Life Overhaul

Have you ever just gotten to a point in life where certain things or maybe even everything just needs an overhaul?

I have definitely hit that point recently in a couple areas of my life.

I am not sure what the specific plans are to change each of those areas, but the holidays are usually a time of reflection for me anyway. Hopefully over the next several weeks, I will come up with a solid game plan to change the things I want to change.

I don’t want to wait for the new year and make resolutions. Because I can’t typically seem to stick to those anyway. I want the change to happen now. I want to love the life I’m living and be happy in who I am and what I do right now.

I think this started sinking in when my grandfather passed away in July. Looking through his old pictures, he loved what he did and he loved the life that he lead. I don’t feel like he had any major regrets. I could be wrong but it seemed as though he was proud of the life he had lived. As I sat there realizing that, I also began realizing I didn’t enjoy and wasn’t super proud of certain aspects of my life.

Don’t worry, it has only taken 5 months for me to come to the end of my rope on all of those aspects.

So, over the next several weeks I am going to find a way to overhaul these areas:

~ Work: It is time to find something I enjoy and can be proud of.

~Weight: I am the heaviest I have ever been and am not living healthily.

~ Wife: I want to be the best wife I can be and keep my hubby excited to be mine.

~ Walk: My faith is strong right now but I want to fully dive into knowing what I believe and why.

That’s where things are at!

Stay tuned! I will definitely be sharing my game plans and how they are going.

See ya!

Rainy Day Musings

We have finally had a cooler day with some rain here! So happy about that! And it was on a day that I had off form work! I’ve gotten some things done around the house but I have also just enjoyed my day. I will admit I was a bit lazy. But honestly, over the month of June, that just wasn’t even an option. There was so much going on all the time in June that it was just go go go all month long. I think more people need to take life breaks every now and then. We as a society need to take some time to just refresh.

Why we should refresh:

~ We come out more focused after. By taking even a couple hours or simply a bath to relax and refresh we push the reset button and are able to come back more focused on the work at hand or the life issue that stands before us. It helps us take a step back and see things from a different angle.

~ We don’t implode. I don’t know about you, but if I don’t take time to refresh and relax I tend to implode and damage relationships around me. I end up hurting others and myself in the process. We again are able to take a step back and see things from a different angle and see how our actions affect those around us.

~ We are happier! Who doesn’t want to be happier?! I know that is always a goal for me! By taking time away from your duties and just enjoying You time, it makes your overall sense of happiness more prominent. So take that time to relax and refresh!

~ We realize the world does not revolve around us. Refreshing really helps take us out of ourselves and realize that there is more to this world that our stresses. There is more going on than just our issues. That in and of itself helps us refresh, or at least it helps me refresh and relax. I love realizing it is not all about me. Probably just my personality type lol.

Time to go enjoy the rest of my day off before heading back to the retail world tomorrow!

See ya!

Summer Time

It is summer time and I wish I could say the living is easy. Life has been so hectic lately. I honestly don’t even know where the month of June went. Next thing I knew, it was July. I traveled in June, celebrated a birthday (yay me), had family in town, and did lots of working. I have had some time to spend outside. That has been quite lovely! Although, it has also been insanely warm. Not so lovely. I have already said to TJ on multiple occasions how ready I am for it to be fall and winter. I’m ready for chillier nights, warm drinks, sweaters, skiing. I’m ready to not be baking in my own bed every time I go to sleep.

Anyway, enough of me ranting. Nobody likes to read that at least for too long.

Let’s see, what news do I have to share…

Matt has moved back in to our house. Yay! He is less stressed and we enjoy having him and his lovely little lady dog Korra. She is such a cutie and already considers herself part of the pack.

TJ will be working his last shift at REI this coming Saturday. He will move on to work at a smaller retailer store where I think he will be much happier.

I am actively seeking new work. I am really looking for some virtual assistant work where I can spend a little more time at home with my boys and have a more flexible schedule as well. Finding that kind of work is a lot harder than it looks.

Faelyn and Halo are doing great! They do not want to be outside too much now that it is hot. I can’t even imagine how hot it must be having all of that hair!

Right now I am reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. It is a really weird but interesting read.

We are in the middle or rather nearing the end of watching through Scrubs. If you haven’t watched it, its hilarious.

We have finally found a church and are settled in there! So happy to have a church family now!

