Perspective

Yesterday morning I was sitting in physical therapy, icing my knees and feeling pretty damn sorry for myself.  Thanks to IT band bursitis, a right meniscus tear and a little thing called Patella Femoral Syndrome in both knees, I haven't been able to truly workout in about a month.  My knees constantly ache, and I have been in discomfort and slight pain more often than not this summer. 

So I'm sitting there, hurting after finishing all my PT exercises for the day, and I started watching a middle-aged couple in the room with me, who are sitting at a table with a occupational therapist.  The woman, who was the wife of the patient, had a nervous, apprehensive look on her face.  She seemed tense and uncomfortable and worried...a look I've seen too many times before.  The look of watching someone you love go through a horrible illness, and trying to be strong for them and cope with all you're taking in.

A pillar in the room was blocking my view of the therapist and the man, but I could hear her speak to him.  "Take this pen," she said.  "Today, I want to work on writing your name."  She then started to explain to the couple about Parkinson's Disease, and losing the basics that you and I take for granted.  Like the ability to write your own name.

I thought about this in the car ride home.  I thought about this while eating lunch.  I thought about this when checking my email, taking a shower, and cleaning up my house.  I thought about this all day long.  Here I was feeling sorry for myself because my knees were sore, and this man sitting a few feet away from me could no longer write his own name.

In the past few weeks, I've had a lot of time to think.  A bit too much time.  I've been thinking of the things that have not been going right lately, and things that have been hard and sad.  But I've also been thinking a lot about the kind of person I want to keep striving to be.  Someone that is kind and caring and loving and strong.  And someone that shows great gratitude towards life.  I know I have much to learn and much to work on to become that better version of myself, and so I am grateful that I have days like this.  Days that wake me up to my selfish moments and help me realize just how much I have to be thankful for.  I am blessed and fortunate, and I am thankful for the lessons I learn to keep me in check and keep me moving forward.

Just some deep thoughts I'll be taking into the weekend with me.  I hope you enjoy yours!

About That Spending Freeze...

Diane von Furstenberg New Jeanne 2 Silk Wrap Dress

I know what you're thinking, and no, I did not break the spending freeze already.  Geez, give me just a bit of credit here kids!  Instead, I have decided to give myself a goal to work toward...if I stick to it for two months, I will allow myself to buy this AH-MAZING Diane von Furstenberg dress.  And I even have the perfect event to wear it at--my man bff Jeb's wedding in November.  Oh my, I am in love.  Seriously, there is honestly nothing I am craving more this season than this one beautiful item, and it will be mine.  It will.  In two months.  Lord, give me strength!

Spending Freeze

From someecards.com

So, thanks to the threat of a government shutdown in October (and with that, my paychecks) and my inability to save money the way that I truly should, I have decided to buckle down, get my finances in order, and put myself on a mandatory two month spending freeze.  I realize two months seems a bit drastic, but you know what they say, right?  How it takes 30 days to form a habit?  Well when it comes to me and shopping, I feel that I need to double that for it to really sink in.

With all the upcoming sales, the fabulous fall clothes now out, and my ever shrinking waistline (yay, me!), this is really tough for me.  Alas, it needs to be done, so here I go...until October 18th (I wrote this post a few days earlier than it's publish date), my new mantra is as follows:

1)  I will only spend money on the necessities:  food, bills, gym, medical/physical therapy, and my car.
2)  I will eat out no more than two times per week--this includes buying lunches at work rather than bringing my own.
3)  I will allow myself only $25 per week on extracurricular activities--a movie, new book, special event, mani/pedi or night out.
4)  If I don't spend my all of my $25 for the week, it can roll over into the next week (will reinforce saving up for something special).
5)  If I absolutely have to spend money on anything other than this, it will only be out of emergency, replacing something basic that I need (like toiletries) or doctors orders.

I need to learn to live on less, and I especially need to break the habit of my retail therapy crutch.  And it's gotten bad--instead of doing healthy things like working out, writing or talking it out when I'm feeling blue, I shop.  But I need to remember this:  No matter how good buying those new shoes may make me feel, it makes my checking account sad.  No more sad allowed in this house!  And now that I've aired my dirty laundry, it feels great that you all can now also help hold me accountable for this.  So no temptations either friends! 

So, that is the test...think I can do it?  I gave up spending for Lent this year, and ended up losing 10 pounds in the process, so hopefully that will be an added bonus this time too!  There are a lot of great online resources that can help you form a budget, keep track of spending, and give great advice on managing your finances. The two I use most frequently are Mint and LearnVest, but if you know of any that you prefer, let me know!

Let the spending freeze begin!

Currently Craving: Game Day Dresses!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...college football kickoff week!  For a Southern girl, football is king, and there is not much more exciting than the start of a new college football season.  For me, it's the promise of a fresh start and new beginnings, and always a fun Fall full of tailgating, friends, watch parties, thrilling wins and (hopefully not) a bit of heartbreak too.

Sadly, I do not think I will be making it back to Arkansas this year for any football games.  But rest assured, I will be watching and Calling the Hogs from here in DC, all decked out in my Razorback Red.

Since football season starts off in the brutal August heat and (in a good year) ends in the cold winter month of January, a Southern girl's game day wardrobe usually sees both summer, fall and winter fashion.  It's like the first day of school...have to look your best for the first game of the season!  If I was planning on going back home for the Razorback game this Saturday, I would most likely be picking up one of these two dresses for these first few game days.  You want to be a bit casual yet stylish while tailgating and in the stadium, and since it's typically a very long day, comfort is key. 

1) Hive & Honey Double Layer Hi-Low Maxi Dress from Piperlime and 2) Rebecca Taylor Striped Dress from Shopbop

For any of you Arkansans in the DC area, our official Arkansas Razorback watch party location has been changed this year to Hawk n' Dove Bar and Grill (329 Pennsylvania Ave SE, approx. 2 blocks from Eastern Market metro).  Come join us starting this Saturday as the Hogs kick off the season vs. Louisiana-Lafayette at 4:00 PM EST.