Anchor Habits

I was reading Holly's blog, and her post about Anchor Habits really stuck with me. Anchor habits are those habits that we develop that keep us steady and feeling secured, and as a creature of habit in general this totally made sense! I've never been one to have any 'vices', so I guess these are what keep me going. Plus. this was further proven when I looked back at a Day In The Life post that I did and I pretty much have the same anchors two years later.

Daily, it is an absolute must to start my day with coffee while blogging, I have to follow the exact same face wash routine, and I either workout or find some way to be active each day.

Financially, I balance our accounts at least once a month and adjusting our budget really makes me feel at peace. I've blogged about my budget obsession, so of course this is an anchor.

Marital-ly, isn't a word, but you know what I mean. Most of these could fall in the 'Daily' category, but their significance falls here. I text Will "Morning lover" every morning without fail, we have dinner together at the dinner table without distractions every night, we put away social media while we cuddle before bed, and I always go to bed with him. Even if I stay up to blog, watch tv, or get up after he goes to sleep to work on something I always try to be there as he goes to sleep. Add in date nights, and you have the anchors that really form our relationship.

Now I know things are going to change drastically here in the near future, but I will still love my coffee even if I have to drink it cold, budgeting will be even more important to me, and I hope with all my heart that we can maintain the habits that Will and I share after Charlie comes. It's strange to think about how much things are about to change, but I'm looking forward to creating new habits that include her. What are your Anchor Habits?

She's Got Leeegs...She Knows How To Use Them!

Countless times, I've met bloggers and they've been surprise at how short I am. I'm {almost} 5'4, but for some reason I have come off tall through blogging. I'm not going to question it, but maybe it's because I've always had long legs, as you can see in the following picture.

I show you that picture first to prove that I was a somewhat cute kid. However, I will be the first to tell you that I was NOT a cute baby. Sure, you ask my mom and I was the cutest, but I was a toeheaded chunkamonk until at least my 1st birthday. Proof:

Leave it to my first babysitter to have the most incriminating photos for me. She's been tagging me in tons of throwbacks lately, and I really am loving it. She said she will make copies and send them to me, so then I really have to share some doozies. Many memories and people that I couldn't comprehend, but now I cherish. This is why I love pictures, people.

Now let's just hope Charlie gets my legs and blonde hair, but the rest can come from Will. I'd give her my Hazel eyes, but Will's blues will do. No matter what, she will be pure perfection in my eyes, and as long as she's healthy...we are blessed.

Sometimes...

So super funny, I started this list of things I secretly 'sometimes' want to do, and numero uno might be a little telling. How tricky our subconscious can be.

...I wanna pin pregnancy/baby stuff on Pinterest, but then everyone will think I'm pregnant.

...I want to eat pizza and french fries all day.

...I want to hide my computer and live technology free.

...I wish I could read for a living.

...I wish I could drink to excess without getting a hangover.
...I think about breaking up with my iPhone.
...I turn on Frozen when there's nothing else I want to watch.
...I half ass my workout just so that I keep myself on a schedule.
...I wish I never had to leave my house and could just paint and DIY all day er'day.
...I feel guilty parking in the 'Expectant Mothers' parking because I can still run four miles, but then I realize I only get to enjoy this for another few months. I just make sure there are several, so that if someone super pregnant needs a spot I'm not wasting it.

And all the time, I love dinners that can be repurposed for lack of a better term. Lately, Will has been on a vegetarian kick, and I'm not mad about it. It is much easier to maintain a healthy diet for CQB with him begging for more veggies, and it's making me branch out and find new recipes. Our newest favorite is a veggie bean bowl that I also used as filling for Poblano peppers the next night. Killing two birds with one stone is the best!

Can Black Beans || Can Kidney Beans || Can Pinto Beans
2 Fresh Tomato diced or a can of Fire Roasted
4 Servings Quinoa or Brown Rice, cooked
Frozen Spinach
2 Bell Peppers (mix up the colors)
1 Red Onion
Minced Garlic || EVOO
Taco Seasoning and/or Salt, Pepper, Cumin, Garlic to taste
Shredded cheese and Cilantro for topping
Optional: Lime, sour cream, refried beans, hot sauce, more veggies, lettuce to make it a salad.
Throw the veggies in with some EVOO and minced garlic to cook down for 3 minutes, then throw in the rest of ingredients and simmer for about 20 minutes. Serve topped with Cilantro, shredded cheese and any of your favorite toppings.

