Ok, ok, I'm retardedly late on posting this, but I've been busy, I tell ya! So better late than never, right? Seems like a lot, but I feel like this year is a pivotal point for many reasons. I'm approaching my pre-baby fitness levels, have the opportunity to make some good money and great contacts for future employment, and Joe and I are facing some tough obstacles right now. How I/we end up is a product of how much work and focus we exert in the next 12 months.
Health and Fitness
PR the Princess Half (2:29:00)
Run an 8-minute pace 5k
Run the Army 10-Miler in 1:40:00
Earn a 280 or better on my APFT
Go paleo for Lent; make strides toward living wheat and dairy free permanently
Squat 100#
Earn the German Armed Forces Badge
Finances and Professional Growth
Keep at least $25,000 in savings/investments for down payment on a home
Make FYC profitable
Open and maintain Etsy shop
Complete CCC
Find a full-time job making at least $65,000 a year
Blog more
Spend less money on "things"
Create monthly budget and stick to it
Family and Marriage
Keep home cleaner and more organized
No Instagram/Facebook/Pinterest until Nash is in bed
One "date night" a week - movie/tv night
Two "date nights" per month - get a babysitter and go out
Attend marriage counseling
Be more patient with Nash, but maintain a sense of discipline
Communicate
Go on as many vacations as possible - search for low-budget options
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
I've Got the Fever...
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| Baby Nash - 1 day old |
I feel like I'm surrounded by babies. Babies in real life, babies on the interweb, babies in Target. There are goddamn pregnant women everywhere! Is it something in the water or what, people?!
::sigh:: I only say it like that because I'm supremely jealous. You see, I always thought I would have my babies close together. Two years apart always sounded good to me. I never really wanted to be one of those people who let years pass and then one day, GO! Let's have another! Not saying that's not an awesome choice too - it definitely has its perks - but I just thought I wanted them to grow up together. Plus I didn't want to be an old mom...hahaha!
But as time ticks away following the birth of Nash - six months, one year, 18 months, now almost 21 months - I realize I will have to be one of those people. Our lives have become so completely disheveled that there's no room for a baby (or a pregnancy for that matter) right now. Joe hasn't made any money at work in almost a year. I'm seriously a career nomad right now just trying to cover down on everything by myself. I'm on the short list to mobilize to DC again next year - which I don't really want to do, but it's ridiculous money and DC is a fun place and yadda yadda.
In my perfect world, I would tell the Army to go "F" itself on October 28th (my 30th birthday, how appropo). Joe and I would say, ah hell, let's just do it and we'd have another baby (girl, please). He'd finally be done with this County Line deal and move on to something else and make enough money to buy a house. We'd move to North Carolina and I'd stay at home with my babies while earning extra dough as a photographer and a blogger. Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?
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| Heading home from the hospital. |
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| Bub and Daddy....who naps like this?? Only a tiny baby... |
I think most of this stems from feeling like my baby will only be a baby for a short time, you know? In just a few short years, he'll be off to school and that won't stop until he's an adult and moved out and gone. So, I only have a few years to stay with him, teach him things, and help him grow into this fabulous little man. Instead Joe handles it most days (no offense to my amazing husband, but nobody does it better than a Mama does). And the days he works or needs a break, a couple of random women take over at daycare. I'm left with a few hectic hours in the evening in between making dinner, cleaning up Nash zillion and one messes, and preparing for work the next day. Oh yeah, and trying to find quality time with my husband.
I miss being home with my Bub. And I want another shot at this baby thing. And I don't want to be in the military anymore. And I hate not having our own house. And (shoot me for saying this) I kinda miss being pregnant too.
Friday, April 27, 2012
The Eve of Change
This is one of those rare blog posts that I probably won't be sharing on Facebook...I know most people don't browse the interweb hoping to read about how shitty other people's lives are. Even though I pride myself on posting a true representation of my life, I must admit I try not to focus on the negative. But every once in a while, I feel the need to use this blog as I originally intended - a safe place to vent, postulate and find my sanity. So here goes...
I'm so down right now. I feel like nothing in my life is going in the right direction. Joe and I told ourselves in January that 2012 HAD to be better than 2011, but I'm beginning to think that's improbable at this point. Shit is just piling up...with no end in sight.
We are selling our house. It's official...the lock box is on the front door and the For Sale sign will be here tomorrow, Monday at the latest. Under different circumstances, I would be super excited. I've wanted to sell this house forever...get something newer, cleaner, better maintained...something that only mine and Joe's. I've always felt like an outsider...Joe bought this house with another woman...and remnants of that time still linger. And it just takes too much to maintain it. So, I should be happy. Except we aren't selling our house and buying a new one, like I'd originally planned. No, we're selling our house and moving into an apartment. Taking the money we have in equity and using it to get by since Joe is making absolutely no money and I can't cover everything on my own despite having two jobs.
I thought at first we'd get a nice apartment...something I could really enjoy...be proud of. Now, I'm realizing those are just pipe dreams. Joe seems like he already has one he's set on. It's right down the road from his parents...near a playground...near shopping. But it's small...and old. I'm just sick and sad thinking about moving our stuff into storage just because we can't get it figured out. And I think he's really counting on me going to DC next year as some sort of financial savior. Except it's not guaranteed...and him and Nash may not be able to come with me. This isn't the way I envisioned our life together when we got married...
