Free Will Astrology: Identify and Dump.

Aries Horoscope for week of February 23, 2012

 

I invite you to identify all the things in your life that you really don't need any more: gadgets that have become outdated, clothes that no longer feel like you, once-exciting music and books and art works that no longer mean what they once did. Don't stop there. Pinpoint the people who have let you down, the places that lower your vitality, and the activities that have become boring or artificial. Finally, Aries, figure out the traditions that no longer move you, the behavior patterns that no longer serve you, and the compulsive thoughts that have a freaky life of their own. Got all that? Dump at least some of them.




Off to Portland soon! See y'all on the flip side.

Happy Goodness

After a string of somewhat negative entries, I have a positive one! I am heading to Portland later this week and have a lot of wonderful meals and events to look forward to. I have had to write a detailed schedule to make sure I don't forget where to be but I think it will be great fun.

Good things for the week:

• I registered for another 5K: Big House Big Heart in Ann Arbor. April 15th. 

I figured I should start my 31st year off in the right way. I have been looking for another 5k in the area before I move and this is perfect.

• I put together a cute little outfit last week and I felt so girly! It was nice. 

• I have successfully made it back to the gym a handful of times. Not as many as I would have liked but I am desperately trying to get back into the swing of things. I want to be feeling healthy and fit!
• Seeing friends soon! I have made serious arrangements to see as many people as possible. This may actually mean that I gain 20lbs over the break, but it will be worth it.
• I made some amazing cupcakes over the weekend. My friend and I have a Saturday class together and every week people bring goodies. She is vegan though and there hasn't been one vegan treat yet. I took on the challenge (using my Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World cookbook) and made a cookie dough cupcake (chocolate cupcake with cookie dough center, vanilla "buttercream" frosting and cookie on top) and a peaches 'n'cream cupcake (cinnamon vanilla cupcake with canned & rinsed diced peaches folded into the batter and vanilla "buttercream"). I even made a little cake of the peach concoction for myself and was totally in love with it. Who said vegan was boring? 
• Another food related item: I have discovered almond milk. It is amazing. 
• Yet, another food related item: So Delicious Chocolate Coconut Milk is freakin' amazing. Like chocolate milk but...better. 

And I am going to completely overlook the fact that I sent a cover letter to one school for a job posting at another school. Ooops! I have got to pay closer attention!

I have to get back to my ENORMOUS to-do list for the day but I hope everyone is having a great Monday!

Free Will Astrology: Waking Up & Falling Asleep

Aries Horoscope for week of February 16, 2012

What do you typically do just before you fall asleep and right after you wake up? Those rituals are important for your mental health. Without exaggeration, you could say they are sacred times when you're poised in the threshold between the two great dimensions of your life. I'll ask you to give special care and attention to those transitions in the coming week. As much as possible, avoid watching TV or surfing the Internet right up to the moment you turn off the light, and don't leap out of bed the instant an alarm clock detonates. The astrological omens suggest you are primed to receive special revelations, even ringing epiphanies, while in those in-between states.




I think this is a reminder about self-care. I am sucking the major balls about self-care lately; must change.

Things That Make Me Happy

I honesty don't have much positivity to share this week. It was a little bit, to use my words, yucky, but I survived. I did kick ass at my job though and I feel like that should be something to focus on. Anyway, I have a little picture list of all the things that make me happy lately....cause I'm wild and crazy like that!

Starbucks Gigantic Sugar Cookie & Iced Coffee. I plan on making a similar sugar cookie for Valentine's Day

Just a little impulse shopping at the Postal Service. Pixar movie stamps! Love. 

I attempted to grow my hair out and realized it just doesn't work. I got my hair cut/reshaped and loved how it turned out! You can't see it very well in this picture but it has so much more body and movement than before.

Technically, this picture is from early January however...nothing has changed. The Christmas tree lights, the large Starbucks tumbler (gift from friend), my BirchBox delivery, and my new orange flower notebook for organization are all wonderful.

Old Navy fleece pajama pants. They have all the essentials that you could want in a pajama pant: fleece, soft, long, and cute.

Pinterest: Healthy Inspiration

Pretty much everyone I know has a Pinterest account and is very attached to it. It really is an amazing thing; you can save everything you come across online, organize it, and share it. Simple concept = total genius. One of the things I have loved is keeping a healthy inspiration board so that I can remember good tips and good ideas. I wanted to share a few that really stick with me and ones that I actually continually come back to when I need encouragement or a big ol' bitch slap of reality.

Hours and hours of sitting on my ass when I could have been at the gym. 

Yes. Duh. 

I lost most of my weight watching what I eat consistently. Need to get that feeling back.

Biggest problem lately? Stress and comfort eating. 

So these are not only reminders for myself as to what I hold important but I hope they give you some inspiration as well!

February Challenge: Fail.

So as I mentioned earlier, I had the grand hope for the entire month of February to

1. No Starbucks.
2. No eating fast food unless I was with other people.

I do believe it is only the 7th and I have failed on both accounts! I had no idea how dependent I was on the convenience of eating out. I don't do it often (two times a week at the very most) but with my scheduling this week, I am in the Student Center during lunch times and I have two nights of class which leave me wanting to eat a meal rather than a granola bar for dinner. I will say that the coffee splurge this morning did me in for the rest of the way (hello jitters!). Tomorrow I will again be in the Student Center and lunch will be from one of the fine offerings there PLUS I have class in the evening. I am currently planning some snacks that can last a full day without being refrigerated AND have some significant nutritional value.

Well, let's see how that goes!

Confession Thursday

I am having a weird week. Lots of little things going on and as the month progresses, it will only get weirder. Here are my few little confessions of the week to be in the clear to enjoy my Friday.

1. I had to text my downstairs neighbor last night to turn down his TV/video games. I felt horrible!! This guy is the same one that has helped with internet issues and helped get my too-big bed up the too-small stairs.

2. I feel like because I was volunteering today, the heavens didn't give me a parking ticket.

3. I have been tempted both days of February so far to get Starbucks. I mean, TEMPTED. I am taking the month off from Starbucks and any fast food stops unless I am with other people.

4. I got Subway for dinner tonight but in my defense, I had a really long day, might be getting sick, and ate it really, really slowly.

5. The newest JCPenny's commercial makes me want to hurt someone, namely the person (people) who came up with this concept.

8. I couldn't give blood this week and I got very sad.

9. I almost couldn't give my pee either but that thankfully worked out as well.

Alright....fess up....?

P.S. It's February. FEB.U.AIR.EEE. Holy crap.

Free Will Astrology: Not Wanting

Aries Horoscope for week of February 2, 2012

 

Sad but true: A lot of people seem to be perpetually in a state of wanting what they don't have and not wanting what they actually do have. I'm begging you not to be like that in the coming weeks, Aries. Please? I'll tell you why: More than I've seen in a long time, you will have everything going for you if you want precisely what you do have -- and are not full of longing for what's unavailable. Do you think you can you manage that brilliant trick? If so, you will be amazed by the sublimity of the peace that will settle over you.




I'm ready for the sublimity of peace and not longing for anything more than I have in this moment. Being present.