For the New Year's Resolutions...

Zumba- http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTA1NDI2MzEy.html

This is a free site that has uploaded workouts! The link I've sent you to will be my workout of the morning (gas went up again, I can't justify driving 20 minutes to the gym when I'm not already on the way there...)

Hope you enjoy!

Another great site I'm using is myfitnesspal. If you join, be sure to add me as a friend! I'm mselle07 :) You can also download it on your smartphone!

I made some dinners for the week last night since I had a rare Sunday off- I made butternut squash soup, brown rice, mashed potatoes for Chad, and baked some chicken breasts for a few easy meals before we go to New Hampshire on Thursday for our Christmas gift to each other- a mini vacation back to where he proposed back in October. I can't wait!

Most weeks I'll try to make real meals for each night- yesterday I had some spare time and had all of the ingredients for those little things, so that's why there's NO variety. I'll also be using some canned beans I have for sides. It was a good start, at least. :)

Now, my new year's resolution was not to lose 10 pounds. That's been my resolution every year. (And yes, I've lost 5-10 pounds every year for the past..few.) But this year I want to create a healthier relationship with food and dieting. I have a tendency to get obsessed, and this year I'm looking for a different way to stay healthy. Do I have a goal to lose? Yes, but I also have a goal to gain muscle- so I'm not quite sure where my target weight is. Did I eat a little poorly this week? Yes! But you know what? I had fun, too. I tried "naan" sweet bread for the first time. I drank hot chocolate. But not once did I say, "ugh, how many calories is this, ugh." (Maybe I did. Once. But I got over it and enjoyed the time I was spending with my friends instead. I also went to the gym and drank lots of water, two big goals of mine this year!)

So that's my little rant- hope it made sense- and maybe it inspired you to remember the other things in life, too...

What are you doing so far to incorporate a healthier lifestyle? Things you've already been doing? New things to try? I'd love to know!

A New Year..

2012 is here...amazing!
2011 was filled with milestones for me. A few things happened...

I bought my first brand new car, all by myself! No co-signer! 2011 Nissan Sentra. I was so proud when I signed the papers, knowing I had done all the work myself. I take such pride in my vehicle knowing I earned it.

I sang at my first "gig" in years! I remember being so nervous, and seeing Chad in the audience and getting even more nervous! It was a liberating experience though, and I am hoping 2012 brings more gigs to play and sing at and hang out with my favorite men of the "Blue Streak Band." :)

I started taking riding lessons again and was able to begin fine-tuning some training that I had wanted to do for years. Callie is such a quick learner, and my trainer is so fantastic, that it was a really great experience despite me getting down on myself a bit.

I got my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, and minored in French studies! I worked two, sometimes three jobs all through college. I had a long journey, lots of support, and met amazing friends in college who I hope I never lose contact with.

My best friend in the whole world asked me to be his wife. I was floored and shocked but said "yes" after a few moments of catching my breath...the world stops when I'm with him. In just a year and a few months, I'll be the other half and Mrs to the most amazing, selfless, loving person I've ever met.

2011 was also filled with some heartbreak. We lost my Oma and my Grammy, who now look at us from Heaven. I said goodbye to my little rats, Gertrude and Delilah, too. We miss and remember those we lost, and their memories will live forever.

We welcomed a guinea pig into our home, I began cooking and playing with recipes, I got a new (second) job and Callie proved to me that she is the perfect all around horse by giving a riding lesson here and there.

I bought an iPhone! I also bought jeans in smaller sizes. I began running. I learned the true meaning in "you are what you eat." I became aware.

Are there regrets from 2011? No. Are there things I learned? Yes.
Something I have to preach, is that I learned a lot about myself as a person. I learned that I am much stronger than I allow myself to think. I am capable of much more than I give myself credit for.

A few people told me I wasn't the same person. I agree! But not in a bad way. I think we're always changing. If you deny yourself that, you're denying your experiences, too. No way. I welcome them with open arms.

I discovered I have amazing intuition, and I'm rarely wrong about my "gut." In 2012, I will trust it more.

I also resolve to make myself more of a priority in 2012. 2011 was spent trying to please others. This year, I am going to worry less about the things (and people) I cannot change.
I will ride more, I will eat chocolate when I feel like it, I will look in the mirror and see the beauty inside and out. I will test waters, I will fight for what I believe in. I will succeed, I will probably fail at something, but at the end of the year I will marvel at how much I learned.

I hope everyone one of you has a happy, healthy, and a love-filled 2012.

Photos :)

For Christmas, Chad gave our families a framed photo of us. I know, it seems a little silly, but we gave them a really pretty frame and an (almost) professional photo, taken by my amazing friend, Meaghan!

Just wanted to share some of them- they came out great!

This one was the winner :)

Horses and Children

Today I was given the opportunity to give a lovely little girl a lesson on horses. We stayed in the barn and groomed Callie and learned the importance of safety and how to groom. She was so smart and told me all about 4-H club and the things she'd learned- and this little girl was a natural with Callie. It was so lovely to see.

Callie's demeanor changes with children, I swear.

She snuggled up to this little girl who squealed with joy. She lifted her foot so daintily and patiently waited while she picked her feet. She did everything this little girl asked of her and even stood perfectly still and closed her eyes while this little girl brushed her face gently- something she doesn't always like me doing.

Callie and this girl bonded within minutes of being together. It was so beautiful to see and it was even more heartwarming when her mother said, "I think we've found her love."