The worst part is that I HATE my job...like hate it. There's nothing about it that I enjoy. I'm overworked...like crazy. I hate dealing with people. I don't like being a part of sales...I don't like sitting in sales meetings. I don't want to be there anymore... And yet I have no where else to go. I have hardly any time to job search because I'm stretched so thin already with work, Army commitments, keeping our house clean, monitoring our finances, trying to fit in a workout, and keeping my family happy and fed. I log jobs any chance I get, then stay up late to fill out the applications, only to never hear back. I don't have a chance to call these people during the day...and half the time a whole week goes by before I can even stop to think about the jobs I applied to the weekend prior. I feel so stuck...and the frustration brings me near tears every other day. But I can't quit because my money is all we have. And the Army needs this and has to have that...and I can't give them the dedication they ask for because I have too much else going on.
I don't know what to do. I don't know if selling our house is a good idea. I don't think my husband has a plan so we're just winging it...and that scares the shit out of me. But I'm tired of fighting with him about it. I'm just letting him do whatever he thinks is best because it's that or fight. And I don't think I'll get my way even if we fight. Not that I know what I really want at this point anyways.
In a perfect world:
I read this quote a lot that say, "You must give up the life you planned to get the life that was meant for you." (or something like that). Is that true or are you just settling? Why should our goals and plans be abandoned just because they are harder to attain? Just thinking out loud.
I'm so down right now. I feel like nothing in my life is going in the right direction. Joe and I told ourselves in January that 2012 HAD to be better than 2011, but I'm beginning to think that's improbable at this point. Shit is just piling up...with no end in sight.
We are selling our house. It's official...the lock box is on the front door and the For Sale sign will be here tomorrow, Monday at the latest. Under different circumstances, I would be super excited. I've wanted to sell this house forever...get something newer, cleaner, better maintained...something that only mine and Joe's. I've always felt like an outsider...Joe bought this house with another woman...and remnants of that time still linger. And it just takes too much to maintain it. So, I should be happy. Except we aren't selling our house and buying a new one, like I'd originally planned. No, we're selling our house and moving into an apartment. Taking the money we have in equity and using it to get by since Joe is making absolutely no money and I can't cover everything on my own despite having two jobs.
I thought at first we'd get a nice apartment...something I could really enjoy...be proud of. Now, I'm realizing those are just pipe dreams. Joe seems like he already has one he's set on. It's right down the road from his parents...near a playground...near shopping. But it's small...and old. I'm just sick and sad thinking about moving our stuff into storage just because we can't get it figured out. And I think he's really counting on me going to DC next year as some sort of financial savior. Except it's not guaranteed...and him and Nash may not be able to come with me. This isn't the way I envisioned our life together when we got married...
The worst part is that I HATE my job...like hate it. There's nothing about it that I enjoy. I'm overworked...like crazy. I hate dealing with people. I don't like being a part of sales...I don't like sitting in sales meetings. I don't want to be there anymore... And yet I have no where else to go. I have hardly any time to job search because I'm stretched so thin already with work, Army commitments, keeping our house clean, monitoring our finances, trying to fit in a workout, and keeping my family happy and fed. I log jobs any chance I get, then stay up late to fill out the applications, only to never hear back. I don't have a chance to call these people during the day...and half the time a whole week goes by before I can even stop to think about the jobs I applied to the weekend prior. I feel so stuck...and the frustration brings me near tears every other day. But I can't quit because my money is all we have. And the Army needs this and has to have that...and I can't give them the dedication they ask for because I have too much else going on.
I don't know what to do. I don't know if selling our house is a good idea. I don't think my husband has a plan so we're just winging it...and that scares the shit out of me. But I'm tired of fighting with him about it. I'm just letting him do whatever he thinks is best because it's that or fight. And I don't think I'll get my way even if we fight. Not that I know what I really want at this point anyways.
In a perfect world:
- Joe would sell the County Line tomorrow and walk away with a least a little money.
- He would get another job making decent money.
- I would get a new job.
- We would sell our house and buy a new one.
- We'd have another baby.
I read this quote a lot that say, "You must give up the life you planned to get the life that was meant for you." (or something like that). Is that true or are you just settling? Why should our goals and plans be abandoned just because they are harder to attain? Just thinking out loud.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Friday's Fashion Wrap Up - vol. 9
This is the first post following my new fashion feature plan...featuring one really good outfit each week, rather than filling all this space with outfits that are, well let's just say it, meh.
I got a lot of compliments on this one...perhaps it was that people were expecting me to return from a sick day wearing the business casual equivalent of a potato sack (trust me, if jammies were authorized, I'd do it). Or maybe I just managed to put a good one together... You be the judge.
I got a lot of compliments on this one...perhaps it was that people were expecting me to return from a sick day wearing the business casual equivalent of a potato sack (trust me, if jammies were authorized, I'd do it). Or maybe I just managed to put a good one together... You be the judge.
Skirt: Express
Ruffled Tank: New York & Co
Cardi: H&M
Belt: Stolen from another dress in my closet
Ring: Aldo Accessories
Wedding and Engagement Ring: Zales
Skinny Waist: c/o 24 hour flu
Earrings and Bracelet: Charlotte Russe
Shoes: Jessica Simpson circa 2005
Pasty Skin: c/o no free time
I must admit, I caught some flack from a certain fashion-conscious-even-if-he's-batting-straight coworker of mine for pairing a black and gray ensemble with the brown belt and shoes. I politely informed him that it's exactly this unexpected pairing that takes the outfit from office ordinary to casually cutting edge. Agree or disagree?
Monday, March 5, 2012
Growed Up
I'm reaching an interesting post in my, ahem, career as a blogger. Although I have yet to really take off (like I don't get that many visitors or have sponsorship offers flooding my inbox), I feel like I'm growing and learning and might even end up making something of all this.
