Day 2...

So it's day two of the new year and I feel like a failure.  I am laying on the couch posting from my phone because of severe lower back pain.  This means no gym today, no perfect attendance at the new job, no being productive.  It makes me sad and I feel defeated.  I have to remember that there are things beyond my control and that I have to be okay with that.  So I'm taking today's goals and spreading them out over the weekend and next week... and enjoying some guilty pleasures today. 

When I was strictly doing the jewelry business full time and only working from home, I had a very lazy morning routine and started working in the late afternoon when I'd have a better chance of getting in contact with my customers.  I'm falling back into old habits but JUST FOR TODAY.  I'm extra lazy today since I'm in so much pain and can't even sit up. 

Here are some of my guilty pleasures for lazy days... BREAKING THE FAITH - have you seen this show on TLC?  It is addictive.  I respect freedom of religion immensely but there is a part of me that feels awful for the people stuck in these cult type faiths.  It makes me feel so thankful for having been raised in a faith where I can make my own decisions... even the decision to ultimately leave my original faith and convert to Judaism.  DAYTIME TALK SHOWS - The Doctors, Doctor Oz, The Chew, Ellen, I can't get enough.  Plus, my family and I are going to trivia night tonight (assuming my back is better) and I'm sure I've learned some useless cramp from these shows.  SOCIAL MEDIA - facebook, pinterest, etsy,  love it all.  I am in the process of planning our honeymoon and I am so excited and loving all the out of the box ideas I find here.

What are some of your guilty pleasures?  What do you do on your sick/lazy days?  I'd love to hear.

Hope you are having a wonderful week and here's to a {mostly} productive new year!

Jenn
*believe always*

So What! Wednesday...

I'm linking up with Shannon once again for So what! Wednesday!  Here's what I'm saying So what! to this week...

• It's New Year's Day and we are just now celebrating Christmas as a family... let's face it.  We. are. old.  We all have busy lives and my sister and her boyfriend spend every other Christmas with his family so it pushes our Christmas back every other year.
• I {secretly} really like that we are just now celebrating Christmas today... it makes the magic of the holiday season last just a little bit longer.
• Yes, you read the first two bullets correctly, we are celebrating Christmas even though I have converted to Judaism.  My family is Catholic and Christmas is a big deal for us so it will ALWAYS be something that we do with them.  {I mean, Tevye said it best... it's tradition!}
• I am OBSESSED with my ECLP {that's Erin Condren Life Planner for those of you not in the know}.  This is my third year using one and I am still LOVING it.  {I may or may not have joined a Facebook fan group for said planner.}  I really feel like this could be my year for meeting goals and staying organized and my ECLP is going to be by my side every step of the way.  PS - Join her page via my LINK and get a coupon for $10 off your first order!!
• Rob and I are still looking forward to our honeymoon.  Yes, the wedding was September 1, but schedules and finances made us wait... we are going in Feb or March and I cannot wait!
• I'm really hoping this is the year Rob and I become parents... I know we have some stuff to work out first {mostly financially, but also getting the house together}, and I know some people would tell us to wait and enjoy being married, but Rob and I have pretty much been living married life since day one and I am ready to start a family.
• It is still a struggle for me to get out of bed every. single. morning.  I am loving my new job and so thankful for the extra income, but it doesn't stop me from hitting snooze or thinking about calling in every day.  I do have a goal to have perfect attendance at this job though... I am starting fresh and moving forward.
• I haven't taken my anti-depressants since before the wedding.  I feel okay... I'm actually much better than I thought I would be, but I don't think I am happy with just feeling "okay" every day.  I want to feel happy and motivated, so I think I'm going to have to go back on them.  It's really frustrating to have to depend on the medication, and it makes me feel bad about myself, but ultimately, I really do feel happier and healthier when I am on them.

I think that's it for today... what are you saying So what! to this week?  Link up and let us know!

New Year's Resolutions...

