Wow, where did 2009 go?

I have realized that my blog is really more of a random collection of thoughts than serving any particular purpose. I look back at 2009 and it was a really good year. I have figured out more this year than I have probably in the past four years combined.

So that leaves me with, what do I want from 2010? What do I want this next decade of my life to bring? I am going to be a bit selfish and say I want more of the same. I want to laugh every day. I want to love every day. I want more time with my friends. I want to continue on this path of staying healthy. I want more travels. More fashion. More money (hey, who doesn't?). And, as always, more of living each day to its fullest. This can be so amazingly hard. I am the QUEEN of freaking out about the small things. Those small things are so just not worth it. Be happy for who you are and what you have. My best friend was telling me a story last night about a guy she works with. His sister was recently married to a soldier. She became pregnant with twins earlier this year. Then, a few months into her pregnancy her husband was killed in Afghanistan. She just gave birth last week to two healthy babies. I cannot even imagine the pain and suffering but also the joy at having healthy babies. Those poor babies will never know their dad. She has to raise those children on her own. (With the help of family, she is lucky to have that.) Life is precious, life is short. We really need to stop and put our lives in perspective. Grasp each second and never act in a way that you wouldn't want to be remembered for.

Happy holidays to all of you. I wish you an amazing 2010. You are all beautiful and special. Embrace it this year! Lots of love, Leslie

P.S.

There may be a more coherent blog topic coming in 2010. Look for it!

Thankfulness

As I reflect on 2009 (and the year isn't even over yet!) I realize that happiness is achievable. It is a moment by moment experience. Have I been happy every day of this year? No, probably not. But, 2009 has been a GOOD year. A very good year. I am so thankful for all of my experiences this year.

January: Started out the year right with a trip to DC for the inauguration of Barack Obama as president. Had an amazing trip, despite the frigid temperature, made some great new friends, spent lots of time with my BFF, and learned a lot!

February: Trip to Scottsdale with my family. Was so nice to get out of the dreary Pacific NW for a few days. Bought a plane ticket for the WRONG DAY and ended up staying an extra day! Hahaha!

March: I have to say, the best part, I met Lincoln! Fabulous!

April: Overnight trip to Portland, got caught in a torrential downpour, caught up with old friends, spring!

May: Went to Colorado for a work training, rushed back in time to go to Sasquatch at the Gorge at George, WA, camped for two nights, bonded with friends!

June: Went to Hawaii with Lincoln, summer!

July: I love the 4th of July, had a housewarming party chez moi (a "sausage fest" literally with all different kinds of yummy sausage we picked up at Pike's Place), smiled a lot, my friend Katy moved back from London!

August: Trip to LA to see good friends, SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER!!!!

September: Worked my BUTT off, football on the weekends, easing into fall...

October: My birthday!!! Woohoo! My favorite month, I love fall! Oh ya, not to mention that little trip to Cabo with Lincoln ;-) Halloween (as little red riding hood!)...

November: Ok, I realize the year isn't over yet, but I wanted to get a head start on everything I am thankful for this year! Lincoln and I are going to Whistler for Thanksgiving and going to go snowboarding. We are spending three nights there and some friends are coming as well! I LOVE LOVE LOVE snow and villages and cute shopping and sitting in a hotel room by the fireplace sipping vino! OMG, I am sooooo excited! And, this weekend, Friday we are going to a French dinner put on by the French Business Association here in Seattle complete with wine tasting and a full french menu! Ooohhh lala! Sunday we are going to the MLS Cup and I will be about 10 seats up from DAVID BECKHAM!!!!!!! Yes, my boyfriend knows ;-)

What to look forward to in the remainder of 2009: December!!!!! Holidays!!!!!!! The first weekend in December I have a formal dinner to attend (hello new dress!) and then spending Sunday in a SUITE at Qwest Field to watch my beloved Seahawks. The following weekend I a headed to Boise to see my grandparents and have an early Christmas. The weekend after, dinner at Canlis! And then Christmas with the fam :-)

How are you lovelies spending the rest of the year? I hope everyone can look back at this year and pick something from every month they are thankful for. I am so happy with this year and have decided to make next year just as good! Happy Holidays ladies (and gents?)