You see, I just ordered my first set of bloggie business cards. I have cards for my full-time job, my Army job, and for when I network with other mommies, but I never really pinned down a concept for my self-employed professional cards. Since I do a number of different things (i.e. blogging, graphic design, photography, writing, etc..), it's hard to bring all of those things together as one professional venture. Basically, I didn't want to have a half dozen different business cards - one for each project.
Then, along came about.com. Not the about.com that has all kinds of DIY information...as in the site you can publish how-to articles for. No, about.me. It's a site that basically just creates a page for you that houses links to all of your other sites...be they Twitter, Blogger, Flickr, or your own personal page. I thought, GENIUS! Now, I can have a landing zone for all my inquiries...and create a business card directing everyone there. Even better, when you set up an about.me page, you get an offer for 50 free business cards from Moo.com! And those cards come already equipped with a handy-dandy little QR code that leads potentials right to your about.me page. Pretty freakin awesome, if you ask me.
So I took some time to find an image (via Shutterstock), uploaded it, entered in all the deets, and BAM! I've got 50 cards en route to my house... Plenty of time left to beta test them before ordering a bunch in preparation for BlogHer 2012, which I am attending!
So, I've got websites, I've got business cards, I'm networking...
The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.
You see, I just ordered my first set of bloggie business cards. I have cards for my full-time job, my Army job, and for when I network with other mommies, but I never really pinned down a concept for my self-employed professional cards. Since I do a number of different things (i.e. blogging, graphic design, photography, writing, etc..), it's hard to bring all of those things together as one professional venture. Basically, I didn't want to have a half dozen different business cards - one for each project.
Then, along came about.com. Not the about.com that has all kinds of DIY information...as in the site you can publish how-to articles for. No, about.me. It's a site that basically just creates a page for you that houses links to all of your other sites...be they Twitter, Blogger, Flickr, or your own personal page. I thought, GENIUS! Now, I can have a landing zone for all my inquiries...and create a business card directing everyone there. Even better, when you set up an about.me page, you get an offer for 50 free business cards from Moo.com! And those cards come already equipped with a handy-dandy little QR code that leads potentials right to your about.me page. Pretty freakin awesome, if you ask me.
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| image via moo.com |
So I took some time to find an image (via Shutterstock), uploaded it, entered in all the deets, and BAM! I've got 50 cards en route to my house... Plenty of time left to beta test them before ordering a bunch in preparation for BlogHer 2012, which I am attending!
So, I've got websites, I've got business cards, I'm networking...
The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday Fashion Wrap Up - vol 4
I know, I know...this should have been posted on Friday. What can I say...things are hectic around here and work was crazier than normal and I just didn't get around to it. Ok? Are we over it now? Alright, good. Now let's talk clothes!
This week we were giving Power of Branding seminars to local businesses Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, so we were told to dress our best. I managed to take a photo every day except Wednesday when I had to be in Titusville (45 minutes away) by 8:00 am. Needless to say, I was up before everyone else so there was no one to take the pic. But here's the rest of the week's lineup:
And that's it. I'm super excited for this week's post because the Hubs and I hit up Old Navy over the weekend and I actually found some super cute stuff I plan to debut! Just goes to show you that it's totally possible to have great style on a budget!
This week we were giving Power of Branding seminars to local businesses Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, so we were told to dress our best. I managed to take a photo every day except Wednesday when I had to be in Titusville (45 minutes away) by 8:00 am. Needless to say, I was up before everyone else so there was no one to take the pic. But here's the rest of the week's lineup:
Monday
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| Dress and Cardi: H&M Shoes: Jessica Simpson |
Tuesday
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| Skirt: Banana Republic Shirt and Blazer: Express Shoes: Jessica Simpson |
Thursday
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| Dress: Banana Republic Shoes: Jessica Simpson Belt: Target Earrings: Charlotte Russe Cuff: J. Crew Inspiration: Tie between Cleopatra and Athena |
Friday - Boy, did I go casual
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| Skinnies: H&M Cardi: Target Shirt: Old Navy Flats and Earrings: Charlotte Russe |
And that's it. I'm super excited for this week's post because the Hubs and I hit up Old Navy over the weekend and I actually found some super cute stuff I plan to debut! Just goes to show you that it's totally possible to have great style on a budget!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Week in iPhone Pics #15
I am a few ::ahem:: days late on this, but it's been a busy week (do I say that every week?). Even still, I thought I should share my week with you guys...in case any of you are clinging to the edge of your seat waiting to see what boring thrilling things I did this week. And this week I threw Saturday and Sunday in there...
Linking up with Amy...who's way better at this than me!
On Sunday, we got to spend the whole day together! (Editor's Note: see, isn't it better when you don't start the week with a work day? I agree...:: We spend the morning zooming around the playroom on Nash's little man bike. He's obsessed with this thing (and anything else that moves), so thank god Uncle Chris and Aunt Sophy gave us this... Later on in the day, we packed up our water bottle and headed over to Joe's parents' house (they are down for three whole months!!) where Nash showed us his high-speed running skills. The rest of the night was spent with our friends Tiffany and Elliott (and their sweet baby girl Kyla).
On Monday, I switched up my whole office look by replacing my wallpaper with a shot from this weekend's farmer's market. Man, he's cute...don't ya think? After work, we headed out for a family stroller jog and then spent the night chasing after a certain cranky mccrankerson.
The only thing notable about Wednesday was that I busted out a scarf for the first time this season (who cares if it's Florida so it's only a summer scarf)!
