Thursday, June 30, 2011

Yay!

I won my first ever giveaway from Andrea at A Sparrow's Flight! she is hand making me a gorgeous choker! I cannot wait!! It will look a little like this one, but she is customizing me a special one of my own :)
And, also I am heading to the beach today to spend the long weekend with my Mom's side of the family! I am going to post this and then hit the road, so forgive the shortness of this post and also my impending absence, I just wanted to say thank you to Andrea and also to lady luck for allowing me to win this giveaway!! :)
Happy Fourth everyone! Stay safe and have a wonderful weekend!!
New header maybe? What do you guys think? :)

Friday, June 24, 2011

Friday Five: Week 2

First, welcome new followers!!! I have noticed you and have checked out your blogs!! You are all awesome and I will definitely be leaving you all love and comments soon!!!
And now,are going to try this again darlings! Last time only two people linked up, but that was two more than I had expected! So, without further ado...
Week 2
1. Happy Friday everyone!! I hope that everyone had a wonderful week, despite the heat that I'm pretty sure affected the entire US, and I'm sure many other places as well. Scout, Sadie and I spent minimal time outside, except for our usual back yard adventures. I have to admit though, we were mostly out in the mornings, before noon. After lunch it was just entirely too hot to spend more time out there than was necessary for a quick potty break and lap around the yard. I hope everyone remembered to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated if you had to be out there!

Scout outside enjoying the early morning coolness, sorry about the size and quality, I had to grab this photo from Facebook :)
2. Another confession, due to the heat and me feeling a tad bit under the weather this week, I haven't worked out, run, taken an extended walk or anything for 6 days. Ugh. I'm not happy with myself about this, at all. Please don't judge me! I plan on hopefully getting back into the groove of things with a regular schedule in the next few weeks, and will be visiting the University's gym a few times a week before or after class a few times a week from now on. I have promised myself that I will start running and working out regularly again!!! I was doing so well before my toe nail incident, and then for a few days after with my new shoes. I just have not felt well at all this week, sleeping a TON, a not so nice cough and no appetite. I have a doctors appointment on Monday to hopefully procure antibiotics before my first class and also before...
3. I head to the beach with my family next week!!! I am meeting my Mom, Dad, SoccerSister, and my Mom's two sisters and their husbands, a few of their kids and a few of their kids! Even though it's not going to be everyone from my Mom's side, it will still surely be a full house! If anyone has been to St. George in Florida and have any neat ideas or suggestions for for my family and me, I would love to hear them!!
4. My schedule for the next week is absolutely crazy! I start classes on Monday, leave for vacation straight away after my Thursday class, I have to make sure that the Furbabies are going to be okay with their respective babysitters... Make sure my house will be okay for the house sitters, and so much more. O goodness, I am going to need all the prayers and sweet thoughts I can get this week guys!!
5. All right, now, scroll down really quickly and check out the link up. Back? Okay, don't have time for a long post today, or you just have no idea what to blog about, or just love me enough to link up with me this week, fill out your information in the little form, and join me and (hopefully!!) a few other lovelies for Friday Five with Kate As Of Late: Week 2!!



Wednesday, June 22, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday all!
I am participating for the first ever time with Jamie in What I'm Loving Wednesdays. Most of the blogs I read, love and follow participate in this link up and I have always wanted to as well! So, if you haven't linked up yet head over there and sign up! Sometimes it's nice to slow down and just think about what you appreciate, especially in the middle of the week :)
I'm loving ... Puppy breath, puppy kisses, all around puppy love. Scout is the sweetest, funniest puppy, and every moment is a new laugh with her, that little face makes me so happy :)
I'm loving... My alone time. I'm a very social person, yes, but at the same time, I love a day where I can sit in my apartment alone and clean at my own pace, or read, or run or whatever it is I feel like doing.
I'm loving... Living in Florida. I absolutely love it here, yes the traffic is crazy and some of the people are... Interesting to say the least, but I still love the weather, the wildlife, all of the different opportunities and...d
I'm loving... That I start classes on Monday! I have become one of those people who loves school, and I cannot take a class that is about Magazine Writing!!! Plus, this is my first class at a new school and I cannot wait :)
I'm loving... All of the amazing readers, comments, emails, phone calls, all of the amazing responses to my blog basically. I never thought anyone would really read this, and I am still so excited every time I have a new follower or comment, I love you guys!!
So, those are a few things that I am loving this Wednesday, go over to Jamie's page and linkup and tell us what you're loving as well!!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

MIA?

