Healing

I can't say that healing has only taken place this year. Pat and I have both had to overcome struggles, both very different, in our lives. But one thing is for sure, we have started healing each other since the day we met. Just this morning we were reminiscing of our first date. We talked about all the things you aren't supposed to talk about (politics, religions, finances) and then 4 months later we moved in together. We knew the first month, maybe second that our relationship, our love was a force to be reckoned with. 3 months into our relationship we passed through Vegas to get to my home town for a visit and we seriously thought about eloping. Then we seriously thought about the consequences from our family. Although we have reached the result, I am so glad we waited. We needed to experience a few more things together, and REALLY be able to celebrate our love.
In the beginning, the impact we had on each other was, first and foremost, a healing one. He, being a few years older and quite the handy man, had many impressive qualities that any girl would like, but there were also things that, when I dug deep enough, were difficult, even on my man of steel. Together, in our first two years of dating, overcame things that were haunting us for entire lifetimes. We were able to discuss things that have never been discussed, feel things that have never been felt, and ultimately heal the things that were unable to heal prior to "us."
I truly believe that when you find someone that can do that for you, make you feel like you were never injured, physically or emotionally. That is when you need to sit back, take notice and realize that is the person you need to have in your life forever.
Fortunately for me, I get to have this man as my husband, the future father of my children and best friend forever. However, if you find that person in any form, keep them close. They are an important piece of your arsenal... and not many people come by that piece armor.

Ambitions

It was strange when I read this post prompt on Reverb11on Saturday morning. I was laying in bed surfin' the web on my Kindle Fire thinking about getting healthy again. And there it was, the question of ambitions. So, I would say, truly my ambition is to be healthy again and forevermore. To be vegetarian again, and to eat less corn... (basically all processed foods).
As I said last week, Pat and I got our new Lifetime membership and are getting on the right track physically (I am so looking forward to getting back into yoga practice), but there are so many other aspects of health that I would like to focus on as well. My mental health is of concern most days. I am finding that I get cranky at the drop of a hat, or super emotional. When this started happening I had to think back to a year ago when I was happiest. I was mostly vegan, (I love cheese) and I understood what I was putting in my body. This may sound crazy, but when I knew what I was eating was good for me, and I knew exactly what it was doing for me nutritionally, it almost felt spiritual. The connection to the food and knowing where it came from.
Since then I have most certainly slipped, meat is a main course again at our house and I even ate McDonald's a few times, which I could nearly throw up at the thought today.
I knew I needed something to set me straight again. I thought about reading Skinny Bitch for the second time, but I thought I needed something new. This morning I watched Food, Inc. It was not surprising, but I was still shocked. There are a few other documentaries available, but this one may have done it's job. I don't need to see the animal cruelty to know that it is prevalent in mass production. So, back to Sprouts and Farmer's Markets for us.
So, here is to us, being happy, healthy, and in love! I am so ready for 2012!

Letting Go

This year I let go of stressing over my blog... my old blog. With everything else going on in our lives , I always felt I was falling behind, I was never creative enough, I never had enough followers, and I never did enough DIY for the sake of the title. It was too much pressure.
That is when I developed my Tumblr from the advice of my brother Jake's Lauren and everything seemed to be okay again. I was able to be sporadic with my thoughts, and creative ideas, and if and when I did post, on either blog, it was a good place to showcase it. It also was a place to be inspired, even if it was just looking at pretty pictures! Beauty is inspiring.
That was when I realized I was blogging for me, not to get followers, but to just have a hobby. I place to focus myself in my home life when everything else can be so... cray cray!
I feel much more at peace after letting go. I no longer feel obligated, but HAPPY, to blog!

Hectic

As the year is coming to a close, the only word I could describe it as is HECTIC.
It started with our wedding planning and, if you ask any bride, that is never an easy task. It comes down to creating budgets, choosing colors, flowers, bridal parties, dresses, THE dress, groomsman wear, songs, wedding cake flavors, interviewing photographers, gifts, registering, and finally cutting something because you have gone over budget! Even right up to the second you walk down the aisle there is something to do, someone you forgot to invite, someone that RSVP'ed that isn't showing up and now your tables are uneven and you already printed your escort cards.  And that just the first six months.
I knew if Pat could stay by my side through that constant stress and the daily bad moods he could be by my side forever. Although it was hectic, it still turned out beautifully, and the task at hand was completed... we are married!

