Thankful Project (Part Three)

November 15: An Annoyance

An annoyance that I'm thankful for? Well I could name a few but you might think I'm a mean person. :) I would have to say that cell phones are at the top of the list. While I can complain about them and what our generation has lost becuase of them I am a number one offender. I think we have gained so much in being able to be contacted at any time and any information we need is at our finger tips (literally) but we also forget what it is to not be connected.

November 16: Something You Own

I'm thankful to own my own house. I bought my house 2 months after I turned 21 and am thanful to have the experience of being a homeowner. Brad owns a house too so hopefully in November next year we will be able to sell both houses and move to the country in a house we buy together, remodel together, and decorate together.

November 17: A Room

I am very thankful to have a comfy cozy living room. I love the times that I can just sit in my living room and relax but it's a little bit of everything for us. Our living room is our dining room as we got rid of our kitchen table to put kennels in the kitchen for the dogs. Our living room is my office as I gave up my office to have a guest room. It is a little bit of everything but I can spend days on the couch working and relaxing and always be busy. :)

November 18: A Choice

I'm thankful I made the decision to work at Best Buy…all 3 times. HAHA! Do you all think I'm crazy yet? Maybe it's just the lack of sleep from working so much getting ready for the last weekend of November. :) I am thankful for all of the amazing friends I have made over the years at Best Buy and I know that I wouldn't be where I am today in life if it wasn't for the experiences I've had in that building.

November 19: A Book

I'm thankful for the bible and all of the books that are within it. While it can be confusing and I haven't spent the time to read the whole thing, I am thankful for the answers I can find in the bible.

November 20: Something About Your Significant Other or Best Friend

I am thankful that Brad truly cares about me. He is always working to help me achieve a goal if it's important to me and helped me to achieve the goal of becoming a Director in my Scentsy business this month. He is always willing to help anyone if they need anything and will put his own wants and need aside to help someone else out.

November 21: Something That's Easy to Take For Granted

It is easy to take the amazing friends and family that I have in my life for granted. I am truly blessed to have the most amazing people on earth in my life and it's easy to forget that. I have a very close family and see them often so I forget that others never see their families. I have wonderful friends that don't forget about me even when I'm very busy and don't have time to spend with them. I don't know what I would do without shoulders to lean on and ears to listen to me during hard times and people to party with during the good times. I am thankful to all of you that read my blog too! I feel so lucky to know that people care about our little life. :)

Thankful Project (Part Two)

November 8: Words

Ok...I'm going with one person and many words she said...Elanor Roosevelt has some of the most amazing quotes that all come back to LIVE YOUR LIFE! You have to live to be happy with who you are and what your life has become. It's so easy to sit back and complain about what you have or haven't done but the truth is you have to do things to enjoy life and in the process you'll make mistakes...just pick up and move on or you'll miss out on the good in life. Here are a few I love. :)

 

November 9: A Photo

One photo?!? You're crazy! I'm a photo nut and I love looking back at old photos and reliving what happened. I think I get a little photo happy sometimes and need to step back and actually enjoy what is going on instead of being worried about capturing everything on film (or on a memory card these days.) Watch my Facebook or Instragram profiles and you'll see what I'm talking about. :) Photo...junkie...HEHE! I guess the photos I'm most fond of are those of or with the people that I have loved and lost in my life. I'll never get those moments back but I'll never lose them either as they're captured in a photo and my heart forever and ever. <3

November 10: A Memory

My parents have been cleaning out the basement ever since they had issues with a drain backing up in the laundry room and they have been finding old videos of me singing and playing instruments in band as a kid and recording them from VHS tape to DVD. This isn't on video but I remember my dad ALWAYS being super busy and doing his best to make it to all of my performances but he couldn't always make it. I was playing in a band concert in middle school and dad had told me he wouldn't be able to make it. I remember seeing the light from the hallway in the back of the room as someone walked in the door during our performance. I saw my dad in the doorway and I remember smiling so big I couldn't even play my flute. I guess that just shows that it's the little things that matter. That wasn't a special performance with a solo or anything but just the surprise of him showing up when he had said he couldn't be there meant the world.

