Turning 28

The other day I read on someones profile: "Do not regret growing older; it is a privilege denied to many." I couldn't agree more. Today is the day I turn 28 and I've gotta say... the older I get, the more comfortable I become in my own skin. I've had an entire birthday weekend. I guess having a Monday birthday isn't so bad when you think of it that way! Friday night, my family took me to Ele for dinner and we had the best time.  Mom and Dad came to pick me up, we had a little bit of bubbly at the house while I opened my presents, then we met my sister and her boyfriend there. We had a giggly waiter, some nice wine, fancy food, and good conversation. One conversation in particular involving alligators and other river creatures, thus confirming why I do not like to swim in said rivers.

I made everyone take a picture of their entree before digging in. They may have given me funny looks but  I bet they appreciate it now! I couldn't tell you the name of what anyone got, except for mine: Green Curry with Chicken. My mouth just started watering when I typed that. True story.

Dad's 

Mom's

Cathlin's (sorry its sideways)

My Green Curry with Chicken

Ryan's Sushi

Chocolate Bomb

My Key Lime Cake

Chocolate & more chocolate

Thanks Mom & Dad!

Today at school for my REAL birthday was extra special too! Ms. Donovan surprised me with a lunch of Taco Salad and Spoon Brownies for all the first grade teachers to celebrate my big day. Ashley gave me a some new soap from the Paris Market, and the day wouldn't have been complete without 1st grade happy birthday drawings. Some kids took the whole birthday thing more seriously than others & made an over abundance of cards. I had them guess how old I was with the closest one earning a ring pop. I ranged from the age of 12 to 107 with the majority of guesses in the mid 30's. The winner guessed that I was 29.

Wish I could have more than 1 birthday a year! Its been a good one. Thanks friends!

Caroline

New Years Resoutions

It just struck me that I feel like one of those characters in a girly chick flick right now....You know, the Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail type. The e-mailing to Tom Hanks scene. Sitting on my bed, Indian style, laptop propped up on a throw pillow, the soft glow of a lamp, hot tea on my bedside table, head tilted to the side as I type.....backspacing every few words, reflecting on what to say.

Yes! Just like this!

Anyway, back to New Years Resolutions. I have lots of things that I'd like to work on, but the main one is to get on a good cleaning/organizing/decluttering schedule. I'm a fairly neat person as is, but I have a hard time throwing things away. Then it starts to add up. Its time to let go. Let. It. Go. I even went as far as to make a notebook with a chart that gives me 1 small chore each day for the whole year! (I found it here if you're interested.)  My chore for today was "take care of any piles of clothes in your bedroom." That was easy b/c I had no piles! Tomorrow ( I peeked)  is "clean out one drawer in your room" Not looking forward to that one. I always end up going down memory lane and finding some excuse to keep previously mentioned clutter item. I found a quote that is supposed to help:

"Have nothing in your house that you do no know to be useful or believe to be beautiful"

-William Morris

The only problem with this is that I can find a beauty in or a use for just about anything.

Next on the list would be the same as 75% of the population: healthy eating habits. I'm pretty much covered on that one too, but  the sweets get me every time. I'm been into a more vegetarian, whole foods, less dairy type diet lately & it makes me feel more energetic and clear headed. My new staple foods are almond milk, coconut milk, and almond butter made fresh from the machines at Brighter Day or Fresh Market. I've also been really into these No Bake Energy Bites lately. 

Finally, quit being such a procrastinator! Don't you like how I saved that one for last? Ha. 

I'm feelin' good about my resolutions this year.  Tell me yours!

Caroline

Top 10 of 2011

I've seen on all the fancy, well- followed blogs, a Top 10 List for the year. I am by no means a "big name" on the blog scene, but I wanted to follow along and make one also. I'm sure the fancy bloggers have some sort of mechanism that does the dirty work for them, but me...I made the list myself according to which page had the most views. (I do have a stat-counter thank you very much.....movin' on up!)  For all you dedicated followers of mine, here are the top 10 most viewed pages of 2011. We can reflect together. The results surprised me. (Remember, you can click on the hi-lited title and it will take you back to the original post.) So without further adieu:

#10:  Pinterest

#9 When Things Go Better Than Planned

#8 My Dream House

#7 Caroline Time

#6 My Fitness Pal

#5 Ode to Cathlin

#4 Zumba

#3 Coming Home

#2 Here We Go

#1 Kyle

And for the record, I love hearing from you when you've read my blog. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. When I started writing in February, I never realized how many people would actually take the time to read my little insignificant posts. But thank you! Really, thank you. It always brightens my day when I get a comment on my blog or in real life!