What is it about a new year that makes us want to change?  I mean, we could choose any arbitrary day that we want to improve ourselves, but somehow the new year is the most popular time to do it.  I am one of those people... I think it's because it feels like a fresh start... there's just something about that new number at the end of the date that makes me feel like I have a fresh start and I can actually achieve the goals I set my mind to.  Here's what I have in mind for this year:

• I want to keep up with my blogs this year.  I love going back and reading old posts.  I used to be a big journaler {not a word, I know} but this is somehow easier... that being said I'd like to write in my paper journal at least once a month.  
• I really want to get fit... I know this is the number one resolution {and one I have made MANY times before}.  Does this mean losing weight?  Absolutely, but it's more than that... it means being healthier, eating better, drinking more water, moving more, taking time for myself, and just becoming better.
• I want to pay our debt down.  Truth - the wedding has us in what feels like a big. black. hole.  And while we don't regret anything thing about the wedding, it is stressful to think about starting our family when we are living paycheck to paycheck.  I just picked up a part time temp job to help with this and we will be going back to the Dave Ramsey method in February.
• I NEED to get some consistency in my jewelry business.  When I work it it is AMAZING and I love that I can take breaks from it when I need to, but I am done with excuses.  My number one goal is to be consistent starting with 3 shows a month and building from there.  I have to walk before I can run and I want this to be my full time career again when the temp job ends this summer.  The possibilities with this opportunity are ENDLESS and God has so blessed our lives since my coming into Premier, but I know it's more than just Him... I have to do my share also and I'm ready.
• Our house is such a mess... there is clutter everywhere.  We need to scale down and get organized one room at a time.  This is another thing that needs to happen prior to having babies, so I want to get on it STAT.
• I want to continue to help mine and Rob's relationship grow stronger every day... I want to be more patient with him {and myself} really enjoy our first year of married life.
• I want to re-connect with my synagogue family and get more involved in Jewish life.  I am now officially converted and have no more excuses {besides fear and laziness, lol}.  I want to get to services on a weekly basis and join groups, and volunteer, and make new friends.  I am so fortunate to have found a new relationship with God, and one that I share with my husband, and I want to make the most of it.

So that's it... easy-peasy, right?  What about you?  What do you want to do in the new year?  Share your goals and let's ROCK 2014!

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

It was actually pretty much the best of times... maybe, the year started off a little shaky with me losing my full time job, but we made sure it was all good from there.  Here's some of our highlights from 2013...

• 2.8.13 - I launched my FULL TIME career with Premier Designs Jewelry.
• 2.14.13 - fulfilled a dream of  choreographing CATS with one of the most talented group of high schoolers I have ever worked with.   
• 2.26.13 - I said "yes" to the dress with some help from my mom, my sister {Barbara}, my BFF {Michelle}, and my m.i.l!
• 3.18.13 - I joined a gym {and actually went!}.
• Continued my super fun baking business.
• 4.7.13 - Had a super special {somewhat secret} day with my love.
• 5.22.13 - Celebrated our 3 year "match-iversary".
• 6.13.13 - Went shopping with my bff for her daughter's first dance shoes!
• 7.4.13 - FINALLY celebrated the 4th of July at the lake.
• 7.10.13 - Attended my first Premier Designs National Rally and got to meet our Founder, Andy Horner!
• 8.10.13 - Had a super fun bachelorette party at the new casino.
• 8.26.13 - After much praying, studying, and waiting, I officially converted to Judaism.
• 9.1.13 - Married my best friend.
• 9.5.13 - Celebrated my first Jewish New Year {as an official member of the tribe}. 
• Got to meet lots of new friends and customers while working my Premier Designs Jewelry booth at the Pearl Market!
• 10.11.13 - Got to visit my Pennsylvania family!
• 11.2.13 - Traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit lots of family from both sides!
• 11.28.13 - One Word: Thanksgivukkah. 
• Started assistant coaching the cheerleading teams at my alma mater. 
• 12.14.13 - Watched my awesome sister, Lindsay, walk as she graduated with her Master's!
• 12.23.13 - Decorated cookies with Lindsay!

Looking back on this year makes me feel truly blessed.  Of course it's no surprise that my favorite memory is the wedding and all the fun surrounding it.  It was so special to have so many family members all together at one time in one place and for a truly happy occasion.  I felt more beautiful and more loved than I ever have felt, and Rob and I both think it was a perfect day.  

So what's on the agenda for 2014?  You'll just have to wait and see.  :)  Hoping you all had a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or wonderful whatever else you may celebrate this time of year.  Thanks for reading!

"I've heard it said...

...that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn and we are led to those who help us most to grow (if we let them) and we help them in return."

Do you all know that song?  It's called, For Good from the {amazing} musical, Wicked, and I dare you to look the lyrics up and not be able to think of at least a dozen people you could send it to.  

