happy new year.

happy new year!

I spent most of the day yesterday reflecting, like all people do on new years eve and I came to the conclusion that 2014 was ok.

Just ok.

Not super-duper fantastical like I wish every year was. But not disappointingly disgusting and poopy like it could have been.

Here are my favorite highlights:

~ Rex. We started 2014 right by finding and being saved by this precious little cupcake of a pit bull. He definitely saved us as much if not more than we saved him.
~ We survived the frigid winter in Rexburg.
~ I graduated from college. Finally. With a bachelor's degree. yay me!
~ We left the icy tundra of Idaho for the beautiful beaches of California. (or close to the beaches)
~ Alex and I both got jobs relatively quickly after moving at Geekatoo and Target respectively.
~ I got the chance to spend a lot of time with my mother-in-law and just soak up the amazingness that she exudes. She's great. I'm lucky. I always laugh at things on the Internet that talk about "How to deal with your mother-in-law" because mine is fantastic.
~ We significantly decreased our debt and successfully figured out how saving money will work for us (trust me when I say that saving money works differently for everyone and we finally figured it out).
~ We had our first anniversary! I just love this guy so much and we went through a lot of crap during that first year that brought us much closer together.
~ We took a lot of trips. I went to Sacramento for my sister's bridal shower, Alex went to San Luis Obispo to visit friends multiple times, we both went to Sacramento for my sister's wedding and then to Texas to visit Alex's nana, and Alex went to Portland to scout out the city for our move.
~ We finalized our feelings and plans to move to Portland (even if it was just in our own minds and not on paper, it was still a good feeling).
~ We got to spend all the holidays with family.
~ We road-tripped to Reno to spend a Christmas weekend with my family and had a blast. We were pretty spoiled by everyone.
~ I quit my job at Target. It was a blessing.
~ We found an affordable apartment in Portland and signed a contract just three days before the new year!

There is a lot of not so good stuff that happened too, like running out of money and not having jobs for a while, but this good stuff is actually really good.

So here is to making 2015 a lot better and with a lot more adventures!!

yesterday.

My guys during our road trip for Christmas

Yesterday I did something that I have wanted to do for about a month. It was something that I've never done in my life and never thought I would do.

I quit my job. Without notice. Without putting in my 2 weeks. Without shame. Without guilt. Without caring what this meant for my employer. Without finding another job to take its place.

I pride myself on being a really hard worker. I always give a full effort at everything I do while on the clock. I am always the one who looks for something else to be done when it is slow. That is why I never imagined myself quitting on the spot without giving 2 weeks notice.

But I was done. I was frustrated and fed-up and annoyed and angry and stressed out and tired.

A part-time, minimum wage job should not bring up all of those feelings. A salaried career? Maybe. But not working as a sales floor team member at Target for $9 an hour.

So I quit. I talked it over with my husband, weighed the pros and cons of not having my (minimal) income for the next little while, and we both decided that my sanity and health are worth more than the few hundred dollars I would have made if I stayed another month or even a last two weeks.

As we drove back home from dropping off my resignation letter, Alex started humming the song "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas. It was sort of prophetic song for him to choose because within hours of that car ride, we signed a contract for an apartment in Portland and solidified (finally) our move up to Oregon. So it was a good, good night for us. And a good, good day for us too.

thanksgiving.

My thanksgiving this year was spent staring at this beautiful view, eating a lot of delicious food that I did not have to cook, and laughing and having fun with family. Alex's family is awesome and I always have a good time when we get around them.

My grateful list:

~ laughter
~ beautiful views
~ someone else cooking dinner (and cleaning up!)
~ having a job. and not having to work black thursday!
~ my wonderful husband who always works so hard for our family
~ rex. mainly because he's cute and cuddly
~ all of my family and alex's family for being supportive and loving

california.

I am a california girl. Born and raised. For the past five years I have spent the winter months in Idaho at school. The snow and cold were fun for a minute before I missed the California winters.

This year I get to spend the winter in California and I am so happy. Here are a few of my favorite things about California winters.

~ fresh fruit readily available

~ cloudy beach days

~ cold meaning 55 degrees

~ being able to wear light layers of clothing and be warm enough (no need for huge heavy jackets!)

~ the sun still shines and you can actually feel its warmth

~ regardless of the warm weather, still being able to enjoy holiday things like hot chocolate and Christmas tree lots. You don't need snow and icy wind to enjoy those!

gratitude.

I have had a rough little while the past few weeks. Just stress and discomfort and a little sadness come my way that I've had to deal with. Nothing too serious but enough all at the same time to just wear me down. In the past I always noticed that when I was helping other people or very aware of my personal blessings, it was a lot easier to deal with stress and other issues. So here's a list of some things I'm grateful for:

1. My husband. Alex is amazing at making me feel good about myself and helping to defuse situations. I am a high stress individual and he is very calm. We have a nice balance.

2. Rex. This little baby dog is wonderful. He is so cuddly and sweet. Anytime of day he has a way of making everything ok with his goofy smile and sweet kisses.

3. My mom. She is a gem. Even from a different state she is always looking out for me and Alex and makes sure that we are ok.

4. My job. I am grateful to have a job and the ability to work.

And...

Cold weather

Sunshine

Freedom

Books

Cozy beds

The holiday season

Laughter

Juice

Caramel apple lollipops 

Sales and clearance items

Food

Hugs

Walks

Health

Love

Inspirations

Fresh mown grass