Day two, preheat oven to 375, slice lengthwise,and de-seed two Poblano Peppers. Then fill with leftover bean filling, and bake for 25 minutes. Add cheese, bake for another 10 minutes, add your favorite toppings and voila...easy peasy dinner.

Anyone have favorite vegetarian recipes? I need all the help I can get!

The Year That Was 2014

You just can't finish out a year without a good round up, am I right or am I right? Usually it takes me all of fifteen minutes to pick my favorite shenanigans to share and call it a day, however, this past year turned out to be a doozy. It just goes to show, you never know where life is going to take you if you are open to experience it.

January || Had us packing up all of our household goods, saying goodbye to breathtaking Colorado, and retiring my orange shorts. All in all, it was a pretty big month for us full of many changes that were exciting and scary at the same time.

February || Moved to Enterprise, Alabama! Actually more exciting than it sounded, and now we never want to leave. We want to find out what Will is going to fly and chill here.

March || We ran the McGuire's 5K {mostly for the free booze}, and I was able to spend two glorious weeks at home with family and witness my niece's baptism.

April || Was my proudest month as Will graduated from WOCS and became a Warrant Officer, the first step on the journey to becoming an Army helicopter pilot. Mmmm mmmm....I love my man in uniform!

May || With warm weather came lots of outdoor activities, and our new favorite was by far tubing. The beach was fun, but you really can't beat hopping in a river on a whim and heading down your own Redneck Riviera.

June || I got to see my baby brother graduate from High School. Ten years my junior, I begged my mom to let me do anything and everything for that sweet baby, so it seems so surreal that he's an 'adult'. Eh...he's still a baby to me!

July || Will was safe in my arms after three weeks of zero communication while he was in Survival School, and I got turned away from a bar for my 'fake id' in Destin, Fl. Oh, and I shotgunned a beer like I was 21 again.

August || I painted a lot of owls.

September || We soaked up the last bit of summer in Panama City for Labor Day.

October || Man, oh man...if I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be October. We spent the month planning our big Halloween/Haunted House party {that I still haven't blogged about}, attended the good ol' Ten Year Reunion, got new ink done, had a blast with all of our besties in Jacksonville, actually had my husband WITH me for my big day, and possibly had the best Birthday month of my life. I never wanted it to end.

November || Celebrated Veterans and raised $1,000's for Charity {$23,000 to be exact}, which still makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

December || We took a leap and started the home buying process. We area learning the ups and downs and waiting to see if our house goes through {inspections on top of inspections}, and trying to remember to enjoy the process. We are learning, we are growing, and embracing this adventure...at least we are in it together!

If we didn't have all this fun stuff to look back on, I wouldn't believe 2014 even happened. It went by WAY too fast, which I say every year, but that doesn't make it any less true. I don't know what 2015 is going to bring us or if it can hold a candle to 2014, but I am most definitely looking forward to enjoying the South while we are here, Will graduating, and BOTH of us turning 30 this year. I guess that means I'll be leaving the 'Twenty-Something' blogger club soon. Oh well, I ain't scurred. Age before beauty ;)

Peace Out 2014...It's been real!

Is Your Life As Good As This Kid?

I'm super 'hip' these days with my DVR, and as I was catching up on Rachael Ray last night, I was blown away by a boy up against all the odds. Little Ben is losing his eyesight, and instead of letting it get them down, they have created a bucket list for him of all the things he wants to 'see' before he loses his sight. Most people never finish their bucket list, and this kid will have done everything before he even reaches adulthood. We should all be so lucky, and kudos to his parents. They are raising a truly happy, sweet, humble kid.

via

I can only hope to live life half as full as that little guy. So let's talk about what's really been going on these days...you know, the stuff that probably isn't blog worthy, but I feel the need to gab about it anyways.

