What I am thankful for

It is that time of the year again,

It’s awesome to share with people what you are thankful for. Not just at Thanksgiving or the Holidays, but overall. I tend to like to reflect on my year and state what I am most thankful for and here is my list in no particular order.

Peace of Mind

This year, my life has had some trying times, I have had a lot of things that would make you ask the Lord why is this happening to me, and instead of asking that question, I always think it that there is a reason for everything, and these things are lessons I can take, good or bad. I am thankful, through all of my struggles in relationships, friendships, and life in general that I have Peace of mind.

 

 

 

 

 

Family
The next thing I am grateful for is my growing family. We are at the stage in our lives where new additions are being added to the family. This year I got the opportunity to meet my beautiful niece Kayla, and share in a true family bonding moment with my Oldest Brothers first child.

I am also grateful for my family overall, we are not the closest knit group, but when we get together, it is evident it is all love and fun. Tonight we are having a fish fry and it will be good to see my siblings, as I do not get to see them on a regular basis.

Friends

Where do I start?! My friends have been absolutely important to my life, I confide in them, I take trips with them, they are my hairdressers and stylists, shop, and get into all kinds of shenanigans with them. Without them, I know I would have gotten into some trouble. You chicas keep me on the right track. I appreciate and love you all!

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Fitness

The other thing I have found this year that has been extremely important is taking control of my health and lifestyle. I lost 25lbs this year after an eye opening visit from the doctor about my health and where it was headed. I had slightly high cholesterol, I am pre diabetic, and I was slightly overweight. I went from 198lbs to 172! Which is great for someone my size (6foot giant). I would not have connected with the people I have through fitness had I not took a strong stance on my health and started a blog, and met wonderful people. The connections you make are amazing! So Let’s get lifted!!!

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What are you Thankful for? Any good foods that you are making for this Holiday?

Vacation Re-Cap

Hey guys,

It’s been a while since I actually blogged, and it was all thanks to school, work, projects, and just plane ole life getting in the way. Let me tell you what I have been up to!

I have been semi-consistent with my workouts, thanks to school, I even rode my bike to the rail and took it into work. My bike ride to the rail from my house was about a 15 -20 minute ride, then about a 5 minute ride into work. I even found time to get a decent workout in during my lunch. I should have taken pictures but I was in the zone!

This weekend I took some vacation time. It is the end of the year and I have about 68 hours of vacation time I need to use or, I will lose it. So I took off this past Friday and Monday to make it a lovely 4-day hiatus! I went to Austin to visit some friends, and we had an excellent time together. I certainly will be back for a visit. Austin is wonderfully outdoorsy and my type of place. Friendly people, bike trails galore, excellent scenic views, great music, and food! Here are a few pics from instagram:

 

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Being silly as usual

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Coach Lowe, whom I met up with for drinks and the game at Domain

Anthony!

On my last day there, I got to get my Workout on around the neighborhood I did 1.5 miles of cardio, Lunges to the stop sign, 1 minute planks and 25 sit-ups. It was beautiful! I cannot wait to own my own home and continue to do things like that. Running outside versus the treadmill, makes for an excellent experience!

 

I headed back home, and stopped at Rudy’s BBQ for some brisket. Austin always makes me crave barbeque for some reason and then proceeded to come home relax and start working on my paper that was due. I worked on it for most of Monday and editing a 20 page paper, and mellow out. Hope everyone’s weekend was fantastic. This week I plan on working out, playing with my pooch completing my Grad school work, and attending a pot luck for work!

How was your Weekend?

What are your plans for Thanksgiving in the Office?

TGI Friday Faves

TGI Friday faves is something that my fellow blogger friend thedancingrunner does on her page every Friday. I think I am inspired and I will take a page from her book!

Holiday Wreaths

I love love love seeing Holiday Wreaths, I cannot wait to buy a house and go overboard with DIY projects such as these

 

Hot Chocolate! 

Nothing gets me in the mood for the holidays like hot chocolate extra whip please!

 

 

A cozy printed sweater

Keep me warm and fashion forward!!!

This weekend I will go for my biweekly hair appointment, shop for clean foods (I’ve been eating turrible!) , working on school work, celebrating my baby sisters birthday, and I plan on putting some mileage on my bike!

 

What gets you in the mood for the holidays?

What are your plans for the weekend?

 

MS 150

 

I have officially signed up for the MS 150

I have mixed feelings about it but overall positive ones. The MS 150 is a bike ride that benefits Multiple Sclerosis. It is a bike ride that starts in Houston and ends in Austin over a two day period. It is one of the biggest bike rides out there and people come from  all over to participate. I am happy, because the bike ride is for an excellent cause and also I am nervous, because I have only rode 28 miles at the most on my bike. There are training seminars that I can participate in and also my company does a full fledged support of it. I also will be riding with a few of my managers and supervisors so I am sure it will be fun. So if anyone is interested in donating to the cause, please donate on my behalf, everyone who rides has to raise at least $400.00!!! If you can donate just one dollar, a nickel, I will be grateful, because it is just one step closer to my fundraising goal. You can donate here

 

Thank you in advance for anyone who donates!!!

 

Photocredit: MS150.org website

Eventful is not the Word

I have had all kinds of things going on these days,

School has kept me so busy, that I was unable to even look at a gym. Luckily, I was able to do a 5k and a 28 mile bike ride this weekend, which has my glutes a little sore, but I feel foxxy! I did the Tour de Donut which benefits the Make-a-Wish Foundation, with my new bike group called the Slow Spoke Society! Go on over to our Facebook Page and like it! We are new fresh and ready to conquer rides! On this bike tour, we got to eat as many donuts as we could as we rode. I ate about 3 donuts. I was more concerned about the water and where it was lol. Check out the pics!

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This entire month has been absolutely challenging for me. School, Work projects, Home life, and just life in general has been a whirlwind. My home life in particular was a nuclear disaster, which is why I ended up moving, and I feel like a heavy load or burden has been lifted. My morale this month, because of my stressful home life, has been all the way down. But do not worry, I have managed to stay positive, take it one step at a time and I am rebuilding it back up.

The 5k and the 28 mile bike ride really helped. When in doubt, work out! Ha! Working out has become such a great form of therapy. I mean, I read about it being a stress reliever and therapy, but I think I truly experienced it this weekend. Sometimes life will kick you in the rear hard. It is up to you whether you become a victim of your circumstances, or get back up and say is that all you got?!

I got contacts this Friday and I as a avid glasses wearer feel so fancy! LOL I like that people can see my face and I like the surprise people see when they notice my glasses are missing.

This week I am going to get back into my workout routine, start to bike halfway to work, work on reading my 3 chapters, 2 discussions, and 2 papers. Sounds like a lot, I know, but time management is the key to being successful! I got it. Hope everyone’s week is great as well! Stay focused and positive!!!

-Sharde