Being Honest Results in My Gratitude

I have the best Landlords!

This last month I had written out my rent check and was going to drop it off on my way home from work. Well of course as always I forget everything after work other than going home, eating and going to bed.

I woke up the next morning and after I was up and getting ready I remembered that I had forgotten to drop off my check! I hate being a space cadet but it happens all the time.

Anyway I wrote out a 2nd check knowing that I was late and put that in my envelope which I took and dropped off that morning.

During the next week I saw my rent check go through my bank, but I didn't see the 2nd late fee check.

Today when I got my mail there was an envelope from my Landlord, which comes every month with my receipt from the previous month. Included in my envelope was the 2nd check with VOID written on it along with a note that said I was only a day late and they didn't feel right to take the late fee.

I'm so grateful to them in showing me compassion. I don't know if it'd be any different had I left the check out just hoping they wouldn't come hunt me down for it. But I felt good with myself by being honest and having put it in there to begin with. 

Eggs Paleo

So I was getting bored of the recipes that FreeMotion gave me. 

I decided to go to Hastings where my bestie works and got me 40% off 'Make It Paleo' cookbook.

Already loving it!

This doesn't look like much but it was great and held me over all through Church so it was perfect!

2 strips bacon

1 large slice of tomato (i had little roma tomatoes so i did 2 slices)

1/2 avocado

juice of 1/2 lemon

1 clove garlic

3 tbsp water

1 egg

pepper to taste

1: cook bacon, allow to cool, crumble; set aside.

2: slice tomato into 1/4-inch slice.

3: place avocado in food processor. add lemon juice, garlic, and water; blend until smooth.

4: cook egg over medium heat in an egg poacher. pour 1/4 water in pan and cover. allow to cook for 4-6 minutes.

5: plate the dish starting with the tomato, then egg, about 1/2 the avocado dressing, bacon, and pepper.

Changing My Life

This was taken the beginning of July

This the middle of July

This the last of July

So I can't see a whole lot of change in these pictures. But I do feel a difference in the fact my clothes don't fit the same. I also bought a new pair of work pants ($9 on clearance at Target!) and they were a size smaller! They are a little tight but if I had gone a size up they were way too big. I hate being between sizes.

I've never been a fan of the scale. I've had big bones and muscles. And even know I'm not seeing a big difference on that, I've been on a Paleo Diet and a great exercise program for 4 weeks but I've only lost about 6 lbs. See I know a bunch of people who this would not sit well with. But I've always been in the mind set that its how my clothes fit and how I feel. I know my lifestyle change in working because I feel better. I'm sore in a good way, and my clothes are getting so big!

I just want to encourage everyone to not quit what you are doing. Keep going! Push through the hard times and the times of no change! You can do this, its worth it! Find people who encourage you and let them help you to keep going.

PS Keep in touch, I'm going to start posting some of my yummy Paleo recipes!

Exercise and Eating Right

So I finally decided to make a change. I'm the worst at working out at home. 

I start a plan and then 2-3 weeks in I quit.

Whether it costs too much, or I'm just lazy I don't know but I decided I needed to do something different.

So I took my friends suggestion and went to where she's been going... FreeMotion.

Its partnered with Icon Fitness, its a testimonial group where they give us nutrition plans to eat from. Then we workout there with a training in small classes, who tell us what to do, and push us harder so we see the results we want.

The workouts themselves have been great!

I usually don't get too sore, but I can definitely feel the changes happening. 

I think the best part is the nutrition. 

I had been looking into paleo diets but the information I was finding wasn't very helpful.

They gave me a whole ebook with reading about paleo and it included a 6 week meal plan with recipes!! 

I haven't loved everything I've ate, but most of the stuff I've been blown away with how good it is.

Also this is good if you have allergies or intolerance to foods.

You don't eat dairy and it is low carbs, you don't want to cut out carbs, but you do want to eat good carbs.

As they say 20% is exercise and 80% is food.

You will never be able to workout enough if all you eat is crap.

By eating healthy you will see more and better results in your exercising.

If you would like to read more about where I go and what I do here is the website

http://fitwithfreemotion.com/

turned over my key

After working at the same job for 3 years.

Being manager for 2 of those years.

I turned my key over to one of the girls replacing me!

I felt no sadness doing this. I actually felt happy!

I do have one more shift to work there on Thursday, but after that I will be done and moved on! 

A New, and Very Tiring Change

First off can you believe its been 7 MONTHS since Jared and I got married!!!

