Thursday, December 29, 2011

Gettin Lost in a Book


Bookworms Anonymous

Confession: For many years, I hated reading and I hated books.

My favorite book used to be Fahrenheit 451... 
and only because the story is pretty much about burning books.

In 2008 (if my memory is correct) my sister spent our entire family vacation to Key West with a book in her face. She was reading a stupid book about vampires. I laughed at her, my lil crazy bookworm vampire loving sister. 

And then... she lent me a book to read... I was scared. It was over 100 pages long. But, per her recommendation, I decided to give it a try...


I spent hours locked in my condo, not going out to my usual bars for some drinks, and staying up way past my bedtime reading.... Twilight. I was hooked. Amazed by Stephenie Meyer. In love... with Edward Cullen. I may or may not have driven 2 hours back to my hometown just to get the next book to read. I had to have it. 


I've been a bookworm ever since. Reading is cool.


My bookworm status has rocketed. 

Santa brought me a Kindle for Christmas!


I LOVE IT.

Since then, I've spent every night like this:




I've posted a new widget on the side of my blog of all my favorite books, for all my bookworm friends.

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Currently reading The Shack, Can You Keep A Secret?, and Mockingjay.


I am always looking for new books...

So, what are your favorite reads of this past year?


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

A Full Heart


Scenes from my Christmas weekend...



Christmas present from my bff! Meet beyonce.














Hope y'all had the merriest of Christmases! 

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

ive got a feeling






There's someone I've been missingAnd I think that they could beThe better half of meThey're in the wrong place, trying to make it rightBut, I'm tired of justifyingSo I say to youCome home, come home

'Come Home' -Faith Hill

Thursday, December 22, 2011

the time i almost pee'd my pants...






.....from laughing so hard. Get's me everytime.


MERRY CHRISTMAS blog family!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

WILW





*Went back last night to get highlights added. LOVE*



*Lusting over these JS heels*



*Pictures of my sister and her fiance's proposal*




*The best bowling team EVER*

{c-murda, michella, mcdirty}


*Jack Daniels Honey shots, yum!*


*This sweet little poem*

"Don't save it all for Christmas day,
Find a way
To give a little love everyday,
Don't save it all for Christmas day,
Find your way
Cause holidays have come and gone,
But love lives on..."






Off to go 'kidnap' a palette for a lil Pinterest project.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Shenanigans



Oh hey friends. Remember me? 

Sorry for my absence of late. Been busy and have had one too many Christmas blues. Especially with the realization of not having a new job with more money and the fact that my student loan repayments begin next month. Ya... Happy freaking New Year to me. 

Enough of that.

My shenanigans lately:

letting some pinterest inspired creativity out...



me and bub just hangin' out...

Santa came by my house...no big deal...

dressed up as a nurse for my friends grad party

later that evening I baked up these with only 2 hrs of sleep!
it's my favorite so far.

Got my hair did yesterday. 
Its darker and shorter than what I asked for :(



Oh, and the most exciting news: 
My sister said YES to the dress this weekend!


If you've got some Christmas cheer...send it my way, puhlease.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Perfect for my Single People



For you to give to your family members or friends at the Holiday parties:


{via}


GENIUS RIGHT?!?!

{thanks heather!}

Friday, December 9, 2011





Friday thoughts of my life lately:







---------------------------------------------------




‎"As we drive along this road called life, occasionally a gal will find herself a little lost. And when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda,
 shoulda, woulda, buckle up and just keep going.” -Carrie Bradshaw






Have a lovely weekend friends!
xoxo.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

WILW




I AM LOVING:

-That I am a half marathoner...officially a part of "the club". Holla!

-That my little sister is ENGAGED!

-And that I am her MOH/Wedding Planner. That being said... this is my first time ever being a MOH and wedding planner so advice, websites, tips are all welcome!

-My sister and I spent Sunday night trying to get in the Christmas spirit. We walked around a local park and then watched cheesy ABC Family Christmas movies. 

{Cranes Roost Park/Uptown Altamonte}


-It's almost a new year! 

-The Civil Wars 'O Come O Come Emmanuel'
(currently available on iTunes for free!)



-Dove's wrapper messages:






-Coming home to this sweet face every day!




Have a lovely Wednesday!

xoxo.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

I Survived


I AM A HALF MARATHONER!




I am still in shock.

Did I really run 13.1 miles? 

Yes, yes I did.



Let's rewind....


SIX weeks ago I decided to just go for it. Yes, that left me with only six weeks to train. Prior to these six weeks I wasn't really on a running schedule, I just ran whenever I felt like it. So maybe 2-3 times a week. Let it be known that I have only ever done 5k's. No, of course I did not work myself up from 5k's to 10k's. I'm crazy, people. This I DO wish I would have done, but oh well. I had a lot of good runs and a lot of bad runs during my training. But, I was determined. I forced myself to run when I didn't want to because I needed to. I was not going to back out of this. Even when it came down to one week left and I had a very bad run, I would not let myself quit. To me, this is the hardest part...getting (forcing) yourself out the door to train. This is also the most important part.




