30 day challenge

If you Google "30 day challenge" you will find roughly 212,000,000 challenges.

• Plank challenge
• Fitness challenge
• 30 days of yoga
• 30 day challenge for single women
• Vegan Challenge
• Juicing Challenge
• Gratitude challenge
• Take the activia challenge
• Instagram picture challenges

Last week I challenged myself to give up Facebook. For how long? I'm not exactly sure but I'm going to start with 30 days away to focus on ME instead of everyone else. We share pictures, like statuses, and leave comments. But at the end of the day, I was focusing way too much on everyone else.

I'm officially on day 10. Here is what I have learned:

1. I am way too attached to Facebook. I have found myself on several occasions picking up my phone ready to open my internet explorer and start typing in www.fac... . See, months ago I deleted the app in order to help stay off of Facebook. It does help greatly but does not stop the habit.
2. There's nothing I couldn't be updated on by a simple text message, email, phone call or visit.
3. I have more free time when not on facebook.
4. I have more self control than I give myself credit for. I can honestly say I have not slipped even ONCE in the 10 days so far. 

I think at the end of this challenge I am going to make it a habit to make Facebook a once-a-month (if even) habit. With all this extra time I've found myself starting a Q & A a day journal . I've also been doing a lot of reading for personal development and one of my favorite websites, Levo.

I've also decided to begin my own version of p90x3 once again on May 1st. I'm very excited to get back into and am hoping I can get the new puppy (Hera) used to a routine as well so that there is not a significant amount of attacking.
Let's end today with some motivation...and a puppy!

Snovember

I just attempted to log in to my class online and realized I missed a WHOLE week of participation. How could this happen?????

Oh wait....That's right
SNOVEMBER!

Last week I awoke to my husband claiming he could not make it to work and he did not believe I would either. I never thought I was going to wake up to an insane amount of snow. We hit record inches in south Cheektowaga of over 65" of snow....yes that's taller than I am!

I was thankful we bought food the weekend before. I also was thankful that I had previously bought an emergency car shovel (since our full size shovel shattered into pieces)

We stayed inside and kept warming playing board games, watching movies, and staying safe. It wasn't all fun and games! With every noise you wondered if your roof was going to cave in, if your gutters were to fall off, or if the snow piles falling off your roof would be blowing in your walls (this did happen to my in-laws).

What I can tell you is Buffalo, NY has been my home for the past 30 years and many of the acts of kindness made me remember why it's so great to live here.

<3 Buffalove

The long journey

I haven't posted much since the spring. I haven't posted all in fact since March of 2014. So first, let me apologize. I spent my first summer in a long time actually enjoying myself. I've gotten back into doing yoga on a regular basis. Oh, and most importantly I left retail. I took a venture into a new career and even lost a great deal of salary. But I will tell you this. What I've gained fully outweighs what I lost.

I've gained back control of my life. I've gained more free time. I've gained more time to work on my MBA studies. I've gained purpose. It's amazing that since all I ever knew was retail management I never thought there could be life outside.

I'm not dissing retail. For some people its what they are passionate about doing. I think it's important to learn that if you're not feeling lead by something larger than a title or money, than you should re-evaluate what you are doing with your life.

Facebook is a great thing because you get to see all the great things happening in others lives, but you also get to see the worst things happening in their lives.

Life is too short. Stop reading about what you love, or thinking about what you could be doing.

Find a way and go do it.

I'm sorry for you.

I'm sorry that some people feel the need to trample on people to get what they want. I feel sorry that you think the most effective way to spend time is by gossiping about others in the lunch room. I feel sorry that something in the past made you this way. I feel sorry that you don't know what its like to be a real part of a team. I feel sorry that you're angry. I feel sorry for you.

I will never feel sorry for myself. I will always forgive. I will continue to learn. I will only EAT in the lunch room. I will be optimistic. I will give people chances. I will be fair. I will be true.

Sometimes you just have to get out what you're thinking.

30 minutes of yoga clears your mind.

On to the joyful rebellion.

This glass is HALF FULL

I want to start by saying it is not always easy to be positive but we owe it to ourselves to try. I recently read a book for work which I found really motivating. I am becoming more aware by others motives and how it makes me feel. I'm learning to control how I react or respond. I highly recommend if you're feeling down that you pick up The Energy Bus  by Jon Gordon.

