Happy holidays!

Our Christmas was small but nice! It was our first Christmas as a married couple, and dexters very first Christmas!  I wish we would have taken video of him tearing open his squirrel. He was soooo excited!

Finishing house paperwork, hopefully get it mailed our by wed and close by the end of january.

Also, thanks to a new juicer, our kitchen looks like a fruits and veggies market.

I leave you with snuggle puppy!

Are we there yet?

Paperwork, paperwork, more paperwork and waiting. I have a list of things to address for the house paperwork. I have so much to do today and we STILL need to finish our wedding thank you cards! 

I haven't been able to enjoy the holiday season due to being broke and too busy with other things.  I feel like a scrooge.

I just want all the paperwork over with so I can relax.  Soon enough.

In other news our puppy graduated puppy class!  We're pretty proud :)

Life

Another first in the books.

I've never really experienced death this close. At least not, at an age that I could really comprehend it.

Today, my grandmother passed away in her young 60's. One of the sweetest, most real people I have ever had the pleasure of being in a part of their life.

She never judged and always loved.

She had been so sick in October, that she wasn't able to make it to our wedding and she was just as upset and bummed about it as we all were. The next day before we left for our trip to PA. We went to visit her and I gave her my wedding bouquet.

That's the last time I saw her or talked to her, and I'm bummed about it. I've been so busy that I didn't make more time for her.

The plant she had given me is still alive and acutally, I went to water it earlier and noticed it has little baby sprouts on it finally!

It's never too late to quit smoking. Encourage the ones you love to live healthy long lives, with those that love them :)

and Enjoy your friends and family to the fullest.

I keep reminding myself "retail is an honorable job".

My blog is very positive. But as I plan for the weeks ahead at work, I have to say something.  While you're out doing Christmas shopping, thank the person at the store that helps you.  I'll be working Christmas eve once again, and new years eve and new years day.  While the majority of you will be snuggled up with family dining and drinking and laughing.....I will be at work.

I would love for a Saturday off, or a holiday would be great.

So appreciate your weekends and holidays.  We don't all get them.

Oh and appreciate your hands.  Why? I have horrible scratched up, scarred hands and no nails. My job doesn't give me the luxury of having girly hands, let alone clean ones.

Bah hum bug.

First football game ever!

Good Monday everyone!

I wanted to share another new fun experience! A few weeks ago at work, I happen to meet a buffalo bills player. We made small talk conversation and after saying I've never been to a game he offered to get me some free tickets to my husband and I. I was soo nervous calling him and asking for the tickets, but he even got us 4 tickets!  He dropped them off sat and on Sunday brandon, bre, zev and myself set off for the game.

We were so close to the bills bench! They were amazing seats!!

So there you have it. One guys random act of kindness led to a Sunday bills game first!

Things all over are positive lately! You have an impact on how your life plays out.

Another first....homemade soup!

So I made my first attempt at real soup! Brandon hasn't been feeling good so I wanted to make him something tummy! 

Celery, onion, cabbage, carrots, zucchini, and potatoes.
Cut up and cooked in a tablespoon of virgin olive oil. 
Cooked for 2 minutes added a can of low sodium chicken broth, one can of light kidney beans and one can of unstrained diced tomatoes. 
Add some spices!!!
Bring to boil then simmer for 30 minutes!  Yum! :)

Good Sunday evening!

Just got home from visiting my dad! Dexter loves bruiser, my dads lab.

I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving! Mine started off with something new! I really want to start experiencing new things. A great way to start....an 8k turkey trot!! I finished in under an hour! I ran 2 miles, got a bad cramp so I walked a mile, and ran the last 2. 

Thanks breanna for reminding me I could do it!!
 

Now....what's next?

what is the joyful rebellion?

I decided I wanted to take the time and kind of explain the name behind my blog.

First and foremost, its a great album by K-OS. I highly reccomend you look into it, if you haven't heard it all ready.

K-OS said ""Joyful Rebellion is about knowing that living the truth in life, you have to sort of rebel against the system, but at the same time you want to be happy about it. If the key in music is to reach out to a lot of people and to have them get down with your ideas and philosophies, why wouldn't you want to make it something that was joyful?"  

So Secondly, I guess I can really say that it's about doing things your way. The way that makes you happy.

