11.26.13 through 11.29.13

(via my Tumblr)

11.26.13

Today was fantastic. I woke up early and got a project done that I have been procrastinating about. Then, I got ready for a day of fun. My husband and I had a double movie day today. This morning we saw Hunger Games: Catching Fire which was great. Later in the afternoon we saw Dallas Buyers Club which was also good. Both movies cost only $5 a ticket, and we also each got a free popcorn for Hunger Games!! We had a few hours to blow in between movies, so we ate lunch at Rocky Rococos, browsed the new Big Lots in Madison, and walked around the mall, Barnes & Noble, and Target. We stopped at a grocery store quickly too so I could get the ingredients for the bruschetta I am making for Thanksgiving.  Now we are home and relaxing. What a fun day! :)

11.27.13

It’s 5:48am on 9.28.13 (Thanksgiving Day) and I’m not sure why I’m wide awake. Yesterday was rather uneventful.  I worked. I will not be writing much about my job as I work at a psychiatric hospital and obviously am bound from discussing a lot of things about it. Plus, why talk about work in a blog. Ew. It was the only day that I have to work this week. I took PTO on Friday so I could spend extra time with my family in Iowa. Last night I jogged/walked intervals on the treadmill for 20 minutes. My hip is killing me today. This has been happening frequently in relation to jogging, so I may have to look more into it. For now, ice and Tylenol will have to do. I also prepared my contribution for Thanksgiving dinner - bruschetta. And I sewed a Velvet Underground patch on to Ian’s (husband) hoodie. I did most of my packing and watched Dr. Katz before falling asleep. I’m leaving this morning for Iowa and probably not coming back until Sunday. Happy Thanksgiving!

11.29.13

Hi! Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day. I drove to Iowa, had lunch at my paternal grandparents’ house and visited with family. Then, I went to my parents’ house and had dinner with my maternal grandparents and family. It was a good - but busy - day! And I ate way too much, as I usually do on Thanksgiving. Today was Black Friday. I have gone shopping early with my mom and sister the last few years, but this year my mom and I decided to go in later. We were tired. It was pretty nice - we didn’t buy a whole lot, but did get a few nice things. We were done by about 1pm and went back to my parents’ house to bake some cookies and make some xmas goodies with my sister and nephews. I feel like I didn’t help a lot - i was busy playing with my nephews. :) I nearly finished all of my Christmas shopping online - it feels nice to be almost done! I’m going to spend one more day in Iowa and then head home to Wisconsin on Sunday. I am having a blast and love spending time with my family, but I miss my husband and my cats.

11.25.13

(via my Tumblr)

I’m going to start doing short blog entries via this Tumblr. I like looking back on them in the future. Nothing spectacular, just what I’m up to. I recently changed my hours at work. Previously, I was working 5 short days. Now, I am working 3 longer days. This is great for me because 1) it’s saving a bunch of gas money not driving to Madison every day and 2) it’s giving me loads more time to do other things. I woke up sick with a cold today and it snowed quite a lot last night, so the roads are not very good. Thankfully today is a non-work day and I was able to stay at home. I spent the day cleaning my apartment thoroughly. I am still working on it - I’m a slow cleaner. I think it’s because I get a little OCD and a little distracted while I’m home alone cleaning. I’m also listening to some music and taking lots of breaks, so that probably adds to the slowness. I’ve been working on some DIY xmas gifts recently. I will post pictures once the gifts have been given. I am mostly sewing things, which is great. I’m going to finish up cleaning, work out, take a shower, and spend the rest of the night relaxing.

Hello, Stranger!

I have rudely neglected this blog. Sorry! I got busy...with life. ;)

Since last posting, I have been happily enjoying "the married life." Actually, it's not very different than pre-married life...I just have a new last name. My husband, Ian, and I just renewed our lease on our current apartment; although, I think we are both getting antsy about renting/buying a house someday *soon*. Apartment-living is and has been getting old since we have both been doing it for at least 7 years. I guess since we just renewed our lease, our decision will be happening next year on "what's next." The main problem is that we don't know where we want to settle down!

We just took our honeymoon this past month - to Toronto!! I have had an unexplained love for Canada since I was....probably around 12 years old. I am so happy that I was finally able to cross the border to the great white north that I could cry! We had a great time exploring the city, seeing the Toronto Zoo, and visiting the Canada-side of Niagara Falls. I posted a link to my shutterfly book with pictures right before this post. :)

I have also gained a new nephew - Blake! That makes 7 nephews and nieces! I am one proud aunty!

I know I was crazy into the weight-loss thing while I was unemployed. Well, since obtaining a desk job almost a year ago, I have backtracked a lot. This past week, I read a book called "Thin Side Out: How to Have Your Cake and Your Skinny Jeans Too" by Josie Spinardi. Well, I'm actually only half way through it, but I have already decided that dieting is really not effective! I'm going to start using hunger-directed-eating and use the simple method of eating only when I'm hungry, and stopping when I am full. Simple, right?! Our bodies and brains are complex things and know when we need and when we do not need food. I have been trying to diet for the past, oh, couple of months with no progress. This book really is hitting home! So far I have already noticed that I am eating in much more reasonable amounts and, even though it's only been a few days, my weight is already going down. Thank glob! I think this is the answer and I am not spending tons of time trying to figure out how many calories, carbs, grams of fat, etc are in every single bite of food that goes in my mouth! I'm also not spending a bunch of money on food that I don't really like that much anyway. I'm just eating what I want in moderate amounts!

Oh, and on the exercise front, I've been doing that pretty regularly! I have been really focusing on jogging. I'm trying to do Couch to 5k again...but it's going way more slowly than what is recommended. This is because of interruptions (albeit good interruptions) such as our honeymoon. The weather has also been a factor - it's been a very rainy June in south-central Wisconsin! If I can't jog, I do some other form of exercise like 30 Day Shred, Tae Bo, or Zumba. I'm on "week 3" even though I have been doing this for over a month. Even so, I am making progress! I'm going farther and my times are improving. I also purchased a Fitbit Zip for my birthday. I really love this little device! And it's hot pink! ;)

I've also been watching a lot of TV shows via Netflix as of late. We recently finished watching the entire West Wing series! What a feat! ;) I love it. I know tv is not the most healthy of hobbies, but it's something I enjoy.

My life hasn't been that interesting since last year! I've pretty much been just doing all of the above + working. Exciting, I know! We are healthy and mostly happy, my cats are healthy and happy; therefore, things are good!

Toronto Honeymoon

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