A New Blogging Adventure

For months now, this blog has sat here...unused. I've decided that must mean that my life is fairly boring/uninteresting. 

I have a hard time coming up with topics to blog about that could even be remotely interesting. Now, I do have a few left in my arsenal and hope to share them with the world one day, but for right now, we'll say this little blog is going on a hiatus.

 I'm pretty sure you all don't want to read about how I went to work and then came home and sat on the couch and didn't clean anything.

However, that doesn't mean I'm going to stop blogging/writing because it's one of the many things I love to do. Since I'm surrounded by books all day and have many opportunities to read, I started a book blog - She Reads Books. {click the graphic below to visit my new blog!}

So, if you're hankering for a good book to read, wander on over and take a look. I'm also open to book suggestions!

A Lot Can Happen in Two Months

source :: artpixie @ tumblr

So, interweb friends, it's been a long time since I blogged. It's been two whole months!! {yikes} And, in that time, some wonderful things have happened in our household.

In February, I was officially hired on by the library system I was working for as a temp. It feels amazing to be an actual employee again with benefits and vacation time. I love my coworkers and the work environment. I have been having a great time and have been learning so much!

In March, I celebrated my birthday and got older. Many cupcakes were devoured that day...and some donuts too. {calories don't count on your birthday, right?}

In April, the little man got bigger. He's three months old and a super piggie that we all love. We celebrated Easter on a beautiful day! And, my friend Lindsey came to Nashville to run the Country Music Half Marathon with Mr. GrapeJuice and me this past weekend. Well, Lindsey and I ran the half marathon. My husband, who is a rock star that I couldn't be more proud of, completed his first marathon!!!!! 

{don't worry. i ran with shoes on. i just took those puppies off as soon as i could!}

Here's to an awesome month of May...and more blogging too, hopefully!

But Sock

So, I've been a little MIA from the blog-o-sphere and have definitely fallen behind in my WeVerb 14 reflection, but I promise you it was for a good reason! =]

My "totes adorbs" nephew was born on Thursday!

Mom and baby are doing just fine. They went home from the hospital yesterday.

This is a picture of my niece the day her little brother was born.

She is so excited to be a big sister!!!

On the way to the hospital Saturday morning, my niece drew a picture of her new baby brother.

Then, of course, the obligatory aunt picture.

And, Mr. GrapeJuice and I may or may not have had one of these moments because babies are so sweet and cuddly.

{day twenty-two} That's the Motto

Do you have a motto/quote/saying for 2014? 

Or a guiding one for your life?

source :: pinterest

{day twenty-one} Books are Portable Magic

What do you want to read about this year?

source :: facebook

This prompt made me chuckle this morning because I'm desperately trying to find a book to read. Being as I work in a library, I have several on hold, but they haven't come in yet. I want to delve into a story but can't figure out which one will suit me best. =]

Reading is one of my favorite past times, and it baffles me when people say they don't like to read. I have no problem with their choice; I just don't understand what about it isn't alluring. I love "travelling" to new and exciting worlds and feeling new stories and pains along with the characters.

source :: pinterest

A couple of years ago, I worked with a woman who loved to read, but she couldn't picture the scenes that were being described in the books. All she saw in her head when she read was the words she was reading. That takes some serious dedication and love. I'm not sure if I would want to read if all that I saw in my head was words, but I have very active imagination so I don't have to worry too much about that being a problem.

In 2014, I still have a goal to read 50+ books. I fell a short last year so I'm hoping to read more and watch TV less this year! I will not be a slave to television. I also want to read more non-fiction books this year. I just have to find a good subject matter because factual books aren't necessarily my favorites. There's not much in them that you can design with your mind, which is one of my favorite parts of reading.

source :: pinterest

{day twenty} Find Your Happiness

How did you make space + peace for yourself in 2013?

How will you increase that in 2014?

source :: good vibes 4 you @tumblr

I made peace for myself by letting go of the things that were holding me back and dragging me down. I constantly felt like I was treading water, and who wants to live like that? So, I figured out what was giving me all my gray hairs and all the knots in my back, and walked away from it. Eventually, I would like to move to the beach, but right now I am perfectly content enjoying my less stressful life. And I like it that way!

{day sixteen} Do You Wanna See a Movie?

What movie(s) did you see in 2013 that you would recommend to a friend to watch?

source :: pinterest

I really, really do. I love them almost as much as I love books. Of course, the books are always better than the movie. That's a no brainer. You can get so much more back story from a book than you can a movie. 

Now, as I was getting this post ready, it occurred to me that I have pretty much already written it - here. So, rather than inundating with the same information, you can just go there to read about my recs. I'm sure there were other movies released in 2013 that I loved, but those two stick out the most!

Also, in you are curious, there's talk about turning Frozen into a Broadway musical. I die!!! One - I would love to play Anna. Two - I just want to see how it translates to the stage. {here's the article}

source :: frozen disney

{day fifteen} Stand Up for What is Right

Is there someone you want to emulate in 2014?

