Be Humble, Be Grateful - Count your blessings!

When I go back and see all that happened in the last 1 1/2 years I can't be prouder of myself, it was rough but somehow I managed to keep going and stay focused and it is finally paying off. I promised myself to set goals move forward and leave the past behind and it was the best thing I could have ever happened to me.

My goals were set on things I wanted to accomplish to better the life of my daughter, things that would make me grow and learn. Career goals, health and lifestyle changes, the much needed structure that I lacked and that Sophia very much needs and deserves. All these things are little by little materializing by staying strong and focused and leaving distractions aside.

I have learned that my focus needs to be me and Sophia until every single detail of my life is in order. Career, finances, health, fitness, interests... Until I become the woman I want to be for my daughter. Yes I am seeing someone but I don't let that be my focus, I do not and will not let that distract me from the goals I have set for myself.

I want to continue to be strong and independent, be there for Sophia and lead by example. Not only I want to be there physically, but I want to be present every moment we are together. I don't want to miss a thing, I don't want distractions, I don't want Facebook, or texting, or computers or anything that could rob me of those precious moments that become memories. Memories are the one an only thing that no one can take away and will stay with you forever.

You know? they grow so fast and if we get distracted we miss it, miss these little moments that matter tons. Just looking at her smile makes me happy, and these summers away from her just remind me not to take all our time together for granted. It makes me miss her so much that hurts, I don't want to take anything for granted. I want to appreciate every second with her, every moment that I get by her side is just the greatest gifts of my life!

Our new life is about to start and all things keep falling into  place. I move to our new place in just 2 weeks, my new job is going great and life is just wonderful... what else can I say? I just want to take it all in and be grateful. I don't want to take any of this for granted because even though I have worked hard for it and I know I deserve it, I am also aware of how easy life can change and have this all go away.

So just remember to be humble, grateful and every day that you wake up alive COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!!!

XOXO

CM

Sleepless!

So last night I signed the lease! The place is mine and I am thrilled. So that triggered my head to spin, anyone that knows me a little knows that I LOVE to decorate and make a house a HOME with little touches that resemble my taste as well as PAINT! LOTS OF IT!

Because of that I tossed and turned plenty last night thinking of color palettes and such... How to arrange my furniture and what do I need to decorate the empty walls. So after failed attempts to relax and go back to sleep I jumped into pinterest to look for inspiration.

Isn't that the cutest house? While talking to my landlord she expressed she doesn't like people painting the walls. Uh Oh... I cannot live under white plain walls! So we compromised on neutral palettes even for Sophia's room and she will need to approve them and select the paint which I'm fine with.

My room I'm thinking WHITE, a bright and plain WHITE! all white with white linens and silver accents all over. I am debating between a vintage iron white headboard and my all time favorite Pier 1 silver headboard. The good thing about going with something like this is that if I get tired of the look I can accent with pillows and throws and change the color/look very easily.

For Sophia's room I am thinking a white with a hint of pink and just keep her old bedding from Pottery Barn Kids which is still gorgeous and maybe get her the duvet cover that goes with the set if they still have it.

This pic I grabbed from the craigaslist ad, much better than the one I took with my iPhone and obviously furniture will change. I do not like that beige yellowish color so I will paint either white or whatever else I can get my landlord to approve. The TV will be mounted and there is this really cool wall across from the window behind the couch where I'm planning to put vintage frames with family pictures. I need something for the wall across from the TV, I'm thinking a big mirror hanging above the couch. 

Then there is the dinning room, I want a new one or at least new chairs. I won't be able to get that right away but eventually I will get the one I like from IKEA. Or maybe I can even budget the one from Z Gallery I like $$$ with a nice area rug for it.

The kitchen is pretty spacey, I might try to change the door knobs but that's about all I can do there, I guess I can live with that :) I'll look for accents and make it cute and charming. It has tons of space! I am grateful about that, and lots of cabinets to keep everything in order. There is actually a lot more counter space on the other side of the kitchen, it's just not shown in the pic.

The bathroom is typical of an old house and I am not thrilled about it but guess what... Nothing is perfection and I am willing to compromise the bathroom to live in that area. Again I will make it charming and cozy.

The backyard needs some work, and I am happy to take care of that. Sophia is thrilled that even though we are moving into the city we are not losing the perks of living in a house. You can't see it here but in the yard they actually have a raised bed with tomatoes and other stuff and a compost box as well. I will add another one for my kale, greens and other beloved veggies so a lot of my time will be spent in the yard, gardening and growing yummy fresh veggies!

Down the street there is a park with a playground, tennis and basketball courts and even a swimming pool. We saw lots of kids last night and people are just so friendly. There is tons of cycling and running too, there are paths for runners and the place where I do silks is walking distance too. I am also starting Crossfit next Wednesday and that is right down the street as well.

Long story short... Yes, I will have to commute to work but after I come home and park my car I can walk EVERYWHERE and that I cannot be happier about! My last picture is of the Fellini's Pizza around the corner... Can I say YUM? Best pizza place in Atlanta!

