5 Question Friday

Last week my friend Mama V at Adventures of a Mom took part in the 5 Question Fridays with My Little Life. I thought it might be kind of fun, so I'm joining in today!  The rules are pretty easy... Answer the 5 questions below, and then link up with My Little Life

1. Do you swim in the winter?
If it were an indoor, heated pool, or a Caribbean island, then yes, I would swim in the winter.  But on a typical winter day (yes, even Arizona winter) nope, I won't be swimming. 

2. Do you love or hate winter?
I live in Arizona.   I love love LOVE our winter.  It's a gorgeous 70-ish degrees - what's not to love?  My last winter in Seattle was horrible.  Snowed in for a week.  The week before Christmas, mind you.  When this procrastinator hadn't even begun Christmas shopping.  Yeah.  That?  Not so fun.  I don't love chilled to the bone cold weather.  I much prefer the Arizona version of winter!

3. Do you put makeup/actual clothes on when you know you're going to be home all day with just family?
No. It's actually something that I'm trying to be better at.  I know, sounds kind of ridiculous.  But in all seriousness... I kind of feel bad for my husband.  The minute I get home from work, I put on pajama pants.  It's a bonus if they happen to be a solid color, and not some ridiculous random pattern.  I'm sure he thinks he's hit the jackpot if they actually coordinate with whatever top I'm wearing.  So, on the weekends, when we're just staying home all day, I wear mismatched pajamas.  Which means that my poor husband sees me dressed normal, wearing makeup, and heels, and cute (matching) clothes for maybe 5 hours in a week.  Pretty pitiful.  Thus my goal to try to actually get dressed on the weekends.  Even if we're not going anywhere.  And, considering I've yet to do it... I apparently need to work harder at it! :)

4. How old were you when you had your first alcoholic beverage?
I remember before one of my junior high dances, my best friend & I decided to try vodka in our soda.  I was so afraid of my parents finding out that we drank their vodka that I think I maybe mixed in 1/2 a shot.  Needless to say, it was pretty much pointless.  I don't think I had any alcoholic beverages again until the summer going into senior year.  That was a much larger quantity.  That had me sneaking back home, after curfew.  Trying to walk past my dad, who fell asleep on the couch. 

5. How many ill calls in a 12 month period do you think are acceptable?
I think for the average full time employee, 5 is acceptable.  Of course, I say this, as a woman without kids.  Kids who tend to use up all the sick time that you may have.

That's it... easy peasy & fun!

Getting to Know Me: Week Four

This weeks getting to know me topic is my nicknames...  I know, not very exciting.  :)

Antchie NaNa
My sweet sweet nephews used to call me this.  When they were first learning to talk, I was always Na Na.   The youngest nephew, G-Man always made Auntie sound more like Ant-chie.  It was really quite cute.  I reminded him of this when I was visiting last summer, and he thought it was hilarious, and continued to call me that a good portion of the trip.  Oh how I love my nephews! 

Shawna-na and Shawna Bawna
Both of these come from my Mama.  She uses them interchangeably.  I don't even notice it most of the time.  At least not until someone points it out.  :)

So, other than the usual "babe" or "honey" from Hubs, those are really the only nicknames I have.

Next week:
Three celebrities I find attractive

The Things We Do For Love

I posted a recent photo of me here, with a dark, mahogany (aka red) hair color.  I've kept my hair that color for about a year now.  I loved it.  I liked that it felt healthier, I felt as though coloring my hair was a lot less damaging than getting it highlighted.  Unfortunately, Hubs didn't feel the same.  He was a good sport about it for awhile, but apparently he reached his limit, and more or less begged me to start lightening my hair.  So, a couple weeks ago, I started the process.  It's still growing on me... I definitely prefer the darker color, but Hubs loves it.  I figure he's gotta look at it more often than I do.  :)

In other "things we do for love" news...

Hubs is a huge history freak.  And pretty much all things that goes along with history.  Dinosaurs? Check.  Fossils?  Double Check.  Rocks?  You guessed it... check again!  He's been asking (okay, borderline begging) to go to the Arizona Museum of Natural History basically since we moved here. I have been dragging my feet because he likes to read every.  Single.  Placard.  In the museum.  So, what a normal person can wander through, and enjoy in a couple hours, he's been known to take 4 hours to do.  We finally took the plunge and went this weekend.  And you know what?  It was a lot of fun!  But shhhh!  Don't tell Hubs I said that!  :)  I entertained myself by taking a ton of photos with my phone.  Here are some of them:



Just a few of the dinosaurs at the museum




Fossil




Another fossil - this one's a prehistoric fish




Triceratops



Petrified wood




My foot in a dinosaur print.



