2012 in review: hits, misses

Today is the last day of the year, crazy to say. I just feel like the years just keep flying by me....... Anyways I wanted to sum up my year with some highlights and low-lights


HIT:

• Being a bit more assertive. I've always been a reserved type person who didn't like confrontation so I would find myself bending to what the person wanted just to avoid it. This year, I believe I've been pretty good at getting my point across and really standing my ground; especially in a disagreement.
• Getting more in touch with my feminine side. I am and will forever be a tomboy at heart lol although I have long put away (most) of my boyish ways... BUT I have tapped into my more girlier side this year. No I haven't dabbled in make up, I don't care to either, but I have this growing interest in keeping my face and lips smooth,  tinted lip glosses, dressy tops and skirts and dresses..... I've shocked even myself with my thoughts, and Lewis enjoys seeing my all dolled up too!

• Saving $$ for the wedding.  We had a rough start with this one, but I think that it ended up being a very profitable idea to challenge Lewis so a money saving game.... we have most of the money saved for the wedding which means that we won't be stressing ourselves in the upcoming months.

MISS:  

• Reaching APL.  I had a stylist who wanted to give me a trim every time she saw me and actually even just went ahead and gave ya girl a hair cut which put me back at top of shoulder length earlier this year so I've been trying to come back from that...... I just knew I was reaching this goal. As of last month, I am really close though!!
• Gaining more followers (here on the blog).  I am at a true loss on how to attract new followers..... I thought about doing a few things but I do believe I could have done more than I actually did, mainly posting often. Next year I plan to post ALOT, so get ready.

These are the few things that I kept track of all year, thankfully more hits than misses! Next year I will have plenty of things brewing I feel like 2013 is dedicated to me.... Just wait and see :)

I hope all of you guys had a great year, and for the things that you wanted to accomplish and didn't I pray that you get the chance to do those things here in the new year!

 Be blessed!

BYE BYE 2012.............

Holiday love

I hope everybody had a great Christmas holiday and got/gave some good gifts! I think Lewis and I gave each other a pretty surprising Christmas this year :) I ended up getting him some lounge clothes, a guitar case that he needed and a laptop set (I'm on it right now as I type!) He got me a XBOX 360 with a Kinect (which I have been secretly lusting over for about a month lol) and this really pretty pendant necklace that I have been wearing everyday since I opened it!

 

 

 

Shine bright like a diamond

                                         


 Lewis and I spent the holiday here in San Antonio this year. I could tell that he seemed a bit home sick after he talked to his mom and sister though. I knew the feeling he had;  all my family lives 5 states away and when they first moved I really felt it around the holidays.... I empathized with him but I am not entirely thrilled with spending every holiday traveling back to East TX when I don't really want to....so I hope he doesn't decide to want to do that.

We ended up opening gifts on Christmas Eve because, well, we were bored and neither one of us could hold out any longer on what we got one another. Plus, we don't have any kids so I was like "why wait?" It turned out great and will probably be our tradition from now on. I just love how we are starting our own traditions :)

I had to work the day after Christmas, but I am off until New Year's Eve! Much needed..... Time to lounge :)

Merry Christmas!

From Lewis and I....We hope everyone has a blessed Christmas Holiday!

Mind Right Monday

I know I missed last weeks MRM but since I have a little more time on my hands, I shall not disappoint!

Goals:

• Find a photographer
• Shop around for a few more gifts for Lewis
• Mail off family gifts, letters and money
• Start browsing for a hair salon to get my relaxer done at
• Begin making a list of things to get accomplished in 2013

Gratefuls:

• Life, health and strength
• Lewis
• Steadfast determination
• Trying new things
• Being open minded
• Long socks (the kind that come up to your calf, or higher)
• Breaks while I'm still in school (I'm sure I will definitely miss this once I graduate!)

How about you? What are you grateful for this week? Do you have any goals you want to achieve before Christmas? Have a good week!! :)

Mind Right Monday

My goodness it's December already???? This is year is almost done for..... gosh, just seemed like 2mo ago I was starting back school!

