Andrea: Wednesday Book Blog: The Necklace

The Necklace: Thirteen Women and the Experiment That Transformed Their Lives

By Cheryl Jarvis

A wonderful friend gave this book to Tracy and I for Christmas and said we had to read it. And she was right! This book was fabulous. I picked it up at 10pm one night with the intention of just reading one or 2 of the women's stories and stayed up until 1am reading this book. I could not put it down.

I highly recommend this book to any and every woman who wants to be inspired.

This book is the story of 13 women who purchase a diamond necklace together and share it throughout the year. It is utterly amazing how one necklace can bring a group of women together and what they were able to accomplish because of this necklace. Each chapter is the story of one of the necklace owners, what was going on their life before the necklace, why they bought into the necklace and how being apart of this group affected their lives.

I can't say enough good things about this book and I think that every women should read this and be inspired to find a group of women to bond with and to do something bigger than themselves with.

Thank you Kristen for sharing this book with me.

Andrea: Emptying the Wallet

You know the song It's Raining Men? Well it has not been raining men for me but I certainly have been bleeding money! In my head I hear those words to the music of it's raining men, and let me tell you when my head sings I am bleeding money, the next word is not hallelujah.

The last 2 weeks my wallet has seen an out flux of cash like it has not seen in quite some time. Of course like everyone else lately I thought I was trying to watch my money, and not watch it go out but watch it stay in. But for some reason that is has not been the case for me. When I look back at all the money I have spent, none or not very much of it has been frivoulous. Visits to doctors, car maintenance, joining a gym, so that helps, but geez, that is alot of money going out. One good thing I can say is that I did pay off my credit card, so I got that going for me.

At least I can know my money going out is going towards my February is For Me goals and I like to think or rationalize that all my spending is helping the economy. Okay off to buy a lotto ticket now. Cross your fingers for me.

Andrea: I am doing it!

I am doing it and I am so proud of myself. I joined the gym AND I went three times this week. I reached my goal my first week! Now to some of you that may not sound like a big deal or it may sound crazy, but for me that is big. Typically I do not enjoy going to the gym at all. But this time is different. Well so far, and I have high hopes it is going to remain different.

The first day I went, I went with Tracy, that helped too, it was my first time going to a new gym and I was definitely nervous and intimidated. Having a friend to go with really helped. I even found myself enjoying it. I think the new mix I put together on my ipod really helped as well.

The second day I went, I had my free consultation with a trainer. You know the one they give you whenever you join a new gym to try to convince you that you should hire a trainer. I thought cool, someone to show me how the machines work so I can use them eventually but no way am I spending the money and getting a trainer. I had it secure in my mind that I was not going to be "sold:. Well half way through the free session, I had pretty much made up my mind that I would get a trainer. I enjoyed the work out so much and knowing myself, I know I would never do any of the things shown to me on my own again. Despite the fact that I had it set in my head I was not going to do it, and it is an expenditure I had not planned on, I am really excited about it and look forward to the new, fun exercises as well as having a motivator and someone to help guide me. And I have to admit, thinking about bathing suit season looming on the horizon is definitely another motivator.

The third day, today, I was very tempted not to go. Tracy was not going and I did not have an appointment with a trainer and heck it is Saturday, but I made a promise to myself and I decided to stick with it, so I went. Of course I felt much better for going and for keeping my promise to myself. Week 1 success, week 2 here I come and looking forward to it!

Andrea: I did it!

Yes I did it. After three years and in sticking with my goals for my February is For Me Month I joined a gym. Of course I joined yesterday but did not work out, I wonder how many other people join and don't work out the day that they join? Anyway, my first work out day will be today and I know I will definatley go on Friday since I have the complimentary session with a trainer.

With my new membership, I have set 2 goals for myself 1. continue to go after my For Me Month is over and 2. to go 3 times a week. I figure start off with an attainable goal, I don't need to jump headfirst and crazy into the gym. So I plan to go 3 times a week and do cardio and build up to machines, classes and weights and maybe 4 - 5 times a week at some point. I think that this is a good game plan and one that does not intimidate me or feel overwhelming. I am actually looking forward to going tomorrow. I think that might be a first for me!

So tomorrow, my new gym mix on my ipod, my water bottle and me, will be off to the gym for the first time in a long time, for the first time FOR a long time.