Thursday was the day of Nash-filled mischief! First he attacked the family room vertical blinds, then tried to take out a pot much larger than he. Then it was on to the toy box/basket/wagon thing that he just loves to climb in. Finally, the little man set his eyes on Mama (curled up in the corner) and ran over to jump on top of her.
Friday was the last day for Baby Signs...which I am both happy and sad about. It was so great to spend time with other mamas and for Bubs to play with kiddos, and it was awesome to get out of work a bit early on Fridays to hang out with him. But man did it suck having todrive haul ass to be there by 5:30. And it really was an insane free for all...those kids were not paying any attention to us AT ALL.
Saturday Bubs once again attempted to tackle the toy box/basket/wagon thing...as you can see from the look on his face, he's not happy. Flash to 2 minutes in the box, and he's screaming at me to unwedge him from between the Ben n Jerrys ice cream truck and the mr. incredible squeaky doll. Give it up, kid...
Well, that's our week. It wasn't too exciting, but it was good on our end! This coming week is Thanksgiving, so we can't wait to eat good food, get out of work for a few days, and spend some much needed quality time with family.
Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!
Linking up with Amy...who's way better at this than me!
On Sunday, we got to spend the whole day together! (Editor's Note: see, isn't it better when you don't start the week with a work day? I agree...:: We spend the morning zooming around the playroom on Nash's little man bike. He's obsessed with this thing (and anything else that moves), so thank god Uncle Chris and Aunt Sophy gave us this... Later on in the day, we packed up our water bottle and headed over to Joe's parents' house (they are down for three whole months!!) where Nash showed us his high-speed running skills. The rest of the night was spent with our friends Tiffany and Elliott (and their sweet baby girl Kyla).
On Monday, I switched up my whole office look by replacing my wallpaper with a shot from this weekend's farmer's market. Man, he's cute...don't ya think? After work, we headed out for a family stroller jog and then spent the night chasing after a certain cranky mccrankerson.
Tuesday seemed like a good day to bust out the fancy peacock feather tights...and to knock out a sweet flyer for our company's Thanksgiving Feast. Not to shabby, if I do say so myself. While Mama slaved away at work, Bubs got to hang out with his grandparents and eat a metric ton of fruit (that white tee was, uh, not white by the time I got there).
Thursday was the day of Nash-filled mischief! First he attacked the family room vertical blinds, then tried to take out a pot much larger than he. Then it was on to the toy box/basket/wagon thing that he just loves to climb in. Finally, the little man set his eyes on Mama (curled up in the corner) and ran over to jump on top of her.
Friday was the last day for Baby Signs...which I am both happy and sad about. It was so great to spend time with other mamas and for Bubs to play with kiddos, and it was awesome to get out of work a bit early on Fridays to hang out with him. But man did it suck having to
Saturday Bubs once again attempted to tackle the toy box/basket/wagon thing...as you can see from the look on his face, he's not happy. Flash to 2 minutes in the box, and he's screaming at me to unwedge him from between the Ben n Jerrys ice cream truck and the mr. incredible squeaky doll. Give it up, kid...
Well, that's our week. It wasn't too exciting, but it was good on our end! This coming week is Thanksgiving, so we can't wait to eat good food, get out of work for a few days, and spend some much needed quality time with family.
Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
My 30-Before-30
I have heard a lot about these kinds of lists, and I thought it would be great to put one together! In case you haven't heard about it, the gist of it is to compile a list of all the things you want to do/experience/accomplish before your 30th birthday. Some people do them right after they turn 20 and give themselves a decade (their lists usually have more difficult goals on them), but a lot of people do what I'm doing - they make their list the day after they turn 29 in an effort to make their last year as a 20-something more meaningful and productive.
Basically, I just want to make sure I don't turn 30 and say, gee, I wish I had done that in my 20's. So, without further ado...here is my list:
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| image via |
I have heard a lot about these kinds of lists, and I thought it would be great to put one together! In case you haven't heard about it, the gist of it is to compile a list of all the things you want to do/experience/accomplish before your 30th birthday. Some people do them right after they turn 20 and give themselves a decade (their lists usually have more difficult goals on them), but a lot of people do what I'm doing - they make their list the day after they turn 29 in an effort to make their last year as a 20-something more meaningful and productive.
Basically, I just want to make sure I don't turn 30 and say, gee, I wish I had done that in my 20's. So, without further ado...here is my list:
- Run a half-marathon
- Start a retirement account
- Get paid for photography (one photo, one session, whatever...)
- Sew an outfit I'd wear in public
- Take Nash to see the snow
- Bake and decorate a multi-layer ombre cake
- Capture a great "fireworks" photo
- Take part in a haunted house
- Go on a big family vacay
- Visit a foreign country (kind of a gimmee since my unit is going to Japan in Jan)
- Start a business
- Get paid to design something (biz cards, flyers, logos, invitations, whatever...)
- Take a real roadtrip somewhere new and random
- Can something I grow or make myself
- Try bikram yoga
- Begin composting
- Kick my sugar habit
- Set up and maintain a photo archive system
- Do a mud/fun run with a group of friends
- Go on an adults-only cruise
- Complete a 30-day photo challenge
- Buy a new house (near a playground)
- Master the perfect sourdough bread recipe
- Start a family tradition
- Perform a full pull-up unassisted (might be easy for some, but I've never been able to do it)
- Meet Giuliana Rancic and tour the E! Networks building (ok, this may be dreaming)
- Build Bubs a sand box from scratch (no plans, no kits)
- Donate 10 hours of time to either a kids' charity or an animal shelter
- Learn how to swim
- Have an awesome 30th birthday party
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Women of Cumulus - Part III
So many beautiful ladies, so little time! This week it's Melanie! Melanie always rocks it, no matter if she's all dolled up or going for casual cuteness. This outfit totally fits the WoC bill!
