Mockery

This morning I read an article, talking about the collaboration between Chris Brown and Rihanna on a new song. Really?

My number one question is...Why? Why would you not just leave well enough alone and move on? Are there not a million other people to make a song with? Will people listen and read out of curiosity...of course. Obviously I was one of them. But as a woman, who was publically humiliated, and badly abused, why would she put herself in a situation of that sort again.  It had been rumored that they were hooking up again, and personally I think something like this definitely confirms that.

Here is the article I read.  It was interesting because the author wrote about how just because someone is a celebrity, doesn't in anyway, shape, or form, mean that they are intelligent. More than likely, they are more frivolus, and carefree. They are more likely to put themselves in stupid situations because of money.  The detailed police report is in the article, talking about what he did to her in the car that night (Is Rihanna's actual name Robyn btw, if so I never knew that).  I don't care if she had cheated on him, or he had cheated on her, or if one wanted to break up with the other...what happened that night was utterly unacceptable.  If he cared for her deeply, he had a pretty horrible way of showing it. 

I also read a quote from Akiba Solomon saying "[Chris Brown and Rihanna are] making a mockery of domestic violence with the release of their musical collaborations. While they both display common traits of abuse victims and abusers, fans should ignore their moneymaking and attention-seeking antics". I could not agree more. They should not be "hollywoodifying" (for lack of a better word) this sort of behavior. It just makes it look like a slap on the wrist and living on seperate coasts for a few years makes everything A-OK. 

...I actually just listened to the song (I hadn't heard it before I started writing), and was going to link it to the page but I couldn't. The irony of the lines is too much to handle.  I don't know what they were thinking. Unless its the next big publicity stunt...last one being Kim K. Look where that got her???

Ash Wednesday

This year I thought about trying to be creative when it came to giving something up for Lent. I was going to give up cursing...but I don't do it enough to warrent an excuse to give it up. Then, I was going to give up artifical sweetner, but I started doing that last week and I feel like that is more of a lifestyle change than a lenten resolution.  So I went with an old stand by, anything that would be considered a dessert, including but not limited to, cookies, cake, brownies, ice cream, candy.  The list could go on and on. I feel like this is a popular one to give up because it's hard. I have a huge sweet tooth. I would pick sweet over savory any day. But for the next 40 days I will resist.

I am also resolving to do EVERY SINGLE workout in this LiveFit plan that I started. LiveFit is hard and I am still in the "easy" weeks. I can't imagine what it is going to feel like when I get to the 6 days a week of workouts.  Me being me would just skip a workout if I am busier but this way maybe I can also learn to get out of bed before the last possible moment if it means that I won't have to go to the gym at night...maybe? I always always need something to work toward when it comes to fitness. I need goals. And people have said to me, "isn't your wedding a goal for fitness?". Well, of course. But I would just run my way to september and never touch a weight again. This workout plan is also teaching me how to life weights, and incorporate it into my workout. 

Lastly, I learned a fun fact this weekend.  64 ounces of water a day is just an average. In reality you should cut your weight in half and that should be the ounces of water you drink per day. For someone who weights 120-130 lbs. 64 ounces is right on point.  But for someone who is active and closer to the 200 lbs. level they should be drinking close to 100 ounces of water per day! Crazy, isn't it?!

Everyone have a good wednesday! My lenten, meatless meal will be sushi tonight and a lovely episode of One Tree Hill. :-)

Anyone have any good recipes to share?? I want to try out some new ones next week!

Valentine's Day = Love...not Hate

There are so many Valentine's day cynics out there...those who are single and also those who are in a relationship/dating/married. I don't get it.  Sure it is sometimes called a "hallmark holiday" or a day where  restaurants jack up their prices to make more money because they know people will be eating out. But, so what? Why not take the day to appreciate everyone that you love? It doesn't just have to be a significant other, it could be a mother, brother, sister, best friend, who ever you would like. Send a card, call them on the phone, send a quick email, it doesn't matter what. Just let them know that you really care.  Personally I don't think there is anything wrong with devoting an entire day to pink and red heart's if you are passing the love around. Diamonds and flowers are beautiful but not necessary at all. If they are how you would like to show your love, go for it. But a simple card, or longer...tighter than usual hug is just as good too. 

