Re-Cap of 2010

Well, 2010 was definitely an interesting, enjoyable...but difficult year. A lot happened and when thinking about some of things that I accomplished, I am pretty pleased! :) But I still feel like I can do more and I intend to in 2011! So, here are a few things that stand out to me when thinking back on 2010:

• I started off 2010 by becoming a vegetarian...well, more like a pescetarian (I still ate seafood)...it wasn't very difficult for me to do and I felt like I made much better choices for the most part, incorporating a lot more fruits/veggies into my meals.

• I started my blog and began writing posts related to food, crafting and events occurring in my life. I still struggle with posting regularly, for some reason I just can't post everyday...and I definitely feel as though my blog lacks focus. I have brainstormed a few ideas and, who knows, maybe the blog will change with the new year! ;)

• I learned how to crochet...I was taught how to knit back in the summer of 2007 and have knit ever since, but just this past year I picked up crocheting. I would still say that I prefer knitting, but it's great to know both because they both create very different-looking end products.

• The hubby bought me a sewing machine and I began learning how to use it, attending sewing class with my friend Jenn and knitting up various items: zippered pouches, knitting handbags, and even an apron! I am still learning but it is a very fun hobby to have!

• My sister got married in the summer...in Seattle, WA, where they live. I got to see and spend time with all of my immediate family and we had a great celebration to be remembered for sure!

• We moved from Monterey, CA to Omaha, NE in the early months of Fall...BIG change, but it felt great to be back in the Midwest. Said goodbye to the ocean, some awesome restaurants/seafood and some amazing friends...and said hello to flat land, cold winter months and steak. But we are closer to family and we really like it here, so it was a good move.

• Ran the farthest that I think I have ever run in my life...began running on outdoor trails behind our apartment complex in Omaha and worked up to a total run of 6 miles! It wasn't easy and I ran very slow at first, but it felt like a big accomplishment...now that it's cold outside, the treadmill is unfortunately, my enemy! :/

• I started eating meat again, after a few months in Omaha...it was a decision I thought about for quite sometime. I still eat more seafood than anything and only occasionally eat red meat.

Some difficult things I endured in 2010:

• I spent 6 months apart from my hubby when he left Monterey for some military training (before our move to Omaha, NE). I wouldn't wish time apart like that for anyone...we would talk almost every day and I tried to keep myself as busy as I could, but it was still one of the hardest things about this past year.

•  I finally had my tonsils taken out...this has been on my to-do list since 2008. I have had numerous problems  with them over the years and decided to just get it over with. It was a ridiculously awful recovery, but I had great friends who visited and brought me liquids...and I got through it! (And yes, this occurred after the hubby left! :0)

• Living so far away, I didn't get to visit home very often...11 months, in fact, before I made it back to Illinois = home. 

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The hubby and I were able to spend the holidays visiting our families in Illinois...and it was so great to spend time with everyone!! There were lots of presents, tons of food and too many sweets! :) My favorite gifts were: a book I've been wanting: Breaking Night, the Eclipse movie (I know, right?! It's crazy that I hadn't bought it for myself when it came out), a Keurig one-cup coffee maker and some gorgeous new red dishes (that we have desperately been needing/wanting)...and lots lots more that I am enjoying! :) 

And then the hubby and I spent New Years Eve back in Omaha...it's crazy, because this is the only the second year (since we met) that we have spent both holidays together. It was nice!

Goals for 2011 to come...

M.I.A.

Alright, so I am still alive...not that I have that many followers/readers, but I just wanted to assure everyone that I am still here and still apart of the blog world! I've been m.i.a. lately (sorry!) for a few reasons...

First and foremost, the hubby and I have seriously just been getting settled in the new place. I know that it sounds like an excuse, because many bloggers continue to blog throughout many life events, including vacation, moves, etc. But for me, I just needed a break and have just been trying to get settled and into a routine, so that I could feel some normalcy back in my life again. We are really enjoying Omaha...I can't tell you how glad I am to be back in the Midwest!! :) Don't get me wrong, I'm so glad that I got the chance to live in California, but the Midwest just feels like home. We have been finding some really cool places to eat/drink/shop around the area and I'll be posting about some of our adventures soon!!

Second, I've been struggling with my blog in general...it seems as if most successful blogs (the ones that have many readers/followers and are really eye-catching/interesting/fun) are really just focused on 1 theme (fitness/health, crafts, food, running, photography etc.)....and I just sort of feel like mine is ALL OVER THE PLACE. I don't know, I've just been thinking about it a lot lately and how I could do things differently, and I'm just stumped! :) So, I'm still working on it...

Anyway, just finishing up some laundry and then heading to bed...the weekends go by WAY too fast!! But, I will be back soon, I promise!

Time for an Update

Well I figured it was time for an update...things have been a little crazy around my neck of the woods. Hopefully they'll calm down here in a few weeks. So here's what's been going on:

• All of our stuff arrived from the movers...I opted to unpack it (when the military moves you, you can have the movers unpack your boxes for you) so that I could go through everything and put things where I wanted them to go. Here's the aftermath of the unpacking:

It was madness I tell you!!

