Cheers to 4 years!

This in no way is going to be a long blog post. In fact it is going to be a very short one. I just wanted to start off by saying Happy Anniversary to me and my amazing husband Zac. It has been 4 wonderful years already. We have gotten a dog, landed our dream jobs and own our very own home! I feel so blessed that someone like Zac came into my life. Sometimes I think that everyones relationship works how mine and Zacs does....which is not the case. I feel truly grateful. We are a match made in heaven. Zac is such an amazing person and the love and patience he shows me every day reminds me how spoiled I am. He treats me like a princess. I can't wait to see what the next years will bring us and what adventures we will take together. I love you Zac!

Now that the mushy stuff is done...I am sitting in bed and it is...not quite 9:00. I am trying to get to bed early because the last two days I have had a soar throat and I REFUSE to get sick. I just don't have the time for it. Zac is working a 96 hour shift so I am on my own. When I got home I put the flowers he got me in a vase, cooked myself dinner and then sat down to watch project runway with a glass of wine. I am breaking my rule of no drinking on a school night but I thought...Im by myself on my anniversary, might as well have a little celebration. Hopefully it won't come back to bite me in the butt and make me feel even more sick! I have plans this weekend that I just cannot miss! Zac will be home on Monday and we will have the day together which is nice, maybe we will finish painting our house. 

I have been a little research lately on different locations for a photo shoot. My friend Chelsie is pregnant and she asked me to take her maternity pictures. I feel honored....I also feel nervous. I really want them to come out great. I have been so busy lately that I have felt almost a little stressed about the whole thing. However, the other day I saw that my friend Katrina did a shoot and I asked her about the location because it looked perfect! I am hoping to go scope it out on Saturday and show Chelsie to see what she thinks. I think after I nail down the location I will start to feel a little better about the whole thing. Thank goodness for Pinterest and being able to get ideas for maternity poses! How am I suppose to know what to do!?

I told you it was going to be a short pose. I am off to bed nice and early. Hoping to feel better tomorrow. I just need to get through one more day of work and then I can have a day of rest before me weekend starts. Hope y'all have a fabulous weekend!

1st position, grand plie, arabesque

Here I am! In all my ballet glory. I have decided two things. First, I think I am really going to love ballet and second, I think that it is going to be very difficult. So as some of you might know, I had my very first ballet class yesterday. Well, I guess I shouldn't say very first because in fact I did take ballet when I was little. But who remembers that!? I went into my class feeling very excited with just a hint of nervousness. I guess the whole going into the un-known. When I walked in there were three people in the room...you heard me, three. One of them being my instructor. She had me set down my things and I hurried and put on my ballet slippers. I am happy that I went with the outfit I did. I was just testing out the waters here so I didn't feel the need to be in a leotard. Luckily one of the other girls was in one...so maybe next time.

The class seemed to just fly by. My teach (Nancy) went through the steps very quickly. While I was studying her steps and trying to look at myself in the mirror to see if I was getting it right I had this flush of excitement. It seems like this could be really fun! And every once in awhile my teach would do a ballet move (which I have no clue what its called...yet) I would think to myself...I want that to be me! It is very difficult not to get discouraged when the teacher is calling out all these different positions and you have no idea what to do or where to go next, but I am up for the challenge. 

At the end of the class I had very mixed emotions. My instructor made an announcement that she was not going to be able to make the next class, my heart sunk. The two other girls could make up the class on Friday but I have to work. She said she would catch  me up at the following class....my heart sank lower, we have plans to go camping and are not leaving till Monday. She said that we would try and work something out. I was starting to feel very discouraged about getting behind in something I already felt like I needed more help with. I am a slow learner and repetition is key for me. The two other girls (I should say women) left the class and Nancy stayed after with me and went over a few things. She was very encouraging and told me that I have a dancers body....well thats great to look the part but I want to be good at it!

On my drive home I was thinking about my class and all my mixed emotions. Later that evening I checked my e-mail and I had message from my instructor it said the following:

Hi Kim,
 
I'm happy to help you, before class and after to catch up and have you continue. You're doing very well at assimilating.  Others will be joining later too,  so no worries.
Here is a class example of barre and centre order attached. Also go online to The American Ballet Theatre Ballet Dictionary. ALmost all have a picture or video. 
 