+ Will and I were on a billboard! Well, technically it was just the back of his head and the top half of mine, but I'm pretty stoked about it. The best part is that we are in the running to win $1,000 smackers. I don't know exactly how we win, but it probably wouldn't hurt if people 'liked' our photo here on the Durden FB site. Only if you have a spare minute.

+ Anyone remember when my wrist was hurt? Well, three months and a Cortisone shot later...I'm HEALED!! I'm now a dork with doctor ordered wrist guards when I lift, but I'll take it. I love running, but I've actually missed burpees and pushups.
Remind me I said that when I'm cursing them next month.

+ Am I the only person that has my life flash before my eyes every time I go through the iPhone update process? I was actually two updates behind, and I blame Will. He asked how he was supposed to know I was behind, and I told him it's because he didn't update it for me or have me whining to him that I didn't know what to do, which usually always indicates that I haven't done it. I'm pretty predictable when it comes to this stuff, dude.

+ But the most frustrating thing...The newest meds my doctor is 'trying' on me have some crappy side effects. First side effect was just loss of appetite, which wasn't so bad, but then I would make terrible food choices because the only foods that I could make myself eat were not so good for me. On top of that, I started getting nauseous {cue a fear of being pregnant}, which just led to eating more crap if I could even get it down. Luckily, it didn't take me too long to figure out what was causing it, so byebye third round of meds that didn't do crap for me. Plus I refuse to take antibiotics. I would rather still have 'spots' on my face than mess with my immune and microbiome system. I think I've gotten better, but it could just be that I'm used to it. My face doesn't look shiny and clear like it used to, but it could always be worse.

Okay, now I feel better. You just can't go wrong chatting while eating homemade Blackened Shrimp Tacos. They were yummy for dinner, and even more yummy as my late night snack. Oh, and I will be eating them for breakfast too. I know it sounds weird, but I love leftovers for breakfast, and I'd rather have breakfast for dinner. I'm weird, get over it ;)

My Three Favorite Words

If you've ever been or ever will be around Will and I, you will probably hear us say 'I love you' ten-fifteen times...in an hour. Well maybe not that many, but we do say it quite often and in spite of people claiming that it cheapens the meaning by overusing it.

NEWSFLASH:

YOU CAN'T OVERUSE I LOVE YOU.

The trick is that each time you say it, you have to truly love the intended more than the last time you said it. For me that's easy, because every day I wake up and am surprised to find my heart harboring more love than it did they day before. I know it sounds like a fairy tale, but after four and a half years of  marriage I'm starting to believe that fairy tales are real. With love, compassion, and humility anything is possible.

We also use it as a sort of love language. Sometimes we say I love you at the end of a conversation, with a question mark at the end to ask if everything's okay, definitely before we go to bed, and most importantly...when we are in a fight. Those three little words really are the most powerful in any language and can reduce a fight to nothing in the blink of an eye. I guess you could say it is an implement for peace in a world full of sticks and stones.

"Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I love you." Tell your family, your friends, tell a stranger by simply sharing a smile. Just believe that it is impossible to overuse I love you as long as you mean it, and in case no one tells you today...I love YOU! Mean it ;)

Thirty By Thirty, Happy Birthday To Me!

First up, I want to show you my costume from Saturday! I wanted to be something creepy for the haunted house, and after a lot of pinning, I decided to be a Lolita Doll. I figured what's creepier than a doll? Plus I already had the dress, skirt, and accessories, so I just tweaked a few things, and voila! All in all, I thin it's one of my fave costumes ever.

Let me tell you, making a thirty by thirty list was hard. I kind of live life to the fullest on the reg, which doesn't leave a lot of room for new things. After looking at the lists of others, I realized I have no credit card debt, I don't need to lose a ton of weight, I snagged a hunky husband, I've done a lot of traveling, we have a pet {we even adopted}, etc. Plus I want it to be realistic. I could put that I want to go to Greece, that I want to take a cruise, or build a house, but our lives belong to the Army and we do as we are told. Anyways, here goes!