November 11: Something You Were Taught

Good old fashioned respect! I'm so thankful that I was made to be respectful of both people and things. I think that children expect expect expect these days and everything is handed to them on a silver platter. Now...I'm not saying that I wasn't spoiled...believe you me....I know dang well I was. I am saying that I realize I had a LOT of things that other people didn't have and I'm thankful for those things. I also know how hard my parents worked to give us not only the things we needed but nearly everything we wanted. I know that you don't talk back to a teacher or argue with them. To me these things are common sense and for that I'm thankful!

November 12: An Opportunity

I'm super thankful for the opportunity to go back to school for something I love. I've always thought about cosmetology school but thought that people would think I did it because I wasn't smart enough to go to "real school" but well...I got over that! I wish people that think that spent a day in our shoes. :) I am LOVING school (other than the overabundance of hormones and drama here HAHA!) and I am so thankful that I took the leap of faith (as did my husband) and went for it. I not only love it but I'm good at it. I am good at doing hair, I'm good at marketing myself, and I'm good at building relationships. I LOVE IT ALL! I am enjoying school and know I'll enjoy myself even more when I'm in the salon full time.

November 13: An Ability

I love that I have the gift of gab. :) I'm a lot like my grandpa and dad in this one. I know way too many people in this world because I have the ability to just talk to people. It becomes incredibly helpful when I am doing hair…BONUS!

November 14: A Blessing

I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know my father-in-law. It breaks my heart that I didn't get more time with him but I am so thankful that at least I knew him. We got very close in the short time I knew him and I would like to think that I was the daughter he never had. (My husband is an only child.) I was a girly girl when it was time to dress up and look nice but would have much rather hang out with the guys in the garage and work on engines or go hunting or shooting than sit inside and have tea. I wasn't afraid to get dirty and help however I could. We spent hours goin over how to do things on the computer and me making him lists of how to do it when I was gone. Oh and there was never a shortage of us giving eachother crap about one thing or another...we always had something to say back to eachother. I can't imagine hearing stories of him but knowing that I missed out in knowing him. I'm so blessed to have been able to love him as much as his family did and know that someday our children will love him too in hearing about him from us.

The Thankful Project (Part One)

I'm way way way behind so I decided to catch up by doing a few at a time instead of posting a new post for every day I missed. I hope you enjoy reading a few things I'm thankful for. Thanks so much to Kenzie @Chasing Happy for starting this fun little link-up.

November 1: A Person

I'm incredibly thankful for my husband. I know…I know…cliché but right now I can't think of any that deserves more thanks. With going to school full time and working part time he's keeping things going for us. He's keeping up on laundry, cleaning, and bills and doesn't complain about it. (Well most of the time but we can all only take so much.)

November 2: Role You've Played

I'm thankful I've had the chance to play the role of sister. I know that while my brothers and I have had our ups and downs we have each others back until the end. Not only blood siblings but I have a sister-in-law and many adopted sisters and brothers to add to the list. Of course you can't forget my little sister I gained in the national pageant, Stephanie will always be my little sis and someday she'll run for queen (when I put in her app for her…I keep threatening.)

November 3: A Place

I'm thankful for the Czech Republic and the time I got to spend in it. I've meet some amazing friends from the Czech Republic they made me love it even more but I fell head over heels in love with the country the minute I stepped off the plane.

November 4: An Experience

Being Miss Czech-Slovak US 2010-11. This was something I had dreamed of since I was a little girl and it seemed so far out of reach. I think my heart jumped out of my chest the moment they called my name and I think it took the whole year for it to soak in that it had actually happened. Many many miles later I was standing there giving a farewell speech. Thankfully my farewell speech wasn't a farewell at all but instead a change of my role in the Czech-American community.

