Running and Fandoms

Time to confess. Linking up with ALL THE PEOPLE this week, hashtag style.

Figuring It Out

I haven't been around a lot recently and it's for a few reasons.  One, that life got a little crazy after Thanksgiving and things just seemed to spiral out of control and two, I've just been a giant ball of stress.  It's not that I'm afraid or don't want to talk about all that's been happening as it's been happening, it's just that when I'm really stressed out, I have a really hard time writing any type of post because it takes every last ounce of energy I have just to function.  

Turkey Day Confessions

I love that the humpday confessions are back (and that I'm totally late in realizing that) so it's time for some Turkey Day Confessions !

Run All the Things

I've been such a giant bum this past week because I've been trying to get better from whatever plauge-type cold I fell victim to after Richmond. Thankfully I was able to breathe enough to run 3 miles with the 8K group on Saturday in preparation for the Turkey Trot 8K on Thursday.  I have mixed feelings about that race, but I'll get to that in a minute.  Because she's a genius/goddess/amazing human being, Alyssa mentioned that she has a spreadsheet for all of her races, was gracious enough to send it to me, and it has never been so easy to plan 4 years in advance for races because everyone does that.

My 2016 tab is a little more detailed and full, but I love being able to track everything (insert awesome sense of accomplishment here).  Here's what's coming up:

The Richmond Recap

As I started writing this post, I'm curled up on my couch in my Richmond Finisher's blanket, with my humidifier and hot tea, in the middle of a "Friends" marathon.  Because apparently the cold from hell decided to rear its ugly head and I am currently unable to breathe through my nose.  However, I'm proud to report that I ran and finished the Richmond Half Marathon this weekend.

I'm Not Ready

I woke up on Tuesday with a sore throat and body aches. I left work early, holed myself up on the couch and binge watched Friends.  For the past 3 days, I have loaded up on Vitamin C & E, drowned myself in hot tea and honey and soup and Coldeeze.  It's Thursday, and while I don't feel worse, I don't feel like I could run a half marathon. I have a doctors appointment today because of course I have a cold or strep or the plague something.

My thoughts over the past few days:

Bloggers #RunOaks

I've been looking forward to this past weekend ever since Alyssa told me she was thinking about signing up for City of Oaks.  The fact that it's over already and I'm writing a recap doesn't feel real.  I hope that you've already been over to Alyssa's page and check out Tracy's as well.

Training Linkup: The Richmond Edition

In case you didn't get enough training talk yesterday, here's some more !

I need to be a Time Lord

I haven't written a post in HOW MANY DAYS !??! Jesus, where the hell is the time going ?! Someone get me a Tardis so I can go back and update this more often. I could have sworn I only wrote a post the other day and it wasn't THAT long ago. Le sigh. Well, since it's been forever and a day, how about some updates, yes ?

I'm Only Doing this for Donuts

I was not about to let another Training for Tuesday pass me by without getting on board !

Weekending - My Legs Hurt

I've come to the conclusion that if I could just pretend the weekdays don't happen, that I would be a much happier person.  Since that's not really an option, and I'm forced into adult responsibility and mandatory socialization, I'll just relive this past weekend to make myself feel better over my severe case of the Mondays.

World's Okayest Runner

Today marks 52 days until the Richmond Half Marathon.  It seems like a good time for a training update considering I've updated this a total of, um, zero times...

After attempting to create my own training plan after extensive google searching, my resident super runner/Fleet Feet Training program coordinator/favorite human in the whole world helped combine the 3 calendars I had into one super awesome training program...AKA he threw them out and made one that worked for me. 

(Yes, he knows I took this and that this would end up here eventually)

The general idea was that during the week I would train for time (Run for 35 min, Cross Train for 25 min, you get the idea) and that on the weekend for my long runs, I could focus on distance.  Without boring you with the sordid details of the affect of humidity on my lungs this summer, I can honestly say that my training got started last week.

Which means I really don't have too much time to start getting my miles up.  Right now I can do 5 miles for my long runs no problem.  Except I should be doing anywhere from 8-10.  I'm working on being okay with this and just focusing on doing what I need to do to make sure I'm smart and uninjured and progressing and not dying.

