From the Mind of AlphaBetsy

This was a fairly normal week. We didn't do any fun events, or go anywhere exciting, but it was very much a week in my life. Friday, September 9, 2016 : Had my first Starbucks in a couple of months, and a salad from BJ's Brewhouse for lunch. Later went out to dinner to celebrate my Father-in-law's birthday, then spent some time at my brother and sister-in-law's house. Saturday, September 10, 2016: Out for a bit in the morning to meet my mother's kitten, Dori. Then College Football for longer than we anticipated due to a rain delay.  Sunday, September 11, 2017: Had pumpkin pancakes with spiced apples for breakfast at Tommy's Diner. Then took a long walk on the scioto mile.  Monday, September 13, 2016: REWARD DAY!! Got another Lush Bath Bomb, this time Guardian of the Forest. So pretty.  Tuesday, September 13, 2016:  Just to share, this is a picture of the little birdhouse in my (Kia) Soul Wednesday, September...

I was missing sharing my sometimes strange/ sometimes boring life with everyone, so I am reviving Foto Fridays.  Yep, I spell photo wrong to force the alliteration, deal with it. This will be a photo/foto look at my week. I hope you enjoy. Friday, September 2, 2016: Went with my husband, mother and sister to the Millersport Sweet Corn Festival. We ate 12 ears of corn (3 each) in roughly 10 minutes. I got the most delicious pumpkin donuts I have ever tasted. I also got a splinter in my thigh sliding across a bench, ouch. We also watched cloggers. Saturday, September 3, 2016: Channeling American Horror Story - Coven while attending a birthday party for my niece Moira (8) and my nephew Gideon (2). I assure you my shirt says WITCH. Sunday, September 4, 2016: First trip to the Renaissance Festival. Got a new bodice compliments of my mother after mine popped its boning in the parking lot. Bought some amazing tea, hairsticks, the most adorable gargoyle type guy, and s...

And it is 2015. I will be 34 in a couple months. We will celebrate our third anniversary. I will have a year without school so we can get ready for the chaos of finishing my bachelor's degree.    I am looking at this as a rebuilding year, getting ready for the things ahead.   My word of the year is: Evolve.   This year I am going to work on making my life work more efficiently. I will be adjusting and adapting in preparation for what is ahead.   My 2015 goals are: to complete 6+ 5ks, 10ks or whatever, to do a mud run, to take a pole dance class, do more with the lost vikings, attend Earth Warrior's again, do a ropes course or zip line, attend another pagan event, get bowling ball drilled, bowl a 200 game, go hiking 6+ times, go camping, take a class from Heather at Violet Flame Gifts, Find a new gym that offers group fitness, keep my house picked up at all times, do paintball, get necessary house repairs done, work on meditation.   ...

Today has been a good day. My new function at work is fun and challenging. After work I picked up my new KitchenAid mixer. When I got home tonight I had a letter waiting from my lovely penpal in the UK Hannah. And accompanying the letter were some sweets, and an adorable tiny elephant candle. I made grilled cheese to go with my soup for dinner tonight and it was delicious. I did a mini spell that my brother and sister-in-law and their family get approved for the wonderful new house they applied for, so they can get settled before Christmas. Especially since it is the first one for our tiny nephew Gideon. I am snuggling with my cat and my dog, while watching the Columbus Blue Jackets play the Philadelphia Flyers.   Gideon with his Grandma (Seth's mom)   My new toy. He's so little, heehee. Sweets.   I am feeling more like myself again. It was a little rough there in September and October. But things have been really good...

  My first big change of the year happened last Saturday. I went to see my favorite stylist Adam at Lucky 13 Rock and Roll Hair Salon. He cut off over 10 inches of my hair which is being donated to wigs for kids. That initial cut was a little startling, but I love my new hairstyle. It is so much lighter.   Friday is my birthday, and my mother and sister are taking me to Ikea for the first time. Saturday Seth's parents are taking the two of us to the melting pot, and the Saturday night we are going out to eat and bowling with my family.   It's going to be a great week. 

I am in a time of metanoia. I am working on changing my heart, mind, self and way of life. I am trying to learn to love myself, to learn to appreciate my body and to be thankful for everything my body does for me. I am working on looking at my body for all it's strengths and not just all the flaws. I am evaluating how I treat myself physically and mentally. I know it is time for me to change, and while it is hard for me I am committed to making it happen.   Some of the changes will be easy, or at least easier. Always when I am craving change the first thing to be effected is my hair. I was at first reluctant to take out any of the length, but I am reconsidering. I have a tendency to hide behind my hair, and it may be time to take that away for a while. I am thinking I may want to do an asymmetrical bob. I have been flirting with it since before the wedding, and I think it is time to jump. I am thinking this could happen as soon as next week.   I am also planni...

