.18.19.20.21.22.23.24.25.26.27.

Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.
Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs
Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.
Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you've learned that school won't teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers.

OK OK OK OK OK I KNOW. I AM DYING WITH THIS CHALLENGE. I just stopped. But, I really have been thinking of it everyday. and now, I am making up for that time I had put off. 

Right now.

18: 

Story from my childhood. 

This story is about Brad. I can do that for this challenge, because I have known Brad since childhood. We have camping buddies, Hawkins, Swensons, Pullmans. We camp together. We go to Bear Lake all the time. Still go all the time. It is one of the things I look forward to every year. One year, I was little. I don't know how old... but we were at Bear Lake, it was Raspberry Days. They had awesome tents and things for sale, and all the girls got Henna Tattoos. It was my first Henna Tattoo. So fun, it was really great, and exciting. I got a flower on my ankle ( yes, I'm one of those... ) We planned a beach day for after the festivities, but if you got a henna tattoo, you couldn't get in the water for a few hours after, or it would rub off. I sat on the beach with the other ladies for a while, but the water was just too inviting. I decided to play. I played for hours in the water. My henna was ruined. Gone gone. But I played. I played with Brad that day, and we rolled around in the water, and splashed, and played in the sand. At the end of the day, I said, " I'm so glad I decided to play today." and he said, "Me too." 

It made me so happy.

19:

Five Faves

A Beautiful Mess

http://www.abeautifulmess.com/

Skunkboy Blog

http://www.skunkboyblog.com/

Brooke Knight Illustrations 

http://brookeknightillustration.blogspot.com/

Rylee Blake

http://ryleeblake.blogspot.com/

Chalk White Arrow

http://www.chalkwhitearrow.com/

20:

Get real: Something you are struggling with right now. 

I secretly shopped for the "right" water bottle for a month. I am struggling with hormones. Mood swings. Hormones. Mood swings.

I am struggling, Brad is struggling. But he is the best husband in the world. 

21: 

Favorite Posts

 http://itselizajane.blogspot.com/2012/09/new-part-time-job-time.html

http://itselizajane.blogspot.com/2013/02/love-month.html

http://itselizajane.blogspot.com/2013/05/eight-advice-time.html

http://itselizajane.blogspot.com/2013/04/yaki-soba.html

http://itselizajane.blogspot.com/2013/04/sister-time.html

22:

Rant

I feel like this whole post is a rant. enjoy....

 

23:

Things that school didn't teach me.

>Making dinner is hard to do

>There is nothing like trying to find a new job to kill your confidence 

>Buying new tires is one of the worst things to spend your money on.

 >Reading is actually fun to do

  

 

 24:

Top 3 worst traits  

1. Needy 

2. Moody

3. Lazy   

 

25:

Some thing someone told you that you will never forget

"I love you"

-Brad 

 

26:

Something you read online

I don't read much online... But here is a funny essay for you to read: 

In which I fix my Girlfriends grandparents Wifi, and am hailed as a conquering hero 

 

27:

letter to your readers     

Dear Readers:

I got behind. Sorry. I tried to make up for it....

E    

 

Day 17

Day 17 is a favorite picture of yourself.

This is one of my favorites. This is the first picture me and Amelia have taken that I feel like we look almost like twins. Everyone says it, but this is one of the first times I have thought it.

I love her the most.

Day 16 Blog Every Day

 

Day 16 of the May challenge is something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it.

 

I think that my "lot in life" is probably one of the easier lots.... I have a good job, a way to pay for school, the best husband, a great family, a healthy family. 

One thing that has been some kind of lot, is being a wife. Being a wife is hard work. Different work. I don't know if I knew what I was getting into...  but, as hard as it is for me, and as hard as I am for Brad, I am so happy. I am so glad I am married to the best man around, and we are Happi. We are 1 year next month! WHAT.

I love being Mrs. Hawkins. 

FIFTEEN

Day 15 is a day in the life post. What I do, on a normal basis. Well, its quite normal. On a basis.

STEP BY STEP, GO.

 

7:30am : 

Brad alarm goes off.

8:00am : 

Brad second alarm and Eliza alarm go off. Brad gets out of bed, Eliza rolls around and talks about calling in sick and never getting out of bed.  

8:10am :

Eliza gets out of bed.

8:30am :

Brad is showered, dressed, fed, and has made 2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Eliza is slowly getting ready....

8:40am :

Brad is gone to work or school, Eliza's "you need to be putting on your shoes song-alarm goes off." (Send me on my way-- Rusted Root) 

9:00am : 

At work now, and doing some kind of computer work, listening to my favorite Intsrumental playlist I made, containing things from Memoirs of a Geshia, Harry Potter, Babies, and LOTR/Hobbit. 

