Halloween Thriller

Happy Halloween!

Pressure

{**This was supposed to post yesterday, but Blogger was giving me fits...Hopefully, it won't throw off my blogging for the rest of the weekend.**}

Of course, I took no pictures of my time in Texas. It's mostly because I spent most of the time curled up on the couch with Al doing absolutely nothing. We did make some delicious meals (like broccoli & chicken casserole and Jiffy pumpkin cheesecake bars) and watched football and the World Series games, but really we just sat around. I didn't even wear the heels I brought for a "special occasion."

Honestly, though, I wouldn't trade the weekend I had for one million special occasions. It was easily one of the best weekends I've had - and we spent it sitting on the couch. Or in bed.

It is no secret that one of our "plans" for the weekend was baby-making. I don't really think details are necessary (or lady-like,) but I can tell you that we did our part as much as we could. It might happen, it might not. We'll have to wait and see.

(Do you buy into my nonchalance? I am trying to carry on with my life and not think about the possibility of being pregnant. It may sound silly, but I'm afraid to want it too much. I'm afraid that I will put too much pressure on myself or my body to produce results and even though stress won't necessarily harm my chances, it certainly can't help.)

In the meantime, we are both taking small steps (or big ones, depending on how you look at it) towards being healthier people. You may recall that we are were both smokers. Him, moreso than me. I decided to quit cold-turkey when I went off birth control back in August. We knew it would be much harder for him to quit, so I gave him his space to quit in terms that worked for him. He told me that if I left him alone, he would be smoke-free by the time I visited in October.

And he was. I am so proud of him. He has been smoking most of his life and was up to smoking half a pack each day. When I was there this weekend, he didn't even have a pack in his possession. Although, he did have a cigarette when I was there, he has made so much progress without a patch, or gum or any other quitting aid. His next step will be to go to the doctor and get something to help him quit 100%.

The fact that he worked so hard at quitting, during a time where he is under extreme stress at work, makes me so proud. I know how hard it was for me, and I'm sure it was exponentially harder for him. I can only attribute his effort to how much he wants to be a father.

Talk about pressure...

Catch Up

Why does it always feel as though I need a vacation from my vacation? It could have to do with the fact that I usually travel over a weekend, which means one full day of a four-day weekend is spent on a plane, in an airport or packing, driving and running around. Add to the mix the whirlwind of a weekend spent with Al (who I haven't seen in over a month) and it makes for a tired girl.

Of course, I would do it every weekend if I could. It gets harder every time to leave, especially when I return to the grind of school work, classrooms and my tiny upstairs bedroom in my parent's home. I keep reminding myself that it's all worth it in the end. I do it for him. I do it for myself (and my career.) Mostly, I do it for us and our future together. It is worth it.

But it still sucks.

I'm working on a pretty cool post about a panel I went to today regarding the Marriage Amendment many states are putting on their dockets in the 2012 election. I will also do a recap of the weekend more in depth (although I have very few pictures to provide.)

I will say, however, that I loved seeing Jess and Jaci again and, of course, spending some quality time with Al.

I am blessed to have good friends and family who love me - it sure makes this whole thing a lot easier.

Texas

As you read this, I am flying at 30,000 ft. on my way to visit my husband in Texas. I am on fall break from school and have an entire 5-day-weekend to enjoy! Jess and Jaci are picking me up at the airport to have "girl-time" before Al gets off work for the day. I will have to study for a bit on Friday while Al is working, but otherwise it will be all fun and games (and baby-making, hopefully!)

I will try to take LOTS of pictures (of the fun and games - not the other stuff...) and update you when I return. In the meantime, enjoy Lee Brice's new song "Woman Like You."

Neglectful

I have been a bad-blogger. I'm not even sure I have a valid excuse.

Sure, I've been busy. But I've still managed to update my fashion blog.

Yes, I am trudging through the day-to-day and nothing exciting is going on.

But that hasn't stopped me before.

What's changed?

Probably nothing, but I've just been uninspired to blog. I hope that will change soon - I really miss you guys. Really. Really.

In the meantime, I am going to make it up to you with one of my favorite songs from the 80's. See just how much I miss you - I'm pulling out the best of the best!

John Cougar Mellencamp - "Jack and Diane"

Enjoy!

Frantically Writing

I'm sorry that I've disappeared. I am currently elbow-deep in writing an appellate brief and, well, blogging just isn't going to happen. In the meantime, enjoy one of my favorite study songs and get outside and enjoy the Saturday evening that I am unfortunately unable to enjoy!

Fall Goals: Revisited in October

Since October rolled around this weekend, I figured it was time to re-visit my fall goals and see how I am doing...