Gracefully Yours,

That small little message made me feel much better. The barre and centre order that she sent me is all the music that she has for the class. Im still trying to figure all this lingo out but I have learned that barre means when we are at the bar next to the mirror, when we are doing our stretches. I can only assume that centre means when we are out on the floor. I decided to write her back and let her know exactly how I was feeling about the whole situation. I even got to thinking that it would be worth it for me to leave my camping vacation early so that I would make it back into Santa Rosa in time to go to my ballet class.

Just keep doing the best you can as I can see your earnest and trying hard--you'll be wonderful.  I suggest you also practice your pointing the toe with pointe and flexes done in class and straight leg with knee tight in arabesque(keep hip rotated down).
 If you stick to mainly those ballet terms on the music schedule with the ABT Dictionary it won't be quite so overwhelming.

After that last e-mail I felt more motivated to challenge myself to keep up with this whole ballet thing. She even mentioned something about private lessons so I am going to try and get the details from her if that is something I could do.  I really think the one on one would be good for me. I wish my ballet class was more then once a week! Alright I think I have worn out the ballet discussion for tonight. Im off to bed! Hope y'all have a great day tomorrow! 

Just me and my thoughts

Hello blog followers, if you're out there. Right now I am sitting in bed and it is..8:58pm. I know that for many of you that might seem a little early but can you blame a girl for liking her sleep? When you give work 110% for a solid 8-9 hours a day, it can really wear you out! Plus I like to be on my A game, not feeling sluggish. Many of my co-workers had made comments about how I can have so much energy and not drink coffee. You know what my secrets are? 1) Don't get addicted to coffee 2) Drink water 3) Go to bed early 4) Don't drink alcohol on school nights. What does that make me? Best employee ever! Okay, Im being a bit dramatic over here but you get the idea. 

Im not really sure why I am talking about work right now. I had no intention to and I was going to talk about my Labor Day weekend but instead I just feel like venting. Sometimes I worry...okay I worry a lot, but I'm trying to get better at it. One of my co-workers is going on maternity leave next month and I have been chosen to take on some of her responsibilities ( remember how I said best employee ever?) Anyhoo, I am nervous and excited. I am nervous because it is a lot to take on in addition to the million other tasks I have to get done during the day but I am excited because I like to push myself and I am trying this new thing where I am doing things that arn't necessarily in my comfort zone. Plus I like the idea that if she sees that "something" in me to give me this extra job then maybe I will see that extra "something" in me too. I can just over think things sometimes. And I love this job so much I never want to do anything to screw it up. I have never had a job where I felt compelled to push myself and want to do my very best every day. My doctor told me that if you love what you do then you never work a day in your life. That is a quote that I want and am starting to believe. The only issue that I have found with this love for my new job is that I put a lot of pressure on myself and sometimes you just have to remember that you can only do what you can do. But I am feeling pretty secure because today I got my very first, very own business cards! Im pretty excited about them.

Okay so now about that whole pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I have signed up for a ballet class! The whole idea of taking the class is really exciting and honestly I can't wait for my first class this Monday. The thing that makes me a little nervous is not having anyone with me. Sometimes it is nice to have a friend along for support. But I am again, excited to push myself to try something new. I just had the urge one day to look but ballet classes and it just so happened there is a place right here in Santa Rosa that is starting classes in September, perfect. I feel like its a sign how smoothly things are working out. Plus it is on Mondays, which I have off! It is from 12:00-1:00. My first class is this coming Monday and tomorrow after work I get to go buy my ballet shoes. My teach e-mailed me the other day and at the end of her e-mail she said this "You're taking a big step to be more graceful and confident", if that doesn't pump you up I don't know what will!

I thought that once fall came around that things would begin to slow down a bit, but in fact, they haven't. I guess I am trying to stretch out summer as long as I can. Zac and I have our 4 year anniversary next week....can you believe it. Four years!? Time sure does fly. It feels like just yesterday we were walking down the aisle and living in Calistoga. Zac is going to be working a 96 hour shift at the department, so we are planning on celebrating our anniversary the weekend after. We planned a camping trip to Bucks Lake. I am very excited to go back because I feel like we just didn't have a long enough trip last time. This might be out last camping trip of the summer. Its so weird to see all the Halloween and fall decorations coming out in the stores. It goes by so quickly doesn't it?

