Oh, what a night...

**Let me preface this post with, I'm okay.  There was actually no intruder.  But that does not take away the fact that at 4am today, I thought there was.  Holy early morning panic attack...

So last night, I'm just minding my own business, sleeping the night away, and I opened my eyes at 12, then at 2...and at 3:30...all to fall right back asleep.  (To be fair, it's normal for me to open my eyes at least once an hour because I have a permanent fear of sleeping through my alarm clock.) 
I opened my eyes again at 4 am and froze.  Literally stopped breathing and felt my heart beating through my chest.  The first second I thought, "good job Jen.  This moron is going to hear your heart beating."  My second thought was "I have nothing..." no pepper spray, no bat, no knife, nothing.
I quickly crawled onto the other side of my bed where I have a flashlight and tried to make it look like I was having a nightmare.  I'm sure it was somewhat entertaining.  What did I think I was gonna do?  Shine the guy to death???   Nonetheless, I did it and ya'll, I swear it was like a movie because I was ready to whack this guy with all I had in me with a metal flashlight.  Thank you Lord for letting it be a shadow...yes, really.  It probably doesn't help that I'm blind as a bat without my contacts or glasses...
It was probably about 30 seconds after I turned on my bedroom light that I realized I have 2 dogs.  One who sleeps right by the front door.  Did I really think anyone would get all the way to my room without one of them barking?  Not to mention, Toby still barks at the fan in my room because it has a blue light and he doesn't like it when it moves.  Seriously.
All that being said, I was still freaked out.  4am and I was wide awake.  So what did I do?  I spent my morning hours watching Friends, duh.  What else is one supposed to do??  Oh, and I kept both of the dogs right by me.
In fact, I opened Maya's crate right after this "incident" and she definitely gave me the "Mom, it's dark outside.  What do you want?" look.  But she growled and got up to sit by me when I made her.
So this makes me wonder...do ya'll have something you keep with you for protection?  I imagine my thoughts were probably brought on by some recent robberies on a trail near my house and thankfully, all the robbers been caught.  But I, sadly enough, do think I should have something near me for protection, God forbid anything happen.
Do ya'll have anything?  And if so, what?  Unfortunately, I don't think a Yorkie's barks are gonna scare anyone...although, that is definitely debatable!  

Thank you, Harvard

Have ya'll seen this video?  It entertains me to no end.  The downfall?  Now every time I hear this song, I want to do the choreography...which does NOT bode well for myself (and others) when I'm driving. 

It also makes me want to go check out these guys in person because uhm hello, there are some hotties in this van!  Road trip anyone?? 

Oh Maya...

Sometimes I wonder why I blog. It's not like I'm really fashionable or extremely knowledgable on one particular topic. Except Hollywood...I'm full of useless information when it comes to celebrities.
ANYWAY, this morning, I realized why I blog. It's to share pictures like this...

This would be my foster pup.  With a feather boa.  That she must've pulled out of my closet because it definitely wasn't anywhere in the room when I sat down to do my makeup this morning. 

Fancy lil thing, isn't she??  (By the way, this is her "I don't know how this thing got here Mom.  It found me.  Am I in trouble??" look.)   

Fostering is something I get a lot out of and you better believe pure entertainment is one of the perks. :o). Happy Thursday!!

Stress

It has been a long week already (for many reasons) and I've found myself a bit all over the place mentally and emotionally all week.  Whenever I feel like this, there are a few things I've found that help me.  They're all a bit random but what can ya do?

 via eatliverun

Cooking.  Last night I made Pho.  (Don't judge me, I did say random!)  While it won't cure my emotional hangover, there is something extremely therapeutic about chopping garlic and indulging in a different version of chicken noodle soup.  I honestly made it because the author of this blog said she believes there is nothing Pho and a bubble bath can't fix.  (I'll be calling her later...)

Wine.  Really?  Do you need an explanation?  

Bubble Baths.  My safe place.

This "letter" from God forces me to breathe.  It may not be a real quote, but it certainly reminds me I need to have faith. 


What do ya'll do to manage your stress?

Life via Instagram

I just got hooked on Instagram. Very literally "just". Like within the past week. I love editing photos and am now convinced I was meant to be a photographer. Even though I know nothing outside the Instagram settings. I'm a work in progress, people. Work in progress.
But please, enjoy my life via Instagram. Because, I assure you, more of these posts will be coming! Consider yourselves warned...:o)

Subdued Friday Arm Party...

Fresh Spring Nails

My New Thing.  Carbonated vitamins...done!

Doing carbonated vitamins in a glam way...

Most of my girls...they are my sanity.

This is also my sanity.  It's all about balance people.

Happy Birthday Granny!!

Wishing you a wonderful and fabulous birthday Granny.  I'm thinking of you and love you lots!!

Happy Birthday!!!!