10:00am :

Still doing paper work.

11:00am :

Finishing up paperwork............

11:30am :

Reading my book.

12:00pm :

Reading and eating my sandwich Brad made. 

1:00pm :

Reading.

2:00pm :

Done! Get to go home! Hard day of working....... heh.

3:00 and on :

Watch Greys Anatomy 

Clean Kitchen 

Make Bed

Laundry (I feel like I am always doing laundry.... but thats not really true.)

Pinterest.

Read Blogs

Hopefully start dinner

Google cats

Wait for Brad........... Sigh.... Lonely. 

When Brad gets home sometimes we go to Mapleton to see our families, or we talk and eat and shower, make chocolate banana shakes and watch FRIENDS except that we finished ALL 10 SEASONS CRAP. I'm not sure what we are going to do with our lives now. Probably go to bed earlier. That would be awesome. and smart. 

I watched a TV show called Private Practice, it was about a doctor.... She had an Ex husband, and now I am watching Greys Anatomy, and it is about THE EX HUSBAND. They are toast connected.

WHAT> it was the craziest thing! I am loving it. 

Dramatic doctor shows are my guilty pleasure....

Happy Wednesday!

E

FOURTEEN: Ten Things That Make You Happy

so many things make me happy. But here are just the top ten that come to mind today, right now. 

my Brad

cats

leftover mac and cheese 

clean sheets

presents 

sister 

summer

open windows

friends

a clean house

This also made me happy- 

almost to the point of tears! (birth control makes me weepy)

My friend Brooke Knight drew me!! She is incredibly talented, and the fact she chose to draw me is a huge honor. I am so grateful for her friend ship, she is an amazing example to me. I learn so much from every moment I am around her!

you can see more of her amazing artwork at her blog

http://brookeknightillustration.blogspot.com/

13

Issue a public apology.....

i'm sorry i love cats so much.

#butnotreally

TWELVE

Day Twelve is something you miss.

I miss being a kid. 

We made movies

My best friend Sally

The neighborhood kids

Night games

My mom would make us food all day

 Me and Amelia lived in the same room. 

I love her.

I miss all of that.

Toast didn't miss anything this Mothers day though. We gave Tracy a picture I painted of Bear Lake, and My mom the perfect measuring cups. It even includes a 3/4 cup! Nice! (She had been looking for the right set..) I am so grateful for my mom and my new other mom!

I love my beautiful mother. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TIME! 

This is one of my favorite pictures of her. In her element.

TEN and ELEVEN

TEN: MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENTS 

No no, not Ten most embarrassing moments, its: 

number ten; most embarrassing moments.

The thing is, I HATE getting embarrassed. Hate it. I really spend so much time thinking of ways to avoid all kinds of embarrassment. I mean, so much time! I am very conscious of it. Unusually conscious of it. But also, when I do get embarrassed, I dwell on it for days. 

After that I push it from my mind and never think of it again. 

Quite literally because I cannot think of any. 

Which is why I am a day late on this one. 

and I still got nothin.

ELEVEN: SELL YOURSELF IN TEN WORDS

Impulsive

Artistic

Romantic

Funny

Sarcastic

Distracted

Clean

Kind

Sensitive

Scrappy

These are pretty, aren't they. <3

NINE: A Moment From My Day

ATT: GONE WITH THE WIND SPOILER.

My book, Gone With the Wind. I am SO CLOSE to being done! So close. and from 11:00 this morning to 2:00 this afternoon I read. and so much happened. but the moment of my day I want to share happened at the DMV. We went to renew my license, finally.  I am a legal driver now guys. I was reading my book while we were waiting, and the WORST THING HAPPENED. 

BONNIE DIED. 

BONNIE DIED AND THAT WILL KILL RHETT. HE IS GOING TO DIE OF SADNESS. I AM SO SO WORRIED. 

I felt sick. I had to put the book down. I was going to cry. 

That first sentence is as far as I got. I promptly closed the book.

I have felt like this ever since 3:30.

Just writing about it makes me want to cry! I haven't been able to open it up again. (Except for the picture. That's it.)

I am so ready to see the movie. I want Scarlett and Rhett to be in love.

Also, THIS HAT.

I WOULD LOVE TO OWN THIS HAT PLEASE.

BUT ITS SOLD OUT.

Eight: Advice time

A word of advice from Brad for newlyweds:

Don't marry someone until you have camped with their family. 

and today, my advice is:

Try to remember what you are making for dinner in the morning, otherwise it takes FOR-EV-ER to cook that frozen meat, and it will be like 9:00 before you can feed your husband.

7 WAYS TO BE HAPPY. 

 

I DID NOT WRITE WHAT IS NEXT.  

