Winner!

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Wordless Wednesday: Looking Back

New Years Eve, 2008

{And a few brief words: go HERE and enter Our Little Fam's blogaversary giveaway!}

Random Thoughts on Monday

Have I mentioned that I am up to my eyeballs writing my long paper?

Ok, ok...I've mentioned it once or twice. The first draft is due Friday, so once that is off my plate, I will be around a little more. Also on Friday, I leave for Washington D.C. to take two high-school students to participate in a national moot court competition. It should be a great experience for the kids and a fun little break for me.


I've already planned a lunch date with the lovely Reina in D.C. on Saturday and can hardly wait! I told her I was going to wear something extra cute for our date so we could take lots of pictures! I really love that blogging can bring me together with people from all over the country!


Is anyone else watching Army Wives this season? Are you hating it as much as I am?


SPOILERS * SPOILERS * SPOILERS


The season started off great, with all the endearing characters and a good blend of excitement mixed with realism. Something about Pamela leaving and the new General and his wife arriving that have spun everything into this weird, sniveling, politicking place that I just can't get on board with. Sure, when you get too many women in one group, there is bound to be some smack-talking and game-playing and, yes, there is some truth to the whole "play politics to get ahead" thing, but can't we just keep things out of that soap-opera-y place? And since when does wearing a miniskirt mean you can't run an FRG?


Whatever. It is TV and the writers want it to be interesting. I guess I shouldn't expect much from a bunch of Hollywood writers who are trying to sell TV rather than portray military life in an artistic way. Ok, I'm moving it on since it is just a show.


I'm off to do some more writing. If I'm not back in a few days send a search party!

Oh, and don't forget to enter my giveaway before it ends on Friday. 

Saturday Share

Another Saturday I will be typing away furiously at Caribou...My first draft deadline in Friday, so it's definite crunch time. Wish me luck!

MAKE: Chalkboard labels to organize everything

DO: Fight writer's block with these 50 Tips from Amy Lynn Andrews

Great for bloggers or writers!

READ: the March issue of Matchbook Magazine

LEARN: The best ways to search Google...and actually find what you're looking for!

WATCH: Jennifer Lawrence, the star of Hunger Games, talk about positive body image

Oh, and ENTER my blog-a-versary giveaway!

Adapt and Overcome: A Guest Post

Today, I wrote a guest post for Dani while she is on Spring Break (lucky girl!)

 My post is about learning, from a young age, how to adapt and overcome and how that has carried with me into Army life. I really enjoyed writing this post and it has been a while since I wrote something really reflective.

Please check it out and tell me what you think!

Thank you!

Drunk on You

I woke up this morning and sent Al a text informing him that the countdown reached 40 days and we would soon be together. By the time I was out of the shower, he responded: 

Al: It was three years ago today that I realized I was crazy in love with you?

Me: How do you remember that stuff?

Al: I don't know. Ginko biloba. {He's a funny guy...}

Me: Was that the weekend we went 4-wheeling out at the farm?

Al: Yes

Me: So, was it my demand for a helmet or the fact that I passed-out drunk on your parents bathroom floor that hooked you?

{Yes, I did that. No, I'm not proud of it.}

Al: All of it.

Me: Well, I'm glad that three years ago today you realized my greatness.

Al: Me too.

In honor of that "anniversary," my song today is Drunk on You by Luke Bryan.

2 Years!

I cannot believe I have been blogging for 2 years!

This lowly blog started as a private online journal designed to give me an outlet as Al deployed and I embarked on my journey through law school. Two years later, my blog has connectd me with wonderful women around the country, some who have become close real life friends and given me exactly the support system I needed. Now, I am ready to graduate law school, join my husband in Colorado and start the next phase of my life!

As a HUGE thank you for your readership *ahem* friendship and continued support, I am hosting another giveaway!

Spring Relax Package
Feeling Good book
1 nail polish (color TBD, at my discretion)
Package of peach iced tea
Spring pen and stationery set


The giveaway will end on 3/28 and be announced on 3/29. Please follow the Rafflecopter below to enter - and HAVE FUN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Poll

I added a poll in my sidebar ---->

Please take a moment to answer and help improve my blog! 

And stay tuned tomorrow for a giveaway to celebrate my 2nd Blog-a-versary!

Prayer

I am so glad this week is over. 

After my Monday meltdown, it was especially difficult for me to trek through the week and stay focused. Thursday and Friday were spent studying for my Saturday exam. There was a moment, on Friday afternoon, where I actually considered running away. That moment came after I took my third practice test and got the worst score yet - the more I studied, the worse I did. It was that moment where I thought about just getting into my car and driving to Colorado and forgetting about my stupid dream to become a lawyer. 

