Stop & Smell the Roses Vlog: Week 16, Vol. 9

Alright, well if it's Wednesday, then you know what time it is....

TIME FOR:

...where I link-up with Mandy @House of Rose for her weekly vlog post.

So I actually filmed this last night, and if you were wondering if I really went to the putt putt golf place, here's my proof...

Definitely didn't make 'pro par'...closer to 'amateur par'...maybe I'm a little rusty?! ;)

Anyway, thanks for checking out my vlog and stay tuned for all the new stuff heading our way soon! I'll be blogging about it!!

If you want to film a vlog and tell us what you're smiling about this week...

And don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel, using the button below:

Linking up for Sunday Social - Week 1

Happy Sunday everybody...hope everyone's having a fabulous weekend!!
 Today, I'm excited to be linking up with

Ashley @Ashley's Carnival Ride
&
Neely @A Complete Waste of Makeup

FYI ~ If you haven't checked these ladies out yet, it's about time you did!! ;) But so, they have started a weekly Sunday link-up called:

Sunday Social 
(read more about it here)

What is it?? The Sunday social will be 6 questions every Sunday that all have a similar theme to them. Its a great way to meet new people, gain some followers and find new blogs you can't wait to read! People will slowly get to know you. You can add pictures to the posts, videos, whatever you want. 

AND, today is the 1st day...so if you link up today, everyone that links up is going to be entered in to potentially win a $20 gift card to Starbucks!! Thanks ladies!! I don't know about you, but any giveaway involving Starbucks, I'm entering it!! :P

So here are this week's questions...

How did you come up with your blog name?




I sorta already talked about this on another post, so I'm going to bring some of the verbiage over here: "...why I chose "Change is Necessary for Growth" as my blog title. It's fairly long, I know, but here's the deal...when I went to begin my blog, I struggled in coming up with a name (as I'm sure many bloggers do). I couldn't think of anything that sounded good with my name in it, but I wanted it to be something personal and memorable. #1 - I have always been big into quotes...I used to keep a notebook full of quotes that I would write down, whenever I would stumble upon one that I liked. #2 - Also, at the time I started it, I told you (above) that I was going through a ton of changes AND was looking at at least a few more years of many changes ahead of me! Change was just becoming part of my everyday experiences...new cities, new jobs, new friends, etc. #3 - For a long time, I've been a big proponent of always trying new things, adapting to situations, and trying to enjoy every new experience that gets thrown my way. So, the quote below my title was one that I had written down years ago, and it just speaks to me...and became the basis of my blog title."
*Check the full post out...it goes into a lot more detail!

What is your favorite thing about blogging?
 My favorite thing about blogging is being able to connect with people or those who are reading my blog. I might blog about something I think that no one would be interested in, or care anything about, and low & behold, someone will comment saying that they feel that exact same way or are really interested to learn more about that topic. It's just awesome to begin noticing how much blogging really connects people from all over the country, and even the globe - it's like its own little support system too. Having and meeting new 'blog friends' has been SO fun, so far! :P

What is one thing you have discovered because of blogging and now can't live without?
I would definitely have to say Pinterest...now I discovered it quite awhile back, but I remember hearing about it first on a few blogs. I had no clue what it is was, but the minute I hopped over to see what it was, and signed up...I WAS HOOKED! That thing is addicting, but so freakin' fabulous for sharing ideas, recipes, quotes, pictures...you name it, you can create a Board for it. I love it and absolutely can't (really) live without it. ;)
*Connect with me on
 

Facebook or Twitter? and why? 
Twitter...I love how fast Twitter is (although it can get a little overwhelming sometimes...the other day I came back to my computer after about 30 minutes and had missed like 400-some tweets. Whoa people! :0). Anyway, it's such an easy way to connect with people/companies, message specific people, compliment bloggers on their posts/pics
*Connect with me on
 &

If one celeb read your blog who would you want it to be? 
That's a tough one... but probably Zooey Deschanel.