Stephanie Patterson Photography

Things seemed to be going smoothly, but in October I was terminated from my job... Pat and I scrambled as quickly as possible and made a responsible financial plan. Remarkably, we made it for a month on his income and my meager unemployment checks until I found a new, awesome job. The constant stress of job searching is not something I wish upon anyone. The feeling of not contributing in a new marriage is terrible, but I did what I could to have the Mr. come home to a clean house, dinner on the table and tomorrow's lunch in the fridge. (And I watched the Today Show everyday, Miss ya Reg!)
So, as this hectic year is fizzling out... I say "Good-bye" and "Don't let the door hit you on the way out!"
2012 is going to be a great year... I can feel it!

Note: Today's post inspiration was provided by Reverb11 Inspiration to review 2011 and all you accomplished in it. Check it out and participate if you like!

To your health!

The new year fast is approaching, but I am not one to keep, or make for that matter, New Year Resolutions. We decided to jump the gun and, in a moment of feeling full of fat and grease, the Mr. and I decided to take ourselves to our local Lifetime Fitness and become members!

Now, this may be the most expensive gym in town, but I would say it is worth EVERY penny. Not only are the towels provided, but these towels are fluffy and white. Lockers are provided. Blow dryers are always available. And, dare I say it, they also provide girl products should you forget you already used the one at the bottom of your purse! And, they also provide amazing yoga classes and I promise, you can not join a Yoga Studio at this price.
We just want to feel better and have more energy. There is no reason to feel this dumpy during an AZ winter when mountains are calling our names! (and if the six pack abs come just to see the light of day, fine, they will be welcomed).
We are going to start eating healthily again and drink less alcohol. We are young, and strong, and awesome! and there is no reason we can't succeed! (Especially when my dad can run circles around us, not that he shouldn't be able to).


So, here we go, we have our sneakers on, and motivation in hand.

Saturday Day Date

The past month has been tough for the Haires, we have clipped coupons, eaten in, ate left overs and kept the A/C at the all time high temperature for low bills. Pat worked crazy amounts of overtime and I played housewife. So, with my new job starting Monday, we decided to celebrate... with a coupon. We did our morning chores (meaning I swept and Pat napped for 2 hours) and headed to our favorite spot in Phoenix! Postinos on Central.


We had our "e-posse" coupon for a free Bruschetta Board, and it is the only thing we get, unless it is brunch, in which case we order the Farm Scramble. I believe said Scramble is the perfect hang-over cure.
My darling husband and I sat on the patio, enjoyed the reggae musical selection and our  $5 afternoon libations. Pat had the Warsteiner Pilsner and I had the Ca Del Sarto Pinot Grigio which was fantastic. The hipsters we prevalent and the service was great, like always!


After another beverage each, we decided to walk it off down to our favorite Central stores and by the time we got to Smeeks, we needed another beverage. Pat had a Coca-Cola and I a Dr. Pepper.



It was a perfect November afternoon with the man I love.

Thanksgiving Tablescape: Trial Run

P-Funk and I didn't ask for Fine China for a wedding gift. He said we have too many dishes as it is and I will need a storage unit for my dishes alone. But, now I wish more than ever we had. We are hosting Thanksgiving this year and I don't have enough of any set to fill the table(s). So, I had to get creative. I am mix and matching sets I inherited  from 2 different grandmothers to make a perfect harvest setting.

Below I coordinated the napkin color with the largest plate, looking for the cleanest contrast with the smallest.


I really like the way the entire table came out.

There are a few things missing, like a carved turkey, and mashed potatoes, and an entire table. I have about 11 people coming over for Thanksgiving this year! The other table we have available is a round/oval table, so we are going to make a "T" with them. This is will provide plenty of room for all the delicious food, wine and love that will surely be surrounding the table this year. 

The only thing I need more of are place mats, napkin rings, and possibly silverware. Sounds like a few shopping trips to Create & Barrel and Ikea are in my future! *Heaven help me!* I might also go to GoodWill to look for a drink cart, just to place items that are taking up space on the table.

Do you have any Turkey Day tips? Please share! I need all the help I can get!