Wordless Wednesday: Outfit of the Day & New Boots!

Wordless Wednesday: Sick Day

Makeover Monday: A New Me!

See this smile on my face?  It's not there anymore.  This was before I started the Insanity workout.  I'm pretty sure my results are crap, but I'm going to post them anyway.  That way I can come back here and compare every now and then.

Switch Kick - 67
Power Jack - 50
Power Knee - 86
Power Jump - 30
Power Squat - 8
S*icides - 13
Push Up Jacks - 15
Agility - 22

Since my birthday was last week, I decided I had better start taking care of myself for real.  I'm not getting any younger, after all.  And lately I've heard these commercials on the radio that say "If you're thinking about having a baby in the future, you need to start preparing your body now..." Thank you, wake up call!

I usually do OK with the workout portion, but I really struggle with the eating right part of being healthy.  I have an insatiable sweet tooth.  I seriously eat something sweet after almost every meal.  And sometimes dessert *is* dinner!  So I'm going to be spending much more time on Pinterest checking out all the sites and blogs where they take something delicious and fattening and turn it into something much less horrible for you.  Hey - anything to spend more time on Pinterest!

What have you done to take better care of yourself?  What are some of your go-to recipes?  Please share!

*SJ*

Weekend Review: Party Time

This weekend we celebrated the birthday of one of my dear friends.  Lemme tell ya, this girl knows how to party!  Here's a pic of me in my outfit for the evening.  I picked this dress because it is Ashley's favorite.

And check us out here.  Between the two of us, we could open a dimple factory!  Or at least a teeth whitening business!

Although exhausting, this weekend was a great one.  I got to spend time with friends, meet new people, and eat some good food.  My Wolverines barely squeaked out a victory last night, and the Cowboys won this afternoon.  I hope your weekend was enjoyable.  Here's to another week!

*SJ*

Just For Fun

This is my homage to all of the "Keep Calm and..." slogans that are popping up everywhere.  Unfortunately, I can't take credit for creating this.  Although it speaks my mind perfectly, it actually came from the website www.keepcalmandcarryon.com which of course I found through Pinterest.

On this website, you create whatever "Keep Calm..." slogan you like.  Then you can print it on T-shirts, coffee mugs, iPhone cases...pretty much anything you can imagine!

I would love to get this framed as a poster and hang it in my room.  Maybe I should hang it in my closet right above where I store my cowboy boots.  The possibilities for these signs are endless.  Be sure to check out their website and support this fun company!

*SJ*

Two Minute Tuesday

"God's vision for YOU is bigger, brighter, and better than anything you can envision for yourself.  Every day He wants to move YOU closer to that image He has for YOU."

Such eye-opening words spoken by my pastor, Dr. Brandon Thomas at Keystone Church in Keller.

Happiness

This has been such a trying year for me, in so many ways. I've had to adjust to changes in my personal life, my professional life, and my financial status, just to name a few.

I've struggled a lot more than I've been willing to admit until now, but I've made it through. Every day I am learning new things and finding new ways to be happy. Here are a few things that are making me happy right now:

*Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Starbucks
*Waking up next to someone I love
*My new phone - the HTC Evo - that's smarter than I am
*Girlfriends, and Girls Nights Out
*Two-steppin'
*Making plans for the future
*Being loved for the real me
*Discovering that I'm a decent cook after all

What are some things that make you happy?

*SJ*

New Blog Look!

It's been a long time coming! I've been blogging (sporadically) now for over two years, and had the same generic template the whole time.

My friend Denise has a great blog about being a wife, mother to triplets, and deal-finder. She updated her own blog recently, and it looks great. She was gracious enough to share her source with me so I could do the same.

Denise also has started a photography business recently. I wonder if she can photograph food. ; )

Be sure to check out her blog, Bits & Pieces and her photography blog Denise Slater Photography. (Also, lemme know what you think of the new look!)

*SJ*

Confession #6 - I'm a Tech Junkie

I think I *literally* bought the third iPod ever created. We're talking Generation 1 here! Of course, since I have HORRIBLE luck with electronics, I am now on my 8th iPod, but that's beside the point.
I also have a couple of laptops, three SLR cameras (one is DSLR, 2-35mm), a Wii, XBox, XBox 360, and myriad other electronics paraphernalia. So, what's my latest quest, you ask?

Behold: (queue angelic music)

iPad awesomeness!!

I know, I'm really late to this party. I'm not actually *late* per se, but they have been out for a few months now. I'm actually right on schedule for mine, though, as I had always planned to buy myself one for my birthday.

In case anyone's counting, my birthday is exactly 31 days from today. I went to the Apple Store this evening where two things happened. 1) I got the BEST customer service I think I have ever had and 2) I got completely sold on the iPad.

