Love Marriage

As I mentioned in a previous post, for the month of January we are doing a spending freeze on unnecessary purchases. Upon deciding this we also agreed that date nights at restaurants for the month of January would also be eliminated. We even went a step further and also decided that we wouldn�t drink any alcohol for the month of January to help assist with our no spend January. It�s not difficult to notice that a bottle of wine here and there does eventually add up but if I�m to be honest, I don�t think this is something we�d continue during our no spend months because there�s nothing like a nice glass of wine on the weekends. Sunday dinners for the month of January have felt like date nights and it has actually been really nice. Granted we don�t go the extra step by dressing up for dinner but to be honest, what�s better than being able to eat a delicious home cooked meal while dressed in your favorite, old and rather ratty tee-shirt? Not much, right? This particular Sunday dinner

I know by now everyone might be sick of the resolution type posts but I want to have my goals for 2018 noted here that way I can have a quick place to reference when I need a reminder. I love that a new year allows you to reflect on the past year and set goals for the new year. There were a few things that I did in 2017 that I wish to continue in 2018. But there are also a few things that I would like to work on in 2018 to push me closer to the person that I want to be and for goals I'd like to accomplish. Things I want to continue in 2018: Prep our meals for the week on Sunday Reducing considerably our meat/poultry intake Exercise Saving and budgeting money Traveling Sunday dinners with Sean and date nights Investing in real estate Working on our home Daily cleaning schedule Spending quality time with friends and family Not worrying about what people think of me and continuing to take to heart this quote, "what others think of you is none of your business" Take pictur

As I've noted in a few posts, on Sundays, I prep all of our meals for the incoming week. I've been doing this for a few years now and it is one of the best decisions I've made. Not only does it save time during the week but it also keeps me a bit more accountable about what I put into my body. I recall dreading coming home from a workout at the gym and a long day from work and then having to prepare a meal for dinner. Although some nights I would just forego the whole preparing of dinner and announce that cereal and milk was dinner that night. But honestly, there's only so many nights that one can rely on cereal and milk for real sustenance. I plan out our weekly meals months in advance. I'm actually embarrassed to admit this but I have our meals planned out for the next 26 weeks, if more. I do switch up meals if Sean has a request for a particular meal that he is in the mood for that week. Basically, our meals aren't set in stone until I go grocery shoppi

Today marks exactly two years from when I was hospitalized due to a DVT in my left leg. It�s incredible how much that experience really changed my outlook on life and how because of it, it�s rare that you�ll hear me complain about anything. That experience reiterated for me just how unpredictable life is. One day you�re fine and the next you�re at death�s door. It taught me that so many of the worries I had, wouldn�t be worries in the following year, so what was the point of worrying so much? It revealed to me how much I would appreciate exercising because my body could actually do so. It was hard to see how my body had gone from doing everything on its own and then needing assistance for simple things like literally getting out of bed. It taught me how much I appreciate working because I could physically get into my car, drive the distance and sit at my desk to work. It�s not easy being told that you are not even physically fit to do a sedentary job. It was hard to feel that e

Last year we did a no spend January and really enjoyed it so we�ve upped it for 2018 to three no spend months this year. It�s a real eye-opener to see the amount of money that is spent on frivolous things such as coffee at Starbucks, orange juice from the vending machine at work, etc. Obviously money will be spent during our no spend months but only for items that are needed. No new pair of shoes, no trying of new face/hair products and no snacks from that damn vending machine at work. We haven�t decided yet if we should strip out date nights at restaurants for our no spend months but we decided that for the month of January we would. I should note that any arrangements I made prior to January I decided I would keep; like the brunch date with Cinthia last weekend and a dinner to celebrate a friend's birthday this weekend. Doing this really allows me to focus on the things that I already have and I feel such gratefulness when I realize all that I really do have. It�s not nece

I completely welcome the slow paced life after the holidays. I actually become quite the hermit in the winter and it takes a lot for me to want to venture out. After the last week of extremely frigid weather, we are welcoming digits in the 40s and 50s so it kinda feels like a heat wave. I just might make myself get out of the house this weekend. But to be honest, there is truly not much I like to do outdoors in the winter when I could just be cozy and warm at home. This year one of my goals is to read more books and what better time than in the winter? It�s also around this time that I feel that my blog gets rather quiet and it�s mostly because I don�t have much going on and in turn not much to write about. Because I feel I�ve been consistently blogging at least three times per week the last few months, I feel the need to note that my blog posts may become a bit more sporadic and less while I enjoy the quiet and stillness that the winter offers. What are some things that you do

I love having go-to restaurants but I also enjoy trying new restaurants; as I�m always hoping to add a new favorite to the ever-growing list. When I checked out The Shelby for the first time several months ago, I knew that I had to go back again with my camera to take proper pictures as I found this place to be so striking. What better place to share than on here? When I got the chance to visit again, I made sure to bring my camera along. Cinthia and Sean haven�t had the opportunity to try this place yet so I know another visit is in my near future and I already can�t wait. How funny is it that gorgeous restaurants (and good food) get me this excited? Their cheese curds are amazing. Although, they tasted a little different from the first time I tried them, still so good! Their drink list is also so extensive and I�m looking forward to trying more things on their food and drink menu.

It feels like she was just born but I announced her birth five years ago. How does time fly this quickly? It moves even quicker when you get to see someone grow before your eyes. This blog often talks about my family and I�m grateful for that because I can really see her growth in the last five years. This girl right here is so confident, kind, hilarious and so smart. She loves to dance (and is quite great at it, I must add) and truly has such grace which isn�t surprising considering it�s her middle name. She calls me when I�m at work to discuss things on her mind and it makes me laugh every time. I love how she is willing to play dress up at any time but will also ask me if I want to climb trees with her. Unfortunately for her, my answer to that question is always no. Maybe one day I�ll be cool enough to reply with a yes. Anyway, I feel the need to take a stroll down memory lane today to celebrate my precious niece. Happy birthday Noa Grace. I love you so much and wish y

I had no expectations for 2017 mostly due to fear of disappointment. The last few years have been very difficult on me and my spirit. I was always the optimist and then the last few years stripped that positivity from me. For the first time in the longest time I actually feel positive, I feel hope and I feel safe enough to expect great things. I think what set me apart from the last few years is that I�m OK with knowing that things don�t always pan out or go as planned. It's knowing that regardless of that fact, I am still here surviving, living, smiling, loving and enjoying life. As I�ve been doing since 2012, here�s 2017 in review. JANUARY Started the year off with a bang by doing our annual trip to Vegas with Sean�s parents. FEBRUARY Sean celebrated his birthday on the 14th and we celebrated ten years of being together. It doesn�t appear that I took pictures of this weekend (shocking) but it did indeed happen. Visited my sister in her new home in Connecticut. Looks like