Life Lately - An Update of Sorts.

It's funny to me that in the beginning of April, I swore up and down that I would take more time out for this little blog of mine. I had huge plans. I was ready. But life is funny like that and some of the things you want to make the most time for fall by the wayside.

I started this blog during a very dark time in my life. I was depressed. I was hiding from my loved ones. I spent all my time inside. It was my Dark Age. And now, I cannot even imagine feeling like that. I'm happy. I have a job that I love. I'm with the man that I love. And I have the best friends anyone could ask for.

And I think the progression of my little space here as shown how happy I've become. How that depression ended. How I fell in love with Mike.

I want to continue to show my progression and share my life and create a blog that I would want to read. I want to fit into that niche that I haven't found on any other blog -- something for me.

So yes -- big things are going to happen here. And it's going to be a slow progress. Things have finally started settling down after starting my new job and it only took two months!

Be prepared and get ready. I'm back to blogging.

Weekly Round Up // 42.

Yesterday was another amazing day. Mike and I went to the Phoenix Zoo, where I got to feed stingrays, feed giraffes, hang out with monkeys, and spend the day outside with my favorite person. The weather was perfect. The sun was shining and there was a slight breeze. Who could ask for more?

And then, to finish my amazing day, I watched more Scandal than a human should ever digest in one sitting. Screaming and jaw-dropping and I am actually ready to watch last night's episode when it comes out on Hulu. But enough about how awesome my days off can be. It's Friday and that means one thing over here at Somehow Chaotic -- awesome links. 

- Things We Should Stop Doing. 

- Samuel L Jackson meets Boy Meets World. Perfection:

- Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper -- Mike, this one is for you!

- It's certainly been a while since I've travelled, but I love these ideas on cheap ways to have fun.

- Good for Honey Maid. What an amazing way to react:

As always, tweet me if you have a link you want me to feature on next week's Round Up. Have a great weekend!

The Best Day Ever.

As I mentioned yesterday, I've been working non-stop. And last Thursday was my first real day off in over three weeks. So, it was time to celebrate.

First off, Mike and I had brunch at Snooze, an AM Eatery. We went to their San Diego location last year on our vacation so we were super excited to learn that we have one here in the Valley. Mike loves it because just about everything on their menu can be made Gluten-Free. The waitress gave us one of their pineapple upside down pancakes and even though I hate pineapples, it was delicious.

After the amazing brunch, we went to a spring training game at Salt River Fields. I love drinking in the sun.

After a quick nap, we went to see the Muppet movie. Mike wasn't a fan, but I thought it was really cute and well done for a sequel.

To wrap up the night, we had a drink at our favorite bar and then we went to bed -- where I finished the second book in the Hunger Games series.

Overall, a perfect day.

April Goals.

Unfortunately, no cute little graphics to show off my goals for this month. Instead, that picture is why I haven't been around these parts .... I've been working my ass off. That was my first day off in many, many moons and I celebrated hard. But, I can get into that later. 

April is going to be the month of getting back on track. The fun times are over. The adjustment period is over. This month is all about figuring out the tough stuff and finding a way to make important to me work. 

April's Goals:

1) Run 25 miles.

This one is incredibly important. I haven't made time for running lately and I can feel it. My back hurts. I'm restless. Running is a huge part of who I am and I need to force some time for it.

2) Blog every day.

Well, 5 days a week -- my usual posting schedule. This blog is something that I cherish and I've worked so hard on. And lately, I've let it fall by the wayside. No more! My blog is going to get some special treatment this month and I have huge plans. Stay tuned.

3) Hike! And Bike!

I need to spend more time outside when I am actually off work. I haven't been biking in so long and I miss it so much.

4) Read 2 books.

I'm not going to get all crazy and make huge reading promises, but I think I can handle two books. Especially because one of those books will be the third and final book of the Hunger Games series. 

5) Stay on budget.

I've been really good lately, but I need to stick a little closer to my budget this month. Suddenly, I have a disposable income, but that is no excuse for disposing of it. 

6) Start couponing again.

I feel so accomplished when I save money and I just have avoided the grocery store for two months because I haven't been cutting any coupons. I have a mountain of them on my desk that I need to go through. If this is truly that important to me, I need to make an effort.

So there you have it. I want to make time for the things that are important to me. I've used this excuse of "I'm still adjusting" for two months now and I need to finally adjust. This is my new schedule and I need to make due with it.

What are your goals for April? Let me know in the comments!