Happy Sunday Loves!

Hello, lovelies! 

So, if you've seen my youtube video with my Feb 2017 TBR on it, you know what's on this list.  However, it has been altered slightly!  As I've read some of them.  (please ignore the lack of update on the TBR sidebar over there...I'm getting to it).  I've already read a handful of books on this list.  Including just recently finishing "The Kept Woman" by Karin Slaughter. 

My next book of choice is probably going to be "Small Great Things" by Jodi Picoult, and I believe this will be my first novel by her, so I'm kind of excited.  I've also got a few reviews that I plan on getting up this week, as I've finished a couple of NetGalley books so far this year and I need to get those reviews up.  

This past week, I do apologize for my radio silence.  I have been super busy getting ready for the 5k that I participated in yesterday morning.  It was a major endorphin rush, and I am kinda addicted to it now.  I came in under an hour, which makes me kinda happy, I'm not as good as some that have participated in this countless times and run a lot more than I do at this point - my official time was 53:46, not bad for 3.1 miles.  I did walk quite a bit of it, but even still, I got my steps and my exercise for the day and I did spend most of yesterday in recovery mode which I needed.  

I did learn a few things, and I am currently working on saving up for some decent running shoes, tank and long sleeves for running, as well as a new sports bra with support because I am quite a bit top heavy and need the support.  

Finish line!  This is honestly the picture I am the proudest of.  It was taken after I crossed the finish line, with my finisher medal.  I am definitely looking forward to next year's Blue and Grey 5k, and I hope to have lost a bit more weight and will definitely be working on my training as well as increasing my endurance so maybe I can shave quite a bit off my time and run a bit more of the track than I did this year.  Not bad for my first ever 5k and crossing something off my bucket list.  

I think that's about all I've got for you today!  <3 

See you soon! 

The End is Close

In six days I will be participating in my first 5k. I am both nervous and excited.  I know that it will be challenging,  I won't be running the whole thing,  but I will be running some of it.  I am not in the shape I wanted to be for the event,  but it is too late now. 

I will maybe vlog some of it,  I haven't decided yet. Though there will be a vlog of things this weekend since it is the Olustee festival here in town. That means craft fair and all sorts of things,  and hopefully I will be able to get something small to send to a teacher in France for her class. 

I have a new bullet journal video to film soon now that I have my new LT1917 as well as my new fine nib fountain pen.  Matching colors too. 

I don't really have a whole lot left to talk about today. 

I am almost done with Blood Vow by J.R. Ward and I am also going to be starting a book on my kindle that I cannot think of the title of.  I have 3 reviews that will hopefully be out this week. 

Sunday Reflections: The Search for Positivity

This past week has put a lot of things in perspective, including the fact that I am someone who seriously needs to start focusing on the positive things in my life.  I need to be more grateful, more thankful, and more concerned with making myself happy and keeping myself that way.  I need to start cutting out the negativity and negative influences and people in my life, cutting out the toxic and start focusing on surrounding myself with people who want to see me grow, see me flourish and strive to leave a more positive impact on the world. 

Last week was rough all around, and in all honesty, I know not every day can be filled with rainbows and unicorns, but that doesn't mean that I can't find something positive that happens each and every day.  I have mentioned before in a previous post that I spend time every day considering the entries that go into my gratitude log each day for every month.  That is a big, big part of my evening routine.  I am thinking of maybe adding a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) tracker to my bullet journal each week and maybe do at least 3 RAKs a week - that don't usually cost too much money.  I will have to think about what I could add to the trackers, maybe keep some of them the same and change out a few ideas.  What ideas do you have to add to a RAK list? 

I spent most of today just zoning out and allowing my body to reboot from the absolute chaos that I've been dealing with.  Even this evening, I know there are things I should be doing, however, they are not important to bringing some peace to my cluttered mental state at the moment.  I am thinking, however, that I will be changing my bedsheets before I go to bed - something fresh for me to curl upon.  Or maybe I will change them tomorrow since I think it has been a couple of weeks since I put the sage ones on.  

Anyway, I do have a new vlog up on my youtube channel - it is from last Wednesday, something short.  I still have the one from Friday to edit and that one will hopefully *fingers crossed* go up on Tuesday because I'm going to sit and edit it tomorrow after work.  

I think that might be all I have for you today without getting into too much personal crap that is really not suitable for the blog or the vlog.  So, I'm going to toss my headphones on with some meditation sounds and go do a little bit of meditation.  Have a fantastic day and I'll see you for Tuesday's post! 

