Jaded

There is a road here in Colorado that we drive down a lot and every time we drive down this road I swear that I see the same car driving with us down the road. The car has a Coexists bumper sticker on it.
Politics is always a heated topic, especially when democrats and republicans are talking politics together. So lately I have been telling Brian that I do not belong in either party, instead I would like to just be a part of the Coexist movement.

Now, I have not done my research on what exactly this Coexist Lifestyle movement is, but I do know what the word Coexist means, "To live in peace with another or others despite differences, especially as a matter of policy". I really liked that, we should all be a little more tolerant of one another.

Then today at church we had a lesson on our self worth and how we judge ourselves and others. And I got to thinking about my thoughts on Coexist. Why is it so easy for me to defend gay and lesbian rights or only be upset for a minute when someone in line in front of me is rude, I can be so tolerant of others, but when it comes to my own family and friends, I am not. And shouldn't I be the most forgiving and tolerant of them, they are the ones who I interact with more often and who are really important. Why do I hold on to things and read into things that have been said or done that may or may not have had another meaning. Really, its time for me to not be so judgmental. And if I don't judge others, then I can't compare myself to others which is never a very good feeling either.

In high school, I once said, I don't like "insert name here" and a friend of mine said, "If you don't like them, then I don't like them either - they must really be bad, because you like everyone". I want to get back to that way of living. I want to like everyone and see the good in people again.

So I have decided that I want to do more than coexist, I want to get to know my family better, love and be happy for them when they succeed. I want to like people first and I want them to like me too. I guess I'm not going to join the Coexist Lifestyle movement, it's too passive. I want to do more than just exist with others, I want to interact with others, but respectfully.

~Nicole

I was thinking...

I drive 20 - 30 minutes, depending upon traffic, every day, each way to and from work. I read (listen) to books to pass the time. I find that I actually look forward to the drive, or rather to getting back to my books. But with all that time I have a lot of time to think and I have been thinking lately that I am one lucky girl!

...Lucky to have Brian as my husband. He is the best for me.

He gets up with me to take care of the dogs, so that I can sleep in a little bit longer than I would be able to if I had to take care of the dogs in the morning.

When I'm running late, he makes my lunch for me.

He supports me in anything that I want to do, even if it means that it will limit the amount of time we have to hang out together - like running after work.

We disagree all the time, but five minutes later we are over it.

He lets me be independent, because when someone gives me rules I have the urge to break them.

Whenever he runs errands, he always comes back with a surprise for me (usually some chocolate).

Although he never cleans the toilet, he almost always does the dishes.

When I forget to take the laundry out of the dryer and he knows that I plan to wear something in the dryer, he turns it on while I'm in the shower so that when i get out I will have warm clothes to wear.

He knows that I'm bad about updating my computer or cleaning out the fan, so when I'm at work he will do it for me.

When he makes dinner it is not a special treat, because we share household responsibilities.

He makes me laugh - "I'm too good looking to get a job"

He puts up with my attitude - I think it just bounces off of him.

I LOVE Him!

~Nicole

Sugar Sugar

Just before Christmas I noticed that when I stepped on the scale, the number staring back at me was not what I thought it should be, so I tried to step up my work outs. I have been really good about running 4 times a week 3-5 miles each time. I also started doing some strength training and trying to eat better - more vegetables, less processed food.

After a few weeks there was no change, still the same. I tried to tell myself that muscle is heavier than fat, but I wasn't fooling anyone. So I decided to hit up google for some answers. I typed in "rapid weight gain" apparently there are real conditions with this symptom - that are serious! I knew that wasn't the answer.

I continued to work out and watch the scale not change. One day at work I came up with the answer (maybe I should clue google in on this one) it is called, the holiday season and my weakness for cookies!

So (as I'm munching on a brownie) I am going to try to cut back my sugar intake for the next week. Starting Now!

It's going to be very hard - but I will report back.

~ Nicole