November 5: Talent You Have

I love that I have musical ability. I love to sing more than anything but have enjoyed learning several instruments over the years. I played the violin in elementary school from 4th through 6th grade and played the flute from 5th through 10th grade. Then, of course, in 2009 I started to learn to play the button accordion. Even in my childhood years I wrote about how I was going to be a famous singer someday. :) I may not be famous but my love of singing has never changed.

November 6: A Failure

My attempt at a degree in computer programming. Ok…let's be honest…me sitting at a desk programming all day every day? This failure lead me to getting my business degree which lead me to cosmetology school, which I am LOVING. I'm thankful that I realized that this program wasn't for me (with a little help from a teacher that was terrible to me and turned me off of it all together but hey…everything happens for a reason right?!)

November 7: A Job

Photographer for NV Photography and Vocasek Productions. I fill in for my little brother when he can't be at an event right away and work with him at big events for his photography business and photo boot.  I'm also good at posing people for photos and making sure all of the details are just right so it's a ton of fun. I'm honored to be able to help him out and we have a blast working together so I'm just super thankful to help him out whenever and however I can. I just need to learn to be a bit more comfortable with his camera and figure out how to make photos look good with all the smoke in a bar and I'll be set! :) I love that every day I learn a little more with it.

My First Blog Award! :)

I'm so excited to say that I have my first award for my blog. Thanks to Kelsey at Keeping Up With Kelsey!

 

 This award is given to new or up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers...the award is then passed along to other bloggers in the same category to help spread the word and support one another. Here's what you have to do: 

1. Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves. 

2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you, then create 11 new questions for the bloggers you pass the award to. 

3. Choose 11 new bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to pass the award to and link them in your post. 

4. Go back to their page and tell them about the award. 

5. No tag backs. 

My 11 Random Facts About Me:
1. I would love to run away to the Czech Republic and never come back. I love the history of the country and am proud to have ancestors from there and fell in love with the country when I spent 10 days there.
2. I hate to drink water unless I'm super dehydrated. YUCK!
3. I am always on time...Stefanie time...which is either right on time or a few minutes late.
4. I have certain pieces of jewelry I have to wear or it drives me crazy. If I don't have earrings in my bottom holes I will go somewhere to buy some.
5. I hate pennies...I gift them to friends with children for their piggy banks all the time. Maybe I am rich and just give it all away?!
6. My friends hate going anywhere with me because I know someone everywhere...per my friend Maggie...my world is not small...I have a very big big world.
7. I am a total geek at heart! I love new technology and constantly am buying new things. (Best Buy is very bad for me sometimes!)
8. I love sushi and would eat it every day if I could.
9. I sing karaoke whenever I can and know words to way too many songs. I often wonder how I have room for anything else in there.
10. I am constantly making lists and if I could schedule everything...I would. (And then be late to what I scheduled...OOPS!)
11. When I have dreams I look up the meaning in a dream dictionary. I think everything has symbolic meaning and with some of the crazy dreams I have it helps me to realize that if there is alternate meaning then I am not just on the verge of a mental breakdown. LOL

