+ links + cats (in the meantime)

since a full blanks + insta + links post seems a little far off (i have 80 things on my to do list tonight & friday.) here are some links from a few weeks ago.

a lovely idea, could be very sweet for an anniversary.
flower seeds in the mail.
ha, ha maddie. there are some great shots this weekalways.
matt loves sandwiches, i'll be following this project closely.

catstagrams from last night. 

windows open. 

looking for a little zen as our biggest decision creeps up on us.

three venues to choose from.

i think i know.

but we're going to break down the numbers

do a pro/con list

and hash it out TOGETHER.

the wheatfield. her prints shine.

it makes my eyes pop open.

new desktop. no question.

lovey pins

hi.

this post was supposed to go up eight days ago, but then my grandma was in the hospital and priorities changed. priorities. i haven't been much of a blogger these past couple of months and i'm okay that. i'm loving reading my old favorite blogs and my newest favorite. i've been pinning more and that's fun. it's not even as dangerous as i thought it'd be. my love and i went on vacation. it was warm. my mum and i went skiing. life has happened, and it's been mostly really, very good.

click here to see the full board. 

oh and there was a treasury too. 

reflection and resolution

I love this time of year, the end of it. It's a time for reflection and resolution. love. it.

 source

I thought I had done pretty well on my list of resolutions but it seems that I only managed to cross run a (baby) triathlon, make and stick to a budget, clean up and keep my computer organized (and blog reader) and make more lists. So that leaves me with seven overlooked resolutions...

1. Take an academic course.

2. Sew (crafty goodness!).

4. Get a tattoo (or two).

5. (Look into) taking piano lessons.

7. Compile Grandma's recipes and history of my house.

8. Spend more time outside off of my list. 

10. Stick to a cleaning schedule.

That's okay though, I had a pretty damn good year. It was spent training for the triathlon, loving Matt and the kitties, and friends and family, eating and drinking lots of good food and drink. 

I'm taking a smaller approach to 2012's resolutions. Last year I separated my word, balance, from my resolutions but this year it is a resolution of it's own. Expanding on balance and looking at my list of 26 things before 27, which I have yet to post, where I saw a lot of the word "conscious" I chose intentional. The word struck a chord with me while reading this post from Kyla. 

"taking a moment to savour the little moments that knit everything together can slow down time to a stand still." -miss roma

As I work to have more balance in my life with health, good food, laziness, excitement, solitary time and friendship I want to be more intentional with that thought process. I don't want to feel overwhelmed, but consider my decisions and the alternatives thoughtfully.

I'll carry this word with me through 2012 and while tackling these four resolutions.

1. lose weight. get fit. but seriously, lose a serious bit of with like a final goal of forty to fifty pounds. whew! it's going to take some serious work and i'm glad (very, very, glad) to have matt along with me to get this done.
2. save at least $3000! and be more financially responsible. this year i learned to really budget and next year i need to learn how to SAVE and not over spend.
3. be on time. i tend to be a tardy to things and all this achieves is stress. seriously, i'm an adult. it's time to be timely.
4. develop solid communication skills. i feel awkward in somea lot of social situations and i'd love to be the person who always felt comfortable and could put others at ease. 

 source

That's it. That's all she wrote. Four goals for 2012.


tips on resolution making and keeping:
elsie.  no meat athlete. today's letters.


talking about resolutions, reflections and things for the new year:
kelle (home in michigan!) plus a birthday post.  rachel investing in 2011. gentri lee's fun goals. a recap of a full and lovely year from ashlee. a look back from lisa leonard. the lovely couple of today's letters 2011 review.

one little word:
cherish. up.

it's Friday!

hello hello! design / via swiss miss

1.   The most selfless thing I've ever done is escaping me. Maybe I'm not a selfless person. I am, I just got nothing for you.

2.   When it comes to working out I am trying to establish a lifelong routine. I've learned that I'm better off when I have someone to hold myself accountable to, a friend to swim with, classes with teachers that motivate me. 

My October goal of "Work out three - four times a week, plus at least once with Matt." is going ok, I've worked at least once each week but not at all with Matt. I'm thinking this weekend I'm going to change that. You ready buddy?

