I Leave You With This...

This newlywed is saying goodbye.

As you all well know, I've been a bit like splattered raindrops lately. It's trickey, really, but this belle and her beau are going through some major life changes. Even though I'm an undomesticated newlywed and will likely never be a MckMama, I do have other tricks up my sleeve. Writing has always been my #1 passion, although I thoroughly love all things fluffy, fashionable and famous, I am not fully satisfied sassified and that makes Jane Anna a very dull girl.

Starting this blog was one of the best misadventures of a newlywed and I don't regret even one post. Being Brazen, I'll just tell you that this chapter of my life is over. Of course while this decision is indefinitely definite, I'm pretty sure it's what I need to do to pursue my dreams. While it seems I'll always be learning to be a wife and it's pretty obvious I'll never be a sassy engineer, which means I do need to open the doors that are knocking, so this prep-e girl is out of here.

Despite your good guesses, I'm not off to be a chic runner, a pink chick or a monogram chick and while the choice I've made is not a housewife's journey to forever or a charge to be thou a knight, it is does cause me to say that I must let go laughing as there are some really great things on the horizon. Of course, I could choose to become a cocaine princess or a preppy princess and really be classy and fabulous, but just ask wifey, I don't think I fit the bill ;0)

This journey I've taken going from Miss to Mrs has been a bit like running in stilettos and at times I thought it may lead me to be a Vodka-puppy mom, but instead my blog sometimes reads like I'm in the sweet tea diaries of a misplaced northerner {someone should grab that title!} floating on in the adventures of Jon and Steph, except we're Dan and Anna, we're as different as a Hokie and a Wahoo and well, let's face it... just make mine a mojito.

As the saying goes... First comes love, then comes marriage and whelp! marriage has come. It's time for me to pull up my boot straps and get serious with my writing if I ever want a future in it. You see, I've been miss caught up with miss e's misadventures, Courtney and the boys and Jenny.Lee! These amazing blogs will be tremendously missed and the footprints they've left on my heart, not easily wiped away, for I will always ...love Maegan, adore blue eyed bride, and miss saskia's spot. Seriously! Withdraw may cause me to see polka dots and paisleys!!

But don't be too dismayed, you'll still be able to follow my Tales from the country Salti roads Peaks -- You can read my writing HERE and still get your fix. As sad as this is for me, all good things must come to an end, true? This is the reality of happily ever after, isn't it?

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I hope you enjoyed that... it's been stirring in me a few days.

While blogging truly has been one of the greatest adventures of my life, it's time for me to buckle down and really write like I know I'm supposed to. Some of you may be wondering why I can't do both... Ever heard of "Jack of all trades, Master of none?" -- When I visit blog land I get so consumed with all of said above blogs; reading, commenting, responding, etc... by the time I'm finished, I find the passion I had to write fades for one reason or another. It's time to focus.

Like I said, I'll be writing here if you care to stop in from time to time... This is a place where I can write without worrying about followers, comments or criticism; I can focus solely on practicing my writing. With this, I've decided not to write my first book using modern day technology. I have pen and paper in hand and have been 'kickin' it old school'. I find the words flow more freely and I'm not able to edit what I originally felt.

I wish nothing but the best for each of you who've inspired me with your stories, touched me with your encouragement and uplifted my spirit with your wisdom, insight and sensitivities. I will likely be a "blog stalker" {I forget what that's officially called} when I need a good laugh or cry.

So much love to each of you my dear friends...

Fall for Followers

*******************UPDATED: Seeing as I overlooked the small fact that today is Labor Day, I am postponing the winner until tomorrow :) If you're a follower, enter now!!!

HAPPY LABOR DAY !!!

Original Post:

It starts August 1st.

Which is ridiculous seeing as its the hottest month of the year.

Yet, I can't help it...

Visions of crisp blue skies, bright orange pumpkins, big yellow mums on porches and people in sweaters, jeans and boots. The feel of cool, clean air, the sight of bright red trees, the taste I don't have a sense of smell of hot apple pie and the sound of walking through fallen leaves.

Autumn

I live all year waiting for this season and it's right around the corner.

I told you I'd kick off my return with a giveaway and what a better way to celebrate my favorite season!?

If you've been following me for any length of time, you know I love photography -- I'm also starting a new challenge for myself {which of course will be blogged about later} and so this giveaway is very personal!

I'm giving away 3 of the following pictures {your choice}
framed in a black, 3 photo, matted frame {like this one :}

How to win:

I've been thinking over these last two weeks and have decided this giveaway is going to be exclusively for my followers. I love each of you simply for the fact that you read, comment, email, chat and enjoy the content of my blog!

So, really? How. do. I. win?

Answer me one question:

• If the world stopped having seasons {that sounded very dramatic} tell me which season you'd want all year long and why?

That's it!

I'm totally celebrating you!

My amazing

awesome

wonderful

fabulous

followers!!

I will announce the winner Monday, Sept. 6th @ noon

What's been goin' ON with that girl?

