July 19, 2010

Small Business Owner - Day 1

Already, I am SO READY to have all of the details out of the way and start working.  This morning has been filled with the joy that is trying to get my business license.  Turns out I have to get a letter from my homeowners association saying that it’s okay for me to have a home office…SERIOUSLY?  And the worst part is Greg seems to think it’s going to be a hard thing to get…UGH!!

On to other errands like opening a bank account and getting the documents I need for health insurance.  Hopefully, this will not be as difficult.  The great thing is, once it’s done, no need to do it over!

Overall, I’m still positive this is the right decision!  Wish me luck!

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June 28, 2010

The Changes Begin Now

So, I’ve not posted a blog in QUITE some time.  However, I felt the need today to express all of the happiness that I feel for the changes that are taking place in my life.  I have made some pretty tough and exciting decisions in the past few months that have turned my life upside down…and I couldn’t be happier. 

In the last 6 months I have learned quite a few lessons about what marriage is and what it takes to grow that relationship.  I have found a new belief in myself that was fostered by the belief my husband had in me.  I have become excited again about life and what it has in store for me.

And so the changes begin.  And here are the things I promise myself…

1)  I recently resigned from my job and plan on starting my own business.  I acknowledge that this road will be difficult, and there are sure to be bumps along the way.  I promise myself that no matter what happens, whether my business is sustainable or not, I will look at this decision as a success.  I will give this time to build and grow, and I won’t get discouraged if it doesn’t start overnight.

2)  I will continue to work on my building strength in my marriage.  I have learned in the past 6 months how blessed I am to have such an amazing partner.  I promise to continue to build on the solid foundation that we have made.  I promise to put my marriage first.

3)  I have really let the gym and my running slide off in the past few months.  I promise to give myself the gift of good health by getting out and getting active, not because I want to be a size 2, but because of how good it makes me feel.  I promise not to focus on the scale, but to focus on the enjoyment that I get from beating my best time or finishing a long race.

4)  I will let myself enjoy this time in my life.  Life can change at the drop of a hat, so focusing completely on the future could lead to a lot of wasted time.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m always going to make decisions to set me on the right future path.  However, I promise that I will not let the future keep me from living in the now and enjoying the blessings that I have in my life right now.

And so, as I end my day I am thankful for the twist my life is taking and I look forward to the happiness that tomorrow will bring!

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November 20, 2009

Off to the Airport

I’m off…to NC!  In a few short hours I will be embracing my beloved Anita and shining my brightest smile!  Then tomorrow, I’ll get to do the same to the beautiful, future Mrs. Brooks!  Life is good!!!

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October 19, 2009
For my Mommie in Red

For my Mommie in Red

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So, Saturday (Oct 17) I participated in the Northeast Florida Race for the Cure.  It was a 5K race downtown on our first truly chilly morning of the fall.  For anyone that’s been reading my blog or talks to me every so often, you will know that I have been trying to work on being able to run my first full 5K in hopes of finishing the Gate River Run in March.  1 week ago, on October 9th, I ran my first full mile without stopping, which was a huge accomplishment in my book. Well, Saturday, I completed my first full 5K run!  I am so excited and so proud of myself!!  I never dreamed that I could go from not being able to do a 1/2 mile to a little over 3 in 2 weeks!  At the risk of sounding like I just won an academy award, a few people I have to thank for this. First, Chris and Katie Prevatt for being so super supportive and encouraging me to enter my first races even though I sucked/suck :) Also, Dave the trainer for teaching me about interval training and taking 18 lbs off me. Cathy the evil coworker and Sharon for doing all these races with me.  Also, a second thank you to Cathy the eveil coworker for going out drinking WITHOUT me on Friday night…I couldn’t have done it with you ;) Greg for telling me how proud you are of me every time I make a small goal.  No matter how small the accomplishment, you are SO EXCITED for me and I can’t tell you how much it means. And last but not least, to Debbie Serra, my Mommie in red…I ran this race in celebration of you and that is what kept me going anytime I thought about stopping to walk.  I did this race for you!  I love you! Next stop…Gate River Run!!

So, Saturday (Oct 17) I participated in the Northeast Florida Race for the Cure.  It was a 5K race downtown on our first truly chilly morning of the fall.  For anyone that’s been reading my blog or talks to me every so often, you will know that I have been trying to work on being able to run my first full 5K in hopes of finishing the Gate River Run in March.  1 week ago, on October 9th, I ran my first full mile without stopping, which was a huge accomplishment in my book.

Well, Saturday, I completed my first full 5K run!  I am so excited and so proud of myself!!  I never dreamed that I could go from not being able to do a 1/2 mile to a little over 3 in 2 weeks!  At the risk of sounding like I just won an academy award, a few people I have to thank for this.