My biggest struggle at the moment is knowing the difference between pushing through pain to get to the next milestone and when to be smart enough to stop.  Currently I keep erring on the side of smart.  On Saturday I had this plan to do a run I've wanted to do since I laced up my shoes again: Run from my apartment to my second home favorite coffee shop, Cup A Joe.  It's 7 miles.  I was excited, I was ready, and I had it all planned out.  That whole week the weather had been phenomenal, I was running (and BREATHING!) better, I was doing hill repeats and running faster than I had been since I started trying to train in August.   Of course on this lovely Saturday that I had been looking forward to for what seemed like forever, the heat came back - FAST. Realizing I had started my adventure too late in the day, I cut my 7 mile run to 3.6 miles.

Tonight I plan on doing a 30 minute run just to get my legs moving again.  They've been hating me rather seriously since Saturday but I think I finally got all the knots out of my calves. Also, in order to avoid freaking myself out, I'm focusing on getting myself in good shape to run a 10 miler on October 24th.  Which based on where I am now, seems 100% completely accomplish-able (is that even a word ?) 

Until the next update, here's a picture of the newest addition to my running shoe family:

ALSO ! I'm looking for some fun running related apparel either to wear during training or a race or just when I'm being lazy in sweatpants.  

What are your favorite running shirts ?

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Real Talk: The universe is out to get me.

Okay, probably not, but it certainly feels that way right now.  My birthday is on Thrusday and honestly, I just want to relax.  Zero stress. Please.  Ugh.  Why is it so bad, you ask ?

• We had to put down sir Loki last week.  He was my first ever pet rat and I loved him more than I thought possible. Insert broken heart emoji here.  It was just the worst.  Sleep well, little dude. 

• I found out that my job wants to convert my contract position to a full time position (which is what they said when they originally hired me).  Which is super yay.  Except they want to offer me an "assistant" position over the "coordinator" position that I've been doing, which results in a $6/hour pay cut.  Which means I'll have to get a part time job on top of a normal 40/week full time job just to pay my monthly bills and oh, I don't know...eat food ?  Unfortunately this just causes more and more stress for the long run unless I can get a new job pronto.
• B and I almost broke up.  No, I don't want to talk about, and yes we're good again. Still super stressful.
• I dropped my phone in water and now the speaker isn't working well.  Insignificant, I know, but when you're already having a shitty time, it kinda just makes it worse.
• The brakes on my car have decided that they no longer want to do the one job they have: stopping my car.  So now it's currently in the shop.  For who knows how long and for some ungodly amount of dollars (that I don't have and REALLY don't have a way of making up), I'm sure.

Suffice to say, my stress level is so high, I constantly feel like I can't breathe.  Literally, I've almost used up my inhaler for nothing other than just trying to not hyperventilate from stress. I'm not trying to complain, but honestly I just need to get it all out. 

I've enlisted the help of a trusted friend to help with the resume (even though she's insanely busy and I feel terrible asking but I'm desperate for the help and I just know she's amazing at what she does and this is the longest sentence of my life but I love her).  I'm trying to focus on things I can control and trying to stay positive. It's not working very well, but points for trying right ? I'm hoping that everything will balance itself out and this means that super awesome amazing things are going to happen for me soon.  I really hope so, otherwise I think I might just have a heart attack. 

Any suggestions to help manage stress ?!

People You Meet At Shows

I was going to make this part of Monday's post, but it made the post unnecessarily long. However, I've been irked about it since Sunday, so I thought this would be a nice follow up/now I can stop being annoyed about it.

I love going to shows: indoor, outdoor, big, small. I've met some awesome people because of it and we say hi whenever we see each other, play catch up, and generally enjoy just rocking out together.  I love seeing people let loose and dance around, I'm always looking for new makeup/outfit combinations, and seeing people's reactions to the show whether it's their first or 50th time seeing the band.

And then there's the people I avoid like the plague.  If you've ever been to a music venue or festival, I'm pretty sure you've encountered them.

The People You Wish You Didn't Meet At Shows:

// The Over-Doer

This person dresses in a way that you KNOW would never go out in public on a daily basis like that. They're definitely trying too hard. I'm all about autonomy and to each their own, but I have a problem with people putting out an image of what they think they should wear for shock value and then seeming offended when they get that reaction.  Enough is enough.  I can tell you went overboard for this and honestly, it's just awkward. Honorable mention in this category goes to the people looking like they're going out to dinner at the Ritz, wearing 4 inch heels with their little clutch.  This is a rock concert and we're standing in mud.  Shout-out to the dude in the white polo, purple shorts and BOAT SHOES, looking annoyed at the Manson concert.

