Monday's Ideal To Do List

I'm starting / have started a tradition of texting friends for last minute plans
I think this month will be bowling on a Saturday night (my only free night this week)!

Hello Wonderful People:

A very run-down Lauren is writing to you!

With working and rehearsals (besides "life") this past weekend, I'm ready for a vacation!

I had a glorious and beautiful list of things I wanted to get accomplished this fine afternoon, but time has already escaped me (catching up on sleep and relaxing).

So, I think I'm going to:

1) Get ready
2) Read my Bible
3) Practice lines, music, and dance for Little Shop
4) Write a few blogs

I really wanted to get some sewing in as well as working out. But, I just need to eat right and drink plenty of orange juice and emergen-c so that I don't get sick. I can add my workout routine when I have a little bit more time on my hands!

By the way, my show opens next week! I'm so excited! What do you have going on today?

My Weekend: List Form

Friday:

         ☁ Worked all day

         ☁ Rehearsal all night

Saturday:

         ☁ 9am meeting

         ☁ Work from 8:30 pm - 3:30 am

         ☁ Went to bed around 4:20

Sunday:

         ☁ Wake up at 7:20 

         ☁ Church 8:30

         ☁ Children's Church 11:00

         ☁ Children Church Meeting 1:45 - 3:45

         ☁ Nap 4 - 5:15

         ☁ Rehearsal - First run through entire show 6 - 10

         ☁ Work 10:30 pm - 1:00 am

Monday:

         ☁ ME = Exhausted

How was your weekend??

Things I... v.4

This weeks Things I... is dedicated to internet <3. I read so many blogs throughout the week and there are so many brilliant minds out there. So, here's my link dump for the week. Some of these links may be a bit outdated, but still good!

Alright. Here goes.

Things I...

Want to make
This ice cream!! I love ice cream and Cheryl over at A Pretty Cool Life has an awesome recipe to make ice cream without an ice cream maker!
I definitely have all the supplies to make these cute bracelets! Thanks to Swellmayde!
What a great way to decorate a wall! Rebecca over at Manzanita has a perfect diy to decorate with embroidery hoops.
What?!? A Vegan Peanut Butter Shake Recipe? Kyla over at Kyla Roma shares.


Want to think about
Elsie shares how to Make and Keep New Years Resolutions.
Katie over at The Journey author of Kisses from Katie has an awesome post about God Perfect Timing. Brought tears to my eyes. (Also, if you haven't read her book, you need to read it stat! Best book I've read in a long time!)
As you know, I'm getting into running, but I'm not a runner. Ashley's words over at Make it and Love It are very true and speak to a non-runner's soul.


Want to do:
The Modcloth blog has started a Nail Klub and will be sharing how to nail art. You know me and nail art. If you don't, I love nail art. This month they are teaching how to marble your polish!
Kaylah and Elycia have an awesome zig-zag nail art tutorial that I will be trying tonight (hopefully).

What have you found around the internet that have got you thinking, moving, creating? I would love to know! Later, I'm sharing a post about the happenings of me and my blog.