3.  A woman should always, I've got to go with Lacey's here, respect herself. "You can't expect someone to respect you if you don't respect yourself." 

Did you know it's domestic violence awareness month? I've found making jokes about it is a great way of letting people know. Which sounds worse than it is. I happen to have this giant bruise from giving blood last week (10 days and counting) and so I tell people Matt and I are doing an experiment to see if anyone notices my "injuries" because it's Domestic Violence Awareness month. People roll their eyes and laugh, but then they know.

4. I wish I could sleep in until I was ready to wake up and then I'd get a few chores done around the house, then head to work, but still get out before it was dark out or in the summer by 5 or so.

5.  A best friend is the person who knows all the good and bad and weird things about you and it makes them love you even more because that's what makes you you.

6.  I can't get enough of whining that it's not Fall-like yet, soon to be replaced by whining that I'm too cold.

7.  This weekend I am cooking squash if I make it to the farm on time, making sundried tomatoes (see below), finishing up my Fall clothes transitions, rethinking my Halloween decorations (see inspiration below),  CLEANING!, watching the Michigan State v. Michigan game, watching the Tigers try to beat Texas, more vegging and watching the tube while hanging with my love, blogging, reading, probably seeing parents, and that about sums it up. 

 hopefully there's lots of this. 

{which is weird to say because I used to be a Michigan fan. It's questionable I'm sure to change sides, but I'd rather root together than have a split household. Each of us would have to claim a cat as a fan of their respective team. That'd be hilarious. Michigan's fight song is still better.}

Blanks via Fill in the Blank Friday

LINKS

Matt & I were featured on Free Crappy Portraits: film festival. so silly. Aren't the internets great?

There's some serious Halloween/crafty/Fall inspiration popping up, with just 17 days until that spooky night. oragmi bats, festive wreath made of ties, impressive mantle (from Rachel D's link up), holy crapy how beautiful is this family and the photos from Arrow & Apple? I've definitely found a new blog to follow.

Arrow & Apple

I follow Sheena from the little red house because of her beautiful photos, yummy foods she cooks up for her sweet family. This week her I am. post stirred controversy, and I have to give her props for sharing her Mormon faith. I'm not a religious {apparently, I don't even know how to spell it} person in the slightest and consider myself agnostic, but I think what she shared has a space and a weight that I wanted to share with you. Religious or not, be kind to yourself and others.

I am glad that Sheena blogs. Today she's sharing her senses, and I'll be happily making sundried tomatoes thanks to the reminder. I am also stealing the senses prompts.

SENSES

Craving: the Mandarin House sesame chicken we'll be having for dinner. mmm. It's going to be such a good food weekend.

Seeing: fall colors vibrant on the trees.

Dazzling Luxury  

{I have a whole post planned about how much I love this tumblr.}

Smelling: the imaginary delicious aromas of pizza I decided we should make this weekend. I'm thinking tomatoes, zucchini, onions, squash, bell pepper. reminiscent of this.

Making: sundried tomatoes, squash smorg, fried eggs for toast.

Watching: football, Knocked Up, Parks & Rec

Wondering: Are you enjoying my blogging? I've done it every day this month.

Quoting: "I have looked down the long days of our lives together, she said & in all directions, there is no future without love" -storypeople

Anticipating: A relaxing and productive weekend. I had been planning to go away, but forgot to actually make the plan, so it's like we have a ton of found time and I hope to make the most of it.

Loving: that today is the first day I'm wearing tights. hello Fall.

Feeling: chilly but ok with it. I need to invest in some legwarmers.

There is something I really love about this post. Sharing bits of life and what I'm excited about.

This is kind of a heavy post, maybe you just want to listen to a nice song watch a fun dance (it looks sad, but it gets fun fast):


Melanie & Marco, NappTabitha & Napoleon  / my girls are holding strong!!!



In my reflective mood, I've been thinking a lot about this post and the things I left off. The things that I couldn't admit to myself or even see.

