Books I Want to Read (or re-read) This Year

I have been on a dry spell from reading, but it is one of my favorite pastimes, so I'm ready to jump back in. If I have to make a New Year's Resolution it would be this: read every book on this list. So here we go!

1. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

2. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

4. The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

5. Blue Like Jazz by Don Miller

6. Little Bee by Chris Cleave

7. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolwick

8. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

9. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

10. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

*If you are looking for a good book suggestion, please read The Help by Kathryn Stockett...it is one of my favorite books of all time!

**Yes, I mostly read novels. Yes, I am open to "other" varieties. Send me your suggestions!

Snow Day!

Yes, it's true! It started snowing last night and today we woke up to the ground completely covered with the possibility of snowmen and snow angels! I, for one, love the storm that is unleashing upon us; however I was not entirely thrilled that our garage door decided to come off the tracks Monday night, leaving our cars buried in the street. There are worse things, I am sure of it.

So far today, I think we've gotten about 4" with the possibility of 1o more! It's really coming down out there. I was actually out shoveling the sidewalk when a friendly neighbor came by and said "Let me get that, I have a snow-blower." My response? As much as I enjoy shoveling, I mean, who doesn't, (ha!) I quickly blurted out "That would be awesome, thank you so much!" I am in no way the strong, feminist type who has too much pride to let a kindly gentleman remove the snow in front of my house! :) So a big THANK YOU to Anne's father who just made my day!

Jason is on his way home from work, only to go back tonight and run the evening shift. Snow always makes his job more difficult, and it continues to confuse me as to why. I understand being "cautious" when the roads are icy and snowy, but when people completely lose the ability to drive when there is snow on the ground I have to say it makes me lose my mind! That is all I will say about that, if I keep going I will make myself angry for no reason...just breathe, D! haha

If only the garage door repairman would get here, I could then go outside and check things out! And maybe I will just make a snowman.

What I Want to be When I Grow Up

Apparently, I have found a new love in my life. I suppose it would go under the title of "Small Event Planning." A great friend told me this week that I should consider small event planning on the side. I thought I had all of this "grown up" stuff figured out. Untrue. I AM a Registered Massage Therapist and I love it. I also have a passion for kiddos and teaching. And recently, I have started to adore party planning and basket-making and diaper-cake assembling.

So, who out there would like to hire a Massage Therapist, 1st grade teaching, bridal shower planner? :) There's got to be a position out there for someone like me! Right?!

The truth is, I can actually do all of those things, isn't that perfect!? For me it is. You see, I work during the week at the spa, and every other Saturday I get to "teach" 2 year olds in the nursery at church. I am the host in the Tots & Toddlers room and it is awesome! They are hilarious, and no matter how my day goes before I get there, I always leave the room with a huge smile at the end of the night. I will post pictures of the room later...it is amazing!

On top of that, I got to plan a bridal shower this summer, a baby shower in July, and I just made a donation basket for a Susan G. Komen for the Cure silent auction at my spa. Body & Sole is hosting a silent auction on October 10th and all proceeds are going to Komen. We are asking businesses in the area to donate baskets, and well, since we have our own business, Jimmy John's donated to the cause and I made the basket. I decided on a Christmas Decorations Theme, considering that about 90% of the people at the event will be woman, and let's face it, women are suckers for anything decorating-related! ;) I filled it with 2 stockings, stocking holders (snowmen of course), tree ornaments, pinecones, etc. etc.

Overall, my life is grand. I am able to pursue all of the things I love, and I even get paid to do some of it! I am fulfilled when I do "work" for others and I guess it's my way of giving back.

To whom much is given, much is expected.

My Life in a Nutshell [Revisited]

I was thinking about my "random" list and decided I would add a few more things. Only this time, the things listed below are a list of qualities I wish people thought about me. Yes, this is a different approach, but hey! This is my blog, I can do what I want! :)

1. I am unselfish and put others' needs before my own.

2. I am a downright wonderful cook.

3. I have a big heart, and am easy to talk to.

4. I will be an amazing mother someday.

5. I have a giving spirit, and love to accomplish small acts of kindness.

It's difficult to look at myself and wonder if these are qualities that people see in me. Do I really want to know the answer? While there are of course many other things that I strive to be, these 5 were the first to pop into my head. I want my life to have an impact on others not just because I'm fun and outgoing and friendly, but because I served those who needed it the most, because I made a difference in someones life today that might impact their tomorrow. That's what really matters, I think. So I guess I'll just keep trying.

My Life in a Nutshell

Original post: February 5, 2009 on Facebook

I was looking through my Facebook "stuff" and stumbled upon this tonight. Apparently, back in February, it was all the rage to write random facts about yourself. I had completely forgotten about it, until now. Just for fun, enjoy! :)

29 Random Things

1. I think the best decision that Jase and I ever made was to move to Denver. It has been an awesome experience, and I absolutely LOVE living here. What’s not to love?

2. I am a weekend warrior when it comes to exercise. Even though I want to exercise and know I should, I usually don’t do it during the week. I wait for the weekend when I snowboard, and talk myself into the fact that it burns a lot of calories, enough for the whole week!

3. I do not enjoy things that take a lot of patience. Examples: untying knotted stuff, putting crap together, long, tedious cleaning and organizing, and the list goes on.

4. I am a total momma’s girl. When I was little, my dad would try to make me do “boy stuff” like track through the woods for a deer and spend the day fishing. I wasn’t having it…I basically whined and cried until he took me home. Now, I would give up anything for a chance to do those things over again.

5. I honestly think that Taylor Swift read my diary and stole the lyrics for some of her songs right out of it, especially Fifteen.