Surely, I'll find a new passion, right?

As I looked back down at the pages and realized that I couldn't possibly learn another thing, I closed my eyes. I took a deep breath and told myself everything was going to be OK. Then I put the books away and did something I haven't done in a long time. I prayed. 

Now, I pray semi-regularly, but almost always for other people. I will send up a prayer for a family member or a friend who needs strength, healing or guidance. I will say a prayer when I see an accident or hear a horrible story on the news. 

But I rarely pray for myself.

What makes me think I can do everything on my own? 

So, for the first time in a long time, I knelt next to my bed, bowed my head, and prayed. 

I felt silly kneeling next to my bed with my hands folded. I didn't really know where to start or what to say. I spoke out loud at first, and then in my head. And a few times I just sat in silence hoping He just knew what I needed to say. Even though I was a little rusty, I'm also quite positive that didn't matter. 

I know He heard me. I know I'm better for it.

Tomorrow is another Monday. God help me, literally.

Winner, Winner!

Congratulations to Nicole for winning the "You Love a Man in Uniform" giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you all for entering!

Stay tuned this week for a follow up giveaway as I prepare to celebrate my 2-year Blog-a-Versary!

In the meantime, enjoy your St. Patty's Saturday and have a green beer for me.



Saturday Share

Today, I am taking the first part of my bar exam: the MPRE. It is designed to test you on the rules of ethics for attorneys, but just like any standardized test, does a better job of testing your test-taking ability than it does anything else. Either way, I still have to take it (and get above a certain score) to qualify for my license in Colorado (and Minnesota - it's the same score, luckily.)

In the meantime, enjoy my favorite links of the week.

LEARN: How money management can help your career 

DO: Get past your inspiration block, by just getting started via Lifehacker

(Oh, how I needed this reminder this week!)

WATCH: Act of Valor (in theaters now) 

If you need convincing, read JG's review here.

Finally, in honor of the Day of Green, READ about the history of St. Patrick.

Happy Saturday!

Better

I'm doing a little better today. Mondays are hell on me (well, on everyone) and this past Monday was especially brutal. For no particular reason. I have a great group of people who support me - and even though I probably haven't been a very good friend lately - their efforts have not gone unnoticed. I also appreciated the comments from you guys reminding me that I'm not alone in the world - we all have our struggles and friendship, family and prayer always help.

I have a slightly renewed positive energy. Just barely, but still. 

I read this article today, which made me smile. 

Can you guess which category I fall under?

I have a bff-date/wine-night planned for after class tonight. I will likely be m.i.a. for the next few days because of the test on Saturday. I will, however, pick and post the winner of my book giveaway on Friday!

Did you enter yet?

Random Thoughts on a Monday

I am taking a break for lunch and wanted to share a few things that have been rolling through my head recently.

Actually, if I'm being honest, I'm feeling a little over-whelmed. I have a lot to do for school and not enough time to do it. I need to start packing and getting my application filed so I can actually get my license to practice law. I also need to take care of the basics, like order new contacts and get my hair cut. And maybe shower. 

This is quickly turning into a mental-health Monday and I might skip out on class to get organized and clear my head. Everyone needs one of those days, right? 

I get flashes of inspiration (usually stemming from the beautifully small number of days on my countdown to when I move to Colorado to be with my husband again) and then it dissipates. I wake up every day and write-out a TO DO LIST, usually divided into categories: HOMEWORK, PERSONAL, SCHOOL/WORK and MISC. Things like cleaning and laundry go into miscellaneous and almost never get done. 

By noon, I have sucked down two or more cups of coffee, cleared my Google Reader and sufficiently delayed progress as far as it can go. I am usually contemplating a nap or an episode of Real Housewives (the horror!) before I finally convince myself that the homework isn't going anywhere. Neither is my uncombed hair.

OK, to be fair (to myself, mostly) I do get a lot done on weekends and I never miss my deadlines. I take care of my obligations as necessary. Oh! And I've started saying No when I don't have the time or simply don't want to do it. (Yay me!) Even with all that, I still lay in bed for an hour every night, staring into the darkness, thinking about the things on my LIST that I didn't cross off. 

I am tired. Law school has completely wiped me out.

I am drained of inspiration, motivation and sheer gumption.

I am not having a break-down - I am catching this early, thankfully - but I am burnt out.

At this point, I am going through the grind, taking it day-by-day and constantly reminding myself that "it is almost over, you will survive and yes, it is all worth it." 

It is worth it. I know that.

I want this and damnit if I haven't worked my butt off for it.

I am so ready to be a real person again. To work for a living. To have a career.