1...Write a first draft even if no one reads it.
2...Use my bike more for transportation.
3...Rock white after labor day.
4...Sell something I created.
5...Sing a karaoke duet with Will.
6...Skydive {again}.

7...Run a mudrun.
8...Run a half marathon or something better than a 5k.
9...Venture into writing short stories.
10...Learn to do a sexy headstand.
11...Invest in a rental property.
12...Continue blogging.
13...Make time to read.
14...Have a REAL Christmas tree.

via

15...Have a Vow Renewal.
16...Ride in a helicopter.
17...Support an organization that helps others.
18...Sell all of our 'used' stuff and donate the rest.
19...Blog all of my recipes.
20...Go to Mardi Gras or key west for Fantasy Fest.
21...Go back to the Harry Potter Park.

22...Master an easy, efficient way to curl my hair more often.
23...Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
24...Catch up our Bogert family cookbook.
25...Crochet my mustard yellow blanket.
26...Soak up family time before we move.
27...Take a dance class with Will.
28...Edit all my old posts, and organize my photos {external hard drive too}.
29...Attend the National Peanut Festival.
30...Keep our fairy tale alive.

Some easy, some hard...but all completely worth it. So what are you all being for Halloween? I have to rethink my costume for a second time, so I'm still up in the air.

Linking up with Helene

29 Facts Of Me

Two days away from my birthday I decided to do a "29 Facts Of Me" {coinciding with the 29th of Oct, of course}, but I just couldn't come up with 29 new things that you don't already know about me, I'm allowed to tell, and were actually interesting. I came up with six, but the jury's still out as to whether you'll think they are interesting.

...I can't scream. I think my voice is too low or something.

...I'm always covered in paint from projects and/or burns from cooking.

...I loathe scary movies, but love haunted houses.

...I'm super cheap, but you already know that.

...I've watched Frozen about twenty times {but who hasn't}.

...I've read hundreds of Nancy Drew books, and started in First Grade

In Other News...

+ I can't wait for the Nashville Christmas album to come out November 4th. I love the show, and I'm obsessed with Christmas, so it's an absolute necessity.

+ Now...not only am I the FRCSC Secretary, I was voluntold to take over the Publicity chair too. Our Publicity chair is moving to Korea or something, so we have to have someone step in to advertise our biggest event of the year. I'm actually happy about it and would rather be Publicity than Secretary, but it's still a tidge overwhelming. 

+ The haunted house was AMAZING. I have so much to share about it, but putting that recap together is going to take awhile. Allow me to introduce you to Sid...

+ We have even more planned this weekend, but I'll have to tell ya after. I'm sure I'll post a few pictures on the ol' Insta of Gram, though. 

+ The best part is I ditched my original {tight} costume for a more figure friendly one, so I can eat and drink whatever I want! I figured, hey...it's my birthday week and I deserve the cake Will made me, the whoopi pies my girl Karie made me, the cake Loni got the four of us that are celebrating birthdays this week, wing night tomorrow night, and the fact that everyone is making me drink on Friday. Well, the real reason was that the girls weren't fitting in my top right without a bra, but the gluttony thing is still a big bonus.

Two more days until Halloween! I hope you all have your costumes picked out. You tell me what you are going to be, and I'll tell you ;)
Linking up with Helene!

A Lot Has Changed In Ten Years

At the reunion, our President had all kinds of goodies: Yearbooks, pictures from our last week of school, and these fabulous 'time capsule' questionnaires that we filled out high on hormones life and dreaming of freedom.

I giggled as I read the back of the envelope, "In 10 years I will be living in South Florida, having already started my career. I might be married, but I hopefully won't have kids yet." I had it all figured out, huh? I can say that a lot of my questionnaire still rings true, though.

What are your favorite phrases or sayings? Peace. For real. Don't be bitter.
Where is your favorite hangout? The beach
What is your favorite song? Anything by Sublime
What is your favorite Movie? Life Is Beautiful
If you could have any car what would it be? Elanor

How many children do you want to have? Two
Who will become President of the United States? Me, Janna
Who will be the wealthiest? Me! Just kidding
Where will you be working in ten years? My grandmother's company.