There are 10 rules on the bus

1. You're the driver of your bus (Don't let anyone else take the wheel and know that you're in charge)
2. Desire, Vision, and Focus move your bus in the right direction (Dream big and set some goals!)
3. Fuel your ride with positive energy (we've all seen what happens when we fuel it with the opposite)
4. Invite people on your bus and share your vision for the road ahead.
5. Don't waste your energy on those who won't get on your bus.
6. Post a sign that says "no energy vampires allowed" on your bus.
7. Enthusiasm attracts more passengers and energizes them during the ride.
8. Love your passengers.
9. Drive with purpose.
10. Have fun and enjoy the ride 

We've all had days, weeks maybe even years where we said "WHY ME?". I'm a firm believer that 10% is what happens to us and 90% is how we react. If you have 2 pet dogs (one negative energy and one positive energy) who would win a fight...the one that you feed more.

I am not bound to win, I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light that I have. –Abraham Lincoln

So you think you want a boxer dog PT 2

I also thought I should take this time to update you all on Dexter's anxiety.

You might Remember Dexter...if not its because he's gotten big.

I can't help but scream awwwww when I see this picture. Here he was just 15 lbs :(

Here he is now weighing 80 lbs.....yes 80 lbs!!

His anxiety worsened and we weren't sure why so instead we started leaving him out of the crate but really puppy proofed the living room and kitchen. It was RARE but he did get into things usually due to our own fault. However he's almost 2 1/2 and he's completely changed.

He used to be right at the door as soon as I opened it (even if I had been gone for 6 hours). Now I can leave for an hour or 6 and when I come home hes not right at the door hes sleepily walking into the kitchen....He was SLEEPING!! hallelujah!!

I think our anxiety training helped but I think he's also just matured a little bit. Don't let these photos fool you he still runs around and loves to play but I'm no longer worried about his anxiety when I leave him alone. there also has been NO drooling :) 

He still follows me around when he knows I'm leaving (this picture is evidence from just a few days ago). He stalks me, but I don't mind.

So if you're still on fence about getting a boxer, just know they take time, patience, love, and a LOT of food. I wouldn't trade anything for the world. He's still my baby.

MBA, Here I come!

First let me start with

Not to freak you out or anything but that's how I feel. 

I recently began my MBA program online with Empire State College. It's really great and I'm glad I'm doing it but I think it's finally hitting me how much work it is. This isn't entirely a bad thing. It's exciting! For the first time in YEARS I feel like I'm really learning something and really working my brain. 

I just came back from a residency in Saratoga Springs, NY, where I was able to meet many other MBA student.

It was refreshing. So many other students are in the same position as I am. We're all a little bit nervous, a little bit scared, and equally parts excited. 

Aside from my own drive and others telling me I can succeed my real drive is my sister Jenny. You can check out her inspiration at her blog Jenny bomb is losing it . 

Things that are worth it are NOT easy. They're a challenge, and you can't do it without a great support system and so I say to you jenny B. I promise NOT to lose it and drop out of my MBA program if you continue to promise to lose it and become the healthiest you, you can be.

I love you.

First semester, I'm coming strong!

Sheryl

Fate or coincidence?

This is a tough debate. Many people believe in fate ( I confess I am one of them), others say its merely coincidence.

Looking back on the lifetimes I feel I've through every event, every bad breakup or bad relationship I stayed in served a purpose of some sort. It never feels like it in the moment but there's something strange when you recollect and notice that at the exact moment one door closed the right one opened. My husband does not believe in fate but I do believe it brought me to him.

Aside from love there's other ways fate works and I want to take time out in my blog to recognize a huge part of my life.

Megan Jane this is for you.

I'm going to be candid because I think people need to hear this. Megan and I have been friends for HALF my life! We had a falling out and it was probably one of the worst times of my life but I am VERY grateful for what I learned from it. I learned to not take your loved ones for granted. I learned that we're ALWAYS growing and still changing. I learned what it really means to truly forgive and forget. We all have our quarrels and we may not always be able to see one another sides in the heat of the moment. But I am thankful I was given the chance to have time to think about my actions and grow. I have become more appreciative of this woman. I'll put this out there too. I don't expect everyone to understand and frankly it doesn't matter if they do. I'm sure the same can go for some thinking the same about me. It comes down to one thing. All the petty things the little fights the disagreements mean nothing. The memories, the great times, change and growth are all that matter. 

I also learned that in our hearts we're really still the same kids we were 14 years ago. 

We still have the best of intentions, always.

We've been through it all from home phones to cell phones, livejournal to facebook, baggy jeans to fitted jeans. 

Thank you for not giving up on me.