 But this is great, I am not sure where I found this article, but this is some advice that I look at often. 

Audrey Hepburn once said, “I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.” Indeed, people who are happy seem to glow from within and light up a room. And sure, we all want to be happy (not to mention pretty), but when you're feeling blue, getting happy seems a lot easier said than done. But there actually are simple, effective tricks you can try to give yourself a quick mood boost, whether you're feeling really down in the dumps or simply want to add a little more of a skip to your step.

Music Therapy

 

Music is incredibly powerful. In a three-minute time span it can make you sad, nostalgic, calm and most importantly--happy.

“When I’m feeling a few shades of blue, nothing lifts my spirits more than putting on my favorite tunes and shimmying away,” says Registered Dietiitian Jacqueline Aizen.

If you feel that music has the same effect on you, it’s for good reason. Research has shown that music triggers a release of dopamine from the reward center in your brain. This release is similar to the reaction that occurs when you are satisfied from eating or sleeping. In other words, more dopamine means a happier you.

The next time you feel yourself slipping into a grumpy mood, crank up the happy tunes and get that dopamine releasing. It won’t hurt to move around a bit either.

“Movement can also trigger powerful emotions and when combined with some amazing tracks, you’ll be on cloud nine in no time,” says Aizen. Really, who can’t be happy when they’re dancing around to their favorite bubbly song?

Meditation

 

For anyone who has ever meditated, you know it can leave you feeling calm, relaxed and joyful. While you may not have time for a deep, extended meditation session, you can adapt the breathing exercises into a quick get-happy routine.

“There are many forms of meditation to explore, but a quick breathing exercise is sometimes all you need to get started,” explains Certified Wellness Coach Elizabeth McGann.

Follow her simple 4-step “Better Mood Breath” Exercise routine:
1. Sit up tall in a chair or seating on the floor. Close your eyes, put one hand in the center of your chest and one hand over your belly button.
2. Take a deep breath in through your nose for the count of eight. Feel your belly expand with the breath.
3. Hold your breath for the count of eight.
4. Exhale slowly through your nose for the count of 10.
Repeat the steps three times and feel your mood gently lift.

So why do meditation methods such as this work? “When we take a deep breath several things happen,” explains Certified Life Coach and Hypnotist Michelle Brock, “not only do we allow more oxygen into our bodies, which creates an instant ‘perk up’ in our brains and our bodies, but we also allow ourselves to slow down for a moment in order to mindfully breathe.”

Exercise

 

“Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” Oh, Elle Woods, you’re so wise. Exercise is a great way to combat a grumpy mood.

“The mind and body are connected,” explains McGann, “and when you need to change the dial on your emotions, a great way to do that is to move your body.”
Even if you only have a few minutes, step outside for a brisk walk. The exercise combined with the fresh air will quickly get you in a happier place. If you've got a little more time, go for run, try out a new fitness class, or practice yoga. Making exercise a regular part of your daily routine can also help prevent a cranky mood from getting its grip on you in the first place.

Be Altruistic

 

It's impossible to do good deeds and not get a little positive emotional boost. A lot of times we’re so hyper-focused on our own problems that we forget that those around us might need a little pick me up.

“Too much time in your head ruminating on your problem, or state of mind, is what is causing you to stay stuck in your bad mood,” says McGann. So try to reach out and be there for someone else: "A few minutes cheering up a friend in need can do wonders to change your perspective,” she notes.

Think about small things you can do to help out a family member, elderly neighbor or a local charity. When you take the energy you’re expending sulking and re-focus it on helping others, whatever is bringing you down becomes lighter and your mood shifts.

Laugh

 

Laughter really is the best medicine. “Laughter releases the endorphins in our brain that shifts us into a place of better well-being,” explains McGann.

Taking a few minutes out of your day to laugh with a friend can really brighten your mood. Or, McGann recommends googling your favorite comedian and watching a clip or two of their material. If you have a favorite passage from a comedian’s book, read over it. Tina Fey’s “Bossypants” and Mindy Kaling’s “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?” are both great funny go-to reads. It’s almost impossible to stay in a bad mood once you’re cracking up.

Getting your giggle on has also been shown to stimulate circulation, relax muscles, and active and relieve your body’s stress response. If that’s not enough to get you smiling, laughter can also improve your immune system by releasing neuropeptides that fight illness and cause the body to release its own natural painkillers.

Fake it Til You Make It

 

And if you can't find anything to actually make you laugh, try at least putting on a non-genuine smile. According to recognized happiness expert Gretchen Rubin, the simple act of smiling can induce a positive mood, even when the smile is artificial. So act happy to get happy.

Plan Something Fun

 

Even if you're currently stuck in a drab, gray cubicle, researching a romantic weekend getaway or girls' trip can boost your mood.