Who and why?

source :: imgur

I'm sure this will come as no surprise as we all love her wit and honesty, but I want to emulate J-Law in 2014. She wants to fight the image of women in the media, and I totally agree. We should be proud of our bodies. Now, that doesn't mean we should walk around stuffing our faces with fast food and cake every day, of course! Having a healthy self image is what it's all about; let's fight eating disorders and bad self-images together!!

source :: pinterest

I'm not a teacher anymore "officially," but I will always have a knack for it so for that I will emulate Nancy Carlsson-Paige. If you don't already know, she is Matt Damon's mom. She was a teacher, and now she is speaking out about how school has just become an evaluation process with no real learning. Teaching is not what it used to be, and after being in the school system for 3.5 years, I will always advocate for learning instead of testing. Education today needs to change. We are doing a disservice to children by putting them face down in books instead of encouraging learning through experience. A test does not show you the full value of a child; they are so much more than a score on a piece of paper.

source :: pinterest

{day fourteen} Choices, Chances, Changes

You've been asked to give a 2 minute presentation on "my biggest lesson of 2013" to a group of friends/colleges/family members/etc. Use any medium you'd like to share.

source :: facebook

Life is hard and all about different choices. I hate making choices, don't you? I mean, what if you make the wrong one? What if what you thought was a good idea does not turn out the way you were planning? In 2013 though, I learned that making those tough decisions can be the best thing that ever happened to you! Doing what you love and being happy is irreplaceable in today's world. Remember that! =]

source :: pinterest

{day thirteen} Your Talent is a Gift

What creativity or talent did you cultivate in 2013?

What do you want to enhance this year?

source :: life as a culinary girl @ wordpress

I started writing in 2013. More than just blogging, actually formulating stories and putting them together. It's been a weird process but a fun experience. The past couple of months things have sat a little idle, but I'm hoping to pick them back up again soon. I'm like a solar panel, the more sun - the more energy and inspiration I have.

So, in 2014, I'm hoping to continue enhancing this skill. I want to finish the story I started and see how it all turns out, even if I'm the only one that ever reads it. =]

source :: secrets n treasures @ blogspot

{day twelve} Rumbly in my Tumbly

What was your favorite food item/ingredient in 2013?

What do you want to eat more and less of in 2014?

source :: we heart it

Okay, so, if you read my blog at all the second half of last year, then you should already know the answer to what my favorite food item was in 2013. I'll remind you though - cookie butter.

source :: pinterest

I mean, I even created a whole Pinterest board about it - C is for Cookie Butter - because I love it so. I also made cupcakes using the beautiful butter. {recipe}

Now, my plans for 2014 are to somewhat avoid the stuff because it's not that healthy for you. Surprise, surprise, right? =] My goal, however, is to eat as clean as possible. More fresh food and less processed! 

source :: love this pic

{day eleven} What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

What personal strengths will you use this year that you developed in 2013?

source :: pinterest

Towards the end of 2013, my friend Mary and I began a campaign for a healthier life. We don't live anywhere near each other so we text each other encouragement every day...sometimes multiple times a day! This is a personal strength that I hope to continue to develop in 2014. I am a very dedicated individual so I am committed to making healthy choices in my life for myself and my husband. Here's to my success in 2014!

{day ten} Help with Your Heart

How did you volunteer your help last year?

What will you do this year?

source :: devrick @ wordpress

In 2013, I stopped teaching. I could get into a lot of details about it and jump on my soapbox, but I won't. However, I did give a lot of my time while being a teacher. I also worked at a private, religiously-affiliated school, which means that my salary was super tiny. I viewed my time as a teacher there as a service to my community. I gave countless hours to my classroom, the children in it and in the school, and their parents to give them the best positive school experience.

As for 2014, I'm not sure what volunteer work it's going to bring me, but I'm excited to see what it will be. I have a feeling it might involve hours of babysitting my niece once her little brother gets here in a couple weeks!

{day nine} Laughter is the Best Medicine

Tell us your biggest belly laugh in 2013.

source :: pinterest

This is a tough one because I laugh a lot. I'm one those people that always finds humor in situations - good or bad. I'll be honest, I've laughed when friends have fallen. There's one particular memory that springs to mind. I laughed when my friend supermanned the sidewalk. It was one of the best days ever which solidified our friendship and brought us even closer. We laughed for hours after that and still laugh about it today. 

As for the biggest belly laugh of 2013, I can't remember a particular moment. When I was teaching, I would get very tickled by the little ones in my room and their actions. I had a great time sharing their stories with my family. I do know that Mr. GrapeJuice makes me laugh really hard all.the.time. We does some of the goofiest things, whether he means to or not. Sometimes he'll change the words to songs to make me laugh, and other times he has blonde moments that make my day.

Laughter is a huge part of my life, and it makes everything better - even when you don't want to laugh!

source :: pinterest

{day eight} Imperfections are Beautiful

What imperfection have you come to accept in your life in 2013?

How will you embrace it more in 2014?

source :: pinterest

So, I'm really bad about cleaning my house and following through on things I tell my husband I'll do and being more proactive about life. I sit around on the couch all day and do nothing when I have a day off. I don't like that about myself. I blogged about it a little here. I'm hoping that in 2014 - coming to this realization about myself in 2013 - I can be a little better. I can be on top of all the things that I'm supposed to do and not just be a lazy slob. =]

source :: pinterest