Yes, I have been missing in action, I apologize. I have been incredibly busy with classes starting next week, making tons of friends, rearranging my house, the furbabies... and everything else that comes with the life of a 20-something student! :)

But I have missed you all, and I certainly couldn't stay away forever, and so, an update!!

First though, I must take a moment to introduce you all to...



Scout!

The lovely Kelly Michelle called me out in on it in my last post and yes she was correct, there is a new Furbaby in my life!

Scout is an adorable Jack Russel/Schnauzer mix. Well, I'm sure about the Jack Russel, but not sure about what else. She is so cute though, and she is getting so fuzzy! She has the most adorable beard! And her ears! O her ears.. She makes me so happy! Sadie and Scout are the perfrect pair, they keep each other so occupied it's wonderful. As I write this they are both curled up on either side of me on the couch, it's the good life I tell ya!




Not only have I been getting to know my new furbaby I have made a ton of new friends as well.  Don't get me wrong, it's excellent! I'm so excited to have so many people that I can go out to dinner with, grab lunch or coffee or just someone to shop with. But, I haven't been exposed to this for at least three years, and it is an adjustment. Not the having friends part, but the parts that come with being social.

My new friends love to go out, almost every night of the week.  They also love love to spend money. Their situations seem to be a little different than mine though, in the fact that they all seem to have Credit Cards.

I had one, a long long time ago. It was for when I went away to college, and in case I had an emergency, or a big purchase, I could call my Dad, and clear it with him first and then swipe my card. Well, like I said... I had a credit card. Since then, I have been highly against them, don't have one and don't want one.

One of my new friends in particular, though, has at least four that I know of. One for gas, one for clothes, one for food, and one for whatever else she wants. Who pays these bills you ask? Her Dad.

Since I was about ten, I have had a weekly allowance. Obviously it's not the $10/week I got when I was 12, but it's still not a ton, and I certainly can't drop $50 on dinner five times a week like some of my new friends seem to expect. I spent almost as much money going out with these people as I did taking Kevin and I out in a year.

So, I had to call my Dad today, and I was not looking forward to this phone call. I thought he'd be mad, disappointed, or a hundred other things. He was the opposite though, incredibly understanding, and explained that there are even groups that he and my Mom can't go out with sometimes because they want to spend too much money. I realized that this isn't just a problem that happens to those of us 20-something students who are stuck in school between living at home and full time-salaried jobs.  I told myself, though, to keep my summer a little less stress-free and monetarily-friendly that I would plan more free activities than paid activities with my friends who are swipe-happy.  I'm not saying I'm going to become a hermit, staying in every night because I don't want to spend money, but rather than three or four times a week, I'll go three or four times a month, I'm sure they'll understand!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Change

Today, Kevin moved out.  I told you all I wouldn't discuss what's going on until everything was final, and I still am not going to give the full story. Some things are better left in the past, and so most of it will stay there.

My past will change and shape my future considerably though. And, I do think that it is important for my followers, readers, friends, and family to understand what is going on with me so you all can better understand the transformation I'm sure my life and blog will go through in the coming months and years. So I will do my best to put into words what I have been thinking and going through.  I will leave it at this post, and from here on it, Kate As Of Late will be about me, my furbabies and the new life we are about to embark on together.

I have had about a week to adjust to the idea that I will not be the other half of an "us" or a "we", but simply a me.  I have had about a week to pack his things, grieve, and sit on the couch, eating my gardettos and strawberries.  I have adjusted to going to the store and buying groceries for just me, I have adjusted to coming home to just my furbabies.  I have had about a week to cry, mope, etc, and I'm so ready to move on. I don't want to be sad anymore. I know that there will still be times that the empty feeling comes back, and I will have to sit down and catch my breath.  But, I said before the good days would come more frequently, and the bad days would be less often, and that is certainly turning out to be the case. 