If you've been reading, you know that there have been some interesting things taking place in my life -- Good? No. Exciting? Not exactly. Emotionally Draining? Yes. Opportunity to grow and move forward? Absolutely.

I have a vision board for my life. It's full of things I want to do personally, professionally, socially, financially, etc... I keep it there to remind me of the big picture of where I'm going with my life. When weeks like these last three go by, my board truly keeps me focused on the bigger picture.

As a passionate and sincere person in every area of my life, it's difficult when you work diligently to resolve a situation in "decency and order" and the whole thing blows up in your face. It's even more difficult to resolve stuff when people misconstrue things I've said, take things I've done the wrong way and the misrepresent me to others, especially when it's people you've trusted. Fuck.

In addition to this, it's even harder when what you're facing creates an association back to the worst time in your life.

Then it's devastating to realize you haven't yet fully dealt with the past.

I don't believe in living in the past...
but I do believe our present is effected by it.
So when it's effected, it's our job to revisit and resolve it.

I realize I'm being vague... Some things just can't be talked about. I'm sorry.

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On a completely different note...

My blog was originally started to help pull myself out of the "reality of married life" slums 5 months after I was hitched. Once I started writing, I quickly learned that being married was pretty funny and a joy to share it's ups and downs and virtually connected with a ton of amazing other married women.

These last couple weeks, I've very seriously considered deleting my blog and moving on from the virtual world. On top of the other things said above, a few things happened where I felt very vulnerable to judgment. My heart would never be to hurt, offend or demean anyone through this blog.

On the other hand, it is not my responsibility to babysit anyone's feelings, each person, just as I am for myself, is responsible for their own reactions to not only my blog, but anyone else's blog and for that matter... anything else going on in their life! If you stop following me because I haven't commented on your blog or featured you on a Friday, I have to be honest in saying you may want to look inward at why you take things so personally... I can bet it's not just my blog you deal with these feelings.

So... let's play adults and communicate! :)

I digress...

With all that shitty stuff aside... I can't tell you what each of your responses to my post on Monday did for me in encouraging me to continue with my blog! I believe my life's purpose is to inspire, encourage and motivate others, so telling me that I've done just that for you INSPIRES, ENCOURAGES and MOTIVATES ME!!

I'll leave you with this...

...Because sometimes you need to remember what matters.

Shred It: Day 30

I can't tell you what your encouragement means to me. I'm someone who really "feels love" through words... so thank you so much :)

Y'all rock.

So let's just say the last 10 days weren't as successful as the first 20 days. As I'm pointing out you can see, it's been 13 days since I did my 20 day update...


July 4th weekend + visit from my monthly friend = Me no work out for 3 days :)

BUT! I did finish "10 days" of Level 3 and here are my results:

Day 1:

Waist: 31" Hips: 37" Thighs: 22.5

Day 10:

Waist: 30.5" Hips: 36.5" Thighs: 22"

Day 20:

Waist: 29" Hips: 36.5" Thighs: 21.5"

Day 30:

Waist: 29" Hips: 36.5" Thighs: 21.5"

Can you believe I had NO change? Yeah. Me either.

On the other hand... I feel amazing. I definitely look different and my clothes don't look like I bought them 10 yeas ago are fitting better.

Mr. Realife is not a free compliment giver. When he says something positive, it's from his heart, which always makes what he says that much more a treasure. He said about 5 days ago You know, I'm really seeing a difference in your muscle tone and your stomach looks great.

While a compliment like that isn't the reason I did the 30 Day Shred, it certainly kept me going.

What's next?

The 30 Day Shred: Round 2

Why?

Because I'm still not where I want to be. I have a small frame and I know where it should be -- I'm thinking my goal is:

Waist: 28" Hips: 35.5" Thighs: 20.5"

I don't think that's too much to ask for, do you?

SUMMER GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!

So so sad that I didn't think this through... but I don't want to renege on my promise to announce the winner today -- It's just that it's a HOLIDAY weekend! Duh.

FIRST AND FOREMOST!!!! Thank you SO much for all of your blog love!!! The support I've received for the 30 Day Shred is OUT OF THIS BLOG WORLD ;0) Thank you for all of your compliments on our home... we are delighted to share it with you --

And lastly... but DEFINITELY not least -- I have 35 more followers than I did 5 days ago! Thank you SOOOO much for following me! I feel it's a privilege to have your "follow" and want to keep you coming back ;0)

OK... I know, on with it ;0)

As I've done with all my giveaways, I entered each name {as many times as they entered for} into Random.org {YES! Even those who entered at the last minute} -- I hit "randomize" and here's who won!

Jules!! Over at "Chic & Pink"
CONGRATS JULES!!!

This was SOO fun! Thank you, again to all my followers!!
Happy 4th Weekend!

Blogging Vacay

ETA: I WILL announce a blog love this week... I've already got her in mind ;0)

Hi bloggy friends --
I've gotta take a blog vacay --
I'm way overwhelmed with rehearsals,
girls getaway weekend to here

coming Friday {more on that when I get back!}
and getting my life back in order after 3 munchkins visited...

See you all next week!