Goals and Abzzz and Some Probably Nots

2 months ago, I came to this realization that I am almost 30 (gasp. barf. yay. sex and the city.).  That's it- end of realization.  Actually, I got to thinking about some friends of mine who never took the time to take care of their bodies before they had littles.  And then they had littles.  And then their bodies were even harder to take care of.  And I realized that if I were to have a little soon (IF!!), I would want to have a seriously solid body beforehand.  And thus, a goal was born.

For the past 8 weeks, I have submerged myself deep into a nutrition/workout/clean eating/learn about yourself (what do you guys even describe it as?) program with Pump and Shred here in Austin.  Melisa is a friend from college and obviously legit (see pictures here).  When I  had a bit of a light-bulb moment one day, I called her up for a little chat about abs and things.

And thus, my journey began with P&S! 
I started as someone who worked out all the time.  And D and I were eating about as "clean" we thought it could get- fruits, veggies, proteins, no gluten or dairy in our diets.  But I was never seeing any progress or change and, in fact, never feeling any stronger. 
I would love to tell you it has been easy and everyone should absolutely do it, but it hasn't always been easy.
It takes preparation, discipline, WILL POWER.
And sometimes you don't see or feel results you thought you would and you have to tweak and change and figure out what's missing.
But it has been the BEST thing I have EVER done for myself and if you're driven and committed, you should absolutely look into Melisa and Jess helping you out.
I am 8 weeks in and signed up for 4 more so I can start learning how to do it all on my own.  I have seen so much change and I feel better to the point where I don't even want the junk for fear of how it will make me feel. 

I am at that fairly crucial moment when you are going for a goal and you decide whether you really want it or if it's not truly what you desired. 

And THAT has taught me so much in the past 8 weeks- really looking at goals for my/our life and deciding if it's truly what we want or just what we feel like we should do...

We've been there before when we almost moved to Colorado and just weeks before realized we didn't like so much cold weather. 
I've been there in my career years ago and am there again now.  It's a tipping point of sorts where you get to decide to keep going for something or reconsider your heart and take another path. 
So we're probably not going to travel to 9305738202 places because our hearts truly want to be in our beautifully furnished, decorated home full of the people we love. 
I'm probably not going to teach people how to cook/bake for a living someday because my heart loves to do that alone. 
I probably will move toward a writing career. 
I probably AM going to get another puppy because I need it.

What kind of title can I write that says, "Oh, hey, I haven't written in too long and I think about it every day but then I just lose track of time and I haven't forgotten about you and we're up to a lot and I wish I could take the time to sit and write and tell you all about it"

Hi.
I can't seem to go a day without thinking about this sweet little space and what we built and what I wish I could find inspiration to do again.
Seems like every week someone asks me why I don't write any more.
Or they tell me they finally stopped following.
And I just keep thinking about writing and how much fun it was.  And how much I really loved to take pictures of sweet/funny/mundane details in my life and post them here.
I'm really busy.  It's a story I tell myself, but with the dog and the man and the job and the workouts and the work at home and the yada yada yada, sometimes I choose to catch up on New Girl rather than get creative here.
So, cheers to choice.
And here are some things.

My girlfriend has a blog.  It's a big goal for her to have lots of readers and for her to spread the love.
www.helloclementine.com
Put it on your list.  Leave her comments.  Her heart will spill over.  Yours will too.

Our friend broke his arm and we had a bake sale to raise money for his ridic medical bills.  We baked for 2 long days so we could bring only the best.  I didn't eat a bite (maybe one) because I started Pump and Shred 2 weeks ago.

We Martha Stewarted the shiz out of that bake sale.  Cute wrapping, amazing treats, and we raised almost $500.
And we have matching shirts.  Because why not?

More to come, I hope.
Also, my blog is spammed and I get about a bazil anonymous comments a day about chinese paper factories and employment opportunities.  So I should figure that out.

If you're normal and you know it...

We had a good time at D's office Christmas party last weekend!!  The photo booth was a total hit!

We're in a new city, but it feels like we have plans every night.

I love that.   So many new friends in our lives.

We're getting to explore a lot of new places, hear a lot of good music, shop a lot of good vintage, and a lot of the time we stop and say, "Do we really get to live here?!"

We are so blessed to love our life so much. 

Austin, TX has been so good to us. 
It is everything we were missing plus 19 billion.
It's beautiful here, and we get to experience that every day

The greenbelt trails are just out our back door and they go for miles.  Jury is still out, but we're pretty sure Bird loves it there.  She hunts and smells and plays hide and seek with us while we hike for hours.  It's so good.

The place we're living for a few months has endless well-kept yards for her us to roam.  

6:15am is our favorite, but we'll take it any time.

We're so thankful that she is feeling 100% better.  Maybe too good- she never asked to go outside in Houston, but has since developed a talent for turning the door handle with her nose.  Yesterday she met 2 hot-tempered beagles and a gentle standard poodle.  She's making more friends than we are.

Before we left Houston, we were able to donate Devin's yoga class package to someone in need of a good stretch at one of the best studios in town.  I don't know who you are, but I hope those down-dogs are serving you well.

 My friend Kelly talked me into a 30 day eating challenge- no grain, no sugar, no dairy, no alcohol.
It's fairly easy...easier than I thought...but can a girl get a glass of wine?!?

Fail.

I failed.
On day one.
I didn't give to anyone.
And I went shopping at a boutique with my mom. 
In my defense, she gave me a $100 giftcard.  And then I spent more.
And I got some RAD pants. 
Also...
In my defense, I was crying all day thinking my dog had kidney failure.
She doesn't.
But still.
So starting over!

Today I had the privilege to donate to a friend of ours who is traveling to India with one of my beloved organizations, As Our Own.  Our friend will be going to the home site to meet all of the girls who live there, traveling to see the brothels, and working with the staff.  We're excited to hear all about it.