This life is completely different than my 18 year old young self expected, but when you let go...things can turn out better than you've ever dreamed. I don't really believe the whole 'these are the best days of our lives' nonsense. At every stage of my life I have enjoyed it to my fullest. Sure, I still have a long way to go, but I don't plan on ever settling for less than an adventure.

High School Reunion Time!

Recently, I had a 2nd Lieutenant  {straight out'a college}spouting off his high school GPA and SAT scores, and I was all like GTFO. As nicely as I could I said, "Listen, everyone here is at least ten years out of high school, and if you bring that nonsense around here, they will one-up you with their statistics: how many times they've deployed, how many holidays they've missed out on, and even better- how many combat awards they've received." I haven't seen him since.

So yeah, high school doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Good ol' Buck says a high school diploma is like every kid getting a trophy at the end of the season, and he's kind'a right. However, now that it's time to go to my reunion, it's humble brag time. I'm sure we will reminisce about the good ol' days, but you know everyone wants to talk about what they've accomplished since. I'm sure I'll get a few snub noses now that I'm an SAHW, but I'm pretty bad@ss  at it, so I have no problem embracing it. Since ye old high school days, I have...

+ I graduated from Florida Atlantic University.

+ I'm a proud Deepher.
+I'm still super close with my family...closer even.
+ I snagged a super Hunky husband and have a really good marriage.

+ I love being a military spouse.

+ I'm a kick ass SAHW, but I work for the government on the side. For fun.
+ I was published in a Chicken Soup book.
+ I have maintained a blog for {almost} FOUR years.

+I'm such a good volunteer that I was VOM.

+ And in general, I just live life to the fullest.

Although, I feel like I'll feel super awkard talking about stuff like this so I'll probably just listen, enjoy my two free drinks, eat some yummy food, and hit up that photo booth. #BasicB@tches LOVE photo booths, am I right? Unfortunately, I won't be taking my biggest asset {my hunky soldier} to show off because the pup is sick. Thank goodness I blast him all over my blog and Facebook, or they wouldn't believe how wonderful he is. Heck, they probably still won't believe it, and I can hear it now, "They marriage can't be as perfect as it is online..."

But seriously, have you been to a reunion? Is it as bad as people say? I'll have fun either way {did I mention free drinks}, but I would like to know what I'm getting in to. I should have asked y'all what to wear, but it's too late now. Why I waited until the last minute for an outfit is beyond me. Wish me luck!

Childhood Memories of Pet Squirrels AND The Time The FBI Interrogated Me

I recently saw a story about a guy that rescued a squirrel and how 'amazing' it was. To this I say, been there, DONE that. I found an orphaned baby squirrel when I was little, and of course I made him my pet. My grandpa built a cage that allowed him to go in and out, while keeping predators away, and he actually stuck around. He could forage for his own food and be free, but when he saw me he'd come a runnin', and we would play or he'd watch tv on my shoulder.

I love that my grandma still has the following hanging on her fridge, and in case you've ever wondered- yes, my head has always been bigger than my body.

Now let's fast forward to seventeen year old Janna working in a jewelry store. It seemed like the perfect summer- piece of cake-job...until the FBI showed up to my house. Imagine my surprise when they informed me that I had been accused of stealing half a million in jewelry. Thankfully they had an ounce of brain power, because they thought that seemed a tidge fishy. But still, can you imagine the FBI questioning you in front of your grandmother? She told them her grandchildren want for nothing, and more importantly, I wasn't getting much off the Black Market if I still had to ask for pocket change to got to the movies. Long story short, the very same woman from the boutique that had accused me turned out to be the real thief. That charlatan had worked there for years and had been pocketing jewels for just as many!

At the time, I didn't find it funny. Luckily, now I can look back and it's as entertaining to share as my pet squirrel. Linking up with Helene! {I'm on a roll}

Blogtober Roundup #1

I will never blog every day within a month, but I do enjoy the prompts and fellowship of blog challenges. Luckily, there is no rule against combining the prompts as I see fit.