// The Drunk High-Fiver

This guy.  This guy makes me hate things.  Not at first, because at first he's only slightly inebriated, so it's all in good fun.  You and your fellow concert goers indulge him as he runs around trying to get as many high fives as possible.  You laugh and roll your eyes.  Then he has a little more to drink and comes back again.  You still laugh.  When he comes back for a 3rd time, pretty drunk and possibly missing an article or two of clothing (presumably because he's spilled alcohol on them) the annoyance sets in.  Okay dude, we get it, you're drunk and high fives seem like a great idea.  Any subsequent times are met with me giving you a death glare and possibly high fiving you so hard you high five yourself in the face.

// The Videographer

These are the people that experience the entire event through the screen of their device.  I will be the first one to break out my phone to take a quick clip of my favorite song, or a million photos of some cool lighting happening.  I want memories.  I can only assume these people want to watch the entire thing over again once the show is done. What do you do with 2 hours of a recorded concert ? Do you really go home and watch it again ?  I can't imagine you make any money off your shaky iPhone (or WORSE, iPad) video.  What is the purpose of viewing the entire show you spent money on to see live if you're only going to watch it digitally the whole time anyway ? Also, I'm short and you're blocking my view. Go die.

// The Unenthusiastic

This is the opposite of the Videographer, although they are staring at a screen during the show.  This person sits through the whole show, barely looks at the stage, can be seen checking Facebook and Reddit throughout the set and generally looks like they would rather be anywhere but where they are. Why are you here ? You bum me out.  Go home.

// The Soap Opera Couple

This is the couple that gets so drunk they have to use each other to stand up, unsuccessfully, yet manages to have a very animated argument in a very public way. I get it.  A concert/festival is the perfect venue to stage whatever dysfunction you need to display.  When you pull my attention away from what I paid decent money to see, I want to hurt you.  No one cares about whatever trivial thing you've decided at THAT MOMENT is so important it can't wait until after the show.  This is usually brought on only after copious amounts of alcohol have been consumed.  I get it, you guys want to make a scene and go home and have awesome make up sex.  Cool, whatever. Don't interrupt my night for it.

Then you get the REAL weirdos:

Anyway, I know this is only the tip of the iceberg.  What type of people irk you at concerts ?

Is Netflix-ing a job ?

Yay Wednesdays ! Yay Confession time ! Boo I have no one to link up to for these anymore. Oh well.  I have random thoughts that only do well during these confession posts, so here you are !

// I want someone to pay me to watch Netflix and hang out on the internet all day.  How does one make this happen ?

// I know the week is half over, but I seriously wish it was Friday already.

// My dogs are spoiled.  And I do nothing to stop it. I no longer make my bed because this happens as soon as I get up:

// I was at Krispy Kreme with B the other day, pointing out all the donuts I wanted (even though I always get original glazed) and I turned to him and said, "That's how rich I want to be.  I want to be able to walk into a donut shop and say to the guy, 'I'll take them all.'" For the record, I don't have a donuts addiction, I can stop anytime I want.

What donuts ? I didn't eat them all if that's what you're asking.

// Netflix put up the final season of White Collar, so naturally I have to watch the whole thing from the beginning and there goes my life.  Also, Doctor Who Series 8 will make an appearance in August. Goodbye any free time I've ever had.

Since I really don't want to do much of anything today, I'll leave you with some White Collar bloopers for when you randomly need a laugh (and no, you don't need to know anything about the show to watch people mess up !)

Leave some random confessions in the comments so I don't feel so alone :P

From Zero to 13.1...Again

It's about time I linked up with my favorite blogger girls (and favorite in real life girls !) for their Training for Tuesday linkup.  I've been hesitant because I've been lazy.  Not lazy about posting, but running.  However, this blog is an outlet for me, a way to throw things out into technology land and see what happens.  So here we go.

I Don't Know How To Human

Fun fact: I don't drink alcohol. So this morning as I stare at myself in the mirror, trying to become a human being, after about 4 hours of sleep, and feeling like death, I start to wonder: how the hell do you people go to a show, get drunk on all the beers, stay up till two in the morning and function the next day ?! I feel old.

Seriously, if there is some secret-ey hangover miracle cures for the I-didn't-drink-but-I-feel-like-I-have-a-hangover girl over here (i.e how to avoid the headache, dark under eye circles, and overall lack of motor skills) that would be A-MAZE-ING. I think the only reason I pass for human currently is that I never took my makeup off from last night.

Okay, shenanigans aside...last night was awesome. Got to see Marilyn Manson for the first time and Smashing Pumpkins for the 2nd. LOVED. IT. I would absolutely go see Manson again as I think this "co-headling" tour isn't bringing out his best stage presence. And Smashing Pumpkins powered through all their radio hits and surprised me with a little "Landslide" and acoustic performance of "Disarm". My ears were super happy.