PS- We need more pictures.  This one is from 2007 and that is just unacceptable.

Carried Underwood's Inspiration

Listen, I don't want to sound like a brat, but since this song is CLEARLY about the oh so many times I've made questionable choices in my love life, shouldn't I get royalties or something?? 

These are my Confessions....

I'm linking up with Leslie today so let's get confessin' ya'll...

*Every time I link up with Leslie, I sing the Usher song in my head.  All day.  I can't help it but it's enough to drive me crazy!  How do you stop doing something you can't stop doing?  I'm sure ya'll can see the issue...

*I have a love/hate relatationship with Spring.  I love the warmer temps but I hate the constant need to spend money.  See, warmer temps= open toe shoes, a complete wardrobe change and tan skin.  So I've been doing what any girl would do...I got a pedicure, spent money on spring appropriate clothing, and have been putting on my self tanner religiously. Oh, the time/money it takes to look "spring-ready"...

*Wednesday night I got 1 hour of sleep due to a very loud/anxious foster pup.  Still not sure why.  I'm ashamed to admit it, but I seriously thought about calling the puppy coordinator Thursday morning to say I can't keep watching her.  Unfortunately, fostering doesn't pay my bills and my office doesn't offer sick days for lack of sleep.  Good news though, I never made the call and she slept last night! 

*I signed up for Pure Barre again and I am SO excited!! Seriously. I start classes again Monday night and I've already picked out my outfit.  #completeobsession

*I am beyond relieved/thrilled Jessica Simpson finally had her baby.  Call me crazy, but my back was literally starting to hurt every time I saw a picture of the poor girl.  Can you feel pain for someone you don't know?  (It doesn't matter that I have a bad back anyway...)

*I've been painfully aware of my bank account lately but that didn't stop me from spending money at the mall (what was I doing at the mall??) on Tuesday.  I was extremely proud of myself for buying everything on sale...a girl needs cute shorts in Texas, there is NO arguing that!   

*I have an eye infection and hate wearing my glasses at night.  Not sure why.  I'm going to the eye doctor in the morning but am strangely happy to spend my evening with the dogs at home.  Maybe Prince Charming will knock on my door?  #idontthinkso

I hope ya'll have a fabulous weekend!!  Happy Cinco de Mayo :o)

Regrets

A few weeks ago, a friend told me "you are how you define yourself."  (I really expected her to say "you are what you eat" but apparently this was a more serious conversation.)  Ever since then, I can't get that phrase out of my head.
I've thought about it constantly since only to realize that she's right.  I've always defined myself as a single person.  (Better late than never to realize the obvious, right?)  Granted, when I've had a boyfriend, I've defined myself as a woman in a relationship (you get the point.) In my world, that's my definition of who I am.  My relationship status. 
The problem is, other people don't define me that way...for the most part.  I have always looked at being single as a handicap.  And I feel like society does too.  I recently blogged about being asked "why are you single?" It's a question that irks me...mainly because I don't ask "why are you married?" or "why are you in a relationship?"  Point blank, it's a flattering and rude question, all at the same time.  And that, ya'll, is really annoying.
Anyway, ever since my friend told me "you are how you define yourself," I've decided to change how I do so.  I'm so much more than a single woman.  I'm much more imporant things...I'm a granddaughter.  I'm a daughter.  I'm a sister.  I'm a friend.  I'm happily employed.  I'm a blonde.  I'm a home owner.  I'm a dog foster parent.  I'm a shopaholic.  I'm a wine lover.  I'm lucky.  The list could go on...
There's a country song called "You're Gonna Miss This" by Trace Adkins.  This is the chorus:

'Cause You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

I heard this song the day my friend told me her now-infamous phrase.  I've heard this song a million times before but for the first time, I really heard it. 
I do believe life is short.  I do believe things happen for a reason.  And I do believe in fate.  I think my friend and God (and Trace Adkins) were trying to tell me something that day.
I'm okay.  I'm better than okay, I'm good.  And I'm fabulous.  One day, (God willing) I will have a family.  And my husband and my children will be driving me crazy.  And I will wish for the days I was blogging, drinking elderflower and champagne on my patio with my dogs who love to cuddle and walk on my laptop.
I don't want to live with regrets.  I don't want to live expecting something better to happen.  I am a 30 year old woman who has the best family and friends for me.  I live a fabulous life.  And anyone who makes me feel less than lucky is not my friend.  I'm old enough and wise enough to appreciate and understand that now.
The point of this blog?  To let ya'll, who are struggling with living your life, know that you're not alone.  It's okay to feel sad and lonely and maybe feel like something better is out there for you.  But chances are, what you have now is pretty great.  So stop focusing on what you don't have and start focusing on what you do.
Because life is short.  And if you can't find at least 1 good thing in your life, then you're clearly not living right. :o)