Lovely updates...

How about a little update, eh? Things have been busy, busy! I'm so happy November is almost over and I cannot wait until January. There's lots of exciting things happening and I just can't wait. I can't spill all the beans just yet, but don't worry. I will! :)

Other than that, here's a few other things that have been going on. Bullet point style. ;)

♥ I joined Weight Watchers. A lot of people think I'm crazy and I don't need to, but I know I need to. And, I want to. In a few months time I know I will not be as active as I am now so I want to take care of my bad little lifestyle habits now, before it gets really out of control. My sister and best friend are also in it so it's nice to support them.

♥ School is going GREAT. I have As in both my classes, and hopefully I can keep them through December. The last month of the semester is heavy with projects and finding the time to do them has been HARD!

♥ For my special education class I spent 10 hours doing some field experience at my elementary school in their Learning Center! It was such a great experience! I have loved every second of it. I'm having a few doubts about special ed, but I'm hoping as I continue my education I can squash those doubts. What I'm most nervous about is the behavior issues. I'm more interested in the intellectual disabilities, specifically Autism.

♥ Last week my sister and I went to see Harry Potter on opening night! It was NUTS! We got there a little under TWO HOURS early and the theater we were supposed to be in was packed. The only seats available were right in front of the screen. Uhh, uhhh! So, we "snuck" into a different theater and got much better seats.

♥ Things with Nick are still going strong. We're moving slow and I really like that. I've been feeling bad though, because I have been so busy I hardly have any time, my only weeknight free is Monday nights! (and I have to somehow fit studying in!).

♥ I have not bought one Christmas gift. Not one. I've been thinking about it though... my mental list is very strong. I'm being a total grinch and this is the first year in my entire life that I just want Christmas to be over with!

Well, that is what's been going on with me. What's going on with you?? Tell me in the comments if you have started your Christmas shopping or are you a procrastinator like me?

Ten on Tuesday

The wheels really fell off the bus with the 30 day challenge, but you know what? I knew that was going to happen. I have absolutely no consistency in my life right now, which is fine, but can be frustrating!

Instead of answering the next question of the challenge I decided to to do Ten on Tuesday instead! :)

1. What are your plans for the holidays? Do you travel at Thanksgiving? If you celebrate Christmas, do you travel then, too?This Thanksgiving I am going to my grandmothers house, which was a tradition with my family when I was really little only in the past five years or so has it changed. Lately, we have been with different sides of the family each year so I'm really excited for a little normalcy. We don't travel far, it's only about 30 minutes west of here so that's nice! I'm not sure what we're doing for Christmas yet.

2. How do you make the plans for the holiday? If you have a significant other, how do you decide which family to visit?

Nick and I aren't to the point where we're spending holidays together so we're both spending the holiday with our families :)

3. Do you have your Thanksgiving meal at lunch or later in the day?
We normally have it around 2:00.

4. Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

We used to go see a movie after dinner, but lately with my work schedule that hasn't permitted. :( Other than that, I just enjoy eating lots of food, then going back for seconds about an hour later! Haha!

5. After a big meal do you lounge around or get up and take a walk?

I lounge a bit, usually read a book or watch a movie. Most likely I will try to convince everyone to watch a Christmas movie. :)

6. Do you shop on “Black Friday” or do you avoid it?
Well, I am working so no. But, if I wasn't working I would have to say Helllll, no. People are nuts and I can't stand the poor manners and blatant disregard of others. Irritates me!

7. When do you usually finish your Christmas shopping?

Eeeek, probably Christmas Eve. I'm such a procrastinator.

8. Do you and your significant other exchange gifts? Is there a budget?

Usually, yes. We haven't talked about it yet and I really hope we do because I want to set a budget!

9. When do you decorate for the holidays?

I started tonight! Usually the week of Thanksgiving for me. My mom is a bit different... she doesn't start til mid December!

10. Do you go “all out” with the decor or do you keep it simple?

Pretty simple... I'm slowly collecting a nice set of holiday decor! I think this year I need a new tree...

Are you excited for Thankgiving? What's your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

Day 15: My favorite Bible verse

Choosing a favorite bible verse is TOUGH! There are so many verses that are special and have personal meaning to me. My favorite verse changes on an almost daily basis but today my favorite is this one:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5,6

I think it sums life up nicely!

Happy Sunday!

Day 14: A Picture I Love

Zeke getting his teeth brushed. How can you not love this face?! Makes me melt everytime I look at it! :)

Day 13: Goals

Another broad topic! Ok, let me dive right in!

I am a very goals driven person. I need a vision of what my end result will be, it only pushes me harder. I have mini daily goals all the way up to huge lifetime goals and I think about them often.

Simple, daily goals:

Crossing everything off the to-do list

Keeping the house clean and the sink clear of dirty dishes

Walk the dogs

Wash my face before bed (seriously, this is hard for me. I don't know why)

Not get upset over little things at work

Blog daily (ha!)

Weekly goals:

Work related goals - like achieve our sales plan and more!

Get all reading and homework assignments done and started on the next weeks assignments

Read one book for leisure

Monthly goals

Work related goals - again achieve that sales plan cause I want my bonus! :)

A's on all my tests!

Yearly goals

To be happy while achieving all those other goals during the year!

Go on at least one vacation

Lifetime goals

To get married and have children

To become a teacher and get paid to impact children's lives

Have a house in the country right outside of Des Moines (seriously, I could never live in a small town)

Have a lake house - preferably on Lake Okoboji

Retire with my husband and live on a coast somewhere

Ketchup Daaaaaay

I can't remember which one of my elementary teachers called "Catch-up Days" Ketchup Days but it has nevertheless stuck with me and if I have a general ed class someday I will probably do the same thing with my kids every so often!

So, today is KETCHUP DAY here at ALPITC!

The wheels kind of fell off the bus in regards to the 30 day challenge. Life has been hectic and stressful and it's mostly due to work. It's tough when you're depending on others to get your own job done and if you don't have a great staff it can really get you down. Right now I'm without one assistant manager and the other assistant manager.... well.... I don't have much nice to say so I'm not going to say anything at all. :)

Anyway, on with KETCHUP DAY! (now I really want some french fries and ketchup. Yum)

Day 12: What you believe

I agree with Amber, this is a pretty broad topic!

I believe that shopping is the perfect therapy, it makes everyone feel better. I believe that smiles are contagious. As well as excitement. I believe that good friends are the family you get to pick. I believe that hard work will pay off. I believe that what goes around comes around. I believe that getting upset over little things is a waste of precious energy. I believe that education is the best accessory a girl can have, and nobody can take it away from you. I believe that student loans are the only kind of good debt. I believe in a good pair of heels (or wedges for people like me that stand all day). I believe in the calming power of coloring (seriously, grab a coloring book and some crayons. You'll feel better in no time). I believe that the unconditional love from pets is irreplaceable. I believe that every job and every person is replaceable, so don't take your job for granted! I believe in true love.

What do you believe in?

Ok, so I'm going to have to cancel "ketchup day". Instead of tossing 7 days worth of blog posts at you I'm just going to pick up where I left off. Hope everyone is having a great week! :)