My 11 Questions from Kelsey:
1. What TV series are on your DVR list?
The saddest day of my life is when we canceled cable. (Ok I'm kidding but I no longer have a DVR so I'll share what we watch on Hulu since that's where we catch up on shows.) Currently we are watching Grey's Anatomy and Mistresses but also like watching Beauty & the Beast when it's on. I watch Betrayal most of the time when Brad is sleeping. Everyone is trying to get hooked on Breaking Bad so we have watched an episode or 2 of that but I'm not hooked yet. I watch lots of different shows depending on my mood.
2. Main reason you began blogging.
To keep family and friends posted on what is going on in our lives and as a way for me to destress sometimes. I love to write so this is a way for me to do it and share it with the world! :) 
3. Where do you see your blog going in the future?
I will continue to blog and I hope that others begin reading. We live a very busy lifestyle so I hope that friends and family that don't live close by can keep up to date on what we have going on. 
4. Ever played an instrument?
I played violin in elementary school, flute from elementary through highschool, and accordion for the last 5 or so years. Yes...the accordion and we own 13 of them!
5. Which social media site are you the most addicted to?
Facebook, mostly because all of my other social media pages are linked to Facebook. I run 10 or so pages and groups on Facebook so I'm constantly checking on things. (Brad HATES that I'm on there so often!)
6. Any guilty pleasure's you'd like to air out?
I hate shopping for almost anything but I LOVE to shop for office supplies. Nothing makes me happier than a pack of post it notes and a new pen.
7. How many fbook pictures are your profile?
Can't check while I'm at school...I'll get back to you on this one...
8. Reasoning behind your blog name?
Our last name is Husak and we're sharing about what is going on in our Household. (So original you know!) 
9. Have you ever tried to sue someone?
No but there are times I would have liked to...wouldn't we all?HA
10. How did you find my blog? (Keeping up With Kelsey)
That Kelsey chick is my girl! :) Our dads were good friends growing up, we were Czech Queens together, and then she was the first person to join my Scentsy team.
11. Bath or shower?
Shower for sure...I could stand in there for an hour and be happy. It's the one time that nobody bothers me and I can just relax. (Well...as long as Brad isn't home...he'll stand in the bathroom and talk to me the whole time if he is home.)

My 11 Questions for My Nominees:
1. If you had to choose a last supper, what would you choose?
2. If you could go back to any era, which era would you go back to and what fashion trend would you rock?
3. What is your ultimate goal for your blog?
4. How would you describe the perfect home?
5. If you got $1 million dollars and had to give it all away, how would you share it?
6. If you could meet one celebrity, who would you meet and why?
7. If you could have any profession (real or made-up) what would you choose to do with your life?
8. Would you rather have someone clean your house every day or do your hair and make-up and dress you every day?
9. If you lived the life of a TV character, who would you be?
10. What piece of technology can you not live without?
11. Do you know where your ancestors came from (your heritage) and does your family celebrate anything special from their culture?

My Nominees:
1. Tonja @ The Sullivan Good Life
2. Raewyn @ Be a Warrior Queen
3. Suzi @ Chores & Chandeliers
4. Kate @ Crazy Lovely Me
5. Nicole @ Prairie Princess 
6. Rachel @ Raves & Revelations
7. Kelly @ Today Was a Fairytale
8. Meghan @ Life is Good
9. Callie @ My Something New With You 
10.Shelly @ Minettes Maze
11.Nicole @ Our Humble Webb

This was lots of fun and thanks again to Kelsey for the nomination. I hope the girls I nominated have as much fun with it as I did! :)

Stefanie

A Time for Change

I know I made my list of hundreds of things I want to change and a few have been acomplished! YIPPEE!! As you may have noticed there are many things on that list that have to do with my overall wellbeing. I haven't been healthy for the past few years and I have no excuse as to why that is other than I am LAZY!! It's so much easier to eat junk than to cook meals. It's so much easier to sit on the couch than go work out. That time is over and I'm truly happy about it.

A few weeks ago I decided to try going to the chiropractor for the first time. I've always wanted to go and after several sleepless nights because I was waking up in pain I called and made an appointment. The office had left flyers in the breakroom at Best Buy several months back for a free consultation and I took one thinking maybe someday I would go. It sat in my car and I happened to run across it that day. A sign or a coincidence, I'm not sure but I made the call. The office doesn't just focus on issues with your back etc but on your overall health. I really liked everyone there and was told to come back in 2 days to review what was found from the x-rays etc. In the mean time I talked to a classmate of mine about going and she told me her son went once a week since he was only months old. We talked more and I found out that her son started going due to digestive problems. With all of the stomach problems I have I thought it was odd that this had come up and gave me hope that maybe...just maybe...this would help with other things I'm having issues with. Upon meeting back up with my chiropractor he asked that I come in several times a week to fix some issues between my shoulders and also in my neck. So far it's been great and I haven't woken up with pain. I know that nothing is the miracle cure but if something helps, I'm willing to give it a try!

