Day 29 - In this past month what have you learned?

In the last month, I've learned that winter is only good for the Holidays.
Well, I guess more, remembered. As I'm quite certain I've learned that before.

I've learned that... uh...

I don't know.
This post is dumb. I'm done with it. haha.

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Along those same wintry lines, however... enjoy this photo:

My mom works at the Elementary school, and I went with her last Saturday to help her out with something. As we were walking back out to the car, I saw this poster. Ohhhh Spring cannot come fast enough!

So, what was I helping my Mom with you ask? Lemme tell you. She recently switched jobs at the school to the Librarian and she needed some help decorating one of the bulletin boards there. She opened up the "Work Room" door and said to have at it! It was like a dream come true. Wall to wall paper in all different colors, textures, sizes. Scissors! Glue! Glitter!(which, I unfortunately found too late. Probably for the best.) Anyhow... this is what I came up with:

My mom made the snowflakes. :)

In other news... I've been so down lately. My face is breaking out... I'm grumpy and whiny baby... I keep crying. (No, I'm not tearing this out of Heidi's blog, I promise it's happening to me too! haha) I'm quite sure my lady time is trying to show up... My body is just stupid.

And this whole winter thing is getting so old. I just want sunshine! And things that make me happy! Like being outside without freezing! Swimming! Tanning! Hiking! Kite flying!  AHHHH!

It feels like the only thing I look forward to now are Zumba, and weekend snuggle sleepovers. How pathetic.

At least I have during the week sweetheart kisses. And good company to make me smile.

I'm trying to cheer up. I'd like to NOT keep posting such yucky posts. Sorry for being a downer, fellow bloggers. Next post I promise to be more awesome.

*also* I really Really Reeeeeaaaaaaally hate noisy eaters. Especially when it involves lip smacking. It's disgusting. And makes me want to scream and smack the person in the mouth.     that is all.

Day 28 - A picture of you in the last year and now, how have you changed since then?

One year ago: I was still very heart broken and desperate for any sort of company. 

I don't remember being this cold all the time.

Quite unhealthy. Physically and mentally.

A pro at making questionable impulse decisions.

Now: Healed.

Happy.

I can be comfortable being alone.

Hair about 4 inches longer.

Found Zumba, and feel 10 times healthier. (both physically AND mentally!)

Non-Smoker.

Freakin' awesome. (a whole years' worth more..)

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This past weekend was my good friend Janice's Birthday. So we went to SLC for her party. I have so much fun when we go up there. It's nice hanging out with a bunch of people who just want to have a good time. I decided to use my Ipod as my camera for the evening and took SO many pictures! (If you've seen my FB you know what I'm talking about..)



Exibit A:
mustache photo. They have this mustache on their bathroom mirror... I couldn't resist.

The whole night was so fun. So many great people. And seeing the way Not-Boyfriend acts when around the SLC crowd makes me happy. And Salt Lake adventures very rarely disappoint.

                            Me, Hailey, and Janice

This is also the night I realized how you change the lens on the incredibooth. And trust me... It was quite the big deal when I realized that my photos with Big D came out in COLOR  haha.

Also, look at how he's such a studly Dustin.

Man I'm friends with some attractive people. haha. ;)



And then there's this guy...

I'm sad he (along with quite a few other people this night) didn't realize that the incredibooth takes FOUR photos, so he was making the same face in ever picture. Whatta dough-head.



I think that's about it. Not much else to talk about.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and is having a great start to the week!

Day 27 - Why are you doing this 30 day challenge?

Why am I doing this "Challenge" you ask?

Because I sucked real bad at knowing what to blog about when I started this blog up again.. So I figured having pre-chosen topics would help me along.

I was right.. but now it's just obnoxious! haha. :D

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It's cold.



And I need to trim my bangs.

Have a GREAT night!

(thanks for stoppin' by!)

Resolution breakin'

I just can't seem to get myself to do any 30 days of blogging again today.
I don't even know what the next "subject" is...


I just wanted to make this a quick post anyhow.

Today was wonderful. Didn't have to work one job, so I went to the other early so's to get off early and have a nice evening with my family.
I made a deal with myself last night. No more whiny baby days this week. I used up my quota on my sick days. So from here on out, POSITIVITY IS KEY! ha. Seems to be working alright.  :)

I'm somewhat stuck in a musical rut, however. That sounds so silly. But I'm working on getting my new ipod filled up, I've got most of my music on there, going to steal the essentials from the boys. But I want something new.
Any musical suggestions? Any kind really. As I love most anything. (considering I already have everything from Billy Holiday to Leftover Crack on my old ipod...)

Just a few photos now..

 I know I know... I said to take it easy on the pictures of myself.. 

But I DID also say I'm resolution breakin' in this post too. ;)

This was a few nights ago, the sunset was BEAUTIFUL there were so many amazing colors in the sky. 

I was driving so I wasn't able to get as good of a picture as I'd like, but I think this does some justice.

Anyhow, I hope every one's Tuesday is going swimmingly. I'm getting anxious for Zumba! I just want it to be time to get ready.

1-because it's Zumba. And I'd marry it if I could.

2-because JODI is coming tonight! Oh I can't wait! :DD

Resolutions?

1- Finish 30 days of blogging that has instead lasted 3 months...

2- No more soda. Or at least go back to very rarely soda. Ever since I quit smoking I've been drinking a lot more soda... It's gotta go!

3- Cut back on the hooch.

I don't drink often. But I'd like to make it even less. And with weight-loss in mind, it can only make things better!