Not everyone is meant to be an artist, lawyer, mother, father, student.....whatever.

It's about doing what you love and being happy with the decisions you make.

I choose to make my blog public, because I hope that maybe it will help other people think outside the box and appreciating who they are and what they want.

I'm still learning through life but I have always been pretty sure I did not want to have children. Whenever I mention this i get the 'awwwww why not...it'll change your life' response.

Not wanting to have children does not make myself or my spouse sad, lonely, mean, or depressing people.
It makes us honest and true.
I love my husband and I love our latest edition to our family.

I have not had a dog since I was a kid so I never really knew how it would be to have a puppy.

It's amazing. I love every minute of it. It's been a lot of work and sometimes he makes me crazy, but it's all worth it, just to see the look on his face when I come home.

I love when he nips at my knees when I'm trying to get ready to leave, because he knows what i'm doing. I love when he rings the bell to go outside because he hears people outside and he wants to play with them.
I love when he whines at me when i pick up my cell phone because i'm not paying him enough attention.

Being married is wonderful for me.
Having a puppy is wonderful for me.
and I'm very much so looking forward to nesting in our new home in the beginning of the new year.

Things don't always turn out the way we expect or the way others expect, but you can't dwell on it.

Why try and force something to work, if all it does is hurt one person or the other?
The best thing you can do, is let it go if its not working. Be thankful for what you've had and wish nothing but the best for everyone.

Life's too short.
It's too short for one too many things.

• anger
• resentment
• sorrow
• regret

And many more. I don't want to every have any of these things in my life.

I really hope everyone out there can partake in their own joyful rebellion. Rebel against the things you think are the "norm" and try something new. Be different, be bold, be challenging, be strong, and be willing to accept things when they don't work out.


I'll leave you all with some love <3

5x7 Folded Card

Name Collage Noir Thank You Card

Create modern thank you cards at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

House hunt!

So far, it looks like our house hunt has been a success!! We bid, they accepted our offer, and now our home inspection is Thursday!!! I can't wait to have a backyard for our little pup! I can't wait to do decorating, painting, and landscaping!

Bre's post just reminded me I need to go running today to get ready for the turkey trot! What does one wear to run in the cold? I don't want to freeze or be too hot!

Busy bee!

I have been crazy busy. I'm pretty much running off caffeine!  Work is hectic, I had am employee walk out on my day off so I need to do some dtaffing. I'm supposed to be on vacation the week of thanksgiving, I hope I still can.

Dexter, has kennel cough. But he is sounding better today! I mixed his food with low sodium chicken stock to soften it. I also gave him a little honey here and there. 

We got our wedding proofs!!

Crap... I still have to take back the caterers linens. Looks like I'm doing that right after work. My mind is just chaos right now haha.

Lastly were seriously considering a house we looked at. Have to get the dad's approval.

A month later...

...and even more in love. 

Selfless

Yesterday I wanted to thank brandon for putting up with my long work days so I made a dinner especially for him.
My first attempt at dirty rice!

From the knot to the nest

Now that I'm officially Mrs. Hertel and we have our latest family addition, dexter. It's time to get us a home. 

We found a new mortgage guy at m&t, we have a new realtor looking at houses for us now. I'm excited again, despite our bad experience with it last year.

This time were gonna be smarter get my aunt to make us up our good faith estimate, also I will not put 2,000 for a deposit. Only do $1,000.
Just trust me.   Hopefully we can find one with a fenced yard.

Freedom

Freedom of press is a great thing. You can say what you want. Jenn, ill let you know if there's anything I want you to relay to megan. Or better yet ill just talk to her myself

Negativity

I really really REALLY, wanted to post before I left work today and I have some positive things to say. However, first I need to say that I started off my day in the worst way. Full of negativity and it made me extremely upset. For the first time in a long while I can say with 100% certainty. I was minding my own business, loving life, having fun and I was hit with a mack truck. I was yelled at for something I DID NOT do, or have any part in.

When this happens normally I'm upset because I worry if I played some small  part. Today....not worried. I won't stoop to the level of what a guy said about me because I know he's very important to some people I care about.

Anyways!....life has been busy, I have some awesome friends! I would be lost without bre! I've also had the chance to hang out with some other people, who are so down to earth and real! love it :)

and the latest edition to my family...

