Well, hello!

I woke up at 4:30AM and as I was lying there trying to decide if I wanted to get up or go back to sleep I realized I haven't blogged in awhile. I was pretty wide-awake by then so I got up, knocked out some of my morning rituals, and here I am with some extra time to blog.

You know my love for the list, so I'm going with that...

1. I am weaning myself off of coffee. I've tapered down to a couple of sips and I think tomorrow is the day I will start my day without it. Honestly, it feels really great. I have more energy and my quality of sleep has been so much better lately!

2. I have an eye appointment today. I've needed to go for awhile. My eyesight has declined in the past year (it's pretty bad) and I need a new prescription. I am SO excited to pick out new frames and get new bifocal lenses (ha!) Honestly, I'm just thrilled to be able to see clearly again. 

3. I took Sarah last night to round up the last of her accessories for prom this weekend. It's fun having a girl--they're SO different than boys. This is her first year to go and she's excited. 

4. Will's prom was supposed to be last weekend but was postponed because of snow! Much to my disappointment, he wasn't planning to go. He decided yesterday after school that he now wants to go and I'm so crazy-happy that he changed his mind that I don't even mind all the last minute scrambling we need to do to get a tux, etc. 

5. Our countdown is on to graduation. I know I keep talking about this on the blog but it's a huge reality and time isn't slowing down. I was having coffee (tea for me!) last week with a friend and another friend with a graduating senior stopped by our table to chat for a few minutes. We were talking about our emotional state being rather unstable and she said: "Two words for you, Meredith: waterproof mascara." Brilliant. Why have I not thought of that before now. I went straight to Ulta after that coffee date and wouldn't you know it, I forgot to buy some. It's on my to-buy list next time I'm out.

6. I'm dreading today just a tiny bit. I've packed it a little too fully for my liking. I think I was just trying to get a bunch of appointments out of the way but all of my turns today are tight and I had a "look-at-the-calendar-and-want-to-cry" moment last night. I've been so good about keeping my days/weeks reasonable, but today I could use a cloned version of myself. The good news? It's only today! It's smooth sailing the rest of the week. 

7. Exercise keeps me sane and my PiYo DVD is calling my name right now! I'm trying to do a mix of strength (PiYo) and cardio (walking/hiking) each week and I've finally found a good rhythm. The snow goofed me up last week with my hiking plans but that's okay. Sometimes a string of days off is a nice gift.

8. Peace out, people! Make it a good day. 

Currently

Current Read: I finished The Girl On The Train and just started this book about resetting your hormones which has me completely fascinated.

Current Playlist: I've found myself listening to more and more podcasts in place of music these days. I really like using my drive-time or my get-ready-each-morning-time to listen to something that makes me smarter (that's debatable) or that stretches my mind. Some of my newly discovered favorite podcasts are: Happier with Gretchen Rubin, The Model Health Show (nutrition), and Being Boss. Good stuff right there, y'all.

Current Color(s): I'm up to my eyeballs in orange and black. Those are Will's school colors and are directly related to graduation party prep.

Current Food: We are planning to grill this flank steak for dinner tonight. It's my favorite. I'm going to take red meat out of my diet for a few weeks so before that happens, I'm going to feast!

Current Favorite Favorite: This mask from Sephora is $6 and makes your face feel AMAZING. There's lots to choose from but it's so dry here that this one is my go-to. Plus you can completely freak your kids out when you're wearing it.

Current Addiction: I can't think of anything! Maybe Instagram?

Current Wish List: I sort-of-kind-of want a FitBit.

Current Need: Need. More. Sleep. I aim for eight hours per night but I'm averaging closer to seven. I feel like eight is my perfect and elusive number.

Current Randomness: The subject of hot dogs came up in a conversation I had this week (see? random) and I told my friend that I haven't eaten a hot dog in at least 10 years. It's true. I hate hot dogs. I haven't eaten a donut in probably 15 years either. Just don't care for them.

Current Triumph: I went for my annual mammogram last week and I DID NOT FAINT THIS TIME plus my results came back normal. Win-win!!!

Current Annoyance: Excuses.

Current Blessing: This isn't exactly current but I got to spend a day with my cousin over Spring Break. She was in Boulder so I drove up and we spent the day hiking in Chatauqua Park and walking around Pearl Street. Such a blessing to spend time with her! And Boulder is such a fun place.

Current Mood: I'm happy--I've had a great week and my weekend isn't feeling too full.

Current Excitement: Ooooh, I have a list!
1. The last season of Mad Men began last week which now makes my Sunday evenings a little less blue.
2. I made some summer hiking plans with a friend last week that chip away at our fitness goals.
3. I've taken some steps towards pursuing some education/training in an area that I'm very passionate about. It excites me and terrifies me at the same time but I feel like the timing is right so I'm rolling with it.

Current Project: Graduation stuff is taking up space on my project list these days. I have one big event I'm in charge of for Will's school and then some smaller things I'm coordinating with friends. It's mostly fun stuff though so there's not too much stress involved, thank goodness.

Current Plans For The Day: Catch up on my bible study homework. Make a veggie lasagna for something at church tomorrow. Sort through ninety-bajillion photos for a graduation project (really should have been doing this for the past nine months). Make a yummy dinner. Go to bed early. Those are the big things. In between all of that I really need to catch up on laundry!

SMP 4.8.15

SMP = Seven Minute Post

Good morning, blog friends.
It's been awhile since I've checked in here. I've been enjoying life. I'll have to do a "ketchup" (aka catch-up) post soon because we've had a lot of life to enjoy lately.

I realized the other evening that Will's graduation is about seven weeks away. Gulp. This is getting real. I'm both happy and sad but mostly I'm just so proud of him and excited to celebrate this milestone in his life.

Graduation means that summer is getting close also. I am SO ready for summer! I've been hiking a lot lately and am excited to get out and do more this summer. I'm also excited about some family plans and probably looking forward to the laid-back pace of summer days more than anything. Summer is my favorite!

Here's a photo from my hike last Friday. That is April snow and it's beautiful. Sunshine and warm temps have been more prevalent than snow this spring and I'm grateful for that.

Happy Wednesday, friends. Hope your day is a beautiful one.