In just 2 weeks...

A LOT has happened.

 

You know the phrase when God closes a door he opens a window but how about when God closes a window he pushes you hard through a newly opened door and you just hope to land on both your feet but either way you know that it's going to be awesome and exciting and fun and new and challenging and maddening and just everything all at once? 

Ok so remember two weeks ago I posted THIS post on my 1 Year Plan... well I'm rolling all that up to 1 MONTH plan!!! I know what the hell happened?  All I can say is really the unexpected in several areas.  I've always known that working with Hendrik's business is one thing that I've wanted to do, not only to help our future but to be able to work AND stay at home with future kids.  The downside to my idea is that to me I wasn't really willing to give into that until we were married.  I just felt that mixing all of those sort of things before marriage would be a lot to take on.  Hendrik knows my views on this subject but he still brought up around a month ago that a few new big projects were in the works for his business and also the need for help in the office.  I reminded him of my views and said that if it was something that he was serious about it would need to be talked about A LOT since the marriage thing isn't happening for us just yet.  Well that's what we've done not only together as a couple but also with his parents to ensure that everyone is on the same page and wants the same outcome from these changes and additions. 

A decision has been made and Monday I turned in my notice at the bank effective 12/31. 

A priority of making this move was not only making sure that working with my partner day in and day out would end with my relationship still in tact but also that I gave the bank ample notice to find a replacement and also for me to train my co-worker in tasks that she's unfamiliar with or have never done at all. 

 

To say I wasn't nervous about this would be a lie because I am.  It is unknown and it's not like I'm trying to get away from my current job for any negative reasons so that always makes this sort of move a bit more difficult.  Given that, I am still very excited and confident that this is the right choice for me, my future goals that were in my 1 Year plan, and just my (OUR) future in general. 

 

I've already made a to do list with top priority tasks and I'm so excited to make certain changes and just take what Hendrik and his family has already built from the ground up and really expand it and give it a ton of room to grow along with our future!  There are many projects that I'm going to get my hands in like web design and other things that are new to me and my job duties.

 

 

 

I'm so excited, nervous, and anxious about this big step in my career and future that I had no idea would present itself this quickly.  Even in my one year plan I was going at all those things on my own and not even considering this partnering as a possible option but now it's here and I can't wait to see how it all comes together.

I Workout....Update #2

It has been 3 months since I've updated on my fitness lifestyle change and it has been a crazy 3 months.  Both in the gym and out but let's talk what's been happening in the gym. 

 

I've kept with my early morning workouts they just seem to work into my life better and I can ensure a good workout no matter what I have going on that day.  We get up 3 days a week at 4:30 and one day at 5 the other day is a rest day.  My current workout consists of heavy lower, heavy upper, a full cardio day, rest on Thursday, and then a total body shred on Friday.  I've been doing this one for 3 weeks now and still have 5 weeks left.  Once I finish this round I plan on going super heavy for 2 weeks to really get the gains in the areas I want. 

 

Speaking of gains let's talk gains and losses!

I love rocking my flat belly!

I lost 4.25 inches between the month of September and October, that is a whopping 9.75 inches total since June 3rd when I started this journey.  The most amazing part to me is I've lost .75 inches around my neck which is just weird....I had a fat neck. LOL  Not down any pounds but that's ok because my body is looking awesome and I'm feeling amazing.  I haven't loved myself this much in years and I'm convinced that the confidence I feel in the gym carries over into my life in other areas. In the month of workouts done in October until last week when I measured again I hung steady.  Although some of my measurements changed the net effect held because I lost in my belly but what I lost there I gained in my booty.  This is awesome because I've purposely ramped up my glute, quad, and ham workouts to gain extra in my butt.  I'm excited that it's showing in the numbers and can't wait to see the results once I finish my current workout in 5 weeks. 

I'm still using my same supplements and vitamins and feeling great.  I did just order an amino acid pill from Bodybuilding.com when I ordered my pre-workout BCAAs and I can't wait to see what it does.  One thing I've noticed since sticking with my supplements is my hair and nail growth is out of control.  The hair is noticeable but what really caught my attention is that I'm having to cut my nails twice a week.  Insane!!! 