I think that about sums up everything that is currently going on!

Until next time,

See ya!

Less Than One Week

Oh man, I can’t believe it is less than a week until I go to Hawaii! I was definitely planning on posting more this month and time just flew by so quickly. I know I say I am going to post more every month but I really had some great blog posts that I wanted to share! That just means I will have to post some of them this week or after I get back! 

We have been super busy here in the Ridges and Ripples household. TJ and I have both been working non-stop it feels like. We are continuing to work non-stop until we leave for Hawaii. Needless to say, our dogs are not happy about that. It is so hard when you are working constantly and it is blazing hot outside to get your huskies out for a walk or a run or a hike. They get overheated so easily. Hopefully, after Hawaii things will settle down a little bit and I can get them out a little more easily. 

I am so looking forward to this getaway! It means almost two weeks of not having to hear from or think about work. It means almost two weeks of time with TJ, whereas right now I’m lucky if I get a couple hours in the evening before bed. I have to say, having a zip-line guide for a husband can really put a strain in a relationship. The schedule is insane and the amount of exertion he puts his body through everyday means he is exhausted when he comes home. It can be tough. This summer has definitely made our marriage insanely strong. It has tested both of us in ways we never would’ve imagined. It has made me a stronger wife. It has also made me realize that if he does this again next year, I need a different job that allows me to be home more and have a more flexible schedule so that I can spend more time with him. 

Hawaii is going to be great! I am going to relax and refresh. I am definitely going to come back with lots of pictures and stories to share! I may just stay and live there. Who knows? Lol!

Now off to finish out the week before I can play!

See ya!

December 5: Today’s Temperature

I am so glad that today’s topic is the temperature! Winter has seriously hit Denver and this post could not have come at a better time! We have had frigid temperatures the last couple of days with today being the coldest! Here is the temperature as it stands right now:

 

Yup, that’s right. It is 0 degrees outside. It got up to about 9 today, not even hitting the double digits! When I woke up at 5:30 this morning, it was -7. Oh buddy, that was cold! Its crazy that it went from 60 on Monday to 9 today.  What is that?! Gotta love the crazy Denver weather!

Hope its warmer in your neck of the woods!

 

Life, Life, and more Life

Wow, so I guess when I said I was back to the land of the living, I was joking? I can’t believe it has been a month already since I have posted last. Crap. Well, I know everyone has busy lives and I shouldn’t be complaining. I honestly just do not know how you guys do it. I cannot seem to keep up with everything. There is work and then there is looking for other work and then there is getting outdoors before it gets too too cold. (We did however already have a dusting of snow!) Then there is all the housework and church and friends. I feel winded just talking about it.

This week I have an excuse though! Not only did I almost my usual 40 hours. I have been sick all week. I spend one of my days off last week sleeping basically. I was sick the whole week. And then yesterday I had to call off of work because I was more sick than I was earlier in the week. Let me just tell you, not a great way to spend your days off.

There was a major shift at work this week. That also made me not really want to do anything else when I got home. Needless to say, it was a shift that is making me wonder why I am still there. I have a feeling I will be keeping an eye out for some different employment. It may not be a right away change but I am less reluctant to look for other work now.

I do have some great stuff I want to post about later this week. So keep an eye out! I do plan (I know I keep saying this) on posting more so hopefully I can keep up with that!

See ya!

Back to the Land of the living!

I’m back! I have slacked so much on this lately. I’ve really slacked on a lot besides work. I was feeling it this morning. I had been putting so much focus and thought into work and nothing else that it had really just gotten me down. I was so very aware of how much I need a work life balance. Also that I didn’t have it! Haha! But, I have come back and I promise I will do my best to be more regular on here! I have some great ideas for posts coming down the line so I can’t wait for you guys to see them!

Do you guys have something that you want to see on the blog? Or more of on the blog?

Today, on my completely free day off, I decided to go hiking. I thought I was going to go hiking in Alderfer/ Three Sisters open space park… Well then, I must have parked near a beehive because a massive amount of bees decided to chase me around the parking lot. Needless to say, that made me not want to hike there the rest of the day. So, instead we went to Red Rocks. I got some more pretty pictures. Love it! It was a nice short hike but we drove down from Evergreen along Bear Creak. The creek is usually a nice low creek. Nothing crazy. Driving alongside today, it was super high and super fast. It was white water. So ridiculous!