4- Exercise at LEAST 4 days a week. I've got my 2 guaranteed Zumba days. I need to make sure I'm doing 2 more days of SOMETHING!

5- Spend more time with my family. (extended family also. With the Holidays over, I've been racking my brain trying to figure out when we're going to have an excuse to all get together again!)

7- Keep my room clean.

I'm sure there's more that needs to be done, but I think that's a good start.

 I probably should start taking more pictures like this though...

 Or perhaps just consider growing a sweet 'stache... somehow.

 Maybe just stick to :

8- Post pictures of more than just self when blogging.

You vain, vain Shando...

How's everyone holding up with their New Years Resolutions? :D

Day 26 - What you think about your friends.

You know, it's quite interesting that this is the post for today, as my "friends" have been on my mind quite a bit since New Years.

I love my friends. I love the friends that I've had for years and years, and the new friends that have come into my life. Most importantly, I love the friends that I have that don't feel the need to be fake because other people are around. I love my friends who actually treat me like a friend all the time, rather than just trying to make conversation after not speaking to me (at all) for months and months. I'm so happy that I don't put myself in situations where I have to be around these people often. And I see 2011 holding even less of said situations.

Also, I am very happy that the majority of my friends are boys. Because quite frankly, being friends with girls has never worked out for me very well.

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Anyhow...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I do hope everyone was safe and had plenty of fun for New Years! My NYE festivities were rather less than satisfactory. My original plans were ruined by someone calling in sick at Pizza Hut making Matthew have to close that night. So we went to a party instead. (see above portion of post to see how that went... ha) I decided I'd go down to ring in the New Year with my family, but by the time I had decided this, there was only about 6 minutes until midnight, so I stayed. And then shortly after snuck away to go hang out with my family for the first bit of 2011. It was tons of fun! I wish I had spent all of New Years with them, but oh well. :)

at least I looked good. haha

I left my parents and spent the rest of the morning snuggling and watching movies on the couch with Matthew. We pulled an all nighter and watched the CHEEZIEST horror movies On Demand. The free ones. Just to give you a bit of an idea.. haha.



Seriously... Ridiculous. Haha.

But then after the movies he decided to flip through to see what was on TV. And kept putting it on Puppy Bowl III. HOLY CRAP!! Cutest thing ever! Just a bunch of puppies running around playing, and they made a TV show with it!? I was in Heaven! haha.



We both slept for a million hours. I finally got up around 3:30 to come home. On the way I realized I felt AWFUL! Ended up spending the rest of the day curled in a ball on our TV chair and throwing everything I've eaten in the last few days up. I'm happy to report that I feel much better today though. Just have a mega headache and my tummy still hurts a tad, but I've at least been able to eat and keep it down. :)

I was going to post my Resolutions, but I just don't feel like it now. So until next time, Happy New Year!

Day 25 - What I would find in your purse.

In my purse right now you would find...

my wallet

hand lotion

carmex

a pair of earrings

(they've been chillin' in there for about a month now..)

i think some nail polish?

and about 9 million receipts/gum wrappers.

yep... pretty sure that's about it.

oh.. and some tea packets from when I was sickie poo.

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In other news.. (ha, couldn't help myself..)

I'm happy to see everyone had a great Christmas. I'd have to say I agree with the statement "best Christmas in a few years".

This year and this season has made me so grateful for everything that I've had in my life, and the people that are in it. I look back at my life and I've been so blessed to have such a close family, parents who worked hard to be able to give me everything I needed. (and most of the things I wanted) I see so many people who haven't experienced that. Who aren't close with their extended family. And it kind of breaks my heart a little. I am indeed grateful for the family I have and the opportunities and gifts I have been given.

AAAAAAAAAAANYHOW.

The big plan I mentioned in the previous post relates somewhat to what I just talked about. I played Santa (or as I like to call it.. Shandi-Claus) this year for the boys. I originally was just going to get Matt pillows, because his were yuuuuuuuuuuucky. But then decided to get them all a few cheap little gifts. On Christmas Eve I went to their house while they were at a family dinner and set up a little "Christmas Tree" that I had made out of ribbon and set all of the wrapped presents underneath. I couldn't get any pictures of it, as they all walked in right as I finished. But it was precious. And Matt's new pillows are simply delightful. (yes... I kind of got them more for me... but to keep on his bed. ha)

Christmas Day was GREAT! Aside from the little brother thinking we STILL need to wake up at 6am to open presents! YIKES! I got so many great gifts. TONS of lotions and body sprays in my favorite scent(s) so I'm very well stocked for a while! I also got an Ipod Touch. I downloaded the hipstamatic and incredibooth apps (thanks to Heidi making them look so fun)

a few ipod photos for your viewing pleasure:



after waking up the 2nd time... still sooo sleepy.

 

My Grandma Benson always comes down for Christmas Breakfast.

This year instead of BOOberry(haha) pancakes, my mama made eggnog french toast.

DEEEEELICIOUS!

previously mentioned "Cat-Zilla"...

not-so baby brother. I just love that guy.

My Mom after we were done eating dinner.

My Mom and Grandma Jerry. They were being Christmas twinners in matching shirts.

I of course ended the night hanging out with the boys. This is Dustin and I waiting for one of our friends to get out to the car. He's so fun. He just makes me laugh. It's nice having goofball Dustin back. :D

Aaaaaaaaand, I think that about wraps it up. I need to get to sleep. I'm starting up running again tomorrow! (Wish me luck that I'll actually make myself get out of bed for it!) I just plan on having tomorrow be a SUPER-FIT day. Start it off with a jog, Zumba at 9:30... Yes, please.

Hope every one is doing well!