Zac and I have made some headway on painting the outside of our house. It is quite a process for two people. We are getting ready to level our yard and get the driveway ready to gravel. We definitely need that done before the rain comes. Last time it rained I got stuck in the mud and had to put the trcuk in 4 wheel drive to get it out. Good things both of our vehicles are 4x4's! My mom is coming up the beginning of October and I am hoping the yard will be leveled and her and I can work on our back patio area. Our house came with tons of bricks and we plan on using them to make our "hang out" area. I think it will look really cool when we are done with it. There is just so much to do. But even when it gets overwhelming, I just remember its MY house, MY home that I own. That makes it feel much better.

Well its already 9:30 and I am ready for bed. One more day tomorrow then its time to enjoy my three day weekend. And yes I have plans already. Tomorrow after work is dinner with my friends from my old work, Saturday is a lake day, Sunday is a BBQ at my friend Katrina's house and Monday I have ballet, Im swamped! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

I think of you....sometimes

I promise I do. I think about blogging every once in awhile. I even thought about it yesterday but this house isn't going to clean itself. I laid in bed as long as I could yesterday just because I knew as soon as I got it up it would be time to clean. The cleaning fairies must of missed my house. Luckily I cranked up some old school Christina Aguilera and danced/cleaned my way through my house. 

This summer has just been so insanely busy for me. This is the one weekend I actually don't have any plans. Well I did have Chelsies baby shower on Saturday morning. I can't believe she is already at 30 weeks! I feel like I just found out that she was prego. She pulls of pregnancy very well I must say. You know how when you hit a certain age everyone is getting engaged and married, well I feel like I went through that phase for the most part. Now its on to everyone around you is getting pregnant. Chelise and two of my other friends. Its crazy. Everyone loves to ask Zac and I when we are going to have one. Not yet. Sorry. Im still enjoying it being just the two of us and being able to do whatever we want! 

Well I am trying to think how I can update y'all on whats been going on because it almost seems like a blur right now. I don't think I posted anything from the month of July, probably because it was one of my busiest months. I guess we can start with the beginning of July.

My whole family came up north to spend fourth of July with me. It was so much fun having them here and they all helped me put my house together. We went to the Calistoga parade on the fourth and then had lunch at Farmstead. We didn't think my dad was going to make it up north because my grandpa wasn't doing so well and he passed away on the 3rd of July. But it was the perfect surprise for us when he showed up that evening just in time to enjoy the fireworks. It was really nice to be with all of my family through that difficult time. I am always going to miss my grandpa. He was an amazing person. I think it will be hardest not seeing him there on holidays. 

While the family was here we had to take them out on the pontoon. We loaded up food so that we could BBQ out on the boat. It was so much fun hanging out on the boat with all of them. Did I mention our new house has the best firework show ever!? We just get to sit out in the yard and look straight up. Its awesome.

It was the perfect weekend. Before I knew it, it was time for everyone to head back home. But I was excited because the first weekend in August I would get to see everyone again. We did a family camping trip at Hume Lake. We used to go there a lot when I was little but Im sure its been over a decade since I have been there. And not to mention that in a few weeks I would be headed back down south to celebrate my dads big 60th birthday!

My mom had been planning this surprise birthday party for quite some time. She told my dad that we were just going to have a summer party. My dad loves parties so he was excited about it. She did a camping theme and of course knowing my moms parties she went all out! Even a smore roasting area with all different flavor marshmallows. Zac was suppose to come down to the party with me but he ended up having to trade shifts at work so he couldn't make it. Thankfully my mom was able to find me a ticket to fly down. I got there the night of the party and left on Monday morning. Very quick trip. But so worth it. My favorite part of the party was getting to listen to all the stories people got to share about my dad and hearing how he has been a part of and touched everyones lives. I love him and I think he is amazing but it was so awesome listening to people say the same thing about him and what a great person he is. 

