March Recap & Fashion Fast Update

It's April!
Winter is over!

Well, sorta.
This is Iowa.

We definitely had more sunshiny days versus cold ones and I'm glad to say things are finally turning green with the rains of this month.
Even though the rain never stops.
I'm not complaining.
Sorta.

March came and went so fast. I literally blinked and we were 2/3 of the way through the month.
However, I did manage to meet some of my goals:

- Run 100 miles this month: I made 111 miles in the month of March! This turned out to be a goal that kept me sane during this busy month. You can follow all my training on dailymile (I have a widget on the sidebar)
- Finish War & Peace: I'm still reading. I have less than 500 pages to go and a few days to finish. I'm hoping to wrap this up mid-month. I have now checked this out from the library 4 times....

- Send out wedding save the dates: DONE!

- Make some progress on baby Gwen's blanket: About halfway. I didn't have as much time to work on this during March as I would have liked, but it'll get done in April. 

Here is a little update on the rest of my goals for 2013:

- Spend time in the word and prayer more

Thanks to some amazing She Reads Truth plans for Lent and Holy Week, this has been easy. Our small group also started back up and I'm feeling very encouraged and blessed by the things I'm reading in the Bible. I think this is the first time in my life that I really WANT to read the Bible. All of it. Over and over. I want to be one of those people that can relate real-life scenarios to a Bible story.

I've been trying to pray more often and more effectively. She Reads Truth plan for post- Easter is all about prayer and I'm learning so much! Mornings with devotions and prayer has really become a special time for me.

- Stop over committing (rule of 2)

This has been pretty easy. I think I'm getting better at saying 'no' and not having a license sort of makes it impossible to do just do whatever, whenever. I'm really, really, looking forward to tax season being over so I can spend time reading and sitting on my patio writing.

- Get simple (fashion & spending fast)

I broke down.

I forgot I scheduled a Stitch Fix box for the last week of March as a reward for not buying anything for the first quarter. This was before I decided to not buy for the whole year.

Of the 5 things, there were 2 shirts I really liked.

So I caved.

See? how could I resist? I'm calling it an early birthday present and I made myself get rid of 4 shirts as penance. #balance

As for other spending, we booked a trip for our birthdays and I hired a painter for my house...so yeah. I see the trip as a good investment and treat for us. We are seeing one of our favorite bands and visiting lots of friends. It will be a really good time and probably the only trip we take this year. Also- we paid cash for it with bonus/tax money so I didn't charge anything.

- Eat (mostly) vegan

I think I've mentioned more than once how my sugar habit is out.of.control.

Jami did a #whole30 and is now all hatin' on sugar. Like the sugar police.

(I kid, I kid. She's awesome and I live close enough to her we could be real life friends. That may just happen.)

But anyway- it inspired me to be more mindful about my sugar intake and QUIT FEEDING MY FACE WITH DESSERT.

Seriously.

I haven't broke myself of the chai or the latte (I love that creamy spiciness), but I do sugar free when I can and I'm considering a pre-30 years old 30 day clean up of me. In honor of getting old.

At this point, I'm picking one day a week that I get a treat on. This varies because things come up. Last night I had this.

I split it with T and it has vegetables in it so it basically doesn't count and makes up for the vegan peanut butter cup I had on Monday.
Right?

Obviously, I have work to do here.

Use the #imoversugar hashtag on Instagram to share your healthy eats. It's super inspiring.

Also, check back Saturday for  a Homemade Larabar Recipe.

- Give priorities priority (more family, regular volunteering, scheduled write sessions)

I got to spend a lot of time with family this month.

Maybe it doesn't seem like a lot but we aren't the 'see each other every week' kind of family, so a birthday dinner, Easter celebration and whole day with my nieces was a special treat.

Volunteering is going great. I love, love, love serving food to my people downtown.
I'm actually signing up for more days and hoping that I can get to know each one of them a little better.

My scheduled writing sessions have been damnear impossible during tax season, but I expect that to change very soon.
I can't wait.

