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Sunday, October 29, 2017

Random Rambling-Being a Doormat+Giveaway 

It’s been quite a while since I’ve done a random ramblings post. I have plenty of things to ramble about, but I’ve been focusing on other things. 

Do you ever feel like a doormat-you know walked all over? Maybe it’s one person walking all over you all the time or maybe you feel like everyone walks all over you. It’s easy to put the blame on others. Other people are treating me this way rather than taking responsibility for our own actions and feelings. We can’t necessarily change the way people treat us, but we can change our response. Maybe you like being a doormat, but if you don’t, you can change the way you respond. The best thing I’ve learned the past little while is no one makes me feel a certain way. I get to choose how I feel, react, and handle every single situation. Enough rambling for now. Speaking of doormats, I’ve partnered with Madison at Main to giveaway an actual doormat. These rugs are high quality and durable. You can get the same one I got below or one of your choice. The giveaway is easy-leave your email below to enter. Winner will be chosen randomly and notified by November 6.


Giveaway sponsored by Madison at Main 

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Addiction Recovery tips that work for all of us

This post is sponsored by The Mormon Channel. It specifically addresses tips for successful addiction recovery, but the tips are things we can all use to keep ourselves healthy and happy-something we all want.

Surviving Those First 90 Days: Addiction Recovery Tips
The first 90 days of addiction recovery are the hardest, but also the most important, to recovery and a better life. This three-month window is a time of physical, mental, and emotional changes. It’s also when most relapses happen.
Between 40-60% of recovering addicts who have been treated relapse within the first year, and according to the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study, those first 90 days are the most critical for preventing relapse. This study found that a person’s risk of relapsing was at its highest during their first three months of recovery.
Addiction recovery doesn’t just happen, and it’s not just when you first stop your addictive behavior. You recover as you make a new and better life for yourself. But in order to maneuver through this part of your life, you need a plan to help you cope and make it onto 91 and more days sober.
Tip 1: Make and stick to a structured daily schedule.
Create a structured to-do list. Structured doesn’t have to mean jam-packed busy, but it does mean planned. And honestly, scheduling out every hour of the day is probably in your best interest right now.
Here’s what a typical day could look like:
• 7 a.m — Wake up and shower

• 7:30 a.m. — Eat breakfast

• 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. —Work

• 12 to 1 p.m. — Eat lunch

• 1 to 5 p.m. —Work

• 5:30 p.m. — Exercise

• 6:30 p.m. —Eat dinner

• 7:30 p.m. — Go to AA meeting

• 8:30 p.m. — Check in with sponsor

• 9:30 p.m. — Read book

• 10 p.m. — Go to bed
When you know what’s next on your day’s schedule, you have no excuse to be idle. Idle time and an idle mind can lead you back to using again.
Tip 2: Avoid triggers.
Triggers include people, places, and things. It can be a certain smell, being alone, or feeling stressed. Whatever your triggers are, avoid them like the plague. If you’re unsure of what all your triggers are, keep a trigger log so you know exactly what your triggers are and what you need to do when you experience each one.
You likely can’t control or get rid of all your triggers, but learn and avoid the ones you can.
Tip 3: Learn to relax.
Relaxation is essential to addiction recovery. Most of us think we’re too busy to relax, but you’re never too busy. You can easily find a 15-minute window each day to unplug from the outside world and unwind from your day.
And there are numerous ways to relax, i.e. yoga, meditation, watching a TV show, going on a walk, etc. Find whatever helps you relax, and do it every day.
Tip 4: Get plenty of sleep, good nourishment, and exercise.
When you choose addiction, taking care of your physical health takes a back seat. As you begin your path to recovery, put self-care first.
Make sure you get plenty of sleep each night. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults ages 18-25 get eight to 10 hours of sleep a night, while those 26-64 need seven to nine hours and those 65 and older need seven to eight hours.
Eating a healthy diet is also important. Eat three meals a day, and have plenty of healthy snacks on hand. Stock your kitchen with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. And like planning your day out, try planning out your meals for the day or week ahead.
In addition to healthy eating and sleep habits, get active. Regular exercise is necessary to maintain good physical health. Plus, working out may be your way to relax.
Tip 5: Set achievable goals.
Addiction recovery is heavily focused on day-by-day progress. But that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t set future goals. Obvious goals for a recovering addict are hitting your 30, 60, and 90 days of sobriety. Think beyond those, though. Think about what you want to accomplish one and 10 years from now. Maybe you want to go on a tropical vacation in one year and be debt free in five years. Whatever they are, set those long-term goals, and then set short-term goals to help you reach them.
Tip 6: Take daily accountability.
Recovery isn’t easy. You’ll have minor slipups—and that’s OK. It’s even expected. Just make sure you take a personal inventory of each day, and if you’d made mistakes, take responsibility and work to resolve them.
As you follow these tips, you’ll make it through those first 90 days of sobriety and develop a strong foundation for long-term addiction recovery and a better life worth living.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

26.2...Big Cottonwood round 4

Marathon running is an interesting thing. It's amazing and awful and crazy and incredible. Some days I think I will never run another one, and other days I am ready to sign up right this second.

The Big Cottonwood marathon is always tempting. The course is beautiful. It is practically in my backyard. It is a good time of year. A fall marathon keeps me on track all summer.

I ran the marathon again this year. I did a lot of training in the canyon this year. People always ask if I am ready. The answer is always the same-kind of. I ran all the long runs. I drank a lot of water. I tried to get good sleep the week of the race. I picked up my packet and did everything I could to prepare. I don't know if you ever really feel ready.