Andrea: Wednesday Book Blog - New Moon

New Moon, by Stephenie Meyer, the 2nd book in the 4 book series, had me captured just as much as the 1st book and I read this one in a couple of days as well. Luckily this time, I had the 3rd book on deck and did not have to wait to start that one, but I jump ahead.

I know these books were written for young adults, and much to my dismay I no longer qualify in that category but I am still enjoying them and while I find the read very easy I do not find them to be too young at all for any age to read.

The story has taken a turn that I will not spoil in case you have not read the book, but it is very interesting and I think I am going to be torn to what I want to happen just like I think Bella - the main character - is going to be torn at some point.

If you liked the first book, keep reading the 2nd one, it is just as good! Okay off to get some work done so I won't feel guilty picking up book 3 in the middle of the day today to read a few chapters. Happy reading.

Tracy: Flying High

This past weekend Bryan and I went to Vermont to ski/snowboard. It was a learning day for him on the board and a day for me and my college-friend Tanya on skis. We flew up on Friday morning, in a Dash 8 plane, the same type of plane that had crashed the day before near Buffalo. I usually don't let that stuff bother me. Last time I flew was the day after the plane crashed into the Hudson. But, it does start you thinking about what's important to you and how quickly your life can change. I want to be sure that I am living my life each day. I am in the starting stages of another detox and hope to gain some clarity over the next few weeks. With this detox I plan to make some significant changes in my mindset. I want to stop thinking in the negative about myself and my body image. I have a lot to live for-my family, Bryan, Andrea and all my best friends, my future, and most of all, myself. I don't want to have any regrets when it is finally my time. My time is now to be present and accounted for in my own life.

Andrea: Wednesday Book Blog - Twilight

So I finally did it, I read Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. The books and the movie have gotten so much attention and I do enjoy a story with a supernatural twist to it, that I thought it was about time to find out what these books were all about.

I must admit, I was not disappointed, I was sucked in (no pun intended) from the very first chapter and I could not put the book down! I started the book on Wednesday night and finished on Saturday night. I was away for the weekend and when I got back to town on Sunday night, I ran right to B&N and bought the 2nd book in the series New Moon, which I am sure to finish in the next day or 2 as well. Luckily I have a trip planned to B&N on Thursday so I can pick up the next 2 books in the series.

I am glad that I waited to read the books because it is nice to be able to read all the books at the same time instead of having to eagerly await the release of the next one. I enjoy the characters and their story and although it sounds funny to say, the sweet love story between Bella and Edward. Let's be honest, is it not every high school girls fantasy to be able to have her boyfriend sneak in her in window everynight. I can't wait to find out how the characters develop and where the story goes. Lucky for me, I really have no idea where the storyline goes and what happens to the characters and that is very fun to look forward to with 2.5 more books to go in the series. Off to continue reading........

Andrea - February is For Me!

Back in December I checked out my calendar for the coming year and gratefully realized that I had a "quiet month" in February. Being who I am, I am always flying off somewhere(literally), scheduling this, doing that and as much as I love doing everything that I do and being busy, having a schedule such as that can catch up with ya. So I decided to keep my calendar unfilled as much as possible and to dedicate the month of February to me, doing all things that are for and about me to better my mind, body and soul.

So during this Month for Me I am catching up on all the Dr. appointments that I seem to keep putting off, dentist, eye dr. physical etc. I am doing a 28 detox to rid my body of toxins and yes a few unwanted pounds. During this detox I am also going to learn more about eating healthy and taking care of myself past my month for me. I am going to start meditating again and get a massage.

I am taking time to focus on projects to grow my business that I never seem to have time to tackle and I am going to read all, ok some, of the books that have been piling up in my "to read" pile and I am going to pay off my credit card and get my finances in order.

I am even going to join a gym, gasp - join a gym, that is a big one for me. Okay I admit, that one remains to be seen, but hey at least considering it is a big thing and a step in the healthy direction.

I am going to clean out my closets and all the corners and crevices where I put stuff I don't know what to do with. I am going to replant my plants that need it and I am going put my pictures in photo albums.

And I am really going to do all of the above, okay maybe except join the gym, that one is still a wild card in my plans, but I am going to do all of the above and just thinking about it gets me excited and feeling good. February is For Me and in March I am going to celebrate all I accomplished in my month for me with a few days on the beach in Aruba! Life is good!