 

Before I knew it, it was already August and we were getting ready for our camping trip to Hume Lake. My doctor had just so happened to take off a week in August and they were the exact dates of our camping trip, how perfect is that!? So I didn't even have to request any time off. We left on Wednesday morning to head up to Hume, I think we ended up getting there around 2:30-3:00. Zac and I set up camp and waiting for the rest of the family to get there. My mom had wanted to pick up a pop up trailer so that took a little extra time having to pick that up. We had so much fun while we were there. We went to see the giant sequoias, went paddle boarding out on the lake, fishing, corn hole and played cards every night. It was very strange not having a camp fire though. I don't think I have ever been camping without one. I guess they are trying to be cautious with all the fires that are going on. Still a really fun trip!

Well I think thats all I have in me for today. I still have so much more to write. Thats the problem when you stop blogging, the catch up sucks! The day after I got back from camping I had the Florida Georgia Line concert with the Fleckners (minus Zac cause he had to work) and then that weekend my best friends came up to visit! So definitely more to write about. And in between all of these summer activities Zac and I have been in the process of painting the outside of our house. It is a huge job for two people to take on but we sure are saving a lot of money.  Plus Zac bought me a jeep somewhere in the middle of all this! Crazy. I can't believe that summer is coming to an end. I plan to make it stretch out as long as I can. In fact I planned one last camping trip in September. Zac and I are saying its for our anniversary. Can you believe that we are coming up on four years!? Crazy. Alright hopefully I won't leave you hanging to long cause there is so much more to say!

Check. Check. Check.

"Goals that are not written down are just wishes." Okay, okay so I don't actually write my goals down. But in this modern day and age I feel like Pinterest does that for me, right? You know that feeling of when you make yourself a list and the best part of getting things done is actually getting to cross that thing off your list? The sense of accomplishment you feel? Well I am having that or have been having that for almost a month now! I can't believe how good it feels.

House, check. Paint, check. Floors,check. Fence, check....PONTOON, CHECK! One of the many fine qualities about my husband is not only he a man that gets things done but he also has a certain spontaneity about him, like "Hey we went and checked out a pontoon boat last night and we are going to buy it tomorrow!" I really like that. Of course something that you have to know about me is I always freak out about things. I have my routine. I want something really bad, talk about it all the time, think about it all the time and then when I am about to get it I have go through this...doubt. Maybe we shouldn't be doing this? Is this a good idea? Do we have enough money? Every time. I did this exact thing for the pontoon boat purchase but thankfully my sweet, sweet hubby knows this about me and completely ignores me. Thank goodness!  Anywhoo, so Zac, Nick and I went halfsies on our new pontoon boat. It is nothing fancy cause we all know we can't afford fancy right now but it has everything a pontoon needs. It is a 26ft boat with some pretty darn comfortable couches on it. The carpet was pretty crappy so in one day they removed all the siding, seats and old carpet and replaced it. I swear these Fleckner boys can do anything. What is even better is that we got it for such a steal that we...or maybe I, assumed that the motor would not work. Well it does. Score. I still think the boys want to replace it with a 4-stroke but for now we have a running pontoon boat! 


But before I get into our lovely afternoon on the boat I wanted to start off with what we did the beginning of the day, Saturday. I don't know if Imentioned anything about my friend Chelsie being pregnant. Well she is! Yesterday her and Jason had their "Gender Reveal" party. I have never been to one before but I guess it is the new thing to do now adays. The party started at about 11:30. I felt so special to be invited cause Zac and I were the only friends there. The rest was family. Once all the guest had arrived and had made their votes wether baby T is a girl or boy it was time to reveal! Luckily Zac and I both voted on girl, I say luckily because not only were we right but Zac also made a little bet with one of Chelsies sisters. We won $20! The party was so much fun, such a great group of people and a gorgeous day! Congrats to our dear friends!

After the party ended it was back over the hill so that we could finish getting the pontoon boat ready and celebrate Fathers Day early. Zac is working today so I thought it would be a great idea to take Steve out on a little sunset cruise for Fathers Day. That is, if the pontoon was put back together in time. I think the boat got back together around 4:00 or 4:30. Luckily it was still super hot outside so we all headed out to Lake Sonoma. This was my first time on the pontoon. Zac and Nick had taken it out the day before and it all went well, besides running out of gas....those boys get really distracted with fishing. We were out on the water by 5:45 and it was glorious! We found a nice little cove and let Hudson out to run around while we lounged in the pontoon and the boys fished. We brought our cooler full of snacks, drinks and burgers for a BBQ. After being out on the water about an hour we got the BBQ going and enjoyed a nice meal. It was still pretty hot and 7:00, I was in my bikini. I just love warm summer nights. After eating we cruised around listening to our music, I of course had to play Pontoon while we were on the pontoon. So much fun!