I just adore how she looks like this beautiful, happy little hippie girl! Truth be told, I am originally from Colorado, and you know we're all secretly tree-hugging hippies out there, so she's one of my people!
Gorgeous!! She was a natural, folks. Tell me that face isn't meant for photos and I'll call you a low-down, dirty liar.
Thanks to Melanie for putting the CUte into Cumulus, and for being a great model.
Who's up next week?
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| Jeans: J. Lo Tank: OP Vest: Forever21 Wedges: Payless |
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| All Accessories: Glitter (in Chicago) |
Thanks to Melanie for putting the CUte into Cumulus, and for being a great model.
Who's up next week?
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Women of Cumulus - Part II
This week's feature girl is Tiffany! Tiffany is known around the office for her boisterous personality and booming voice, and is often seen flaunting sweet little outfits (like today), so it makes sense that she is the next to make it on the blog.
Stunning! Who says horizontal stripes can't be fab?! She looks killer...
Thanks to Tiffany for being a good sport, and for all those who nominated her. Keep 'em coming, folks. We have too many cute ladies around here and only one blog post a week!
In other notes, I have been fielding some questions about the possibility of doing a Men of Cumulus Media feature. What do you guys think? We have well-dressed guys around here, and let's face it, the ladies shouldn't have all the fun, right?
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| Tunic: INC via Macy's Leggings: Express |
Stunning! Who says horizontal stripes can't be fab?! She looks killer...
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| Shoes: Nine West |
In other notes, I have been fielding some questions about the possibility of doing a Men of Cumulus Media feature. What do you guys think? We have well-dressed guys around here, and let's face it, the ladies shouldn't have all the fun, right?
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Women of Cumulus - Part I
I've decided to do a short-run feature I'm calling the Women of Cumulus. It's an homage to the fabulous girls that I work with, where we take a moment to acknowledge some of their most fashionable days! Hey now, we all have bad days where we throw our hair up in a bun (hello, today) or wear the same go-to outfit we wore last Tuesday, but this series showcases those oh so special days, where you think...Damn, I look good.
This works one of two ways: (1) Someone informs me that they are having a particularly fashionable day or (2) I nominate someone based on their fashionable aura that day.
First up in the chute is Joey! She ALWAYS looks amazing, oh so feminine, and has the most positive attitude. So, thanks to Joey for being my first victim!
The best part about Joey's outfit (besides how great her animal print fits in with the jungle-y background, is that it's affordable! She proves that you can look amazing and still be thrifty!
This works one of two ways: (1) Someone informs me that they are having a particularly fashionable day or (2) I nominate someone based on their fashionable aura that day.
First up in the chute is Joey! She ALWAYS looks amazing, oh so feminine, and has the most positive attitude. So, thanks to Joey for being my first victim!
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Dress: Kohl's
Bolero: Stolen from another dress!
Shoes: Ross
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| Earrings: Charlotte Russe |
The best part about Joey's outfit (besides how great her animal print fits in with the jungle-y background, is that it's affordable! She proves that you can look amazing and still be thrifty!
Take note, mom...we're talking to you!!! (My mom can't ever seem to find anything to wear unless it comes from White House Black Market and costs an arm and a leg).
Who's next?!?!
Monday, August 1, 2011
To Work or Not to Work
...that is the question that's been on my mind the last few weeks. You see, I spent the first four months of Nash's existence at home with him...and I was MISERABLE. I hadn't worked in a year (the job market is uber lame here), Nash wasn't sleeping at all, and I was so tired and bitter, I really needed a break.
That break came in the form of a job offer from a former co-worker who got a gig as the new Market Manager for our radio stations. I knew I'd have a good time because she was a super cool chick and radio's always fun. Well, let's just say things don't always work out.
Flash forward a few months and everything is different. Nash sleeps GREAT now...taking two naps that are 1.5-2 hours long! And he sleeps good at night too, so no more being exhausted. He's so much fun, and I feel like I'm missing it all. I'm so grateful that Joe gets to stay home with him most days, but I'm really jealous and feel like it's a mama's job.
To top it off, the girl I was working for just quit. So now the VP of the WHOLE COMPANY is in town to be my boss for the next month. I like him a lot, but he's intense. And it's going to be a lot of work (he wants to change EVERYTHING). And I was considering quitting before my friend left because it's just not that fun. I don't like the work I'm doing, I barely see my little man, and I don't even get paid a lot.
So I've written my "I Resign" letter, but I haven't sent it. I haven't because I'm nervous about the confrontation. I'm nervous about everyone thinking I'm quitting because it's too much work, or too hard (it's not). And I'm nervous because I think Joe might want me to stay. He's never come out and said, "You need to stay," but he seems a bit bothered by my severe dislike of my current situation. At the same time, he likes the idea of saying $150 a week on childcare!
So what's a girl to do?
That break came in the form of a job offer from a former co-worker who got a gig as the new Market Manager for our radio stations. I knew I'd have a good time because she was a super cool chick and radio's always fun. Well, let's just say things don't always work out.
Flash forward a few months and everything is different. Nash sleeps GREAT now...taking two naps that are 1.5-2 hours long! And he sleeps good at night too, so no more being exhausted. He's so much fun, and I feel like I'm missing it all. I'm so grateful that Joe gets to stay home with him most days, but I'm really jealous and feel like it's a mama's job.