Dexter!! He is a little terd sometimes but he keeps me warm on the couch and keeps me exhausted haha. which is why I'm running late today! It was just way too hard to get up. I'm sorry to cut this short.


oh yes


I got married to a pretty awesome man :)

routine & errands

My daily routine is all messed up since the move! It's also been super hard to get up early in the morning. I need to get up again and start doing some yoga. We're pretty much all unpacked. I finished downloading the wedding music :). Just need to pick the songs for everyone to enter to at the reception.

Jenny helped me with her awesome handwriting for our placecards. I just need to finish putting them together.

tomrorow = work, dj stopping by, doing my hair at aunt amys.
wed= visiting the riviera, finishing my vows, seating chart
thurs = pack for PA
fri= favors, jennys dress appointment :) main pedi  rehearsel

Sometimes...

...the right thing, is the hardest thing.

Bullying

It's very tragic what happened to the 14 year old kid from this area. Its very tragic what happens to many kids all over the world. I'd like to say it gets better as you get older. But does it really?
It's insane the amount of bullying that goes on thanks to facebook. I see it almost every day and it baffles my mind.

who cares what someone likes
who cares what someone doesnt like
who cares what music they listen to
who cares what they wear, what they drink, what they eat, what they do, where they work.

Every person is entitled to be who they want to be and I wish it was without judgement.

I want my friends, family, their friends and family, their children and siblings to all feel free to be who they want regardless of whether or not someone else thinks its cool or not.

You can't say bullying is bad and then be a bully. It doesn't work that way.

I'm saying we all give everyone a chance starting now. A chance to be themselves. Free of Judgement. Each one of us is perfect the way we are. And if what we do, wear, eat , drink, listen to, watch, or read makes us happy...then you know what I'm glad :)

I'm happy for each and every one of you and what you choose to do with your life. its your choice and I respect that and I appreciate the differences we all have.

Todays the day we should all start, if we haven't already.

Update on new things

There are few things in the world that I absolutely hate, but I hate RAW RED PEPPERS. In fact raw any color peppers!
they're so fricken pretty to look at but...
dammit

Yes I took  the time to decorate those peppers on paint haha.

There are some foods that I like now that I didnt before!
Onions mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm cooked or raw
Garbanzo beans. Used to hate them, now I cant have a salad without them!

So at least I can add 2 to my new like pile. For now those peppers will just have to leave me alone! I'm sorry. its nothing personal haha

wedding update

less than 20 days out officially! My dress is too tight and needs to be let out uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh.
However we do have a place to stay for a few days and nights after the wedding!

check it out! Jim Thorpe Inn

Yesterday I went with breanna at Letchworth State Park. If you've never been you should go! but be prepared to have sore legs and a sore butt the next morning.

It was gorgeous out and was a good stress reliever from all the wedding stresses i've been hitting.

<3

Act like a kid again!

While I do many adult things day in and day out . I love taking time to feel like a kid again!

I got a couple ways of my own to feel young:

-I love cuddling up and watching a disney movie
-Drinking chocolate milk and blowing bubbles in it
-Swinging on a swingset
-Riding a rollercoaster
-Coloring
-Spinning in circles and lying flat on the grass
-Playing games

so go about your busy day but take a little bit of time


go watch some Stand by me

<3

New things

Starting this year I have begun to expand my horizons. I want to do new things and not be afraid to try. I've already began to try a new way of life for my health and body, and i've tried a few foods I've never tried!

I've already had fish with breanna which was DELCIOUS! I have had homemade guacamole. I've begun the practice of yoga and am really glad I stuck with it. It makes me feel amazing and I've seen how much I've grown over time.  

I know that some foods I try I may not like but I will be grateful for trying. Some experiences might not be what I thought they'd be like but I am going to try.

You can call it a bucketlist if you want but I'm just going to call it TRY!
Some of the things are little,

-Read a book by someone I've never read before
-Eat many new things i've never dared to eat before!
-Learn a new language
-Volunteer
-Gun range! learn to shoot
-help someone else reach something they've been trying to acheive
-go apple picking
-make ornaments for family and friends

I'm going to start by making my own veil! Wish me luck.