What was your favorite post this year??

Caroline

Merry Christmas

May Your Days Be Merry And Bright

Love,

Caroline & Whelan

Updating

Welcome to our kitchen, still stuck in the late-80's. That's some fine wallpaper right there. And its coming down this Christmas break. I've finally had enough!

So here begins the process. I borrowed this little gem from my neighbor: the ULTRA Steam Shark. Me and the shark have been best friends for the past 2 days, but I feel like I'm starting to get tired of him already. He does his job nicely, but it's slow-goin!


 See? this is all I've accomplished after putting in about 4 solid hours. Two measly pieces of walls. I won't even show you how much more I have to go. I figured if I blogged about it, then maybe it would keep my motivation going to get the job done.  Usually I blast my music and therapeutically peel away with the help of my Eddie Bauer ice scraper. (Clearly never used for scraping ice- its Savannah.) I've found that it goes lot faster if I have someone to talk to though. Any takers? Come on by! And bring and extra steamer.

Also, I'm kinda new at the whole "taking down wallpaper" bit- so advice is welcomed from all you DIY-ers. Remind me why, again, did I start this feat?

Desperately,
Caroline

My Dad

Ahhh, the first official day of Christmas break. Monday's don't seem so bad right now. This morning, somehow I pulled myself out of my cozy, warm bed. Complete with red flannel sheets. I did some lovely, hot yoga and now I have gloriously returned to my bed. Possibly the best feeling in the world.

This is also a special day in the history books because it's Jack Wilson's birthday!  I'm the luckiest daughter in the world to have him as my dad. Poor guy has had to live with 3 girls for the better part of his life and not a complaint comes out of his mouth. His patient and gentle spirit exceeds them all. He may be a man of few words, but he always knows just what to say.

Awhile ago, I read a book called God Came Near by Max Lucado. This passage stood out to me because it reminded me so much of my dad. It's more of a Father's Day tribute, but I'm going to use it as birthday tribute this time.

"His achievements, though admirable, were nothing extraordinary. Summer vacation, homecoming dates, algebra, first car, driveway basketball- they all had one thing in common: his presence. And because he was there, life went smoothly. The car always ran, the bills got paid, the lawn stayed mowed. Because he was there, the laughter was fresh and the future was secure. Because he was there, my growing up was what God intended growing up to be; a storybook scamper through the magic and mystery of the world. Because he was there, we kids never worried about things like income tax, savings accounts, monthly bills, or mortgages. Those were the things on Daddy's desk. We have lots of family pictures without him. Not because he wasn't there, but because he was always the one behind the camera"
-Max Lucado, God Came Near

So Dad, I hope you enjoy your special day. You are loved by many! Most especially, me!

Caroline

Unwrapping My Tuesday

I read a blog today (Chatting at the Sky) that inspired me to write about "Tuesday's Unwrapped." I'll go ahead and tell you straight up that I do not promise to make this a regular Tuesday night affair, but this Tuesday night it seemed fitting. This blogger urged her readers to write about the gifts they were given TODAY. Not this year, not this week, just this moment. Honestly, my head is spinning right now as I try to decide on just one.

 Maybe I'll write about all of it. What the heck.

1) Rising early for hot yoga is a gift I give myself quite often. I dragged my butt out of bed at 5:20 this morning because I'm addicted to that hot room where I can lay on my mat and sink into the floor, barely awake. I'm addicted to the China Gel that the teacher rubs on my lower back when I'm in child's pose.....it kinda feels like my back ate a peppermint. Tingly and fresh! I'm addicted to the space that is created in my spine and my relaxed muscles when I leave. I walked out in a trance...like I just got off a massage table.

2) A little girl in my class bought all the teachers in the room a present at the Secret Santa Shoppe at school today and couldn't wait until Christmas to give it to us. So sweet...her little face lit up when she fished that crumpled red, paper gift bag out of her backpack to give to me. Melts my heart.

3) I'm making reindeer cookies tonight. My excuse is to make them for the class, but deep down, its just because I wanted to eat huge little hunks of the cookie dough between batches.

4) Today I got paid for babysitting many long hours over the weekend. Amen. The cash makes up for the entire box of honey nut cheerios being dumped onto the living room floor 30 minutes after I got there. But, they're only 4 and 6.....it happens.

5) My best friend calling on the way home from work, just to chat. It feels good to be thought of on someone's ride home from a hectic day....that I am the one they want to call.....I am the one to catch the venting. And the silent moments don't have to be filled. Its comfortable and familiar. Its a gift.


Now tell me about your gifts from today!

Caroline