It's Great to Be Back in Blogger Land!

Oh my oh my...can't believe it has been 9 months since I posted a blog. CRAZINESS!

At first when I took my hiatus from blogging, I was still keeping up (on at least a weekly basis) reading all my favorite blogs. Then as the days and weeks passed, I started reading less and less. Eventually I didn't read any blogs at all, well...unless Mama Laughlin posted something on Facebook. Sad, I know.

Honestly, I lost passion for a lot of things in 2014. My husband will certainly tell you this is true. It was the basis of so many of our arguments. Work stress, home remodeling stress and continued health issues led me down a path of depression. A path that if I'm truly honest with myself, I've been on until just the other day. I know I'm not completely off that miserable path, but I'm already feeling better now that we're into 2015.

One thing I've missed is blogging and connecting with my blogger buddies on a much more personal level. Sometimes I just need a place to vent. Don't we all? So this year I took a step for my own sanity and well being...today I bought a new computer (my old one bit the dust months ago) and I'm back in cyberspace! Woohoo! ha Using your phone for EVERYTHING can be a bit trying. And I hated to borrow my husband's computer all the time since he's a freak about not saving stuff to it.

So, since I missed pretty much all of 2014...here's a short recap on my year:

too many afternoon trips to Starbucks at work has resulted in way too many extra pounds

we celebrated our 1st Anniversary with the same wine from the wedding thanks to my mom & sis

I got severely burned and spent a week in pain while I waited to peel...ugh

the girls and I took time to enjoy pedicures

we took the girls to Bluespring Caverns in Bedford & stopped by to visit Eric's Mamaw Padgett

I got my ring finger tattoo - an anchor with a heart (Eric is an Aquarius)

my adorable husband entertaining his nephews & nieces at Thanksgiving

Santa Claus sure was good to all of us this year!

my new computer :)

Here's to hoping you had a great 2014 and are looking forward to a prosperous 2015! It feels good to be back in blogger land and I hope I haven't lost too many of you as followers!

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

Boy oh boy has this year just flown by....I can't believe it's the last day of 2011! I started the year with many goals and stuck with them, even if I am in a bit of a rut with them at the moment. ha Stay tuned for a resolutions post at the start of year! :)

They always say that the older you get, the faster the days tend to go...and they were right! I am so thankful that I am in the midst of doing the Project 365 with a picture a day. There are so many days that I would have already forgotten if it weren't for having a reason to force myself to remember the day with a picture of something.

I hope 2012 holds as much promise as 2011 did. It has been a great year. I have traveled more (which I would do every day of every year if I could afford it!), I have opened myself up more (dating - need I say more?) despite some days of sadness, I got serious about losing weight and getting healthy (and have accomplished quite a bit!), and I have laughed more and spent more time with my loved ones doing the silly things we enjoy. There are of course some big things I hope for in 2012, but it's too soon to tell on at least 1 of those items.

Although I have family friends hurting from the loss of their daughter (Senior in HS died in a car accident last night), I pray that each of you enters the New Year with peace and joy in your hearts...may you know that God has a divine purpose/reason for everything that happens.

With all that being said...I better go get myself ready to celebrate this last day of the year and to ring in the new year! Pictures to come tomorrow! :)

Also - if you love my new blog design (which I do!!), hop over to Jenn's blog at Munchkinland Designs. She is great to work with and very reasonably priced.

Check it Out!!

Today my Scentsy business is featured over at the ever-so-adorable Jenni's blog! Go check it out! :)

New Blog Header & Button

Hello friends! I have been tweaking my design skills...and have managed to improve my header and button. If you know of anyone else looking to upgrade their blog look to something slightly more snazzy than the pre-made headers, please send them my way! I promise I am VERY affordable compared to the big blog shops. :)

Please grab the link on the side bar for my button for use in your posts since it will directly link your friends to my blog!

Thanks everyone!

Things That Make Me Smile

Kayla's friend, Angie, whom I met at a Mary Kay party posted things that make her smile (her smile generators) in a blog post. It was a cute idea and on my myspace page, I have a slideshow that used to play and the caption with it read, "On days when I forget to laugh, I'll look back on these times and smile..." So in honor of Angie asking what everyone else's smile generators are, here are mine!

-coming home with Toby bouncing around waiting to see me
-hugs from my little buddy Ethan
-talking about life with Monica at her kitchen table
-having random conversations with Zach (& no one else being able to follow along!)
-trips with Jenna
-dinners with Mom at the Grub
-singing along to my favorite songs on the radio with the windows rolled down (summertime, of course! ha)
-sitting around a bonfire with good friends, telling stories and drinking a cold one
-spending time with my Mary Kay friends at retreats
-new Mary Kay products :)
-emails and random chats with college friends & sorority sisters
-pictures of my FFA brothers & sisters and their families
-clean sheets on the bed
-warm pajamas straight out of the dryer
-blackberry pie
-walking up and down our road at sunrise or sunset for exercise
-curling up on the couch with a good book
-being debt free!
-a good hair day on a day when I am working (not just sitting at home...ha)
-checking things off my To Do list

Hope to see everyone else post their lists on their blogs! ;)

Change

Trying another new look...not really loving it, but it'll do for now! ha

Like the New Look?

Well...........what does everyone think? I treated myself to a blog design by Jennisa of Once Upon a Blog for my birthday! :) I personally love it! Jennisa is great to work with and quite creative.

Energy Abounds

Tuesday is looking to be a better day than yesterday! haha

For starters, Jenna is okay. She went to the chiro and learned that she was just having a spasm because of the repetitive work she does. They worked on her yesterday and she had an appointment again this morning before work. Last night she was feeling better, but sore. Hopefully today helps more!

On another note, I started my morning off with exercising again...I always feel so energized when I work-out! I've gotten better about making it a regular part of my schedule - just gotta keep it up! :) I have to thank Grandma Peetz (mom's mom) for instilling the love of a morning walk/run! When I was a little girl, Grandma and I would always take a brisk morning walk at sunrise. I miss those days! Now my exercise is slightly more intense than that, but still enjoy a good run in the summer as the sun comes up! ha

Also I want to welcome 2 friends to the blogging world, Kindra and Chelsea...they are both expecting their first child!