Looking back at 2012

Remember my Happiness Project I started at the beginning of 2012??  My first post on it was HERE!  Well, it's a great book by Gretchen Rubin and I love it, but I never made it off month one! hahahaha..........the good news, I totally crushed #1 - Energy and Fitness!  

I started out the year getting back to my daily fitness routine.  It looked like this in 2012:

Power 90 with Tony Horton

Insanity with Shaun T.

Turbo Fire with Chalene Johnson

I began running and training for a half-marathon 

Ran my first 5K

I began to take Bikram yoga class

 

Score for me! I took off 13 pounds and kept it off.  For the most part I ate well, but candy and cookies still kill me at the holidays.  I am very happy with how far I came in this regard in 2012.

This year I have challenged my Bible class to read through the Bible this year- I teach junior high and they are on board! I bought them each a One Year Bible ESV and we are excited to begin! In fact, my husband (the preacher) challenged our entire congregation to read through the Bible as a congregation this year!  I have made this resolution so many times before and failed, so this is my year - NO EXCUSES!!

 

I will try to make more progress on the other chapters of the Happiness Project this year!

Foxy, plaid and sequins

Finally wearing my Christmas present - the fox dress from Target. I bought it a month or more ago, but waited until Christmas to give it to myself! haha. I am really digging my combat boots Maggie found me at Ross for $20!  I looked them up online and they retailed for $180!  

Shirt: Old Navy
Dress: Target Xhilaration
Leggings: Naturalizer via Ross (fleece lined)
Boots: Aerosoles via Ross

Mags is wearing her Christmas duds too!

Shirt: Target Circo, Jacket: Faux leather Xhilaration, Cord Leggings: H&M, Ruffle Combat Boots: Betsey Johnson via JCP

 We went to a friends house for dinner last night - it was soooo fun! As soon as this flooring is laid and I have some furniture, I am having people over all the time. I love to entertain with friends!

I am loving this soft sweater from Target - I don't know how they did that contrasting look, but it's so comfy!  My SIL got me these cool new earrings - I love them!

Sweater: Mossimo, Jeans: CAbi Brando, Shoes: Mossimo

 

Maggie has a yellow one of the same! 

I won Payday Pretty last week so I got a $20 gift card! These shoes were part of the loot I scored with it!

Thursday Target Threads!

 

 Link up your Target finds today!!  Yesterday was the Ugly Sweater party at work! The prize was a $200 Target Gift Card!  I didn't win - can you believe it?? Look at this whole "elfish" ensemble!  The gal that won had a sweater that lit up!  She one upped me!  Congrats to my friend, Rachel! The only thing Target in this pic is my turtleneck by Merona! My sweater is Karen Scott from Ebay - Jcrew necklace (from Ebay), F21 skirt and JCP glitter boots! 

Can't wait to see what Target you all are wearing!  

Speaking of Target - The Neiman Marcus collection went 50% off today if you were wanting some goodies!!   I wanted only one thing- the Rag & Bone cardigan, which I got this morning - so snuggly!

 
Here are my Target goods - and I'm linking this top up with Diaries of a Bargainista this week over at All Things Alisa!  This shirt was $5.98 on clearance and Maggie has one too so now we can be twinsies!

Shirt: Xhilaration Chevron Blouse
Jeans: CAbi Bree
Tank: Target Merona
Boots: Target Xhilaration (real leather! they are a good Frye knock-off!)
 

Borrowed from the Boy....

Borrowed this pinstripe blue oxford from my son!  And with the oxfords, the whole outfit is a "borrowed from the boys" look!

Shirt: Macys

Sweater: F21

Jeans: NYDJ

Oxfords: Target Osanna

A Love Story

When is the last time you cried over something as small as having a hot dog for lunch?  I would guess you have probably NEVER cried over something like this.  I know I haven't.  Does it make you overjoyed to have the ability to take a bath?  Probably not. 

Well, this is what happened with my mother-in-law today. You see, she is a stroke survivor.  It's been 7 years since she had her stroke. After coming home to rehab in our home for a short while, she made a complete recovery, minus some of her peripheral vision. She returned to living in her own home and even cared for her dying husband.  Her recovery seemed nothing short of amazing! A few weeks ago, she had a heart episode. Her advanced age of 85 is now slowing her down and so she has come to live with us again.

Today she cried, not because she was having a hot dog, but because of what the hot dog represented- the happy times and memories in her life.  The happy times when there would be a picnic with loved ones, friends, brethren all around, laughing, joking, talking, encouraging. 

I can't imagine what it would feel like to have to give up your independence, to rely on someone else for everything, to give up living in your home.  I know she has gone through several emotions in the last few weeks.  Bless her heart, she is so thankful for the smallest things.  When I bring her food or help her put on her socks, she tells me over and over again thank you for caring enough about me to help me.  She has told me time and again if it wasn't for her son (my husband) she wouldn't even be alive.  Seeing this attitude on a daily basis really makes you think.......think about what is important in life.  Shopping and clothes are fun......but people are what make life worth living.....and people are what TEACH you what life is really about.
 

Right after the stroke with our boys.  The kids gave her a reason to live, to know who she was and her importance in their life.

During her 3 month rehab stay where we would visit each day.   These 3 kids were a huge part of her recovery.

A few years ago with our oldest.

Never underestimate your importance in the lives of others.  Your love and caring may be what makes all the difference.