{Bring on the New Year}

Now that I'm not so overwhelmed (packages wrapped, one party down, some Christmas decorations up, antlers started on) I've decided to put some more thought into my 2013 goals.

A Must Read

 While on vacation I read Gretchen Rubin's book The Happiness Project. The book was very motivational for me and inspired me to add happiness acts into my everyday life. However, when we returned from vacation we found out that our dog Harley had cancer. Since Thanksgiving all of our effort and attention has gone towards Harley's health and well being. With that said all of my excitement and enthusiasm over what I had read in The Happiness Project went out the window.

Harley after we found out he had cancer

Now that we have Harley on a treatment regimen (although we were reminded today as Harley was suffering through his first "bad day" that the drugs will only be able to keep him comfortable for a couple of months and not cure him) I am excited to read Gretchen's next book Happier At Home. In this book she sets out to make "her home a place of greater simplicity, comfort, and love." I have also decided to participate in Gretchen's Happier At Home 21 day Relationship Challenge.  I have no idea what I will get out of this book or what to expect from the 21 day challenge, but I am excited to try and make my home a happier place!

I have also decided to take on one project (outside of training for a 1/2 marathon) for 2013. For some crazy reason I decided to take my muy largo DSLR camera with us on vacation. Good thing because half way through our trip my iPhone/camera decided to quit working. The muy largo camera came in handy. I've decided I need to learn how to take amazing pictures with this expensivo camera. And since I have the software, I should probably learn how to photoshop my pictures. And while I am at it, I need to organize my photos and delete the bad pictures.  I found a great website that will help walk me through the steps.

 Here are my 2013 goals! Bring on the New Year!

2013 Goal
- Read the book: Happier At Home by Gretchen Rubin 
- Complete Gretchen Rubin's Happier At Home 21 Day Relationship Challenge
(Gretchen's 21 Day Challenge can be found on her website here)
-Teach myself how to take amazing pictures with my DSLR camera
- Organize all of my pictures using Adobe Elements Organizer
- Learn how to edit photos using Adobe Elements 9
- Run a 1/2 Marathon
- Weight 126lbs 

{Goal Setting} 2013

I love setting goals. It's all about the thrill of what if I actually achieve that goal that makes me so giddy. This year is a little different. I am feeling extremely overwhelmed (over nothing important really) and so goal setting sounds like the most difficult task to take on right now.

So for 2013 I  am going to focus on one goal... health and fitness. I allowed myself to become lazy this year and therefore did not train or focus on a race or competition. As a result I felt like a beached whale all summer at the lake. 2013 will be different.

The Goal:
- Run a 1/2 Marathon
- Weigh 126lbs

The Steps:
1. Find a 1/2 marathon training program (done)
2. Start training program on 1/6/2013
3. Compete in a 1/2 marathon around May/June

1. Workout 5 days week starting 1/6/2013
2. Eat clean with 1 cheat meal per week starting NOW
3. Cut out processed foods and sugar starting NOW
4. Plan out meals weakly starting NOW
5. Grocery shop and prep food every Sunday starting NOW
6. Weight in the 120's by 3/1/2013

Milestones:
I know that in order to achieve my weight goal I need to break it down into smaller goals. So for each milestone I reach I will reward myself. I have no idea what my reward will be, but all I know is that it cannot be food related. I need to work on disassociating food with pleasure and stress.

135lbs
133lbs
130lbs
128lbs
126lbs 


I am ready to make a change. I have been saying for more than a year that I want to be in the 120's. How about I just freaking do it already! The only thing standing in my way is me and alcohol. Everyone knows that it starts in the kitchen. All I have to do is eat healthy and make good choices and before i know if I will be where I want to be.

Running a 1/2 marathon is intimidating. But if I can do a sprint triathlon I can run 13 miles. Easy-peasy. As long as I train, I can do it. No question. I will also have 2 accountability partners! I am excited to start training with a purpose!

Here's to a healthy 2013!

{30 Before Thirty} My First Tattoo!

I finally got my first tattoo!!! I spent endless hours looking at tattoo ideas on Pinterest. One Saturday morning I picked the tattoo, font and showed Preston. He said I like it, let's go today. Like a true tattoo newb, I called around and booked us for the first tattoo artist that could get us in that day.  I knew if we didn't get them right then we never would.

Luckily, our tattoos turned out great and we both love them!

{Waiting to get our tattoos}

{you and me}

{Preston trying not to think about the pain}

{My first tattoo!}

{Preston's second tattoo}

In the beginning, I went to great measures to cover up my tattoo at work. It worked because my boss didn't notice for many months. I still wear bracelets to hide it, but I'm not worried if it pops out.

{Attempting to cover up my tattoo}

{Arm Candy}

{Pile it on}

I think I want a second tattoo. I just don't know when and if I can endure the pain! Here is what I am liking:

Source: 12stonehollowway.blogspot.com via Lori on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Lori on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Lori on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Lori on Pinterest

30 Before Thirty

Since I'm 30 today, I better update my 30 Before Thirty list. It's funny how much your interests change in 2 years. I'm looking over my 30 Before Thirty list and some of the items I have on the list seem silly today. Let's re-examine the list.