-Caedy

Reflections of a Cold Girl

This was me this morning when I woke up and looked at the temperature, simply because I have to leave the house.  I cannot stay in my pajamas all day again (much like yesterday!).  So, I know this is two days late, but I was too damn cold to function and pretty much vegged out watching things on Youtube and writing letters to my pen pals because I'd been neglecting them due to being sick and the holidays.  

I am currently in the process of doing about 6 different things (including getting ready to walk out the door) and all of them will help keep me organized and happy in the coming months...or at least I hope so :) Beyond that, I'm just dealing with life as it is thrown at me.  I'm relaxing when I can, and ultimately attempting to ensure that I am productive as possible.  

Yes, I know this is technically Sunday's blog...it's been cold and I've been achy and typing has not been my friend because of my neuropathy, which tends to settle in my left hand/wrist and make my life difficult.  I haven't even been on social media much in the last couple of days due to the fact that the cold is screwing with my productivity.  

Right now, I'm finishing this, and then working on today's blog post and a series of reviews, and then I need to actually finish setting up my bujo that is devoted to my blog.  I've bought a cheap little dollar store notebook (rather, I found one hiding in some of my stuff) and I'm turning it into my blog bullet journal.  Something a bit minimalist, though that really won't last because honestly, I am too creative to keep anything completely minimalist.  

I am still attempting to change my mindset and actively get moving and productive in this new year, but it is hard.  I know part of my problem and it is at the point where I need to stop messing around and start ensuring that I have the money for doctors appointments that I need, so I can actively start working on taking care of my mental and physical health.  It does not help that I've been feeling more run down than usual (strep throat didn't really help that feeling at all) but I've also been fighting a bit more with my anxiety and depression and those are things that I need to get under control, to the point that I need to probably start adding a symptom/trigger tracker to my bullet journal or start including triggers/symptoms that have caused an issue with my anxiety or depression so I have the notes when I finally make it to a doctors appointment. 

Anywho!  

Time for me to start getting productive, my Spotify playlist is calling my name. 

Hello 2017!

Normally this post would be already pre-written, fashioned to perfection the night before on New Year's Eve, or even a couple of days in advance.  However, this year, I've chosen to do this post on the first day of the year and write it as the thoughts come to me.  

I am glad that 2016 has gone, and that a new set of 365 days are unfolding before us.  I am grateful for the days that have passed, the fact that I survived what the previous year has thrown at me.  I will survive and move forward in this year.  I have ambitious goals for this year, and I am hoping to cross things off my bucket list that have been there for quite some time. 

I have chosen my word of the year and that is productivity.  I intend to be more productive, more active, more creative, more accomplished in the coming year.  Bullet journaling has proven to be a resourceful thing in my life, ensuring that I have a creative outlet, as well as providing me with a visual look at the things that I need to get done during the day, week, month, year.  I am thankful for the discovery of this system and I highly encourage you to check it out if you think it might be something for you. 

As you can see on the sidebar, the weekly schedule has changed and I am working on providing new and unique content for you guys! I will be keeping up with the reviews, and trying to get at least 4-6 reviews out weekly along with the regular blog posts - including random posts when the mood strikes me on any given day (that's what mobile posting is for!).  

Oh, and nothing like starting the year off with strep throat.  Yeah, that's been me, so there was no overindulging last night, no excessive amounts of booze, and to be honest, I was nyquilled up and in bed before Mariah Carey's fail and the ball drop.  Usually I am able to stay up, but this year being sick has taken it's toll on me and I just wanted my bed, my stuffed pooh bear bumble bee, and my blankets.  

I've already got my first few books of the year outlined, and am not sure which one I'm going to start first.  I'm eyeing The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin first because that one's been on my TBR for a little while now.  However, I'm also considering The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski or The Circle by David Eggers - which I want to read before I can see the movie. 

Oh, and if you check the where to find me, you might find a new link.  Yes, I am brushing off my youtube channel and actually getting the courage up to start filming videos for my channel.  We will see how long my confidence lasts, and I know, the quality will not be the best for now, but I will work on getting a better camera and working on the quality of the videos the more invested I become with filming them. 

I think that is all I have for right now, there might be another post later!  For now, I wish you all the love and blessings that this year could possibly hold!  

Namaste, 
Caedy