 via
I mean, how cute is she?! She is definitely someone I would want to hang out with (if I ever got the chance)...she seems like such a fun-loving, easy-going, and brilliant (did I mention HILARIOUS?) chick. I love following her on New Girl, twitter, Hello Giggles and just about any movie she's in, I'm watching it! Basically...she is just fabulous in my book. If she was reading my blog, I'd be pretty stoked!! :P

What is something you want people to know about your blog?
Just that my blog doesn't really have its own niche...and I'm okay with that for now. I think that it's important for blogs to have their own niche (fashion, fitness, food, etc.)...because (at least what I've found) when they put focus on one thing, they get quite the following and become "experts" in that area, so they are pretty successful. But for me, I just don't know what my niche would be, so for now, readers can expect to find posts on all different kinds of things, including (but not limited to): food, fashion, books, movies, Crossfit, running, Paleo Diet, my doggies, knitting, DIY/crafting, yoga - plus lots of link-ups (they're SO fun), vlogs and some giveaways...so my blog is very eclectic and I am just going to stick to that for now! Hopefully everyone can find something that they enjoy reading about when they visit my blog. 

Alright, well that it's for this week's Sunday Social. Thanks for stopping over to read my answers to the 6 questions and hopefully you'll link up with us as well (don't forget to grab the button on their blogs). Thanks to Ashley & Neely for hosting!!

Why "Change is Necessary for Growth"?

I started this blog back in January of 2010, when the hubby and I were living in Monterey, CA. That year (prior to starting the blog), I had completed my graduate degree, moved clear across the country and was living in this beautiful city with so many wonderful things to see and do. At the time, pretty much "everyone" I knew was starting a blog and I wanted to keep my family & friends updated with things that were going on in our lives. I didn't think too much about advertising it, and part of me kept it fairly private for certain reasons. I blogged about Monterey, knitting, cooking and various other "girly" things...I had the occasional commenter, but most of my followers were friends and family.

I stuck with it, but sometimes months would go by between posts...I would lose interest, not knowing how to get more involved with it and not really doing anything to try and improve it (to keep up with the blogging community). Even though I didn't post very often, I still always kept up with daily stalking reading from MANY other blogs that I followed, occasionally finding new ones that would strike my interest. :)

Fast forward to last month...I decided that I had let it go long enough, that I was really interested in becoming a part of this blogging community and getting my blog out there. I'm still not sure that I have a lot of interesting posts or things to offer - I would definitely say that a large focus of my blog will continue to be information-sharing. I say that because, I just don't have a lot going on in my life right now...no kids to post about, no indie biz to rave about...I work (travel for it a little bit), take care of my doggies, volunteer for various organizations and am just continuing to wait until the time comes when the hubby and I can finally have a life together again (or long-distance story is crazy, just trust me)! BUT that being said, I've started linking up with fellow bloggers, filming vlogs, and I'm just really enjoying myself A LOT! Whether people are coming to the blog, watching/reading/listening and actually enjoying themselves, or commenting on things I've talked about...posting every day is giving me goals and deadlines and keeping me focused when I'm not working. :) 

Alright, so now that that's out of the way, I just thought I would write a little bit about why I chose "Change is Necessary for Growth" as my blog title. It's fairly long, I know, but here's the deal...when I went to begin my blog, I struggled in coming up with a name (as I'm sure many bloggers do). I couldn't think of anything that sounded good with my name in it, but I wanted it to be something personal and memorable. #1 - I have always been big into quotes...I used to keep a notebook full of quotes that I would write down, whenever I would stumble upon one that I liked. #2 - Also, at the time I started it, I told you (above) that I was going through a ton of changes AND was looking at at least a few more years of many changes ahead of me! Change was just becoming part of my everyday experiences...new cities, new jobs, new friends, etc. #3 - For a long time, I've been a big proponent of always trying new things, adapting to situations, and trying to enjoy every new experience that gets thrown my way. So, the quote below my title was one that I had written down years ago, and it just speaks to me...and became the basis of my blog title.

