What I'm Thankful For...

...I'm thankful that today is the very last day of November.

By anyone else's standards my November was probably pretty awesome. But by my standards, it pretty much sucked. I'm more than ready to move on to December and whatever it might bring. And hopefully it brings a whole lot of challenging and thought-provoking adventures, people that need me, and new found motivation to get off my butt and run. But if not, it will at least bring a lot of quality time with my nephews, which makes any month a good one.

P.S. I wrote in my journal for two hours yesterday about the things I'm really thankful for. I'm not completely heartless.

The Start of Our Thanksgiving Vacation

Last week we went to spend the week with Richie's family. One guess where we spent last Tuesday afternoon?

And no, wearing a Cowboys' helmet does not by any means make me a Cowboys' fan.

Feeling Crafty

The only stores that I dared visit on Black Friday were Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics. I don't have many Christmas decorations and wanted to pick up a couple of things since the majority of their Christmas decor was 50% off.

Sadly I didn't get much in way of Christmas decorations, but I was reminded how much I've always wanted to try making cakepops. And since their sucker sticks and melting chocolate was on sale, I figured what better time than now?

So anyone want to come over and make cake pops with me? The possibilities are endless, but these are some of my favorites.

Christmas Cards are Coming

I would love to have time to make cute homemade Christmas cards but if any of you know me, I'm not that creative or that crafty. I prefer to just buy something and that's why I'm very excited about the chance to review Shutterfly's collection of invitations, cards, and announcements. Check out my favorites here.

Consistently Me

A couple of nights ago someone mentioned that they thought I had a "type A" personality. My first reaction was to take offense to the comment and then I realized that okay maybe I do have a type A personality sometimes. So I went home and took a personality test.

You know what I learned from the test? My personality is all over the map. For every single question I answered I had to think it through and ask myself is this talking about at work, in sports, at home, in relationships, etc. I couldn't just pick one answer for what I would do in a specific circumstance or which characteristic fit me best. I kept going back and forth on words like, "Organized," that fit me completely most of the time but definitely not at home.

I had a terrible volleyball game last night and to get out the frustration, I went home and played RockBand. There is something theraputic about drumming VERY hard and VERY loudly. When I told a guy at work about it today, he laughed and told me that he never would've imagined me doing something like that. Goes to show how much people don't know about me - probably because I compartamentalize and fit my personality into a box for whatever situation I'm in. At work I try to be responsible, organized, confident, upbeat, and positive. But as soon as I get home the organization goes out the window. And when I'm around people I don't know, the confidence goes out the window and I become shy and reserved.

Interesting isn't it? I wonder how my life would be if I could just stay consistently me throughout the day and throughout everything I do. And if these traits come and go with the box I'm in, what is actually me?

Thank You

This post may not surprise anyone else, but it definitely came as a surprise to me this year. This year is the first year that I remember where Veteran's day hasn't just come and gone like any other day for me. The first time Where I actually noticed that it was Veteran's day before the day had passed by. Now don't get me wrong, it's not like I've never known anyone who has either served or is currently serving our country, but this year for some reason is a little different.

Maybe it's because I'm learning that nothing comes without a price and hard work. Or maybe because I've been feeling extremely grateful lately for how blessed I am. Maybe it's because I have good friends now that go to work for us each and every day. Or maybe it's because I recently came across a friend's blog from when he was serving in Iraq for 18 months.

Or a combination of all of the above.

Whatever it is, I feel the need to stop and say something today - to thank the people serving and fighting for our country so I don't have to. Thank you.

What Can't You Live Without?

This past week I had a girl's night where everyone that came brought one thing (up to $10) that they just can't live without. We played a gift exchange game where people opened their gifts and told us why they couldn't live without them. And in the end, everyone ended up with something new to take home and possibly a new thing they couldn't live without. We had a good variety of things including brownies (with the secret recipe), favorite lotions, gift card to Groupon, razor and blister protectors, a girly book and candy, a airplane travel pillow, and much more. It actually turned into a very fun night and a good variation on the typical gift exchange.

It also got me thinking about my favorite things and the things I couldn't live without. There were a number of things that came to mind while picking out my gift, none of which I actually chose to use. But here are my top ten things (other than people) that I can't live without (forgetting necessities like food, water, etc. - oh and I tried to stay around the $10):

1. My journal and a good pen
2. A soft blanket
3. A Sports bra
4. My iPod armband (to carry my armband while I run)
5. My binder of our ~100 favorite recipes
6. Aveda eyeliner
7. Bobby pins
8. Costco allergy pills
9. My key lanyard (yes, just the lanyard)
10. The fan in our bedroom

What would be on your list?

Can Being in a Rut Be A Good Thing?

Is a rut the same as a routine? Normally when I think of a rut I think of being stuck in a rut, one I can't get out of. Lately I feel like I'm in a rut, but it's not one that I really want to get out of. I work normal hours, hang out with Richie, play volleyball a couple of times a week, go out with the girls or other couples, read and write in my journal at night (sorry blog...journaling has taken over again), and get a good amount of sleep. Then I do it all over again.

Maybe it's my need for control, but I like this routine I've found myself in. But when does too much of a good thing or too much of the same thing just become too much?