memorial day + grandpa

I had a great Memorial Day weekend!

It was filled with all the ingredients for a fabulous, relaxing, kick-off-the-summer weekend - sleeping in, making delicious food, relaxing by the pool, going for walks, reading, sale-shopping, BBQing, game nights with friends, a pool party, plus a teeny bit of cleaning/organization.

I also got to spend some time thinking about my family members who have passed away, especially those who served in the military.

My grandpa was the first person that came to my mind.

He was born in 1920, and was about 21 when the US got involved in WWII. He, along with his 2 younger brothers (one of whom wasn't even old enough to enlist yet, but he was causing trouble so his mom made him!), were sent off to the war, all over the world. My grandpa was mainly stationed in Alaska, where they thought the US would be attacked (turns out it was Hawaii instead). Like most men his age, he wouldn't talk about his experiences during the war, but I love to look at pictures from his military time. I thank him, my other family members, friends, and everyone who serves in the military so that I can enjoy such wonderful freedom.

Along with thoughts, I looked through pictures...I love doing that! I couldn't find one of my favorites of him, in his military gear, standing in front of a plane - it's probably in a box somewhere. Oh, well. Here are a few of my grandpa below:

 #11 - Hoxie High School football team

 He definitely loved the outdoors, and went hunting and fishing every chance he could get

 He may have been a southern boy at heart, but he loved the Red Sox and spending time on the ocean

 Yes, he let me "drive" the tractor, and yes, I had a mullet.

He was the best cook - and he served lobster as much as possible.

My favorite picture from my grandparents' wedding day that hangs in my home.

xoxo, Neelam

P.S. I had to ditch the Friends-inspired titles. It was too tough! I don't know how David Crane & Marta Kauffman did it for all those years :)

healthy living

Lettuce from today's farmer's market trip - I found this tip on Pinterest where you wash and cut your lettuce, then put it in mason jars, and it lasts twice as long. It actually works!

With all the stress from my job and the craziness that surrounded that time, I found myself turning to food and laziness in order to "fix" my problems. I had no issue with eating a bag of potato chips, a few cookies, a large Coke, a cheeseburger, and fries...all in one day. I felt a little helpless, and thought it would be too much of a challenge to live healthy while I was going through so much.

I was wrong.

Not only did I feel horrible about myself and my growing waistline, but I felt sluggish, tired, and lacked any energy. It makes sense though - I had no energy because I wasn't giving my body the right fuel to power it through the day. I was giving it what my taste buds wanted, but not what the inside of me wanted or needed.

I have a friend who has been working tirelessly on her health since New Year's, and I've noticed such a difference in her. She is healthy. She has also lost weight (which is an awesome side effect!), but I can tell from the outside that her inside is happier and healthier. She is just one example I have in my life of someone who takes the time to nurture and take care of her body.

I've been taught and I know that the Lord gave us these bodies to take care of here on earth, and that we will be held accountable for what we did with this gift. Sometimes that can be quite a sobering thought.

I am fortunate not to have any physical ailments or things that hold me back - other than myself and my tendency to be a bit lazy in this area. I have felt prompted over and over to live a healthy lifestyle, and take control of this gift that Heavenly Father has given just to me.

I know it's going to be hard, and I'll definitely need to take baby steps.

Today, I went on the treadmill for 30 minutes, then went to the farmer's market and bought a cartload of fruits and vegetables (all for $14, btw...I LOVE that place!). I've made progress today, and I hope to continue that, because I really feel like this is something I need in my life.

I've already had more energy, felt my mood lift, and worked out some of the anxiety inside of me. Just think what could happen in a week? A month? A year?!

I'm excited to start, and would love to hear any suggestions, ideas, recipes, workout tips, etc. 

xoxo, Neelam

farmersonly.com

Oh.My.Gosh.

I was watching "Don't Be Tardy For the Wedding" on Bravo the other day (go ahead and judge me if you want, but Kim Zolciak's wedding should be pretty epic), and this commercial came on.

I could not believe my eyes.

Seriously, the most ridiculous thing I have EVER SEEN!

Just watch it - it will make you laugh!

xoxo, Neelam

my pinterest obsession

I think it's fair to say that I am addicted to Pinterest. 1246 pins and counting... There, I said it. The first step is acknowledging you have a problem, right???