Enjoy some super grainy (we had lawn seats) but still awesome photos from last night.

Linking up with Biana for the more Weekending Fun !

What's Wrong With You ?

It's Wednesday, people of blogland ! I love confession days because it allows me to get my rage out.  A day to get out all the wonderful things I want to say so desperately, but don't due to political correctness, professionalism, or just not wanting to be a rude, raging bitch. WHOO ! This weeks confession theme is brought to you by: my office.  Or offices in general.  Or any type of job that requires you to interact with people.  Let's begin.

// My office is my space. Not the place for emo bands, more like my personal bubble.  DO NOT COME BEHIND MY DESK.  I don't walk into your office and start touching your stuff, do I ? Exactly.

// What is it about an office environment that automatically makes everyone SLOBS ? I have called the exterminator 4 times in the past 2 weeks because my office seems to have an infestation of ants.  Where ? Oh, around the chips on the floor.  And the rouge M&M chilling over here by the window.  Wait, why are these things over here ? Are you, a bunch of 30 something and up adults, throwing junk food at each other ? And then not cleaning it up ? And then wonder why you have ants ?

// Speed Racer in the parking lot. Stop it. Let people cross the cross walk.  It's not going to kill you. And when you speed to only pull up in front of the building to park in a spot that you know you're not supposed to park (because it's a walkway and NOT a place for you to chill) - you look like the douche bag you really are. Knock it off.

// To the people that ask my boss a question, then come and ask me the same question, hoping for a different answer: We are not your parents.  If mommy says no, and you ask daddy, the answer will be "What did mommy say?" Grow up.

// Meetings.  I waste an hour of my day every Wednesday to put together a list that tells someone how to do their job.  Because otherwise they don't do it.  First, I have to have a meeting with my boss to talk about all the things we need to address...I HAVE TO HAVE A MEETING ABOUT THE MEETING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE. And then I sit through the actual meeting of telling this person what to do - basically reading off the list I made in the first meeting.  And the whole time, they sit there, listing all the excuses of why they haven't done it, can't do it, didn't know they were supposed to do it.  Why are you still employed ?!

All the office rage at stupid people.

Do you have people like this where you work ?

Triple Dent Gum (Weekending)

Has everyone seen Inside Out yet ? You should. If you haven't, I suggest you drop whatever it is you're doing (including work) immediately ! Okay, I know, leaving work isn't going to happen, but at least take 2 minutes and watch this.

It's been a long time since I've found a movie that I want to rant and scream "GO SEE THIS MOVIE !!" Which makes me happy that it monsooned on Saturday and Charming and I got to go see this movie. I'm currently stocking the photo app on my phone full of reaction gifs from the movie because they're THAT GOOD.

I also finished Sanctum by Madeleine Roux, which is the follow up to Asylum.  If anyone has an interest in creepy as f*ck, paranormal, ohmygod I can't stop reading, suspense type of books GO READ THESE.  I didn't want to put them down.  I think I legit finished Sanctum in 2 days. As much as I'm trying to save money, I think I'm going to splurge and buy the novellas because apparently I enjoy throwing my overactive imagination into nightmare mode constantly.

Otherwise, there was a whole lot of playing with Monsters, geeking out over my changing-color-in-the-sun nail polish, sitting by the pool, and watching of Seinfeld (thank you Hulu !)

She's SO ladylike...

No sun...SUN ! Thank you Del Sol ! I also have one that's mint green that changes to navy blue.

Sundogs !

Linking up with Biana !

What did you do this weekend ?

Hashtag Beach Trip

I named this post for the sole purpose of using this gif:

#dontjudgeme

This isn't a stereotypical "Friday Favorite" but I'm linking up with Amanda anyway.

Does checking the time every 5 seconds deplete iPhone battery ? Because mine will die in about an hour if that's the case.  I need it to be 3PM ! Yay for my office having summer hours (If I show up/stay late Mon-Thurs, I can leave at 3PM on Fridays !!) and my family being at Hilton Head Island this weekend.  Which means mini-vacation ! 

Yes, another Matt Smith gif - because Doctor Who gives me life

And even though it's only for a weekend I'm all like "AH I HAVE TO PACK ALL THE THINGS" and I'm running around like a mad woman and my dogs are giving me serious side eye because I think they know they're not allowed to come with me. Or I'm interrupting their relax time.  Or both. Whatever dudes.  They get to stay in the apartment and be comfy and have people show up and take care of them. They'll deal.

