New Year's Not-So Resolutions

As 2011 has come and gone, I decided I would not have any New Year’s resolutions for 2012.  I don’t really like them because everyone always talks about how they are going to change this and that about themselves and then never do.   I don’t deny that I have no intention of changing any existing bad habits.  I guess if they were truly bad, I might have a different opinion.  However, I do like the idea of setting goals…and maybe that’s what people should focus on rather than far-fetched resolutions.  It’s okay to have lofty goals, in fact it’s probably better because it gives you something to strive for.  So, this year I have some personal goals for myself and also a bucket list for 2012.  No, I don’t plan on kicking over any time soon, but I kind of have a check-list of the things I want to get accomplished this year.  So I sat down at work today (15 minute break if anyone from work is reading this) and made up a list.

1.        Finish MBA.  I’m almost done.  I start my last core class tonight and then have my capstone in March.  Should have this one checked off the list in May!

2.       Continue Making Working Out a Priority in My Life.  I have done a really great job (except in December and last night when I said I would never go back because I was hurting so bad) of sticking with it and going as often as I can.  I think it’s really paying off too.  Goodbye love handles!  It’s more like a speed bumps now rather than actual handles. 

3.       Take on a Wish.  I started training in May to become a wish granter with Make a Wish.  Wish granting is a lot to take on!  Unfortunately my school has taken priority over this volunteer work and I plan to accept my first wish right after I finish school.  I can hardly wait to take that on, what an honor to be able to tell these children that their dreams are coming true.  If only I could grant the wish of being healthy…but Disney World…I got this!

4.       Buy a Guitar-the one I am most excited about!  I have always been more on the artsy side of the fence.  I learned to play piano at a very young age and also played in the band in middle school.  Laugh all you want, I don’t care.  I was good at it.  I am one of those weird people that can hear music and replicate it.  I think it’s one of my most amazing traits, but I am so out of touch that I need an overhaul in music to be able to pick up a guitar.  So the goal is to first purchase it.  I realize it’s going to take me a hot minute to dust off all those beautiful notes that I have forgotten their sound, and I’m OK with that.  That’s why learning to play is not necessarily on the bucket list this year.  I have no idea how to play, but I figure with some playing on my own and some lessons I can pick it up pretty easily. 

My life has turned into, get up, get dressed, make coffee, go to work, go home, workout, dinner, bed.  While I am grateful for everything in my life, I want to spice it up.  My dreams of becoming a country music singer, have subsided just a bit, but I can’t help but still hear that little voice telling me to pick up a guitar and learn to play it.  I highly doubt that Nashville is interested in a 30ish female mediocre vocalist that can play the guitar, but I sure am.  I think it’s kind of fab.

I Heart You Tube

Bad day?  Not anymore.  Cutest You Tube video...ever!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWHpcKXt-qQ

NYE: Got nothing...

So Christmas is over, onto the next holiday.  This time of the year can be so exhausting!  However, it’s fantastic getting to see friends and family.  So much to celebrate and be thankful for.

I am not a fan of New Year’s.  There is always so much hype about it and then it ends of kind of sucking…like every year.  My favorite New Year’s Eves have been those that we have grilled out with friends and played games all night.  Since then, those friends have either moved away or had babies and they are konked out by 10:30…don’t blame them one bit.  As a matter of fact, that kind of sounds fabulous for New Year’s.  My husband’s best friend, Matt is coming into town and I want to have something really fun for him.  However, I have no idea what’s fun to do in Memphis on New Year’s!  I’ve done the Peabody thing…lame.  I’ve done overpriced set dinners…super lame.  I’ve done the Beale Street thing and midtown…too crowded.  I am seriously striking out.  If anyone has done something in fun in Memphis on NYE, let me know!

As I was at home yesterday, Rachel Ray had the cutest ideas for New Years.  If you are throwing a bash, you should check out her tips on a sparkling wine bar from around the world.  Such a cute idea and sounds delicious!

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/champagne-bar-virgin-cocktails/

Christmas Everywhere

Christmas is right around the corner and thought, since I'm decorating my house, I should decorate my blog as well.  Plus, Pandora Mariah Carey Holiday is playing non-stop in my cube getting me in the Christmas spirit...and look what just came on!!  Happy holidays!

Lindsay

I had one of the best weekends!  I went home to Nashville to get out of George’s hair so he could get some stuff done without me distracting him.  My Mom and I crafted and cooked all weekend!  I also got to visit a dear friend’s new baby Saturday morning. 