Happy Valentine's day to everyone that I love today, my wonderful girlfriends, Mom, Lane, sisters, Dad, Stepmom, and the rest of my family and family to be. You are all so special to me! xoxo

And especially my fiance :-) You are my rock. Thank you for being there for me everyday of the year and understanding why this holiday of love does have an importance to me. Not for the gifts or the money spent but for the time that we get to spend together. I can't wait for our sushi date tonight!  I love you lots. <3

Stereotypical United States

I got a little laugh out of parts of this. Have a good weekend!

Strength

The word strength, as defined by the Webster's dictionry is power or "the quality or state of being strong" source.  In school I always learned that you can't define a word with another form of the word so I looked up both power and strong. Power came up as, "possession of control, authority, or influence over others" source while some definitions of strong came up as "having moral or mental power" and "not easily captured or overcome" source.

Strength is someone who continues to fight back, not physically, but mentally to be happy again. Someone who shares their story with others in hopes that they can be just as strong (even if that person doesn't realize just how strong they are).  Power comes into play in the influences they are putting out.  To share the deep seeded feelings has to be the hardest part of being strong.  Someone who states that they are fine, good, ok, are not the ones who show strength, it is those who tell you they are sad, that they are working hard and that they are fighting to be happy again.  Someone that shows the feelings they have inside their heart even if it is aching.

This post was inspired by someone who makes me realize just what strength is everyday.  Someone who I think of on a daily basis who is going through life becoming a stronger person every single day even if it isn't always the easy thing to do.  She could have given up on her dreams but she calls a truce ("a short rest especially from something unpleasant" source) every single day and works hard for what she believes in, in her career, her family and her personal relationships with friends.  She always gives advice or a helping hand and cares so deeply for those that she loves.

I am purposely not mentioning who this post is about or for because I don't think that a "shoutout" is necessary. I think that the simple message, when times are the hardest, strength may seem the least but that is when it is the most abundant, gets the idea accross. Also, make sure to take a moment to notice the strength in those around you today.

I will leave you with two of my favorite quotes:

"If you're feeling low, don't despair. The sun has a sinking spell every night, but it comes back up every morning." -annonymous

"I think about you constantly, whether it's with my mind or my heart." -Albany Bach Reid

What I've been snapping pictures of?

I thought it would be fun to go through my iphone pictures to see what I have taken pictures of in the last week...

Oh hey puppy! Jaks is my favorite muse ;-)

I had to get a picture of jaks being watch dog over the super bowl food...he was making sure it didn't go anywhere!

Our favorite out of towners :-) Nothing better than a little FaceTime on a Saturday evening!

He has his eyes on the red wine....

My wonderful "save the date" package that I got in the mail for my bachelorette party last friday! It was the best surprise ever!

My nails on saturday....they were pretty. Thanks to Kate I have been a little better at painting my nails, instead of having naked ones. At the moment they are chipped and terrible, which needs to be fixed tonight.

PS. On a completely different note...I think we are back at square one for florists. I am contacting more today to set up appointments.

Happy Friday Eve everyone!

The Search for a Florist

I haven't posted much about wedding stuff...I don't have a wedding tab or posts about searching for dresses, DJs, venues, etc. Mostly because all of that stuff have been really easy, and I like having a few surprises up my sleeve. 

But today started the search for a florist. The one thing that I have put off since we got engaged. I didn't really think about it at all....except that I want them to be pretty. I don't know much about flowers (except that they will be expensive). 

Today at lunch my mom and I went to Crimson and Clover which was recommended by a girl at work.  The store was very artsy and the owner was awesome. She pretty much told me what I wanted from the little detail I gave her and is making up some mock designs to send us to see if we are picturing the same design. The only problem is that I can see her being really really expensive. All of the reviews online are great! But the only bad thing I can find is that she can be a little high price wise. 

We are also going to look at Wessel's.  It looks to be a little more traditional, instead of artsy and I am trying to keep an open mind...but it's hard after loving the first one so much.  I can't wait to hear what the consultant there has to say about when he/she sees for my wedding vision.  It is just interesting working with different people and seeing how they read the type of wedding that you want. 

What is your favorite wedding flower?
Sadly mine is a peony which is A.) Expensive and B.) Not in season in september....

Anyone have good florist suggestions?