I made sure I synced my Doors playlist to my phone.  It takes 5 hours from Raleigh to get to HHI and my playlist is 5 hours and 12 minutes long. Fate. Ever since I borrowed "The Soft Parade" from the library when I was 13, The Doors are my go-to "heading to the beach" music. Always.  There's something about the opening riff of "Roadhouse Blues" that just puts you in a road trip kinda mood. This time it will be even more awesome because the whole time I can be thinking "I touched the drummer." Did I ever tell you guys about that ? Yeah, I met John Densmore of the The Doors and fangirled all over the place it was awesome.

From September '14 when I met John Densmore - Doors drummer.  He told me I had cool hair.  I died.

I'm so excited for a break from the boring and mundane-ness that is an office.  Now I just have to try and wait until I can get out of here and get on the road for a day and a half of some much needed beach time.  Can. Not. Sit. Still. 

What are you excited for this weekend ?!

The List You Won't see on Buzzfeed

I need some major humpday confessionage today because sometimes you just have to let everything out in a no holds barred, balls to the walls, brutally honest way.

// My stress level is insane. It's getting a little ridiculous and out of control and I really wish it would stop.

// Thanks to stress, my sleeping has become basically non-existent. What I wouldn't give for a whole night of sleeping and not waking up once. I genuinely can't remember the last time that happened, it's been that long.

// My life has so many really cool things going on right now but stress is getting in the way of me enjoying a lot of it.  See the theme ? I WANT MY STRESS TO GO AWAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU.

// I'm not above asking for help.  But if I ask for help, you say yes, and then don't actually help...I won't ask you again. This infuriates me to no end.

// Right now, I want a running buddy more than anything in this world.  I want someone to do run/walk with me for the measly 2 miles my lungs can manage currently.  I want it so badly, I've actually cried about it.  Not like every run, every day, kind of running buddy, but someone that knows a good place to run and will keep me company, push me a little, and be the encouragement I so badly need right now.

// I want to be healthy but I have no idea where to start.  Internet research makes my head spin and I'm too broke to hire a nutritionist/trainer.  I had a personal trainer for a year (a giant waste) and learned maybe 2 things.  One of which is that I am not allowed to be left alone with weights.  The other is that I hate people (okay, I already knew that one, the gym just kind of reinforces it.)

// I have to go to the dentist today and I may or may not have cried at least once today from fear.  And it's only a cleaning.  Yay laughing gas !

// I want a work schedule that is more conducive to being outside and reading.  More sun = happy Lisa.

I know these feelings of rage and wanting to cry constantly will pass, and I will be back to being mildly optimistic and happy, but the past few weeks I have been more frustrated, upset, and angry than I have been in awhile. I would very much like to scream and punch things.  This in no way invalidates the above feelings because I feel them regardless of my emotional state...I've just gotten to the point where I can't keep the filter on any longer.

Linking up with Melissa this week.

What do you need to get out ? 

Facepalm

I logged in this morning so I could head over and hear all about Alyssa's big news (hint: it's super good news for her !) and realized that all those fun posts I scheduled...never actually posted.  Not a single one.

I can't help but laugh because honestly it's just the icing on the cake of my life at the moment. Oh well.  My intentions were good.  And I'm over here laughing so hard because I spend a good portion of my job writing policies and procedures for a company and I can't follow simple instructions.  The irony is not lost on me.

So now that I have an explanation as to why my inbox has been so empty, I'm going to go giggle to myself while I spend today making overly detailed "How to" instructions for people to follow.

Seriously guys, I can't stop laughing.  This isn't really that funny but apparently I think I'm hilarious.  I think I've lost it. Am I crazy ? (The answer is yes.)  I hope you're laughing at  with me !

What's the silliest thing you've accidentally done ?

WeebleNugget Gets Social

You guys, I went a little overboard.  I'm not even ashamed to admit that last week, I went social media Weeble-crazy.  But to be honest, I got some not so great news and needed a distraction. So there's nothing major here today (sorry !) but if you want, you can take the time you would have spent reading whatever I wrote here and go check out those fun little buttons over there on the right and come join my social media crazy.  Or click here.  Or here. Or maybe here.  

I need some time to sort some stuff out so I'm sorry if I'm not commenting on your posts or answering your comments right away...I WILL SOON I PROMISE ! I've got a few fun posts that will show up this week (can we talk about how awesome the "Scheduling" function is ?!) and I will be back in full force very soon !

