Three Fun Things I've Been Doing ~ Promise

   Hey guys! Today I'm working to see some positivity, so I'm making a happy list.

1. Playing with a new eyeshadow palette. I recently got a palette from ColourPop and I've really enjoyed working with new colors. Color of any type tends to inspire me. I've really been into cut crease eye looks, so I've been playing with that too.

2. Walking outside. The weather here in Missouri has been PHENOMENAL so I've been trying to get outside more. I especially like walking around our neighborhood and seeing houses and trees and the like.

3. Reading again. I like reading, but it usually tends to be all or nothing with me. I haven't read in a bit, but Kathryn got me back into it with an author recommendation. I've definitely got some more book hunting to do.



   What's something that makes you happy?


   ~Promise

February Mood Board ~ Promise

Health Kick ~ First Week

   Okay, so my test results came back positive for celiac. It hasn't been a great week. Halfway through, I was back on dairy here and there, and not specifically trying to eat well.


Dairy free grade: C

   I'm trying to avoid it, but I haven't tried hard enough.

Fruits and Veggies grade: B+

   Actually did pretty well here, I've been into grapefruit and spinach (not combined).

Exersize grade: C

   I've done a bit, but I need to do more.

Water intake grade: B

   Better than usual, but inconsistent.


Everything else has failed.

   I want to keep with these goals for another week and see how I do. Hopefully I'll be more motivated next week.

   ~Promise

Health Kick ~ Day One

   So, because of my biopsy I've been back on gluten for the last two months, and you'd think it wouldn't be too hard to eat reasonably well. Ha! Wrong! I've eaten absolute garbage for almost two months straight. It might have been fun to eat whatever I want for awhile, but now, I'm done. I'm getting my results back sometime this week, and that will tell me how I'm going to be eating permanently, but for now, I'm on health kick. Here are my rules.

1. Limit empty carbs. So, little to no white bread and potato products.

2. Massively limit my dairy. I'm giving it a try, even though it's going to make my life miserable. I love cheese and yogurt. We'll see how I feel after a month, then we'll regroup.

3. Limit sugar intake. I'm not totally cutting out anything with sugar, but no sugary foods. If I sweeten something, I'm going to use honey.

4. Drink at least 3 quarts of water. I have never been good at drinking water, but I'm going to try to focus on doing it more.

5. More fruits and veggies. Anyway I can get some in, I'm going to endeavor to do it.


6. Train somehow a few times a week. Frankly, if I could just lie in bed and watch Youtube and Netflix all day, I might...and have. That's going to change. I want to strengthen my arms and core especially, so I'm starting out there. I've always admired people who are strong and flexible. Maybe one day I can be one of those people.



   Here we go!  I'm hoping I can stick to this for a solid month and work my way from there. Right now the plan is to check in each week and grade myself on my rules. Wish me luck.


   ~Promise

Three Things that are Changing ~ Promise

  


   Howdy! I'm back with a list. Today I'm posting about three things that I'm dealing with currently. If you know anything about me, you know that I do not react well to change. It stresses me out. This is my way of trying to deal with it.

1. Some of my closest friends are moving. They're going to be driving back and forth between houses for a year or possibly more. I have no idea how this will impact me, as my best support friend will likely be living down there part of the time.


2. I'm taking a general psych class at a community college. This will be interesting. This is my chance to see if I want to pursue a degree in psychology. I'm not sure how this will work, especially now that I have a job, but I'm going with two friends, so at least I won't be alone.


3. I'm having a test done to see if I actually have Celiac Disease. I honestly don't know what the results will be. I've been eating gluten for the last two months and I really enjoy not having the hassle that comes from a special diet. I guess we'll see.



   How do you guys deal with change, and does it stress you out?



   ~ Promise

A Few Things I've Learned about Anxiety ~ Promise

   Hey guys! I'm back. It's been a bit, hasn't it?


    First off, I've learned that moving around helps. No duh, right? Sometimes when I'm struggling I just want to lie in bed all day, but that doesn't always help, and it's not very productive. Getting up and doing SOMETHING helps. I always feel better if I accomplish something.

   I don't sit still well. I have to move somehow when I'm feeling crummy. I also have strange habits that comfort me. I rock back and forth, bite my lips and fingers, or bounce my leg while I'm sitting (sometimes I don't even notice that I'm doing any of these). It's weirdly soothing.