Goals Goals Goals

Well, I have been working on "The Success Principles" by Jack Canfield and I am doing goal setting right now. I am going to list as many goals as possible, with completion dates. Let's get this party started!

1. I will weigh 130lbs by March 31, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

2. I will have body fat percentage at 19-21% by March 31, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

3. I will join one networking activity by January 31, 2009.

4. I will have the cash to write check for my car by March 1, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

5. I will pay off all student loan debt by April 1, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.

6. I will run half of the Seattle marathon in November, 2010.

7. I will brainstorm on ideas for career moves by December 1, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

8. I will speak French by December 31, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

9. I will save $200.00 per month, each month, and go to Paris for at least 10 days in October 2010.

10. I will be happy each day, every day, and I will trust my own happiness.

Holiday Season!

The holidays are sneaking up on us. I want to give thoughtful yet inexpensive gifts this year. Any ideas for a mom, sister, dad and boyfriend?!?! I'll start out by saying my mom is the pickiest, my sis is fairly easy to shop for b/c we have similar tastes, my dad I'll just get some hunting/fishing stuff, and my boyfriend has everything he could ever want or need! Eek!! All thoughts/ideas are sooooo appreciated!

NOVEMBER!

WOW, along with the rest of the world, WOW, it is November! This year has flown by. I'm actually glad for that, it makes me feel like I have been busy and not just sitting around doing nothing!

I haven't been blogging much lately, somehow time has slipped away from me. I miss it.

I have two goals this month -- write two blogs with actual topics and continue with my fitness plan.

As you may know, I have been struggling with my weight for several months now. I hired a personal trainer in July but didn't get great results. I recently changed trainers and have already lost 2 inches from my waist! (Let's not talk about the .5 I gained in my butt, what can I say, I'm hourglass!) This is a combination of eating "clean" and not eating refined carbs/bread/starch after 4 p.m., cardio four days a week (2 days endurance and 2 days intervals) and 2 days a week strength training. The eating part is the hardest for me b/c alcohol counts as a "white carb." And we know I love my wine! The best part about this is despite still not fitting into all of my clothes, I feel SO MUCH BETTER. I feel stronger, thinner (um, btw, havent' really lost any weight, I'm hoping it is b/c I am gaining muscle), healthier, I'm making better choices all around.

BUT LET ME TELL YOU, there are times when I want to KILL SOMEONE for a cupcake! Seriously. I also read recently that there is a link between seratonin production and white carbs. I'm not sure about the science of all of this, but I definitely had major withdrawels. Ask my boyfriend. Seriously, talk about being crazy after 7p.m. at night. The funny thing is, I'm excited about this. It sucks, I'm crabby, it is time consuming, but I'm still excited. I again feel like my body is a work of art. I sculpt it. I create how it looks. I by NO means want to become a body builder, but how cool would it be to say, I have 18/19% body fat? (Instead of ..... sorry guys, not gonna tell you!) To know that I worked sooooo hard on something and got amazing results. I think part of it is my trainer is really inspiring b/c she lives it. She looks it. She does it.

Feeling girly!

For some reason I have been feeling super girly this week. I want to add some feminine touches to my apartment. My apartment currently is pretty neutral. I found this shower curtain on anthropologie.com and I LOVE IT! If only I had an extra 118 dollars! I think I love it so much because it reminds me of a cupcake! Yummy!

Speaking of, I am on a budget. A self-imposed budget. I took the bus today, which saved $10.00. That is $50.00 per week. What have I been thinking?!?!

I really want to get out of the living paycheck to paycheck cycle that I find myself in. Maybe I shouldn't have rented such an expensive apartment?!? But I like living there sooooooo much better than my previous place. I should cut down on my pedicures now that I won't be wearing sandels regularly. Brining my lunch to work regularly will save both calories and money. Maybe I should stop shopping??? The thought gives me a mild panic attack!

Inspiration

Lately I have been thinking a lot about how to make things happen in my life. I understand the concept of "The Secret." I understand that I am not a victim, that life doesn't happen to me and that I MAKE IT HAPPEN. My questions recently are more around, what is it I want? How do I figure out the direction I want my life to take? It is easy to say things like, I want X (material items) but much harder to say, I want X out of life. I mean, what if what I want is a mistake?

