I'm currently reading this book and it is A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E! I love love. Nothing beats an easy read about a sweet couple. It's available at my favorite place, Anthropologie. Also, it's on Amazon if you're shopping online. I know what you're thinking, and yes, it's great for Valentine's Day.
When I had my gallbladder removed in the middle of August, I fell out of my strenuous exercise routine. My incisions seemed to take forever to close and my stomach stayed sore for a long long time. I did have an unusual experience with the surgery, as my doctor did not expect it to be as bad as it was; thus, he said healing time could take longer. He was right, in many ways, as the gallbladder is one of the "mystery organs," so I hear. My incisions STILL feel raw and uncomfortable. I cannot stand to have certain clothing fabrics touch my scars. I know, weird, there goes Faith again. I guess that's just the way it will be for awhile. Some people seem to just get right back in the groove after this surgery and I envy them. One friend ate steak the night after her surgery. I, on the other hand, do that quite sparingly. I still feel out of sync with exercise, food, and obviously, what to wear everyday.
Onward with the exercise discussion. All along, I walked constantly. Walked while at work, walked while not at work, and possibly, walked while asleep. Yet, I've noticed how much this surgery changed the control I feel I have over my abs. It seems impossible to suck my stomach in, as if I've forgotten how to do it. I know my muscles are just weak, but I want to be back to where I used to be. I feel like I've gained fifty pounds when I'm still in the same clothes. My stomach is just disabled. I've slowly been trying to build back up to my old cardio routine. Tonight before bed, I tried a new yoga video and it seemed to work well. I felt like I was getting a great workout, yet not killing my stomach. If you haven't ever tried yoga, I do recommend it. Before I had my surgery, I used YouTube videos of it as constant exercise routines. With yoga, you're working hard, yet you don't feel like you are. You just need to give it a try to see what I mean! Hopefully, you'll complete a lifelong routine of these yoga videos with a healthy gallbladder in tact. If not, join the club. Humans Missing Organs, unite!
I recently snagged this useful kitchen scale at Packard's Antiques (Huntsville) for $12.00. I love the colors and cannot wait to put it on display in our new home. It's great that one small piece can make such a statement in home decoration. If this gives you any vibe of my style, there's more to come. I hope you feel inspired to make the old new again!
Some of the most divine perfume can be found at a J.Crew near you. A work friend got me hooked, and I'm on this band wagon for good. A $12.95, travel size, long lasting tube of goodness. Perfect for Valentine's Day!
What's a blog without some random graduate work thrown in here or there? This semester, I am taking a course on Leadership in Mediation. This was the introductory slash fun video from my professor. Yes, the best professors include GOOD YouTube videos. Take a look at this short one, as it rings true in many ways. The key here is trust. If we don't have trust, we don't have anything. That's that.
I'm all for a handwritten note. Etiquette at its best, now and forever. I've already written a couple of wedding thank you notes, plus the cards for our wedding party. Without dispute, my pen of choice for all types of handwritten items is the Uniball Vision Elite. If you care about ink on paper like I do, it is a great addition to your office inventory. Nothing adds more polish and refinement than a card well done. A pack of four is $7.00 well spent. Happy writing!
People, I have not blogged in a month! Where is time going?!?! I am so excited about this blog post it is hard for me to find the words. I want to remember everything about this special stage in life, the best thus far!
Billy and I knew we were meant to be a long time ago. However, we wanted to complete six years in the Marines, four years of college, etiquette school, and a master's degree first. I have never been the kind of person to just do things. I am a planner, and when the time is right for me, it is. Luckily, he is the same way. When you experience the extreme highs and lows of life with someone, you realize how important it is to seize each day, whatever it brings. Today marks one month of our engagement. He made the proposal meaningful, exciting, and memorable, asking me at what will be our first home together. Now, I have no concept of what day it is. I go to work, I do homework, and I stalk wedding websites until the early morning. I cannot stop looking at wedding things!
We have decided on November 9th, 2013 as our wedding day. I am so excited, so fortunate, and so blessed. I would love to have all of you reading along with updates! Thanks for celebrating with us and sharing kind words. We are having the time of our lives!
P.S. Above are pictures of my ring production courtesy of Caleb Meyer, www.calebmeyer.com
