BOO...HALLOWEEN

Okay, okay. I get it, I'm a tad bit late on updating my halloween extravaganza (well only 3 days, but late is late). For starters, I actually had a Saturday night off, which might not mean anything to anyone, but for me, it meant I actually got to see my friends. We all work crazy @$$ schedules and Saturday nights are the only nights free for us to get together! And yes, this past Saturday was all about rocking the costumes. 

Now if you know anything about me, I don't really spend too much time or money on costumes, because honestly how many people actually wear them more than once. On the same note, I normally don't get Sat. nights off, so I didn't have a costume to wear as of 3pm Sat. afternoon. Luckily, I have been living with my 11 month old nephew and had some simple, cheap and easy to assemble costumes in mind. I ended up going with Blue from Blue's Clue (of course...it's blue, DUH). I did have a little help from my amazing sister! I would say I look pretty dang cute for only having ~3 hours to assemble the costume. What do you think?

Oh yeah, I should probably explain the blue paw print for those of you who have no idea who Blue is. Well, she is a Nick Jr. cartoon who leaves paw print/clues around the house and Joe, her owner, must figure out what she is thinking about. Get it. Well, thanks to my sister, we decided to make my very own clues to place around the house randomly to see if people could figure out the clues! Nifty huh?


Actual halloween day is another story. For started, I had some type of stomach ache/flu/pain where I had to cancel all my clients and call out of work. I hate being sick and having to do the previous statement, but I could not keep anything down (I know TMI, but it's my blog :-P). On the positive side of being ill, I did get to take some goofy pictures of my adorable nephew in his cute Koala bear costume. If you know my sister, this might not come as a big shock (she's only slightly past obsessed with the animal). Lucky for Matt, Michelle said he gets to choose the costume next year! You cannot tell me that he is not the cutest koala bear EVER!!!

Turning Point

Have you ever been lying in bed and realized you don't like what you've been doing to yourself?

That was me last night. I finally told myself, enough is enough. I'm eating like crap, not exercising and feel tired and exhausted all the time, and to make matters worse I feel like a beached whale. Who's fault is this? MY OWN. I was doing so well over the summer and now have been making excuses for the past few months saying "I just don't have time. I'm working two jobs and am so tired."

Well guess what, I'm tired because I don't workout. Because I don't eat healthy. Because I make excuses that don't really exist and pretend it's the truth. People have woken up to run in the early mornings for ever and here I am saying that I'm going to turn into one of them.

I hate that I've been feeling so down in the dumps with everything that has happened with my family the past week. I need an escape. A mind easer activity. A new goal. And most importantly a new outlook on life.

Here I am saying to the world (AGAIN- because I failed to finish my last goal):

1. I will lose 20 pounds by Xmas.
2. I will be in good enough shape to run a half marathon.
3. Most Important- I will stop making excuses that don't exist.

Well everyone...wish me luck! Today starts my new journey!

My Brand New Car!!!

As a graduate school graduation present, my AMAZING and wonderful parents, told me they will help me out on purchasing my first, brand new car (as my Mazda Tribute was past down to my little brother)!!! For the entire month of July I test drove roughly 12 different cars, ranging from mid-size sedans to small SUVs, all from different dealers. Let's just say it made my head hurt and I am happy I won't have to do this again for at least 10 years!

My final selection, you might add....2012 Chevy Cruze Eco in Metallic Ice Blue, 6-speed manual transmission!!!!

I am so grateful for all my parents have done for me and for all the support they provided me with to complete my master's degree. This car is amazing...now I just got to find a nickname...any suggestions?

The Lang's Tragic Day

For the past 15 1/2 years, my family has been blessed with the most wonderful dog in the world, Macy Jane (a rat terrier), and yesterday our family had to say goodbye as our baby girl joined our Grandmas and Grandpa in Heaven. It has been very hard on my whole family as we thinking back to all the amazing memories we shared with our lovely puppy, and I know she will be waiting at the gate for us one day. 

I have shed many tears the past two days and I never will stop thinking about her and no dog will ever compare to my precious Macy Jane, who I named thank you very much (still much debate on this matter). I love you so much, Macy!!!

Macy Jane Lang

5/24/1996-10/11/2011

Forever in my heart

 "What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us. 

-Helen Keller

Second Half of Iowa...only 2 months late :-)

WOW...it's been over 2 months since my last post and so much has happened, I don't know where to start. Let's started with the second half of my August Iowa Vacation.

 When I left the cabin with my mother, father, and brother, we headed down south-ish to Des Monies to attend the IOWA STATE FAIR. It's the greatest fair in America and if you've never been I highly suggest it. We spend the day eating and wandering all the amazing booths and showing they have their and ended the night watching my cousin, Kelly, compete for the Miss Iowa State Fair Queen. She earned this chance because she won her county fair, and although she did not win Fair Queen, but looked BEAUTIFUL! While in Des Monies, we stayed at my dad's buddy's house and had a great time. 

From Des Monies we head east to Walcott, IA to visit my dad's mother...AKA my grandmother! It was so good to see her and I loved spending a few days with her. One night, our way home from grandma's, we stopped to see my grandfather's grave for the first time, I might add.  No one in my family has seen my grandfather's grave as he past away before my parent's were married!

You could say that my Iowa trip was filled with family, friends, love and happiness. I love being back home in Iowa, but I diffidently do not miss the icy cold winter weather :-)