• My mother came to Omaha again to help me unpack...she was a godsend! She is amazing at cleaning and organizing...she did so many loads of laundry and loads in the dishwasher. Thank you MOM! :) Anyway, we got to explore a little bit more around the greater Omaha area...I took her to Garden Ridge (it's one of her favorite stores). If you don't know or haven't ever been to a GR, it's basically a large decor store (frames, mirrors, pictures, pillows, candles, holiday decor, etc....at REALLY good prices)! Plus, we checked out Texas Road House (Mmmm!) and the Nebraska Brewing Company (the beer was awesome, food was so-so...I'm eager to try it again with the hubby).

• I finished a knitted pair of socks...my first ever FINISHED pair of socks! I have attempted 3 other pairs and have yet to finish any of them...I have the '2nd sock syndrome' and just couldn't seem to get over it. But, the knitting group that I was involved with in Monterey had started a sock-a-long (basically a version of a knit-a-long in which a group of knitters start a project together and vow to finish it in a timely manner). The deadline is at the end of September so I'm proud to say that I finished in plenty of time! :) Here they are start to finish:

 I even used some of my yummy Sunshine Yarns yarn that I've been dyeing to work with...this one is called 'Bella'

• The apartment is coming along very nicely...I know I've promised pictures and they are coming. I just want to surprise the hubby when he gets to Omaha, and since he's a follower of the blog, I don't want him to see anything that might ruin the surprise! ;) But, I promise, I can't wait to show you guys what all I've accomplished with it. It's so much more homier than when I first got here and is really starting to come together.

• Speaking of the husband...he is finally done with his training. He left Monterey 6 months ago for some training and other than seeing him a few days in May...it's been a LONG, LONELY, HARD couple of months. He is done and I will be seeing him in a few days...and I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to see him and for us to be back together. 

• And, I am happy to report that I've been working out pretty regularly. And it feels great! There's a small fitness center in the clubhouse of our apt. complex, so I've been running on the treadmill, riding the bike and working my arms out a bit. I've also been alternating that with running outside about 1-2 miles. I hate running...but I know I should do it and after awhile, it won't be so hard!

That's about it for now...just mainly working, watching TV (I think DVR is the greatest invention ever...this is my first time having it), and hanging out with the pups. Happy Hump Day!

Blog on Hiatus

So...sorry the blog has been on hiatus! I've been doing a little relocating...a little decorating :)

And I had some issues with setting up the internet (I swear, I always think I can set it up myself...and it never fails, I usually have to call to have someone come help me)...ridiculous!

Anyway, I have lots to post on and it will be coming soon...I promise!

Weeks of Craziness

So, the big move is fast approaching...just a couple of weeks until I will be back to being in the BIG midwest! I'm actually pretty excited!! :)

I feel so lucky to have been able to live in this gorgeous place and will always want to come back for a visit! And I met some awesome people here...I am definitely starting to feel like a military spouse. It's hard making friends and then moving/leaving that place a few years later!

Also, Monterey was officially the first place that the hubby and I lived together as a married couple and it's where we started our lives together! :)

But, I am definitely ready for a CHANGE (hence, 'change is necessary for growth') and I really think that we are going to like Omaha! I've been scoping out all the good eats and fun stuff to do...it's exciting!

I'm also super excited because my mom and sister are coming out here right before I move. My sister, just for a few days...but my mom is actually going to drive with me (and the 2 pups) to Omaha and help me *paint* and buy some furniture (yeah...we barely have ANY). So, I'm super excited for them to get here!! And my mom's going to be a godsend...she's awesome at cleaning, organizing and just overall,mid being supportive! Which I'm sure I'll need...even though I'm trying my best not to get stressed out :0

Be on the lookout for a post soon on all of my favorite places to eat, things to do, and sights to see in Monterey! It's definitely an amazing place to vacation...lots of great seafood and so many things to see.

Done, Done...and Done

1. Find a place to live in Omaha (moving in the next couple of months)
So we have picked out a place for us to live in Omaha...an apartment close to base and really feels like the whole package. Plus, we'll be able to focus on saving, at least this next year! :) I am so relieved that this task is complete!!

2. Schedule movers from base
This is pretty much done...all the paper work has been filled out. I am just waiting to hear back on final dates for packing and delivering. It is such a wonderful thing that the military will move families for free!!

3. Go through clothes, papers, and anything else...GET RID of stuff we don't need!
Yeah, I am totally proud of myself for doing this one...I went through all of my clothes and had a stack of the hubby's as well. Took them to Plato's Closet first, then the rest went to Goodwill. I have also been a "throwing away" machine...for stuff that seriously needed to be thrown away and have organized the heck out of the place. I mean, it'll continue as the move gets closer, but I'm on my way.

