Someone Woke Up in Project Mode

I got so much done today! I've been wanting to get started with spring cleaning, and I finally got things going. Here's what I got done...

1. Pulled all the blankets, sheets, and mattress pad off the bed. 
2. Washed the sheets and pillows
3. Cleaned the bathroom
4. Washed blankets
5. Reorganized some kitchen cupboards
6. Cleaned out the fridge
7. Cleaned out the sink
8. Washed the mattress pad

I still need to go to the grocery store, hang some pictures, make the bed, and design some fliers for church. But it's been a pretty good day.

How I'm Taking Care of Myself

I set a new year's resolution to become more active and to lose a certain amount of weight. Well, after almost 3 months of going to the gym, I have not seen much of a change. So I'm going to start switching things up a bit. Here are my new goals: 

-on days when I go to the gym, I'll be doing interval training, rather than keeping a steady pace the whole time {I use the elliptical}

-on non-gym days, I'll work on strength training and stretching. {I love this website for the wide variety of workouts} 

-ideally, I would some some yoga every day, but that isn't always possible. So I'm aiming for at least 4 days a week {I practice at home, with instruction from here} 

- I found a place online that will calculate your daily recommended nutrients. I know it will take some careful calculating, but I hope to get better about actually eating healthy, instead of just within a certain amount of calories {you can calculate your own nutrition needs here}

I know that change doesn't come overnight. But I was hoping to be a bit further along than I currently am. So hopefully this will make a difference. 

P.S. I know there are a lot of links in this post. It's not sponsored or anything, I just wanted to share the sites that I like using. 

All Caught Up {I Think}

Despite the fact that it's April, I'm in my furry vest, with a blanket, and hot chocolate, trying to stay warm. 

Utah springs aren't much of springs at all.

Almost Caught Up...

Okay, other things to catch up with...

I came home from my trip. I had two-ish days, and then we were off to visit with Luke's family for a weekend. We had a great time, and got to celebrate two birthdays. I had made plans to sort-of get some projects done while we were there, but instead I just enjoyed relaxing with family. Luke and his dad fixed our car, so that's something. 

When we got back Sunday night, I was exhausted. Travelling can sure take a lot out of you, even if you're only going short distances. At least our car is working now. Did I mention that before? A few weeks ago our car stopped working. But it's fixed now. 

Now that our travelling is done for a while, I get to go back to real life. That means the gym. And last week was the worst. Normally I don't mind going. Sometimes I'm even excited. But not lately. 

Along with our upstairs neighbors, we're starting a garden! I'm really looking forward to having fresh vegetables right outside my door. And I'm also excited that I won't have to do all the work myself.

Perhaps these recaps are only interesting to me. Sorry folks. Maybe someday I'll have interesting things to say. But probably not. Writing about my real life is the easiest thing to write about. 

My Trip Home

Did you like how I wrote a post about catching up, and then didn't write for almost a week? Sorry about that. Time has just been getting away from me lately. So, here's what's been going on. 

Almost two weeks ago, I went home. My little brother came home from his mission, and I really wanted to see him again. My dad was super awesome, and helped me pay for a plane ticket. Usually when I go home, I drive. But since I had to make the trip myself, flying was much safer than driving for 12 hours all by my self. Can I just say how awesome it is to go home in less than a day? Seriously. It's the best. 

Being home was great. I didn't get a lot accomplished, but I got in some good family time. And some good sleeping. Because I'm lazy. I also got attacked by a glass of ginger beer. It's a good story, although kind of embarrassing  Essentially, I drank too much beer too fast, and I developed a cough. Then it morphed into a cold, and I'm still sick. Rats.

Another highlight was taking my brother shopping for some real clothes. He's not much of a shopper, but he needed some new things pretty badly. My sister and I drug him all over, and he got a bit cranky. But we were in public, so he couldn't get too upset. 

Although I love my husband, and love my friends in Provo, leaving home is always hard. Hopefully I'll be back this summer (with Luke) for an extended trip. For real though. There is nothing better than a Southern Alberta sunset. Or spring. Or summer. Or anything. 

I suppose that in a post about seeing my brother, I should have written about him a bit more. Here's all you need to know, really. He's been gone for 2 years, and hasn't changed a bit. Not a bit. I'm not particularly surprised. 

I've Been Away

I haven't posted in quite a while. And I sort of have reasons as to why that happened. At first, nothing was happening in my life that was worth writing about .Then, there were suddenly a lot of things that were happening, that I probably should have written down. Now I'm not sure if I want to write a huge post about everything, do a quick skim, or break it down into a few different posts. 