Something that I talked about in my last post is how I needed to up my cardio and watch my diet better and I have done both.  We currently run to and from the gym from Amy's house which round trip is over a mile and half  It is a great warm up and really kicks what we have remaining after our workout.  I know that is why my inches lost over the past few months has shown in my measurements.  I plan on making the next month going forward even better....come on 5 inches and lets add some mass!!! 

One thing that is always going to be a struggle for me but I'm really trying to make huge changes is my diet.  Like I've addressed before we don't eat that bad but I can tell just the little things that really hold me back.  I want to commit to an entirely clean and lean diet for about 3 months just to prove to myself that I can and I also want to see how much more I can change my body just by tweaking this and that. 

Inspirational fitness women that I stalk and read so much about.

Ashley Kaltwasser- back to back winner of the Olympia competition

Ingrid Romero- creator of Team Edge

Marissa Rivero- my favorite.  She's a competitor, model, and just seems awesome

They are all fitness competitors and give me motivation to get where I want to be and try my hand at competing as well.

I want to get myself this awesome lunch box/meal planning packs by 6packbags.com.  They have all sorts of different bags so suit all types of women and men and would be the perfect way to really ensure you still to your diet when your are training for something in particular, trying to live a better lifestyle, or just trying to save money by carting around your own food.

Until next time...work out hard!

Insta Dump #7

October from Instagram.  I just can't seem to stay on time with my posting...time is really flying by.



Last home game// disking// dressed up for wedding// surprise money find//somewhere over the rainbow//closet addition//pep rally//ticket booked// Hoss licking the beaters//an apple a day//baking//wreath DIY//coffee on a Saturday//enjoying my new space//dirty after yard work//fall garden// us// Halloween zombie

Don't Wonder What If

I was thinking the other day about how happy I am that I finally took a leap of faith on my own heart and stopped the wondering and second guessing.

What am I talking about??? 

Well for all the years that Hendrik and I have been close friends, probably close 10 or more now, we both knew that there was an added connection between us that was more than just friends or at least held the possibility to be more. 

 

When I came home from Iraq I for sure knew that we had a spark but I just couldn't make the jump.  I let fear stop me because I knew that he's the type of person that IF we tried and something happened we would never be friends again.  I wasn't willing to risk our great friendship for a what if and there were so many uncertainties.  So I didn't, I moved on or tried to but I always had that nagging in my brain and the wonder of something that could possibly be everything I was looking for. 

 

Finally I made the jump and decided that I wanted to try mainly because I KNEW nothing would happen.  This was it and I knew it in my heart before I really had to make the decision.  I guess it took me all those years for a reason and if we had gotten together when I was 20 and he gave me the best kiss of my life that we may not be together today, everything does happen for a reason. 

 

Now we are together forever or at least he is stuck with ME forever and I will never wonder what if because now I know. 

Best decision I've made to date!

If you are wondering what if just jump and do it...you will never know until you try and believe me not knowing is probably worse than just jumping and falling down!

 

 

November Meal Planning

I'm still on a roll with my meal planning for each month.  Like I talked about in August I plan my entire upcoming month the last week of the month and make my grocery list.  We only grocery shop once a month so this is the best way to ensure we have everything we need for our month's worth of meals and also anything else we are running low on.

I know some people are like wow how do you shop for the entire month but to me it is way more budget friendly and all around easier for me to go in once a month and knock it out.

Tips for once a month grocery trips:

• Budget- I have an overall budget right now of $350.  I don't always spend that but it is pretty close and this is pretty much any household item that we need or are low on from the grocery store.  We all know how toilet paper, shampoo, and laundry detergent eat up a budget faster than food items! YIKES!!!  I never go over the budget. 
• Plan- I always review the past few months of meals in my planner to see what we haven't had in a while or what I've cooked maybe too much of.  I also am always on Pintrest during my lunch hour when I'm not studying pinning new meals and recipe ideas to add some new flavor into our lives. 
• Know what you are buying for- Mainly my shopping trips are for dinner meals and lunches are usually leftovers, tuna, salad, and other things I always get no matter what.  I make a week's worth of breakfasts on Sunday night and I alternate between muffins and pig in the blankets.  This is our first breakfast on our way to the gym.  It's quick and easy to just grab and go. 