25 before 26 update

1. Create a work space in my room so that I can: Spend time with God Effectively, Craft Efficiently, Sew Effortlessly, and Read Easily. I'm in the process of doing this, I have my books organized, and I am almost done with my craft/sewing!
2. Not waste time during my days wishing for things, but actually making them happen. I'm getting better, it helps that I get up a little bit earlier than I use too! 
3. Spend daily time with God in prayer and Bible reading. The prayer part is a little slow, but I've been diligently reading my bible.
4. Read the Bible in a Year  or less (I was so close to my goal last year) see above
5. Keep my life clean of distractions, my room and car free of clutter, and my workspaces not littered with chaos. This one has been hard... I am working on it!
6.  Be out of the red and the $$ in my savings to grow tremendously. Working on it.
7. Start a journal and write in it with honest updates (at least once a week) Not really.
8. Work on a diet plan and stick with it even when it is hard and inconvenient. (Vegetarian/Vegan) Need to create a menu so that this plan can be implemented precisely.
9. Keep a water bottle on my person at all times and go for water before I grab a snack. Nope
10. Exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes a day, there is no excuse for a flabby-out of shape-overweight body! Not even close.
11. Create playlists of music for different parts of my day to motivate me in my tasks whether it is: cleaning, working out, spending time with God, doing the dishes, sewing/crafting. No.
12. Finish projects that I start. This one I am currently creating a list of unfinished projects.
13. Learn how to crochet and share what I learn. I did this one! I just haven't shared what I made! Will share soon.
14. Learn how to play the guitar proficiently, so that I may play at church. Currently learning.
15. Schedule "me time" once a week where there will be: no cell phone, no distractions, a time for pampering, or leisure. Nope
16. Participate in some sort of club, guild, running group, etc. (something that takes me out of my comfort zone. Nope.
17. Read at least 100 pages a week. With my Bible reading I'm at least reading 50.
18. Start photographing 50 photos a week via fisheye camera, cell phone, ipod, and digital. Haha.
19. Purge my life of unnecessary things. Tangible and intangible. This I'm doing pretty good at!
20. Respond promptly to emails, rsvps, and letters and pay all bills before due, as well as return calls and library books promptly. For the most part.
21. Write lists and finish them in a productive manner. Getting easier.
22. Learn how to knit and share what I learn. Nope.
23. Use my sewing machine constantly to make clothes, gifts, and to re-create items.  Working on it.
24. Create a wardrobe that reflects my style and the style I want have. Working on it.
25. Make new traditions and memories! In January I texted a  lot of people and had an improtu movie night (two nights in a row). Once a month I want to have some sort of cheap/free outing. I need to do a better job of documenting it!

Money Money Money

I hope you enjoyed my post last week about "The Care and Keeping of Friends." If you haven't read it yet, you should definitely check it out!

Well, it's that time of the week to start stressing about everything life is throwing at me. Of course, I'm known to complain about money quite a bit on this blog! But, I had been planning on doing a "spending diet". I'm adapting this from the blog And Then She Saved. I know, I keep saying I'm not going to spend any money, but then I see my bank account dwindling little by little and bills piling up. I wish I could say, I have little to zero debt, but that's not the case. It's not gastronomic, but it's enough to worry a person who's trying to be debt free by July! I'm planning on joining YWAM in September, and I'd prefer to be debt free and have no monies due anywhere!

So, what does this money diet look like? Besides bills, I'm only spending money on food (groceries) and gas. That means I won't be sponsoring any blogs for awhile (I sponsored 2 in January, and three this month). But, with everything I want to accomplish, I'm going to even give that up. That also means, no new running clothes, no new american eagle clothes (gasp), and no frou-frou coffees.

I just suspended my Hulu and Netflix accounts and will be canceling my gym membership as well! Even though it's going to get cold again, I can and will run in the cold. It's free to run outside, not so much for the gym. With taking those three things out, I'm saving: $27. Which can go to my compassion child!

That's the other thing. I have quite a few "money commitments."

My compassion child
My faith pledge at church - this ends in April
Cell Phone and Cell Phone Insurance
Car Insurance

So, I'm giving myself an allowance of $100 a month. That will be used for food and gas. The extra will be put into savings. I can only use my savings for YWAM applications and races. I need these races for the half-marathon I've signed up for.

Can I do it? Can I only spend $100 a month?? Let's see, follow along with me on the journey (and maybe my dad will let me use his hulu and netflix??
Starting February 6! Who's with me??

Warby Parker Time 5

Ok, so, I'm super excited to share with you some big news!

Are you ready for it?

Ok, I'll wait!

I'm getting a new pair of glasses. I know, you were thinking I was moving or engaged or something. Neither of those are remotely possible (ok, maybe the enga... moving).

But, I do need your help! I only have a few days to decide which pair of glasses I want!
I'm going through Warby Parker. They have this wonderful home try-on, where you are sent 5 pairs of glasses and then you can decide which pair you would like!

There packing is great as well:

Would you like to see the glasses?? Let's go!


I took these pictures at a local coffee shop/bookstore. So, I'm trying to be inconspicuous!