Sadie, Scout and I have adjusted to a routine that works for us.  They do love the extra Mommy cuddle time they get.  We all sit on the couch together, snuggle and play.  Scout is potty-training, and crate-training so quickly.  She has learned no bite, leave it, outside, shake, sit, and we are working on lay down today.  She is a puppy though and I'm back to puppy proofing the house, but it keeps me clean, organized, and on a normal sleep schedule :) She loves her toys, and her and Sadie, both having Jack Russell in them, make a perfect pair. Sadie is the perfect big sister and is helping me take care of the new baby :)

I miss Kevin and Lucy, a lot.  A lot, a lot.  The hole in my heart is slowly closing though, and as more and more friends, family and fellow bloggers continue to show how much they love me and support me and care about me, I'm healing.

I'm running a lot, doing yoga, getting into shape, and the adreneline high is amazing. I'm not running from anything, I decided.  That was something important I had to change in my head the first day he was gone.  I am running to something now.  Goals, a new life, and a new future, for me.

Thank you again, everyone for all of your support.  I love and adore you all. <3

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Running Blues

Lately, trying to keep my mind off things, I made a goal to myself to break in my running shoes completely.  Well, I might have gone too far, and this might be TMI, but... My toe-nail fell off!
Eek!

Let me tell you... it hurts. This is not a fun injury to have.

Two of my best friends in High School were Cross Country runners, and they used to tell me horror stories about their toe-nails (haha sorry guys, wonderful tribute I know) so I guess this means I'm a runner??  I guess I can put up with the pain if that's what it means! Haha. I truly had no idea how much I was running though. Or am I being over dramatic, are my shoes bad, am I running wrong? Advice would be appreciated!

I have been running 4 days a week, 1 day of abs, arms, legs and yoga, and 2 days of rest, and it has been great. I've bumped my running time up to probably 20 minutes of running! I haven't been keeping track of dstance, honestly because I hate carrying my iPhone in my hand, and I don't know of a good website/widget etc to keep up. But I have been keeping up with my times in my hand-written running diary :)

Now that I'm geting more serious about this whole running thing, I'm starting to want some kind of Garmin (hehe) or at least a carrier for my CrackBerry when I get it haha. I am also definitely noticing a need for more running shorts. I have two pairs right now, and I am doing laundry almost every day so I can have a clean pair to wear when I work out. Plenty of socks though, thanks Mom!

I am probably going to have to take a few days off running due to the toe. It just happened a few hours ago and I haven't attempted to put a shoe on. At least tomorrow is a rest day, and then the next day is a yoga day so maybe by Saturday I will be able to run again. Any advice on good toe wrapping ideas for then?

Also, wanted to say thank you thank you for all of the sweet words you all wrote about me and my blog in your posts about the Sunshine Award. It means a lot that you guys like my blog enough to say such nice things!! :)

Also, you all truly deserved the award in my mind, and yes I do read each and every one of the blogs I gifted!! :)

Love you guys, thanks again for all of the love and support!! <3

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

My Very First Award!!!

Thank you so much, Kelly Michelle , for my first ever award!!!! It means so much to me, especially at a time like this. 
Thank you also, to everyone who responded to my last post.  Whether it was a comment, email, phone call, text, facebook message, etc... Than you all so much for the support.  I was told that I would be alone in the world something horribly devastating a few days ago that I let affect me at the time. Now though, I know that the last thing I am is alone.  I have had so many friends, new and old contact me in the past few days, it has been amazing, I feel so blessed. There have been very few moments where I haven't had someone to talk to, something to do, and that has made this transitional time so much easier on me.

There will be good days and bad days. There will be hard times and other times that will be easier. The hard times will be fewer and further between as time goes on. The days since he left will turn to weeks and then months and eventually years. Hopefully soon I won't think of my life as "since he's been gone", but rather "since I started my life over". That day will come soon and until then I am incredibly hopeful.

