2012 Word of the Year

In 2012 I want to be 

in faith..

allowing His light to shine through me and in everything I do and to trust his timing.

in my marriage..

to be the wife I need to be always helping and edifying my husband.

in communicating..

with my family and friends back home. 

hello facetime,skype.twitter.text.

with my ideas..

making my own and trying new things even if they fail. 

maybe recipes. products. blog posts. 

in my crafts..

sharing my creative gifts with those around me. 

in our adventures..

accepting the unknown cities we may be placed in over the next few years.

in taking chances..

here on the blog and my developing business.

in living..

we have one chance and I'm not going to waste it.

Sandra Bullock and a Blogger

I typically steer clear of reality television, but when my Twitter feed started blowing up this week with comments on #thebachelor I couldn't help but check out the train wrecks they were referring to. I remember the one full season of the show I watched LONG ago. Trista and Ryan the Colorado couple. I do believe they are still together today, as for the rest of the 'match made in...Hollywood' couples I can't say the same.

Wowza. Train wreck it was. From a drunk (yes I believe she was quite toasted) Sandra-Bullock-laugh-a-like, to a blubbering blogger I can't decided which was worse. What was the name of her blog again?  The Over Analyst. Ha. So glad we didn't get to see a glimpse of that. But thanks for showing up for the rose ceremony. I almost wish she wouldn't have. By forfeiting the rose, drama levels could have been kept at bay the rest of season 16. Oh ABC you really do know what you're doing. 

Do you know though, several of those ladies do have potential. They are down to earth, genuine, beautiful women. I'm sorry they haven't found love before now, because I have a feeling it would be a lot easier on their own than with cameras feeding them the next act. 

Just for the record, not that it matters, my first impression rose goes to Rebecca. In the red dress. Her middle name is Rose. Subtle yet memorable. Classy. Now don't get involved in the drama and you'll be fine. 

I'll stop now so you don't hate or quit watching the hit reality show, because I too will tune in (and laugh and roll my eyes at the drama) next week to see just what these women will do for love. 

Fit Day Friday

Hello pretties! 

It's Friday. Wait, I didn't sound excited. Take 2. IT'S FRIDAY!!

The long awaited day after what may have been a short work week.

Have you started the new year right?

Did you jot down those resolutions or goals for the year? 

Well if you didn't, it's not to late. 

In fact it's never to late to set goals.

I'm going to share with you one of my goals for this year.

Then every Friday I plan to share something on this topic.

A weekly post to encourage and inspire healthy living.

I bring you FIT DAY FRIDAY.

For me 2011 was what I consider a stressful year. 

I would say planning a wedding isn't stressful. 

I'd be lying.

I would say long distance relationships aren't stressful.

I'd be lying.

I would say nannying two children is easy.

I'd be lying.

I would also say I treated my body with care getting plenty of exercise, sleep, and a well balanced diet.

I'd be lying, again.

Although I'm blessed with a thin frame I get teased and called names like Bones and Twiggy. It never goes unrecognized by those who are close to me. I can't dodge the topic quickly enough. It could be worse, I'm aware.    

I started working out this week. I didn't make this a resolution. I never planned to at the beginning of the year. I had assumed once we move to Florida I would have more free time and I could start working out and running again. But plans changed.

After my third day of working out my mind started to thank me. 

My body not so much. Not yet anyways. I'm sore. WEAK. 

So to start my new series. I'm going to leave you with three reasons why working out is good for me and why it has become a 2012 goal. Find your motives and let those be our inspiration to a fit healthy lifestyle. 

1. Positive attitude - BD and I have a LOT of uncertainty. I need to be POSITIVE and ready for any change at any moment. As for everyday living, it makes our time together that much more enjoyable.

2. My future children. I plan to have children in the next few years, God willing, and I need to treat my body right getting plenty of exercise and a well balanced diet. (Don't get excited, not too soon).

3. I want to live a long active life and that means starting young, just like saving money, and moisturizing.

In BEAST MODE.

What motivates you to have a healthy lifestyle? I'd love to know!