+ Dream job when I was little:

Well, other than wanting to be a famous singer, I've been a 'writer' as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, there was no doubt in my mind that I would be the next Carolyn Keene.

+ One thing I can't live without:

There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that my dear William is the only thing I can't live without. We have the kind of love that transcends all, and even when he is away for training or deployed he's still in my heart and a part of me. I also made him promise that I could die first, because I don't EVER want to live without him.

+ Favorite photo on Instagram:
I happen to think all of my IG pictures are the cat's meow, but here is one that just speaks to my soul. You mix the right angle, colors, and my love for the beach, and it's a winner!

Loading

Home.

View on Instagram

+ Fall Bucket List:

Drive In Theater...check.
Homemade Applebutter...double check.
New Fall Family Pictures {Preferably in a cotton field somewhere}
Family Reunion
Ten Year High School Reunion
Epic Halloween Shindig
Football, and specifically Florida/Georgia trip to J-Ville
Dothan Peanut Festival

Mostly, I will be relishing in the fact that we won't be getting any snow. Coloradans are already cranking their heaters, while we throw open the doors and windows to welcome a 'cold front'. Technically we don't throw them, but you get the picture. Is it cold where you live?

Happy Birthday Month To Me!

I typically hate my birthday, and before you go there- it's not because I don't like getting older. Simply put...the extra attention makes me feel super-dee-duper awkward. I'm not saying I don't like the attention, I just feel so awkward that I don't know how to have fun. Well, that was until my amazing husband came in to my life. Ever since, birthdays have been soooo much more special, and that's saying something considering he's usually off playing soldier when it rolls around. Not this year, though! He is stuck with me ;)

There is one more element that will make this year extra special, and that's the fact that two of our best friends will be celebrating their birthdays in the same week. That means I get to happily share the limelight, and plan 'OUR' birthdays. I HATE planning my own, but I have no qualms about planning a party {or lets be real...part-IES} for all three of us.

As such, I am informing everyone {including Will} that I don't want presents for my birthday...just scary Halloween decor, booze, gift cards, and/or other forms of dinero, because I have a party to plan! I just have to keep reminding myself not to go too crazy...this needs to be F-U-N and not give me an aneurysm. Oh, who am I kidding? We all know I'll go crazy. Twenty-eight years on this Earth has at least taught me that.

Sidenote: Cookie cakes, Carrot cakes, Chocolate covered strawberries, and other delectables do not count as gifts, and will be accepted. Please and thank you.

I'm A Habitual Offender

Habitually, I am....

+ An Overacheiver. We all know this.

+ Buying things I don't 'need'. Sure, I'm spending my allowance and enjoying the heck out of it, but it gives me anxiety when I get home and think about moving again in the next couple years.

+ A month and a half behind on emails.

+ Writing blog posts an hour before midnight.

+ Late cooking dinner. It's gotten to the point where I tell Will to always influence me to start before I think I should, because even then it's probably going to be late.

+ A worrier. I am a big "what iffer". It's gotten more manageable once I was forced into the military life, but I still have my moments. Hence why we still haven't committed to a house.

+ A pot-stirrer. I try so hard to keep my personal opinions off social media because all it does is cause drama, but MAN I just have to give my two cents at times.

In case you don't want to watch the video, the point is that this chick decided to make a line of  of modest suits, and this is her way of promoting it. I really enjoyed the history of the bikini and found it was thought provoking, but what really made me share the video was an uncomfortable situation we came across in Panama City. There were NINE YEAR OLDS bumpin' and grindin' to the Cupid Shuffle and Wobble Baby in BIKINIS, and it HORRIFIED me. I know it's none of my business what other people do with their children, but if voicing my opinion helps one parent put their child in a more appropriate suit, then I have accomplished something.

No one vocalized an argument about kids in bikinis, but out of nowhere it turned to 'women don't deserve to be raped'. Excuse me? Did I say anything about women or rape? Now of course, no one deserves to be raped, but that had nothing to do with my argument for children dancing inappropriately while scantily clad. Then they took it further saying they can't go to the beach without getting stared down because men can't control themselves. In my annoyance that people were ignoring my reason for sharing the video, I had to play devil's advocate. Not many women were happy when I pointed out that men are sexually charged to keep them interested in the opposite sex. For example, I know for a fact that my husband wouldn't put up with me during my crazy times if it weren't for the sex, which is nature at it's finest.