My handsome Hubs



I liked this guy...  The museum was closing, so I didn't have a chance to read the story.  But I bet Hubs did! :)





The building the museum is in used to be the old jail.  This is one of the first jail cells in Mesa

  I have a ton more, but I'll spare ya! :) I would definitely recommend a trip to the museum.  It's a good time for all!

January Birchbox Fun

A few months ago, I found out about this great company, called Birchbox.  For just $10 a month, you get a box sent to you filled with all kinds of deluxe samples of beauty products. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge beauty product junkie.  I love makeup, and trying new creams, or lotions, or hair products (though, if I'm completely honest, I rarely stick with much other than a heat protectant spray & hairspray).  So the opportunity to try new products, that I may not try sounded perfect to this beauty product maven! My parentals graciously gifted me with a one year subscription for my birthday.  Each month I look forward to getting my box in the mail, to see what fun new items I have to try out.

Yay!  It's arrived!  :)

They include a card with each box.  On the back is a description of all the items in your box, and what the full size price is. 

Here's all the goodies

 What I got this month:
Algenist Firming and Lifting Cream
Zoya nailpolish in Megan
Wichcraft granola
Archipelago Pomegranate Soap
Juicy Couture perfume
Birchbox magnet

I'm excited to try out the new stuff throughout this month!  Here's the referral link, if you'd like to sign up to get a monthly box yourself!

Getting To Know Me: Week Three

This weeks getting to know me topic (is that the right word?) is a photo of my friends & me.  I have a ton of photos I had in mind, but they're not on this computer, and I didn't have a chance to sift through all our photos, so you get a wedding photo, a photo stolen from Facebook, and one from right before we moved to AZ. :)

First up... the wedding photo

I met all these fabulous ladies at my last job.  We had so many laughs, and good times together.  I miss them a TON!  They're the best bunch of friends a girl could have. 

Next:  The photo taken just weeks before we moved to AZ

The two girls on the left are two of my oldest friends.  (And I don't mean age!) I don't talk to either of them as often these days, but when we do talk, it's like no time has gone by.  I've known H (in the blue sleeveless shirt) since the 2nd grade (that's roughly 28 years!!).  She was the Maid-of-Honor in our wedding, and we've been through so much together.  S-Rod (brunette in the gray) and I have been friends since middle school.  We were roommates for a couple years, and is one of the most fun-loving person I know.  She's an absolute blast to be around.  (the other gorgeous ladies in this photo are my mama - front & center, and my sister-in-law)

And finally... my AZ girls!

I was fortunate enough to meet these fabulous ladies through posting on a message board.  We hit it off online, and again when we met in real life.  We've had many a get together, lots of laughs, and countless fun times together.  They're the bestest! 

So there ya have it... Photos of myself & my friends.  :)

Next week: Nicknames I have & how (or why) I got them

Potluck Time!! Greek "Salsa"

Every month we have a potluck at my work to celebrate the birthdays for the month.  I usually take this opportunity to make something that I know Hubs wouldn't think about trying.  You see, I have married the pickiest eater to ever walk the face of the earth.  So any opportunity to make something with flavor, I'm all over it!

Tomorrow is our monthly birthday potluck.  This month's "theme" is dips.  I scoured Pinterest for a new recipe, and saw this one and this one.  I kind of combined the two, and came up with a yummy dip to share with my co-workers.  I'll be honest in that I just kind of winged it (as I usually do), but here's the loose version of my "recipe".

Greek "Salsa"

2 cucumbers
4 tomatoes (I used Roma)
Kalamata olives
1 Red Bell Pepper
Feta Cheese
Greek Seasoning
Olive Oil
Fresh Dill

Chop cucumbers, tomatoes, olives & bell pepper. 
Add a couple tablespoons of olive oil and several shakes of the Greek Seasoning
Add Feta cheese crumbles
Tear up the fresh dill, and mix all together. 
Add more seasoning to taste.

Serve with sliced pita bread.

There ya go... easy peasy & super delish!