Another Monday is upon us so you know what that means? Yes, time to get yo mind right! Here is mine for this week:

Goals:

• Study really hard for my exam this week (got some making up to do from last weeks test)
• Tidy up the house
• Sit down with Lewis and make our guest list
• Put up the Christmas tree and decorate
• Go on a date 
• Drink at least 2 1/2 bottles of water a day

Gratefuls:

• Life, health and strength
• Lewis
• The semester almost being over
• My hunny being a mechanic (my car has been a POS lately)
• Understanding
• Being able to give
• Humidifiers
• Clean, fresh bed sheets after a long day

I plan to make this week a great one! What are your plans for the week? Got any goals you want to achieve? Are you grateful for anything? I want to know :)

Mind Right Monday!!

Last week was a pretty good week for me even though I didn't get a chance to post my normal MRM linkup.... Hope you guys really enjoyed ya holiday with family and laughs and food! Another great week is upon us so time to crank out some goals and such!

Goals:

• Have at least 3 study sessions ( 45 min increments) a day until exam 
• Make a bomb ace grade on my exam
• Start making a family/friends gift list for Christmas
• Cross off at least 2 things on wedding to-do list
• Hydrate!

Gratefuls:

• Life, health and strength
• Perseverance through trying moments of nursing school
• My loving soon-to-be hubby
• Teamwork that Lewis and I have
• The ability to keep a level head in a chaotic situation ( this is a true art, I have realized )
• Being able to give
• Water filters and chicken noodle soup!

I got a feeling that I will be coming back next week to report that I achieved all of my goals with no problem!!! Time to get this week started!

You have any goals for the week? Anything you are grateful for? Let's motivate each other!! 

Mind Right Monday

Time to start the week off with goals and gratefuls.... This week:

Goals:

• Study at least 2hrs a day for my class
• Do laundry
• Look into picking up an extra shift at work
• Getting Lewis a birthday gift
• Start a guest list for the wedding
• Find some type of motivation to workout

Grateful:

• Life, health and strength
• Determination to move forward despite a set back
• Loving man
• The year moving so fast
• The opportunity to be better than I ever have before
• Comfortable sheets

I hope I can achieve all of these things on the list....... it shouldn't be too hard, right?

What about you? Do you have any goals? Are you grateful for anything this week? Let's encourage each other!

It's in.....

My bottle of Mineral rich arrived on Wednesday I wasn't expecting to get it so soon, it was a nice surprise. My plans are to take it as directed (2 tablespoons or 30 ml) everyday and do a little check in on it in about 30 days to see how or if it's having an effect on me...... 

Hmmm....... let the games begin!

Mind Right Monday

Hey peeps! I know I'm a day late on the MRM but it's mainly because I had to work yesterday and by the time I got off I was tired and still needed to study. At any rate:

Here are a few goals I want to get achieved this week:

Goals:

• Ace my teaching project on Tuesday   We can actually check that off cause I did this afternoon!
• Study really hard for my exam this week
• Guzzle water like I'm dehydrated
• Clean the house
• Exercise at least 2x this week
• Date night with my love

Gratefuls:

• Life, health and strength
• Being in my right mind 
• Lewis and his concern for my success
• My "don't give a fudge" attitude toward my current class <---- this attitude is well needed right now! Not with my grade of course but with the subject matter and the instructor (at times) I'm so over this class.
• Sturdy support system
• Decorative couch pillows.... for my back when I'm couching and surfing the web

My plan WAS to go to a library or something and study but while I was in Chik-fil-la's drive-thru earlier my jeep decided to vomit and die right before I could pull up to pay and receive my food! Later I was told that it prolly overheated. Not only was I mad cause it happened, but I was embarrassed cause I was holding up a very long line and I had no way of starting my car and moving it out of the way. A customer in a car behind me and some employees had to push my car through......stopped me to pick up my food.........and then finish pushing me into an empty parking spot. 

I felt this . big 

It's been a very long time since I actually felt the emotion of embarrassment.

I laugh now, but I cried earlier...... 

So we'll see if I have transpo tomorrow; just pray it's not expensive.

Other than that...... I'm hoping to have a really great week!! How about you? Got any goals for the week? Are you grateful for anything you want to share?

Idle Chit Chat

I may be little bit behind in hair care world but have you all heard of Mineral Rich energy drink? I was catching up with a friend over the weekend and we got onto the subject of hair. She began to tell me about this drink that her beautician told her about that was helping one of the clients grow her hair out..... The first thing that popped up in MY mind was " A drink? Hair care products are getting out of control now" My friend didn't know too much about the product, she just said told me I could look it up on Amazon.com. So I did.