It was a beautiful day. The canyon was much greener this year than it usually is. It was a little chilly at the start and warm at the end, but overall the day was really nice. 

I ran into Tina at the start. It was fun to see her since I was up there all by myself. 
I got off to a good start. I felt really strong basically the whole way. I ran really hard in the canyon. It was steep and easy to run hard and fast. I lost my steam a little around mile 9, but after taking it a little easier for a couple of miles, I picked up the pace again.
Sharon met me at mile 18 and ran several miles. She was with me on part of the wasatch loop-my least favorite part of the race. It was nice to have a little company for that part.
Andrea met me and ran the last few miles. It was nice to have that company too. I slowed down a bit by then so it was really nice to have someone to push me a little more than I could push myself.
I got closer to the chute and saw Becky and Amanda with animal heads. I was so happy to see them. It's always nice to have a little crowd at the finish line. It was so nice of them to come.




I really love this race. It is steep and hard and also so rewarding to finish. My time did not reflect this, but I felt really strong the whole way. I am not happy with my time, but I am happy with my preformance. Part of me think 12 is a good number to end on, and the other part of me can't wait to do it again.






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Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Mavi’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Birthday 

It’s no secret that Celsey and I love party planning. She planned the cutest Mickey Mouse clubhouse birthday party for Mavi, and I got to help. Everything was perfect, and everyone had a great time. 


adorable invites from Etsy 

dessert bar included Mickey rice krispy treats, Mickey and friends sugar cookies, popcorn, and cupcakes 

the kids colored, decorated cupcakes and played a Mickey punch out game

My mom bought this cake pan for Karlee’s birthday. Chelsea has used it several times, and even I had a Mickey cake (per Karlee’s request) one year. It’s a pretty simple cake but adds so much to the party. 


The setup was done 30 minutes before the party started. Mavi had so much fun. Everyone was happy. 

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

beauty time Tuesday-September empties and a few new products 

I’ve had to wash my hair a little more lately (I know I know..) so I’ve been using more hair products. Although, my hair is shorter so maybe I’m using less.  Who really knows?!? I also tried a few new products this month.

 
I received this Becca velvet blurring primer from influenster for testing purposes. I really like it. The purpose is to smooth out your skin to a velvet base. It makes my face very smooth and a good pallet for the rest of my makeup application.
Everyone raves about the Urban Decay setting spray. I have used setting spray here and there but never consistently. I like it. I don’t know that I love it. I will keep using it, but I probably won’t buy it again.

I emptied a few hair products and a couple of other things.
Redken color extend shampoo-Love. This is one of my fave shampoos. My hair needs a switch, but I’ll be back to this.
Batiste tropical dry shampoo-Love. Batiste works well and the price point is great. Tropical is my favorite scent.
Kristen Ess dry shampoo-Like. I like the whole line, but the price adds up with a few products. I didn’t purchase again but I likely will. It works well and I like the smell.
Bath and Body Works body cream and lotion-Love
Clinique chubby lash mascara-Love
Intuition razor refills-Love won’t use anything else
Urban Decay eye primer-Love. I’ve tried several eye primers and this is my fave.
I’m trying to use up some of what I have before buying new products, but I always love trying something new. What are some of your beauty faves?

Monday, October 2, 2017

one little word-october

it's october. how???

via she's just smitten

my overall goal and theme for the year is EMBRACE even though my monthly goals don't always match that theme.

YEARLY GOALS
*nightly gratitude journal-better-i'm still using my commit 30 planner. i've been a little hit and miss this month.
*do something that scares me/pushes me out of my comfort zone-sometimes i think something is out of my comfort zone and the i end up loving it.
*attend temple 12 times-i caught up for august and went in september
*monthly journal-i did a quick catch up but i still need a better catch up
*csatt/fitness goals-my biggest fitness goal was the big cottonwood marathon

SEPTEMBER GOALS
*read gifts of imperfection or loving what is-i still need to read both of them
*continue breathe on phone before bed-i did well some nights and not as well others
*open car savings-i paid off my car last month, and now i get to start paying myself-done
*re-focus on health/fitness goals-i got a good start. i need a little more focus.

OCTOBER GOALS
*Pure Barre 20 in 31 challenge (20 classes in 31 days)
*SLEEP-11:00 or earlier bedtime
*schedule one free night each week

I have gotten in the habit of overscheduling myself. I want to focus on slowing down a little this month and getting a grip on life again.

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September happs

September was full of lots of fun with friends.
twinning with ReNae on a Saturday morning

Pure Barre and Albion Fit hosted a pop up class at City Creek. It was a beautiful evening and so nice to be outside.

We had a work training on Tiffany’s birthday so I brought a treat and had a birthday sash for her. We celebrated that night with dinner and photo shenanigans at Gateway.

Danielle came to town to visit with family. She had a free evening for dinner. We had the best night catching up and laughing and even played a little trivia.

Some friends made plans to go to the unicorn magic dance party. I bought a ticket and kind of forgot about it. I almost didn’t go, but i didn’t want to miss a night with my friends. We had such a fun time, and I’m so happy I went.


Fall is here. The leaves are turning and it’s beautiful. I was surprised to see so many beautiful flowers. It felt like spring.
 
Sage, Michelle, Tiffany, and I went to Lantern Fest. It was amazing to see all of the lanterns light up the sky. We spent a lot of time waiting in line for food which led to a lot of laughs and a lesson that next time we will bring our own food.

Andrea leaves on her mission this week so we had a breakfast to send her off. It’s always great to see my running friends off the road.