And, in areas of my life where I am close, am I afraid? Am I afraid of change? The answer to this is a resounding YES. I am afraid. I have something that is great but, as all things, has aspects that aren't perfect. And, I am afraid to ask for what I want. I'm afraid that if I do things will go totally awry. I'm afraid I don't know how to ask or articulate it properly.

Have you guys listened to Leona Lewis's new song Happy? That sound is inspiration. And so true. I need to NOT be afraid. I need to realize that asking for what I want is OK and not doing that is only making me more afraid.

OK, deep breathes. Here's to no longer being afraid!

Turning 29....

So, this is the last year of my 20s. Everyone says that they are happiest in their 30s so we shall see. It is a bit depressing for some reason. I think it is hard to give it up -- not sure what, but something. My whole life I wanted to be in my twenties, I don't want to be 30 next year. I realize that I sound like a whiny spoiled brat saying that, but there is something daunting about realizing this is the last year of my 20s and I have not accomplished anything near what I wanted to at this point in my life. That, in and of itself, should make me want to work harder, instead, it makes me want to hide under the covers and wait for the bad dream to pass. What is it about birthdays? And I actually had the best birthday of my life. I got to spend a week in Cabo, went to dinner with my bf and best friends and watched the Seahawks beat some ass yesterday at Qwest Field! Still.... today, the day after all the excitement is done, I feel...... BLAH. Majorly BLAH. I took the entire week off to focus on myself. At first, it felt like the best thing I could ever have done. One day into it I feel nervous, unsettled, sad. Sort of like the old cat lady.

Do birthdays have this effect on anyone else? Does anyone have any advice on getting my butt motivated instead of feeling sorry for myself? What should I do the rest of the week with this time off that I should be so grateful for?

Workin' it

Ok, so I started working out with a personal trainer four weeks ago. I just started week five yesterday. I also have religiously been using www.thedailyplate.com. I am getting super frustrated by my complete inability to lose this weight I have gained since May. I never eat more than 2000 calories per day, even on the weekends, and Monday through Thursday eat 1350 per day. I asked my trainer when I would start seeing noticeable results and she informed me that it generally takes about 8 weeks to "see" results. Along with two strength training sessions I have also been doing cardio and interval training. I definitely feel stronger but I would just really love to fit in my suits so I don't have to buy new suits. I also would like my jeans to fit again. I am so unbelievably frustrated because I have been pretty much the exact same size since I was 15 no matter how much I worked out, how much I partied, how much I ate. I was always within 5lbs of the same weight. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get this extra 10lbs off of my body? Without becoming anorexic? Arrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where does the time go?

This morning I thought I would check some of my favorite blogs and I realized that I haven't blogged in weeks! I have no idea where the time goes, but with work, good friends back in town and it being summer it is just FLYING by. In the past few weeks I have found myself in L.A. for three nights, buying tix to Miami for Labor Day, eating out way too much and enjoying life. For example, this weekend I went to Italian with L on Friday night, woke up Saturday and went car shopping (no, not for myself!), got ready for my friend's birthday outing, went out and went to bed at 3 A.M.!!!!!, woke up late yesterday, went and ate more Italian (can you tell I was craving carbs this weekend?), watched Slumdog Millionaire again, two plus hours of "The TO Show" (I'm not proud of this) and A Time to Kill. Basically I did NOTHING. But sometimes nothing feels so great! Especially after my desk at work has looked like this for weeks:

August!

I have taken a bit of a blogging hiatus. I have been so busy I have hardly had time to keep up with everything that is going on in the world!

July's goals:

For July I would really like to make sure I get to the gym a minimum of 3x per week, only have wine 2x per week and on holidays (I KNOW I'll want a drink on the 4th!), NOT buy any more books, hire a housekeeper and BE POSITIVE! My job has really been getting to me lately so I need to work on releasing that stress. I made it to the gym quite a bit. I'm not sure if it was exactly three times per week but it was definitely close! Yay me! Um, I definitely did NOT stick to the only having wine two times per week. Not even close. I didn't hire a housekeeper (I tried but that is a long story!), I didn't buy any books for the month of July (so of course I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday and bought "The Success Principles," "The Bell Jar" and "The Witch of Portobello." I think I was fairly positive also! Overall, not a bad month!