Sponsor Swaps

Hey people!! Guess what? I'm gonna try something new. It's time for...

Sponsor Swap 

You give me your button, I'll give you mine!

Email me: laurendarlings@gmail.com

 

        

 

 

Here's to new things!

Let's have coffee..

If we were to sit down for coffee I would tell you...


I was sick on NYE. Huge bummer. I woke up in the middle of the night SICK. We had invited six friends over and one of them was my bff from Missouri. We had a messy house to straighten and goodies to cook and I couldn't help with any of it. As a matter of fact, I barely made it to the shower and dressed before our friends arrived. The Mr. was a champ he went non-stop all day and still was able to entertain our friends. I feel asleep on the couch while they played board games, was up to ring in the new year, and crashed a few hours before everyone else. 


We have a new residence for February/March in Florida. I got to try out my new wifely duties as real estate agent and find us a place to live during spring training. It isn't easy, and it isn't cheap. I'm not complaining that the Cardinals hold their camp in a pricey part of Florida because we could be in a dump hole city. The problem arises when older folks migrate south for the winter along with two ball clubs and all their fans. Simple economics of supply and demand. After several phone calls and emails, today we found a cute (I'm hoping) studio apartment in our price range. Also I'm dreading packing so I might start next week. 

I started working out. I always teased BD that I want to work out with him. Well I did yesterday and today typing is about the only movement I can do that doesn't trigger some muscle soreness. Yikes. It's like having a personal trainer. It's hard but I'm working through it and hopefully it will get easier. I don't work out as long as BD so while I wait I have been working here. Go watch that video and tell me your not motivated. I've also committed to drinking significantly less soda. I'm a huge Mountain Dew lover but lately I've been feeling the effects way to much. I must start drinking water. BD teases me I'm a 90 year old woman -- I'm 24 I want to feel like it dang it. 

Hunger Games. Like the rest of the world I've been engrossed in this popular series. This is what I've fallen asleep to the last few nights. So glad BD's family got me the new Kindle Fire for Christmas. Go.Read.It.Now. (Unless you have other important things to do, because you won't be able to put it down)

Slogging. I've been a slacking blogger. However, I'll have free time the next few days while the Mr. has to go on a work trip. Guess that means I'll have time to craft and watch things on TV other than football while I miss him. 

But for now what would you share with me?

Post inspired by Rags to Stitches Boutique

2011 in Review

Can you believe another year has flown by?

I have taken the time to look back through some of my favorite posts and share them with you again for a second time.

We got married! It was an interesting adventure but we tied the knot. I still owe you a real wedding post.

Brandon's ultimate dream came true. He was called up on July 2nd. A dream come true and I got to be there for all of it. 

I got my job back. Then I left it again. But not a moment before I fell in love all over. 

I posted my first tutorial. It was a LOT more work than I thought. Now that I have a new camera I hope to be doing a lot more of these in the new year. 

I shared two of my favorite recipes. 

Lasagna & Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry

I learned a lesson in marriage early on.

I cannot even believe all that I've been through this year. Especially all of the undeserved blessings. I am so thankful. Normally I get really sad between Christmas and New Years. The post holiday blues set in and we have to say goodbye to another year. Although this year as I look through all the wonderful memories, I become excited and curious as to what great things will happen in the months to come. 

Here's hoping 2012 is even better than 2011. 

Feel free to post your favorite moments of 2011 

in the comments below! I'd love to read them. 

Boogy Woogy BUGLE snacks!

I fell in love with this little delight last week when we received a bag of Christmas goodies. 

Although peak holiday baking season is over, you may be able to garnish your NYE party table with this dainty snack.

Ingredients: 

Bugles

Creamy Peanut Butter

Dipping Chocolate.

Fill your Bugles with peanut butter. I used a Ziploc bag, cut the corner off and used it like an icing bag.

Then dip the end of Bugle in Chocolate.

Lay on parchment or wax paper. 

Refrigerate until chocolate hardens. 

Enjoy.

Not joking here. The first pan was gone that quick.

So easy a cave man can do it.