So after our glorious sunset cruise on Lake Sonoma Zac and I needed to head over to the new house to pick up his car. Plus I really wanted to check out my newly refinished hardwood floors. I had heard from Cindy and Zac that they looked great! I also wanted to see the finished fence that Zac did. The fence looked great! We just need to make the gate and Hudson will be able to run free in our new yard. The floors, well the floors look amazing!  You would think that they put in all new hardwood. No more scratches, no more patches and no more discoloration. They look brand new! I love them. I can't thank my in-laws enough for such a generous gift.

So now that the floors are done it is officially time to start moving in. Today and tomorrow I am going to start getting things all packed up and I believe Zac is going to try and move us in when he gets off work on Tuesday. Hopefully we can really get going on moving and finish it soon rather then later because in two weeks my best friend Janelle is coming up to visit and in three weeks my family is coming up for fourth of July! I can't wait to show them my new house. It is going to be so much fun!! Alright well I've got my country music on, time to start packing up all my stuff! Have a wonderful Fathers Day!

Getting things done

Well I must tell y'all that the projects on the new house are moving right along. Not only is the whole inside of the house painted but Zac rented a tractor yesterday and leveled out the whole front yard! I don't think I have met a harder working person in my life, or more motivated. Zac is back at work today for a 24 hour shift and then I think that we are going to be working on our front fence tomorrow when he get off. Not only is all that going on but they also started sanding our floors! They said that they are in pretty good condition which I am happy about. The floors had a pretty dark stain on them which was okay but a little to red for me. Plus a lot of scratches and different areas that needed some patch work. I think they are going to look great when they are done. I can't wait to see. 

We should be moving in by the 18th. I think we need to wait for the floors to dry and the last day is going to be this coming Thursday I believe. Pretty exciting. I think it will really hit me when we are actually living there. As much as I am ready to move in I am thankful that we can get all this done before we move in. 

This summer is already booked up for me! I can't believe how quickly that happened. We have the next few weeks to move in, then the last weekend in June my best friend Janelle is going to come visit which I am really excited about. Then my parents are coming up for 4th of July! I am really happy they are going to come up here and that they can see our new house.

Well just wanted to give y'all an update on the new house. Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Living the American dream

Its official! Zac and I are home owners. I don't know if it has really hit me yet. On thursday after work I went over to the house and picked up my keys from our realtor. I had to work on Friday but Zac got off of work and headed straight over to the house to start work on it. There was this funky wall in the "Living room dining room" area that I wanted knocked down so down it came! It looks so much better! After work I headed over to the house to check things out. The wall was gone and Zac, Cindy and Steve had painted the living/dining room. It looks amazing!

I had made reservations at Willis Wine Bar to celebrate our new home! After all the hard work that Cindy and Steve had done I of course invited them to join us! We had reservations at 6:45. As soon as Zac and I were seated at our table we were greeted with two glasses of champagne. Our server told us that it was "from one new home buyer to anther". As soon as he said that I knew exactly who it was from, Sierra from work. So sweet of her to do that. She just bought a home as well.

Anyways, on to today, which is Saturday. Zac and I both had the day off so we were up at around 7:30 to get ready for our day of painting. After breakfast we headed over to the house and started in on our paint job. The living/dining room was already done so we still needed to do the hallway, 1st bedroom, 2nd bedroom and master bedroom. With Cindy, Steve, Nick and Zac and I we actaully got everything done! Amazing. Cindy and I still need to go back tomorrow and do a second coat of paint. We really need to get the painting done in the house so we can get the floors done. We had the guy come take a look at the house and hopefully we can get an estimate of how much it will cost. Now I have a few before and after pictures for you to check out. I know this was a short blog but I just wanted to share with you the good news!