Now for August's goals. I am keeping it simple this month.

1. Read "The Success Principles"

2. Continue to go to the gym a minimum of three times per week

3. Only eat out a maximum of 2 nights per week

4. Be more focused at work.

Sometimes I feel like I am all over the place. I haven't been feeling very inspired lately. I really need to take time for myself. I find that to be a challenge during the summer months. The weather is so amazing and I cannot stand to be inside. I want to hang out with my friends and be super social! I know that the weather won't last and I'll get back to my bookworm self. I guess I'll let it slide that I have been a little flaky lately!

I have a couple things I'm working on and will share those soon...

XOXO!

I would love to hear all the lovely things ya'll will be getting into this weekend? Any fab plans?

Honest Scrap

The lovely Carolyn at www.hangonlittletomato.com just posted an award she received and invited all of her readers to follow suit. Basically, you list ten honest things about yourself that your blogging friends do not know about you.

Ok, here goes:

1. I can be very insecure. I have a tendency to question every choice I make all of the time. I worked on this extensively in therapy and I am much better now.

2. I get bored very easily. This results in changing jobs, not doing as well as I can do at certain tasks, starting things and not finishing them (ie The Artist's Way, decorating my apartment, cleaning, work, etc) Before the age of 24 I only had one long term relationship (and it was when I was 15 so....) because I couldn't stand to date anyone for more than 2-3 months!

3. I am a reformed shopaholic. I ran up my CC bills when I was younger and didn't know better which in turn got me in trouble because I couldn't pay them all. I now have not so great credit and NO credit cards by choice. I don't think it has affected my life in any way.

4. On that note, I also have a HUGE amount of student loan debt from law school. HUGE.

5. I am in LOVE with cheese. All kinds of cheese. From the stinky French cheeses to velveeta. Every single kind of cheese. Nope, can't think of one I don't like!

6. This is kind of embarassing but I have gained 15 pounds since last fall. I have had a combo of stressful events occur in the past year, including a major breakup which left me about 5lbs on the thin side, and then didn't work out for 6 months and have regained the 5lbs plus another 15 back. I have about 7 suits that have been acquired in the past several years and only ONE of them fits me right now. I'm so embarassed by this.

7. Sometimes on a weekend I will lay in bed all day, not shower, not get dressed, and just read a magazine, book or watch 10 episodes of Law and Order.

8. I really like cupcakes. I can't make them anymore b/c I will eat 4 or 5 of them in one sitting. I think I may have a binge eating problem...

9. I really really really like my new "bf." I think he is one of the nicest, honest fun people I have ever met! He makes me want to be better and be more positive. He inspires me to work harder in my career and to work out! He is fabulous :-)

10. Despite mentioning some things that are not so great about me above, I am generally pretty content with my life. I feel like is process and going up and down are all part of it.

Thanks again Carolyn for inviting all your readers to take part!

Hope ya'll do the same and post your own 10 things :-)

Staycation?

I'm feeling a little burned out lately. I literally do NOT want to go into work for some reason. I have been feeling a little taken advantage of and under appreciated. Also, every time I take any vacation I am going going going. (I shouldn't complain, I sound so ungrateful.) All I want is to stay at home, read books by the pool, drink lots of Perrier and NOT run errands. I can hardly get anything done at work. Is it the fact that the weather is amazing and I'm stuck in an office? Do I just need a break? Do I need a big change (new job?) Is it OK to change jobs every two years? I have so many questions!! Also, I have nearly a month of "sick" time. I firmly believe I should be able to take some of this time as "mental health time."

On a somewhat related note, has anyone completed the Artist Way? If not, does anyone want to do a "long distance" buddy system? Any other good suggestions on getting back on track?

And, on a completely unrelated note, I want a puppy so bad I can't stand it. When I see puppies and dogs out I get so excited and get this feeling in my stomach!

Shoes, bags and more! Oh my!