                              

                                         carlen in amber - 1st pair 

zagg in striped chestnut

wiloughby - tennessee whiskey

reece - whiskey tortoise

winston - old fashioned fade

So, which ones do you like? Vote here:

I will tally up the votes on Sunday, and share how each pair did. Then when I receive the real thing(s), I will let all of you lovely readers know!

So, get to voting!

Here are they are again!

Thanks for stopping by! And thanks Warby Parker for such a great service!

New Body Weekly Weigh: Weeks 3,4,5 // Feeling Good

I'm not as far as I would like to be. And I skipped two weeks because I felt like there was no progress. But, that's why I haven't been posting. I honestly love the musical I'm in, but it is taking a lot of time. I kinda can't wait for it to be over, so I can add more to my workout! Because this body needs some more "stress". My couch 2 5K plan is getting much easier. The first time I tried doing this, I only got to week 2, because it was just "too hard." This time around, I feel like I could run just a little bit longer and go a little bit further. I think I caught the running bug. I actually like love running! It's therapeutic, but I think the reason I like it because it is competition. I know, it's with myself, but that's the best kind. When I beat my times and feel invincible with former self, it just makes my run that much more enjoyable. Any runners agree with me??

Ok, here are my previous stats:
Last Weeks Goals (2 Weeks Ago):

• Finish Week 2 of Couch to 5K  - I finished week 2 and 3! (even though it took me a little while)
• No Pop (repeat) - I didn't completely do this, but I've limited my pop intake to once a week, this usually occurs on Saturday or Sunday.
• Go to bed earlier (repeat) -  I'm taking this off the list for awhile, with rehearsals, I'm not getting to bed till fairly late.

Let's see my progress:

(The differences are a comparison to last week)

Weight: 163 (+1) - But, yesterday morning I was 158. My weight fluctuates quite a bit! I think I may start weighing myself in the mornings??

Waist Measurements: 35 ½" (down 4½ ") I must be gaining muscle weight!! 

Hip Measurements: 41" (down ½")

Thigh Measurements: 20" (down 1½")

Upper Arm Measurements: 11 ¾" (down ¼")

Weekly Goals

• Finish Week 4 of Couch to 5K
• Add some other physical activity at least 2x a week
• Drink 8-8oz glasses of water/daily

Well I can say that the running is helping! My mom kept saying I looked slimmer. Woman cannot live by scale alone!

Here's a reminder of my monthly/yearly goals!

Over all Body Goals for 2012:

• Run a half marathon: Lincoln Half Marathon 5/12
• Goal weight: 125 8/12
• Wear a size 4

January Goals:

• Go vegan
• Be able to run 2 miles
• Lose 10 lbs

Since this is my last weigh-in in January let's review these three goals! I am almost 100% vegan. It's the weekends that kill me! But during the week I'm very good at sticking to the plan!

I am not able to run continuously 2 miles. But my run/walk gets me to 1.95 miles so I say again, I'm very close!

Well, I didn't lose any weight, since week 1, I've actually gained 5. But, I know if I stick with running and adding some other sort of workout routine, I will be losing in no time! 

February Goals:

• Sign up for at least 2 races
• Add another workout routine
• Lose 10 lbs

Don't forget, you can add me on sparkpeople: renwashere

and dailymile

Here's some Ferris Bueller Love:

Thanks for reading! How did your January Goals go??

Lauren aka Ren

Things I... v3 (Running Edition)

This is all about running! It's my new love. I thought the couch 2 5K would just kick my behind! But, I'm actually enjoying it! 


Bought at Target (for running):

Target was having a sale on their workout clothes. So, I took some of my Christmas money and went to town! Here's one of my outfits!

Want (for running):

• I really want these Nike shoes from Famous Footwear (they just need to go on sale!!)
• Subscriptions to Women's Running and Runner's World
• These books on kindle: Runner's World Essential Guides - Weightloss, Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running, Runner's World Essential Guides - Fast Fuel, Half-Marathon Running, and The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women  

found on famousfootwear.com

Need (for running):
I need ipod holder so I can run without putting things in my pocket! Any suggestions??