Getting to Know Me - Week Two

Almost didn't make it in time... But I couldn't fail at week two!  I know, it's been a week since I last posted.  I have lots of ideas... just haven't had the time to sit and write them!  So stay tuned for a weekend recap, a new look for me, and Hubs brilliant move.

But, back to the Getting to Know Me portion of the blog.  Today's topic is the meaning behind my blog name. 

Learn.  Live.  Hope. 

"Learn from yesterday, Live for today, Hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein. 

So simple, and yet so very true.  I chose it as a reminder to myself of things to remember, things to work on, and things to learn from.  Let's break it down, shall we? 

Learn from yesterday.  I truly believe that everything happens for a reason.  The tough times make us stronger, teach us things, and shape us into who we are.  It may not be apparent at the time, but we can definitely learn from it all.  So learn?  I think I've got that down. 

Live for today.  I feel like so many times I tend to get caught up in all the planning, in all the have-to-do's of day-to-day life, that I need to just slow down, and live.  Enjoy the present.  That?  Right there?  Is something I really need to work on. 

Hope for tomorrow.  Oh, I have so many hopes and dreams for the future.  Really, who doesn't?  There's places I want to travel, big purchases to make, relationships to form & strengthen, goals to work towards, and oh-so-many more. Hope?  Yup, I've got it.  Lots of it.

But there's a fine line, right?  If I worry and hope to much today about tomorrow, then I'm not living for today.  It's all about balance.  As is most everything in life. 

So there ya have it.  The meaning behind my blog name.  :)

Next week:  A photo of you & your friends

Getting to Know Me - Week One

All throughout the blogisphere, there's many a 30 day challenge.  I've done one (okay, so I think I failed the last few days) and I don't think I want to attempt doing a daily deal.  So I decided to combine a few that I liked, and make it into a weekly challenge.  Every Tuesday will be dedicated to a getting to know me type of post.  I think I can handle weekly posts! :)  Feel free to join in, I'd love to get to know y'all too! 

So, lets start this off!

Week One - A recent photo of you & 15 interesting facts about yourself



Not sure how "interesting" these are, but here goes!

1. I am the only girl in my family.  I have 3 brothers
2. I am part Indian.  My maternal grandmother was full blood Sioux Indian.  My paternal grandmother was also Indian. 
3. The dad that raised me is not my biological father.  It's only been in the last year that we have started communicating.  And that has been sparse as of late.
4. I went through a phase in high school & for a few years afterwards where I would only eat chicken.  I wouldn't eat any red meat, or pork.  I'd occasionally have fish, but not often.  Because of that, chicken is one of my least favorite things to eat now.
5. My husband & I met through an online dating website.  He lived in California, and I in Washington at the time.  We knew prior to physically meeting that we would marry.
6. I met one of my best guy friends on a dating website as well.  We haven't ever met in person, but we remain close, and we invited each other to our weddings.
7. I had little to no hair until I was 2 years old. 
8. It doesn't take much to trigger tears.  I am an emotional person.
9. I have two cats, Bella & Marcel (though he is never called that - somehow we came up with the nickname "Bubba Mo" and it's stuck) They are my babies, and provide Hubs & I endless entertainment
10. I've never seen or read any of the Harry Potter books, and I probably never will.
11. I grew up in Washington, but I've lived in South Dakota, Idaho, Nevada, Missouri and now Arizona.
12. I played the clarinet for 6 years in school. 
13. I am fiercely loyal to those I love.  But it takes awhile for me to trust people entirely.
14. I didn't get my driver's licence until a month before I turned 18
15. I hate driving.  I much prefer being the passenger. 

Next week:

The meaning behind my blog name

 

2012 Goals

I wasn't planning on doing this... blogging about my 2012 goals, resolutions, hopes, changes... Whatever you want to call them. No matter the verbage, it is what it is. But then I thought, what better way to hold myself accountable than to have this to refer back to? So here I am, as January 2nd comes to an end, listing my goals for 2012.

Health

• Make healthier food choices, and adapt a healthier lifestyle  I know, it's cliche.  But, it's necessary.  It takes 21 days to form a habit.  We'll start with that...
• Exercise.  Simple enough, right? 
• I'd like to incorporate one new healthy recipe into our repitoire twice a month.  Since Hubs is pretty much the pickiest eater I've ever met, this one may be more of a challenge.

