a little pep talk

words i never thought i'd say

I LOVE INSTITUTE!

Seriously.  It's only been two weeks, but my teacher is amazing!  I'm so glad I decided to sign up and take this class this semester!

another tender mercy

I got home today from work and had the thought: I should put the garbage out right now, instead of waiting until tomorrow morning.  The trash gets picked up on Friday's and when I leave it to do in the mornings sometimes I'm running late, or I will forget to put it out all together.  So, I gathered up the trash in the house, took it out to the garbage can, then wheeled the can out to the street.  As I was walking back up the driveway I saw that my back passenger-side tire was almost all the way flat.  Had I waited to take the trash out in the morning it would have been too dark for me to see this and I would have been in trouble.  So, I went back inside, gathered my purse back up and drove over to the Discount Tire store that is just down the street from me--praying the whole time that I made it there without a problem from the tire and before they closed for the day.  I made it in time!  They got the flat fixed and rotated my tires for me and the best part of all: it was all free because it was covered on the warranty on the tires from when I bought them almost 18 months ago.

I am so grateful for the Lord's hand in my life and that I followed what I thought was just an insignificant thought to take out the trash.

cavity free

Just got back from the dentist for my 6 month cleaning/check-up.  Guess what?  No cavities!  30 years and counting...

quilting itch

I'm getting the itch to start another quilt.  I found a couple pics of what I want my next design to be...

I just can't decide between the flowers or the diamonds between the stars.  Thoughts?

forming good habits

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, or Civil Rights day.  As such, I have the day off work.  Something exciting happened this morning though, and I wanted to share!   I woke up and, even though I would be perfectly validated in sleeping in, drove the 20 miles over to Curves by my office (the one I'm a member of) to get my 30 minute workout in this morning and I feel great!  It's evidence that these changes I'm making are starting to stick and are turning into good habits.

poppy seed chicken salad

Just tried a new recipe and I'm in love!


2 c. cooked chicken, cubed
1/2 c. slivered almonds
1/4 c. celery, finely chopped
1 T poppy seeds
1/3 c. dried cranberries (I used the reduced sugar ones)
1/4 c. plain, non-fat, greek yogurt (I used Chobani brand)
1/3 c. reduced fat mayo
1 t. lemon juice
Pinch of sugar
Salt to taste

Stir all ingredients together in a bowl until combined.  Chill.  Makes 4 servings.


I ate it over a bed of spinach for dinner with a honeycrisp apple.  So good!

i'm afraid

I've developed a new fear/phobia.  It's started a couple months ago.  What is it?  I don't like having the shower curtain closed all the way (except for when I'm actually IN the shower, of course).  I'm afraid someone may be hiding in there and may jump out when I'm peeing and least expect it to kidnap and/or seriously hurt me.

I'm not sure where this fear came from but it is starting to become a problem.

strange cravings

So I've been doing this whole eating healthy and exercising more thing for almost three weeks now.  Here is something I've noticed:  I no longer crave sugar/chocolate

I haven't had pop/soda for a week now and I don't miss it.

Also, I've suddenly started craving some salmon.  For those of you who know me, know this is a strange and unusual craving.  I hate seafood.  Yet, all I can think about the last couple days is getting a really nice piece of salmon with some steamed broccoli.  I don't want to cook it.  I don't want my house to smell like fish.  I want to go somewhere and get some.

If I didn't know better I might start to wonder if I was pregnant...

confession

So I broke one of my New Year's Resolutions over the weekend.  Okay, I broke two.  But, in my defense I was sick!  I didn't go to the gym three times last week.  I also had some gluten in the form of some delicious, delicious chicken nuggets from Wendy's.  They were the only things I was craving and that didn't make my stomach turn over at the sight, smell, or thought of them.

However, I am back on track this week.  I've already gone to the gym twice and haven't had any gluten since Monday!

you know you're sick when...

Your nightstand turns into a pharmacy.

Went to the doctor yesterday in the hopes there would be something that he could give me to help kick this thing, but he said it's just a really bad cold and there's really nothing except rest and liquids that can be done. So, I've been hanging out on the couch, or in bed, for the last couple days trying to kill this bug with chicken soup and orange juice.  I feel a little better today but my throat is killing me.  It's super sore and irritated from all the coughing and clearing my throat of all the junk that's currently in it.  So gross.

I could really go for a Frosty from Wendy's right now.  I've been craving one since last night and I know it would help sooth my throat for a little while.  However, I haven't showered in 24 hours and I'm not really planning on showering anytime soon, so...probably not going to get on.  Oh well.  It's better this way anyway, since I wasn't able to go to the gym yesterday.

pretty sure....

I have the flu.

I feel horrible.

Hopefully the chicken noodle soup, oj, and drugs I bought on the way home today will work quickly.

do a good turn daily

I always try to be aware of situations in my day-to-day life of being able to "do a good turn daily."  Yesterday I let a lady go ahead of me in the checkout line at the grocery store because she had only a few items and seemed to be in a hurry.  Today I helped jump my roommate's car when her battery died.  What little acts of service have you done lately?

trying to stretch

This year I'm going to try to stretch myself.  Literally, by going to the gym three times a week, and figuratively, by doing more things that I normally wouldn't in an effort to get outside my comfort zone.  I'm adding this as a late New Year's Resolution.  Today I did two things that normally I wouldn't have done and I'm kind of proud of myself.  They may not seem like big things, but trust me, they are.

#1. I registered for an institute class this semester.  Yesterday Julia went and ran some errands with me.  While we were out we were talking about stuff and I asked if she was going to go back to taking seminary since she decided to come back home and isn't going to be taking institute as part of her school credits at LDSBC.  She said she didn't really want to go backwards and go back to seminary, but wanted to do an institute class.  That got me curious and I looked up how many credits I had left before I could graduate from institute.  Turns out I only need to take Book of Mormon 1 and 2 and then I can graduate!  So, I signed up for a Book of Mormon 2 class that is going to be on Thursday nights, starting next week.  I'm kind of excited!  Julia is going to go with me, so that should be fun!

#2. I stayed for Break the Fast today.  This is something I've never done in this ward, but I promised my friend McKenna that I would come and try the salad she made and brought.  Turns out I had a fun time.  I sat at a table with some girls I love and whom I get along with, had some yummy taco soup and tried McKenna's salad which was interesting but good!

Baby steps, people.  Baby steps.

 

curves

I have too many curves.  So, I joined Curves again today.  My first workout is tomorrow.  I feel it--2013 is going to be my year to finally lose weight and get in shape!

new year status update

Current Start Time - 11:20am

Current Location - Sitting on my living room couch

Currently Watching - Season 4 of Alias on Netflix

Currently Listening To - The load of laundry drying that I just put in the dryer

Currently Thinking About - Joining Curves tomorrow after work

New Year's Resolutions for 2013 - 

     *Be completely gluten free all year

     *Take the stairs at work each day instead of the elevator

     *Read 200 books

Currently Craving - Something delicious but I don't know what, though...

Current End Time - 11:27am