On Marriage

Marriage is hard. Like hard hard. The kind of hard that no one tells you about when you're about to walk down the aisle. The kind of hard other married people rarely talk about. The kind of hard that makes you wonder if other couples are experiencing the same thing or if your marriage is the unusual one. That kind of hard that makes you wonder if you're going to be able to deal with the hard work that must surely follow.

 

Every marriage (hopefully) starts out with a love story. A tale of smiles and laughs and constant affections, etc. All you can think about is how perfect your significant other is and how much joy he or she brings into your life. But as time goes by and life sets in, it becomes harder to live in the love story, even though the love is still very much present.

 

It becomes easier to see the imperfection. It becomes easy to play the blame game. He didn't do this and she should've done that becomes far too difficult to overlook. That's when the hard work must come. But, no one gives you a how-to when you apply for your marriage license. Marriage doesn't come with a roadmap, unfortunately. All too often, you learn what not to do by experience. To use Jenni's words,

They never really get into the real stuff about cohabitating with someone, about traveling through life with them and taking the hard punches together...changing together as humans often do, and continuing to love despite that change...But the truth is, that the hard work will look different for everyone. Maybe it will be harder hard work for some than for others, depending on circumstances. But as long a you have real love for each other and are willing to accept a person as they are, you have what you need. The work part comes in changing yourself, almost 100% of the time.

I love that last sentence. Do I always follow it? No, absolutely not. But, I try. I love my husband, and I never give up. I'm not claiming to be a marriage expert, and I'm not claiming to be in perfect marriage. Lord knows I'm not on either counts, but my heart is in the right place. I know if I want a successful marriage it will take hard work, the kind of hard work that doesn't come with a roadmap.

30 Miles In 30 Days

Last week was not so good to me. I vowed I would do better and I did. I tripled my miles from last week!

One of the biggest motivators for me was how awesome I knew I'd feel if I was more active this week. I took the dogs for walk after work, and I loved it as much as they did! Another huge factor in my success this week  was one of my amazing coworkers. We have been taking mid-day breaks and walking a mile or so outside. It make a huge difference in my afternoon productivity and energy level.

Here's how I did this week...

Saturday: 1 mile + 75 minutes yoga
Sunday: 1.5 miles
Monday: 2.5 miles
Tuesday: 3.5 miles
Wednesday: 1 mile
Miles this week: 9.5 miles
Miles to go: 17.5 miles
Days to go: 15 days

 

 

Also, I'm sponsoring a giveaway on Glossy Blonde; you should stop by and enter for a chance to win a $20 Target gift card!

 



Napa Recap

Now that I've been back for 2 weeks, you're finally getting a recap of our trip to Napa/Sonoma.

Northern California, especially Napa and Sonoma, is where my soul feels most at home. The first time I visited, within 10 minutes of my arrival, something in me came alive. It was unlike anything I've ever experienced. I felt more connected with God, the earth, and myself than I have ever before.

I just love the laid back lifestyle. It's almost like God smiles just a little bit more at Northern CA than he does anywhere else. I can't get enough of the fresh food and the farmland. "Don't you live in Tennessee, the land of rolling hills?" you might ask. California is different. It just is. I grew up in rural southern middle Tennessee. I could not wait to get out of that hell hole. I swear it sucks the life right out of people. Even though there are tons of "farmers" and farmland where I grew up, the farmer lifestyle in California is very different from what I am accustomed. It's more educated farmer than redneck farmer, and I can totally be down with that.

On our recent trip, we had an amazing time. It was extremely difficult to come back. I'm convinced that one of these days we'll just stay. Here are a few snapshots of our amazing visit. We're already making plans to go back next May. What can I say? We're hooked.

Day drinking 



Flowers in full bloom, but we missed the tulips

Beautiful details everywhere you look

Don't you just die for that view?

How gorgeous is that wine?

It's a baby grape!

Dinner with a view

Love how environmentally friendly everyone is

Again, the view kills me

If you have to leave, this isn't a bad way to go

Style Statement Tuesday

Welcome to Style Statement Tuesday!

If you're new here, Style Statement Tuesday is way for me to chronicle my outfits and discuss how/if they fit my style statement, which I've defined as 'Classic Pretty.' It's also a place for you to link-up  your outfit posts and inspirations. To read more about Style Statement Tuesday, click here.

Today, I'm showing you one of my favorite summer dresses (that may be slightly age inappropriate)while taking Marion Berry Style's trend of the month challenge and using yellow. Forgive the photos, my photographer wasn't available and I had to use the timer on my iPad!

Jacket & Shoes: Old Navy; Dress: Forever 21; Belt: J.Crew Factory; Bag: Nine West

 

I would wear this shopping or day drinking with my girlfriends. I tend to be cold everywhere I go; a jacket is a must for me. Plus, I'm a tiny bit self-conscious about my arms, so having something to cover them makes me more comfortable.

This dress is super cute and feminine. Adding the purple belt and pops of yellow really make it fun. Is it 'Classic Pretty'? Probably not, but I like it anyway. And let's be honest, I've got about a year and half left before this dress becomes completely unacceptable for my age group. I'm going to wear it while I can!

What are you wearing? Link up and share you're style!

Weekend Recap

This weekend was one of those weekends where you don't do much, but you do just enough to where you're not bored out of your ever loving mind.

On Saturday, Kris and I took Five to the pet fair at our veterinarian's office. It's important for her to work on her social skills because she's "a party in a puppy suit." She did such a great job! It wore her out, so she was extremely well-behaved for the rest of the day.

I also saw one of my BFFs on Saturday. We enjoyed a grueling hot yoga class and a nice lunch afterwards. You know you have a true friend when she agrees to attend hot yoga with you. That night, I popped open some champs and watched Golden Girls for a little guilty pleasure time.

On Sunday, Kris worked half the day, so I just hung out with the dogs. We went for a little walk and enjoyed the sunshine, but mostly we lounged. When Kris got home, he and I did the margarita and patio thing. We also ate pizza. Shh, don't tell.

All in all, it was the kind of perfect that just doesn't happen all that often.

Join me in giving an 80s style shout out to the woman who let her stomach be cut wide open for the second time, virtually ensuring she would never be in a bikini again, just so I could be born.

What did you do? Linking up for Weekend Shenanigans.

High Five For Friday!

1. Well, I burned the shit out of my leg with a curling iron this week. That'll teach me to sit in front of the mirror.

2. She does not get her lack of inhibition from her mother.

3. Sundays are for mimosas

4. Four day hair is the best kind of hair

5. My super handy husband is making me a peace sign from a wine barrel ring and staves

Linking up with Lauren for High Five For Friday!

30 Miles In 30 Days

Yay for being 9 days into May. Not yay for slacking on the 30 Miles in 30 Days challenge for May.

What can I say, I have not been into it. I promise promise promise I'll do better from now on. We all know there's nothing stronger than a treble promise. I have, however, being kicking yoga's ass this week. That counts for something right?

Thursday: 1 mile walking  + 60 minutes yoga
Friday: 1 mile walking  + 75 minutes yoga
Sunday: 1 mile walking  + 60 minutes yoga
Tuesday: 60 minutes yoga
Wednesday: 60 minutes yoga
Miles this week: 3
Miles to go: 27
Days to go: 22