Updates

I can't believe we've almost made it through the end of January already! Atlanta has been really lucky so far, weather-wise. Only a few really cold days, but mostly in the 50s and 60s. I'll take that in January any time. Although we're almost a month into the new year, I'm still happy to report that I'm feeling really motivated to work on all of my 2012 goals. Lately I've:

-Lost a couple of pounds. Not much, but something.
-Joined a gym! I'm actually really excited about this.
-Have not shopped. At all. No clothes, home items, nothing. I am most proud of this one!
-Have been saving money other ways as well--less eating out!
-Reserved a copy of The Happiness Project at the library (saving money and reading more). Excited about this one too...picking up my copy tonight!
-Doing a painting party/girls' wine night tomorrow night. This counts as taking a class, right?

Lots of fun things happening over here. I had a bummer of a day yesterday, for various (mostly work related reasons), so I'm happy that today is a new, happy day, and that I can think about all the wonderful things I'm doing with my life in 2012. Its easy to get bogged down by the little things, but always important to remember all the good.

Now I want to focus on the Great Closet Cleanout and donate/consign some things that are not perfect for me. I need to get over my want for quantity in the closet, and shoot more for quality items that I love. Working on this next, and working more on shopping in my own closet!

How are your resolutions holding up? Any awesome stories or tips to share?

Fabulous rainy day

I woke up this morning to thunderstorms! I love storms and rainy weather in general, and I submit that waking up to a summer thunderstorm on a Friday (when you get to leave work a little early:) is the very best way to wake up. I know, its even better on a Saturday with no where to go and nothing to do...but an early afternoon is the closest I can get today.

I'm very excited about going to the Emily Giffin book signing tonight with my friend Lauren. Ms. Giffin is one of my favorite authors, and she's also a WFU alum! There's going to be a meet and greet for all the Deacs, followed by the signing of her new book in the Buckhead Borders tonight. Any friends in Atlanta, you should stop by!

Otherwise, I think this weekend will be a busy, but good one. John and I are attending my friend Claire's birthday dinner party on Saturday, and then heading to Avenue Q. I'm so excited to see what the funny Tony-winning musical is all about. I think we'll also visit the High this weekend so he can check out the Automobile exhibit that I saw last weekend. I'm almost ashamed to admit that my most favorite part of the weekend will probably be when J installs my new ceiling fan for me! Heaven!

What are y'all up to this weekend? Something fabulous, I hope :)

Bran muffin--check
Giant cup of ice water--check
Plenty of work to keep me busy--check

Not a bad way to start Tuesday. Last night I lost all motivation I had for going to the gym, so instead I sat by the pool, talked to Erin on the phone and read God Save the Sweet Potato Queens (excellent follow up to the Sweet Potato Queen's Book of Love...they are my heros and I aspire to be like them one day). I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and continued my evening of relaxation by watching Greek and a little Jon and Kate and eating ice cream for dinner, and then I went to bed. I'm actually kind of hoping tonight will be exactly the same: relaxing, boring (in a good way) and stress free. I definitely should take advantage of the pool more often, but I need to invest in some mosquito repellent first! Maybe tonight I'll finally force myself to go to Target or the grocery store. And then I hopefully (finally) get to see Andrew tomorrow night! Yay!

Hope everyone is having a great day so far!

Rain+dark sky=extra caffiene needed.

Back in ATL after a fabulous Raleigh weekend. I purposely didn't make many plans while I was home this weekend, and that was an excellent call on my part. It was nice to be at home, run errands and shop with Mom, and just generally hang around town and relax. I always forget just how relaxing it is to be in my hometown. Home is peaceful and quiet and green everywhere. You can actually hear birds and insects and not the usual city noise I'm used to now. Atlanta is many things, but "relaxing" isn't really one of them. At least I haven't really discovered my relaxing places here just yet. I have very ambitious plans for exploring Piedmont Park and going to free concert Wednesdays in Centennial Park all summer, but as of right now the most relaxing place I can go around here is the mall (I know, I'm strange..the mall has always relaxed me). But, I really need a place to go where I don't spend tons of cash:)

Needless to say, I had a lovely time in good old NC and didn't do anything terribly special. The book sale was great (I fed my art history habit and got a ton of great/huge art history books...too bad I couldn't bring them back to ATL on the plane. oops) and I had an awesome dinner with Erin on Saturday night at North Hills. I did some quality window shopping by myself before I met her and soaked in a little of the place where I used to spend soo much of my time. It was really nice. The creme brulee cheesecake I had at dinner made me very happy too!

As great as the weekend was, I was ready to come back south yesterday afternoon. I take this as a good sign, considering how torn I've been feeling lately..missing home and feel lonely and whatnot. But I'm hoping that was just a little phase of the last few weeks. Something about May (the best month of the year, in my opinion) has given me a new lease on life.

Last night once I got back home from the airport, I went to A's house where he made me delicious fajitas, even though it was raining too much to grill outside, and we watched bad Sunday night tv as usual. I've been dragging this morning, despite my best efforts to caffienate with the extra bold brew. Tonight I'm looking forward to doing some laundry, unpacking from the weekend and going to bed early. I'm finally taking my work exam on Wednesday morning, so its like final exam cram time for me for the next two days. I feel like a college student again! If only..
I hope y'all had excellent weekends too and are having a happy Monday:)