Let me just tell you about Lindsay.  794-1204.  She and I essentially grew up together and have remained close almost our whole lives.  I met her at the age of 5 (actually probably sooner than that because she was really good friends with my friend Elizabeth Blake, or Leigh Leigh…actually I can’t remember how we spelled it.  Only her old friends know her by her “Real Name.”  But anyways….so it’s very possible I knew Lindsay earlier than 5.  She and I got to be great friends and we luckily lived really close…about 2 miles.  She and I would ride bikes back and forth when we got old enough.  We did everything together, even starting a babysitter’s club.  That’s not even the worst of it.  We were obsessed at a young age with being Mommas.  Lindsay and I played American Girl dolls until an embarrassing age, so embarrassing that I will not disclose it.  We played house all the time, almost every time we got together when we were younger….or not so young.  We would set up her room like two separate apartments.  Our husbands were always away at war and we had to care for the 12 children.  Oh gosh, she is going to kill me for telling all this!

  I knew Lindsay would always be a wonderful mother, after all,  I had seen her in action for years caring for her favorite doll, Molly!  When she told me she was pregnant early spring I was so excited.  Crazy excited!  It’s so fun to see such a dear friend that you have spent most of your life loving and adoring,   having their very own baby.  Amazing.  I got to visit Linds this weekend along with her 3 week old precious baby, Jack Henry Nickell (and a great bonus surprise her cousin, Katye whom I adore!!).   He is so cute, and I am grateful Katye got a photo of me with the baby!  Congratulations to my dear friend who has been a mother of 8, war-stricken widow, survivor of earthquakes and other tragedies in previous lifetimes.  Love you Linds!

List of Favorites

I have to admit that one of the reasons I started blogging was because of the fascinating blogs my friends are writing.  An old friend Mary Susan has an incredible blog, Two Hoots and a Hollar.  I am keeping up with her inspiring journey in adopting a baby.  She's extremely creative and she often updates her "Top 20."  This list is an on-going list of her favorite things.  She's much more creative and interesting than I am, but thought I might take a stab at some of the stuff that I'm fascinated with right now!

1.  Colgate Optic White toothpaste-it's the same formula, or so they say, that's in white strips.  I think I can tell a difference and I'm not even done with the tube yet
2.  St. Ive's Apricot Scrub-I am an avid spray tanner and in order to get the optimum spray tan job, you have to exfoliate.  This stuff was only $6!  It's amazing and it smells great too.
3.  Bobbi Brown concealer and foundation-I was on a journey for make-up that ACTUALLY stays on.  I hate make-up and try not to wear it, but if I do I would prefer it actually stay on  my face.  This Bobbi Brown stuff is awesome!  Thanks Kinzer for a fabulous recommendation!
4.  decorating for Christmas and Christmas shopping-love this time of year
5.  The rain today-made me not feel bad about sitting on the couch with my pup all day and do nothing
6.  Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto-it's still in my car! 
7.  Libby's long hair-George keeps asking me if I made an appointment yet to get her hair cut, but I think it's hilarious long
8.  Boardwalk Empire on HBO-it's almost over for the season, but you should catch up on hbo.com or Netflix-the best show on TV
9.  Pure Barre-obviously an obsession...but seriously last year boots would not even fit over my calves...now pretty much every pair I try on fits!
10.  BOOTS!  I can actually wear them thanks to PB
11.  Blond hair-I think I'm about to dye it back
12.  The Garden District-most amazing store in Memphis; I stalk it almost once a week
13.  Mariah Carey Christmas on Pandora- enough said!
14.  Silver Spruce candle by Greenleaf- smells like Christmas!
15.  Fekkai Protein Rx Anti-Breakage Treatment-leave in conditioner that is super, supposedly Kortney Kardashian uses it...on her extensions I guess

The Great Escape

So, last week we loaded up the car with enormous suitcases, coolers loaded and all of Libby's favorite toys and escaped to the beach!  It all started when George's friend, Jason mentioned he and his family were thinking about going to Destin for Thanksgiving.  After thinking about it a couple of days we thought, "wow, now that's an idea!"  We told our parents and they loved the idea too.  We booked a beautiful 5 bedroom house(plenty of room in case we got on each other's nerves) right on a private beach. We got there on Sunday and left the following Sunday...what a treat to get away from work and the cold for an entire week!  Thank you FedEx!  The weather was gorgeous and there was NO ONE there, so we didn't even have to wait at our favorite restaurants. 

This was Libby's first trip to the beach and she loved it!  We weren't sure how she would do, but she adapted pretty well and loved the sand.  Of course she did because by the time we got home she was disgusting, which I'm quite certain is the way she prefers to live...in filth. 




Aaaaah, I could get used to this view



George trying to convince Libby she would like playing in the ocean

Pulling away...not so much

Hello, I am a strong independent female and I like long walks on the beach.

Balcony off my room with the smallest pool you've ever seen in your life

Trip success!  Ready to go back this spring, who wants to join?!?!?