<3

We all want the same thing.

After speaking with a friend this week it helped me to recollect and simply....think. This is for you.

We spend a lot of our lives believing we're different, we're unique, we're special, we're not like them, we're better, we're worth more, or maybe you think the opposite of yourself.

But there's one thing that keeps us all connected. Something we're all in search for.

That person next to you on the bus is searching for it. That person you can't stand at work....yeah they have something you have too. The homeless man begging for change he's looking for it too. Your mother, father, siblings, friends, enemies, lovers, ex-lovers... Heck even John Lennon was looking for it.

I'll come back to what it is.

For now think about that bad break up you had, that falling out with a friend, a fight with a coworker. You probably thought the things we all immediately think. They're wrong. They don't understand me. They can't see my side. Why me?

A long time ago something hit me out of nowhere. Now let me put up this disclaimer. NOTE: I am NOT a professional. I'm only 29, but some days I feel older than I am.

After a bad break up many lifetimes ago, I left angry and upset. I was living through some tough times at home at the same time. It just came to me one day I asked myself... Why should I be the only one allowed to be happy? He deserves to be happy too, and if it's not with me it should still be with someone. 

Which brings me to the answer of what we all are looking for, Happiness.

Again I am not a professional but I do know that anger and hate can manifest and turn you into something or someone you're not. Don't let it. You HAVE a choice!

I've a heard a quote I remind myself of often and it's "don't let someone else's inability to do their job effect your ability to do your job"

The same can go for kindness and happiness

Don't let someone else's inability to be kind or do kind things effect your ability to be kind or do kind things. If you let them, they'll continue to do damage on your psyche and you'll feel stuck in a circle.

Many of us if not all of us have faced some very difficult times and tragedies. We cannot control this but we can control how we respond to the situations.

We all need a little more kindness and a little more acceptance.  I'll be damned if I ever let someone turn me into an angry bitter or vengeful person. I will ALWAYS be the eternal optimist.

When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”

― John Lennon

The art of growing old....er

Although I am slowly recovering from what turns out to just be a crazy sinus infection, I decided to obviously attend Brand new!

Who's brand new?
If you don't know already fightoffyourdemons.com
For me it's nostalgic. it represents nearly HALF my lifetime ago.

I've posted about it before but it's amazing how a song, an album, or a band can take you back in time.

It was AMAZING to sing along but at the end of the day you realize how much older you've become and not that the time you spent was wasted but some of me wishes I could live it all over again. Part of me reads my old live journals and doesn't want to live it all over again because I was way more embarrassing then I thought. Am I going to look back again 10 years from now and think the same thing? If so...HELLO SELF! i HOPE I'M EMBARRASSING THE S&*% OUT OF YOU! :)

I'm also feeling most comfortable with my self and appearance now and I just hit 29. I hope I keep feeling this way.

Thank you awkward young self for coming out to play this week!

Also... older self if you're reading this...

you were once weird

and...

we still are weird.

I need the smell of summer, I need its noises in my ears.

Anyone else have the winter blues?

I need hiking, running, playing with my dog in the backyard in his little pool. I need BBQ'ing, kayaking, and farmers markets!

I need drinking green monster smoothies sitting in a lawn chair in my yard. I need beach time and sun soaking time.

I just need summer!

This summer is going to be a lot of house work. I want to repaint my shutters, rip out the evergreens from the front of my house and do some landscaping and then there is the tearing down of the pool. Yes its going folks. Its too expensive and time consuming to upkeep I'd rather go to a beach anyways. So how i'll keep my dog from running in the mud under where the pool will have been is going to be a task.

4 months from now it'll be gorgeous out <3...maybe even 3 months from now?

Wishful thinking! Stay positive!

be the person your dog thinks you are

Social media has allowed people to be friends with the people they hate in a passive way. Look through your facebook friends list. How many of them could you say you are truely friends with, and how many can you say you added to keep tabs on or "just because".

I will not add people anymore just because. If you're still on my list its because we are friends or I would like to make a consciencious effort to work on our friendship. If you find yourself gone this morning...you probably don't even notice.


I read something that struck a chord

The Awakened

 

How joyful to look upon the awakened

and to keep company with the wise.

Follow then the shining ones,

the wise the awakended, the loving,

For they know how to work and forbear.

but if you cannot find

Friend or master to go with you,

Travel on alone--

Like a king who has given away his kingdom

Like an elephant in the forest.