The concept is so novel it feels like science-fiction.

And the (incredibly awful) student loan bill awaiting me in 7 months doesn't help.

Alas, I am here, counting days and hanging on. I am making it: one foot in front of the other and one day at a time. And most days I even have a smile on my face. 

But I will say this: I am grateful to be done and I will never, ever do this again.

(Not that I would have to, but still.)

Thank you for listening, my lovely readers and the blog-o-sphere abyss-at-large.

Saturday Share

Al left on Thursday and I am spending the day at school taking an extra class to help me with the bar exam. All day. On Saturday. And it over 50 and sunny today.
Of course, I couldn't leave you without my favorite links of the week.

DO: Get checked for cancer, FREE from TriCare (via Healthy Homefront)


WATCH: Wine 101: Tasting White Wine - Swagbucks TV
(Oh, and join Swagbucks if you haven't already!)


LEARN: Ways you are breaking copyright laws and how to change that 
via Lifehacker


MAKE: Time to organize everything in your life and home


Finally, GO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY for a copy of I Love a Man in Uniform by Lily Burana


Hope you're doing something fun (or relaxing) this Saturday!

Taking Care of Business

Al left this morning. And while goodbyes are never easy, I feel OK.

I am glad to get back to the routine I've been away from for two weeks. I have a lot to do for school and graduation, not to mention job-hunting in Colorado and preparing to move all of my things out there. Al has to check in to his new unit and figure out how things are done around there. Needless to say, we are both crazy-busy, which will make these SIX weeks fly by! Did you hear that, SIX WEEKS! I can't believe it!

Today, I have this song for you. It seemed fitting. 

Linking up with Goodnight Moon.

Oh, and don't forget to enter my giveaway if you haven't already!

Do you Love a Man in Uniform? Giveaway!

Hello ladies! 


Today, I am hosting a giveaway!
A few weeks ago, I won two books from HUN - I Love a Man in Uniform by Lily Burana and 1001 Things to Love About Military Life - so exciting!


I was thrilled to crack the binding of the 1001 Things. The other book, however, I already own and love. 

Amazon


As such, I am passing the love along to you. 
Follow the Rafflecopter below to enter. Winner will be chosen on March 16th and announced on St. Patty's Day (March 17th!)

The Road Trip: A Facebook Perspective

For those of you who follow me personally on Facebook, this will be repetitious. Although, you may still enjoy seeing this all in one spot, since I updated my FB pretty frequently while on the road. I personally think this is more exciting than for me to hash out all the mundane details of a drive through the plains of Kansas and Iowa.

Feb 29 @ 8:12am: Signing out, fueling up and heading back to Minnesota @ Ft. Carson Army Post

Feb 29 @ 10:18am: We just drove over the Republican River. It's completely dry. Is that a sign for something? Near Arriba, CO

(time change)

Feb 29 @ 12:34am: Flipping through the only 5 radio stations we can find. They're all country. Near Goodland, KS

Feb 29 @ 2:07pm: Road Trip Challenge #1: Finding the balance between staying hydrated and spacing out your bathroom breaks. Near Quinter, KS

Feb 29 @ 2:50pm: Is talking to Al about the pros and cons of wind turbine power...because that is ALL there is in Kansas. Near Russell, KS

Feb 29 @ 3:20pm: Road Trip Challenge #2: Convincing Al that for every Johnny Cash song, I should get one Katy Perry. Near Kanopolis, KS

Feb 29 @ 3:48pm: I'm waving to my Ft. Riley peeps as we drive by. Ciao! @ Ft. Riley, KS


Feb 29 @ 4:03pm: I just discovered that the Oz Museum also has a winery. Coolest thing ever? I think so.


Feb 29 @ 4:28pm: I was going to check in as we drove through Topeka, but I found this instead @ Hell, KS (obviously some Topeka residents are not fond of their lovely city.)


Feb 29 @ 4:30pm: I am such a law nerd. Check-in at Brown v. Board of Education Museum (drive-by only, unfortunately)


Feb 29 @ 4:51pm: Shoutout to my favorite KU graduate Near Lawrence, KS


Feb 29 @ 5:04pm: Road Trip Challenge #3: Forgetting about the toll on the KS Turnpike and searching the car for change. We came up with $1.93. We needed $2.50.


Feb 29 @ 7:00pm: Quick stop to see family. What a great meal! @ The Yard House, Kansas City, KS


Feb 29 @ 7:43pm: On the road again... Near Kansas City, KS


Feb 29 @ 10:30pm: Missed the transition into Iowa because Al and I were having an interesting discussion about everything from abortion to the failures of our legal system. 