November Meals

Steak, baked potato, corn on the cob
Cream of mushroom soup- homemade from Pintrest
Tacos
Stuffed bell peppers
Hamburger and sweet potato fries
Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans
Spaghetti
Fish, broccoli, rice
chili
Pork chops, scallop potatoes, peas
Potato and corn chowder from Pintrest
Chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, baked beans
Beef stir fry
Cajun chicken pasta
Grilled chicken, broccoli, quinao
Sun dried tomatoes pesto pasta with shrimp
Steaks,potato, corn
Salmon patties, macaroni and cheese, green beans
Creamy shrimp pasta from Pintrest
Thanksgiving dinner X 2

If you want any specific recipes just leave a comment and I'll be sure to document and post about it or just email you info.

Check out my other meal planning and cooking posts HERE

1 Year Plan

I'm sure I've mentioned before about wanting to have a more creative outlet during my work week, wanting to one day stay home or at least work from home and have a more entrepreneurial skill set...the post or posts that I might have put this in have escaped me so there are no links but just go with me here!

Over the past month or so I've really started thinking about my life after school seeing the light at the end of that tunnel is getting brighter.  I have always known that 1) I won't ever move to the big city so working at a big accounting firm isn't happening and 2) I don't want to be in banking forever.  Knowing these two things means that I am 1) left with opening up my own practice or 2) making my own way with not only my degree but other things as well.  I think that #2 is the perfect option and this is where my one year plan comes into the picture.

Before I break it down for you here is the gist...In approximately one year from now I want to be graduated from school with my masters, studying for the CPA exam, have my personal training, and real estate license, and also be doing a small amount of interior design work....hopefully enough of all these things to be doing it all from HOME.

Now for the breakdown!

The degree is a no brainer at this point.  I love my accounting work but I also know that I can't sit in an office from 8-5 for the next 30 years only doing financials and reconciliations.  If I chose to do that I want it to be on my terms, in my office, and I also want to be able to do it as heavy or light as I'd like for that time period.  This will be my main focus in the next year as it is my foundation to be able to do the other items on my list.

 

After the degree is done I'm going to have free time and I'm going to quickly fill it with a couple certifications that are quick, easy to get, and will benefit my well being.  Both the real estate license and the personal training certificate are something that I have a deep interest for and they will compliment my "make your own" work life nicely.

 

I've always loved real estate I love the buying and selling process and also the whole process of looking at someone's has been and imagining what it can be.  I'm an HGTV addict and although I'm not getting into the whole flipping thing (yet) I do find a certain interest in being excited to show people homes and help them start something new and awesome.

Along the same lines as the real estate I've always been athletic and years ago thought about becoming a personal trainer.  Thought is all I did back then but now I've actually researched the requirements, talked with other trainers, and even used one.  I love my workout regime and I think that it would be a great way to fill in a few hours of my week motivating and teaching others how to maintain a healthy body and lifestyle.

The whole interior design thing is really just a creative outlet because I really love decorating my own spaces with homey décor.  I would really like to do this and if it works or takes off then more power to me but otherwise it is more of a fun hobby that if possible I would like to make money at.  Out of all the things on my list this is the least important part.

 

My thinking is this....Although accounting and business is my foundation I don't want to be or feel trapped or burnt out and at the rate we are going that's how I'm going to feel sooner rather than later.  By attaching the other trainings and certificates to my business/accounting degree I am allowing myself the freedom to concentrate more heavily on one area when or if I want.  If I'm done doing taxes for the busy season I may deny a few clients for a few months take a breather and in the mean time pick up a few extra training clients to fill the void of money and time spent working.

 

This entire plan is to build myself a repertoire of things I can do all at once and individually if I'd like to build the free, creative and challenging work environment that I'm not getting at a steady state job.  I've all of a sudden evaluated myself and my work history and came to this conclusion....after about 3 years I get bored, itchy, and unchallenged in my job.  At this point I'm ready to move on to newer and greener pastures to learn the new ropes of companies or job duties.  Obviously this is the same thing as opening and closing a million credit cards over your life...yeah they were paid off and closed in good standing but why did you get so many over all this time. Was the first one that you had for 3 years not good enough?  I don't want people to look at my resume and see a string of employment here and there and really no good reason to leave anywhere except...I'm done, I'm bored, and I'm not challenged enough. 