If the traveler can find a virtuous and wise companion

Let him go with him joyfully

and overcome the dangers of the way.

follow them,

As the moon follows the path of the stars.

 

 

Deleting someone from your facebook or life because its someone you would rather be alone then surround yourself with is not mean, its liberating. You'll be amazed how much less drama and complications there will be in your life.

 

 

Liberate yourself. You truely are who you surround yourself with. Remember that.

 

BE THE PERSON YOUR DOG THINKS YOU ARE!

Not so old dog, new tricks - boxer update

Update on the dog training! I definitley still practice dexter's tricks all the time to keep his brain stimulated and today we were sitting on the couch and he was just staring at me so I held up my hand and thought maybe he'll high 5 me (he's never done this). I started saying "high 5 dexter" and just as I was telling my husband that dexter probably thought I was telling him to stay (thats the same hand gesture) dexter actually gave me a high 5!! I freaked out and he freaked out he got SOOOOO excited. So I sat him on the ground and said "high 5" and he went for it again right away! He picked it up after doing it ONCE!

Seriously, it blows my mind how quickly a dog learns after he/she learns the signs of reward or praise from their owner. He didn't even need a treat to do it he just loved getting the attention.

He's much better in the crate still these days except for today. Brandon came home to find some of the stuffing tore out of the blanket in his crate. I know they reccomend giving him more to chew on in the crate if they do this but I'm afraid that with an agressive chewer it could just lead to unfortunate incidents like him eating a part of toy and choking on it or having it get stuck in his intestines.

I'd rather play safe than sorry and have him in their with just his kong.

I really wish we stuck with ignoring him more when people come over because he goes CRAZY when the doorbell rings or someone knocks. I think I'm going to try and get brandon to practice this with me. I think maybe when I come home from work I'll ring the bell and brandon won't open the door until dexter calms down and retreats from the door.   Maybe it'll work.

Living offline

facebook....best friend...or frenemy?

I have a REAL love hate relationship with facebook scratch that. It has become pretty much just hate at this point.

Remember when pokes....were POKES and comments were actual conversations held in person or on the phone...hell even text messages were prevalent. Now it's comments and instragram photos.

Have you talked to so and so lately?
No but I saw their instagram post.

I miss real conversations, coffee dates, wine nights, game nights, dancing, laughing, having fun and not worrying about whether or not someone I don't like on facebook saw pictures of me having fun.

Let's all chuckle because we've ALL done it! You've added someone you didn't care for because of some stupid reason. Maybe you wanted to see where they are now? You've checked in on an ex to see how horrible you hoped their life was? It's seriously just bad. Well, I'm done with it. If we're not friends you're deleted. If you are on there let's BE friends. REAL LIFE friends. The kind that don't need a phone or computer to talk. Let's go back to the wonder years. I have done a little dabbling here and there on facebook but it's pretty much come to a standstill because it made me realize how much I sometimes hate the things we all do.


I hate the feeling pictures or posts can give you when people try to show how much fun they're having without your or at least how much fun their pictures portray them to supposedly be having without you or what not. It's DEPRESSING people. So why do we do it? Why do we check our facebook accounts multiple times a day? Why do we check our instagram feed to see what someone's eating, drinking, or who they are with or where they are or how great they look today?

Seriously, think back to when none of this existed. You were probably a lot less depressed and maybe a lot more free.

I'm on a move to be free again. Free from "social networking" and into the REAL networking.

My husband is an idol to me. He could care less about what's going on with people on a day to day basis. And those that HE does care what's going on; He calls them!
I want to be more like him in this sense.

I'm not saying facebook or social network is bad. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE no hate comments.
This is a personal revelation and pursuit of living. I think blogging is a great outlet to get your ideas, memories and thoughts out so I think I'm going to spend more time here and less time elsewhere online.

This is just a personal pursuit of getting back to basics. Or you might think I'm crazy, dumb, or being ridiculous. That's fine too. I'm sure at some point I have been all of these things or perceived that way at one time or another to someone via facebook and I very well may be.

Let's get back to REALity.

<3
and so this is not just text here is a real life moment I LOVED! Getting to spend time with one of those closest to my heart. My sister Jenny (COME BACK ALREADY!!)

 

back from my hiatus

hello Internet world!
I've decided to come back to you after a long hiatus. A lot has happened. My lovely husband and I had our first anniversary :) The first of many many more to come!

Then there was the union of two amazing, kind, beautiful people (inside & out) :)

LOVE YOU TWO!

And of course the marriage of Mr & Mrs Monroe.

