Get this. I won something. You're jealous, I know. :)
The Contest:
My amazingly talented friend/roommate Cassi Elton hosted a give-a-way on her blog. She has some incredible talent when it comes to binding books and making the most out of every last scrap.
The Goods:
I won a gift card to her shop. Everything is handmade and super unique. From simple yet adorable button earnings to intricate and beautiful flower notebooks.
Her notebooks are all personally bound and full of character. Did I mention she makes her own planner and folders? She also does wonders with keys, playing cards, paper bags, jello boxes, the list goes on and on. Head over to her site to see more!
One of my favorite features is that she has hidden pockets in most of her books. Genius! I snatched up one of the personalized notebooks and I can't wait to get it in the mail!
FYI: I was not asked to write this blog and other than winning, I was in no way compensated for this post. I just think she is pretty stinking cool.
I have a secret that Brett doesn't know about. And considering he only reads "our" blog when I tell him he should, I think my secret is safe on here. You just have to promise to help me keep this secret....
Promise? Don't worry, its nothing life shattering. Okay? good! :)
Lets start with a little history. I'll keep it simple. Brett HATES sour cream. In general, he hates all things white; specifically mayo and sour cream. Kirsten (that's me) LOVES sour cream. In general, I love all things white; especially miracle whip and sour cream.
Now for the current situation. Last night I made mashed potatoes for dinner. Brett was out cooking the fish/chicken on the grill so I was left alone in the kitchen as I made them. Fast forward to the dinner table. Brett took one bit of the potatoes and said "WOW, these are good" and then later in the meal "you should write down what you did, these are so good" (yes, I have a habit of cooking yummy food and forgetting how I made it), he commented on them a few more times and then even requested that I make them again tonight to go with our ribs for dinner. Now, I'm not trying to brag, I just couldn't help but giggle and bite my tongue as he said those things.
The secret: If you haven't guessed yet I'll come right out and say it. There was sour cream (among other things) in the mashed potatoes. I took advantage of him being outside and made them the way I wanted to. I knew that if he saw me add the sour cream he wouldn't want to eat them, so I had to be sneaky. I want so bad to tell him what my secret weapon was in making them so yummy, but I have grander intentions. I plan to add sour cream to more recipes and then break it on him down the road after I have properly trained his taste buds!
Yes that is right, I said it. I speed. More specifically I speed on the freeway, I make it a point not to speed elsewhere. But on the freeway, I speed. I speed constantly, consciously and compulsively. I've actually noticed myself getting anxious lately if I'm not going 9 miles an hour over the speed limit on the freeway. Even more concerning is the compulsion I feel to still go 74 MPH even when there is construction on the freeway and the speed limit is only 55 (which is the WHOLE freeway from my home to work). You see, I have this delusion that my behavior is completely appropriate, and even more so, that anyone NOT going that fast is ridiculous and needs to get out of my way. After all, don't they know that is how fast they are supposed to go?? Obviously I feel entitled on the freeway. I'm realizing this now.
I travel quite frequently on the freeway. 15 miles each way to and from work and then around and about for work everyday. (yesterday I logged 97 miles) I'm kind of proud to say that I've never gotten a speeding ticket (or any ticket for that matter). But that fact also plays into my delusion that my speeding habits are in the right.
Now that I've confessed I wish to share my new resolution. No more speeding! Especially in construction zones. Well, I should clarify and correct that statement. I will stay within 5 miles per hour of the speed limit. ( I do live in Utah, have you seen how fast everyone drives on the freeway??) I know, it seems like a silly goal to promise myself to only go 5 MPH over, after all speeding is speeding. But trust me... its been hard. My reasoning for this goal is multifaceted.
Some reasons, in no particular order:
1) Recently there have been lots of accidents around me, and yes... it scares me.
2) Lately I've noticed I live my whole life in the fast lane. I rush everywhere and am always in a hurry to get things done. My goal to slow down on the road will hopefully help me slow down in life.
3) I've become increasingly paranoid about other drivers. I have decided to take more control over my safety.
4) I decided that I admire the construction worker who work all day long in the hot sun. I couldn't do it. And I want to obey the reduced speeds because I know they are for the safety of the workers.
5) Honestly, it scared me how tense I was beginning to feel when I couldn't go fast. I was addicted in a sense. I need to slow down.
You should see me driving now! (Insert proud and cheesy smiley face here) I'm usually in the right lane (as opposed to always in the left lane). I take deep breaths to keep myself calm and reduce the desire to pass all the cars. I even cringe as people pass me. In true-to-myself nature I now am convinced that my new driving habits are the right way to drive and everyone faster than me is a maniac. I know I know. I am prideful and "always right".
Overall my new resolution is going remarkably well. I am sticking to it and actually noticing a change in other aspects of my life. I arrive at my destinations less tense and more relaxed. By giving up my need to control how fast I drive, I have lost that inevitable tension that comes when I can't always control traffic patterns. (The confession that I have a need to control everything will have to be addressed in some later post). Its great. I highly recommend it. I don't plan on giving up my reputation for being on time. I still value being on time to things but I find the two things unrelated and hope I can find an appropriate balance.
Conclusion: It is good to learn to let go, to learn to slow down, and to remember what things are most important in life.
On a side note, I couldn't help but thinking of this song as I contemplated my new goal.
Does anyone else feel like life is some sort of race and you are rushing to "come in first"? What have you done to avoid those thoughts of competition and the need to always go go go?
We met in an English class at BYU summer of 08. We fell in love and made it official May 15th 2009. We're always learning more about ourselves, more about each other and more about love. This blog is a peak into our life and our "everyday love".