Anyway, there was a lot of damage done by these floods, so keep the families in your prayers that were affected by these floods!

Here is the pictures from Red Rocks:

They may a little bit blurry, but I love Red Rocks. So beautiful up there!

See ya!

P.S. This showed up in my email today. Check out this link to get the info and join the Automattic WorldWide WP 5k. I’m totally going to do it! You should join me! It’s coming up!

Update on Life

Hey guys!

So sorry for not posting a whole lot lately. It has been crazy. I have been super busy with work and then on the days that I actually have off, I am either trying to work on projects or out hiking just trying to find some refreshment from the craziness of working retail. I am realizing more and more that honestly, I am not meant for corporate retail. Things have just so tiring lately. 

Anyway, I can’t remember if I have posted on here about TJ and I starting to run. Did I? Well, if I haven’t, we started running about a month ago. Nothing super fast or anything. I have an app on my phone called Runkeeper and we started a training program that is beginner to 5k. We ran 2 straight miles the other day. I must say I was proud of myself for that. Haha. I have never been a runner but I am realizing more as I get older that it is a great way to stay healthy for a lifetime. A month ago, I could not run 2 straight miles even if you begged me. So, needless to say, TJ, Faelyn and I are having fun running together. Getting all of us in shape. 

I went for a run this morning, and after a particularly bad weekend at work, it was nice to pound out my frustration in some intervals. It really is a great stress reliever as well as exercise. You may not be a runner, but just get out there and move. Running is seriously doing wonders for my energy levels, emotional levels, stress levels, as well as overall fitness. 

Other than that, I did try a new recipe recently. Post to come on that later! 

I have been still reading. I actually put down a book so that I could touch base with you guys! Will make sure my reviews are up to date and my list as well! I can tell you right now, finishing the list on time just isn’t happening lol. I am still pushing for it but honestly, I don’t think I can read that many books. I am so terrible at this whole 52 books thing. I get so distracted and it just does not work out well. 

Anyway, I will most definitely start posting more. Promise!

See ya!

Busy, Busy, Busy

So, this week and next week and even last week I have been and will continue to be super busy! REI is having their anniversary sale starting on Friday through the 27th. We have been preparing for it for a while but our event trucks which bring the products that will be on sale during the anniversary sale have been coming in. Our storage is so full! I have no idea where in the world we are going to put all the product that is coming in today, and the next couple of days. So, anyway, I am working everyday this week until Sunday. It is going to be a long week. Posts may be few but I will do my best to keep up here! 

I am currently reading The Tiger’s Wife. By the way, adding it to the 52 books list and it is definitely a must read. 

I did try a new recipe the other night. It was a breaded chicken with a creamy sauce and some mashed potatoes. It was amazingly delicious! You could also easily eat it with pasta! I was kind of in a hurry and did not take any pictures, but TJ agreed it was definitely a repeat recipe and I will be making it again hopefully sometime soon. 

I do have a funny Faelyn story about the chicken that we were going to be using for dinner the other night. I had been thawing some chicken on a plate on the counter. I had completely forgotten about it when I ran to Starbucks to participate in happy hour (half off frappucino). I honestly did not even think about the chicken until I was back home unlocking the back door to come in. I was really hoping he was oblivious and did not even notice the chicken on the counter. Nope, he most definitely noticed. He took one of two pieces of chicken I had out. He was very pleased with himself lol! Such a goofball. 

Hope your week has started out awesome!

See ya!

Make-Up Fun!

Ok, so I have not done a make-up post in a while. I find eye shadow combos that I love all the time on pinterest and it is fun giving them a shot sometimes. I usually go for a minimalist look. A little liner, some blush, foundation, and lip balm. This one is still pretty neutral but it added a little bit to the eyes.

Here is the link for the original eye make-up combo:
http://www.nerdygirlmakeup.com/2011/05/11/gray-brown-and-white-look/

Like I said fairly neutral, just a little bit to give the eyes a little pop.

I ended up going just a little lighter than what she posted. It just happened that way, lol.

Not the greatest picture, but you get the point. Light with a little brown on the edges and lined with black. I threw in some purple mascara but you can’t really tell especially in the picture.

What do you think?

Update on the house:

Everything is almost set to move in next week. Hopefully no more hiccups. One week from today we close! What?!

Enjoy!