Second its been 6 months since he left for Fort Hood in Texas!!

Third 5 months since I took my long trip down to Texas to see him and say Goodbye a 2nd time!

Fourth there are roughly 5 months  left till I can give my Hero the biggest hug and kiss he's ever had (yes probably more than when we got married even.haha)

I wanted to start by saying how fast things go by. Even though it is hard having my sweetheart over seas, only being able to text, call, skype, email every so often, it has gone by faster than I thought it would. And these next few months I hope just fly by.

As for the new and very tiring change... many of you have heard that I got a new job!!!

I have been looking for something for almost a year, but nothing has turned up that would be worth it. Then I got married and my husband got deployed and we decided mot to worry since my job was so flexible. But as of late I've needed something more.

Don't get me wrong. I loved the clients I gained at Cookie Cutters. And I loved the girls I worked with. But as a 'manager' I barely got 30 hours and week, and didn't have a very high hourly rate. I say 'manager' because my boss was a micro manager and did mostly everything herself, but with her living out of the state I didn't errand for the salon, for example the deposits and getting supplies like toilet paper and cleaning products.

My Father-in-law has been awesome and always sends me job links, he likes to look out for me like he does his kids. But a couple weeks ago he sent me a link that the Providence Great Clips was looking to hire a manager. Well this was right down my alley so I applied. In the process of applying I clicked to be notified for jobs at the North Logan Great Clips. Well Providence never called me, but I did get a call from North Logan. Of course I'd go in for an interview! 

I went in on June 1 for an interview and after chatting about what I was doing and what I'd be interested in, I was asked if I could come back in that night for my 2nd interview and if that was enough time to round up a couple haircuts. I knew dad needed one, and I was sure mom, Morgan, or Lexie would be available. So we went back in that night, she watched me cut hair and then offered me the job! I would start as a stylist which was a pay cut from what I was getting, but I would work 40 hours a week which would even out. But with tips and Great Clips productivity and product bonuses and could make way more, PLUS I would stay busy and with more hours I won't end up at my parents or in-laws or friends bored!

So in the end I started right away working 2 jobs for a week and a half while I finished my 2 weeks. I have been so tired! I'm not use to working this much, I have been spoiled, and I haven't had to work on Sundays for 4 years (I forgot I had to at Mastercuts) and I had to work yesterday. And Friday we got my schedule all screwed up so I ended up working at Great Clips 9-2 then 4-9! Wow was I exhausted!

I'm so looking forward to the next few months and seeing what other good things come from this change!

One Year

One year ago today Jared invited himself over to my apartment for a movie night 

and my life hasn't been the same since.

Today I've been thinking back to last year and what was going through my head, and it just makes me smile.

Jared was and is everything I needed in my life.

I'm so glad Heavenly Father places people in our lives right when we need them.

He knows exactly what we need.

One year ago I was content. I was happy with who I was and what I was doing, I loved myself. I was actually thinking of moving out of Logan at the end of the summer. It was the next step, move out of college life and onto my career life, time to grow up a little more.

That night Jared came over and Tami and I were flirting with the guy downstairs trying to get him and his roommates to come up. They never did. I took the Love Sac and slept through the movie. After the movie I woke up for a min but dozed back off. Jared was still there talking to Tami about how to make her move on our neighbor that she liked and he decided to use me as his prop. 

He grabbed my knee scaring me awake and then held my hand. All the while going through my head was.. "What is going on. You can let go of my hand now. Umm boys don't like me what are you doing? This is kinda weird." At that point in my life I'd never had a boyfriend. I was friends with guys and I had crushes on them. But guys that liked me took me out on a few dates and then stopped talking to me, almost as if they'd falling off the edge of the Earth.

After Jared went home we stayed up chatting on Facebook for another hour or so. Not knowing it I'd met my Husband. Looking back now he was exactly what I'd always dreamed of... A guy who had guts. I was crushing on another guy at that time, but Jared was forward and took the initiative to 'weasel'  his way into my life and more importantly into my heart.

Now that we are apart I love him even more. 

The distance helps me see the little things about him that I miss.

I miss his hugs.

I miss him surprising me by coming home for the night when I thought he'd be in Salt Lake still.

I miss date night.

I miss cuddling on our couch watching TV.

I miss his smile.

I miss his laugh. But that I hear occasionally when I send him goofy stuff.

I can't wait for many more years together with him. 

Jared you are my hero! Stay safe. I love you lots and lots.