When I first read the description all I saw was that it was an energy drink that was full of B-12 and several other vitamins and trace minerals. Nothing special to me at first glance. So I took it a step further and youtube-d it. So far I've only found 2 different ladies who are talking about this stuff. The first lady I saw said that she had been drinking the stuff for years to help give her some extra energy and one of the side effects was that she noticed her hair was growing.... alot. The other lady I saw on YT actually watched the first lady's video, decided to try it for herself and apparently has gotten good results from it. 

Hmmmm.......

My curiosity is piqued.

You guys don't really know this about me but when I'm curious about something, I usually try my luck with it in some shape, form or fashion...... really just to gain my own personal experience with it. This is looking like something I want to try, just to see if it will have any effect on my hair. I mean this drink is full of vitamins and minerals that the body needs and uses, how could it not affect my hair? Now if it doesn't, then I can still reap the benefits of having great energy ::seeing as it is an "energy drink" and all:: 

 My question is: Have ya'll heard of this? I saw a thread over on LHCF about this too.... fairly new.

My friend and I are actually going to try it together; we are set to order it this weekend..... let's see how this goes! Once it comes in the mail I will make sure and keep you guys posted if you are interested :)

Mind Right Monday

It's the beginning of the week and you should know by now (partly because I'm being so repetitious) that it's time again to shout out your goals and what you are grateful for this week!!! So without further adieu:

Goals:

• Study for class at least 45-1hr every other day
• Start clinical project
• Find 5 good photographers for engagement pictures and get pricing
• Begin Christmas lists
• Hydrate..... Cause I just love water :)

Grateful:

• Life, health, strength (always grateful for this!!)
• Lewis (even though we take each other through it sometimes lol)
• Church family
• Strong will and determination
• My love of food.... and the experimental mind to make it
• Those scrumptious little sugar cookies with the sprinkles on them from Walmart's bakery

Your turn! Got any goals this week? What about what you are grateful for? Let's be encouraging to each other........ I hope you all have an awesome week :)

Hair news: Fall/Winter regimen

It's not really cool here in South Texas yet (if it decides to get that way at all) but after my recent relaxer experience, it has been brought to my attention that I need to create a serious regimen that will correct any potential setbacks and get me on a steady path of attaining my hair goals in the next 8 months.

This is my current length:

Notice the see through spot in the lower middle of my hair.... PROBLEM. I do not want to have to deal with a setback that will cause me to have to cut my hair when one of my goals is to wear my real hair for my wedding! The only thing I can think of that could be causing the thinning is wearing tight ponytails/buns in the same spot. My hair had been giving me the blues last stretch so I wore buns EVERYDAY often..... guess who won't be doing that anymore? Especially if it's going to cause stress to my strands like this. 

I have come up with a sort of regimen that should get me through this potential issue and put me on the fast track to reaching BSL by June:

• Wash every 5 days (alternate shampoo and conditioner washes)
• DC with every wash (usually with heat)
• Apply MN mix to scalp every 3 days
• Moisturize with current product every other day (until it becomes to dry outside for it)
• Seal ends with oils
• Stay away from ponytails/buns and anything else that can create too much tension in my head
• ATTEMPT rollersetting every other week
• Trim/dust as needed

Also I need to look into some protective styles that could last a while, I tend to do better when I'm not able to touch my hair as much. From the pic, I gestimate being about 2- 2 1/2 inches away from APL? I'm really wanting to make it by the end of the year so I gotta be on top of caring for my hair. You know what's crazy? I used to be extremely diligent about hair care in the beginning........ now I'm really lackadaisical; that needs to change if I am serious about my goals.

 I washed my hair Monday and I decided to rollerset it:

 With the humidity being like in the 90's all week it did not stay like this lol but I do still have somewhat of a hair style...... Prolly time to comb these curls out some though:)

I will make sure and keep you guys posted on how my hair is coming along!! 

Hair news: Relaxer update

This post is about a week overdue cause I actually relaxed my hair last week, but I wanted to get this up and tell you guys all about my plan......


I relaxed my hair at 12 wks post and I had never been so happy to see my hair straight (or straighter, I should say). I decided to give self relaxing another go (with NO help from Lewis this time lol) and do someones half and half method I saw on youtube.... IMO it worked but it didn't work, catch my drift? Lol Basically the half and half method was almost what I need to do to self relax, I just need to tweak it to my own liking. For instance I did it where you part ear to ear and relax the top or back first and then do the opposite. Well I don't own a shower hose to wash my hair, I just use the faucet in the tub so trying to figure out which end to do first was a challenge! Then after I decided on the back, the only way I could do it without getting the front of my head wet was to turn on the shower and do it that way...... so by the end of the morning I had basically taken 3 showers relaxing my hair smh. Next time I think I'll part my hair straight down the middle and attempt it that way, seems more faucet friendly.