To keep myself motivated and to share my own progress I am going to start doing Fitness Fridays. I am really trying to make myself get more active and eat better because my health is flagging. I am feeling tired all the time, getting sick at the drop of a hat, and just generally feeling gross, so it is time to make a change. I was doing so well for a while, and I have fallen off the wagon so hard it's ridiculous. I am working on finding a balance between body love and being complacent. I want to love my body as it is, and how it is, but I also know that my weight does cause me issues and health problems. In some ways I have begun to feel guilty for wanting to make these changes. I know, though, that my reason for wanting the change comes completely from within and not from without. I'm sure that society has had some effect on my psyche, but I don't feel that giving up on body image completely will help my self esteem in the long run. I will not push my fitness agenda on a...

I have a set "about me" list that I use to populate every internet based section of that name. I wrote it several years ago and recently I have begun to realize that it might not be as accurate as it once was. Even things about myself that I would have thought too ingrained to change are not as apparent as they once were. I have begun to think that I need to review this list and see if these are things I am okay with letting go, if they are better gone, or if I should start working to make them a vital part of me again. This is the list: I am an admitted bibliophile. - Still true, though even my books are suffering. I need something like 6 more bookcases to make it right. I need a trip to Ikea big time. I wear my heart on my sleeve. - Still true. My first crushes were both characters, not people. -  Can't really change, lol. I am a dork. - I am definitely still a dork, though I have been neglecting that this year. No gaming, no conventions. Sad. I am a singer. - I...

So... I am officially sick, though now medicated so hopefully on the mend. I have an upper respiratory infection and tonsilitis, so I am on  an antibiotic and a nasal spray. I am still planning to do my birthday shopping day with my mom and sister tomorrow. I may still be hacking and coughing, but I will still have fun. I just refuse to give up one of my favorite yearly events just because I'm sick. :) I wanted to share some of the awesome gifts I received from my friends and family for my birthday. My friend Janet got me an amazing Kermit the Frog messenger bag. I love it and I'm carrying it everywhere. Seth got me a personalized Saints jersey (I'm a saints fan), three new Jack of Fables books, an expansion pack for the card game Gloom (which is a great game), and an itunes gift card.  My mom and sister got me a beautiful pair of silver , aquamarine and diamond earrings, a pair of awesome black feather and rhinestone earrings, a velvet shirt with lace and a bl...

And it's my birthday. I am officially 31. I have had an amazing couple of years coming into this age. I am engaged to a man who makes me truly happy. I have gotten my weight under control and get healthier everyday. I am going to school and doing really well, maintaining an A and B average. My mother is healthier than ever and has gotten her weight under control. My little sister has a new job that she loves and is getting her health under control. Life is generally really good right now. I did not do as well with my goals this time as I had in the past. I got a lot of the wedding stuff done, but a lot of the personal things got pushed aside. I will get to them in time I have no doubt. I am going to begin rolling out my next set of goals and decide what my completion date will be. I am going to do a couple of carry overs, but I really want to try to come up with a set of new goals. Things I hadn't thought of before. Any ideas? Please share. 1) fly a kite (yep it's st...

In honor of my upcoming birthday (it's tomorrow) I'm going to share some of my favorite things right now as  I am turning 31. I am unfortunately in my pj's right now with what is probably a sinus infection or possibly bronchitis. Not the best birthday present. *sigh* Hopefully it will go away quickly. I actually had to have Seth come pick me up from work today I felt so awful. Favorite TV Shows: Favorite Bands (this moment):  Cuz it's St Patricks Day!!  Favorite Recent Buys: Chocolate parachute skirt from Gypsyville by the Junk Gypsy Co. Messenger Bag from  Two Tree Designs Pencil Earrings purchased in the Library Gift shop Favorite Movies (right now):  Favorite Foods:  Creme Brulee The Spinach and Feta omelette from  Tommy's Diner Gourmet hot dogs from  Dirty Franks Favorite Things I Want:  Fabulous St. Patty's day, or any day, shoes  from Victorian Trading Co Autumn Wellingtons  al...