That is really all I want to say about what is going on right now though, things are still kind of up in the air, and I want to let the dust settle before I start to blog about stuff. I will say though, that I am being healthy, I am letting myself grieve, but also not allowing myself to sit on the couch and wallow. :) The furbabies and I are having a great time with so much room to roam, we have spent a lot of time outside, working on our Florida tans! Haha, and also getting the little one a harness is on the agenda so she can maybe join Sadie and I for runs! She is such a good little doggy! I left today and she didn't make a noise, her potty training is going perfectly!! You would never thiink she was a baby! She acts just like Sadie who is 2!!

Okay, onto what the title says this post is supposed to be about! I could go on about my furchildren forever, as you all very well know!

Kelly Michelle, over at When The Time Is Right gave me my first ever award!!!



She said it was because I am radiant! I blushed and giggled when I read that, because I'm not sure how radiant I have been the past few days, but I am so excited that she gave me a reason to blog an award that is so sweet and fun! ;) The award also inspired me to revamp the blog, again.  It needed to change due to recent circumstances and let me tell you... I'm liking it!!

Hehe thank you again and love you Kelly! You are too sweet!! Now everyone go over and check out her blog, she's so cute and I'm sure she'd love some new readers and followers!!! :)
Okay, now onto the rules for the award! :)

Rules:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.
2. Tell us something about yourself.
3. Nominate 10 other bloggers.
4. And let them know you awarded them!

All righty then! Let's go!

Something I'm not sure I have said out right, but I'm sure has bee noticed by my faithful readers, who actually make it to the end of my ridiculously long posts, hehe, but I love love to write.  I have for a long time,and while at Orienation, upon the advice of my Advisor (ha, wouldn't you know) I changed my minor to Writing and Rhetoric.  I am so excited, and I am taking Magazine Writing I this summer! I cannot wait to get my brain working and writing again.  It will be great to take up my free time! :)

All right, and now the blogs I shall nominate:
1.  Courtney at Courtney's Organized Chaos
2. Jen at Pearls and Politics
3. Heart @ The Fire In My Eyes
4. Tricia at My Fabulou Pursuit of Happiness
5. Little at Romantically Challenged
6. Athena at My Life As A Grown Up
7. Petchie at Petchie's Blog Book
8. Ashley a Very Ashley
9. Alisha at Married in Chicago
10.Jen at Runner Mom

I love each and every single one of these blogs, I look at them each and every time I take a moment to catch up on my Blog Reading.  Take a moment and check them out all! :)

Thanks again so much Kelly for the awesome award, I'm now off to let all of these lovely ladies know that they received an award!! :)

PS: No obligation to do anything with said award!! I just wanted to let you all know I'm thinking of you and saying thanks as well for your support and blog love!!!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Hard To Believe

My heart is in a million pieces as I write this... But I wanted to say I don't know how much I'll be posting in the next few weeks or months. I don't want to make any of this an Internet fiasco. I don't even want to be writing this post right now, but I needed to get something out there.
Kevin and I were together for three years. And now we're not. I'll leave it at that, there are multiple sides to every story and then there's the truth, and I'm not sure that any of those are important in this situation.
For the first time in three years I have no idea what he is thinking. For the first time in three years, I am living alone. For the first time in three years, I have to remember that there isn't anyone sitting next to me. I have to remember that when the dogs do something funny, there's no one to share it with. When I came home from orientation today, the one person I wanted to tell I changed my minor... Wasn't there to tell, and I don't know if he ever will be again.
I'm having a hard time adjusting. I admit. And I'm sure someone will take this as me being selfish or making myself out to be the victim... But that's not the case. Everyone has feelings, everyone was hurt. I'm just simply saying I am having an incredibly hard time putting my heart back together.
I can't see the screen anymore, so I'm going to stop. But if anyone has advice or a book or special words for someone in this situation... Please share them. I need some helpful advice or really anything right now.

Ps: I dont know if I will ever finish the moving diaries. Doesn't seem like there's much of a point to those anymore... This is harder than I ever thought it would be.
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