Janae Says...

Last year, I did a brief recap of some goals I made in 2018. This year's goals were: Above all, to focus on being STILL. Physical - Do two pull-ups unassisted - Purchase a bike and ride it on Sundays (after winter) Mental - Read (or listen to) 18 books this year - Begin certifying as a group fitness instructor Emotional - Regularly communicate love to friends/family in their love languages - Write twice per week (this could also be a mental goal; but it keeps me emotionally stable) Spiritual - Spend 5 minutes three times per week meditating, drawing closer to my higher power - Identify a spiritual master 2019 Goal Evaluation  Physical - I cannot do two pull-ups unassisted. I know how to make this happen but end up getting so sore in my shoulders and upper back that I don't want to do any more. This is still something I'd like to be able to do and just need to work it in to my daily workouts.  - I did not purchase. Due to Christmas money, I h...

I do these every year, so I probably don't need to explain that I like to make lists. It's fun to look back at them. I'm so grateful for everyone's generosity and thoughtfulness and enjoy commemorating it. From Ashleigh A letter From Kristen Waffle Love chicken and waffle dinner From Joyce Card with words of affirmation Homemade wooden ornament From Rachel Book about writing Merci chocolates Starbucks gift card From Brittney Starbucks gift card Sweater From my boss (Secret Santa) A new purse From Shivani A sign that says "I solemnly swear too much" Earrings From Claire (my roommate) Mo Bettah gift card From Byanca (other roommate) A cute snowman mug Bath bombs Candy Socks Lotion From grandma A pretty sweater From grandpa Gabe Money and a card A coconut desk organizer From grandpa Mike Money and a card From Matthew Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban illustrated hard cover - so awesome! A love letter A CC ...

November's been a big and weird month. I started it by staying up until 12:30am the night of November 1 (or morning of November 2) finishing Where the Crawdads Sing . I went to a new restaurant by myself (Mr. Charlie's Chicken Fingers) where I read and ate, and then came home to finish the book. I couldn't stop. So I stayed up late to finish. It was a Friday, so it's fine, right? On November 2, I ran a 5k and took pictures of the pretty fall morning. Of course it was a normal day of groceries, laundry, cleaning, and client check-ins. That evening, Matthew and I tried a new restaurant: Rich's Burgers and Grub. It's downtown, and it was so, so good! We both loved it. We went from there to Abravanel Hall where we saw the Utah Symphony perform the music to the movie Coco . It was so good. I was so impressed with the Spanish guitarists. We got dessert after that at Normal Club. I may also have gotten a cookie because Chip was right next door. Don...

An excerpt from NaNoWriMo 2019. Dear Mom, In summers you would take us to the beach. I remember it was usually on a Wednesday. I’m not sure why that was the day of choice. Maybe it lined up with Aunt Lisa’s schedule? Or it was the least busy? Or you regularly took that day off of work? I have no idea. Looking back now, I can appreciate what an ordeal it is to lug three (at the time) kids to the beach who will be whining all day about their hunger. Today, I just want to get to the beach. I bring a bunch of water, some snacks in a bag or cooler, and a towel. That’s it. But with kids it’s a whole other animal. I remember you making egg salad for beach days. I’m not sure why that was the sandwich of choice for you. I mean, I’m not complaining, but I feel like peanut butter and jelly would’ve been a lot less work. I’d stand in the kitchen by the pointless sliding door to watch you make it after I helped peel eggs. I marveled at the way you’d cut the eggs in your hand...

Holy cow! This will be my 12th straight month of "Month in Review" posts. I wonder if I've ever stuck with a blog pattern for so long. Probably not. October has been good to me. Matthew and I sat down in September to plan out our October. I started a workout program on September 30: 22 Minute Hard Corps. I've done this program more times than any other. I really enjoy it because the workouts are short and challenging, and I can accompany the workouts with a run, which I have been doing MWFSat. On October 1, I decorated my house with all of my fall and Halloween decor. Most of it is courtesy of my grandma. And I'm thankful I have previous years' photos to look at so I can remember where I put things. On October 3, I walked to a nearby pharmacy to get a soda, and ended up with Elder Oaks walking behind me. Without saying enough to get struck down, I'll say that I didn't have the urge to speak to him like I would have i...