Times they are chang'n

A week ago we lost our Sweet Charlie Cookie. It was all very sad and extremely sudden. He died due to complications with pancreatitis. I know I did everything that I could but I've played it over and over again this past week looking for something I could have done differently. I've never lost a pet before and my heart has broken in a way I never knew existed. Pete has been a little sick and depressed this past week missing his brother. We took him to Piedmont dog park twice over the weekend and he was able to play and have a good time. He might be on his way to getting a little spoiled.
I've got my head wrapped around school pretty good right now. I'm getting used to my class schedule and spending a good amount of time doing school work. I'm very excited about school this semester and I feel like I'm really getting into the groove. Autumn and I are meeting at the campus gym during the week and working out together. I'm trying to take advantage of all I can on campus since it's "free" ;-)
Friday night we went out to celebrate Heather's 37th birthday at a fabulous Moroccan restaurant. I had a blast. It's so much fun dancing around and the food was amazing. I cannot wait to go back!!
On the movie front, I have seen Rabbit Hole, The King's Speech and Winter's Bone. All of these movies were good but Winter's Bone was the best followed by The King's Speech. I think Rabbit Hole is definitely a DVD rental for a rainy day.

Snowed In

This is the end of day 3 being snowed in. I have loved every minute of it. When your a "doer" like me, it's really relaxing to be stuck for a while. Without the option of running errands and creating things to "do" all day it's as if I've been on a vacation. I've been exercising, reading, and just hanging out with Lindsay (my roomie). Missing out on the first week of classes was pretty awesome. I wasn't ready to go back quite yet and now I don't have class until Monday!! Yay!!
Today Lindsay and I did venture out for a little while and we went to see Blue Valentine. It was good but pretty depressing. It was on my list of things to see in preparation for the Golden Globes this Sunday. Ryan Gosling is nominated for Best Dramatic Actor. He's up against some great actors so we will just have to see. The movie hit a few soft spots for me.
Somehow at this very moment I am viewing the latest episode of Jersey Shore. I am not a fan nor have I seen very many episodes. I am an lover of reality TV but this is a bit much. I have to say this is pretty trashy stuff. MTV sure isn't was it used to be.
Kind of a lame blog, sorry!

30 for 30 Challenge

Today I am snowed in so I've decided to get creative around the house. I plan on cleaning and organizing ect...but I am also going to hit my closet and take on something called the 30 for 30 Challenge. I have to pick out 30 pieces of clothing, including shoes, and make 30 outfits. I can only wear these thirty pieces for the next month. Oh an I cannot shop for any clothes within those thirty days either. I think it sounds like a fun challenge. In the mean time, while I pick out my 30, I hope to clear out some stuff to take to goodwill. I swear I make two trips a year to goodwill. I think that means I shop too much!! Or buy things I don't really care for...somethings awry.
OKay...so it's two hours later and I've cleaned the closet up nicely but I've yet to pick mt thirty items. It's a lot harder than I thought. I'm wondering if I can pick them as I go?? I would not think that I wear more than thirty items a month anyway, I guess I'll find out. I did get a nice bag of stuff together for goodwill. I'll keep you posted on my 30 outfits. The goal will be to photo them each day and keep a record of the different outfits I make. Maybe by the end of the thirty days I will be able to part with even more items that I don't use regularly. One thing to note is that pjs and workout gear do not count.
Here is the original blog where I got the idea. I think she's on to something cool.
http://kendieveryday.blogspot.com/p/30-for-30-remixes.html

New Beginnings

So far this new year has been full of new beginnings and changes. Last weekend I helped Aaron move into his old house that he is trying to sell. Anyone looking for a historic four-square in Chattanooga?? I had to ask. He's settled in here as much as possible but with hopes that it will be sold by summer's end.
My Christmas and new year was wonderful. My friends and family are so amazing and Ive never been so thankful. This past year would not have ended as it did without them. I really feel that I am moving forward and in the right direction. My heart no longer hurts as it did and Clay is not the first thing I think about when I wake up. Everyone told me that would take a while, nine months was plenty and I'm glad to be thinking of other things when I open my eyes each day. Divorce does incredible things to your body. Personally...I couldn't eat, seriously, I couldn't chew or swallow some days, I lost 30+ pounds, started smoking again, drank my weight in vodka, could sleep no more than a few hours at time and went from happy to crying in a split second. (Oh, and there was a ton of retail therapy happening as well) Each day I had no idea how I felt or even how I wanted to feel. I just got dressed and did what needed to be done. I think that is what saved me. I spent a few days here and there moping around but every day I got up, got dressed, and made myself leave the house and interact. Those interactions with friends and family are truly what helped me overcome the heartbreak. I was able to see just how many people loved me in the way I really wanted to be loved. Those of you who know me well know I am a TALKER ;-) and boy have we talked this divorce to death! but it helped. I loved getting everyone's input and advice.
I kept a video diary the first several months. It's really hard to watch but I know one day I'll look back at it and high five myself for prospering and overcoming such a traumatic blow to my heart.
So on to bigger and brighter. 2011 is my new start. This year is not tainted, nor will I allow it to be. I start spring semester in a few days and that will take up a great deal of my time. I've got some trips to plan, as I've always got to be going and doing ;-) This year I hope to travel with some friends that I've never gotten the opportunity to hit the road with. Heather and I are looking into driving to Montana this summer for our annual road trip. I'm sure Aaron and I will jaunt off a time or two before it's all said and done.
I guess I should share a little about Aaron. We met on eHarmony of all places. During the summer I decided that eHarmony might be a good distraction for me, never thinking I would actually meet someone. I just thought it would be fun to read profiles and email with the occasional match. Well, after only two weeks Aaron appeared. I was straight up from the get go letting him know what I had just been through. We've had some real ups and downs...as you can imagine. But we have a real genuine connection and share a great deal in common and I think 2011 will be the beginning of what I hope is a lastly relationship. He's good people!

My quick movie review: True Grit, great movie but crappy ending. After such an amazing story I just longed for a more impressive ending. I love you Phillip Morris, best movie I saw all of 2010. Hands down a great film in my book.

Currently I am reading Mystery and Manners by Flannery O'Conner, she's and acquired taste I know, but I am enjoying this book so far as she's never disappointed me.

2011 resolutions: eat less chocolate, continue to love as much as I can and show those around me how much they mean to me, walk Pete and Charlie more, buy fewer frivolous items, eat out less, smoke and drink only in social situations when it's most fun ;-)