After this weekend I will be on a "financial diet" for quite some time. The Nordstrom sale was out of control. I think my mom is a bad influence! I ended up with a pair of Jimmy Choo's, a pair of Chanel heels, new Chanel sunglasses, new perfume, a new Coach wallet, a new bag, new work pants, new work shirts, random dresses from H&M and new workout clothes. Someone needed to stop me! I have mild anxiety about how much money I spent but overall I am pretty thrifty and don't go crazy too frequently.

Now I have that kind of "let down" feeling that you get after something really fun happens. I'm also really happy to be in my bed on my computer not entertaining!

I am so looking forward to this upcoming week. I have spinning tomorrow after work, then Tuesday my first personal training session at my new gym, dinner with a friend on Wednesday, personal training again on Thursday and hopefully dinner with a good friend on Friday! ALSO, the lovely K will be moving back to Seattle this week after two years in London and I am soooooo excited! She is one of my partners in crime and I can't wait for her to return.

One thing I really need to work on this week is staying positive and also eating healthy. Kind of random right? I have been eating crap lately and even though I was down two pounds on Friday morning, I'm pretty sure I have gained it all back over the weekend. How do you change your eating habits and break bad habits?

Also, is it wrong I feel guilty about lazing around when the weather is so nice out?

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!

Two of my fave things!

Audi and hot pink nails!

Lovely Weekends

I realize I have been a bit MIA for the past few days. I had a fabulous weekend and thought I would share! Sometimes just the little things can make a huge difference. Here is a rundown of what I have been up to the past few days!

Friday: I didn't get my work out in because I ended up working until 6:00. After getting home, showering and throwing on a cute dress I went out to dinner at The Dahlia Lounge with b/f and friends! Had a fabulous time then off to Spur for some after dinner drinks.

Saturday: Got up fairly early for me on a weekend (9:00!) and walked to the gym. Got a decent work out in and then stopped in the Market to get some coffee and brunch. Afterwards hit up Target and then back to chez moi. Did some cleaning and laundry then off to the ballgame with good friends. Enjoyed the game but stayed in the beer garden most of the time! Afterwards headed down to Belltown and hit up Del Rey then Karma where we danced the night away! Or, did my "white girl" attempt at dancing! Headed back to chez moi and decided to get some late night pizza at my FAVE pizza place, Belltown Pizza. Finally got home around 1:30/2 and passed out!

Sunday: Got up fairly early (10ish) and got ready for the day. It was CHILLY yesterday (high of maybe 64 and raining!) so I got to put on my fab Burberry jacket that I haven't worn since May! Went out to West Seattle to b/f's house and promptly got back in bed with my Starbucks and a Perrier to watch several episodes of Anthony Bourdain. We decided to get up and head to the mall where we browsed and then went to look at the new Camaros (sp?). They are sexxy sexxy. However, convinced Lincoln that he does NOT need a third car and that trading his Porsche in for a Camaro is NOT a good idea! Come on! Then we went downtown and did some more browsing then went to the theater and watched Bruno. It was hilarious but really raunchy so do NOT go to this with your parents/grandparents/children!! Afterwards we went to dinner at Cactus on Alki and ordered a fab bottle of vin. Only drank a small portion of it so we corked it and took it home. Finally got home and again, promptly hopped in bed in sweats to watch some more Anthony Bourdain (new episodes start tonight, ya'll!!!) Had another glass of vin, read some more of Tuscan Holiday and fell asleep.

What is your idea of a perfect weekend? I love being busy but also having lots of time to rest and be in my bed! (or L's bed :-)) The pic above is of the sunset the night of the Mariner's game. View from Safeco field! It actually does NOT do the sky justice at all but I tried to capture just how amazing it was (with my BB.)

Test from phone!

So Excited!

http://www.ilovehotyoga.net/

10 classes for $20 for new clients! I can't wait to check it out!

Shopaholic

I am REALLY craving going to Target, Barnes & Noble and Nordstrom. Sadly, my goal is to NOT buy anymore books this month! Eek! And, my mama, aunt and gramma are coming to Seattle for the Nordstrom sale later this month so I better save my money :-)

How can a person "crave" shopping? I recently read it can actually be addicting. Something about our brain chemistry and the thrill of finding a deal and being in the store? I really need to control myself! I know this is me b/c I got the Nordies sale catalog on the mail today! I am really frustrating nothing in it is online yet!