January Resolutions

I've decided that this year I'm not going to make New Years' Resolutions, rather I'll make January Resolutions. The years past have proven that about 4 days into each and every New Year my resolutions go out the window, so if I manage to keep them for these first 31 days, THEN I'll attempt them for the full 365:

1. No more refined sugar - this was promoted to my number one resolution after my glucose test came back as 2 points higher than optimal. I don't want to medicate my pregnant body, but since diabetes runs in my family there is a definite possibility of contracting gestational diabetes and wouldn't you know that one of the top difficulties in giving birth with that condition is that the baby is usually too big. As delightful as giving birth to a baby the size of Noel sounds I absolutely want to avoid that, so that means a change in diet and...

2. Exercise at least 30 minutes EVERY DAY - an obvious number two and a cliche one at that, but I enjoy working out and I've managed to become regular with it. However, these last few weeks I've slacked off big time. That could be because I don't allow anything outside of an hour and a half at the gym doing weights and cardio to be counted as a workout. I'm not going to have that luxury always though, so it's time to shape up, shake off the laziness that's crept into my routine and make a daily effort to move well.

3. Only check Facebook / email / websites I love 2x a day - Being online practically all day here at the office makes these distractions only a click away and while I know that this will be an easier resolution to obey once the baby comes (that is IF this one makes it through the month of January to become a full-blown resolution), I still want to detach myself from web 2.0 technology.

4. Devotions every morning - note I didn't say "first thing" every morning because that's too much pressure. I hit the snooze button several times to limit my get-ready time at the house down to the bare minimum & once I get to the office there are set-up tasks that have to be done right away. However, once those are out of the way, I want to get into the habit of settling down and reading the Word, journaling and praying. Making it a part of my morning will only lead to a happier, balanced day and who knows, maybe next year I can add the "first thing" suffix to this resolution.

5. Do something to bless Ryan every day - he is so good to me and I want to make his life the best it can possibly be. Whether it's a sweet love note or something very task-oriented like making his favorite lunch, I want to be thinking every day "How can I bless and make today great for him?"

That's it for now. I'm sure this list could get expounded on later, but I like to leave it at 5. It helps the anal-retentive part of my brain relax knowing I can count my new attempts at making this life better on one hand.

Why is Coke so delicious?

I'm looking at the ingredients and there's only 6. That's pretty remarkable. Especially when you consider other drinks out there like Dr. Pepper who advertised that there are like 31 different tastes in one can - seriously, that ad campaign made me want to hurl.

I was a walking Coke commercial today though. It's really hot out, so I ran across the street from the office and bought a Coke in a bottle and popped it open on the street corner and drank it as I walked in front of the cars stopped for me in the crosswalk. Seriously, I'll bet at least one of them pulled in somewhere and bought a red can of delight.

Is it the old-school Americana idea of Coca-Cola that always makes it so yummy? It always reminds me of the 4th of July because my boyfriend when I was 20 always bought it in a glass bottle for that holiday. Also, I remember being a kid and going to work with my dad, getting a quarter out of the piggy bank off his desk, running across the dusty parking lot to the small soda vending machine, slipping the quarter in the slot, pushing the button for Coke and smiling HUGE as the glass bottle hit the bottom pocket. The machine had a little bottle opener on it's side, so I could always have my first sip as I walked back to the block plant.

Whatever the reason, Coca-Cola will always have a soft spot in my heart. It's high school football games, the gas station around the block from my parents' house, road trip stops, camping at the coast, swimming at the Illinois River, working the Lion's food booth with my fellow cheerleaders at the county fair, driving in Kelley's cream puff listening to Madonna and a hundred other memories. Good stuff.

Happy Senses

Just outside of Yreka on the way back from Redding this past weekend, I had one of "those" moments. The ones where you want time to freeze so you can forever enjoy everything your senses are experiencing at that very second. I was listening to India.Arie's first album, the sunroof of the car was open and the sun and breeze were on my shoulders and face, the sky was perfectly blue and full of variously shaped fluffy, white clouds, I was sipping on lemonade and with the outside being let in the car, it smelled like fall was in the air. It was absolutely lovely. I love living in Oregon!!