things i've been missing: this blog

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Well, hi there.

Long time since I've been on here, I know. I have greatly missed this blog and building connections with everyone who reads it. A TON has happened in the past month or so that has taken up pretty much all my energy and time (like having a full-time job for the first time, traveling for events with family and friends, a four week on-and-off sickness, a broken phone, a broken car window, and a bunch of other minor time-sucking issues). Hence the photo above - it describes how my life has felt the past several weeks (if I was Tina Fey and had a baby, that is).

Here's the thing, though: I LOVE blogging. I love producing my own blog, I love reading my favorite blogs, I love chatting through comments, I just love everything that blogging incorporates. And I really miss how all those activities leave me feeling relaxed, energized, inspired, and hopeful.

So I'm back! I might miss a day or two here or there, but I am going to do my best to blog again on a regular basis, like I enjoy doing. I've had so little free time lately (during which I wasn't sick or sleeping) that I have been prioritizing quality time for family and friends and not any for myself. It's all about balance, though, so I need to readjust and allow myself some "me time," and for me that definitely includes blogging. I'm going to kick-off my pseudo-comeback by writing several posts that I have been planning on writing, but haven't yet (a series I'm creatively calling "Things I've Been Meaning to Blog About").

I hope you've all been well! Glad to be back with you all again : )

get fit get strong: training time

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Hello, everyone! What have you been up to the past couple weeks? My new job is great! I am really enjoying myself - keeping super busy, but liking where I'm at and what I'm doing.

Last week I began training for my first 5K (using the Couch to 5K iPhone app). I have never really been into running or enjoyed running that much, but I wanted to give it a wholehearted shot. I want to make running part of my fitness routine because you can do it indoors or outdoors, it doesn't require equipment, you can do it by yourself or with friends, and you can do it competitively. I have always done better with fitness routines if the routine was centered on a training program and a specific goal.

All that being said, I am going to knock an item off my fitness bucket list and run a 5K. I know a 5K is around 3 miles and isn't too hard for a lot of people, but it will be a challenge for me, both physically and mentally. To help motivate myself (beyond the basic inspiration of getting healthier and doing well in a 5K), I am participating in an October 15th race that's part of my alma mater's homecoming weekend events. I walked in the event a couple years ago, and it's a very low-pressure, fun atmosphere. Also, it's my first homecoming weekend as a BGSU alumna, so it will be nice to run around my former campus, reliving old memories and seeing the new buildings that were completed this summer. Plus, the sooner I finish my 5K, the sooner I can go tailgate for the football game! : )

Have you ever run a 5K? Do you have any tips for me? Is anyone else running a race this fall?

my life: i got a job!

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Hello, everyone. I'm sorry I've been absent for a bit. Remember how I've been searching for a job in the field of education? Well, I was offered one and I accepted! I will be an instructional aide and director of before/after school care at a K-8 school. It is all very exciting, but a bit overwhelming as it all happened super fast - I applied less than two weeks ago! The job also required a move from Cleveland to Columbus. Not a huge problem, since I have family in Columbus and my boyfriend lives there, but it's just a big change to happen so quickly! The school I'm working at starts the school year about a month earlier than most Ohio schools, so I've already started (yesterday was my first day!). Please bear with me - I hope to be back to blogging next week, but if I am not, I will be back, full-force, by the 16th. Blogging is a true love of mine, and I have so many ideas for beagle & bear that I can't wait to share with you all! Once I have a routine going with this new job and place, I am confident I will be able to blog on a regular basis, with well-developed features. I hope you will stick with me as I make this transition in my life and start building this blog up to what I know it can be. I am so thankful for you readers and I just want to brighten your days a bit with my posts! I hope all is well with you and your August is off to a great start : ) talk to you soon!

LOL: kids in costumes

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Source: angryblacklady.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Source: comicsfornerds.net via Kelly on Pinterest

Just in case you need a smile on this beautiful summer day : )

bucket list: fitness edition

Hello, everyone! I hope you're doing well. Sorry for my absence - I was working and visiting Dan in Columbus, where we drank a lot of coffee, ate yummy meals followed up with ice cream, watched movies, read books, went for walks, and just generally relaxed. It was a wonderful mini-vacation with one of my very favorite people : )

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I'm a month into my fitness journey, so I've decided to stop with the weekly summaries and just to blog about health and fitness in general on Mondays (though I will give updates still from time to time, and will of course be tweeting). Today I want to share with you my "Fitness Bucket List," or my list of exercises and physical challenges I hope to complete someday:

- Kettlebell workout

- P90X

- Zumba

- Biggest Loser DVDs (Cardio Max and Power Sculpt)

- Ripped In 30 DVD

- Yoga class

- Spinning class

- 5K

- 10K

- half marathon

- pilates

- hiking (legitimately)

- rock climbing

- kayaking

- horseback riding

- cycling race

- Masters swim meet

- triathlon

- Warrior Dash

- Crossfit

- Insanity

- BodyPump or similar class

Have you done any of the activities on the list? What did you think? What would make your own fitness bucket list?

weekly gems

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Sorry for the lack of a post yesterday. I have no "rational" excuse, but I have what I consider an acceptable one: I was busy re-reading the seventh Harry Potter book. You'll be pleased to know I finished it in time to both happily and sadly attend a 12:04AM showing of the eighth and final film. Did you see it yet? Are you planning to? I highly recommend you do, it was fantastic (more of my opinion next week)!

While you're waiting to leave for the movies, or relaxing at home, or whatever you're up to this weekend, enjoy some weekly gems!

• Everybody needs to read this inspiring story (And I mean, really read it, go through all the links and background). So moving. (via Aspiring Kennedy)
• Awesome entertaining tips from Emily.
• Fitness tips and an awesome outfit from Taylor.
• Courtney Cox's Malibu house is gorgeous! And Hank Azaria's Bel Air home is pretty fantastic, as well.
• Neat podcast recommendations and photos of Audrey from Fallon.
• If you love HP and FYA as much as I do, the you'll enjoy the 10 High School Lessons I Learned From Harry Potter.
• Speaking of HP, I adored Ezra Pound Cake's several "Harry Potter feast" posts this week!
• Other recipes added to my "Need to Make" list: pasta with yellow tomatoes, cherry sorbet, frozen cocktails, caramel banana cake, and giant rainbow cookies. I also want to try cupcake fondue! (via Glitter Guide)
• Although I'm not a graduate wife, I sure appreciated Lauren's three posts full of tips on living well and nurturing a serious relationship on a tight budget.
• Similarly, though I'm not a working mother, I was fascinated by a new series on balance curated by Joanna.
• Cute post about dogs' happiness.

retro print star wars posters

Source: etsy.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Kelly on Pinterest

I love pretty much everything in Jan Skácelík's Etsy shop, but these retro print Star Wars posters just might be my favorite. I love how they each contain just two colors, important characters and images, a memorable quote, and key words and phrases in small print at the bottom. And, on top of all that, they pay tribute to a great film trilogy! I'd love to see Jan's take on classics like The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, or Casablanca. What movie would you like to be made into a retro print like these?