I have been thinking of this song basically non-stop the past couple of days because of a change that is going on {that I really can't say too much about at this point}.  Someone who is very important to me and a HUGE inspiration in my life is embarking on a huge adventure and while it doesn't *at all* mean that our friendship has to end, it does mean that the role she plays in my life will have to change... and that makes me sad... and {more than} a little scared. But you know what else?  It makes me stronger too.  I feel like it's time to take everything she has taught me {and it's A LOT} and run with it.  Not to say she's done teaching me... I know there's at least a few more lessons there... But it's time for me to spread my wings so to speak.  

It's also time for me to be INCREDIBLY excited for her and her new adventure.  It is SO well deserved and I just know she's going to rock it.  And while I'm being excited for her, I'm going to sit here and take my lemons and make some of the most amazing lemonade ever.  {Side-note: Do you watch Modern Family?  You know the episode where they move Hailey in to college and Phil has his book, Phil's-osophy?  One of his quotes is, "When life hands you lemonade, make lemons.  Life will be all like, 'What?!?!'"  Love that show!!}  Anyway... I refuse to be {too} sad about this... Silver lining people!!!  There's a new Jenn in town and she is going places!!!

*believe always*

**this is the first time I've posted from my phone with the blogger app... Please forgive any horrible typos/autocorrects!**

I'm baaaack!

Hi everyone!  So I can't believe how time flies when you're having fun {or planning a wedding}.  Since April, so much has happened!!!  The biggest change is my husband and I are now MARRIED!!!  YAY!!!  Our wedding was perfect, it really was everything we wanted it to be.  We had so much fun all day long.  We just got our pictures back and I will be sharing them soon!!!  Aside from that BIG event, other changes are: Rob started a new position within his company, I am OFFICIALLY Jewish, we took a weekend mini honeymoon {the real trip will be over Valentine's Day}, we have so many amazing gifts to {STILL} get organized, and we have a TON of thank you notes to finish up!  Rob is taking time off at the end of the month to finish getting the house in order {including finishing those thank you notes as well as painting the bedroom} and I cannot wait!  We have new bedding {thanks mom and dad!} that we haven't even used yet because we want to paint first... we haven't had pictures hung in the bedroom in over a year, I can't wait to get it together.  We are also re-doing our office as a result of our decision to have me continue to work my jewelry business FULL TIME.  Another minor {but exciting change} is the blog look.  I decided since I was starting this all over, I wanted a fresh, new look.  I have to admit, I've been feeling a little blah {fine, depressed} since the wedding.  It's so strange to have something that consumed so much of the past year just be over... but the big picture is Rob and I are married and we can move on to all those post wedding things... still, it's a tough thing to deal with.  One thing I have decided to do is get myself back on a good schedule {hence the blog}.  When you own your own business and work from home it's so easy to be lazy... and that just perpetuates the depression.  Well winter is coming and we are saying goodbye to our long days of sunshine so I decided to be proactive and get my butt in gear.  In addition to the blog I am also trying to get to the gym several times a week, get the house truly clean, and really get my business rocking and rolling.  :)  What do you do to keep the blues away?  I'd love to hear!!!

I can't wait to get in a real routine with this and hopefully grow my followers.  Please let your friends know I am back for real.  I'd love to spend an hour a day blogging and reading others blogs, so if you follow me I promise to return the favor!  Hope you have a wonderful rest of the day!!!

*BELIEVE ALWAYS*

It's So What! Wednesday!

Here's what I'm saying So What! to this week...

• I joined the gym but haven't been as much as I wanted to go... that's going to change this week!
• I have project and cleaning ADD.
• I have gotten up early every day this week and am going to reward myself with ice cream right after I finish this post. 
• I went bridesmaid dress shopping with my girls two weeks ago... I made them try on a dozen dresses and still chose the first one they put on, which is the original one I wanted.
• I have been working my jewelry business full time for over two months now and am just starting to feel like I'm getting my act together.
• I never shower first thing in the morning... I work around the house in my pjs until I have to get ready for something outside the house.
• The above statement means that if I don't have anything going on, sometimes I'm in my pjs all day.
• I keep trying to get into a routine with the blog{s} and just can't seem to keep it going... I'm working on it. 
• The only reason I miss my old job {that I thought I LOVED} is the financial stability... I feel so rewarded with what I'm doing now.

What are you saying So What! to this week?  Link up with Shannon and let us know!

*believe always*