4. Apply for jobs (tired of doing this already)
This will have to be a continuous thing...

5. Start new knitting project for expecting mother/friend
Yeah, I've had NO time between taking my trip to Omaha, catching up on sleep over the weekend, and work...hopefully, I will begin this over the weekend or next week.

6. Keep running (ran Sat. = 1 mile; Sun = ran 1 mile/walked 1 mile)
Yeah, I wish I had better news on this one...I'm not giving up on it yet. But, I've just been super busy and tired the past few days, so maybe tomorrow I'll run again! ;)

7. Start cooking dinner with things I have at home instead of buying more
Yeah, I don't like this one...it's so hard cooking for one person. But, I have cleared a few things out of the cabinets by using them for meals. I may end up having to give some stuff away...especially condiments!

8. Try not to be so stressed and overwhelmed and emotional about the move ;)
So, I feel like this is a tough one...I mean, I'm gonna continue to be stressed and overwhelmed up until the move, I'm sure. BUT, I definitely haven't been as emotional as 2 weeks ago when I wrote this...I was a wreck that week! I just got myself so worked up...but now that things are falling into place, I'm calming down and realizing that things are working out and everything will get done in time (I hope)! :)

Changes...

Well, I figured since my blog's title and purpose is all about changes, I figured it would make sense to do a post about some of the changes coming up in my life :)

So, I've mentioned before that my husband is military and that we would be moving from California to Nebraska in the upcoming months. I feel lucky to have gotten the chance to live in such a beautiful place, such as Monterey! But, there are things that I am looking forward to in Omaha.

I just came back from a whirlwind 2-day trip to Omaha to look for housing. It was so exhausting...I was really only there to look at places for 1 full day...and I had made 8 appointments throughout the Omaha area!! That's right, 8...let's just say I was running around "like a chicken with my head cut off". If it wasn't for my GPS, I don't know how I would have made it to all of them...because I did NOT know the area and although it seems pretty easy (once you're familiar with it)...there were definitely times that I still got lost.

I was able to check out the base for a whole 10 minutes but it seems like a nice one. And my appointments ranged from places near base all the way to actually being downtown in the city (which is a way cute area from what I saw...lots of little cute shops, restaurants, bars, etc.). Although we would *love* living downtown (and found the most awesome condo overlooking the city)...I believe we have narrowed it down to an apt. closer to base. I'm happy with the decision (although seriously, it was hard to turn down the condo) because we will be saving money...which is totally what we should be doing over the next few years.

 Cute little outdoor restaurant patio in downtown (yeah that's my hand reflecting on the window while driving)

Changes I am totally not looking forward to:

-Not being near the beach
-Not being near FRESH seafood
-Not being near my knitting group and other friends I have made here! :(
-Being encompassed by bugs again (yeah, there are seriously hardly any bugs here...maybe flies, that's it)
-Living back in the humidity...although we shouldn't have to deal with it too much before winter hits
-The "harsh" winters that Omaha apparently had this past winter...um, I haven't seen snow since Jan. '09

Changes I am totally looking forward to:

-Being near a city and getting that "city" feel in the downtown area
-Having seasons again (I know I just complained about the winter, but having seasonal weather will be nice)
-Being closer to family (just a days drive)
-Having A LOT more restaurants to choose from (yeah, I definitely saw Cracker Barrel while I was there) :)
-There are tons of breweries, which the hubby will love
-More space and storage in our new place...AND we can paint!! I'm already looking for decorating ideas

I mean, it's gonna be a big change...but I think I am definitely ready for it!! I know one thing I'm ready for and that is to be with the hubby again...this time apart sucks! But I'm so proud of him, he's doing great! :)

More to come on the big move, it's really just right around the corner!

Goal-Setting for the Following Week

1. Find a place to live in Omaha (moving in the next couple of months)

2. Schedule movers from base

3. Go through clothes, papers, and anything else...GET RID of stuff we don't need!

4. Apply for jobs (tired of doing this already)

5. Start new knitting project for expecting mother/friend

6. Keep running (ran Sat. = 1 mile; Sun = ran 1 mile/walked 1 mile)

7. Start cooking dinner with things I have at home instead of buying more

8. Try not to be so stressed and overwhelmed and emotional about the move ;)

Exciting News

Without going into too much detail, the hubby has had a really long and strenuous year that included LOTS of studying/homework. And the outcome of this year was all basically riding on 3 exams that just happened this past week. And I am so proud to say that he passed with flying colors! I knew he would and I just know how relieved he is to be done with this part and onto the next.

That said, the other exciting news is that we have been told where we will be stationed at, starting in September (granted, things could always change); but as of right now, we will become residents of:

Omaha, Nebraska

I am for one, very excited...although it will be difficult to go from living in such a beautiful place like Monterey to Omaha...I am always up for change, and it will be nice to live in the seasons again! I've already been told that they have an awesome zoo, many good restaurants (although I'll be missing out on all of the best steaks ;) ) and lots to do! So here's to all of the new things to come over the next year!