Review of "Be the People"

This book intrigued me because it's focus was on the way America has changed and the fact that we have simply lost a grip on the goals of our forefathers.
It discusses the lack of virtues in people today, and the importance of educating today's youth so that we don't continue down this path America is headed on.
All in all, this was a good book- certainly thought provoking. When I finished it, I thought about the things that are happening, such as Christmas being removed from schools and even the Christmas tree being called "the Holiday tree" and I am more aware than ever that America needs a big change. I highly recommend this book. Even if you don't agree with it's views on religion, family, and abortion, you will certainly learn something.

Saving $$$

It is a gorgeous day! This is my kind of weather. Nick is home today since he worked overnight last night and I am forcing him to go on a run with me. He doesn't feel well, but I think fresh air will do him good.

I watched extreme couponing last night and was inspired to start saving money. I decided to get groceries at Target instead of the normal grocery store and I saved so much money! I even have some of our weekly grocery allotment left for fun stuff! Big boxes of cereal for $3, limes and lemons for $.33, $1 for good Greek yogurt...
I play $6 for small box of cereal and $1 or more for 1 lime or lemon, $2-3 for 1 yogurt at our usual grocery store.
I love saving money! What a great feeling. Now I just need to collect coupons too and actually use them. Maybe we will get our own place after all...

Saturday Mornings

I love Saturday mornings! It's the only time I get to see Nick for an uninterrupted hour. We made pancakes and coffee and made a to-do list. He bought me flowers again last night. I thought he did something wrong, but he said that he just didn't want to ever get lazy at work or at home. Love it! Now he is headed to Starbucks in the rain to get some pumpkin spiced lattes.
It's officially fall, my favorite season. We got engaged 3 months ago today! Time flies by. I can't wait to get married! We finally picked our venue and booked our photographer. There is a lot more to do, but we are getting closer to the fun part- like looking at flowers and centerpieces. I can't wait to get my dress, but I am so nervous because I refuse to try on dresses until I get in shape. I have really set a fire under my butt, because I'm only getting married once and I can't postpone the wedding because my dress size isn't what I want it to be. Which just means I need to bust my butt EVERY day, no exceptions. This week went well, but the main problem I am having is shin splints. My shins hurt SO bad all of the time. Not sure why, I try to alternate with the elliptical and running, so I thought that would help. Oh well, no pain, no gain I guess.
I have a ton of school work to do. School is so much harder when you are older, because now I have a ton of responsibilities like laundry, scrubbing bathtubs, vacuuming, dusting, grocery shopping, etc. Can't imagine people that go to school and have kids! No way!!!
Noticed my normal blog pictures aren't showing up! What is going on with that? Guess I will try to post another pic and see what happens. Off to a day of studying, grocery shopping, gym, and maybe a nap if I'm lucky!

outdoor weddings

I know that outdoor weddings look picture perfect on TV, and in magazines and books. This is part of the reason why my fiance and I really want an outdoor wedding. We also love camping, the beach, and being outdoors, so we could think of no better place to take our vows than outside.

That being said, having a ceremony outside is something that scares us. What if it pours? What if there is thunder, lightening, or even hail? What if the remnants of a hurricane decide to blow us and our flowers, etc. out of the gardens.

This has been a huge decision for us. We could go with what we REALLY want (an outdoor ceremony) and pray that the weather is good, or we could play it safe and just plan to do it inside. (Although we would probably have HUGE regrets if the day turned out nice)

This is just one of the situations that I lose sleep over. I guess things will come together, but right now, wedding planning ir a bit stressful.

The Waiting Place by Eileen Button

The Waiting Place was the first book sent to me to create a review for. I had low expectations. I read a ton and am an English major, so a book has to be really good to impress me. I didn't know what the book was about before receiving it, and after reading the front and back covers, I was unsure of what to expect.
I started the book immediately upon receiving it, and I have not been able to put it down. Some chapters are so touching that I read them twice. I can honestly say this is one of the best books I have ever read.
After the first few chapters, I realized that this book was listed under "Christian Life."
The author, Eileen Button, is the wife of a pastor, as well as a writer, mother, an professor. The chapters of the book are separated into snapshots of "waiting"; times in Button's life that she waited for things such as a career, children to grow up, and a loved one to die. I never thought I would enjoy a book that was listed under "Christian Life" but this book was so real and I truly couldn't put it down. It is safe to say that this book changed my views on life and even religion. Button is so open and willing to share even the most private moments of her life, and I finished the book wanting to read more. Some stories were heartbreaking, and some were uplifting, but all were easy to relate to.

Read this book, NOW, you won't regret it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

My Garmin

I got a Garmin for my birthday and has already changed my life!  I look forward to using it, and I can't go one day without it or I feel like my day isn't complete.  Mostly, I enjoy getting outside and being on my own.  I always thought I needed to listen to my IPod while working out, but my IPod broke and I had to go out without it.  Funny because it made me realize that I actually like to run more WITHOUT the IPod.  I could hear the birds, animals in the grass, and my own breath as I was running.  I actually felt PEACEFUL as I ran as fast as I could and listened to my heartbeat. 

For the first time in a long time, I felt ALIVE and that is the best part.  Since I got the Garmin, my whole attitude on working out has changed.  Because of dance, I thought I always had to have music and make the workout fun.  But now, I see that working out is a sort of therapy- it is impossible to be unhappy after a run and my head felt clearer than ever.  Being outdoors, feeling the sun shine on my shoulders and the burn in my legs are all things that I never felt inside on a machine.  I know it works for some, but I really prefer being outside.  The only part I hate is snakes- I have seen a few on the trail (dead thankfully) and even had a groundhog charge at me, but I take mace and hope that it works on animal attacks.  All in all, I am starting to love to run (ok, it's not running, just a really slow jog, but it takes practice I guess).  I am excited to see how different things will be a year from now- I have  feeling I will be able to say the Garmin changed my life- I can see it already.

Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

I have been a follower of the amazing Ree Drummond aka "The Pioneer Woman" long before she became so famous. I am absolutely into everything she does and says! When I got her to autograph my cookbook, I almost died of excitement.
I just got her book "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" which tells the ultra romantic story of meeting her cowboy husband. You'll laugh, cry, want to book a flight to Oklahoma, and won't be able to put the book down.
I highly recommend RUNNING out to get your own copy or heading straight to Amazon to buy it.