The only other problem I ran into with my hair, and this one is the most frustrating at the moment, is that my new growth is seeming very resistant to the relaxer! I was not able (once again)  to get my hair to straighten out-really at all. I mean it stretched out, but that's about it. Literally none of my new growth got straight, not even my edges! So I am again left with texlaxed hair   severely underproccessed hair. It would be all good if that's what I was aiming for, but it isn't. I don't know what to do at the moment..... maybe I should stop trying to do my own hair...... or maybe I'm not working it through enough? Idk.

Although I had my issues with the relaxing process, my hair turned out pretty good!

I do have a thin spot in the middle back (if you can't tell I just pointed it out for ya) that I will address in separate post..... Check my length out though! Excited. I think I could use a little dusting.... but I'll wait until I research the self trim some more.

Welp, thanks for reading and checking my pics out..... if you have ANY tips on self relaxing, self trimming/dusting or anything else please share with me! I refuse to go back to a stylist if I don't have to!

Mind Right Monday

Chello there! You know what time it is so I'll spare you the introductions today:

Jumping right in......

Goals:

• Start and complete all of my required paperwork for the first day of clinical
• Begin reading some of the units that will be covered in class this week
• HYDRATE! <--Just love throwing this one in :)
• Workout at least 2x 
• Begin design for "save the date" cards
• Coerce Lewis into going a date to a scary place

What I'm grateful for:

• Life, health, strength
• Lewis
• Great church family
• Swiffer wet jets! (they "Give me just a little more time"..... HAHAHAHAHAHAAA)
• My style sense kicking in (cause our place needs a new look)
• My water filter..... makes water and koolaid just taste SO.DAMN.GOOD.

Your turn!! Got any goals this week? What about what you are grateful for? I would love to know!!

Idle chit chat

Have you ever been so tired of studying that at one point you think you are studying, but really you were just staring blindly at the pages? Like your mind turns off and literally will not absorb anymore information....... That's what I'm currently dealing with for one of my final exams. Seriously, my brain said "girl, we are at capacity with that ish!!" There is nothing more I can study for this class so I officially gave up as of 12:05 this afternoon lol. My final is tomorrow at 1 so maybe I'll get up early then and give it one more try....

I have no idea where to begin (again) with the wedding planning! When I stopped I was contemplating designs for save the date cards/ engagement pics...... Down to 8months on Friday and so.much.to.do.

Why is it that whenever it's a few days before you get a relaxer that your scalp decides it wants to act ultra sensitive and give you a bad case of the itchies???!?!?!? I have been "patting" and rubbing like a mad woman all day cause my scalp feels like something is crawling on it!! Is that subconscious?



I'm thinking of doing "Idle chit chat" posts on the regular just to get some conversation flowing, what do you think? I love feedback so post your idle chat thoughts down in the comment section!!

Mind Right Monday

This week is finals week for me... which is signifies the end of these classes (THANK YA SWEET BABY JESUS) and also that means I get a day or two of freedom before my next class. This also ends my first year of nursing school and begins my last year!!!! I'm super elated about how time is flying....dang. I'll be married and graduating before ya know it!!! Enough of that for now though, it's Monday folks and you know what that means: time to lay out my goals and what I'm grateful for this week!

So last week I kept it pretty simple and straight to the point with my goals, I plan to do the same this week! 

Goals

• Study hard and beast these exams
• Relax my hair and do a length check
• Hydrate! (I've already started doing it on the regular, why stop now?)
• Prepare myself for this next level of nursing school
• Start back some wedding planning (YAY!!!)

Gratefuls

• Life, health and strength
• Lewis for giving me validation when I need it 
• Family
• Constant support
• Church members who are evolving into awesome friends
• Water filters (SA's water is awful......)

Welp, what are your goals for the week? Are you grateful for anything? Lets have a fantabulous week everyone :)

Oh remember I'm linking up over at Okdani.com, if you guys want to start up your own MRM be sure to link up over there as well! Shout me out too..... I would love it :)

 

Mind Right Monday!

