for an organization that truly cares, not only about its employees, but also the people we serve and the greater community as a whole. For their encouragement to give back to others in need. For their benefits that allow me peace of mind and for the paycheck that allows me to pay my bills and have a roof over my head.

Like I said before, that is certainly only the short list, as my life it truly blessed. I hope that you all got to spend the holiday with your loved ones!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving!

Getting ready to attempt my first Thanksgiving dinner and feeling pretty excited about it too! I was able to prepare a number of things last night, to keep the stress levels low today. My parents will be here in a few hours with the turkey, so I can prepare that and get it in the oven. I'll try to take some pictures to share later. Hope you're all able to share your holiday with your friends and/or family. I know that I have A LOT to be thankful for this year!

Monday, November 19, 2007

Can't Get Over...


These big, blue eyes. She is just so adorable, I can't wait to be out there to share her first birthday with her and her older sisters. Thanks for getting the tickets Mom!

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Outrageous

Last night I went to the first Monarchs game that I'd been to in a long time. I had forgotten how much I like ice hockey and I had a really great time, even though they lost. I spent most of the night laughing and talking and it was a nice way to end the long week. We even got to go hang out in a luxury box after the second period.

I met some new friends and stayed up way too late...while consuming a few too many beverages along the way. Apparently I still haven't learned my lesson about mixing different kinds of drinks and I'm feeling pretty sick today. (Alicia-picture how you were feeling last weekend). Will I ever learn?

I had been warned during the game that the group I was hanging out with would become "outrageous" as the night went on, but they really weren't that bad. They were a lot of fun and I'm hoping to hang out with them again. The only part that is outrageous today is that it is 5pm and my stomach still hates me...back to the couch for some rest.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

I'm Home from Colorado...


but part of my heart is still there with these cuties. I miss them already!

Friday, November 9, 2007

An Inspired Life

Looks like I do have time for one more quick blog post before I fly out today. Lucky YOU!

This week has been really mixed for me. I have had some days filled with laughter and friends, some stressful days, some days full of doubt, some long, tiring days, then right back to my bubbly self again. What does this make me, besides INSANE? It makes me thankful!

I have learned a LOT about myself this past week. And mostly I have surprised myself. Over the past few months I have had to do a lot of soul searching and asking myself if I have been making the right choices. I have been insecure and worried about the future. I have questioned who I was becoming and who I wanted to be. Well this week, those questions are finally starting to reveal themselves...and I'm really happy with the answers. It is always scary to make a life altering shift in your world, but sometimes it's even scarier to be too afraid to make that change in the first place.

I finally feel like I'm back on track and proud of my choices. I'm confident and happy. I'm outgoing and bold. I am a good friend. I am healthy and becoming more fit everyday. I am smart and beautiful. I am someone who deserves the best and won't settle for anything less.

Now, I'm not posting all this as a "yea me" post. I'm posting this because I was reading Donna Downey's blog today and it really spoke to me. She was talking about inspiration, and even though her words were about inspiring art, they spoke to me about inspiring lives. Here were some of her words that I kept replaying in my head:

"the fact that any one of you, considered even for an instant of stepping outside of your comfort zone is what gives me motivation to try new things everyday..."

That is who I want to be...a person who lives an inspired life! A woman who isn't afraid about what people think about her and is never worried about stepping outside a comfort zone. A person who can inspire others to live the same way. That is who I have been becoming over the past few months and that is what I started to realize this week. Perhaps this is also the person I used to be, but lost sight of her along the way. At any rate, I know it is the person I will continue to be in the future and I hope that I can inspire even one other person to live the same way.

Don't ever apologize for living your life...instead, inspire someone else to live theirs more fully!

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Busy, Busy, Busy

I'm afraid that I'll be on a bit of a break from blogging, probably until next week sometime. I'll be in Manchester for a few long days at our annual conference for work, then I'm off to see my little munchkins in Colorado on Friday. I'll be out there until next Wednesday, so I'm pretty sure I won't be updating the blog until I return. Try not to miss me too much!

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Birthday Goodness

I had soooo much birthday goodness this weekend and I still have more celebrating to do with my parents tonight!

1. Scott and Joanne got me a hilarious card and g/c to Art Plus
2. I FINALLY got to go out with the girls to the Barley House and we had a blast
3. Met a new friend who seems really great...hoping to hang out again soon
4. Introduced to some new amazing music by said friend
5. Movies in Tilton and then shopping at Banana Republic with Joanne
6. A new pair of jeans that look AMAZING ON ME! And they were the first pair I tried on and they were on sale...can't get much better than that.

Hope you're all enjoying my birthday weekend too!

Hugs,
Stacy

Friday, November 2, 2007

2 am

Yup, you read that correctly...it's 2am and I'm online. I can't get to sleep tonight. I feel asleep on the couch around 8, woke up at midnight to come to bed and I've been lying awake in bed ever since. I finally decided to come online, hoping that it would make me sleepy, but no luck yet! Totally stinks, because I am going to the morning workout at 6:30 tomorrow and then I have a long day planned. Sooooo hoping that I'm not cranky in the morning. Hope you're all off in slumberland right now!