30 Before Thirty

01.  Finish wedding scrapbook

Totally did NOT happen. I don't think I attempted to work on my wedding scrapbook once. 

 

02.  Complete Rosetta Stone Spanish program

Ya, I don't even own the program. 

 

03.  Compete in a race longer than a 5k

This is a hard one. I really wanted to run a 1/2 marathon, but I couldn't convince myself to put in the time. Actually, let's blame this one on my BFF. She got pregnant and wasn't there to train with me. All your fault Ash!! 

 

04.  Make homemade noodles

I am planning on making homemade noodles this Thanksgiving. 

 

05.  Climb Pikes Peak or other 14teener

This goal all depends on one person.... yes I am talking about you DAN! I still hope to do this one day. 

 

06.  Take a family photo (Cheese)

07.  Start to furnish house (Furnishings)

08.  Aggressively fund retirement and savings accounts ($$)

09.  Go on 2 vacations not including Las Vegas

DONE! Stay tuned.

 

10.  Get in the best shape of my life

So sad. But I have a plan. Stay tuned. 

 

11.  Go snowboarding (Snowboarding)

12.  Sing Karaoke 

Done! Stay tuned.

 

13.  Attempt to surf

Done! Stay tuned. 

 

14.  Dinner at the Penrose Room at The Broadmoor

Didn't happen, but someday. Since I have already been to the Penrose Room {even with Preston} I'm not too disappointed. 

 

15.  Drinks at The Golden Bee

Going here tonight with my bestest friends for my birthday!!! 

 

16.  Get a tattoo (TATTOO)

Done!

 

17.  Do the stairs at Air Force Academy

Let's just say that this past summer was not about working out. 

 

18.  Do something fun for 10 year reunion (10 Year Reunion)

19.  Put together a puzzle

Done! Stay tuned. 

 

20.  Spend a night in, drinking wine with The Hustler (Undeveloped Wino)

21.  Get a picture of Harley playing in the water at the lake (Harley Swimming)

22.  Take pictures of Grammie and Poppie (Grammie & Poppy)

23.  Host a dinner party

I need to do this soon! 

 

24.  Get eyebrows waxed

Although I have waxed my eyebrows myself within the last 2 years, I have not gotten them professionally done. Ashley even gave me a gift certificate for this for my birthday last year. 

 

25.  Play Wii Tennis  (Wii Madness)

26.  Recreate Boulder Creek trip with Ashley, Lindsey and Brea

Done! Stay tuned. 

 

27.  BFF Night Out

Done! Stay tuned.

 

28.  Try rollers in hair

Really, I have this on my list. I'm saying Done! Stay tuned. 

 

29.  Go to a bar specifically to play pool

Done! Stay tuned.

 

30.  Create photo mural from Photocraft book 

Fail. But I did create a wall gallery so I'm counting this as done! 

 Actually I completed most of the items on the list. Pretty cool!

Dear Diary

I've seen a couple of other bloggers do this every Friday and it's actually pretty cute.  It starts with Dear Friday.

Dear Friday: You sneaked up on me. Usually I would be ecstatic about this, but this week I could have used an extra work day. I know, what is wrong with me?  

Dear 30th Birthday: I cannot believe I will be celebrating you tomorrow. I don't feel 30- whatever that's supposed to feel like. Luckily I still look and sound {especially on the phone} like I'm 23.  

Dear Vacation: Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to enjoy our time together but preparing for you is a bitch. Talk about stressed out.

Dear Landscaping: I freaking LOVE you! Yes, even you fake grass. The dogs love playing outside because of you. I can't wait to enjoy your beauty in the Spring. 

Dear Mouse: I know you know I saw you in the garage. I will get you! 

Dear Sister: I am so happy you found your wedding dress. As soon as you put it on, I knew it was "the one." 

Got-ya! This is NOT the one! Not even close! This is one we found in a consignment store. Lindsey was humoring us.    

Dear Denver Broncos: Thank you for acquiring Payton Manning. Bronco games are so much more exciting! Now if you could please bump me up to the #1 spot in the season ticket holder position that would be much appreciated. 

  

{Must Read} True Colors by Hannah

For some reason I have the worst time finding and committing to a book after I finish one. It generally takes me about 3 months to pick-up another book. Talk about frustrating! My only explanation is that I get so involved and emotionally invested in every good book I read I can't let the story go.

I am reminded of my dad. I only have one memory of him reading a novel {he reads the Angus Journal religiously}. I can't remember the  title of the novel, but I remember that he couldn't put the book down. It consumed his every waking moment. He read the book in two days.

{Dad & I}

Preston will say I am exactly this same way. Once I start a book I am all consumed. You will find me curled up on the couch crying my eyes out or in bed trying to read by the light of a small crappy book light.

I guess this explains why I am so hesitant to jump into the next book. I know I will get sucked into the story and think about nothing but the characters and the plot.

The last book I read was The Forgotten Garden by Morton back in August. I finally talked myself into reading True Colors by Hannah that has been sitting on my bookshelf for at lease 6 months. I've read a Hannah book before. Firefly Lane.