Change is Necessary for Growth

Now, do we all change in some shape or form, from day to day? Probably yes, I would say. But there are those who avoid change at all costs...who are so uncomfortable with it, they can't stand it and they run from it. And then there are those people who embrace it, adapt to it, and grow. I am definitely the latter, or at least have learned to be that way over time. I will say, that I have discovered a difference in making your own change vs. change that happens upon you, often when you least expect it. E.g. Deciding to go to graduate school was a big change for me - much more rigorous than undergraduate school and to describe it as challenging is putting it mildly - but I made that choice. Losing a family member suddenly, who will no longer be in your life, is a HUGE change. One that rocks your world and ultimately changes you forever. That change is a little harder to embrace and adapt to...but learning to grow in spite of that change is the obstacle to overcome (at least in my own experiences). 

I just know that I'm constantly changing...not my personality per se, or who I am as a person. But my knowledge changes, interests change, goals change, perspectives change...and I'm looking out across the next year upon MANY more changes coming our way. I'm excited though...and am eager to see how I can grow as a person, based on those changes.

What about you...do you embrace change? Avoid it (no judgement here, I promise)? How does change affect you?

Follow-up to "One Day Without Shoes"

If you were reading my posts from last week, you may have seen my link-up on Friday, featuring five of my favorite things from that week. One of them was, participating in One Day Without Shoes on Tuesday, April 10 - an event that started five years ago by Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS Shoes.

Basically it's just one day out of the year, where people from all over the world go without shoes. There are events such as 1-mile walks, there are marches with signs, and people spread awareness through all of the social media outlets available to us at our fingertips. It may sound silly, and you may ask, well what does that do to help children who need shoes (which is TOMS Shoes mission)? It's really just about raising awareness...it's to get people talking and to get people involved. The more people that know about Toms and know that there's something they can do to help, the less children we will have without shoes.

I wanted to share this video that the company posted, a few days after the event. To me, it's just so inspiring...to see people from around the globe, actors, musicians...going without shoes and spreading the message.



And if you aren't convinced to purchase a pair of TOMS yet, I'll share with you my 1st TOMS purchase:

I ordered a pair of their newest style of ballet flats - they're simple, comfortable & meaningful to me! Now, they aren't what I would call cheap, costing on average, about $50/pair. BUT, my friend and I were talking the other day about this, and part of the deal with spending money on things such as TOMS, is that one has to realize that the money they're spending is not just for the shoes, it's to make another pair of shoes as well. It's the cause, and I'll be the 1st to admit that I've spent $50 on a regular pair of shoes before. Anyone else out there with me? So I see it as a worthy & mindful purchase!

TOMS One for One movement matches every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. The movement is meant to be about people making everyday choices that improve the lives of children.

They offer mens & womens shoes, adults & kids, even a wedding-themed line (yes brides & grooms are wearing TOMS on their special days, how cool?!)! They even started a line of eyewear that follows the same power of One to One. For ever pair of sunglasses bought, the fundamental need of sight is provided to someone in need (via glasses, medical treatment, or a referral for eye surgery.

More details can be found here!

6 A.M. Yoga

Yep...you read it right. I got my butt up this morning and made it to practice some yoga at 6am! :0 It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be and it has really relaxed me this morning.

But I just wanted to share something that made me smile while in mid-pose this morning. The yoga studio I have begun to practice at has just relocated to a brand *new* studio...and so she was talking about all of this change going on, around us & in our lives. And she said something along the lines of "we have to change and be okay with change in order to grow..."

OMG, exactly!

CHANGE IS NECESSARY FOR GROWTH!

Just saying... :) And now I'll leave you with one of my favoriate yoga poses:

source

                                                                   Tree Pose

Making Some Big Changes

Prior to 2011, I had begun to make some big changes in my life. So, I don't technically group these goals/changes as resolutions. In reality, these are changes that I had started to make in the past...but unfortunately, never followed through with. I would go with them for awhile, making some progress...then gradually let them fall to the waste side. But, I'm proud to say that I am doing well in keeping up with these changes, especially with the help of my wonderful and supportive hubby! He is one great motivator, let me tell you! So, I'll let you in on some of these changes...