First, Chris and Katie Prevatt for being so super supportive and encouraging me to enter my first races even though I sucked/suck :)

Also, Dave the trainer for teaching me about interval training and taking 18 lbs off me.

Cathy the evil coworker and Sharon for doing all these races with me.  Also, a second thank you to Cathy the eveil coworker for going out drinking WITHOUT me on Friday night…I couldn’t have done it with you ;)

Greg for telling me how proud you are of me every time I make a small goal.  No matter how small the accomplishment, you are SO EXCITED for me and I can’t tell you how much it means.

And last but not least, to Debbie Serra, my Mommie in red…I ran this race in celebration of you and that is what kept me going anytime I thought about stopping to walk.  I did this race for you!  I love you!

Next stop…Gate River Run!!

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October 9, 2009

1 mile!!!

Today, I accomplished what is, for me, a huge goal.  Today I ran my first mile non-stop.  I know, to most this would sound like no big deal, but it means I’m one step closer to my 5K and Gate River Run goals.  AND I did it RIGHT AFTER a 45 minute workout with my trainer!

I was SO excited afterward that I couldn’t WAIT to share my news, so I called Greg.  I figured he would say, “That’s awesome!” and move on, but he made such a huge deal about it!  It felt really great to have him be so supportive, which in turn made me even more excited! 

HOORAY FOR ME!!

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September 18, 2009
chrisandcaroline-myheart: do you know when was the last time i got manicure? never. that’s when it was. for years, i did the acrylic stuff, but once i had Caroline, i traded in the fake stuff for some Hard as Nails. on mother’s day, i won a gift certificate at church for being the youngest (at 33, imagine that!) mom. i cashed her in today on my lunch hour and got my digits did. i feel sassy and ready for the weekend! This is my old roommate Anita.  When I lived with Anita, she was the manicure QUEEN!!  That girl was ALWAYS doing her nails (I’m surprised she didn’t file them all off).  Guaranteed they’ll be filed down and a different color by Sunday ;) They look great Anita!  Glad you got to treat yourself!!

chrisandcaroline-myheart:

do you know when was the last time i got manicure?

never. that’s when it was.

for years, i did the acrylic stuff, but once i had Caroline, i traded in the fake stuff for some Hard as Nails. on mother’s day, i won a gift certificate at church for being the youngest (at 33, imagine that!) mom.

i cashed her in today on my lunch hour and got my digits did.

i feel sassy and ready for the weekend!

This is my old roommate Anita.  When I lived with Anita, she was the manicure QUEEN!!  That girl was ALWAYS doing her nails (I’m surprised she didn’t file them all off).  Guaranteed they’ll be filed down and a different color by Sunday ;)

They look great Anita!  Glad you got to treat yourself!!

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August 17, 2009

LOST

One more thing…I started watching LOST Season 1 over the weekend and I’m SO into it (Like I need another TV show to be addicted to).  I had no clue it was so entertaining.  I’m a little over half way through the first season, and here are my thoughts:

Kate is ANNOYING!  And she’s not even the hottest chick on the island.  Why the love triangle around HER?  I mean, I know there aren’t a lot of options, but come on.  One more lady could have survived the plane crash!

The good doc is totally getting PLAYED.  Kate is going to break his heart.  She is way more suited for a bad boy like….

Sawyer!!  HOTTIE!!  Enough said.  (While Kate is more suited for a bad boy, I still hope she doesn’t get the bad boy either.  I’m much rather see her alone and crazy like the French chick)

I hope the kill Shannon off soon also.  I mean, really…if they showed her character as much as Kate, no one would be able to make it through the show.

Again…just some random thoughts. 

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Just because…

I’m posting, not because I really have anything wonderful or life changing to say.  I’m posting just because.  Just because I haven’t posted in over 2 months.  Insane amounts of traveling over the past two months have left me pretty worn down, but I’m trying to get back into the swing of things.

To do this, Greg and I joined the gym together and enlisted the help of a personal trainer (who is kicking my butt).  His mission 1) to give me that rock hard, kick butt body I’ve always wanted and 2) to get me in shape for the Gate River Run next year.  Let’s see if he can do it.  Somehow I’m thinking that it won’t be as easy as it was in my 20s ;)  I have 1 pair of jeans that are my measure for the first goal.  I bought them in NY when I went for my 25th birthday.  And of course, a finisher medal for the Gate River Run will be my measure for the second.

Other than that, it’s status quo.  Hmmm….I’m feeling like a need a new project….

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June 2, 2009

Next stop…Venice

So, I’m leaving for Venice on Saturday for a business trip.  While I’m not excited about being away from home yet another weekend, I am SUPER excited about getting to be in Venice for the day/night on Sunday.  HOORAY!!!

Then, on Monday morning it’s off to Schio which is 45 minutes outside of Venice.  We will be spending the rest of the week here visiting with a vendor. 

Then on Friday night, I’m back to my own bed!

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