High Five for Friday

How in the world is it FRIDAY again already?!  I'm most certainly not complaining, but it just feels like the weeks are FLYING by.  I'm at home today, working on a research paper for Advanced Accounting.  I'm pretty sure I could teach a class on International Financial Reporting Standards, in case anyone was interested.

So let's see -

1.  I know Lindsey's baby's gender.  And I can't tell a soul.  Well, other than Alex!  LOL.  She'll find out tomorrow at a dinner.  I couldn't be more thrilled to share the news with her and all of her friends.  I have the Hershey bar's colored with the gender, and wrapped, and ready to go.  I can't share the picture of them here, but be on the lookout next week! 

2.  Seriously - Alex and Chloe make me laugh.  These two definitely keep life interesting.  I was sitting at work this week when Alex sent me this text message photo.  I mean, how could you not giggle?!

3.  Can you believe that I'm only one week away from starting my first review course with Becker?  It's kind of crazy to imagine that I've been working towards this goal in some capacity for TWELVE years.  Granted, I took the long route, but still, I'm finally here.  Pray for me over the next 12 months.  It's going to be a grueling experience.  A co-worker is also going through Becker.  She started in March, so she's about a month ahead of me, but at least I have someone who understands and is going through the process with me.  She was smart enough to stop going to school this year, and focus on the review, whereas I'm trying to finish up my Master's at the same time. 

4.  My brother is moving his stuff into our place this weekend.  It's only for a week, but my poor car will have to be parked outside.  I'm just glad he'll be close again!  He'll basically move out next weekend.

5.  Next Thursday, 4/3, will be my ONE YEAR anniversary with my current company.  It's gone by incredibly fast.  I feel like I've learned so much, and I can't wait to continue to learn as the time goes by. 

Weekend Recap

Ekk!  Today is the day of Lindsey's anatomy scan to find out what Lil J's gender is!  She's bringing me the results in a SEALED envelope, and I'm coloring the Hershey bars this week, for this weekend's gender reveal party.  I'm super excited! 

Friday night, I met Lindsey and her mom, Becky, at the Rhea Lana consignment sale.  If you are an expectant mother or already have kids - it's an AWESOME consignment sale.  Lindsey got a ton of stuff for not much money, to help prepare for the baby!  They even had cloth diapers.  Color me impressed.  :-)

Saturday, I got up and worked on homework for a bit.  Nothing exciting, but had to be done.  I'm trying to get as far ahead in my studies as possible so that when the Becker review starts on 4/7, I'm not scrambling trying to finish school work too.

Then, we made the trek to Whitesboro to see my mom's new puppy, Winston.  He's an ham! If you've ever been around a poodle, they have such a sweet disposition, and Winston is no different.  Mom says he's doing great in terms of training, and he's already a well-behaved puppy as it is.  

Sunday - CHURCH!  :o)  I love our church, and I always love our Sunday sermons.  They just start the week off right.  I can't wait to be in a position where we can join a small group and attend classes during the week.  Right now, my schedule with school just doesn't allow it, but someday.  

After church, we took Chloe pup to the dog park.  She's such a goofball.  She'd much rather play with the people there than the dogs.  

We must have worn her out though, because she was a lazy dog when we got home. 

Check out where that Alex and I found her when it was time for bed...

50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind

I stumbled upon a blog one day, with the 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind.  It is an interesting concept, to me.  So I decided to add answering the 50 questions to one of my 101 things to do in 1001 days list.  

Without further ado, here are the questions...  check back often, as I attempt to tackle these questions.

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
This one is tough for me.  I think the most incredible age for me thus far was 29.  It's the age that I learned the most about myself, my strength (and weaknesses), and the age that I really felt like I came into my own.  However, it was a struggle too.  


Which is worse, failing or never trying?
In my humble opinion, never trying.  For me - you don't know if you'll fail or succeed, if you don't give it your all, and try.  I'd rather not live life wondering "what if..." 

