i'm sitting in my living room writing this, quiet with the only sound being the crackling of a wood wick candle, in my robe, feet propped up on our newly-reupholstered ottoman, my husband napping beside me, hot coffee at my fingertips, the sun shining in from all directions… and i wouldn't ask for anything more right now.

2014 brought us many good memories, shoving our engagement, the purchase of our first home, and our wedding all in the same year.  we took the first phan family trip to dc, we celebrated with so many friends who got married, and we made more new friends in jersey city than we can count.

of course we had our downs too, but if we focus on the downs then we will perpetually be unhappy.  instead of focusing on losing loved ones, we celebrate the good times we had with them.  instead of regretting the things we didn't do, we find ways to make up the things we didn't do and be thankful for the things we did.

our lives are just that… ours.  we have to take control of it and make the best of it, to always be working towards something better, to always set goals, to dream bigger.

as cliche as it sounds, the new year (and any other time of the year) is a great time to reflect on your past, and learn from mistakes, learn from triumph, learn from experiences, and to try to be a better person.

2015 is going to be a great year.  in the words of my husband "you just have to WILL it to happen."

cheers, and happy new year.
jenn

some people need motivation from a drill sergeant bootcamp instructor

some people need motivation from not being able to squeeze into their skinny jeans anymore

some people need motivation from just stumbling across that itty bitty bikini tucked far far FAR away in their dresser

for me... this does it.


and this is why i love my cheap, grungy, no frills, guido-filled gym . 

...the daily chalkboard and its corny, usually hilarious-but-totally-politically-incorrect sayings that make you feel quilty for not donating your time and sweat while you munched on cookies, beer, and buffalo chicken dip while watching the super bowl instead.

... IN your stretchy pants.

it's the little things.

toodles.
j&h

some days... when i'm sitting in the office.... having a fight with my old friend Dynamics....


....i close my eyes... give myself a nice temple massage ...and remember that i will come home to this stylin' cutie patootie....


and everything turns to sunshine again :D

(to get all mushy gushy for ya)

cheers to a great weekend ahead!
toodles.
J


(future Mr P talking here: "Oh babe... it's the little things....")

The weather around here has been so dreary... rainy... dark...

Mr P says to me this morning in his usual groggy morning voice:

"Why does it have to be so dark outside?"
"I think it's raining"
"Can we just stay home today, and not go to work?"
"Sometimes I wish I had the guts to play hookie, but no."

When you live in a city and it rains, it's like the whole world stops.  Who wants to walk outside in the rain anyways?  We avoid it at all costs, snuggle up in a blanket, and watch movies like "When Harry Met Sally" or reruns of "Friends."

Last night I trekked through the rain to get to the gym.  On the corner of Bay and Erie in Jersey City there's this painting.... I notice it every time I walk past this intersection, nothing really special about it, but it always seems to cheer me up a bit, even if I'm already in a good mood... and even when it's cold and rainy outside... 


....like Mr P routinely says to me, it's the little things that make me smile :D

Toodles.
J&H