 

I feel that the one year plan that I've laid out for myself is the perfect mix of areas that I can really mold into my own and make myself an awesome at home career. 

 

Who knows what all this will bring but I'm ready to get the show on the road and find out!

October Vacation and Playing Catch Up

Lately or over the past few months I feel like I've been neglecting my blog and it is mainly just because of life.  I'm constantly busy with house duties, and the overwhelming amount of reading and work that I have for this semester of school (Masters degrees...they don't give them away people) not to mention my other projects I take on willingly like a Fall garden, a chicken coop and finishing up my house décor!

I took my last week of available vacation from work the week of October 6th and I had big plans, which all got accomplished except one!

So a little run down of the past couple months and my vacation:

1. Nothing exciting except a couple date nights here and there and a whole lot of honey dos and errands like oil changes, laundry, endless cleaning and homework which all got caught up while I was on vacation
2. I am officially permitted to get chickens once again so I got some fancy coop plans from a friend.  While I was on vacation I salvaged some wood to make my coop with but that is as far as I got.  I had big plans to get it all done in my week off but the pile is still sitting untouched.  I really need to get on that I just don't feel confident in my power tool use.  The below coop is a replica of the plans I have.  It looks so good!
   
3. I weeded out all my tomato plants and cleaned up the yard one day after a big storm and filled an entire 20 foot bumper pull trailer with limbs and garden debris...ALONE!  After I got my tomatoes out and mowed over the dead squash I'm only left with bell peppers or that lasted a few hours.  I borrowed a friends huge tiller and tilled up my ex-tomato area and planted garlic and Brussels sprouts.  I'm trying my hand at a Fall garden. So far 5 out of the 10 garlics have came up and upon checking the rest they aren't there.  I guess a mole or some other ground rat ate my bulbs.  Around half of my Brussels sprout plants are going to make it so that is exciting.  I also wanted to plant carrots and potatoes but couldn't find the seed anywhere.  FYI:  you can't just grab some grocery store potatoes and wait for them to eye and then plant them like you used to....they genetically modify the potatoes now so they don't eye or really rot...they just turn to shriveled mush.
   
4. The closet addition was finally finished the week I was home so I spent a full afternoon rearranging, hanging, organizing and decorating the new space along with the old.  It felt so awesome to finally have that done and I was able to mop again.
   
5. Now that the closet is done I only have 2 more things to mark off my list of inside house décor and it will be done.  I am getting the ugly mustard chair reupholstered as we speak and it should be done in a few weeks.  Also I'm going to Canton this weekend and I'm on the hunt for a small stool with tufts or X legs for the closet.  The space is a bit big and it would fit nicely and be a spot to sit and put your shoes on.  Once those two things are done then its onward to the shop and the flowers outside!
6. I have a couple upcoming fun plans.  As I said above I plan on making a Canton, the first in several months.  I have several things on my to get list and I hope to mark a few off but probably not all on this trip.  The stool from above is one, then I want to snag an old metal basket to make into a magazine rack for our bathroom.  I also need some old china and vases for some Christmas DIY's I'm planning on.
7. On November 7th I'm working half a day then I'm booking it to DFW to catch a jet plane to Omaha, Nebraska to visit Mia for the weekend.  I'm very excited!
   
8. Other than that I'm just schooling and trying to stay organized.  Meal planning, budget, and grocery shopping are going down this week and I'm always making lists and thinking of plans for myself, Hendrik, and the future!

Overall my life right now isn't that exciting but I love all the boringness and old people habits Hendrik and I have formed like grilling every Sunday and picking pecans.  My vacation wasn't a Euro trip or a beach escape but it was a work escape and I got a ton done which made me feel so much better and ready to move forward on to the next project, lists, and assignments.

Stay tuned for more updates on my 1 year plan, Fall garden, workout progress, meal planning and chicken life!