A very friendly girl named Chelsea approached me, and - poor thing - I don't think she knew what she was getting into! Forty-five minutes later, I left the store, feeling completely satisfied with my impending purchase. In case you've been living in a cave, here are some of the things I'm looking forward to on my iPad:

*eReader app called iBook (also has a Kindle app available for download)

*mobile web browsing without having to lug around a laptop

*over 100,000 apps including geocaching (see yesterday's post) & games for my nieces/nephews

*stylus available (add'l purchase) to write notes, draw pictures, etc

I'm really excited to get my iPad and figure out all the cool things I can do on it. I've been reading the threads at 2 Peas and, from what I can tell, I won't be able to put it down! So, what do you think about the iPad? Do you have one? Love it? Hate it? I'd love to hear what you use *your* iPad for!

*SJ*

I Believe I Could Have a New Addiction

So, I was cruising around the interwebs today, and came across a blog that mentions geocaching. Wanting to find out more, I went to www.geocaching.com. What a wealth of information!

According to the site, what geocaching is, in a nutshell, is a treasure hunt. Sure, you use more high-tech gadgets than you did when you were a kid, but it's the same basic concept. People from all over the world hide treasures ("caches") and then give the latitude/longitude. Once you find the cache, you sign the logbook & record your experience online. Sometimes there is something to trade, such as a trinket or a note.

I definitely have more to learn about geocaching, but so far I'm intrigued. Any experiences or helpful hints would be appreciated.

*SJ*

A L'il Bit O Me (AKA Confession #5)

(Fair warning: This list was swiped from a couple of Peas' blogs)

1: Real Name: Sarah
2: Nickname: Sar-z, Sarah Jane, Sar, Sarz
3: Real Age: Eek! OK, I'm 30, but I lie & tell people I'm 24
4: Horoscope: Virgo
5: Male or Female: Female
6: Elementary: Eastland Elementary
7: Middle School: Eastland Jr.
8: High School: Roseville High
9: College: Southwestern A/G University & University of North Texas
10: Hair Color: Dark Brown with Blonde & Maroon highlights
11: Long or Short: Long, going for longer
12: Loud or Quiet: Anyone who knows me, knows I'm loud!
13: Sweats or Jeans: Jeans, always
14: Phone or Camera: Camera, unless it's for texting. But I hate talking on the phone
15: Health Freak: Nah, not a freak, but "conscious"
16: Drink or Smoke: Drink; hate smoking
17: Do you have a crush on someone: Yep, and I think he likes me back! ; )
18: Eat or Drink: Unfortunately, eat! I am always snacking on something!
19: Piercings: I used to have 13 in my ears, but most of them closed up. I also have my tongue pierced.
20: Tattoos: None yet
21: Social or Anti-Social: Mostly social, but very shy at first
22: Righty or Lefty: Righty
23: First Piercing: Ears; I pierced my own at age 7!
24: First Relationship: First "real" one was at age 18
25: First Best Friend: Jennifer Legumina (we called her 'Jenny Legs')
26: First Award: Perfect Attendance in Kindergarten. Maintained through most of my school years, along with Honor Roll
27: First Kiss: Age 19
28: First Pet: 2 goldfish, Lucky & Looney, I won at the MI State Fair
29: First Big Vacation: Cozumel in 2005
30: First Love at First Sight: Yes! Definitely YES
31: First Big Birthday: Probably 18
32: First Surgery: None (knock on wood)
33: First Sport You Joined: Basketball in 4th grade

This or That
34: Orange or Apple Juice: Orange - no pulp, please!
35: Rock or Rap: Rock
36: Country or Metal: Mostly Country, but a little Metal every now and then
37: Salty or Sweet: Sweet, but love the salty/sweet combo!
38: Coffee or Tea: Gimmee coffee!!
39: Night or Day: Night
40: Sun or Moon: SUN!!!
41: TV or Internet: I have to choose? OK, TV
42: Playstation or XBox: XBox or Wii
43: Kiss or Hug: I kiss everyone!
44: Pepsi or Coke: PEPSI
45: Wine or Beer: Vodka, chilled
46: Fall or Spring: Fall always reminds me of home
47: Limewire or iTunes: iTunes
48: Early or Late: My internal clock is perpetually 3 minutes late!
49: Troublemaker or Peacemaker: mostly troublemaker!
50: Sensitive or Loud: definitely both

Currently
51: Eating: Just finished some Cheetos
52: Drinking: XXX Vitamin Water Zero
53: Excitement Level: Pretty excited, but not in a good way
54: I'm About to: post this, then run to Wal-Mart
55: Listening to: True Blood Season 2 reruns, gearing up for Season 3
56: Plan for Today: Wal-Mart, then cooking an awesome dinner from my mom's recipe
57: Waiting for: something good to happen
58: Wearing: standard "Day Off" uniform: T-shirt, jeans, flip flops, baseball cap
59: Wearing glasses or contacts: Glasses
60: Perfume/Cologne: None right now
61: Thinking of Someone: Yes
62: Want Kids: Thankful I don't have to worry about anyone but me today
63: Want to Get Married: My husband wouldn't like that
64: When: See #63
65: How Many Kids Do You Want: One, maybe
66: Any Names On the Mind: I'd have to be more serious about it to think of names
67: What Did You Want to be When You Were Little: famous
68: Career: Bartender/Student
69: Mellow Future or Wild: Exciting, full of opportunities, but probably not wild

Gotta go make that Wal-Mart trip I've been talking about. More to come!