I have never considered myself 'a runner'. I run 10-11 minute miles. A lot of people I know or am surrounded by are much faster than I, much more dedicated than I. It wasn't til I signed up for this half marathon that my view of myself being a runner changed. Thanks to my Pinterest running inspiration board and reading articles on Runners World:

























Race Day: I am a nervous wreck. My hands are shaking. I force food down and head out the door. All by myself. I get down there, it's packed. Nerves hike up even more. Then I realize I am hungry and I have to use the restroom so bad. Wait in a long line to use the restroom and realize I left my ipod in my car. I pee, then run back to my car to get my ipod and curse at myself for forgetting that granola bar on my dresser. Then we are all called to the start line. I make my way through the crowd to around the 10+ mile marker. I think to myself... "OMG THIS IS IT!!!" I do some last minute stretching, say some prayers, calm myself down, remind myself of why I am doing this, who I am doing it for, and to just have fun. 

It was an absolutely beautiful day. Wasn't too cold, wasn't too hot. So thankful for this. We went through some beautiful neighborhoods in Downtown Orlando. I was keeping a 10 minute mile pace for a while. I went back and forth from running to power walking. I carried a water bottle with me. Very thankful for this. At every station I just grabbed some Gatorade, drank half of it and then drank some water. 

Mile 6 I saw my parents. I so very much needed to see them and hear their encouragements. 



Miles 10-12 were by far the hardest miles. A girl next to me looks at me and goes... "THIS SUCKS". It really did. By now my body is aching and I am STARVING. So much to the point where I am tempted multiple times to ask my fellow runners if I can have some of their Gu packs or if they have food. I keep trying to ignore it but I was almost to the point of crying. Especially around Mile 12 when people who have completed the race are walking back to their cars, medals around their necks and bananas in their hands. What I would have given for a dang banana. I held it together. I did a lot of power walking. My goal was to finish between 2-2 1/2 hours. I was over the 2 hour mark. I then realized I would not make it before 2 1/2 hrs and I honestly was okay with that. I was going to finish and that is all that mattered at this point. I needed food and I needed beer. 

Then, I saw the finish line. I crossed that corner and sucked up all that was left in me to run the entire way to the finish line. I saw my Dad again. I needed that push. I hear my mother screaming my name. I hear my name on the loud speaker announcing my arrival.

I crossed the finish line at 2:32:38.



PlaceNameBibAgeDiv PlaceGender PlaceClock TimeChip TimePaceHometown
1829MICHELLE YUTZY848261328522:33:472:32:3811:39.1WINTER SPRINGS, FL



(praising Jesus)



Was immediately given my medal. Found my Mom. Almost vomited. And then I couldn't hold back the tears. I also wanted to scream from pain and shock. I just completed a half marathon... 13.1 miles!!!!!!!



Got myself some water, a banana, half an orange and... beer.

My parents and I went to Cracker Barrel after. I quickly could feel my body starting to ache and the salt covering my face (ew). Let me tell you...I looked SEXY. I drank lots of water and some Chocolate Milk. I tried to eat my food but then I quickly began to feel like I was going to vomit again. I assume it was from not having anything in my stomach for so long. 

The rest of my day was spent hydrating, stretching, massaging my muscles, sticking my legs in the ice cold pool, and icing my body.

I also treated myself to a pedicure/manicure. Poor souls, I know. The person doing my feet asked me if I was a runner. 

I smiled and said yes, "I AM A RUNNER."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Looking back now, I really should have started training 10wks prior to race day and more strength training. I am going to start strength training this week. There is a 10k and another half marathon next year that I just might find myself doing. This time, I know what to expect and how to better prepare myself. I also will hope to NOT do this race by myself. I need to make sure I eat plenty before and take GU or G2 packets with me, for just in case. Next, I need to get fitted for running shoes. My foot hurts really bad today and I believe it is because of not having the right shoe. Ouch!



THANK YOU to all who encouraged and believed in me!!!


ESPECIALLY Nicole!

xoxo.

Friday, December 2, 2011

The Race






"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

-------------------------------------------------------------

God willing... tomorrow morning at 7am EST I will set forth my journey to finish my first half marathon.

I pray God gives me the strength to tell myself NO, the strength and endurance to finish it.

This marathon is important to me.

I will run for my friend's mother, who is fighting her battle with cancer.

I will run for those who have ever doubted me.

I will run for those who can't.



Thank you to all who have encouraged me!




ps- guest posting over here

Monday, November 28, 2011

Miscellany Monday


Oh Monday. Will we ever get along?

Hope y'all had a wonderful weekend and Thanksgiving!

Miscellany Monday @
lowercase letters


*Dinner with a friend, my sister, and her boyfriend.



*There was also a celebrity spotting! Edward Cullen, Jacob, and a headless Bella. 

Warning: Image may be too graphic for some...





*Traditional Turkey Trot 5k Thanksgiving morning with a Cracker Barrel breakfast after.

{me and my sis}


*Rivalry Saturday! Dad's famous hot wings, beer, family.
But...the Buckeyes lost. I don't wanna talk about it.



*I'm going to be in and out of the ol blog this week. Mentally preparing myself for my half marathon this Saturday. Had a bad run last night and am trying my hardest to not get discouraged!

{i've requested that these signs be made for me}




*Currently reading:


{Catching Fire and a book on how to study the bible}


Have a great day!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Oh, Justin...


This commercial cracks me up. 



Hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Forgive Me




 Dear God,

Thanks for this beautiful life and forgive me if I don't love it enough.



{inspiration via pinterest; photo taken by me}