Gettin' Real Real

"When we long for life without...difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure."

- Peter Marshall

----------------------------------------

Those would be wise words for me to remember right now, for I am feeling overwhelmed.

I'll admit my anxiety is coming for a visit, where it's very unwelcome. My body shakes with fear at challenging myself to be more than I am, yet I know I must.

I know that without challenge I won't be satisfied. Without it I'll feel as if I'm not living up to my full potential and that I'm cutting myself short.

But? 

But I am terrified.

Shaking in my boots and clinging to my mama kind of terrified.

I am so afraid of not being "good enough".

I'm afraid of looking stupid.

I'm afraid of..myself.

When I'm feeling quite positive I remind myself that I'm invited to participate in life. I remind myself that I'm welcome to all the opportunities in this world just like everyone else.

Those statements are overly simplistic, yet always ring true, if only I could find the strength to hold tight to them.

This all relates to a recent occurrence of a professor tapping into my dreams and making it seem like they are worth something.

With his kind words I was shaken, and once safe in my car let the tears flow.

I don't do well with this positive attention.

I crumble under praise, while I should be rising up.

I fear he is wrong and maybe I don't truly have what it takes, but something inside of me is pushing me to pursue this idea of an MFA. Something is telling me this is right.

It would complicate my life in so many ways.

It would add more obstacles to certain paths while clearing others.

My entire route would need to be changed, yet I'm strongly considering this redirection.

If only I knew how to tame this fear. If I knew how to rattle my finger and turn Fear from a beast to something a tad bit more cuddly this just might be easier.

Maybe that's the point though, that this won't be easy.

But will it be worth it?

I think it could be.

Now here's to exploration and seeing where this journey may take me.

I'll pack up my bags and lock them tight, hoping that little mongrel named Fear will stay behind.

Love and Possibilities,

Sara

Super Sara Health Update

Hiya folks!

Super Sara here with another health update!

I have two more weeks under my belt. That's right, six weeks have come and gone. Crazy, but amazing.

Last week I clocked in with a 2lb loss.

It was funny, I forgot how much I weighed, so when I got on the scale I'd actually thought I'd gained. 

It was a nice surprise to see the ticker go down 2 marks instead, and it made more sense with the healthy habits I've been practicing.

Oh...that tricky mind of mine.

As you can see I also reached another milestone of a 10lb total loss.

That's pretty awesome.

And that brings us to this week.

This week I actually added in a little activity.

E and I took a wonderful adventure of a 21 mile bike ride last Saturday (more on that to come) and also enjoyed some strolling with the pooches.

I hope to keep adding more activities in over time because I love the way I feel when I'm more active and spending more time outdoors.

So back to this weeks weigh-in.

I was actually up half a pound:

Sure it's a bummer, but honestly? Honestly I don't care.

I'm in this for the long haul and for my health and I know this week I did a nice job on focusing on my nutrition and adding in activity.

None of those are bad things.

This week I'll keep doing what I'm doing, but try planning ahead a little more to work in more vegetables, fruits, and activities.

With the colder weather I am seriously considering a gym membership strictly for the spin and yoga classes. I'm still not set on it though.

So, goals for this week:

-Earn 20 Activity Points

-Reach my Vegetable and Fruit Goals each day

Those things I can do and I am certain they will make me feel even better.

I have a lot on my plate right now and some big decisions to make, which I'll discuss later, so taking care of my health is essential.

Love and Sticking to It,

Sara

P.S. Our internet is back in action and I am probably a wee bit more excited than is healthy, but yeeehaw to that.

P.S. x 2: Six weeks of WW down also means six weeks of school down. Can I get a yeehaw for that as well?

Yeeeehaw!

30 Days of Lists - Days 27, 28, and 29

Three more lists for 30 days of lists and your viewing pleasure:

27 - My Overused Words & Phrases

Day 28 - If I Ruled the World

Day 29 - Things That Were Awesome About This Month

This project has been a lot of fun.

Tomorrow I'll share my final page and some pictures of my book all filled up and bulgy.

I'm glad I saw this through, although my Daily Animal Doodles have been neglected. I do have a few more of those to show too though, when I finish them up.

I'll be back later with that Super Sara Health Update. Oh boy!

Love and Lists,

Sara

Broken Interwebs and Etsy Love

Our internet is still broken, but should be fixed by Thursday evening.

I think today I was having withdraws. No joke.

Not really good, but at least I admit it!

Hard to get things done for school and personal business when they're stuck where I can't get to them.

So anyway, I'm here at school to catch up on personal stuff and to work on school things before class.