- Rest in the big picture

You know, T and I have had so many talks about our upcoming marriage and what our future will look like. I was dealing with my old house this month (finding a renter which came through- seriously, Praise Jesus) and we had a serious discussion about our future living arrangement and fears with being in such close quarters together.
We love each other. A lot. But we also love our alone time. It was good to admit that and talk through all those things we might be feeling a little nervous about. And also, to remember that we get to be married. To each other.
It's pretty exciting stuff.
Our future is so bright and the big picture in front of us is an adventure I can't wait to start.

Goals for April:
-#imoversugar: Give this a real shot. No excuses
- Finish War & Peace: i swear. this time. for real. I WILL FINISH.
- Blanket: It's going to be too warm for blankets by the time I finish if it's not April. So this one is getting top priority.
- RELAX:  #restisbest Tax season is coming to a close. Bike season is starting. Taco Tuesdays!! Yesssssss.

How was your March? Can you believe 1/4 of the year is OVER??

What goals do you have for April? What is your favorite thing about spring?

Talk to me, people.

Sunday Seven 9-10-2012

Hey there friends- how was your week?

Round here it was busy as always.

1. I started trying to get control of my schedule. Ever since I moved I feel like I haven't got my routine back on track, you know? So I made a pact with myself to get organized and get back to scheduling the things I like to do. This week I started getting up EARLY and running with friends one day a week.

Its fun to run around my city in the dark with just my reflective belt and my girls. :)

2. We also started a once-a-week devotional meet-up to read our bible and grow with God as friends. I know some people who have done this and I really like the idea of discussing what I'm reading with friends.

We started with the She Reads Truth follow along. A couple of friends started this blog to help keep each other accountable. They use You Version (and their own created) devotional plans and blog about it. We get a daily email blast with the reading and their thoughts/discussion questions on the scripture. It also has a hashtag, #shereadstruth, that can be found on Twitter and Instagram. It's connecting through technology at it's finest. :)

3. This whole schedule thing got started because I read this book. It literally has changed my life. I suggest you read it. And also, make sure you read this and this. I'm convinced that between controlling my habits, focusing on what is important and learning the best way to manage my time I can get through the 'work' of life and have more time for the fun stuff! Like blogging. :)

Sunday Seven 10-2-11....Late Edition

Hey there...what have you been up to?
I (obviously) have been busy. Not writing that is.

I made a list of posts I have started (in my head) and there are 5. My goal is to have all of those written and posted by October 15th! Stay tuned...

In the meantime- here's what's up in my world:

1. Still going strong meat-free. I went to the doctor today and got my blood and cholesterol checked. I'm so curious about the results....

2. RUNNING!!! I went for my very first run in 8 weeks on Sunday. 2 miles in 18:24. It felt good to strap on my running shoes, breath deep and enjoy the fall leaves.

3. My friend Holly sent me this link of a great gift idea. I think it makes a great Christmas gift. And a cool, unique way to remember little tidbits. Plus I love paper. And postcards.

Sunday Seven 9-25-11

1. New Music. This week I've been listening to Blue October- Approaching Normal in preparation for our concert next week. It's not necessarily new, but it's new to me. I love 'Been Down.' Especially this line

Because when our colors mixed
We couldn't fix the way they wouldn't blend

It's a great song.
Also, T gave me the new Needtobreathe album- The Reckoning. So far- it's amazing. T said 'His voice is a force.' Well said, my friend.

2. Technology Overload. At one point on Wednesday, T and I had 3 different conversations going: text, email and IM.

Nic . [4:42 PM]:
we have 3 conversations going on 3 different medias...HA
epitome of the modern couple maybe?
T [4:42 PM]:
No, we're just dumb.
Nic . [4:42 PM]:
HA.

We're silly.

3. Jackdaw. Do you know this song by David Gray? I've always liked it but now its ranking up as one of my favorites. I think it's because I finally get it. The lyrics are so good. That guy can WRITE.