2010. losing my way through an absurd relationship
2009. finding a job in within 5.5 hours of home.
2008. finding a job and apartment in new york.
2007. finding a job in bay city.
2006. ending work at delphi. enjoying the summer, getting ready to travel with mom.
2005. being newly single.
2004. fighting for a doomed relationship.
2003. finding my first job.

Last June I said, " didn't realize for the past three springs i have been job hunting. or that this is my first fully employed spring of my 24 years. this is my first spring when big changes aren't taking place. i'm trying to find a balance of work, friendship and self."

Look at me, I thought I had it all figured out. 

“Do you remember the things you were worrying about a year ago? How did they work out? ...”  Dale Carnegie (via the messes i make)


I think maybe they didn't work out then, but every year I grow. I've definitely found my way through. I'm here and I can just be.

instagram / mattPhone / love / holy freckles!

blogging sense

Most blogs aren't very good when they start, so I'm okay with that. -No Meat Athlete

Don't mind me, I'm going to jump around a bit here...

I've seen the word curated mentioned a lot recently. It's made me realize that I really need to rethink how I'm following blogs and what I'm starring, sharing and saving. I currently have 325 [on 4/17] (512 6/17, 392 6/24)  starred items. It's too much.

I'm trying to distinguish what has been starred for my personal bookmarking (a whole other beast) and what's been starred to share here. I went back to the beginning of my stars and cleaned it up to 204 since the last time I posted a "link love" post. [written on 4/17]

Erin Sunday had a good reminder post about following blogs with substance. I'm working on this.

Apparently that Sunday in April I got my starred items down to 64, so I've starred A LOT in the past two months. I've got a lot of work to do. Way too many hours (three?) of workclicking I got it down from 392 to 185!

I want to be a better blogger, but right now I think focusing on regular blogging and finding my original voice might be the most important think. After I feel like I've established that I'd like to revisit these links from Amy.

Katrina of Pugly Pixel had some great advicea love letter to new bloggers.

In the process of cleaning up my starred posts I followed five new blogs/tumblrs. I never put these right in to a folder though to make sure I definitely want to follow them. 

I started nine new blog posts, instead of piling all my links int one, and updated several other posts I've started.

Of course now, I'm struggling with whether I want to keep clicking or if I need a break. Of course I want to the get the 185 down more! I suppose 178 will have to do for now. It's time to check at least a couple of thing in my real world to do list.

April Goals

There haven't been a lot of blog posts here, I'm missing it but... I feel out of it. I feel very unbalanced. I know that I am not actively working towards my goals for the year, month or 25before26 the way I thought I would. I knew this a month ago - a very long month - when I wrote it out as a goal. I'm frustrated. I've stopped tracking my training, my eats and it's probably why I didn't do FOUR goals for the FOURTH month yet. Gah. I don't want to whine, but I do want to get this frustration off my chest and writing it out seems like a great way.

Update: I started writing this on Friday and today, Monday, I'm feeling much more positive. It was probably the warm weekend and productivity in the yard and good times with loved ones. Whatever the reason, I'll take it. I feel refreshed and ready for this week!

But we're still going to go here... my sources of frustration:


working out sucks up my free time . I'm slow to get into the gym, slow on the treadmill, and slow to get dressed. It takes longer than it seems it should. When I work out once I get home I just want to sit and stare. So when I work 50 feet from the gym and get out of work at 4:30 it seems like I could get home by 6:30 not 7. What am I supposed to do when Green Friday's start and I don't get out until 5:30 not get home till 8?! Boo. Thank goodness for Wellness time.  I thought working out was supposed to give me more energy. I'm not there yet. I do feel the changes, and I need to focus on them.

not keeping my house tidy/lack of organization . When I get home I drop my stuff and sit instead of preparing for tomorrow. My laundry doesn't get completely finished on the weekends. I can't find my workout socks. It's not easy to step into the kitchen and cook. I worry that Matt gets frustrated by it. It's tidier than it has been, but not where I would like it to be.

