Risky Business

I like being a girl, I like being girly, and I like the color pink.

I like to look pretty and smell nice.

I like having soft skin.

But sometimes, we all forget that when we take it all of, that we might just be our most beautiful. We might have sparse eyebrows, large pores, laugh lines, or any number of unwanted markings, but what is most important is being comfortable in our own skin.

I've given in to my wavy hair, and have forgone straightening. I think I straightened it 4 times in September, and so far this month, once.

I don't wear a lot of make up, I wear no foundation or anything.

I'm equally content walking out of the house without make up as I am with.

So I'm doing something wild.

I took off all my makeup.

I let down my hair.

This is me, au natural; smile lines, dimples, scars and all:

I've never dyed my hair, and I'm content wit the color.

I try not to tan too much.

I baby my face and moisturize and try to prevent acne.

I brush and floss twice, to three times daily.

I laugh, and don't mind my slight smile lines and dimples.

I have a scar on my cheek, that looks like a dimple, and I'm okay with it.

We should be content with who we are and what we look like.

Of course I wish my hair was longer and that my cheeks weren't so chubby.

I wish I had longer eyelashes and that I was thinner.

But overall, I can't complain.

I smile because I'm happy with me.

You should smile because you're happy with you.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

I should probably refrain from quoting Ren & Stimpy.

I doubt it is very becoming for a girl of my age.

I am happy though. I'm upping my mileage or my speed each workout. Today was speed, I shaved one whole minute off my 3 mile run. I'd say that's impressive, for me at least. My triceps feel like complete jell-o and my last set of chest presses was so beyond unbearably painful, that I am without a doubt that I will be in pain tomorrow. Which works out because tomorrow will be a leg and ab torture day. Keep up the good work body. You're doing well.

I'm still a work in progress. And I think I am okay with that, finally. Each day, even when I have mental, emotional, and physical set backs, I realize, that I can only be so much or do so many things. At the end of each day I have to be happy and content. That's what is most important. If that means coffee in the morning, and ice cream at night, then that's what I plan on doing. These days it has been lost of healthy eating (hello giant salad I had for lunch today) and exercising, which I plan on stepping up, just a little. I am making slightly more realistic weight loss goals, and if I make them, a reward, and if I don't, I will not be beating myself up over it.

I can not live my life and expect people to like me or treat me well if I can not treat myself that way. I am this huge canvas or this empty journal with so many different ways of finishing it. It might have tons of line-outs and eraser marks, or the red might eventually be covered by blue, but what matters is I am constantly growing; and I am happy.

Smile. Love. Laugh. Be Happy.

Summertime and the Livin's Easy

Summer is my favorite season. I love it, especially here in San Diego, although, none of these photos are from San Diego, but please ignore that and focus on the feeling of summer.

Today actually felt like summer. I went to church, had lunch, Chris and I took a 6 mile walk around the lake, I got a sunburn. Then I went to lay out by the pool and went swimming. It felt glorious. I may or may not get in the pool again, but it felt great none the less.

Summer has the best clouds and the best beautiful blue skies. Especially here in California. It is, by far, the greatest. This is Lake Tahoe for 4th of July. Absolutely beautiful.

I don't really like to swim, but at the same time, it is perfectly summer. This is from childhood, my dad and me. In our pool. I miss that house and being a carefree child.

And how doesn't love sitting on the beach? I love it. Yes, those are my tan legs. Lucky me, although, right now, they are not so tan. This is in Ocean City, Maryland. The cards were not in it for us this year to go, but next year, you'll see us.

And if the beach at the ocean is not your thing, have no fear, the lake beach can be yours. This is Lake Tahoe. It is perfect in the summer. Absolutely fabulous.

I do not like baseball, but it is the summer sport. And if I can watch Nick Markakis play then I am a happy girl.

I LOVE SUMMER!

southern voice

This probably won't be 101 reasons, but that's what I'm calling it.

"101 Reasons why I should have been born a Southerner"

1. I'm nice as pie, sweet as sugar, and full of spice (that's how I would describe all the southerners I met on our travels from Maryland to California).

2. I loooove Red Velvet Cake (ahem look what I baked today...). It is a southern dish, yes, that's right. I am generalizing all southerners.

3. I like my music bluesy, folksy, twangy, country, and I want it to be about your mom your sister your dog your ex-wife, your house your job, or your truck aka country music.

4. Nashville is by far my favorite city ever. Like, no joke. I don't like nightlife, but I love Nashville's nightlife.

5. I'd like to sit on a swing set on a big front porch drinking either ice cold sweet tea or ice cold beer, I'm really down for either.

6. I'd like to swear dresses and cowboy boots and not look like an idiot; or look like I found it in a magazine.

7. I'm more into family gatherings than drinking until the wee hours of the morning at the hottest club. Unless it involves #4.

8. "Whether you're late for church or you're stuck in jail, hey word's gonna get around. Everybody dies famous in a small town." (Miranda Lambert)

9. Roads that look like this:

10. Biscuits and gravy, chicken and dumplings, oh and Cracker Barrel.

I guess I can be thankful I was born a California girl though.