Welcome to 2010!

(photo courtesy of chinafotopress via zumapress)

I suppose it's only natural to think about goals and resolutions at the beginning of a new year.  I've been working on my list of the goals that I'd like to accomplish in 2010 and I'm excited about all of the possibilities the new year will bring! 

Just to keep me honest, here's some of my list:  To be better about keeping everything in perspective--and to go with the flow more often.  To write more and read even more than that.  To remember to make myself a priority once in a while.  To volunteer.  To eat out less, and cook more.  To be consistent with my workouts and eating clean.  To travel.  And to kiss Bruce ten times every day.  

How about you?  Do you make New Year's Resolutions?

Here's to a new year...full of promise and potential.  I hope that you and your loved ones have many fabulous memories from 2009 and that the new year brings you health and happiness.

Every girl's bedroom needs a little glam...

How lovely are these silver leaf dressers??  And I love how easy Jenny makes the project seem!  I know the perfect spot in my library for a silver leafed end table...

(photo via Little Green Notebook)

Merry Christmas!

(Photo courtesy of First Light Photography)

Bruce and I wish you all every happiness and nothing but good health and lots of love & laughter in the new year...Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Have a wonderful holiday!

I love this video--it always makes me smile.  Consider this my Christmas gift to all of you...enjoy!

Love Poem

Sharing one umbrella
We have to hold each other
Round the waist to keep together.
You ask me why I'm smiling--
It's because I'm thinking
I want it to rain for ever.


~Vicki Feaver

Can't you just close your eyes and picture the scene?

(photo via Cringel)

Things I'm loving right now...

I know what you're thinking:  "Shouldn't you be packing right now??", but as anyone who knows me well will tell you, I am nothing if not a procrastinator and I am SO easily distracted.  It's not easy having self-diagnosed ADD/OCD...especially for that poor husband of mine that has to put up with my previously described idiosyncrasies...  Besides, the boxes and shrink wrap are driving me NUTS--it's time for a break. 


That said, I thought I'd share some of the things that I'm loving right now....

Lucy's new "sanctuary"

The fact that Lucy's new litter box is a piece of furniture that looks NOTHING like a litter box is fabulous!!  Typical litter boxes are just so ugly and messy.  When friends come over, they have no idea at all that the end table they are passing is actually her "toilette"...


Cocoa Chip Full Bar

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Cocoa Chip Full Bar!!  They taste exactly like Cocoa Rice Krispie treats, but without the guilt.  The perfect snack before heading to the gym or going for a run.


"Born to Run" by Christopher MacDougall

This book is AMAZING!  If you're a runner, you MUST read "Born To Run" by Christopher McDougall. If you're NOT a runner you should read it--it'll make you want to lace up your shoes. When I finished reading it, I was itching to go for a run. Entertaining, inspiring, and motivational...I'm planning a second read just to make sure I didn't miss anything the first time!


White chocolate chip and cranberry oatmeal cookies

As most of our friends and family know (via my long, melodromatic venting sessions about how much I hate packing and the inconvenience of moving!), Bruce and I are planning to move down to the Orem house so the Daybreak condo must be rented out.  While showing it to prospective renters I thought that I would bake some cookies to make the house smell "homey", and I made these cookies...so, so GOOD!  I've been having them for breakfast for the last two days (and for lunch...dinner...snacks...the cranberries count as a fruit and the oatmeal as a whole grain, right??) 
AND my ploy must have worked because we just had someone sign a year-long lease yesterday--YAY!

Autumn

I love the fall...the changing colors, the crisp, cool air...this just may be my favorite season here in Utah...


New shoes

Need I say more?  I mean, the phrase "new shoes" speaks for itself, does it not?  So I will admit that I have a shoe problem...and I'm equal opportunity when it comes to giving a cute pair of shoes a home.  Case in point:  I've been known to drop a pretty penny on shoes or boots that I MUST have, but my new favorite fall shoes are these suede fuschia flats I found at Target for $20.  The color is just so...happy.  I've been wearing them with EVERYTHING.


And now...back to packing and a stack of boxes up to my neck...sigh...

Ridiculously Romantic

I LOVE proposal stories--as sappy as it is, I guess every girl is a romantic at heart.    This story made me smile...I love how creative and thoughtful this guy was. 

(photo courtesy of Gabatinie)

Condo for Rent!!

We've put our Daybreak Condo up for rent in anticipation of moving to the Orem house...

Brian Andreas is a genius...

I love Brian Andreas' Story People poems...they're quirky and wise and ring so true. This story of the day seems to perfectly describe my life right now:

"stable as long as nothing else in the whole world shifts (so don't get your hopes up) "

(photo courtesy of shoothead)

A must-see performance

We're winding up our week in Vegas...time to head back to the real world. 

Bruce and I saw La Reve last night and it's my favorite Cirque show yet!  If you have the opportunity to catch the show, you must--it's AMAZING...

Dancing Machine

The long weekend was a busy one (and it's not even over yet!), but a fun one. I flew into Chicago on Friday morning to attend my cousin Nick's wedding. Bruce was in Portland for a CrossFit training seminar so unfortunately, he couldn't make it, but I had a great time visiting with my family and enjoying the festivities. Danielle was a gorgeous bride, the wedding was lovely, and as you can see, my nephew Griffin had a ball during the reception....

He's quite the dancer, that one...the video reminds me of my cat, Lucy, chasing her laser light... :-)

The newest member of the Utah Army National Guard

Bruce's nephew, Zach, flew in from Arizona on Monday to join the National Guard here in Utah. Bruce swore him in on Wednesday, and Zach is now the newest MI (Military Intelligence) Soldier in Utah!