Just had to share this- I was so taken back by Callie today, and can't wait for little "L" to come back. :)

Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours

The "online" version of our Christmas cards.
During this holiday season, I hope for you all and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and beautiful time. I hope that you tell eachother how much you love one another. I hope that you give a gift based on thought. I hope that you receive gifts gracefully. I hope that you donate some change, a buck, or even five to the people ringing the bells outside of the grocery store. I hope that you decorate your tree and even smile when you have to vacuum the pine needles. I hope you set up mistletoe all around your house (like I did...) and I hope that you take silly family photos and get upset when you realize you can't find the cat's Santa hat.

Thank you for reading my blog throughout the year, for appreciating all kinds of posts, and for being who you are.

Happy Holidays, everyone. I'm not sure that I'll be posting much until the holidays are over- we've both got family coming in for the season!

Love,
Chad, Janelle, Carson, Piggy, (was eating parsley) Callie, (was munching hay at the barn) and the fishies (couldn't make it, weather too dry!)

Meet Me On Monday

Questions:

1. Monday's are _________?
Like any other day..usually my big "chore" day before working 3-11, though, so I kind of dread knowing I'll be scrubbing the floors, litter box, cage, sink, etc!

2. What is your favorite kind of milkshake?
I'm not a huge fan, but if someone offered me one in peppermint, I'd probably gulp it down!

3. What monthly bill do you most dislike paying?
My car insurance...it just seems so silly to pay into something I've never claimed on! I know, I know, it will be worth it someday, but sheesh!

4. How many email addresses do you use on a regular basis?
Two. One is my primary but I check the old one each day just in case a good groupon comes my way!

5. What color lights are on your Christmas Tree?
I love white, it reminds me of a snow covered tree (without the cold!) so our lights are white and LED!

When "things" get to us.

I have to apologize.

Recently, I began a new job. At this job, there are lots of very nice things, many things that I cannot afford (or need, for that matter.)

But despite the fact that I knew I didn't need these things, I got frustrated that I couldn't have them. I saw women with expensive handbags. Massive rocks on their fingers that you could see from across the store. Perfect hair done like clockwork every few weeks. Tiny bodies with lots of time for the gym, surgery even. And Botox. Lots of cash for Botox.

I got jealous. (Not so much about the Botox..)

You see, I also recently started wedding planning. I started planning what will arguably be the biggest party of my (our) life. I started planning where it will be. What my dress might look like. What we will serve for dinner. And I think that because I let "things" get to me, literally materialistic THINGS) I got pretty bratty over wedding planning for a little bit.

But only for a little bit.

So, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I went against everything that I preach. I'm sorry that I allowed people I don't even know make me feel less than amazing about my hardworking and pretty humble self, because I don't know their stories, either. I'm sorry it took me a few weeks to figure this out.

I am not this person. I am not materialistic. I like nice things, (and don't get me wrong- I'd love a Pandora bracelet for Christmas, Santa, but only because it's sentimental on a chain!) but they do not define who I am.

I think that I'm ready to start planning our wedding again, this time correctly.

Thanks for reading.

meet me on monday.

1. I really need to clean my _________?
CLOSET! I'd like to call it an organized mess..but I need better organization. I'd like a few shelves and a shoe rack, and a couple hooks for purses! When we buy our first home Chad promised me a nice one, so I'll wait patiently until then :)

2. What food makes you think of Christmas?
Egg Nog! My absolute favorite Christmastime "food." But, a food we always eat on Christmas is bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon. Delicious!

3. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
Oh gracious. I'd have to say 25. I think it's young enough to be silly and fun, but old enough that I can be taken a bit more seriously (you'd be surprised how many people I meet that scoff at the fact that I'm 22).

4. What was your first paying job?
I walked dogs with my best friend from elementary school. We were called the "K9 Pals!"

5. Have you read the Twilight series?
I tried to read them- Chad enjoys the movies and I liked them as well, but I couldn't wrap my head around the books for some reason.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

I am thankful that I have started to attempt art again. Attempt. I've been pretty stressed lately and let's be real- when you don't feel like going to the gym, you're not going to get much done once you get there- so I've taken the next best coping skill (as we call them at work) and have started drawing. I sketched a picture from a photo of Callie, and the next day I did one by memory with cray pas at art therapy with the kids at work.

I'm sure with practice I'll get better, but for now it's fun.

I'm sitting here watching the Santa Parade with my coffee, a loaf of bread in the oven, and thinking about the day that is going to unfold. I am so excited to see family, to eat, to show off the apple pie that I made at work, & to bring my fiancé dinner at work while he keeps the towns safe on this holiday! Perhaps Callie will get a visit later tonight when all is said and done. <3
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, let's not forget what today is about!

Fall ponies...

I rode Callie on Friday morning and she was fabulous- as long as I was on her back! Before I rode I brushed and pampered her for about 45 minutes- she got a trim of her whiskers, braided her mane (which has been getting thicker and is starting to lay down flat in places- I have an appaloosa- this is amazing to me!) and trimmed her scraggly tail pieces. She loves the attention and frequently stopped me to stick her face in my cozy sweatshirt for some snugs :) This horse LOVES fleecey things. I consider putting a blanket on her wall because she just loves rubbing her nose on it so much!

When I got to the ring, though, immediately she stepped on my foot and tried bolting from me twice. I jumped on anyway and I could feel her quivering, like she just needed to get the kinks out, but she wouldn't do it if I was on (this is a VERY good thing!) so I took her bridle off and allowed her to run around. This is what happened!

Afterwards we had a fabulous ride, lots of transitions and even some simple lead changes. She listened, was relaxed but alert and she was just lovely overall. Afterwards, she ate carrots in her stall while I cleaned this mess of a grooming kit:

From this:

To this:

And in case you want to know what it looks like from the back of Callie:

Happy Sunday everyone!