Honestly, I don't want to do anything, because I'm lazy. And we're up in Bear Lake, and I don't have to spend the weekend in the basement. 

I'll probably post in a few installment over the weekend. Perhaps I'll even get myself caught up. Who knows. 

My Spring To-Do List

• clean up our backyard
• go on a trip
• plant some things in our little garden 
• clean out the car 
• buy some Girl Scout cookies
• buy some fresh flowers 
• go on some picnics 
• take more walks 
• clean out my closet to make room so I can...
• buy some fun spring clothes
• keep working through my goo stash
• open the windows

If I'm still feeling ambitious after all that, I want to: 

• clean up my desk
• put some new curtains in the living room and kitchen 
• do some serious spring cleaning 
• decorate my kitchen 

What I Learned While Working Today

So it turns out that there is no difference between whiskey and scotch. It's all in the location. In fact, it goes kind of like this: 

Scotch is to whiskey

as 

Champaign is to sparkling wine

Just don't ask about bourbon, gin, and tequila. I'm still trying to figure those ones out. 

What I'm Watching: Online TV Version

You know how there's some shows, and no matter how many times you watch them, you still love it? You never get tired of the characters or plot or dialog, even if you've already seen each episode 20 times? There are a handful of shows that I feel that way about. Here's what I'm watching over and over again. 



The Office 

I'm sure this will come as a surprise to no one. I post clips and pictures here all the time. I often quote it in real life, too. There's just something about the way the characters are set up that I love. They all seem real to me; they have clear motivations, interests, and back stories. Most of the time, there's good development in ways that make sense. Plus, it's hilarious. It always picks me up when I'm in a bad mood. And the best part, every season is on Netflix {not counting the current season that's running on TV}. 

Gilmore Girls 

Again, this should come as no surprise. I've been watching this show for years. I love the characters, and most of the plot. I think the writing is very clever, and that it is very well performed. While it can be dramatic, there are lots of lighthearted moments, and some downright funny scenes. It has a bit of everything, which is why I find it so appealing. I have six of seven seasons on DVD {the last one doesn't exist, in my opinion}, and sometimes I watch them online, too. My favourite thing about the show, I think, is the one liners.

Fawlty Towers 

Those who are well versed in British TV comedy should be familiar with this John Cleese hilarity. It's one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. It's about a hotel owner who hates people, and his wife, who hates him. Filled with dark British humour and witticisms, it will keep you entertained for days. Keep in mind, it is dark British humour, and can be wildly inappropriate. But that's the best part. I believe it's on Netflix instant streaming. Or you can suck it up and buy it (because it's only one season long)

The Big Bang Theory 

I didn't start watching this show until it had run through a few seasons. But it's very witty, and the characters are interesting. Sometimes it can feel like the same jokes are being played over and over. But every so often, a line is delivered with the perfect comedic timing, and it's just hilarious. If you watch carefully, you can actually learn some sciency stuff, too. 

Love and All That

As Valentine's day drew closer, and is now upon us, I found myself becoming quite cynical. Every card was cheesy, every idea a gimmick. Even the themed treats meant extra work. In short, Pinterest was gettin' me down. 

Then I stopped and thought about it. It's a holiday about showing the people you love that you love them. There's nothing cheesy about that. Love is important, and one of the few things in life worth having. 

So today, I'm not painting my nails, or doing a ton of crafts, or anything over the top. Instead, I'm doing my work, waiting for Luke to get home so we can get cheeseburgers and cupcakes, and watch more Alias (we totally started watching it last night. I forgot how good it is!). 

Also, here are some pictures, because I want to put some up. 

Geocaching for Luke's birthday, 2012

Engagement, 2011

Married! August 20, 2012

At Breanne's wedding, 2010

The Bees in my Brain

My thoughts are like bees. Each one is fat and slow, and makes a little buzzing noise. Mostly they just float around the garden of my brain, rarely being a bother. But every once in a while, something happens, and they get stirred up, and start buzzing louder and coming closer, and then I actually have to stop and look at them. Once I start looking, I can't stop. I watch them go around and around, coming close to me all the time. I don't get stung very often, but when I do, the thought stays with me for a long while. 

The bees don't like it when you try to organize them. They don't line up nice and neat. And they all want your attention all the time. When you start focusing on just one, the rest fly in and try to take over. The only way to take care of them is to write down what they're trying to tell me. From there, oh, anything can happen.