The Non-New Year's Resolution Resolution

I do not make New Year's resolutions. Ever. I actually hate them. I hate them because there's a stigma associated with them: they are temporary, lots of people set them, and no one keeps them for more than a week.

So rather than join the crowd and set myself up to fail at my resolution and thus feel guilty, I never set resolutions.

That is why, even though this "resolution" will start in January, it is not a New Year's resolution. It's an "I'm going to start as soon as the holidays are over" resolution. And one that is not going to be dropped in a week because I have to do it for 30 days. And I will.

So what's this resolution?

In January, I and some other individuals will be kicking off the Whole30. You can click that link and find out all about it. I originally heard about it through my friend Cami, who recently completed her 30 days. Today I ordered the book, and I'm really excited about getting started.

The biggest thing I'm looking forward to is actually feeling healthy again. After moving back to Clinton, I've felt like I've been slowly dragged down into a pit of unhealthiness. And though I've tried to stay active, sitting at a desk all day and then feeling wiped out in the evening hasn't helped.

So that's my resolution, and now it's your turn. I'm inviting anyone else who wants to try the Whole30 to join me in this resolution. The best way to get through anything challenging is with friends by your side. So, let's do this together. So far Nick has agreed to join me, and my dear friend Jessica will also be starting Whole30 in January. (I'm also working on getting my mom to join.)

My plan is to start Jan. 2, 2013. I'll be blogging throughout the 30 days, both to share my experience and keep myself accountable. If you are going to join in, please leave a comment here or on my Facebook page. I'll be keeping up with all of you as well; hopefully we can share ideas, support, and encouragement.

Also, if you're joining, consider taking before pictures and/or measurements so we can compare those to the end result and celebrate our successes! If you have a blog, let me know and I will link to it so we can all share our thoughts and experiences.

Why I Love Halloween [Belated]

For those who couldn't tell by my three costumes this year, I love Halloween. It's been one of my favorite holidays since childhood.

Me as Katy Perry on Oct. 31, 2012.

After having conversations about why some people don't celebrate Halloween, I felt the need to evaluate why, as an adult, I still have an obsession with the day.

One of my favorite things to do as a kid was to play dress-up, and not just on Halloween. I had a whole chest full of old clothes, hats and scarves that I would dig into on a near-daily basis. Looking back, that was probably the beginning of my clothing obsession.

Playing dress up in what also served as a Halloween costume. (Circa 1989)

Trick-or-treating in a re-purposed costume with my parents' god-daughter. (Circa 1995)

Halloween just compounded my love for creating outfits, stepping into character, and spending a day marauding around neighborhoods seeking treats. (I won't say when I stopped trick-or-treating, but in my defense, I took children door-to-door with me.) And let's face it, that love never really left. So besides "dressing up" in normal clothes every day, Halloween is the one day (or more often, week) a year I can go all-out.

Lord of the Rings night at youth group, and another re-purposed costume. (2003)

First Halloween in college. (2004)

So I had to face the fact that some things never change. And because of that, Halloween is also my dose of nostalgia. I like feeling like a kid again and I like the idea of feeling like a kid again, of doing something I have always loved.

I've also always chosen to focus on the lighthearted side of Halloween. It's a day for dressing up, carving pumpkins, asking for (or as an adult, handing out) candy, and spending time with the kids in your family.

Halloween 2008. Michael was Frodo and I was a fairy. Recognize the wings? :)

Halloween 2009 with my friend Liz.

Halloween 2010 with Margaret and Emily.

Halloween 2011 with my mom.

And as an adult, Halloween has also become more about the creative aspect. I love designing costumes, doing makeup and seeing the finished product come together. This year I got to put together three different outfits because of different events and parties. And, not only did I get to put together my costumes, I also got to help Michael and Nick with their costumes and makeup. So just know, if you ever need costume/makeup help, I'm your go-to girl! ;)

Nick and I as pirates on Oct. 27, 2012.

Michael as the Joker (did his makeup!) and me.

My vampire getup made an appearance at work for a costume contest on Oct. 26, 2012.

What are your thoughts on Halloween? Did you participate in Halloween festivities this year? Any costume ideas or pictures you'd like to share?

Fall Photo Shoot with the Horches

A couple weeks ago I ventured across the river to take some photos with the Horch family. We wandered around Heritage Canyon and sat on the banks of the Mississippi. The Horches are one of the happiest families I know, and the kids did a great job of saying "cheese" for me every two seconds. Below are some of my favorite shots from the day.

The Descent

Really good weekends are usually whirlwind-type weekends. Everything happens so swiftly, it's like you're caught up in a gust of wind, carried along for a ride, then deposited back where you started from. At least that's usually how I feel. This weekend was no exception.

The main part of the weekend consisted of traveling to Maryland--a place I had never been--for the wedding of a good college friend. There was some reminiscing, some down time, tons of running around, plenty of food, and celebrating, lots and lots of celebrating.

I realized, once we got there, how long it had been since I'd spent a decent amount of time with this college friend. And I was reminded how much good a few short days with a college friend can do for your heart. I was reminded of times surrounded by friends who honestly care about you, and knowing you. The kinds of friends who know what you mean to say, even when you say it the wrong way. The kinds of friends who accept you, in spite of shortcomings and failings. The friends who are comfortable enough to be themselves, and to let you be yourself too.

So not only was it a whirlwind-type weekend, but it was also one of those weekends when you ascend to a constant high of fond memories, happy feelings, and a good kind of forgetfulness where you stop worrying about yourself. I spent the weekend trying to help things run smoother, better for this college friend. That ended up consisting of things like folding pocket squares and fastening cufflinks, attempting to satiate crazy wedding planners, and encouraging everyone to dance, just to make the party more fun. And as much as I hoped I could have done for my friend, I came away feeling like I benefited so much more than he could have by my small acts.

And now comes the decent. Back to what I somewhat spitefully call the "real world," where friends are few and far between, days are mapped by hours at work, hours at home, hours of sleep. Memories of college days are confined to the back of the mind to make way for things like driving directions, appointments and mundane tasks. And decompression is to be found by staring into a computer screen, typing away on a blog post, clinging to the last few memories of what was literally just yesterday.

Exchanging vows.