Wealth

• Be debt free by November 2012
• Begin an aggressive savings plan

Family

• Continue (I should probably say re-start) our family blog to keep friends and family updated on our lives.
• Make keeping in touch with my friends & family a priority.  I'm terrible at this, and it really is something I need to change.  I want to call a friend or family member at least once a week.  Call them.  Not text, not Facebook, not email.  Actually call.

Life

• Purge.  I kind of pride myself on not being one that likes "stuff".  However, at this time, my closets don't exactly reflect that.  I need a good purge, and reorganization
• Keep up on cleaning & laundry all throughout the week.  Not just on the weekends.  I hope to spend 15-20 minutes each day cleaning.  And I hope to avoid the hours that I usually spend on the weekend catching up on it.
• Find a hobby.  I'd like to learn to knit.  Or crochet.  I hope to find & take a class to learn how to do that.
• Have regular date nights with the Hubs.  After all, that's one of the bonuses for our decision to not have children.  We need to take advantage of that!
• Read 45 books in 2012.  I love to read.  Last year, according to my Nook Library, I read 32 books on my Nook, and an additional 5 regular books.  That's a total of 37 for the year.  So really, 45 isn't that much more!

 So there ya have it... My goals/wishes/hopes/resolutions for 2012.  Here's to a new year & new beginnings!

Life Decisions

In my previous post, I mentioned that Hubs & I had made a major life decision in 2011.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little sad that we came to this conclusion.  However,  I am extremely confident when I say that I  do believe that this is the best choice for us.  For our family.  And really... that's what matters. 

Hubs & I will not be having children.  Only a few of my close friends know this.  I have always felt that if it were meant to be, it would be.  I knew that I would love to be a mother, however I also knew that I wasn't the type that felt as though my life wouldn't be complete without a child.  For the last 2 1/2 years, Hubs & I have not prevented a pregnancy.  We haven't been actively trying - as in charting, temping and all that.  But we haven't been preventing.  Again, I felt if it were meant to be - it would be. 

Earlier this fall, Hubs & I had a long discussion about it.  He and I talked about our future, our wishes, our dreams.  We talked about all the things we want to do, places we want to go, and the fact that we're not getting younger.  Hubs is 40.  I'm 35.  While I know that we're not exactly senior citizens, I also know that we're no spring chicken either.  Should I get pregnant right now... I'd be 36 when I delivered.  Hubs would be 41.  Which means, when Baby M graduated from high school, I'd be 54.  Hubs?  59.  That, as silly as it may be, played a major factor in the decision.

We like our life.  We like our flexibility.  We can sleep in if we want.  We can take random, last minute trips.  We can have date nights any time we want.  If we were to have a child, at this time, it'd come with it's own challenges, and some of the things that we enjoy in our life would be more difficult to do.  I know that many would say that the rewards of having children greatly outweigh any of that.  But again, this is the best choice for US. 

Hubs is an only child.  We've yet to break the news to his parents that they will not be grandparents.  I am sad for that.  I know how much they would love to have a grandchild to spoil.  But, again,  it's our choice.  And it's the best choice for us. 

I will be the best auntie possible to my nephews and my niece.  I will enjoy my time with them (though sadly it's not nearly as frequent as I wish, with the 1000 mile distance).  And I will happily hand them back to their parents at the end of a fun visit.  I will love my friend's children, and they'll be my surrogate nephews or nieces.  And again, I will happily hand them back to their parents, and enjoy my full nights sleep.  :)

It wasn't an easy decision to make.  But it was the right choice for us.

2012: New Beginnings



Source



Happy New Year!!

New year... new beginnings with a new blog.  Maybe I'll finally keep up with this one!  :)  That's my goal, at least.

2011 overall was a pretty good year.  The M household had some bumps, made a major life decision or two, hubs continued in his career under a new company, I got a promotion, we made some new friends, parted ways with others, and overall had a pretty darn good year. 

So what did we do to say goodbye to 2011?  After working a very long week, I was pretty exhausted.  We decided to go to dinner at Famous Dave's, and to a movie-Sherlock Holmes.  It was extremely low key, but perfect for the exhaustion that I was trying to power through.  :)

I'm looking forward to 2012, and all it will bring for us.  My bff will be moving here in February.  With her arrival, I anticipate lots of girl time, and laughs.  The Hubs and I are planning another trip to California/Disneyland for March, along with a trip to Las Vegas with some friends hopefully in June.  There's so much more that I know will be in store for the M's this year.  I'm excited for all that 2012 has to offer!

Bring it 2012, we're ready!