It's all about ME.

February 1st. Wow, how quickly January flew by! I suppose it is time for a "challenge" update. I am pleased to report that tonight marked my 20th trip to the gym. Just reading "20" makes me feel lame; however, I was very sick last week and lost several days of workouts AND that's 20 workouts in 32 days! I am so pleased with myself, especially since I have no plans of stopping any time soon!

Over the past month I have discovered an absolute LOVE of Yoga! I usually practice it twice a week, sometimes more if I have time or a class is available. I love that it isn't about doing anything perfectly, it is about listening to what your body is capable of, pushing your limits, and accepting what you aren't quite ready for. For many years I have wanted to take Yoga and now I am wishing I would have started long ago!

Doing things for myself seems to be a trend lately. I am spending more time on myself, rediscovering my passions and planning for my future. I have signed up for a sewing class in two weeks and I couldn't be more excited! I received a new sewing machine for Christmas and I am eager to begin using it! So, stay tuned for my adventures in sewing.

My mom, sister, and I are going to San Antonio next weekend to see Lady Antebellum and to spend some quality "girl time" together. I'll be sure to post how it goes!

My Non-Resolution Challenge

I strongly dislike New Year's Resolutions. They usually go a little something like, "this year I want to lose weight." Duh. But, two weeks later it's back to potato chips and ice cream and trips to the gym are a faint memory. The only resolution I've ever made AND KEPT was in 2007 I vowed not to purchase a single pair of panties. Yep, that's right. Panties. And it was the hardest resolution to keep! Do you know that two times a year, not once, but TWICE a year Victoria's Secret puts everything on sale?! Let's just say I will NEVER make that resolution again.

This year I decided to go with something a little different. I have decided to "challenge" myself. (Not a "resolution.") I have promised myself that I will not buy ANY CLOTHING until I have visited the gym 100 times. Now, whether those are consecutive days depends on how badly I want to shop. My hope is that a few good things will comes of this: 1. That in 100 visits to the gym I will NEED to shop to purchase clothes that are SMALLER, and 2. That skipping 3+ months of shopping will prove to be a reward to my savings account.

I will say that I have been to the gym every day this week (5 down, 95 to go!) and plan on making at least one trip this weekend. I have discovered that deep down inside I have abs. I have also discovered that cycling class and yoga class may sound fun, but don't let them fool you. They are pesky little boogers! However, each trip to the gym gets a little easier and I come out feeling better and better.

So, good luck on whatever your "resolution" was. Look for (a smaller) me out shopping in 95 (+/-) days.

Bayla D'Lane-- GO VOTE!

Go vote for Bayla!

http://www.brickfish.com/Pages/PhotosAlbums/PhotoView.aspx?qsi=26881620

Scentsy

Look at me, posting again so quickly...

I am so excited to announce that I am now a SCENTSY Consultant!

If you don't know what Scentsy is... check it out!

www.scentsy.com/lwalden

Order by December 15, 2009 for delivery before Christmas!

Time flies...

I just realized it has been six months since my last post. It isn't that I have been too lazy, I have just been busy.

Usually when a daunting task presents itself, it is difficult to decide where to start. That's about how I feel! So, I'll do what I do best-- I'll start by making a list!

In June:

• Landon turned 16!

In July:

• I went to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for a wedding. (Congrats Mr.& Ms. Lynch!)

In August:

• Hunter VanDeventer turned one-year-old! I was so excited to be there for his birthday.
• My best friend moved across the US to California. Her moving day was so difficult for me. I was so excited for her, but sad that she was going so far away.
• I saw the musical WICKED for the second time. It was incredible--again!

In September:

• I flew to California to spend time with Jordan. We went to the Capitola Begonia Festival and it was so much fun!
• I got to welcome baby Brooklyn Marie LeAnn Hayes in to the world.
• I was chosen to attend the Kappa Leadership Academy in Columbus, Ohio as an alumni representative.
• I turned 24! I was sad to see 23 leave, it was such a life-changing year!
• I started working for STARRY in Round Rock.

In October:

• I attend the 10th annual Girls' Trip to Port Aransas! I was so honored to be asked back for my second year. And this year, there was a "distinguished guest" staying at our condos-- Laura Bush!
• I went to UNT Homecoming in Denton. That same weekend the Zeta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gama celebrated their 20th anniversary on the UNT campus. GKODB!
• I learned that my dear friends, Erin & Cullen Mills, are expecting a sweet Peanut of their own! I cannot wait to be an Auntie again!
• I also found out that my cousins, Kelly & Jason, are expecting Baby #2! (I will not be drinking 'the water' anytime soon.)
• I saw Colbie Callait in concert. She was great!
• I traveled to Kentucky for the first time!

November:

• I cannot believe that it is already November! I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and spending time with family and friends. I am so thankful for everything in my life.

I will try not to wait another six months before my next blog. It is too hard to remember everything that has gone on!

"Google" youself.

I have never been a "Googler" in any sense of the word. I am an avid Yahoo! user, but recently one of my co-workers introduced me to the world of "Googling" people. I took a moment today to type "Lauren Walden" in to the Google search bar and there I was. There were links to my Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Classmates.com, etc. I decided it was time to downsize on my plethora of social network profiles.

It just amazes me how much information is out there. Luckily, I am cautious as to what I put out there, but it was still interesting to see just how "available" you are.

So, take a moment and go "Google" yourself!

Patience

I was having a rough time a while back and my good friend Erin sent me "The Rainy Day Book: Pick-me-ups for when you're a little blue!" I sometimes pull it out when I am feeling a little down and it usually puts a smile on my face. I found a poem in it tonight and thought we could all use a reminder to be patient.

Patience
Ruth Cowles

I asked the Lord for patience.
I know I need it so.
When I put in a garden,
I can't wait for it to grow.

I cannot wait for mail to come,
Pots to boil, bread to rise,
For friends to call or write or visit,
Sun to burst through stormy skies.

I know to be impatient
is a sin, akin to worry.
So, I asked the Lord for patience.
I just wish He would hurry!