To top it off, the girl I was working for just quit. So now the VP of the WHOLE COMPANY is in town to be my boss for the next month. I like him a lot, but he's intense. And it's going to be a lot of work (he wants to change EVERYTHING). And I was considering quitting before my friend left because it's just not that fun. I don't like the work I'm doing, I barely see my little man, and I don't even get paid a lot.
This? or This?
So I've written my "I Resign" letter, but I haven't sent it. I haven't because I'm nervous about the confrontation. I'm nervous about everyone thinking I'm quitting because it's too much work, or too hard (it's not). And I'm nervous because I think Joe might want me to stay. He's never come out and said, "You need to stay," but he seems a bit bothered by my severe dislike of my current situation. At the same time, he likes the idea of saying $150 a week on childcare!
So what's a girl to do?
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Week in iPhone Pics (#1)
This marks my first ever Week in iPhone Pics link up! I love the idea and execution (seen over at a good life), so I thought this would be the perfect way to make up for no Friday Fashion Wrap Up. This way I still have something to do all week AND you guys get to follow me around while on Army duty (boo). Here goes:
(No pics for Monday...all pics taken with my fancy cam and that's against the rules)
Tuesday was spent in Orlando on Army duty, so hardly any time with my muffin. I did however get to eat me some Chipotle (delish) and do some shopping at H&M, where I picked up a hot pink blouse, a rust-colored mini, a pair of cute khakis for Muff, and a sweet yellow cuff bracelet (score!)...
After lunch, I was glued to the tv waiting for the verdict in the Casey Anthony trial and nearly vomited when I heard Not Guilty. I felt like driving over to that damn courthouse and smacking each one of those jurors upside the head. Rest of afternoon I was in a bad mood so no work was done. Only thing that saved the day was spending about 40 minutes with my man after I got home before he had to go to bed...love love.
Wednesday was another Army day that started out with the hour-long ride into Orlando. I did some pretty tough circuits for PT, showered, and then wolfed down some yummy homemade banana bread protein oatmeal. Shortly after breakfast, I noticed that I was sportin' some darn fire ant bites on my thumb. I didn't even feel the bite! Confession: My own neuroses forced me to google images of spider bites...just to be sure.
At lunch, I spied some cute young boys in Chipotle (yes, I ate there two days in a row, don't judge me), so I snapped a pic. Relax hubs, I'm just snagging some style ideas for Muffin! My afternoon was pretty slow so I spent some time with a cherry lollipop and my new best friend, Pinterest.
Since I don't get home until 6 pm or so, and Joe has been eating dinner up at his parents house, I only get a short period of time with Baby Muff before he has to go to bed. Bath and story time are super important times for us to bond...want to make sure he doesn't forget who his mama is while I'm busy these next few weeks. So far so good.
Thursday started out with a blissful 1.7 mile run down some picturesque back country roads in the most glorious conditions possible. Okay, that's a big fat lie. It was a beat up, two-lane road behind the armory and it was 75 deg and 85% humidity. It sucked. And I'm sore as hell from the last two days of working out (damn myself for being lazy the lastmonth months).
At lunch I hurried over to the Mall at Millenia to check out the baby section at Zara. I scored some sweet stuff for Nash! And while I was waiting to pay, I noticed the girl behind the counter had the most awesome undone hair I have ever seen. She was totally chic, so I had to take a pic (sorry it's so blurry, I didn't want to be a certified stalker or anything). I stopped for a cookie bar and diet coke (so much for my run this morning, ha) and then noticed the most amazing thing... WE'RE GETTING A LULULEMON! I fell in love with them while in DC and was bummed when I couldn't find them here...so yayyy for that! Now I need to start working out more to justify the cost.
Friday started off with the final shuttle launch...like ever. Since we live right next door (not literally, but almost), we almost always get to see it up close and personal. Since I was over in Orlando doing the duty, I jumped out back to watch. Well, it was super cloudy, so all I got was a brief glimpse when it broke through the clouds. If you look reeeeaaaallly close, you might be able to see the smoke trail. But don't feel bad if you can't...it's like seriously tiny.
For lunch, I ventured over to Whole Foods (love!), but it took almost 30 minutes of my 60 minute lunch to get there, so I barely had any time to walk around and shop. So I quickly grabbed a sammie, some chips, a diet Izze (Izzie??), and some delicious "wholesome" cookie bites.
After finishing up work, I had to drive him in a monsoon. It was raining so hard, I was going 40 with the hazards on. Even so, I felt eternally grateful to not be one of the 50 billion people heading west (the other way) because the traffic was backed up for nearly 20 miles due to the shuttle launch.
Finally at home, I spent some time with my main man! He's crawling a bit these days, so he is such a monkey. You can barely hold him because he's trying to move and grab and just get going! But I did manage to sneak in some yummy squeezes while daddy distracted him.
Hope you liked my first ever Week in iPhone post! Hoping to do one every week...it's a lot of work though!
(No pics for Monday...all pics taken with my fancy cam and that's against the rules)
Tuesday was spent in Orlando on Army duty, so hardly any time with my muffin. I did however get to eat me some Chipotle (delish) and do some shopping at H&M, where I picked up a hot pink blouse, a rust-colored mini, a pair of cute khakis for Muff, and a sweet yellow cuff bracelet (score!)...
After lunch, I was glued to the tv waiting for the verdict in the Casey Anthony trial and nearly vomited when I heard Not Guilty. I felt like driving over to that damn courthouse and smacking each one of those jurors upside the head. Rest of afternoon I was in a bad mood so no work was done. Only thing that saved the day was spending about 40 minutes with my man after I got home before he had to go to bed...love love.