Around the same time I made my first appointment, Brad decided he was going to go tour the gym we both used to go to when we met. He has finally decided to make some changes of his own and we ended that day with 2 memberships to the gym (I told him if he joined he had to get me a membership too!) Part of joining was a meeting with a personal trainer for a Jump Start session. I met with Tanner a few days later and got my BMI measured, got weighed, and got some general circumference measurements. We talked about my goals and what I was going to do to make them happen. (How did he know I am OBSESSED with goals?!) Here are the things I listed to him (most of which are already on that crazy list mentioned above.) Things I want to achieve are lose 10lbs, shop outside of the plus sized section, and weigh less than 200lbs. (You all know my secrets now!) The things I'm going to do to achieve these things are go to the gym 3 times a week, plan meals for 5 days a week, and start tracking on MyFitnessPal again.

A few days after this meeting I went back for my free hour long personal training session. I forgot how much more I work when I have someone there to keep me going! After running the stairs 5 times and listening to him say "Miss Czech-Slovak US is coming out of retirement!" I wanted to kill him....but I kept going. He asked me after every set how the weight was and I told him time and time again "Eh...it was ok" to which he increased the weight. He told me by the middle of the workout most people realized this and quit telling him it was ok. Not me...I wanted to push myself and I did. That was last Wednesday....I finally had most of my muscle control back...YESTERDAY! It was awesome and I'm hoping to continue to work out with him and keep moving in the right direction.

So the plans now include continuing to go to the chiropractor and continuing to work out at the gym. I'm hoping to meet with the nutritionist at the gym to get a plan together with her to keep on track with my eating and hoping to schedule some more personal training sessions. I just want to be healthy and know that being healthier will make me happy and we all want to be happy right?!

I have to give one last shout out to a couple of people that have inspired me to make these changes in watching their amazing success. Laura and Dana you girls are amazing and watching you do it makes me know I can do it too! Love you ladies and keep up the good work!

Thursday Tunes Link-Up

I thought maybe a theme would arrise in this but I think my music mind is just a mess right now...hope you enjoy a little variety! ;) 

Miranda Lambert - All Kinds of Kinds

Well...I'M GOING TO SEE HER TONIGHT!! EEEK! :) Super excited and this song is the TRUTH! The world just couldn't keep spinning without you, me, and lots of other personalities! 

Boyce Avenue - Someone Like You Cover
I love acoustic music so Boyce Avenue is AWESOME because of all of the accoustic covers they have out there. This is one of the first ones I heard and now Boyce Avenue is one of my Pandora stations! <3 them!

Dashboard Confessional - Remember to Breathe
One of my all time favorite songs by one of my all time favorite bands. It just makes me HAPPY! 

Incubus - Warning
Another favorite band and a great song. Just love the lyrics...especially the first few lines!

Ylvis - The Fox
OMG...how does this song not make you die laughing?! It kills me every time....you're welcome for getting it stuck in your head! ;) 

Thursday Tunes Link-Up

I've been kinda hooked on country lately so you'll see lots of country on here right now...

Bruises - Train ft Ashley Monroe

I really should be sick of this song because it plays at school 2 or 3 times per day. It reminds me of hearing it live at Pinewood Bowl with my bestie and that makes me happy. It's the truth though because we all have bruises and that's what makes us...well...US! 

   

 Hey Girl - Billy Currington

I love this song! It's a fun song and I liked it before I saw him in concert at Frogfest but I am a HUGE fan after seeing him live with my friend Dana.

 We will forever and always be the first aid girls...you know where to find us...

   

 Wagon Wheel - Darius Rucker
No real reason for this one other than that it always gets stuck in my head. Just a good catchy song! :)
   

 Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Buble
He hasn't met me yet...thank goodness! ;) I think I would fall over and die. I love love love a man that can sing and this one CAN! His voice is amazing and hearing him live made me realize it even more.
 

Sure Be Cool If You Did - Blake Shelton 

We all have those nights right...planning on realaxing at home and having a drink then go out and drink a little more than expected. HA! I love Blake Shelton and his wife and want to see them both in concert. Another song I turn up and jam to when it comes on!