I'm not going to delve too far into this heavy subject because I'm not in a pot stirring mood today, but feel free to mull it over for a while. Women and men tend to have a hard time living together, dealing with finances, and/or finding common desires. Let's be real...there has to be some common ground other than love to overcome all the obstacles.

Sex...keeping marriages together since Adam And Eve.

My Not-So-Nine-To-Five

My boss is a slave driver. He's demanding, sexist, needy, dirty, and makes me work long hours. He's so lucky that taking care of him is the best job I've ever had.

Since beginning this 'new job', I've realized that household duties are not 9-5 like I thought. I assumed that I would get the domestic duties, shopping, meal prep, laundry, etc. all done in time to put on lipstick and meet my hardworking hubby at the door, but boy was I wrong. Instead, laundry is usually done at night when Will needs something particular for work the next day, dinner always takes longer than I anticipate, making his lunch for the next day happens in the dark of night, and I clean whenever the urge strikes even nights and weekends. It's a really good thing I've always operated on a different and flexible schedule. I guess I could try to be superwoman like some of you and organize my time better, but that seems like a job in itself and I think being flexible is the only way I can get everything done and still have my sanity. Oh, and Will does the dishes. That's the other key to my sanity ;)

My boss does give me time for myself, which we have seen manifest itself into a Pinterest fest. Blogging also takes up a large part of my free time, and yet I'm still not able to do it as much as I projected. I had lofty goals of blogging five to six days a week again and commenting on every blog I love every.single.day, but I still can't figure out how some of you do it. Like Helene and Jen...how the heck do they comment on hundreds of blogs a day and have time to reply to every comment on their blog? Nope, not gonna happen over here. I'll just go finish another Pinterest project, like the following:

In closing, my not-so-9to5 is including, but not limited to, nutritionist, secretary, sexetary, maid, chef, personal shopper, and pseudo-psychiatrist. Basically, I have the best job ever, and I have zero room to complain. I'll probably get a 'real' job in the future, but for now I'm livin' large, and Will sure isn't complaining!

Behind The Scenes

Scene Round 2 of the Choctawhatchee River

Behind The Scene I almost didn't go because of the 'face issue' I'm still having.

How sad is that? I keep asking myself when I became so vain that I'm letting this reaction, symptom, acne, or whatever it is, control my life. It's just...I've never even had acne, so now having this at twenty-eight, and not knowing what this is...it's killing me. I've been to my PCM, OBGYN, Dermatologist, and an esthatician, and not one of them has yet to come up with a clear diagnosis. I could go on for days about what they think it could be, the tests they have me doing, trial and error of products, and the list of medications, but that will just cause me more anxiety, so I'll spare you too. I'm pretty sure I've seemed a bit distant lately, and this is why. I've been overcome with feelings of anxiety from the BC coupled with the steroids, antihistamines, antibiotics, tests, and the fact that none of it has gotten me anywhere. I can't sleep through the night because I'm trying not to touch my face or rub it in the pillow, I don't want to go outside because the humidity definitely makes it worse, I can only put makeup on if I want  my eyes and face in general to swell up, and I suffer in silence because I don't want everyone to see how vain I feel. Vain and melodramatic...

As you can see in the pictures, it probably wasn't as noticeable as I thought that day, so I'm happy that I didn't let a few spots on my face hold me back. Obviously, I need to keep that in mind. I have so freakin' much to be thankful for, so I'm trying to focus my attention on the good things- my hubby, Weiser, our healthy family, our new friends, and USA beat Ghana...need I say more? For now, all I can do is soak in the good days, and try not to put so much emphasis on the bad.

My perfect skin is no longer perfect, but if I have to have a health issue, I guess it could be worse. Just cross your fingers this isn't a symptom of PCOS or something worse. I know most of you want us to eventually have babies, and PCOS would definitely be a hindrance in that process. But hey...the struggle is real.