LOVE YOU TWO!!



I know I may sound redundant but I really love these people! They make my life an even better place so thank you to you all! AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER or I will hunt down the one who's doing wrong haha

So I really just wanted to start off simple and slow with a post congratulation those who have made their relationships "official". Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives.

Lastly, I'll just say on a quick note that I have a new job and I am enjoying coming home each night with NO calls to home and no panic attacks about whats happening at work!

Work should be important to you and you should always want to give your best. but it is STILL a job. Remind yourself to enjoy your time with your loved ones and be present.

Back on the saddle again.

Sheryl

Keepin the tradition or not?

Weddings wedding everywhere! Lately there's been a lot of great people in my life getting married or soon to be getting married! I'm just happy to see the people I love being in love!

There's a lot of traditions that come along with a wedding and everything after. I realized last night that brandon and my anniversary is coming up in less than 2 months and I do not feel even the slightest need to exchange gifts on ANY of our anniversaries. I think it's silly. (personal opinion, so DO NOT be offended if you do).

The day of our wedding and days up to it, I thought about how many couples exchange gifts the day of their wedding. What could Brandon possibly get me the day of our wedding that could even compare to the special day and the gift that he was going to be my husband? Nothing! I'm glad he felt the same way. We didn't exchange gifts the day of our wedding, just vows that meant the world.

So anniversaries... What's your plan?

Well for our one year anniversay we get a whole new cake top from our cake vendor. I plan on spending it drinking champagne or wine and eating cake with my husband of one year. Maybe dinner but no monetary gifts.  I don't care if it's the paper year, the gold year or the diamond year. Every year gets better and better because of love.

I think for as long as our cake place is open, we'll go every year on our anniversary to share a slice of our wedding cake and remember that night over and over again.

But a toast to all my newly wed or soon to be newly wed loved ones! Bre and Zev! and of course my lovely sister Jenny & Ej!

Under Pressure

Good morning good people!!!

I've been on a pretty big hiatus dealing with STRESS. Unfortunately stress is something most of us cannot escape. It does a lot to a person.

-lack of sleep (I found myself waking up EVERY 25-30 minutes the other night)
-high blood pressure (I was too afraid to check mine)
-immune system weakened
-loss of appetite.

The list goes on and on. I simply felt burnt out. You there? Everyone deals with stress in their own way, so I don't expect my words to help everyone but maybe it will help someone.


*Got a dog? go for a walk! EVERY morning. Yes...EVERY morning. It's probably been one of the most helpful things for me. It reminds me that there's more to me than what I do or what is stressing me. Many people joked that buddist monks look and act like little children in their later years. The reason for this is because they keep their mind in a constant state of wonder. Just like a baby.

Do this! Walking dexter every morning helps remind me how nice the summer morning air feels, smells, and how it looks. The other day I spent a good 5 minutes mesmorized in the shower looking at the water as it fell onto my hands. (by now you think i'm crazy) but simply being their and noticing what was going on right then, how it felt and looked was pretty neat. (No....I wans't drunk).

*Exercise. I've been so stressed I havent left myself much time to exercise. Latley I started running and although I dont typically run too far yet, I have learned to control my breath and not get tired early.

*Music in the morning. Turn it up loud, dance and sing while you make breakfast or coffee!


Stress can consume you if you let it. When you feel like its becoming too much talk to someone who makes you laugh or smile, it'll pull you right back to what really matters.

I'm a lover, i'm a liver, i'm a doer, i'm simple, i'm a friend, a dog mom :)

My job is simply what I do not who I am.

Todays morning is brought to you by Neil Young's Heart of Gold. 

Now go take your dog for a walk, Dexter and I are leaving for ours now. Try to focus on nothing else in your life but whats going on in the moment.  Afterall....nextflix, pinterest, and instagram are all down. So go back to living life! http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57464342-71/modern-life-halted-as-netflix-pinterest-instagram-down/

"I'M LIVING IN THE NOW, NOW JERRY. AND I'M LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT!"

Have fun! It's healthy!

Did you know that everytime you smile your body releases endorphins?
Fun loving optimistic people also live longer!

So to help contine our healthy happy long endorphin releasing lives haha, we went out last night!

Here's how it went....

It's important to take time out from your busy schedule to unwind...really unwind. Smile, laugh, dance like a fool and not care what anyone around you may be thinking.

To recoup today I think a lot of us spent time in our sweatpants haha. While I felt alright with it for the most part, I always feel lazy and gross after laying around all day. I need to learn to just sit and be haha. "the rock just sits and is....you rock, rock!" (I <3 huckabees).

