Lean for Life...My Journey



Today was a beautiful 70 degree day in Nebraska...IN MARCH! I wanted to dress comfortable and pull out some "warm weather" clothing.

Today, I tried on two pairs of capri pants that were hanging in my closet. They were both really tight, uncomfortably tight! Sadly, they fit me just right less than ONE year ago. At the same time I was trying them on, I came to realize that only one pair of my jeans currently fit me comfortably.

It was in that instant that I decided I need to do something. At that moment I told myself that I need to change, be much more healthy. I need to be a good role model for my children, but most of all I need to do it for me.

Today marks the beginning of my journey. No photo documentation, just me, my closet, and my journal. When my clothes start fitting again, I'll know I'm doing well. When the numbers on the scale start dropping, I will know I'm doing something right.

I will attempt to post weekly updates from my written journal (as long as they aren't too personal). Maybe, just maybe, something I write during this journey will be inspirational to you.

Silent Sunday



New Thursday Feature - Thursday's Pinterests

I have decided to do something new on Thursdays!

Pinteresthas become one of my new "loves",

so I thought it would be fun to start sharing my "pins" on a weekly basis.

To start us off on this pinteresting Thursday,
a few DIY inspiration pins.










This Shabby Apple dress was the inspiration for a dress that I recently made.
I can't exactly call it a "knock off" because it's a completely different color.
As soon as I have some decent pictures, I'll post them for your viewing pleasure.

Life on a Train

Life is like a train ride.

We get on.

We get off.

We get back on and ride some more.

There are accidents and there are delays.

At certain stops there are surprises.

Some of these will translate into great moments of joy; some will result in profound sorrow.

When we are born and we first board the train, we meet people whom we think will be with us for the entire journey.

Those people are our parents!

Sadly, this is far from the truth.

Our parents are with us for as long as we need them.

They too have journeys they must complete.

We live on with the memories of their love, affection, friendship, guidance, and their ever presence.

There are others who board the train and who eventually become very important to us, in turn.

These people are our brothers, sisters, friends, and acquaintances.

Whom we will learn to love and cherish.

Some people consider their journey like a jaunty tour.

They will just go merrily along.

Others will encounter many upsets, tears, and losses on their journey.

Others still will linger on to offer a helping hand to anyone in need.

Some people on the train will leave an everlasting impression when they get off…….

Some will get on and off the train so quickly, they will scarcely leave a sign that they ever traveled along with you or ever crossed your path…..

We will sometimes be upset that some passengers whom we love will choose to sit in another compartment and leave us to travel on our own.

Then again, there’s nothing that says we can’t seek them out anyway.

Nevertheless, once sought out and found we may not even be able to sit next to them because that seat will already be taken.

That’s okay….

Everyone’s journey will be filled with hopes, dreams, challenges, setbacks, and good-byes.

We must strive to make the best of it….

No matter what………

We must constantly strive to understand our travel companions and look for the best in everyone.

Remember that at any moment during our journey, anyone of our travel companions can have a weak moment and be in need of our help.

We too may vacillate or hesitate, even trip.

Hopefully we can count on someone being there to be supportive and understanding……..

The bigger mystery of our journey is that we don’t know when our last stop will come.

Neither do we know when our travel companions will make their last stop.

Not even those sitting in the seat next to us.

Personally, I know I’ll be sad to come to my final stop…..

I am sure of it!

My separation from all those friends and acquaintances I made during the train ride will be painful. Leaving all those I’m close to will be a sad thing.

But then again, I’m certain that one day I’ll get to the main station only to meet up with everyone else. They’ll all be carrying their baggage…

most of which they didn’t have when they first got on this train.

I’ll be glad to see them again. I’ll be glad to have contributed to their baggage….

And to have enriched their lives, just as much as they will have contributed to my baggage and enriched my life.

We’re all on this train ride together.

Above all, we should try to strive to make the ride as pleasant and memorable as we can, right up until we each make the final stop and leave the train for the last time.

All aboard. Safe journey!!

~Author Unknown

Self-Reflecting on Image...



image from weheartit.com

The last two weeks have been a little stressful.  Not due to my everyday life, but to to an issue that I had to report at work.  Because of all of this stress, my body finally decided to get pay-back this weekend and I was sick; stuffy nose, yucky stuff in my throat, fever, cough.  I slept quite a bit this weekend and my hubby was so kind to allow me to sleep in.  I love him so much!!!

Yesterday, I was getting ready for work and took a good long look in the mirror.  It was at that moment I decided it was time to do a little bit of self-reflection.  Try to understand myself better and fall in love with myself.  I know it sounds kind of concieted or silly, but seriously, I try to portray myself as having a lot of self-confidence and that I have inner strength.  In reality though, I have very little of either of those things going for me. 

The first thing I decided I need to change is my outward appearance.  I don't feel that I am unatteractive or anything like that, I just looked at myself and wondered why it was me that had to have this happen at work.  Do I wear too much make-up?  Probably.  Do I try too hard to look my best at ALL times?  More than likely.  Am I really happy with my current look?  Not so much.  At that point, I decided to completely grow out my hair to get it as long as it will grow.  I thought about not coloring it, but I am way too young to accept that I have gray hair already, so I will keep coloring it.  I am going to attempt to go more minimal on my make-up.  Thought I would go with a more natural look instead of making my eyes and lips stand out.  My wardrobe for work is pretty minimal, SCRUBS, so I can't exactly change that, but maybe I won't be quite as worried about keeping up-to-date on current fashion trends.  I don't need to buy the most expensive things out there to be fashionable.  This will also give me a chance to work on some re-fashions that I see being done on so many of the blogs that I frequent.

Okay, that is the outward appearance that shows everyone that I am a strong, confident professional.  Hopefully some of those changes will keep the issue I had from ever happening again.

*I'd like to tell you about it, but not too sure I should discuss it on here.*

*Let's just say it has to do with a man not leaving me alone.*

This is all I can really discuss on my self-reflecting today.  I am still doing my internal self reflecting, but I will post more as I make decisions and changes to boost my self-confidence and inner strength. 

I hope I can be like so many of you and become a confident 30-ish year-old wife, mother, woman.  Maybe with help from all of you, I will be able to accomplish that this year.  I know it won't happen over night.

Hopefully you will all continue to support me as I go through these changes and I would love any "words of wisdom" or words of encouragement through this process of self-reflection and change.

Love all of you!

Hugs,

Beth

Why Should I Follow This Blog?

So, the big question, what is this blog all about?  Well, I recently got some inspiration from a home improvement project that we undertook this last weekend.  We installed a wood-burning stove in the main living area of our house.  After I got home from work on Monday, I sat on the couch just taking in the heat from the fire.  I got to thinking about how warm and inviting the fire made the house feel.  It made me think about other things that are literally warm, make people feel warm from the inside out, and that just make a place feel warm and inviting.  To me, 'Warm' means inviting and 'Bouquet' means variety, so it just made sense to name my blog Warm Bouquet.  I will try to convey a Warm Bouquet of things that inspire me and maybe, just maybe they will inspire you too!

Here is a picture of the home improvement in progress.  We still have a few "finishing touches" to do, but overall, I find it beautiful, rustic, and inspirational.  I plan to sit in front of the fire and become inspired all season long!  Take a look and imagine yourself curled up with a cozy blanket, a warm beverage, and a book or imagine yourself snuggled up with your family under that cozy blanket. 

Ahhh, now isn't that lovely?