6. When I was 9, Jenni and I would ride our bikes past Jason’s house, hoping he was playing outside with his brother so we could show off. If we were lucky, they would launch water balloons at us, and it was the best day ever!

7. I try to act tough, but when it comes right down to it, I hate confrontation and conflict.

8. In the early 90’s I would practice “making commercials” in the bathroom mirror, convinced that one day I would be a movie star. The Olsen twins were my idols! How sad! Haha

9. My family constantly reminds me of how bossy I was when I was little, and it is so embarrassing, especially the home video proof!

10. I went to a New Kids on the Block concert when I was 5, with Kylie Callander! I remember picking out a new faded jean skirt, and I was in love with Jordan Knight, obviously.

11. It makes me sad when I talk to my friends in Indiana and they are having a ‘girls night’ and I can’t be there. Like, really sad.

12. I love reading, and when I start a book it totally consumes my life until I’m done.

13. I nearly have a panic attack every time Jason’s phone rings, convinced that something horrible at the store happened and he has to go in.

14. I think it’s awesome that my mom and I are such good friends now. I never thought that could happen when I lived at home, but it really did. I talk to her at least 4 times a week.

15. My sister and I are complete opposites, and secretly I wish I was more like her, especially when it comes to clothes. She is way braver than me, and I admire that.

16. At the risk of sounding cheesy, I am so proud of my not-so-little brother, and he reminds me more of my dad every time I see him.

17. I’m also very proud of my sister in law, Jenae, and I love getting to spend time with her. I especially love watching Jon & Kate plus 8 marathons with her and going shopping!

18. Which reminds me, as long as I don’t go shopping, things stay under control. It’s when I am at the mall that things go downhill fast…

19. I would say that at least 3 or 4 nights a week when I come home from school, my husband has dinner ready. I mean seriously, how awesome is that?! And it’s good, too!

20. I hate cooking, but I love baking. Desserts are totally my thing, probably because I have such a sweet tooth.

21. Warm, tropical vacations are my favorite. Nothing a week on the beach with a good book can’t fix.

22. That cute little blondy that talks in his highchair on the E*Trade commercials is seriously my favorite kid ever! I want him to steal him, so darn cute!

23. I never understood those “weirdo dog people” that love their dogs so much, and now I’m one of them.

24. I have more than 1 best friend. And I think it’s awesome. If you’re lucky enough to have more than one person that you can totally spill your heart out to, that’s something special.

25. I could play Sorry! for hours…seriously! I love that game.

26. As sad as it is, I get excited when I have new notifications pop up in the bottom right hand corner of my screen.

27. I am almost a Registered Massage Therapist in the State of Colorado.

28. I cannot wait to be a mom and do cutesy little “mom” things like crafts, and birthday parties, and helping in their class at school.

29. I am truly blessed in this thing called life. I have an amazing family, friends, and of course the cutest hubs ever. ;)

Summer of Love

Once again, it's been so long since my last post that I actually forgot my password. I spent a good 5 minutes trying to figure it out, typing in every last combination until my head was dizzy. That's when I saw the light: the CAPS lock was on. Disaster averted!

May/June/July extra-fast recap:

The highlight for May was white-water rafting at the Royal Gorge in Canon City with Jamie and Jordan. We went on the full-day trip and it was amazing! We all stayed in the raft and dominated Class IV and V rapids and only suffered one injury: a black, bloody eye. Not bad for such a rowdy trip!

In June we were home for Jenae's graduation from Bethany for the first weekend of the month. It was great to see everyone and enjoy time in Indiana. We celebrated our 3 year anniversary on the 17th, hard to believe how fast time flies. The last week of June I flew home for Kara and Andre's wedding, and Jason opened Store #2 on June 23rd. The opening was much easier this time around, for many reasons. Unexpectedly, Jason flew to Indiana on June 29 because of the passing of his Grandma Riegsecker. We spent a few days in Ohio with the family and shared many memories of Grandma who was such a lovely, sweet woman of God.

July brought my family to Colorado over the 4th; we spent four days in Breckenridge shopping, hiking, horseback riding, eating, and more shopping. Jamie and Jordan spent the day with us in Breck, and the guys (Jason, Mike, Dustin, Jordan) went mountain biking, which seemed to be a highlight of their week! We came back to Denver for the end of the week and went hiking in El Dorado and drove to Colorado Springs to see Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. Fun stuff!

We've had a really fun and exciting Summer overall. However, I've had a pesky little friend visit me many times over the past few months and his name is Migraine. Normally, I would not give him the credit and allow him to be part of my post, but I feel like he demands my respect and believe me, at this point I will do whatever he wants so he will LEAVE me ALONE! I have to admit that the typically beautiful Colorado weather has been less than glamorous this summer season....let me explain.

Many afternoons in the months of June and July (around 20 in a row in June to be exact) a gray, cloudy sky rolls in about 2 or 3 p.m. and unleases its fury on the Front Range. Why would this be a problem? you might ask... This is about the time of day that my face, and by face I mean sinuses, feel like they are going to explode. The pressure mounts in my head, and if I'm lucky to catch it in time and take the proper precautions, I'm usually fine. But for the 10 or so days in the past 2 months that I have not been so lucky, Mr. Migraine comes and makes my day pretty miserable. I have never had the frequency of migraines that I am experiencing now, and I really do think the weather is to blame. The worst part is that (as all sufferers of these headaches know) they wipe out every last plan that you have for the day, fun or not. But enough complaining, many many people in this city are going through the same pain I am, and I'm learning how to deal with it better. Let's just hope Mother Nature decides to like us again soon! Otherwise I might have to buy stock in Advil Cold & Sinus.

*A life without love is like a year without Summer*

*Swedish Proverb*

April

is a promise

that May

is bound to keep.

*H. Borland