Listen To (for running):

• Moves Like Jagger - Adam Levine and Christina Aguillera
• Without You - Usher

What are some of your running gear, faves, loves, I also need some advice on eating vegan while running! Thanks for stopping by!

The Care and Keeping of Friends

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"Keep your friendships in repair."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I've had a lot of disappointment in my life. A lot of it has been my own wrong doing. And just recently have I realized that it really is me.


I know, those are harsh words for a beginning of a post, but I'm realizing brutal honesty is always the best policy...


My newest revelation! I'm not a good friend. I'm going to let that sink in for a minute. You are probably thinking, wow, this girl is crazy!?! Um, probably. (heehee)


Let me expand. In the past, I've gone on rants of how I feel mistreated and abandoned, and that people just don't know how to treat me right. And, then, it hit me! If it keeps happening over and over again, maybe I am really part of the problem.


How can I complain about how other people treat me when I'm hit-or-missing the ball. Here are my self realizations:


1. I complain that people never call me and that people are always forgetting or changing their plans with me. I DO THE SAME THING! If I don't feel like hanging out, I will cancel. Period. A lot of times I just don't give a (you know what). I really don't. It's not that I don't care about that other person, but I just don't feel like taking time out of my day to make time for them (wow, honesty is hard). And, I'm not one to call people. I do occasionally, but that's when I seem to get hurt.


2. I get too excited when people ask to hang out, and then become very upset when said people cancel the plans. Because I do live at home, and I don't have a car, and right now I'm not enjoying life to it's fullest (friends, job, etc.) I do get overly excited when someone I haven't heard from in awhile or who has previously put me under the bus asks to hang out. But, I betcha people feel the same way when I've done the same thing to them!


3. I would rather not call anyone and feel sorry for myself then put myself out there and get my feelings hurt. That is somehow completely backwards! How does that even work? So, there's a fifty-fifty chance the other person will say no, but there's that other half where they say yes. So, feeling sorry for myself all the time is going to make a difference?? Wow, I have some messed up psyche!


4. I dwell on the negative. Enough said.




10 Things I Can Do To Change That:


1. Truly forgive the people who have hurt me, intentionally and unintentionally. There's no need to go up to that person and say, "I forgive you for that one time you blew me off." Just move on. Carrying around bitterness isn't fun, or healthy.


2. Don't give up. Don't give up to try and reaching that one out of touch friend. Only throw in the towel, when you feel like you've done everything.


3. Don't flake out. Simple as that. If you do have to change plans, make sure you've already set new ones. No one wants a flaky friend!


4. Remember birthdays! I'm horrible at this one. Every year I say, I will remember birthdays and try and send them something special in the mail. If I'm bad at sending mail period, what will make me send cards? (Another post on this one later)


5. Be more intentional about calling or texting. If I say I'm going to do it, just do it!


6. Plan events. Have a game night at a local coffee shop. Plan a movie outing. Laser quest anyone?


7. When a friend is going through something, truly be there for them. Make them a break up kit, help them bake those 10 thousand cookies, give them a literal shoulder to cry on, etc.


8. Find hobbies that correlate with your friends. Start reading a book together, running together, making food together, have pinterest parties!


9.  Even if a friend is awful to you (then they probably aren't a friend in the first place), don't talk about them. It's not fair to them, and it's not fair to your integrity. I know I've done this before, but, it doesn't get me anywhere.


10. Send words of encouragement. Emails, letters, texts, yes even Facebook posts or messages.


That's it. None of these caused any harm or damage. What are some other things you can do to preserve and cultivate friendships! I'd love to hear from you!

Veganize Me

So, I did it, I went back to vegan. I know what your you're thinking! "Lauren, haven't you tried this like 3 times, what makes this time different?" Well, let me answer that for you!

It's not different. I'm just sick of not feeling well, and I'm sick of the pizza, pop, and too much sugar. Sugar in moderation is great! But, I've just been eating and eating and eating.

I just popped in to tell you a little of what's been going in my world. Also, Weigh-In is moving to Tuesdays! See you in the morning!