• An easy one...take vitamins every day! Okay, some of you may be like, uh...okay?! But seriously, for some reason, I will take them for a few days straight and then just magically forget, which then turns into...I don't take vitamins. I know that I need to take them and am really trying to make sure it is part of my daily routine. Around November, I purchased these from GNC:

I bought these, in hopes that they would provide me with a bit more energy (something I seem to always be lacking). I'm not sure that the extra energy supplements really work, but at least I know that I'm getting all of the vitamins that I need on a daily basis. So far, I'm doing good on this goal.

• Do away with soda and drink A LOT more H2O! This one is going great! I stopped drinking soda mid-December and am proud to say that I have not had one soda since. And I haven't definitely up'd my intake of water! I've done this before...I've gone on a 'no-soda' kick for a few months and then I'll give in, have one when I'm out at a restaurant somewhere...and once again, I'm drinking soda regularly. But the fact that I'm looking to water, sports drinks, green tea as alternatives has definitely kept me on my 'no-soda' kick thus far. I can definitely tell a big difference too!

• Running regularly! So, again...in all truth, I've never been a big runner. I was never on the track/cross-country team...I would occasionally run on the treadmill while exercising throughout high school/college. But, definitely nothing over 1 mile or so. I started up running a bit when I was living in Monterey...got up to about 3 miles, but stopped because, yeah...it's tough! :P But see, the husband over the past couple of years has really gotten into running, has ran a few races and is still getting more and more into it. Once I moved to Omaha, I was running outside on various trails and increased my mileage to about 6 miles...the most I had ever run...and then winter hit! I stopped! Excuses, excuses. Since the beginning of December, I have been running very consistently on the treadmill...about 3-4 miles and have come down from a 14 min/mile pace to a 11 min/mile pace! However, the treadmill is definitely much harder than running outside, in my opinion. I get so bored on the treadmill and I really have to work extra hard to keep from looking at my mileage/time every 5 minutes! But, I'm doing it and I always try to remember how good I feel after a run. I think that's big for me...but I am definitely looking at becoming a regular runner and completing some races in the next year or two. I even got myself some new running shoes recently, which I was in desperate need of! They are working wonders!!

• Counting calories/eating healthier! I know, this is on everyone's resolutions list/goals for the next year...but I am actually doing this! It started in early December...I began drinking a whey protein shake for lunch. This cut my calories big-time and I have not been eating out during the week (which is a big change). The husband and I are counting calories together, which is very helpful in keeping each other in-check. And, I mean, we are in no way starving ourselves. But, keeping a list of what we are eating each day allows us to keep track of what we're eating and how much we're eating. The hubby and I still treat ourselves, using the weekends to go out to eat...but I am so much more conscious of what I am ordering at a restaurant and what kind of foods I am putting in to my body.

*I don't want to get too hung up on weight or size, but in general, I just want to get back to being "fit" and working out regularly...in general, just taking care of myself. I have noticed a big difference in my energy level and my attitude towards making time each day to work out. And clothes are definitely starting to fit a little bit better (which is always a plus). :) 

• Find a job related to my degree/skills! So, a little background...I have an advanced degree in Applied Experimental Psychology with an emphasis in Industrial Organizational Psychology (a mouth-full, I know!). Basically, I have a background in areas such as: statistics, survey development, program evaluation and applied research practices. I was lucky to find a position in Monterey that allowed me to at least practice my skills analyzing data sets and working with a professor on his research projects...but a lot of my other skills that I enjoy were placed to the side. Moving around ( being in the military) doesn't really make things easy...and I have had to take temporary positions, which I am not too proud to take. I realize that with the economy as it is, I should be thankful to be given work and I will do anything I have to do to help support my family. But, I also really want to be doing what I paid to go to school for and enjoy practicing. I've been working my butt off, applying for jobs...working on my resume. Man, it is not easy and it's exhausting! Hopefully things will work out and I'll let you know if I hear anything :)

Well, those are some of the changes I have been making and are continuing to make in my life...and I just thought that I would share them all of you. My main goal each day is just to try and stay motivated!! It is an easy concept, but a challenge for a lot of people, including me...and I am really just taking it one day at a time :) Alright, well I am off to fix myself some dinner...hope everyone has a great week!

If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.

~Martin Luther King, Jr., speech, Detroit, Michigan, June 23, 1963.