I really want to use this as a way to document all the new adventures. The world's evolving, and so am I!

All you need is love

Wedding update: so the wedding is 1 month and 1 day away! AHHHH! I have so much to do and I just keep trying to tackle it bit by bit.

I got all my girls their gifts this week and I got the luminaries for the tables. They look pretty cute.



I have to pre-warn everyone if I go a little crazy. Understaffed is an understatment for my current situation at work, just a few weeks before my wedding naturally. Tentatively, I am still going to be homeless come oct 1st. We might be spending our wedding night in our cars haha.

Despite all the stress going on at work I'm still smiling. Its because in 1 month and 1 days I get to marry my soul mate. Everday, I wonder how I got so lucky and always worry that it cant be this perfect. But it really is! and I really am this damn lucky!

So thank you to my future husband for putting up with me freaking out, even when things are this chaotic, I go through my day with a smile on my face!

Jar full of nuts

Yoga Journal - Yoga Philosophy - Just Let Go

Something good to read! I promise, friends :)

Freak out

So, I am a little freaked out. I still have not found an apartment yet, I realized all the stuff I need to do for the wedding, and I havent been sleeping good at all.

Last night was the first night in 3 days that I slept for more than 3 or 4 hours. I have tomorrow so I NEED to just sleep in. I just cant find the drive I need this week. I want it to be over already. I blame PMS. I constantly feel groggy. I've done some yoga made me a delcious smoothie, had green tea this week. Today I think I will have to try coffee.

The month I want to surround myself with people I love most, is probably going to be the month i'm  most alone and busy. So, I apologize now to all of you!

I bought my bridesmaids gits last night, brandon got his groomsmens gifts, and I got the table luminaries!

I apologize to anyone if I have some freak outs this month, just know I love you all :)

I love food!

Brandon and I made the most delicious Guacamole I have EVER had! It's soooo much better if you make it yourself fresh. And it was super easy.

Just Lime, onions, avacodos, cilantro, tomatoes and a little bit of salt.

After a mini freak out that I might not have a venue to get married, the lady emailed me back and informed me the website is incorrect, there is not a show going on at 2pm that day. phew!!!

Tonight is sunset yoga, I can't wait!

Young at heart

You can go to extremes with impossible schemes. You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams. And life gets more exciting with each passing day. And love is either in your heart, or on it's way. 

I'm writing this from the comfort of my bed. Tonight is the type of chilly night you lay in a bed full of pillows and watch a little tv and light a cider scented candle.  I keep thinking about how little time I have left until the wedding and I stop and remember what comes at the end of this whole crazy ordeal. I get to spend the rest of my days being young at heart with the love of my life, as his wife.    

Wow, rhyme time!

An arm and a leg

Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both arms. Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are 'limbs,' therefore painting them would cost the buyer more.. Hence the expression, 'Okay, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg.'

My aunt Judi posted this and I thought it was really interesting.
I feel like I learned something and now you have too!

shake shake shake...

A good day starts out with some yoga and breakfast!
I woke up this morning with the determination to start off a great weekend. I did 25 minutes of AM Yoga with my man rodney! Standing poses today I still have trouble with some of my balance but i'm determined to get there. During relaxation pose today I felt like all the stress inside of me was just oozing out, it felt really good to get it all out.

I made my own smoothie today!
I didn't have a lot of spinach so I used about a cup since its all I had left, a cup of blueberry/pomegranet juice. some ice and a banana.

It turned out more to be a "brown monster", but it was delicious!!

Yum!

I followed it up with an egg and toast.
Let's get this show on the road!

Cheers!

I've set aside my bucketlist thanks to pinterest. I'm pretty much using it as a bucketlist/idea list. I seriously spent almost 2 hours on there!

I think this is the first thing I want to make!

After all the wine we've gotten to fill our wine rack it shouldnt be a problem getting started!!! Collect me your corks people!

One bottle down!  Cheers

This is the Joyful Rebellion

I completely forgot I used to use this name as a blog and rememberd how much I loved it!

This is going to be a positive thing. This is going to be an honest thing. This is going to be a creative thing. This is going to be a love thing.

"This is my message to the world
Just tryin to reach every boy and girl
Not tryin to say if it's right or wrong
This is just a love song"