1. Spend Wisely & Maintain Budget

Al and I have a monthly and long-term budget, including a savings plan. Beyond that, our individual spending is up to us to use how we wish. In addition to maintaining our budget goals as a couple, I want to spend more wisely on my own. I have put myself on a clothes/accessories spending budget, which I track here.

I am doing just fine. I broke my clothing budget this week. It's not much, since it was such a low budget to begin with, but it is against my goals, so I figured I should come clean. As far as the other financial stuff goes, I am doing very well. I am sticking to my savings plan, and spending less. Ultimately, I foresee no problem sticking to our plan and having a hefty savings in the bank when spring rolls around!

2. Complete my long-paper

I will be tracking the progress of my long-paper requirement. Sure, this is school related, but since I am required to monitor my own practice and it is the only non-class requirement I have left for graduation, I want to insure I am on top of it. I hear so many horror stories from graduating students who struggled to push out their paper in the last couple months and I refuse to do that. Final draft = Due December.

I have made absolutely ZERO progress on this goal. {{hangs head in shame}}

3. Visit Al at least once before Christmas

I am sort of "cheating" on this since I have already booked a ticket to visit over my fall break in October. I created this goal list, however, before I did so and I still think it counts. Plus, don't all the experts say that the best way to be motivated to complete a to-do list is include something you can check off right away?!?

Trip scheduled for October over fall break. I'm giddy with excitement!

4. Complete at least 3 sewing projects

I really, really want to get better at sewing, and this means forcing myself to sit down and do it.I want to complete at least 3 sewing projects, but they can consist of mending or altering something I already own or making something from scratch. More likely the former, but I've got to start somewhere.

None started. None in the works.

5. Blog less, but with more purpose

I hope I've already started myself on the path to accomplish this. I want the days that I take time to write something outside of the scheduled memes to be purposeful and worth-wile. Less negative attitude and more fulfilling writing so I can keep a positive and productive outlook.

I have done a great job of this! I am sticking to my planned memes and only blogging extra for healing, venting or purposeful reasons. I am really pleased will how well I've stuck to this!

6. Lose 15 lbs.

It's crazy to me that I spent the entire summer in Texas sitting on my butt and did not work outat all! Sure, I was regularly active as far as being outside and walking and such, but nothing that produces weight loss, muscle gain, or over all health increase. This is simply not acceptable for me. Here it is, in black and white - I will lose 15 lbs. by Christmas.

Oh dear...I have not been making any progress on this. I have maintained my current weight, which really just means I'm not eating excessively terrible things. I want to bike more and just get outside whenever I can - that's not going to cut 15 lbs., but it's a jumping off point.

7. Join a fitness class

To tie in to the above goal, I want to join a fitness class. It is unlikely that I will pay to join a gym while I'm staying at my parents (we have a home-gym) but I do want to do a yoga or spin class and finally a boxing class. Any combination of the above would be great, but actively going to a class once-per-week is my realistic goal.

I printed a guest pass to a gym near my house, where my BFF goes. I am hoping to visit a yoga class on Friday and go from there.

8. Maintain a healthy life

Again, this is related to the above two goals, but also to our timeline for baby-making. I want to be eating healthy, getting enough sleep and taking my vitamins. I know these things sound so simple, but it is really easy to neglect some of the basic life necessities when you're as busy as I am. This includes no smoking (4 weeks smoke free!) and staying away from pop (which I've also all-but given up.) Coffee will remain a significant part of my diet, but if that's my worst habit, I can accept that!

I am still smoke-free! I am still taking my multi-vitamin and eating (mostly) better. I am not getting enough sleep, but that has only been a recent occurrence. I am shifting my sleep schedule a bit and a few late nights threw me completely out of whack. I should be back on track very soon!

9. Attend church once per month

I am a little embarrassed to even put this on here, because it's something I should do without "scheduling" it, but it's so easy to brush aside when I'd rather sleep in on Sunday morning. Along with taking care of my mind and body, I have to take care of my soul too!

I have not been doing this and that is unacceptable. I am currently committing myself to church this Sunday - no excuses!

10. Be active in my relationships

This means making the people I love a priority. Specifically, checking my bad days at the door when I am talking to Al or my mom. I also want to have monthly friend-dates with my faves and a monthly date with my momma. I want to make sure I stay active in my sisters' lives also.

I think I am doing well with this. I am actively keeping people in my life, even if it's only for a quick lunch. I am trying to be thoughtful even if I can't physically be in someone's life. I am working on giving people my complete attention when I am with them or talking to them. I hope my friends and family are seeing this effort and my love for them!