cooking fewer yummy meals than I'd like. . see above, cluttered kitchen, boo. Also cooking is kind of overwhelming - picking a recipe, having all the ingredients, the time it takes and unsuccessful attempts. If I just take a breath, get the ingredients organized and read through a recipe before I start it's so satisfying!

time on my own . All the time I get to spend with my love is fantastic, don't get me wrong, but I sometimes wonder how much I'm missing the time I spend on my own. It's been about six weeks since our last day apart and I love it, I do. But I wonder if I'd feel more balanced with an evening to myself, one human heartbeat in the house. Matt and I talked about this Sunday, and I feel better getting it off my chest. I didn't want to blindside him with, well I really don't want to see you tonight, and he totally gets it. Thank goodness.

lack of balance . This all comes down to my word of the year, balance. I think I can do it all, if I balance it out - one or two recipes a week, one night alone once a week or every two weeks (or when needed), better time management of workouts and tidying the house each evening. It sounds so simple and this month I hope to consciously work towards these goals.

FOUR GOALS FOR THE FOURTH MONTH

ONE. Actively work to feel more balance, make a daily list of goals and must do's when needed.
TWO. Bringing this forward from March: KEEP IT TIDY/FINISH ORGANIZING/Get my home ready for Matt to move in!
THREE. Make and stick to an official budget.
FOUR. When there's sun, get some freakin' sun!/Get outside when it's over 50. 45? 


And how did I do in March? ONE. KEEP IT TIDY/FINISH ORGANIZING. Mediocre. TWO. MORE SPECIAL DATE NIGHTS. I'd like to think so. THREE. WORK ON/REEVALUATE/PRIORITIZE MY LISTS Not so good, will work on it more this month.


Check out: Elsie's post on finding time to have a life. 

Well this sure is a lot of words for a Monday... so here's a nice reminder.

 

cosmic

funk

Do you ever feel like you're just in a FUNK? I do. Right now. The thing that stinks the most is I'm completely aware of it and not sure how to get out of it.

What kinds of things do you do when you're in a funk and want to shake it? I just ate a bag of Grandma's Mini Sandwich Cremes, sooo yummy! I texted Matt, hope you're having a better day than me, subtext fix all my problems!, which in reality probably only succeeded in making him worry about me. I read a couple of blog posts. And admired these beautiful photos:

from Alec Vanderbloom. I want him to shoot my wedding, one day.

Publish Post

 

love this JUST MARRIED text, I'm inspired to add words to Valentine's Day garland. 

Maybe I'll finish that tonight or soon.

Ok. 

I feel better. Yay! Now to stay positive and out of my funk for the rest of the day/week/month. I've got things to look forward to, my second tri training workout, a Pure Romance party, more tri training (endorphins, right?!), bowling, a weekend with no plans other than to snuggle up with Matt and visit the grandparents at some point and time to clean. LIFE IS GOOD. Remember.

it's FRIDAY!!!

It's been a weird week. I'm really disliking this winter. I always feel like I'm always on the brink of sickness and I'm tired and I want it to be summer. so there.

Thank goodness, we're going away for the weekend, me and six of my favorite people!!! Do you think I need it?? ZoodeSKI, Boyne Highlands here I come!

That also means it's time for Fill in the Blank Friday!!!!!

 this feels like spring.

can i live in that image for the next thee months?

can i take matt?

1.   My favorite quote is "Always look on the bright side. Be eccentric. Be inspired. Follow your heart and be your funny self." It's from a beautiful shop in Paris, Karine Dupont.

2.  A bad habit I have is well, can lack of motivation be a bad habit? Because that's definitely my biggest fault right now and inconsistency, same boat.

3.  The first time I felt like a "grown up" was I think that first night I was at Ferris all by myself, I had a private dorm, definitely felt grown up, breaking up the ex was pretty grown up (almost six years ago), moving to New York to be on my own, with no connections was but I can't really pinpoint an exact moment.

4.  Weekends are FANTASTIC, full of possibility but we usually end up in the same state, cuddled up on the couch reading/sports/lazing. Definitely not complaining.

5.  When I was a child I wished my name was Abby. That's an easy one!

6.  I wish for so much. Today I'm wishing for inspiring meetings that will build a fire of excitement in me about training for the tri and give me oodles of motivation for Monday.