*SJ*

Let the Countdown Begin!

In approximately 96 hours, I will be with my sister, Steph, my niece, Zoe, and my mom in San Antonio. I can hardly wait! It's been a really long time since I've seen my mom, and I miss her terribly.

I'm also excited to spend some time with my sister and my niece. When Zoe was first born, I spent a lot of time with her baby-sitting, playing, teaching her to shop... In the last couple of years, though, things have changed, we've all gotten busier, and I haven't been able to spend as much time with my family as I would like.

We're going to see the Alamo, ride a boat down the river, and be tourists. I plan to take a ton of pictures and will try to upload some when we get back. I'm so ready for a vacation, and ready to see my family.

What are you looking forward to? Any special summer plans?

*SJ*

Happy Earth Day 2010!

Today is Earth Day, the day where we are supposed to take stock of our carbon footprint and do things that reduce our impact on the Earth. By now, many of use recycle, drive hybrid vehicles, and buy less in general.

For my contribution, we have switched our business to use 100% soy wax as our candle base. The soy we use is locally grown, helping support a local farmer and reducing gas use to transport. It is also cleaner burning than "regular" paraffin wax, reducing its environmental impact. (More on the business later.)

I'm also searching for the *perfect* reusable water bottle. I'm taking suggestions. I have found several different types, including plastic, metal, and glass, but I'm still not sure which is the best.

So what are you doing to reduce your carbon footprint? Any suggestions for the perfect water bottle? Please share!

*SJ*

I May Be Overthinking This, But...

Here's the thing: I'm a Broadcasting student. I've spent much of my adult life studying, writing for, analyzing and critiquing TV and film. There's not a lot that really WOWs me, and I'm a pretty tough critic in my head.

Here's another thing about me: I *love* Sex and the City. Not so much for the sex (a nice bonus), but because I have an unending love affair with New York City. I visited once in college, but it really started long before that, when I was a child. My dad worked out of NYC and flew there often. He always came back with fascinating tales of the city, the food, the people; I couldn't wait to experience it for myself.

So what do these two things have to do with each other? And what's my problem, you ask? Well I just watched the trailer for Sex & the City 2 which hits theaters May 27. I was a little skeptical when the movie was first announced, because really, what else is there that we haven't seen in 6 seasons and 1 movie? Judge for yourself:

Is anyone else a little annoyed that the movie does not actually take plan IN the city?? As previously mentioned, that was my main draw to the show. I assume I will probably be in the minority on this one, because the costumes, the scenery, the movie itself, after all does look pretty fabulous. Call me a purist, but I'll still miss seeing so much of *my city* this time around.

What do you think? Do you plan on watching the movie? Any thoughts on the change of venue? Am I completely off my rocker? Let me know!

*SJ*

Confession #2

I love sports, but I'm a *huge* fair-weather fan. Example: When I was in high school, my dad told me about a quarterback named Brett Favre. So for the next 12 years, I proudly proclaimed myself a loyal Packers fan. Then Favre retired. Then he came back, but as a NY Jet. OK, OK, we all know the story. The point is, I used to be able to name the Packers players, give you stats about the game, the stadium, who had how many yards, etc. Now, I couldn't even tell you what their record was last year. I guess in truth, I am more a fan of individual players, rather than a team, necessarily.

Football does hold a very dear spot in my heart, right next to mixed martial arts. Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combination of jiu jitsu fighting, wrestling, boxing, and muay thai fighting. It's really dangerous, and the fights can get pretty graphic, but it is so exhilarating to watch! I can name most of the seasoned fighters in the UFC (the most well-known league), and I definitely have my favorites.

I know I can't be the only girl who likes to see someone taken out by an arm-bar or a flying knee. Anyone else out there...anyone? Speak up! Let me know what your favorite sport is!

*SJ*

So this is me

I decided to go ahead and start updating this blog again, too. I figured some people might wander over here from my candle making blog, SJ Candle Shoppe. This is the blog I used to update pretty regularly with my personal stuff. My life just isn' that interesting anymore (some might argue it never was) so I haven't paid it any attention for a while.

So here it is: My position at my full-time job was terminated two months ago, and it's been a struggle to find work ever since. Since I'm in the financial sector, it's been especially difficult.

The one good thing that has happened is that I have really been able to focus on our business. I've been booking shows like crazy, and hope to stay busy for the duration of the summer. Fall is crazy in its own rite, what with all the high school shows I try to do.

I've regained an interest in stamping and cardmaking, although I don't have the money or the time to focus on that right now. Hopefully in the very near future I will have a chance to pick it back up again.

I guess that's all I have to say for now. I will try to remember to keep updating.

*S*