Hello hello!! It's time again for the Mind Right Monday..... I'm finishing out my last week of classes so I've been all over the place lately..... But I had a really productive week! I finished my projects and made a 100 on one of them (BOO-YAH) and also I made a slamming ass A on my exam..... Ya girl is on fiya right now :) So here's to another great week! MRM here we go:

Goals:

• To study at least 45-60 min for each exam
• Hydrate! (I keep putting this because I really need to remember it, you would be surprised at how hard it is for me)
• Try and relax some cause finals weeks is next week

Gratefuls:

• Being in my right mind (cause I've seen first hand what those who aren't look like)
• Lewis (although he is being a butt at the moment lol)
• My determination..... I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!
• Family
• Money in the bank

I am going to link up to the MRM over at Okdani.com...... Check out the other linkers as well as Dani's!!

Let's get productive!

What are your goals this week? Are you grateful for anything?

Mind Right Monday

Time for another productive week!! I am happy to report that I actually did accomplished a lot on last weeks list like getting my interview done for one project, starting another, relaxing (even if it was only like a 45 min brain-shutdown.... still counts) and I spent some much needed time with Lewis. GO BEE!!  I'm getting better and better at it..... and I love it. Without further adieu: It's time for MRM!

Goals:

• Study at least an hr for each class (thankfully I only have 1 exam this week!)
• Finish up projects 
• Hydrate! ::sad that I have to remind myself to do this...::
• Clean up the house
• Go on a date with Lewis
• Have a good day at work (Friday)

Gratefuls:

• Health and strength
• Lewis' extra helpfulness as of lately
• Love and support
• Water filtering containers ::my Brita water filter thingy is the BIZ-NY-EEE!! Money well spent::
• Steadfast determination
• That there is only 2 weeks of these classes left!!

Also I am happy to report that ya girl made B's on all 3 of her exams last week! WHOOP..... My eyes were as big as saucers when I saw my grades lol Hope you guys plan to have a bomb ace week like I do!! "Ain't nothing to it, but to do it."

 OOOOHHHHH....... This is my 100th post?!?!?!?!?!!! Well I'll be damned.

Lol 

Mind Right Monday!

I'm day late with this but nonetheless here is my strategy for the week!

Goals:

• Study at least an hr a day for each class/exam I take this week (Which is all of them!)
• Exercise at LEAST 2x this week..... (I say two cause I KNOW I can do that)
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!! (this has become a growing problem since I started back working)
• Check on interview for class project
• Start other project for class
• Spend QT with Lewis (he's been feeling neglected lately and from the above you can see why :/ )
• Relax!

Gratefuls:

• Health and strength
• Lewis, his support and for him being the one person constant in my life as of lately
• Family support
• Perseverance
• That its a choice to work, not a requirement
• Faith!
• That these classes are almost over with! 3 more weeks and it's on to the next.......

I think I only really got like 2 of my goals done from last weeks' MRM........ But I got it this week!!!! What about you? What goals do you have this week? Are you grateful for anything?

Versatile Blogger Award

I have had the pleasure of being nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by Nadine over at Textured strands!! Aaaw thanks Naddy :)

Since I've been nominated I am required to do the following:

*Thank the blogger that nominated me (Thanks again Nadine!!!)
*Give 7 random facts
*Nominate 15 bloggers that aren't already nominated and are relatively new to blogging (this one may be a problem....)

So here go my facts.... In no particular order:

1.  I like my waffles a little soggy. I put them in the toaster and then pop them in the microwave....mmmmm.
2. I was born with a clubbed foot. My grandmother kneaded it everyday for about 3 months. 23 years later you can't even tell I ever had one!
3. My fiance and I "met" in church almost 3 yrs ago. We've known of each other since our high school days.
4. I'm left-handed but I do mostly everything else with my right. Call me semi-ambidextrous lol.
5. I have an unreal amount of patience! I can go long amounts of time without losing my patience. Notta one drop! Seriously, just ask Lewis. He tests me daily lol.
6. I cannot wait to be a RN. Being a PCA sucks..... I love it for the exposure, but I hate how some of the nurses act too "busy" to help with their patients sometimes. 10 more months!
7. Reading is a great passion of mine! I will read almost anything with a good plot and lots of twists and turns. The last book I just read was "Children of the fog" by Cheryl Kaye Tardiff. Page turner!!!!!

Alritey, seeing as I don't particularly know 15 NEW bloggers..... I can't technically pass the award on. I'll surf around and see who I can hook up though.....