March 1 @ 1:15am: In Minnesota. Hello, my love.


March 1 @ 2:16am: Imagined a deer on the road on two different occasions, followed by an actual deer family that made us slam on the breaks. Deep breaths...20 miles from home. Near Sleepy Eye, MN


March 1 @ 2:40am: Home sweet home. Well, my second home on the farm. Near Fairfax, MN


Whew! What a trip! 

Our Colorado PCS

The last two weeks have been a complete whirlwind of moving, decorating, sight-seeing and traveling back to Minnesota. We spent the weekend at the farm with family and are now back in the cities so I can get to school. Al leaves this week to head back to Colorado and we are less than two months from me moving to CO permanently. Whew! 

Sometimes I really love this crazy, chaotic life.

Before I give you the official update and bombard you with pictures, I want to thank my guest bloggers. If you missed their posts, please look back and read them. I really enjoyed the fact that they all shared drastically different things - from crafts to going to school to personal insights. Thank you, thank you!

Now on to the photo overhaul...

(Tomorrow, I'm going to do the road trip back to Minnesota and our weekend. Today is just the Colorado portion of the trip.)

My first morning view!

Getting unpacked and settled in. I was in decorating & organizing heaven...

A drive up the mountain to our dinner destination

The sweet mountain town of Green Mountain Falls

Fancy dinner at the Mucky Duck. We shared a crab-stuffed avocado appetizer and a bottle of wine. For entrees, I had the flounder oscar and Al had the lamb. Everything was fabulously delicious!

The Pioneers Museum - Home of the original county courthouse

100-year-old elevator

No big deal, just breaking into the courthouse safe.

A not-to-scale height-chart. Apparently, I am taller than Pike's Peak.

 We found Al's heaven on earth! He's been living in El Paso with no JJ's for 3 1/2 years now. Every time he is home in Minnesota we stop for their delicious sandwiches. Now that he is in Colorado, a wonderful little JJ's is 1 mile from him!

If you're in need of a job...Rendevous night club is hiring a cocktail waitress. But, you must have a clue!

And a few more gorgeous mountain shots...

Saturday Share: Money Management

Al and I got back to Minnesota yesterday, but we are out at the farm spending the weekend with his parents. We're also working on our taxes and some other budget issues, so I thought I would focus this Saturday Share on how to manage money.  On a personal level, I often lose sight of the reason for saving money and protecting our financial future. I found that some of these articles and resources rejuvenated and re-inspired me to keep on the frugality track - I hope these links can help you too!

LEARN: More about how to be frugal:

Frugality v. Deprivation via Lifehacker

Frugality is not Deprivation by Mr. Money Mustache

USE: An online budget manager like Mint.com

MAKE: A Home Management Binder to help you stay organized 

via A Bowl Full of Lemons

{And other great financial tips and organizers from her site!}

LISTEN: To anything on Dave Ramsey's radio show or website

{I especially enjoy his tips on marriage and money}

BUY: One of these splurges, if you must splurge at all

Happy Saving, lovelies.

12 in 2012: Month in Review

Another month has come and gone and it is time to check in on my 12 in 2012 goals.

1. Speak up.

I am doing fine on this. I am sticking to the commitments I've made without over-extending myself. I am making sure to take time for myself, Al and my friends and still focus on school and work.

2. Spend less.

Check out my fashion blog for the specifics of this goal and my fashion budget tracker.

3. Spread the Love.

I did not get to focus on this as much as I wanted to during February, but I have a couple ideas up my sleeve for March. 

4. Snap it.
I have kept up on my daily photo album on Facebook. I also took some pics of my trip to Colorado this month, which I hope to post soon!

5. Spice it Up.

I made crab-stuffed mushrooms, zucchini feta bites and raspberry white chocolate whoopie pies for a party this month. All of them were seriously delicious!!

6. Sweat.

Yeah...about that...

7. Stamp It.

On hold until graduation

8. See the Sights.

I am planning a trip to the Judy Garland museum in March and want to get over to the Minnesota Zoo once the weather warms up a bit!

In Colorado this month, we walked downtown, drove through the Colorado College campus and visited the Pioneers Museum (although, to be honest it was closed...) We also drove up through the mountain to explore some of the smaller towns like Green Mountain Falls. 

9. Style it.

Check out my fashion blog to see how I've been doing on this one.

10. Save space.

Of course, we moved into our new place in Colorado, and I did a LOT of organization there. I haven't done much in Minnesota this month, but I have a few ideas...

11. Slow down. 12. Sleep more.

After coming off Spring Break, I am feeling relaxed and refreshed...just in time for school to really ramp up!