   I need sleep. If I don't get enough sleep, I'll feel edgy all day.

   I can get angry easily if I'm having a bad anxiety day. I'll snap at people or get upset about nothing. I think it's because I'm worn out and lose my patients. I can get so caught up in how bad I feel that I can't relate to other people or use my empathy as well.

   Lastly, sometimes I just need someone there. We don't have to talk or do anything. They could watch Netflix with me or we could listen to music, it's just reassuring to have someone there to remind me that there's a world outside of my head.

   Thanks for dropping by! I'll see you again soon.

   ~ Promise

Ten Random Questions for Grace

   So, as always on this blog, Grace and I are bored, and we're doing a Q&A.These are ten questions that Grace has to answer.

1. Do you do Halloween? Why?
We used to do Halloween when I was younger, just like we always used to do Christmas with the whole Santa thing and Easter with the whole Easter bunny thing, (and the tooth fairy and whatever).  I don't really do Halloween anymore because I'm not really big on the whole dark, scary fantasy that my generation seems to be obsessed with.  BUT... I do love dressing up when I can.  :)  I'm excited for this Halloween because I'm going to wear my Civil War costume and hang with Promise and some other friends.


2. Favorite song? Why?
Currently my favorite song is Deep River by Vocal Majority... or anything by Vocal Majority.  But I LOVE the opening harmonies of their Deep River.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jztLz_SAS7g


3. France or Italy? Why?
France.  Because, Belle.  Beauty and the Beast.  Gorgeousness.


4. Nickname or given name? Why?
Do I use a nickname or given name, or do I prefer a nickname or given name?  Some of my friends call me Peachy because my family used to call me that when I was little.  And when I was little, my grandpa called me "Sweetheart", and now my best friend calls me that a good amount of the time (haha, that sounds weird,  but it's true).  But I use my given name on a day-to-day basis.


5. Favorite color? Why?
My favorite color right now is emerald green.  It will probably change, but I'm kind of obsessed with it at the moment.  Long-time favorites include lemon-y yellow paired with different shades of blue.  Oh, and I love royal purple and lavender (by themselves).


6. Three names you like? Why?
Can I use combos?  Hehe...

Joseph Ray is my favorite boy's combo right now. Joseph is my all-time favorite boys' name, and Ray is after my dad and grandpa.

Mary Eleanore or Eleanore Mary (probably the first) is my second-favorite girls' name.  My dad's maternal grandmother was Mary Norene, and my mom's maternal grandmother was Eleanore.  I never got to meet them, but I've heard many stories and I'm currently finishing a baby quilt my Grandma Mary started.  I think it would be special to have a girl named Mary and give her the quilt my Grandma Mary made.

My third, very favorite, best, most lovely, FAVORITE NAME IN THE UNIVERSE is Theodosia Irene.  It's a long story, but I L.O.V.E. I.T.


7. What animal would you be? Why?
A cat.  Cause...naps.  and fur.  I'd never be cold.


8. Courting or dating? Why?
I've talked about this extensively between my friends and in Junior High classes (ahhh, the good old days of 6th grade relationship talks...), and I've decided I'm kind of in favor of a mix.  I want to have strong, good boundaries (holding hands, hugging, maybe a kiss on the cheek), but I don't want my first kiss to be in front of all our friends and family at our wedding (so like, maybe the morning of?  Haha).  Likewise, I want both of our families heavily involved (I'd especially appreciate it if my man talked to my dad about dating me and asking for my hand), but I don't want them to tag along on e.v.e.r.y. s.i.n.g.l.e. outing.  Some people act differently when you're with a group versus alone, and I don't want to cause stress between my parents or his for feeling like they have to be there.  That said, I really DON'T want to put myself in situations where I'm tempted to do something I shouldn't.  So....yeah.  A mix.  :P


9. Do you support our President?
Yes.  I might not approve of everything he does, but yes, I support him.


10. Something you like about Promise? Why? ;)
I would say, "The way she has stuck with me through the years", but you said "like" and I love that about her.  :D  So I guess I'll have to stick with the way she says "meep" and calls me "fluffy" occasionally.

Nah, really, Promise's always been there, even during the tough times.  I'm eternally grateful for that and I love her for it.  :)

-- Grace