2014 Resolutions

I'm getting a late start on my resolutions this year. 2013 turned out to be a hard year. It started out great, with me getting my own place and I had a really great group of friends. I got a new job that was very exciting. But I also had a roommate that truely tested me. As the year went on things slowly started to die, roommate moved out, and friends fell away. I really isolated myself. Looking back I think it was just a hard year of learning for me. I learned the stresses of money and real "adult" problems. I took on new responsibilities, I wouldn't trade Ms. Bella for anything. But I spent the entire year searching for my happiness. 

I am determined to make 2014 better and all about making me better. 23 is too old to not have your life together. I've never been one for horoscopes or fortunes. But this year they have really spoken to me... 

They have really given me motivation and hope to make this the best year yet. Plus it is the year of the Horse which is my Zodiac sign so I think it is going to be my year.

My 2014 Resolutions:

1. Eat Healthier, less junk food and portion control! Keep a food journal

2. Make working out a priority

3. Keep a consistent bedtime so I can get up earlier/easier

4. Always be nose deep in a book

5. Figure out how to deal with my stress (read my stress management book)

6. Try to keep my house cleaner, instead of massive cleanings

7. Take more walks with Bella

8. Spend less money, save more money

9. Journal and Blog about all special moments

10. Take more pictures

11. Practice my talents AKA Piano

12. Spend plenty of time enjoying my hobbies

13. Try to be more open and expressive

I'm going to practice all of these things until my birthday, then after that I am really going to get down to business!

I got a couch!

I made my first real purchase for my house and I am loving it! The second I saw this couch I knew that if I it was comfortable when I sat in it, then it was going to be the couch for me. Sure enough I was sold on impact. My love seat won't be here for a couple of weeks, it had to be ordered. For now it is just my couch and love-sac, but I am so excited that everything is starting to come together!

First Dinner

I have finally eaten my first dinner in my new house! It is so nice to finally have all my things here and be getting close to being all settled in. I think I am really going to love it here. 

Thank you Aunt Allison for the toaster oven, I think it is going to become my new favorite appliance! I couldn't believe it could fit my 12 inch pizza.

Uruguay

Andrew made it to Uruguay safely! It was sooo exciting to get a recent picture of him. We were waiting up for a phone call from the airport but he wasn't able to make one. It feels like he has been gone forever and should be home anytime! He is only getting started though. This is going to be a long couple of years. His emails keep me going every week and he makes it really hard to ever have a bad Monday  He is looking great and loving it down there. I couldn't ask for anything more. 

[Back row, third from the left]

I love this picture of us. I miss his big cheesy grin!

Happy New Year!!!

I have a feeling that 2013 is going to be a great year. 2012 was never very promising, even from the beginning. I am determined to make this year a better one! I am making a fresh start for myself.

I rang in the New Year in my new house with my Mom and my Maggie. I really don't think there could have been a better way to start the year than with two of the people I love the most!

Happy New Year! May you have 12 months of happiness, 52 weeks of fun, 365 days of success, 8760 hours of good health, 52600 minutes of good luck, and 3153600 seconds of joy!!!

Owls

I'm obsessed with Owls. I think they are the cutest things ever! I'm not sure what really started it all but pretty much every time I see one I fall in love with it.
This is my newest find for my new place:

Home for the Holidays

My trip home to California for Christmas was a much needed vacation! It was my longest break in over a year. Sometimes I really miss school because I loved having the long breaks where I could go home for weeks at a time and just relax. I was so exhausted from moving right before that I slept for most of my time home but I don't think I would have it any other way. I needed it more than I knew. I did do some fun things though.

Admired my Dad's new GORGEOUS kitchen

Applebees with my Mom

 

 Homemade sugar cookies with my Mom

   

 Battle wound from my cookies 

Played with my Maggie, she opened her Christmas gift early...

Enjoyed my Mom's THOUSANDS of decorations 

Crazy Calissa 

BFF time 

Cake Pops! 

 

 Sunshine

   

 Snuggling with Maggie Lou 

Headed back to the Snow

 

Anddd the cold... 

She was a trooper the whole ride to Idaho