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
I think in some way we feel obligated to our family and friends.  We work because we want to have the material things in life, like a roof over our heads, food on the table, etc.  We don't always work a job or in a career field that we love, simply because they don't always pay enough to survive.


When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
I certainly hope not.  I really try to be true to my word, and not talk about things if I can't come through.  That's not to say that sometimes things happen, but in the end, I want to be remembered as a person who kept my word.

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
Probably the people.  As crazy as that sounds, if the people were different, the world would be different.  I wish people actually CARED about each other more, and spent less time trying to compete with one another.  I wish people made life long friendships that they didn't throw away when the next "best" thing came into their lives.  I wish people were genuine, caring, loving, and put the way other's feel in the fore front of their minds.  

If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
I say that I know the answer to this question.  I'd teach.  Hands down.  I've always wanted to do something that might make a difference in the life of a child.  It's also why I've contemplated getting a Master's in Biblical Studies so that I can teach children in a biblical setting, or even travel and do mission work, and teach.  


Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
I'm for certain settling.  This isn't what I saw myself doing.  But, I made a decision some years ago, went to school for a really long time, and this is what I'm left with.  I'm making the best of it.  :-)


If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
I wouldn't have spent as much time focusing on my education/career.  I would have found a job that would afford me a lifestyle that was comfortable, but ultimately, I would have wanted to travel more.  I probably wouldn't have worried about getting married/having kids/etc. but would have focused on trying to leave my mark behind.

To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?

Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do?
I stand up for her.  Period.  No one deserves to be unjustly criticized.  And I don't back down from confrontation.  However, I would definitely lose respect and admiration for these people.
  

If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Enjoy being a child.  Enjoy the innocence.  Try not to grow up too fast.  Focus more on your grades, and less on finding a boyfriend/girlfriend.  Get a scholarship to college, and try to experience college the way it's supposed to be experienced.  
(My mom told me this growing up, and I never believed her.  I wish I had.)

Would you break the law to save a loved one?
Heck yes!  No questions asked.

Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?

What’s something you know you do differently than most people?

How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?

What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  What’s holding you back?

Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?

If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?

Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?

Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?

Why are you, you?

Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?

Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?

What are you most grateful for?

Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?

Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?

Has your greatest fear ever come true?

Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now?

What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special?

At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?

If not now, then when?

If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?

Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?

Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?

Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?

If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?

Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?

Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?

When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?

If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?

Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?

What is the difference between being alive and truly living?

When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?

If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?

What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?

When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?

What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?

In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that?

Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?

High Five for Friday

This is fun.  Recapping my week, and all.  :-)  It's been a great week actually, but it started out kind of rough.  I ended up with a sinus infection and just all around feeling crappy last Thursday, so I took Friday off, and spent the majority of the weekend in bed.  Since I didn't get my typical household things done, I've felt behind all week long.  

1.  This week stared NCAA March Madness.  We're having a competition of "brackets" at work.  The person with the most wins gets Mavericks tickets.  And since I've never been to a Mavs game, I thought it would be fun.  You don't win, if you don't participate.  However, with the loss of Ohio State to Dayton yesterday, I had three losses right off the bat, since I counted on my Buckeyes to at least make it to the Regional Finals.  I mean, come on!  

2.  I introduced Alex to the wonder of Tiff's Treats on Wednesday.  So yummy!  Since we're out of their delivery zone, we had to go pick them up, but oh man, so worth it!  AND, the even better news is that they are opening a Tiff's Treats in Las Colinas, near work!

3.  It's simple, but for the majority of my adult life, I've gone every two weeks to the salon to get solar nails put on my natural nails.  Not only is it expensive, but it's time consuming. I decided to stop the solar nails, and attempt to grow my natural nails out.  So far, so good.  Coming from the girl who has pretty much never had nails because she bites them all the time - I'm pretty darn proud.

4.  You have to check out this dog.  Last night, A went to see a friend, so I could focus on homework.  I got a stopping point, and headed to bed to read for awhile.  Usuaully, she'll at least snuggle with me.  But last night, she wasn't having it.  She waited on the edge of the bed until she heard the garage door open.