Gretchen Rubin says, "Studies show that having fun on a regular basis is a pillar of happiness, and anticipation is an important part of that pleasure. Try to involve friends or family, as well; people enjoy almost all activities more when they're with other people."

 

And if all else fails, you can find cute cat pictures online.  OF COURSE.

SEVENTH: THINGS I AM AFRAID OF

I am afraid of never having a cat............

I am a scaredy cat. (haha. cat.) I get startled by loud noises and I am scared of the dark. But to be a little deeper, I am scared of pain, or being hurt, or loosing something or someone important to me. 

Etsy Finds!!

 Here are some great things that I found on Etsy this week. I have this new Etsy App! I get to "heart" things all day long... SO FUN!

For Brad!

FITH AND SIXTH:

 

 BLOGGERS I ADMIRE

I really love any blogger. I admire so many of these amazing people who are blogging their amazing lives, and getting people interested enough to come back to look and read about them and their families. 

Here are a few I am currently following:

http://brookeknightillustration.blogspot.com/

http://www.abeautifulmess.com/

http://www.ryleeblake.blogspot.se/

http://www.skunkboyblog.com/

http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.com/

http://happyleeliving.blogspot.se/

 If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?

This is a trick question, because when asked that question, I don't really answer with my job.... I answer with things like- I read, and watch friends, and hike and climb, and camp and paint, and buy things. 

Fourth: Quote day

 

 My funny Brad wrote this once for an elementary school project. I can't remember if it was for a short story or a poem or what, but I wrote it down the day we were going through he boxes at his moms house. I think it was for a poem. I also think it is funny, and cute, and smart all at the same time.

love him.

Third: Uncomfortable Things

Asking questions in class. That makes me so uncomfortable. Hot and sweaty.

Lounging in jeans, is also uncomfortable.

look at this funny kid.

Second: Something I am good at.....

I painted this lovely painting!

I planted these lovely plants!

And this one!

 

 Something I am good at.

I am great at spending money on things at Hobby Lobby. I LOVE it there. 

I bought this. I get carried away there........

Like I said. I get carried away there.... cause I bought this too. BUT THEY ARE SO COOL. I HAD TO.

first: Story of my Life

So all these cute, great bloggers I follow are doing Blog Every Day in May challenge. I am three days late, but I am going to catch up right now. 

If any one wants to join in, here are the Prompts!

Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable
Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it
Day 5, Sunday: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member
Day 6, Monday: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?
Day 7, Tuesday: The thing(s) you're most afraid of
Day 8, Wednesday: A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.
Day 9, Thursday: A moment in your day (this can be just a photo or both a photo and words)
Day 10, Friday: Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill.
Day 11, Saturday: Sell yourself in 10 words or less
Day 12, Sunday: What do you miss? (a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life...)
Day 13, Monday: Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.
Day 14, Tuesday: Ten things that make you really happy
Day 15, Wednesday: A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)
Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it
Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why
Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.
Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them
Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.
Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you've learned that school won't teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. Use Grooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

It looks over whelming, I KNOW. But I'm going to do it. If I miss a day.... don't be too disappointed. 

Here is the blog I found this fun challenge on! Story of my Life

Here is my story.  

 

 

I was raised in Mapleton Utah, and it was happy. I have 2 siblings, Amelia and Max. It was a carefree childhood, filled with Pokemon, Scooby Doo, Barbies, and the best neighborhood where there were so many fun kids and happy nights playing night games. My mom had a weekly routine, Mondays we (SHE) would clean the house. Tuesdays was shopping day. Wednesdays...... um.... huh. Thursdays was Grandma day, we would go to Grandmas house to visit and eat and watch cartoons. and Fridays was random day, we would just do the things that didn't get done the rest of the days. I think. 

I would spend hours and hours in the basement playing barbies with my best friend Sally. HOURS. HOURS. Junior High was my awkward years. but my sister still thought I was really cool. Once I got to high school, I had so many amazing friends. I spent all my time with any friend I could find, instead of being with my family, and I regret that. I love my family so much, and now, I want to see them everyday, and tell them all about what is going on every day every minute. I refrain mostly to not be annoying. I think it would get very redundant for them. I mean, my days don't change THAT much. haha.  

Now I go to UVU and I am in communications, and a AAS in graphic design. I am starting my 4th year at UVU this fall, and that is an ACCOMPLISHMENT. GO LIZA! I am married to the best man ever. He is amazing. I am really, so lucky. He makes me sandwiches and french toast, and chocolate banana shakes. Plus he is way good at warming up the bed. I am happy. and now that it is warming up I am getting even happier! I am OBSESSED with cats. I love them. I want them. or at least one....  or two.  cat.