Wednesday was another Army day that started out with the hour-long ride into Orlando. I did some pretty tough circuits for PT, showered, and then wolfed down some yummy homemade banana bread protein oatmeal. Shortly after breakfast, I noticed that I was sportin' some darn fire ant bites on my thumb. I didn't even feel the bite! Confession: My own neuroses forced me to google images of spider bites...just to be sure.
At lunch, I spied some cute young boys in Chipotle (yes, I ate there two days in a row, don't judge me), so I snapped a pic. Relax hubs, I'm just snagging some style ideas for Muffin! My afternoon was pretty slow so I spent some time with a cherry lollipop and my new best friend, Pinterest.
Since I don't get home until 6 pm or so, and Joe has been eating dinner up at his parents house, I only get a short period of time with Baby Muff before he has to go to bed. Bath and story time are super important times for us to bond...want to make sure he doesn't forget who his mama is while I'm busy these next few weeks. So far so good.
Thursday started out with a blissful 1.7 mile run down some picturesque back country roads in the most glorious conditions possible. Okay, that's a big fat lie. It was a beat up, two-lane road behind the armory and it was 75 deg and 85% humidity. It sucked. And I'm sore as hell from the last two days of working out (damn myself for being lazy the last
At lunch I hurried over to the Mall at Millenia to check out the baby section at Zara. I scored some sweet stuff for Nash! And while I was waiting to pay, I noticed the girl behind the counter had the most awesome undone hair I have ever seen. She was totally chic, so I had to take a pic (sorry it's so blurry, I didn't want to be a certified stalker or anything). I stopped for a cookie bar and diet coke (so much for my run this morning, ha) and then noticed the most amazing thing... WE'RE GETTING A LULULEMON! I fell in love with them while in DC and was bummed when I couldn't find them here...so yayyy for that! Now I need to start working out more to justify the cost.
Friday started off with the final shuttle launch...like ever. Since we live right next door (not literally, but almost), we almost always get to see it up close and personal. Since I was over in Orlando doing the duty, I jumped out back to watch. Well, it was super cloudy, so all I got was a brief glimpse when it broke through the clouds. If you look reeeeaaaallly close, you might be able to see the smoke trail. But don't feel bad if you can't...it's like seriously tiny.
For lunch, I ventured over to Whole Foods (love!), but it took almost 30 minutes of my 60 minute lunch to get there, so I barely had any time to walk around and shop. So I quickly grabbed a sammie, some chips, a diet Izze (Izzie??), and some delicious "wholesome" cookie bites.
After finishing up work, I had to drive him in a monsoon. It was raining so hard, I was going 40 with the hazards on. Even so, I felt eternally grateful to not be one of the 50 billion people heading west (the other way) because the traffic was backed up for nearly 20 miles due to the shuttle launch.
Finally at home, I spent some time with my main man! He's crawling a bit these days, so he is such a monkey. You can barely hold him because he's trying to move and grab and just get going! But I did manage to sneak in some yummy squeezes while daddy distracted him.
Hope you liked my first ever Week in iPhone post! Hoping to do one every week...it's a lot of work though!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
My First Mother's Day
Been trying to write this post for a while now, but we seem to be having internet issues lately. The hubby has said he will contact Bright House to request a new modem, in hopes that it will fix the problem.
I never knew the magnitude of today until today. I never really thought about what it would be like to finally be a mother on Mother's Day...to have a child who loves me and who I love more than anything.
I got up at 7 this morning and went in to wake up the muffin. He was adorable as ever, with his little butt in the air and a smile on his face. We spent the morning playing and just hanging out together. I even got the most amazing mother's day card from him and one from Joe. Not only that, but I got the most beautiful diamond necklace...it has a tiny diamond heart inside a larger heart to symbolize Nash's heart in mine forever.
Around lunchtime, I headed off to get an express facial and a body polish from the spa using the remainder of the gift certificate I got from Mindy and Becka when I was pregnant (meant for prenatal massages, but I only got around to getting one. The I spent the rest of the day at home with the family, enjoying the beautiful weather, sweet baby smiles, and ending the day rocking my sweet baby boy to sleep (he was unusually cranky tonight and could not fall asleep in his usual way).
Overall, I spent the day thinking about my role in motherhood and my experiences thus far. I feel such an enormous love for and sense of responsibility to this little person, it's crazy. He's in every thought, and now that I'm back at work, I can't wait for the end of the day when I can run home and hang out with him before he heads to bed. Our nightly bath time ritual has become super important, and I miss him almost immediately after I set him in his crib. As a result, I find myself wanting to hold him more, comfort him whenever he cries (even if it's one of those fake, attention cries). I think about how I could be spending every day with him and I hate that I've chosen to go back to work. I could be taking him to story time and playgrounds and the beach...and instead I'm leaving him at home with other people. FML.
The other thing that's so remarkable is how I feel about children in general. I used to hear horror stories about people who abused, neglected, or abandoned their children, but they never really hit home. The other day I was at work reading local news headlines and read a story about a Florida couple who is ready to stand trial for repeatedly abusing their child. Apparently, they took the kid to the hospital for something and the doctors found multiple broken bones in different stages of healing, which means these people were repeatedly abusing their kid so horribly that bones were broken. I nearly cried right there in the front office. I could not imagine what disgusting people they were to hurt their OWN baby over and over again. I prayed they would spend the rest of their lives in jail. I wondered what would happen to that sweet child. I suddenly felt the urge to adopt lots of babies who might never have known the comforts of a safe and loving family. It breaks my heart to know that's not possible. I can't save everyone...but I can't think about babies (or kids) not having the world. Life is full of disappointment and struggle when you're an adult, why should these babies not have a blissful childhood??? So sad.