 True Colors is my favorite Hannah book so far! I couldn't put it down. I started it on Thursday night and finished it on Saturday. All I wanted to do was read. I cried my eyes out for the majority of the book. I felt real pain and sorrow for the character. Here is a synopsis of the book.

This is defiantly a must read book.

{Fall Decorations} Front Porch

 I love decorating for Holidays. It makes the house feel so homey and festive.

OUTDOOR FESTIVE LOVE

PSY~ Gangnam Style

Preston and I are totally obsessed with this music video and the dance moves!!

We Have Landscaping!!!

After waiting countless weeks for landscaping companies to give us reasonable quotes, receiving hate mail from our neighbors, watching our backyard become a real life ant farm and a place our dogs avoided... our front yard and backyard are finally landscaped!!!

I have never been more excited in my adult life! We were so lucky to have chosen a great landscaping company called Colorado Stoneworks. They did everything they promised and more. Plus their prices were very reasonable.

I didn't get good before pictures. But imagine tumble weeds, ants, trash, dog poo, and weeds. It was actually pretty bad.

 In Progress Photos

Here is a really bad picture of a portion of our backyard after the workers started clearing the space.

This is our front yard after the space was cleared. They used some of the dirt to build up mounds. 

After Pictures of the Backyard

 Looking out from the porch. Two trees reduce to one.

 iPhone panaramic view of entire backyard.

 We opted for fake grass in the backyard. So far we actually love it! It took Augusta a bit to get used to it, but now both dogs lay, play and poop on it. FYI, it has a filtration system similar to real grass that allows it to drain urine and rain so it doesn't soak or sit on top.

 We reduced the trees by the brick fence to one. In all we had 4 large oak trees. It felt like they were overtaking the yard. 

We kept it simple and dog friendly with rock, mulch, fake grass and a path made of small pebbles that hardened after they watered it. 

 After Pictures of the Front Yard

 Rock, mulch and large rocks.

 In the Spring, Colorado Stoneworks will be back to plant shrubs, bushes and plants to add some texture and color to the front. 

 Parking Strip

My sister's fiance poured the concrete on the side of the house. This will allow Preston to comfortably park Black Betty. 

I am soo excited for the Spring to get here so we can sit out on the back porch and really enjoy the backyard.

I am interested to see how we like the bright green fake grass in the winter. I am hoping it will be refreshing to look at. The best part about our backyard is our dogs spend so much more time outside basking in the sun and playing. They love the mulch and fake grass. Sometimes the mulch gets scattered, but for the most part it's pretty easy to keep in one place. From time to time we sweep off the grass. And this time we are picking up dog poo every day. I am assuming next spring and every spring we will need to add in some mulch to freshen it up a bit, but at least it's cheap. We didn't get any plants in the back. I am really excited to use large planters with overflowing plants and flowers to add in some color. For us, we really wanted to make sure we kept the back easy to take care of and very dog friendly. 

The front yard is going to look amazing once they plant the shrubs. We are getting a lot of different types of plants that are different colors and textures. It's going to look great!

Our landscaping is pretty impressive don't you think?! lol

{Santa Fe, New Mexico}

In iPhone Pics

{Downtown Santa Fe~ Outdoor Market}

{Sisters}

{St. Francis Cathedral}

{Restaurant~ The Shed}

{The Shed}

{Art}

{Boots, Boots, Boots}

{La Familia}

{American Indian Decor~ The Hotel}

{Sis's Fiance~ Forgot the Dress Socks}

{Father & Daughter}

{Happy Birthday~ Love Preston}

{Must Watch TV}

This fall I have been obsessed with TV. I am so excited that all of the shows are back on! Here is what I am currently watching. 

Downton Abbey

I must have been living in a cave, because I have just learned about this show. Where have I been? I am obsessed with this time period, the lifestyle of the rich and their servants. Soo amazingly good!

Project Runway

How can you not LOVE Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia and Michael Khors!? It's amazing to see what the designers can make in such a short period of time.   

The Office

I think the character Michael Scott made The Office great. I would much rather watch a rerun than a new episode. But I can't wait to see what happens to Pam and Jim so I keep watching.

The Big Bang Theory

I love love love Sheldon! 'Nough said.

The Mindy Project

I fell  in love with this show as soon as I watched the pilot. It's defiantly a chick flick with a Sex and the City vibe. I loved Mindy Kaling in The Office and I knew I would love her in her own sitcom. She was actually hired on at the age of 24 as a writer for The Office and then took on the character as Kelly Kapoor.

Grey's Anatomy

I have watched this show from the beginning. I am soo far into it I can't stop now. The characters are evolving and the plot is changing. I love the drama and the heart break. 

Oprah's Next Chapter

If you used to watched Oprah's talk show you will love Oprah's Next Chapter. She does what she does best and interviews famous interesting people in their home. You get to see a side of them that only Oprah can show the viewer. This show is on her network OWN.

Parenthood

I have watched this show on and off, but for some reason this season has captivated me. I get so involved in the characters lives I tend to cry watching every episode.