5.  Yay for the weekend!  I get to do some baby shopping w/ L tonight AND get to see my mom's new puppy tomorrow!  :-)  

Baby!

No, I'm not pregnant, although I wish I could say that I were.  :o)  But, that's another story for another time.  The great news is that a sweet friend of mine is.  I love being a part of the pregnancy of each friend that I've been blessed to watch their children come into this world.  Babies are so sweet, and they truly are a joy to watch grow.  

I've been knocking around ideas for the baby shower, and I can't wait to chronicle all of the crafting projects we'll be doing for that as well.  

We will know the baby's gender in just a little over 12 short days, at L's gender reveal party. I won't brag, but I'll get to know FIRST!  :-)  I'm wrapping up Hershey bars and all of L's friends will unwrap the surprise at the same time. 

I'm still thinking boy...

Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake

If you know anything about me, at all, it's that if I'm going to cook dinner or anything really, the recipe must be easy.  :-)

Alex gets a daily e-mail from AllRecipes.com, and forwards me the ones he thinks look appetizing so that we can add them to our rotation of meals.

He sent me this italian sausage tortellini bake recipe.  Easy enough.

Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake - allrecipes.com

Of course, I had to make my own adaptions to the recipe, so here's my version.

1 pound hot Italian sausage
1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
1 (14 oz) can Italian-sytle diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 (20 ounce) package frozen cheese-filled tortellini
2 cups shreeded mozzarella cheese

Heat a large pot over medium heat. Crumble sausage into the saucepan; add onion and green bell pepper. Cook and stir the sausage mixture until the sausage is completely browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain grease.

Pour marinara sauce and diced tomatoes over the sausage mixture; season with garlic powder and stir. Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook at a simmer until the diced tomatoes break down into the sauce, 30 to 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

*** Because I didn't buy frozen tortellini, I was able to skip the step of cooking them. I bought them in the deli section of my local Target.  ***

Gently fold the cooked tortellini into the simmering sauce; cook together another 5 minutes. Pour tortellini and sauce into a 13x9-inch baking dish; top with mozzarella cheese.

Bake in preheated oven until cheese is golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes.

101 Things To Do In 1001 Days

Have any of you ever done this before?  I've had a list going for a year or so now, but in looking at the tasks & the direction my life is heading, I decided to adjust the list and essentially start over.  :-)  I removed all the items that had already been completed, and replaced them with new ones.

This "project" of sorts was created by the Day Zero Project. 

Here's the idea behind it...

The Challenge:

Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:

Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined.  Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part.)

Start Date:  March 15th, 2014
End Date:  December 10th, 2016

Black - Tasks to be completed

Blue - Tasks in progress

Red - Completed tasks

I divided mine into sections.  You know, for organizational purposes, and all.

Family:

1.  Create an Excel spreadsheet with family birthdays.  Send cards to everyone.

2.  Take my mom on a mother/daughter trip.

3.  Write my mom a letter.

Friends:

4.  Create an Excel spreadsheet with friends birthdays.  Send cards to everyone.

5.  Make a list of the top 5 influential people in my life.  Let them know.

Personal Growth:  

6.  Plan a road trip.

7.  Have professional head shots taken.

8.  Take boudoir pictures - just for me.

9.  Make a list of 25 things I like about myself.

Finances:

10.  Pay off divorce.

11.  Attend Financial Peace University @ church.

12.  Financial Peace University - Step 1 - $1,000 emergency fund

13.  Financial Peace University - Step 2 - Pay off debt w/ snowball

14.  Financial Peace University - Step 3 - 3 - 6 months expenses in savings

15.  Meet with mortgage broker to start the home buying process.

Career/Education:

16.  Begin developing a business plan (complete with marketing materials).

17.  Pass CPA exam.

18.  Graduate with Masters in Accounting.

19.  Graduate with GPA of 3.5 - 4.0

20.  Get a promotion.

Personal Goals:

21.  Read all the books that I already own.  

22.  Write a letter to my future children.

23.  Go without Facebook for a week.

24.  Spend a rainy day, in my PJs, watching movies all day.

25.  Buy myself flowers, just because.

Health & Fitness:

26.  Reach weight of 170.

27.  Reach weight of 160.

28.  Reach goal weight of 150.

29.  Go back to Zumba.

30.  Start taking yoga classes.

31.  Get a massage, once a month, for 6 months.  (0/6)

32.  Get a facial.

33.  Find out my blood type.

34.  Run a 5K.

35.  Run a 10K.

36.  Run a half marathon.

Home:  

37.  Build a piece of furniture, or a frame, or something.

38.  Learn how to use power tools.

39.  Completely finish decorating our bedroom w/ nightstands, pictures, etc.

Food:

40.  Try 12 new recipes.  (1/12)
       Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake

41.  Make 3 "from scratch" desserts.

42.  Take a cooking class.

43.  Learn how to make jam.

44.  Grow something (even if it's in a pot).

45.  Cook my way through a cookbook.

Travel:

46.  Visit a new state.

47.  Go on a cruise.

48.  Take a vacation.

Faith:

49.  Attend & become involved in a women's bible study group.

50.  Set aside 10 minutes a day for quiet time, reflection for 30 days. (0/30)

51.  Use the 30 days to write in a journal.  (0/30)

52.  Find a counselor, and start going to see him/her.

53.  Answer the "50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind."  Link to my answers.

54.  Complete the "I Am Content" challenge.

Relationship:

55.  Get married.

56.  Buy a house with Alex.

57.  Have a baby.  Or at least start infertility treatments.

Entertainment (Books/Movies):

58.  Donate books during the "get teens to read" drive.

59.  Leave an inspirational note inside a library book.

60.  Ask 5 people to recommend their favorite book, and read them all.  (0/5)

61.  Re-read a book I read in high school that I didn't fully appreciate.

Fun Activities:

62.  Go to the zoo.

63.  Go to the aquarium.

64.  Go to Canton's First Monday.

65.  Go to a pumpkin patch.

66.  Go to Highland Park, in a carriage, and look at Christmas lights.

67.  Go to a sporting event.

68.  Go to a haunted house/haunted hayride.

69.  Go to an art museum.

70.  Go to the planetarium.  

71.  Go see a play, or a musical.

72.  Fly a kite.

73.  Go to a concert.

74.  Go antiquing.

Holidays:

75.  Decorate for all the holidays.  Big & small.

76.  Carve a pumpkin.

77.  Host a cookie exchange party for Christmas.

Random Acts of Kindness:

78.  Donate a significant amount of money to a charity.

79.  Adopt an angel for Christmas.

80.  Volunteer for 20+ hours.

81.  Send 6 "random" thinking of you cards to friends/family.

82.  Start posting operationbeautiful.com notes.

83.  Randomly pay for a person behind me in line.

Creativity:

84.  Take a picture every day for a year.  
85.  Journal/create a photobook for the pictures.  See Project Life - Project 365.  I have some catching up to do.

86.  Make an iPod playlist of my 101 favorite songs.

87.  Find an inspiring quotes & work it into a piece of art.

88.  Complete a coloring book.

89.  Take a photography class.

90.  Make 5 sewing projects pinned on Pinterest.

91.  Make homemade Christmas gifts for 5 people.

92.  Make the "pass it forward" gifts from Facebook.

93.  Finish quilt for charity.

Purchases:

94.  Buy one piece of David Yurman jewelry.

95.  Buy a Movado watch.

96.  Buy something from Etsy.

97.  Buy a new lens for my camera.  Or two.

98.  Buy a little black dress.

99.  Purchase class black Louboutin's.

Misc. 

100.  Blog about my progress.

101.  Create a new 101 things list.