7.  A secret I have is I'm scared I'll never figure it out.

more goals

I'm still thinking about the beginning of 2011 and how to stick to my 11 goals, work towards the 11 goals Matt and I made (eek!), finish up pretty much start my 25 before 26 and work on balancing it all.

Of course as I read others' lists I want to add to mine. This is why I made making lists my last goal.

Yes and Yes, 13 Ways to Refresh the New Year
1. Get rid of the clothes you don't love and don't wear - Are you really going to ever wear that fringed jacket Mum gave you?!
2. Clean out your car - That feeling when you open your trunk, and it's totally clean, why wouldn't you want it for the whole car?!
5. Reevaluate the relationships in your life - At the end of 2011 I was struggling with what should be one of the most important relationships in my life. But it's not. And to halfass it, to not try to make it work is not working. His loss.
7. Update your resume - Delta's not even on it. 

8. Clean out Organize your bathroom cabinet - just too much clutter.

Lifehacker, Five Things to Make Time for This Year

Passion Projects - getting creative with Matt, sewing, learning to love training for the tri
Your Weekly Review - I really like this as a blog idea and to hold myself accountable
Written-Down Goals -  hey, that's what I'm doing!


other good blogs that I didn't really borrow any goals from:
http://www.notthatkindofgirl.net/2011/01/03/tkog-sets-friggin-goals/
http://bleubirdvintage.typepad.com/blog/2011/01/a-few-good-goals.html
http://www.kylaroma.com/2011/01/a-look-behind-a-step-forward

balance

words. resolutions. goals. photos. this is an inspiring time of year. i'm really enjoying reading peoples posts about the end of 2010 and the beginnning of 2011. it sounds like so many have had a rough year. my bestests did. my love did. so did i. (and yet some had the best ever so i'm generalizing, obviously. my year ended pretty fantastically.) rambling. regardless, what i'm hoping for is a kickass 2011. we deserve it.

in the new year i hope to learn and practice balance. i always feel like it's all or nothing with me, usually leaning towards nothing in the form of vegging. maybe we could even call it learning to be a grown up because i need to take care of my house when i don't want to and exercise when i'm tired. there are fun things too, like taking advantage of my craft room and crafty classes, cooking delicious meals with matt, getting outside more, and being healthier. can you believe these beautiful things are lacking from my life because i'm lazy, because i prefer to veg than to do them. i need to stop using that word, veg, and embrace unmotivated (to do anything but sit on my bum.)

in reality to get healthier, be active, stretch my mind and comfort zones in really fantastic ways shouldn't be that hard i just need a little kick in the butt. i'm making this my goal for the year and will hold myself accountable here. to think about the balance of my everyday life and my future. it starts now.

"I'm happiest when I'm relaxed and content with where I am, and the only person standing in the way of that is me." - from my core story post. It contradicts this, I know. It's also about finding the balance in learning where I need to go and realizing I'm happier and more content there.

EMBRACE (IT)

everything. what you're afraid of, what you want, what you don't want.

the things about yourself you'd like to change.

(tidiness, focus, inconsistency)

the things about yourself you love.

(kind, loving, funny)

you can't change any of it. you can't change anyone.

you have to understand accept the reality. 

 and reality can be fucking fantastic.

you deserve happiness and love. and even when you thought you had to wait to find it.

(to learn more about yourself.)

it found you. sitting on the steps of an old stage.

it came to you. and it is just right.  

written in late november. 

still sunday - balance

i just have to find the balance. everything in my life needs to be about finding balance. 

yesterday was not about balance. it was all editing and frustration. in the end, it made me say i'm happy i'm in the job i am and not editing.

today was more balanced. slept in. squished kitties. breakfast. shopping. cleaning. relaxing. i still could have used about four more hours in the day. and i'm going to bed late.

so better, but no she-bang. (is that the right use of that word?!) 

so how do you find/keep/enjoy balance in your life?!!!

                                    laughter                                                    water

balance

that's my mummy <3 i love these photos!!!

 love, kate