For know, enjoy this:

  

Don't Quit Your Day Job

I would never in a million years quit my job.  Not because I'm exactly thrilled to wake up and go everyday, but because it pays the bills, gives me some dollars to do fun things, and not accumulate anymore debt.  I can live on my own and that's what matters.  Not to mention the golden rule is, you never quit a job unless you have something else lined up.  And let's not forget, "It's always easier to find a job when you have a job." So obviously I would never dream of just up and quitting.

Except dream I do.  CONSTANTLY. I'm not made to sit behind a desk in an office, wear "business casual" (WTF does that even mean ? If anyone has a definitive answer to this, please tell me. Thanks.) and waste all my time not being outside or doing whatever the hell I want.  I know, I know, I know.  I'm supposed to, I have to, that's part of being an adult, blah, blah, blah...I CAN'T HEAR YOU I'M IN DREAMLAND RIGHT NOW.

Things I would do if money were no object and I didn't have to work:

• Travel (Duh.) : Anywhere and everywhere. More specifically, I would get an RV and drive across the US so I could set foot in the 24 states I have yet to set foot in. And then off to as many islands as I could before heading over to Europe.  And since dollars don't count in dreamland, let's set foot in every continent while we're at it (I've already got 2 ! 5 more to go !)

• Run : This can pretty much be accomplished while doing the above.  But how amazing would it be if I didn't have to schedule my runs around work and adult responsibility ? Pretty effing amazing.

• Learn things : I'm a philosopher, remember ? I need to know all the things all the time. The world is huge and too many things to learn.  I need to fill my brain up. I can't even list all the things I want to do.  Just assume everything.

• Sleep In & Netflix Binge : I had a small taste of that during my unemployment and as long as it's supplemented with fun things every other day, hot damn is this not an awesome way to chill out and recharge.

• Start a dog rescue : This has to be one of the most financially and time consuming endeavors.  I would buy so much land and hire awesome people to help so I could save all the fur babies.

In summation: I want to experience life fully.  On my terms, in my own way.

But since I don't have unlimited money and DO have adult responsibility (which by the way, I'd like to return since I never signed up for this) I'll have to settle for making the most of my time outside the office.  I might just jump on the 30 X 30 bandwagon.  So, until a miracle happens that will make all my daydreaming a reality, I won't quit my day job.

If you had unlimited money and no job, what would you do ?

Monsters (Part 2)

If any of you have taken the time to give my About Me a gander, you've probably seen pictures of my monsters.  And by monsters I mean my four-legged children, Ryker (read his adoption story here) and Sadie.

Trying to get a non-blurry photo where both of them are looking in the same direction at the same time doesn't happen.

Both dogs are from an amazing rescue in Ohio and contrary to what most people think, they are not biological brother & sister-but don't you DARE try and separate them.  Now grab some pillows and blankets and get comfy for story time.  Let me tell you how I ended up with Sadie, my brindle pocket pit mutt.

Monsters (Part 1)

If any of you have taken the time to give my About Me a gander, you've probably seen pictures of my monsters.  And by monsters, I mean my four-legged children, Ryker and Sadie.

Trying to get a non-blurry photo where both of them are looking in the same direction at the same time doesn't happen.

Both dogs are from an amazing rescue in Ohio and contrary to what most people think, they are not biological brother & sister-but don't you DARE try and separate them.  Now grab some pillows and blankets and get comfy for story time.  Let me tell you how I ended up with Ryker, my blue-tick beagle mutt.

The Evolution of My Blog

I touched on wanting to give my space a makeover recently and I've been making some small alterations here and there.  I've added a Best Of page and also some insight into my future goals. However, I still can't shake the feeling like my blog isn't the best blog it could be.  I want it to be better.

What do you do when you're trying to figure something out in 2015 ? You google it. After spending an afternoon scouring a zillion many blogs, pinterest, and bloglovin', I've come up with a list of goals:

1. Download a blogging planner - plan my posts
2. Create more posts ahead of time - schedule them for when life gets hectic
3. Work on the photos/gifs in my posts - get the pictures off my phone and on the blog !
4. Create more interactive posts - I want to create conversations, not just tell you stories everyday
5. Find my niche - I don't want to pigeonhole myself anywhere but I also don't want to be so random that coming here gives you a sad.

I'm putting these goals up so that I can see progress AND hold myself accountable.  Because part of the blogging community is growing and changing and learning from each other. 

Are there any goals you would add to the list ?