Plan-less...for NYE

New Year's Eve is tomorrow and I have absolutely no plans! 

Originally, I was supposed to babysit for a friend who has a babysitting agency, but I got a text and follow up e-mail today saying the parents cancelled. 

I need Kristy to give me a great idea for some plans for NYE!!! Please and thanks, ma'am!!

I was kind of reluctant about agreeing to babysit on such a festive holiday, but my options before agreeing were: go to church or stay in and watch the ball drop on t.v. I used to go to church every year since like 1998, so that wouldn't have been a weak choice, except I'm in another city right now and am not sure which church I should go to.  Thus the plans for just staying home and watching the ball drop came into play.  My friend Portia got word that I didn't really have plans for NYE, so she hit me up and asked me if I would babysit. That's how I got there....

After getting the word this morning that the parents cancelled, I have been contemplating what to do now. I really don't feel like going out to a party, but I don't necessarily want to stay home by myself.  My sister and her husband are going to a hotel party and staying overnight. Cost for tickets were too rich for my blood and I'm sure they don't want me tagging along in their room after the clock strikes midnight. 

Yeah....I just can't be that girl!

I've got a little over 24 hours to decide, but I have a really strong feeling that I'll be at home (with Blanche, my dog) cuddle up on the couch....ringing in 2014. I guess I need to just be ok with that. I suppose I could make it fun....hell I'm going to have to make it fun!!

I'll keep you guys posted on how it goes. In the mean time, anyone have any suggestions on what I can do in the DMV area??

2013 is almost over!

This year has really flown by! I can't believe the year will be coming to a close in a little over 2 weeks! So much has gone on this year, so much growth, and so many blessings. I'm excited to see what's in store for me in 2014!! Don't worry, this is not one of those "new year, new me" posts that many people enjoy ranting about when a new year is coming. This is just a simple reflective post to acknowledge that another year is coming and I have some great expectations for the new year!

I will say I'm super excited about 2014, but I'm also very, very nervous about some of my plans for the new year. I'm trying to remain calm, and seriously rely on God to direct and order my steps, but the human in me certainly gets a little overwhelmed at times. Of course the biggest struggle is understanding what's in God's will and following that instead of choosing my own path and trying to make that work.  However, change is good and it's also a great way to exercise your faith because the unknown can be very frightening. 

I've already chosen at least one news years resolution which I think I can keep up for the year which is: under any circumstance, I will not complain. I have realized over the past couple of years just how blessed I am and how much God has done for me and complaining is such an insult to those blessings. I am reminded of this just about every day.  Complaining doesn't change the circumstance and it usually really does take a wear and tear on your own spirit. With that being said, I'm going to remember to count my blessings and pray about things more that concern me instead of verbally complaining. 

This is the last week of work until the wonderful 2 week Christmas vacay begins!! I'm really looking forward to having the time off to spend with family and friends!  My girl frans back home and I are having a little cocktail Christmas party next week that I'm really looking forward to! I'm hoping we'll be able to do this every year and start some traditions. 

So what are your plans for the holidays? Are you looking forward to the new year? If so, what kind of things are you looking forward to?

It's been a long time!

Hello everyone!!! It's been such a long time since my last post! I've had some pretty blog worthy things going on, I just haven't taken the time to sit down and blog about it. Today is a "snow" day so I'm off from work so I figured it'd be a perfect opportunity to catch up with you guys!

First things first, since the last time I blogged I have become a mom!!!! Not a mom to a human, but to a new doggie!!! I was never really a "dog person", but I had to stop by the local SPCA to drop off a donation back in November and I spotted this amazing dog that I just had to take home with me! I decided to name her Blanche! Some people love the name and some are like "why did you pick that name!?" Well I've always thought the name Blanche was rather cool, but I wouldn't name a child that, so a dog was the next best thing. Besides, Blanche means "white" in French, and well....she's a white dog so PERFECT!!! It's so fitting of her personality! She's like a little old lady!! Her middle name is Beatrice which means "bringer of joy" and both of my grandmother's were named Beatrice (maternal grandma's middle name, paternal grandma's first name).  So there you have it for the name!

She's a white Boxer mix. I'm not sure what she's mixed with, but I've heard pit bull or bull dog from several people. It doesn't really matter, she's the best dog ever!!! Having her has completely changed my life which is completely what pets do! I never knew that I could care for a pet as much as I care for her. 

I'm thankful that I found her, she's truly a blessing!

In other news, I'm ashamed to say that I have found myself slacking off on taking care of myself in the sense of working out. Since having Blanche on board, I haven't been going to the gym as much as I used to. My diet has also fallen off the wayside (sad to admit, but it's true).  The most consistent exercise I have gotten in the past month has been the 20 minute walks in the morning and afternoons that I take Blanche on.  I suppose that's better than nothing at all, but with the poor diet and lack of getting my heart rate up on a regular basis, I forsee weight gain continuing to pile on. Ain't nobody got time for FAT so I really need to get myself together and make some changes!!  Diet is truly the most important thing so I really need to get on it with cleaning that up.

On to the next topic! The holidays are coming up and I'm so not ready!!! I have only did a little bit of shopping for my goddaughter, but other than that, I got nothing. I know it's time to buckle down and at least get some stuff online because Christmas is in 2 weeks!!! EEEKKKKK!!!!! One of the biggest problems is not knowing what to get my friends/family! I need some ideas, but I want to do thoughtful gifts that are unique. Might not have time for that this year though. Either way, I better hurry!!!

Everyone have a great day and if you're experiencing the Winter Wonderland that was forecasted to hit VA, be safe out there!!