All in all a great night out and a great reminder of how great people can be if you just let them in. I love you guys!

<3

So you think you want a boxer pup?

Today is a two-fer!...or is it two-for....either way, you get TWO posts today!

Brandon and I (as most of you know) have gotten ourselves a boxer pup back in October, shortly after our wedding. After having the puppy for just a few short days we panicked and took him back. Thankfully, is original owner let us come back less than 24hrs later to pick him up again. :)
Going back there was the BEST decision for us!

I'll tell you, that at this moment Dexter (our pup) is laying down all cute and snuggly on my bed....this is not normal. He's only acting this way because he ran a muck from 11am until about 5 this afternoon.

I decided to maybe provide some personal reflections and opinions to other people out there looking to possibly get themselves a boxer pup or dog.


They say boxers are like three year old children that never grow up. VERY true! Dexter is super playful! He has his sleepy times but for the most part he is an attention seeker.

Let's give you some history!
Boxers were bread from a wild dog in Germany and a mastiff. They were originally bred to hunt wild animals. Their jaws helped them hold onto the game until their owner reached them.

Today's boxers are much more playful and friendly. They make great companion dogs, and are very protective over their family. I cannot agree enough with this when it comes to Dexter. If Brandon so much as looks at me funny, or talks to me in a tone (jokingly) that Dexter does not  like, and especially if he pretends to hit me or even TAP me DEXTER GOES NUTS! He is CRAZY protective over me. If I pretend to hit Brandon Dexter actually jumps in to help ME!  I'm sure Brandon doesn't find it as endearing as I do but it makes my heart melt to know he cares that much about me.

Boxers love to have something to work for or have a task to do, so obedience training is a GREAT idea! Dexter started at about 3 months and was the star of his class! He picked up all the tricks very easily and loves doing them to this day.

Separation anxiety...if you get this GET A TRAINER, read up on it. Start leaving your puppy alone (crated preferably) in small increments. Dexter picked up separation anxiety at about 6 months out of nowhere. It IS possible to overcome if you nip it in the bud early! If you need any helpful tips or advice, I'm not a professional but with the help of one we defeated our puppies poor anxiety problems. Just comment and I will get back to you!

Lastly....get a harness that hooks in the front! Walking a strong boxer can be very difficult. Practice heel (usually taught at obedience classes or puppy training), or try other techniques to train him to walk beside you not lead you. The harness really helped us. I can actually walk him by myself!

Getting any kind of puppy is a big decision. In our family it's just Brandon and I. I think having less people in the family makes having a puppy (particularly a boxer puppy) a LOT like having a kid. They need constant attention, affection, and discipline. I think having more people in a family might make having a puppy easier but its not impossible for a couple. You just have to be ready to sacrifice a little and be PATIENT.

It's worth it! <3

"Life's too short"

I haven't really been on the computer in quite awhile. Busy doing things around the house, making crafts, doing some gardening, and obviously working.
I've been so caught up in work work work that I decided to spend more time on me and who I really am.

I'm not my job. I'm a great friend, possibly a hippy at heart. I'm a yogi, a lover, a dog lover (as dexter licks my face haha). I talk wayyyy to much.

I want to laugh more, be healthier and spend more time with the people I love. I'm going to make the best of every second of every day. I think we all owe it to ourselves. We all get caught up in the hustle and bustle that we forget that life can be taken away at any second. Would you really be satisifed today that you did everything you wanted to? NO regrets?

So as of yesterday, I've been getting up earlier, eating right and doing yoga to start my day. I listen to RIDICULOUS music first thing in the morning to start my day (ie. whitney houston- I wanna dance with somebody)....seriously I challenge you to start your day with that song you'll laugh at yourself but you won't be able to stop dancing haha.


So what sparked this post?

The death of a childhood friend. Tim Berchou was taken away way too early to cancer. The older I get the more kids from my childhood and high school years I see pass away. It's cliche to say life's too short but it really is if you don't live it to the very fullest.

Here's to a year of doing new things and doing more with my time here on this earth.

This year I want to do a lot.

- I want to volunteer more
- I want to run a half marathon
- I want to dance like a fool at my boo's wedding!
- I want to spend time with my sister in ohio
- I want to go to the toronto zoo
- I want to go on my first cruise to europe next year
- I want to pursuse all my dreams and I won't stop at every road block.

keep on keeping on! you're never too old and its never too late!