Hump Day Wednesday

Happy Wednesday and Happy Birthday to my Dad!

What a great Wednesday it has been. Life's been a bit rough these days...super duper extremely stressful as I've mentioned, but today I was done at work somehow amazingly by 4pm. Yes 4:00PM!

And flowers always brighten up your day, some people are just so thoughtful.

Pretty flowers sitting on my desk from a wonderful client.

So what did I do with my entire night you ask?

I got a great deal on an adorable sequins skirt. I can't wait for spring/summer to wear it!

I went to the new downtown YMCA for the first time. And it exceeded all my expectations, that place is pretty dang cool. The only downfall is parking. I got there a little early (early for once -yes!) so I ran a mile and then did an hour spin class with a friend, felt amazing!

I then came home and made me and the hubs dinner, grilled some hamburgers and topped them on grilled pineapple and added some fresh avacado, yum! We also baked up some of these, which I am absolutely obsessed with! A must try if you like sweet potatoes. We've tried both the fries and tots and the tots are by far our favs. You can find them in the organic/all natural section at Dillons.

 I then found another awesome deal and ordered some ankle booties that I've been drooling over for months. Ahhh I'm extremely excited for these.. better late than never.

 Lastly, I also had time for a bit of baking this week, and made Vanilla Baked Oatmeal for me and Pat to eat for breakfast the rest of the week. The recipe is from one of my favorite blogs, Peanut Butter Fingers. I love cooking with Chia seeds so I am excited when I see recipes that call for them. Such a great source of fiber!

 Tomorrow my friend Rae and I are starting a two week trial at Title Boxing Club. We'd both love to become members because it is probably the best workout I've ever had, but it just doesn't work out with my schedule and to far of a drive. However, this one time offer was to good to pass up. So we plan to car pool the next few weeks and get to as many classes as we can.

I'm totally ready to get my butt kicked, bring it on TB.

 Sheesh, I can't believe I'm up past 9pm, I guess this is what happens when you workout at night and sleep past 4:30am. I'm going to have to get adjusted back to these dang night classes.

Dr. OZ 3 Day Cleanse

Have you ever watched Dr. Oz?

I love his show, and am always so inspired by his new recommendations, theories, etc. My Mom asks me at least once a week, did you watch Dr. Oz today? And every week I tell her no Mom, I work all day so didn't see it, lol. Not sure why she still doesn't get it. Anyways, a few months ago she told me about this cleanse that he featured, so her and I decided to give it a shot and I LOVED it! It's a 3-day cleanse with all fruits/vegetables. I like to eat healthy, but I'm pretty picky when it comes to fruits/veggies, so I know I am missing out on a lot of good daily nutrients. This cleanse is great because it's all mixed into a shake! You'll also be surprised that the shakes are very satisfying and keep you full, nothing is worse than always being hungry. The cleanse also recommends to take nightly baths (when I did this a few months ago I couldn't remember the last time I took a bath, who has time for baths??), let me just say the baths are a great idea! The mixture of the lavender and Epsom salt is truly relaxing and will make you feel amazing afterwards. It's a nice change to actually make yourself relax in silence for a bit. At the end of the cleanse it's amazing how much more energized you feel. My goal is to do this every few months to detox my body and restore my system. His website provides a complete printable list that you can take with you to store to get all of the items needed.



Clike HERE to go directly to the 3-Day cleanse and get all of the information.

If you try it let me know what you think, I can guarantee you won't be disappointed, happy detoxing:)

I missed my chance...

If you know me well, you know that my dream is to own a clothing boutique. I think about it all the time and even dream about it..I've considered starting from scratch or even owning a franchise. Obviously this dream will not happen any time soon, because there is A LOT of money involved, of which financially is impossible right now.

A few years ago, I was researching owning a business and the different opportunities involved, and I stumbled upon Apricot Lane and fell in love. I could totally see myself owning this store and making it successful in Wichita, KS, without a doubt. It's a franchise boutique clothing store and is popping up all over the country. At the time they were in the process of opening one in Kansas City so I had considered multiple times going up to talk to the owner of the Kansas City boutique to get some information. I read the entire site through and through and knew everything that was entailed in opening the franchise..so I presented my plan to Pat...and got shut down pretty quickly. Sigh... and that was kind of the end of that.

Fast forward a few years.

Thursday I ran to the Gap to exchange something and low and behold saw a sign around the corner right next to Yia Yia's, Apricot Lane- opening Spring of 2013. I was with Pat at the time and screamed STOP...and I said OMG LOOK, he of course was like what the heck is wrong with you, and when he saw the sign he instantly knew what I was talking about...I just can't believe it. That could totally have been me. It's exactly where I would have even put the store.

So the point to all of this, TAKE CHANCES AND FOLLOW YOUR HEART.

I wish the store the best of luck, and hope that it succeeds and Wichita welcomes it nicely.

Rambling..

So this is a post of complete pointless information, well most of my posts are pretty pointless, but this one really has no point, I just need to vent, so if you don't feel like reading me ramble feel free to skip this post...

I was home by 6:30 tonight, praise the Lord. So I've spent the last hour getting caught up with my favorite blogs, and feeling so annoyed that I'm so behind with everyone else's lifes (isn't this pathetic??)