But I actually don't think it's a problem, and here's why:

Pinterest taps into the side of my brain which longs to create. President Uchtdorf said it beautifully:

I should probably just add an "amen" to what he said. In my day-to-day life, I often find myself wishing that my full-time job was crafting, or decorating, or sewing, or cooking, or organizing (sound like some of what moms do? Yeah, a mom would be my dream job, but until then, I'll keep on teaching English!). Even when I feel stressed out, overwhelmed, or blue, creating something always lifts my mood, brightens my spirit, and instills in me a sense of confidence and satisfaction.

So, with all that being said, I have pinned a bazillion things, but obviously can't do them all at once. Since I'll have a little free time on my hands this summer, these are the ones I absolutely want to work on. Some of them are crafts, some of them are not, but they all will keep me busy and help me in my quest to become more creative.

Finally dye my hair with the ombre trend (and learn to make my curls as cute as this!)

Make this bread recipe. Making bread scares me, but this one looks simple enough to try.

http://recipeschezmoi.blogspot.com/2009/03/miracle-bread.html

Live by these rules.

Follow this schedule (it's for kids, but it definitely works for me!)

Update my 72-hour kit. This pin has great, super simple ideas.

http://lifedesigncraft.blogspot.com/2012/01/emergency-preparedness-for-couples.html

Complete the Couch to 5k running plan.

http://c25k.com/

I know it's nowhere near Christmas yet, but I've wanted to make stockings for a while now, and my summer break is the perfect time.

http://eabdesigns.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/12/the-stockings-were-hung-by-the-chimney-with-care-.html

I would like to make or find something similar to this for all of my jewelry. I hate that it's hidden, and this would corral all of it.

I am really trying to simplify my life, and would LOVE to read this book.

Lastly, I want to do my visiting teaching every month, and these monthly printables should make it super easy.

http://www.mormonmommyblogs.com/search/label/printables

Whew! That's a lot of stuff! Sorry for the overload...hopefully I can get through some of these (if not all). Should be a busy, creative, fun-filled summer!

xoxo, Neelam

the little things

I had a really delightful day today, and it wasn't because anything major or miraculous happened. It was the little things that made me smile and got me through an otherwise monotonous Tuesday.

1. I finished making a maxi skirt - my very first article of clothing! It took me a while, but I think it turned out pretty well. I even wore it today!

2. I bought some sunflowers and treats for a friend going through a hard time, and she was home when I delivered them so I got to talk with her and hear her stories and share in her trials.

3. The Angel Moroni went up on top of the Gilbert Temple and looked beautiful, glittering in the setting sun.

4. I ate a Trader Joe's molasses cookie and had a large Diet Coke - some of my favorite treats.

5. I spent the morning at the Mesa Temple.

6. We had one of my favorite summertime meals tonight for dinner - angel hair pasta, tomatoes, feta cheese, olive oil, and minced garlic. Yum.

7. My fishtail braid turned out well, and my hair is getting long enough that pieces don't keep falling out  of the braid (I hate that!).

8. I went into Target to get a wedding present, and wandered around the aisles for a while, picking out things I want. I love that store!

9. I caught up with a friend from ASU on the phone - a girl who I always look forward to talking with.

10. I've been watching Grey's Anatomy from the beginning of the series, and I've loved watching some of my favorite episodes, especially when George was on it. I also love watching Meredith and Derek and their roller coaster relationship - get together already!!! 

There's a book called Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, but I would add that finding joy in everyday life and the "small stuff" can bring great happiness. Sometimes the big things in life are all going wrong, but if I look hard enough, I can always find something good - even if it's little.

xoxo, Neelam

the one with the first post

Welcome! How exciting is this?! I'm a brand-new blogger. 

I feel like such a grown up.

I am the worst "journaler" (is that even a word?) ever, and figured that this could be a type of record for me to keep, you know, for posterity and all. 

It's not that I think I have a ridiculously exciting life or anything, but there are a few things I would like to remember when I'm 95 years old, in the nursing home, reminiscing about the "good old days" but unable to remember a lot of details. Plus, who doesn't like to take a trip down memory lane every once in a while?

After going through old boxes in a storage unit, I've found a ton of half-filled journals, scraps of paper scribbled with notes from church, and quotes and ideas written all over my school notebooks. I'll be honest - I love to write - and this seems like a perfect place to do it!

Enjoy reading!

xoxo, Neelam

P.S. "Journaler" is definitely NOT a word, as my word processor boldly underlined it in red. Whoops! My apologies.

P.P.S. Bonus points to those who can figure out where my post titles came from. Actually, I don't really have any "bonus points" to give, but I will just think you are really cool, and that's a pretty great incentive.