While I was at it I ordered these two little magnets for my art room and to celebrate our news.

Super cute chihuahua bride and groom from Miller Sye on etsy.

While there I also ordered this weeks school reward, an art print of my choice.

This was my selection:

Always a great sentiment!

Print is from the wonderful Alisa Bobzien on etsy.

And now I actually have to work on my Spanish assignments before allowing myself time to read blogs.

At least that'll give me motivation to make it speedy.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying your week.

Anything fun going on?

Also, if you missed it, check out my thrifting find of the month. It's a good one!

Love and Internet Addiction,

Sara

Pretty Thrifted Clock

Last week E and I went on one of our weekly thrifting adventures and I found the most amazing thing:

This amazing handmade clock with such beautiful stitching!

Check out all the amazing detail and color: 

The tickers weren't working, but with a quick trip to Michael's (coupon in hand) I had it fixed right up!

Now it's hanging on my art room wall and looking gorgeous, while also functioning perfectly. 

Even more awesome?

The Cost: $2.21

I spent a few dollars, three or four after the coupon, for the new hand mechanism at Michaels and that's it.

This thing is big too. Like 12" by 12" or so.

Awesome, and it goes great with all my other vintage floral loves.

Have you found any thrifted goodies lately?

What do you think about this here clock?

Love and Time Telling,

Sara

P.S. I'll be here tomorrow with a Super Sara Health update for the past two weeks when I have access to the internet. Can't wait to share.

Woot Woot - Big News

Heeeeya friends!

Big news over at the Goober-Pants household....

...WE'RE ENGAGED!

That's right, these two silly folks are getting married.

We're super excited and I'm sooo glad that I can now allow myself to officially start planning for our party.

(Right after it became official..super duper late and super disheveled us)

We're planning for next September which'll be perfect.

What a great thing that'll be to celebrate my finishing school and us starting on a new chunk of our life together.

He's pretty dang great and mine forever, woohoo!

Here's my super perfect pretty ring:

It's just right for me! Twigs and leaves for the win!

Woohoo!

And now if anyone has any planning advice or links to good stuff throw it at me!

I'm sure I'll be talking about this a lot more.

Love and Forevers,

Sara

P.S. Our internet is being a booger so my presence here on the interwebs will be kinda touchy the next coupla days. Just..you know..f.y.i.

30 Days of Lists - Days 24, 25 & 26

We're nearing the end of lists making, well for this project at least.

Here are my latest three:

Day 24 - Things I Like to Do When I'm Sick

Day 25 - Today's To-Do List

Day 26 - Things to Do Before My Next Birthday

Love and Lists,

Sara

100 Truths of Sara: Take 6

100 Truths of Sara

51. Love me some coffee. A good soy latte makes me so happy, but also gets me kinda buzzy so I have to be careful. So tasty though.

52. I always always always empty the lint trap in the dryer before starting the next load. Eric doesn't. Drives me crazy, but it's also sort of fun when I get to peel back a big thick layer.

53. I think about babies, decorating a nursery, future family vacations, and many other similar things all the time.

54. I'm in love with my tongue scraper and think everyone should have one. They're the best!

55. I do not like watching violent shows, movies, video games or anything of the sort. If those images get in my head you better believe they're going to revisit me over and over again. No thanks to that.

56. I would love to learn to play piano. I took lessons when I was really young, but had to stop. My dad played piano and so does my uncle crazy, so maybe I could still be okay at it? Either way I'd like to learn.

57. I've had artwork in shows a few times, but have a secret dream of having a solo show sometime with an entire section of my own work. Not a secret now, but luckily I have a lifetime to achieve this.

58. I always have a container of water next to the bed. I won't go to sleep without it.

59. Sometimes I like to fill the tub with warm water and take a bath while watching crappy tv on the laptop. Sometimes I even bring snacks.

60. You know those machines where you put in a quarter and try pushing off other quarters? Well if I see one of those you better believe I'm going to start popping in quarters. Gas stations in small towns are great for this.

Love and Lists,

Sara

Previous Installments:

Take 1

Take 2

Take 3

Take 4

Take 5

30 Days of Lists - Days 21, 22 & 23

My List for the 21st, 22nd & 23rd here for your viewing pleasure.

Day 21 - TV Shows I Wish Would Come Back

Day 22 - Ways to Avoid Housework

Day 23 - If I Won the Lottery

My book is getting fuller and there is

only one week of lists remaining.

I hope you're enjoying following along and..or..making your own lists.