Time is precious. Seriously, there is just not enough of it in a day.. lately I have been really wondering why we spend such precious time doing things that aren't the most important things in our life, I mean yea, I know you need money to live, but we (or most people) spend more time away from their families than with them. Spending time at a job, and for a lot of people, that is a job that they do not love. I would really like to know the statistics on whether or not people love what they do, because it seems that more often than not people are unhappy with their job.

As I mentioned a while ago I switched companies, and with that move came much more working and longer hours...way longer hours and I'm honestly feeling a way bit overwhelmed and quite frankly, yes, throwing myself a pitty party.

I'm angry, yes angry and frustrated that I cannot seem to find any time to get ANYTHING accomplished. I have yet to spend my giftcards from Chistmas (if you know me, then you know that I cannot keep a giftcard for longer than a few days, it's like I MUST spend it asap). I'm annoyed that Pink Saloon has had two AWESOME sales which I actually tried to make it to both but somehow could not leave work and by the time I did both times, the store was closed. I'm annoyed that I have tried to pick up prescriptions multiple times but the pharmacies are closed by the time I get there. I'm annoyed that I haven't cleaned my house in wwayyy to long. I'm sad that I haven't spent longer than a few hours with my husband in who knows how long. I'm sad that my sister just went back to college, she was home for a month and I only saw her two times. I'm annoyed that my workout schedule is completely messed up. I'm even more annoyed that I haven't had a day off in over a week. I'm annoyed that I've had to cancel multiple plans because of my job. I'm annoyed that I can't remember when the last time I took a lunch break was. I'm annoyed that a great friend was in town over the weekend but I couldn't see her because I was working. I'm frustrated that I have no time to blog, check facebook, check my email, etc. and am jealous of those people that can spend their day doing so. I would love to start my own business, but how do I go about doing so when I have 0 free time? So what should I do about this? I don't know, but I'm trying to find the positive in this situation I'm stuck in right now, or I might seriously go crazy, I really think I'm on the verge.

Positives:

I am employed

I have a job that is helping to support my family

At least I don't have kids right now, or I'd be the worst Mom ever and that would not be cool

I'm learning something new

Tomorrow is a new day

Ugh. That's all I got. Crap. I would say the pros do NOT outweigh the cons.

"Time is the worst four letter word there is, but sometimes thats what it takes in life. Give things time. Nothing that is worth anything happens over night, situations need time to unwrap and unfold so that you can see clearly what is in them and happening and not just focus on a single piece of the puzzle. With time answers will show up and with those answers the long awaited solution will shine in front of your face, and then the worries you've shed will seem pointless."

A year in review..

Happy 2013!!!

I am happy to say that I have not moved from the couch yet today..and it is 2:08 pm. BUT I do have good reason for that my friends, I was on my feet for 17 hours yesterday as I helped throw the party to be at in Wichita, KS for NYE. I have now been with my new job for 3 months and in that few months, a large amount of time was planning and preparing for NYE. So needless to say, I am completely exhausted and am ready to get back to some normalcy with my life. 

Today also marks my one year blogger anniversary! 71 posts the past year..which is way more than what I thought, so not to shabby for my first year either I guess. My hope for 2013 is to definitely blog more, if only I can find the time.

2012 was definitely not the easiest year, lots and lots of changes in life. But it was a good year..and I am beyond blessed, much much to be thankful for.

So.....let's get on with the recap of 2012. 

A lot of firsts this year..Patty boy and I celebrated our ONE year Wedding Anniversary. Hard to believe.

We also celebrated our one year anniversary in our first home together. With lots of house projects completed the last year, our biggest accomplishments have been complete new flower beds, remodeled kitchen and bathroom, and a new yard. Next up- basement project. As fun as owning your first home is, what an experience it has been living together, it's all about compromise, patience, and communication. All things that I continue to work on every day.

Pat and I are HUGE country music fans and I have been dying to see Jason Aldean in concert for longer than I can remember, my dream came true finally when him and Luke Bryan came to Wichita. I would see them again in a heartbeat! We were also lucky enough to see Carrie Underwood as well, and she is just simply amazing!

My little sister Cortney also got married in June. So right after our wedding, I turned around and began planning once again. With multiple showers, a bachelorette party, and of course the wedding, it all turned out beautiful, Cortney married the guy of her dreams, and I have a new brother-in-law!

The hubs got me my very own bike for my birthday so bike riding has become a new favorite activity when we have the time. Patty boy and I completed the Tour de Cure 25 mile bike race. What a fun memory that was! Next up the 50 mile possibly?!

We also went on several trips throughout the year.

Bull Shoals Lake

 Multiple trips to Kansas City for friends' weddings.

Trip to Dallas to visit one of my best friends Keesha and her husband Garrett. Went to a Texas Rangers game while we were there.

Trip to Pittsburg, KS to visit my little sister Paige at college. We all crammed into her little house and had such a fun time together!

 And the biggest trip of all, the trip to the Dominican Republic to celebrate our friend's Chris and RaeAnn's marriage!

Between all of the trips, parties, get togethers, family time, etc. Pat and I both also got new jobs the past year, so we have been learning and adjusting to new schedules and career changes, which has definitely been intersting to say the least.

Even though I had to work last night, at least Pat got to come and spend the night with me.
 Happy New year's!

What a busy busy year it was, but looking back it's amazing to see what all was accomplished and done. We are looking forward to a new year, and to see all that 2013 brings!

Much Love~

Amber