resolute

It's snowing again today. The big, fluffy kind of snowflakes perfect for getting stuck on tongues. I'm off work yet again, so I've had a lot of time to think about my 2012 resolutions and what I want to make a priority in 2013. I've also had far too much time to think about what I'm wearing tonight.

A quick look at my 2012 resolutions shows I did mediocre at best this year.

1. Learn Spanish: #fail.

2. Work out three times a week: got much better at this after joining Woodside in June.

3. Go to church: I went, but certainly not every week.

4. Eat more veggies: this got better with joining Woodside, although I still indulge in cheeseburgers and fries enough to stay happy and sane.

5. Read 12 books: the final count, assuming I finish Life of Pi today, will be 6 complete books and 4 halves. Dangit.

But I must say this year was a wonderful one, full of travel, friends, an amazing football season, and life-changing experiences. So this year, on top of keeping up with #2-5 from above, I have set the following resolutions, which are more about life enhancements than restrictions.

In 2013 I will....

1. Reserve more moments for quiet mindedness. This could be prayer, reading, or meditation, but time with a screen in front of my face does not count.

2. Participate in more dance parties.

3. Take a cooking class.

4. See more live music. This past year I saw some great shows (Foster the People, Jason Mraz, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Old Crow Medicine Show) but there's always room for improvement.

5. Distance myself from negative people.

6. Save money for a DSLR camera, buy one, take a class or two, and use it.

Happy New Year's Eve! I hope you have a wonderful night with lots of champagne and sparkles.

images // 1, 2

bucket list: be part of a startup

Since the age of 9 (whether I was technically aware of it or not) I have wanted to be an entrepreneur.

Yep. You read that right. Nine. Entrepreneur.
I learned that word from my dad, who worked long hours during my childhood to keep his company thriving.

There weren't any briefcases on my Christmas list or Excel spreadsheets in my dreams.

There were many late nights sketching apparel designs and inventing clothing store names.

While my dreams of being the owner of the best Delia's knock-off store have dissipated (at nine, Delia's was the coolest), my ambition to be part of a new company has not.

I didn't start my own business, yet.
But this past month (as I vaguely mentioned here), I became a founding member of one.
There have been lots of ups, a few downs, some restless nights, and many glasses of wine consumed since I quit my old job two Fridays ago.

Perhaps the best part of this whole experience so far is creating a company culture I can be proud of, and have an influential part of.
That, and I got to write the copy for the website.

It's a crazy thing, really. Leaving something old and familiar and hoping that your professional relationships and drive are enough to launch and sustain a a brand new venture.
I don't talk much about my corporate life on the blog, and I don't plan to much after this post, but I just had to share the exciting news.
It's hard to believe I get to cross this off the bucket list. I thought for sure I'd be at least 40 before an opportunity like this came around.

Here's to hoping hard work pays off!
Now I do believe it's just about wine time...

Image credit.

tradition

Something to know about my family: we LOVE the 4th of July. Like so much that I was the Statue of Liberty and my brother was Uncle Sam one year for Halloween. Side note: find that picture and post it.

When I was younger, the annual celebration of the red white and blue included a flag cake (like this one, but where you see fruit, substitute more icing), silly old school Americana music blaring throughout the house, and a neighborhood firework show in the middle of the street. The master of ceremonies (aka man with the lighter) was my Dad who had a special "fireworks" outfit. (Again, wishing Facebook was around in the early '90s so I could quickly find a picture of said outfit.) Some years we'd even have a shaving cream party and run around in the sprinklers afterwards. Is this normal? It was for me. 

When my parents bought a lake house in 1997, we started a new tradition of celebrating the 4th of July at the Ozarks. The first four years we would invite family members or a small group of family friends. Then in 2001 my parents had the brilliant idea of inviting three families that would change what the 4th of July means to me for good. It's still a holiday spent focusing on celebrating this country I'm a big fan of, but for our families, it's also a holiday rich in tradition.

What kinds of rich traditions? Let me enlighten you....

The first night dance party 

Healthy eating

Family competitions

An occasional alcoholic beverage

You didn't really think I'd write two sappy essay-posts in one week, did you?

Love these families, love the memories, and love celebrating America! Thanks to these two for getting the party started back in 2001, I can't wait for this year!

cutest rents <3

What is your 4th of July celebration like? Do we share any of the same traditions? 

cheers

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It's one of those weeks where every night is booked with a cause for celebration. Monday will have been the only day I abstained from alcohol over an 11 day stretch. Today is day 7, and the effects of my social calendar are setting in. Last night I had dreams about being a refugee and I am weirdly craving a group fitness class.

But I guess I'll continue boozing it up with my friends/co-workers/family/bf until all the reasons to celebrate are over.... Until the next round of happy hours. Isn't it funny how they all hit at the same time?

Cheers!