So, I've made a promise to myself to never take my role as a mother for granted...to love every second of it. And to make sure my baby has all the love and support he can handle...for all those babies out there who don't.
I never knew the magnitude of today until today. I never really thought about what it would be like to finally be a mother on Mother's Day...to have a child who loves me and who I love more than anything.
I got up at 7 this morning and went in to wake up the muffin. He was adorable as ever, with his little butt in the air and a smile on his face. We spent the morning playing and just hanging out together. I even got the most amazing mother's day card from him and one from Joe. Not only that, but I got the most beautiful diamond necklace...it has a tiny diamond heart inside a larger heart to symbolize Nash's heart in mine forever.
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| Image via |
Overall, I spent the day thinking about my role in motherhood and my experiences thus far. I feel such an enormous love for and sense of responsibility to this little person, it's crazy. He's in every thought, and now that I'm back at work, I can't wait for the end of the day when I can run home and hang out with him before he heads to bed. Our nightly bath time ritual has become super important, and I miss him almost immediately after I set him in his crib. As a result, I find myself wanting to hold him more, comfort him whenever he cries (even if it's one of those fake, attention cries). I think about how I could be spending every day with him and I hate that I've chosen to go back to work. I could be taking him to story time and playgrounds and the beach...and instead I'm leaving him at home with other people. FML.
The other thing that's so remarkable is how I feel about children in general. I used to hear horror stories about people who abused, neglected, or abandoned their children, but they never really hit home. The other day I was at work reading local news headlines and read a story about a Florida couple who is ready to stand trial for repeatedly abusing their child. Apparently, they took the kid to the hospital for something and the doctors found multiple broken bones in different stages of healing, which means these people were repeatedly abusing their kid so horribly that bones were broken. I nearly cried right there in the front office. I could not imagine what disgusting people they were to hurt their OWN baby over and over again. I prayed they would spend the rest of their lives in jail. I wondered what would happen to that sweet child. I suddenly felt the urge to adopt lots of babies who might never have known the comforts of a safe and loving family. It breaks my heart to know that's not possible. I can't save everyone...but I can't think about babies (or kids) not having the world. Life is full of disappointment and struggle when you're an adult, why should these babies not have a blissful childhood??? So sad.
So, I've made a promise to myself to never take my role as a mother for granted...to love every second of it. And to make sure my baby has all the love and support he can handle...for all those babies out there who don't.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Something's Cookin'
I am working on a new project these days...putting in long hours researching, learning...totally engrossed in it. I am hoping it takes me places...it's something I'm so genuinely excited about.
Anyone have awesome cake recipes?
Image via
Anyone have awesome cake recipes?
Friday, May 6, 2011
One Down, How Many More to Go?
It's Friday, finally. It's the end of my first week back at work. After over a year of job searching, I finally got an offer. It wasn't a great offer, and it's not doing what I normally do, but it's something. So on Monday, I headed off to the office.
I knew it was going to be hard to leave Nash...I have spent almost every single day with him since he was born (only days apart were those awful days I had to spend in DC), so I knew I was going to miss him. Boy, do I. After one week, I'm hating it. I am afraid that I'm going to miss something. Tonight during his bath, he grabbed for his squirt toy with a dexterity I haven't seen before. Little did I know, he has been grabbing his binkie and putting it back in his mouth on his own. And I missed it. What else am I going to miss??? I hate knowing that someone else is here taking care of him...I don't mind Joe, but we have a nanny that comes a few days a week when Joe has to work. It's not that I don't like her or trust her, it's just not me. It's a woman that's not me. It sucks.
On the other side of that is the reality that I'm so happy to have that part of my life back. I'm getting up, eating right, working out, doing my hair, having adult conversations, contributing, making money... All things I've been so desperate for in the past 5 months. I feel a bit like myself again. I go off to work and I'm Theresa again. It's weird to feel as though I've been severed from myself...
I have thought about what I would do if I did not want to work...if I gave this a go and it didn't work out (either because I missed him too much or because the job just wasn't what I'd hoped it would be). I know I need and want to work, so I'm doing everything I can to make it work. I miss the mommies...I miss gymboree and walks and being able to hang out with him all day, but I'm a lot less tired. He's a lot to take for a whole day.
I knew it was going to be hard to leave Nash...I have spent almost every single day with him since he was born (only days apart were those awful days I had to spend in DC), so I knew I was going to miss him. Boy, do I. After one week, I'm hating it. I am afraid that I'm going to miss something. Tonight during his bath, he grabbed for his squirt toy with a dexterity I haven't seen before. Little did I know, he has been grabbing his binkie and putting it back in his mouth on his own. And I missed it. What else am I going to miss??? I hate knowing that someone else is here taking care of him...I don't mind Joe, but we have a nanny that comes a few days a week when Joe has to work. It's not that I don't like her or trust her, it's just not me. It's a woman that's not me. It sucks.
On the other side of that is the reality that I'm so happy to have that part of my life back. I'm getting up, eating right, working out, doing my hair, having adult conversations, contributing, making money... All things I've been so desperate for in the past 5 months. I feel a bit like myself again. I go off to work and I'm Theresa again. It's weird to feel as though I've been severed from myself...
I have thought about what I would do if I did not want to work...if I gave this a go and it didn't work out (either because I missed him too much or because the job just wasn't what I'd hoped it would be). I know I need and want to work, so I'm doing everything I can to make it work. I miss the mommies...I miss gymboree and walks and being able to hang out with him all day, but I'm a lot less tired. He's a lot to take for a whole day.
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