Love and Lists,

Sara

WCWF - World Canine Wrestling Federation

So this weekend my Holga for Nikon lens came and I wanted to try it out.

It worked out pretty perfectly. Well, not the lens exactly. It was getting dark out and it took me a bit to get my camera to accept it, but anyway...

It was perfect because you won't believe your eyes.

Well most of you will, but I'll get to that.

For now I present to you...

Wrestling Pooches!!!

It starts with a tap or a tackle. Usually from Jasper of Team Swirl. 

But it doesn't take long for Lilly May from team Sweet Potato to come in for a tackle of her own. 

 Then the crazy faces come out and the real fun begins.

 Team Sweet Potato usually keeps the upper-hand...

 ...but team swirl gives her a run for her money.

And Team Butter Bean keeps his distance up on the steps.

He's one smart pooch.

If anyone reading this knows Lilly May they'll know why this is insane. For those who don't, let me explain.

Team Sweet Potato has an attitude problem. She wants other dogs to leave-me-alone-right-now-thank-you-very-much! She'll bite butts and take names. Tough cookie that one.

But now, you know...after over a year..they're wrestling!

And the other day? The other day she rested her head on his rump? Whhaaaat? 

Yeah, really.

This is awesome!

Tough to explain, but awesome!

Uhhh..

Love and Wrestling,

Sara

Oh, and that place that looks like a junkyard that they're wrestling in? That's our backyard. We're uhh...working on it.

30 Days of Lists - Days 16-20

Just stopping by with another batch of lists from the 30 days of lists project.

Here are my lists up through day 20:

Day 16 - Dream Jobs

I love that I'll get to do all of these.

Day 17 - Fictional Characters I Love

Day 18 - A Few of My Favorite Things

...and so many more!

Day 19 - Inventions I Wish Were Real

Day 20 - My Dream Space Would Include

I'm working on more right now and enjoying the process.

This has really got me excited to work on other craft projects, so once this project is finished and I can redistribute that time I'll do so. I'll be sure to share with you of course.

Hope you're having a beautiful day and having fun preparing for fall!

Love and Lists,

Sara

Pumpkin Spice Cake

Saw these over at Pamplemousse and knew I had to try my hand at it.


I made mine in cake form.

What is fall without pumpkin treats?

It is LAME I tell you, totally lame.

We wouldn't want that now would we?


In comes pumpkin spice cake.


All you need:
-1 Box Spice Cake Mix
(I used Duncan Hines)
-1 Can of Pumpkin
-1/2 Cup of Water


Mix it all together.
It'll be thick, but just go with it.


Make into cupcakes or spread in a 9"x13" pan like I did.(sprayed with nonstick spray first)


Let cool...if you can manage the wait.
Remove from muffin pan or slice.


Gobble up!

YUM!


Love and Pumpkin,
Sara


p.s. Let me know if you try it.


p.s. x 2...Hello new folks around here. I'm happy to have you.
I'm also planning a giveaway for when I reach 50 blog follower friends and I'm super excited about that!

Super Sara Health Update

Hey duders, it's me, Super Sara.

It's been four weeks (that's an entire month) since I've been following the weight watchers online program.

It's actually going pretty great. I'm down 8.5 pounds total, but more importantly I'm feeling fantastic.

Feeding my body tons of nutrition and having a good dose of treats mixed in is the perfect mix for this gal.

Numbers are going down, but my energy is going up.

Super exciting and wonderful. Doing great things for my health and really working on my relationship with food.

When I focus on my health I really do get more nutrition into my body. I eat way more fruits and vegetables and treat my body with a lot more respect. I'm proud of myself for that.

Next component?

Add in some exercise so I can continue working on my energy and attempt to strengthen my muscles.

Is anyone else following this program?

Do you have any questions or anything?

Love and Health,

Sara

30 Days of Lists - 11-15

E and I had a lovely weekend of adventuring which I'll tell you about soon, but for now I just want to catch you up on some of my lists.

Day 11 - Favorite Things About This Time of Year

Day 12 - Things That Motivate Me

Day 13 - Things I Do To Procrastinate

Day 14 - My Favorite Outfits To Wear

Day 15 - Never Have I Ever...

Lotsa fun to make.

Oh and any twitter folks?

I've had it for years apparently, but am going to give it a try now. My thinger is @SarbearReeves if you're interested in hookin' up!

ALSO, look for a giveaway, a simple pumpkin cake treat, a health update and all sorts of randomness in the next week or so.

Love and Lists,

Sara

Also, my taste-buds have been thankful for soy lattes lately. Mmmm!

Yep, that's all.