Don't hold your breath

Went to Lowe's Saturday night with Hubby. You may think its a lame date, but me not so much.

We got some primer, we got some spray paint, we have a project in mind.

Now all we need it some 65 degree weather......

I won't hold my breath.

Obsession

I have been known to have temporary obsessions. Some more temporary than others.

The year Hubby and I got married, it was getting a dog. (2 moves and a chewed cell charger later, Luna is a great dog)

This last summer it was gardening (homemade spaghetti sauce, way too many zucchini, and greenbeans. So good, gonna do it again)

Right now its DIY decorating. Amy started it. Heres the To-do list.

1. DIY upholstered ottoman from crappy coffee table and foam
2. replace icky hardware from free dressers
3. re-paint awesome free dressers to make a pretty sideboard/bedroom dresser
4. Find random wedding gifts that are in storage and use them in a pretty way I hadn't thought of before.

This is gonna be fun. And cheaper than buying new stuff.

Lesson Learned: if I obsess long enough, Hubby will cave in.

Lets hope our future children don't learn that...

A Few Firsts

A list of some firsts for me (some for hubby too) from our trip this weekend. Some of these firsts were much more relaxing than others. Take a guess which...

1. First overnight trip with 14 high school kidlets


2. First time driving through Moab (gorgeous, can't wait to do more here than drive through!)


3. First time in New Mexico (boring mixed with gorgeous, take the good with the bad, right?)



4. First time fly-fishing (A-mazing. This was the relaxing part. All this kids had their own guides, so it was just me and my man in a boat with our guide TJ who was hilarious. We caught fish. Excellent)



5. Fist time star gazing with kids (they were a little awe-struck that you could actually see the milky way there...)

6. First time in the state of Arizona


7. First time to the Four Corners Monument (though not the real four corners, oh well)

Anyway, the trip this weekend was a huge success, and I loved it. I'd love to go back and do it again. Actually this summer I may have to ask Grandpa to take me fly fishing... it was just that fun. Anyway, if you're ever in the market for an awesome trip and want to be set up with a great guide, talk to Larry and the Soaring Eagle Lodge and have him set you up with TJ the guide. Totally worth it.

Us at Four Corners

Pretty San Juan River
My first fish of the day

Alex's big ol' Rainbow Trout

Stress

I have been told on numerous occasions that I am a stress horder- or something along those lines. This ability of mine to hold in stress until it boils over has resulted in many odd health quirks that manifest at inconvenient times. Usually its a minor cold, rarely its a monster of a migrane, but this time its a doozie.

Needless to say, I need to find a way to de-stress. Running usually works well for me, but in winter its so cold and the air quality is so bad that running is hard. I also have a quick yoga video, but I need a variety too.

So my question for you all... How do you de-stress? What works best for you and what are some of your warning signs of high stress levels? (On a side note: if you know me really well, what are some of my warning signs?) Basically, how do you stay sane and healthy?

I'd love some help. :)

Thanks guys.

Have you been here before?

Have you been here before? I've only been here in the winter, so imagine this feild covered with about 18 inches of snow. Now imagine that the first time you go here you're on cross country skiis so its super hard, but its still gorgeous.

This is Big Springs (National Forest?) up Provo Canyon past Vivian Park. Last winter Alex and I went with Jacob and Julie up here for a cross country skiing adventure. It was super fun! Jacob and I got really into it and were skiing off the main path crashing into trees and such, but Alex and Julie took off their skiis. :) Maybe its a family thing.


So this last Sunday Alex and I decided to go on a nature excursion. So we dressed warm and got Luna in the car for an adventure. We hiked up a ways -sans cross country skiis- and found some really pretty nooks! We found what looked like a beaver pond on the stream and Luna even decided to go for a quick swim! It was such a pretty hike. We were only out for a little over an hour, but I'd love to go back and hike a little more. I love being outside.

Great book

I got this book from my Mom for Christmas. I'm always looking for another good read, and this one sure didn't disappoint.

Anne has some really great insights and reminded me how awesome it is to be a woman. It also reminded me of the special joy that I feel on the beach.

Read it, please.

Resolutions

Like many of you, I made a few new resolutions. They are pretty simple and (I hope) very attainable. This is a first for me.

1. Try some new recipes- chicken floretine is on the menu for this Wednesday. On this note, I'm trying out some meal planning too to budget etc... we'll see how it goes.

2. Be healthy- this is mostly directed at my sleeping habits... I'm working on the whole early to bed early to rise thing.

3. Run a half marathon- Annalise, this is my formal commitment. I'm going to do it. I think its on or near the 4th of July. Should be good.

4. More gardening- Its gonna be good guys. I'm excited.

Happy New Year!!