april wishes

I will... do some type of exercise for 30 hours this month.  Have y'all heard of the #1800MinuteChallenge from Erin?  If not, check it out. 

I will... Blog 4x per week throughout the month of April.  I would like to get on a schedule of getting posts ready ahead of time. 

I will... stick to my 13.1 training. Pretty hard to believe it is only a month away. 

I will... not allow myself more than 30 grams of sugar and 60 grams of carbs a day.  If I really want to see a difference after Erin's challenge at the end of May, I need to limit my sugar and carbohydrate intake.
I will... keep my photo a day project organized. 

I will... upload 20 photos to Society 6. 

What are your goals for the month of April?

Linking up with Melyssa, Leeann, and Carly today!

until next time

blue moon {sunday sound}

until next time

sun {find beauty friday}

Today I am excited to be co-hosting my second Find Beauty Friday with the wonderful Aimee from Click. Pray. Create.  Friday's are some of my favorite days for link-ups since most of them (at least the ones I like to participate in) are photography related. 

On Wednesday I was on my way to book club around 7 thinking "Shoot, it's Wednesday and I haven't gotten any photos for FBF yet, what am I going to do?"  And at that moment I looked over while waiting at a light and saw the below scene.  Boom.    

Even though the temperatures have not been cooperating, the sun blinding me at 7pm is something to celebrate.  Another reminder that warm weather is just around the corner.

What are your favorite captures from the week?

What is helping you get through these last few days of chilly temps?

Linking up with Aimee, Jess, and Whitney today! 

... and just because this song makes me want to dance. 

until next time

An InLinkz Link-up

what harry potter has taught us about fears

{this post was written back in February}

Just in case you are new around these parts, I am a huge Harry Potter fan.  I have the read the series a few times and tend to watch the movies over and over again when I need a quick fix.  Saturday was no different.  To motivate me to start (and re-start a few times in this case my scarf) I popped in The Prisoner of Azkaban (the 3rd book movie/book for you non-HP fans.  I promise I won't judge you though.).  I like background noise and since I know the movies like the back of my hand, I only need to focus on what I am doing, in this case, crocheting.  While I do enjoy the movie, I don't like it has much as the book, which is my favorite of the series.  However, there are few scenes that are important and to which I think we can all relate to in real life. 

In my old job where I lead group discussions on topics such as Anxiety and Depression I would often to turn to Prisoner of Azkaban to help with the discussion.  (I take any excuse I can to talk HP and can for hours if allowed.)  Anyway, one of the biggest culprits of Anxiety and Depression is fear.  Fear of the unknown, fear of dying, fear of not being enough, fear of people, fear of [enter yours here].  We all have fears whether or not we are diagnosed with Depression or Anxiety.  And some are harder than others to overcome.  

In the wizarding world, Riddikulus is a charm used to get rid of a Boggart, which is an object that shifts itself into what the wizard facing it fears most.  There is a scene where Professor Lupin,  Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, teaches this charm to the students.  The Boggart is housed in an armoire of sorts and the only way for the Boggart to change is for the student to point their wand and say "Riddikulus" while thinking of a humorous way to look at what the Boggart transforms into.  For example, Ron's, HP's good friend (again, for you non-harry potter fans), fear is spiders so naturally the Boggart turns into a giant spider but when he points his wand and casts the spell, the giant spider is on roller skates and is slipping all over the place.  Resulting in making the giant spider look riddikulus ridiculous.  

yuck!

If we chose to look at our fears differently, perhaps they wouldn't be so scary or as overwhelming, no?  If we focus on what we can control, how we perceive said fear, the better chance of overcoming that fear will be.  We have much more control over our emotions than we give ourselves credit for.  But once you realize this, it is amazing what you will be able to overcome.  

Are you a Harry Potter fan?

What would the Boggart turn into if you were standing in front of it?

Linking up with Shanna and Julie today!

until next time

this week

I will... run when I am supposed.
I will... blog 4 times this week.
I will... respond to comments via email.
I will... stay on top of uploading my photos and keeping them organized.
I will... prepare blog posts ahead of time.

What are your goals for the week?

Any advice on how I can better keep mine?

Linking up with Melyssa and Tiffany!

until next time

wild country {sunday sound}

Wake Owl - "Wild Country"

until next time

running necessities.

Well, today is the second day of Spring and it snowed enough this morning to cover the ground here in Pittsburgh.  Luckily, it's already gone.  I seriously do not know how much more of that white stuff I can take.

Since getting back into running the last few months, I am excited to participate again in the second link-up of Runner's Tell All over at The Lady Okie.  Today's topic is My Favorite Running Gear.

 I knew today's topic would be an easy one.  My favorite running gear is my phone and earplugs. I never leave for a run without them.  There is just something about being alone with your thoughts with good music to help keep you moving.  

What is your favorite running gear?

Do you listen to music when you run?

Linking up with Amanda today!

until next time