With that I'll leave you because it's lunch time and this pizza made me hungry! The message is I guess that with hard work and patience life always gets back on track. And most importantly, no matter how crazy and out of order things look... God Has A Plan For You! And that plan sometimes is not our plan so he needs to de-rail us from our stubborn ways and gets us right where we are meant to be.

Love always,

CM 

It's official

So I've been dying to share this but I had been waiting for background check, references and drug test to clear... Not that I had any doubts that it wouldn't but I just wanted the green light to be official. I have an awesome new job! I start May 29th and it's a great career move.

I am so excited about this, I will be working for a great Fortune 500 company doing what I've been doing at Triumph x 10 only that with a whole team in place, processes, a lot more organized and most importantly growth opportunities. Can't wait to take my career to a whole new level and become better and better at this.

This is the reason that I am finally moving to the city! My commute won't be too bad, about 30 min and the timing for this couldn't be better as my munchkin will be going to her dad's and I can take care of the move while she's away.

She will come back to our new place, a pretty pink room, a huge backyard in the coolest neighborhood in Atlanta and an awesome new school. There are kids everywhere and it's just such an amazing area! I can't be happier.

This weekend I am meeting with my future Landlord and talking about the final details of our lease! My neighbors are into gardening and we have a raised bed with tomatoes, basil, parsley and lettuce and who knows what else. There is also a compost box, and I am planning on adding some berries, cucumbers, kale and whatever else I can get to grow... Oh I can already see me going to my garden and picking up veggies to make juicy, healthy salads!!!

Well, I guess that's it for now... I won't be moving until July 1st so don't expect any pictures sooner than that. I am though looking at color palettes for my new place, trying to figure out bedroom decor and more! I will be posting pics of that for sure. Oh and my BF is only 2.5 miles away from my new place! Woot Woot! Can't wait to get to hang during the week, watch movies and cook dinner for him :D

That's it for now!
XOXO
CM

The move!

I am writing this on the iPad so excuse the post if it looks weird (I will fix it tomorrow from my computer). I am extremely excited and had to share! I am finally moving to the city, something I have been wanting to do for quite some time now. As I've always said I'd rather commute to work and love where I live than live in the burbs! My commute will be about 45 min to 1 hour but let me tell you... It will be well worth it! 

I am planning to move to one of my favorite Atlanta neighborhoods, I can walk to restaurants, little shops, park, there is a running/cycling trail, the place where I do silks... I mean what else can I ask for? I am so super excited! Sophia is going to love it! Family neighborhood, a great school, farmers market, tons of like minded people! I just can't wait :) I will go check more about the area this weekend and will take some pics to post. I want to check the school too at some point and check out drop off and pick up times. I just can't help to be excited about how life is just falling into place in every aspect. I am so blessed! 

It took a while to get here but through hard work, discipline and braking patterns and bad habits I am becoming a better me and life just gets brighter and brighter. I have made major accomplishments financially, personally and professionally. Who would have thought a year and a half ago that life would be so great now! Out of financial trouble, out of rushing into relationships, out of crappy jobs with horrible pay, out of toxicity and deep into happiness! Today I truly thank god for unanswered prayers, packing and going that December was honestly the best thing that could have ever happened to me. 

I am happier, healthier physically and emotionally, more independent and responsible! With a great new career and an ocean of opportunities. I am so proud of what I've accomplished! I should stop bragging now but I can't help it, I am happy and life is great! 

 XOXO

CM

Woot Woot!

It's been a while since I blogged and lord has life been exciting! I guess when everything is going great I rather not blog too much about it, I don't want to jinx it! I've had 2 awesome trips, I'm running quite faster, awesome workouts, clean diet, work is just taking off at another level (in a very positive way), I have been seeing a wonderful guy for quite a while now and for the first time in a LONG time I am doing things right and not rushing into situations that will just set the relationship for failure since the very beginning! No living together, no marriage, just plain fun dating and getting to know each other!

I've been working real hard on breaking those patterns that have caused nothing but trouble and I am excited about this new life that is getting every day. I am so blessed with a little girl that makes my day EVERY day, even when she drives me crazy. She has grown to be such a perfect little lady, smarter and stronger every day.

That time of the year is coming where Sophia goes away for two long months, and even though I miss her dearly every second she's gone I get to do all the things I can't due to logistics when she's here. I am planning on a couple of Triathlons and of course a few weekend getaways. In the list is North Carolina Mountains, Whitewater rafting AGAIN in Tennessee and a tropical vacation somewhere out of the country, haven't decided where yet.

I am also excited about a trip planned for the end of the year, my beau wants to go to Venezuela so that's in the plans. It's a big deal! I haven't been to Venezuela in quite some time so the plan is to hit Caracas, Margarita and Los Roques. I know he is going to LOVE IT and he will get to practice his Spanish, the rule of the trip is NO ENGLISH ALLOWED.

I need to blog more about past events like my trip to California and Chicago, an intro to my nutrition school program and much more! I will get to that soon :)

That's it for now.

XOXO

CM 

Chicago Next Week

I am so excited to be in Chicago next week, I have been waiting for about 4 months to do this SFDC training and they have cancelled it 3 times in Atlanta. Lucky me they had it scheduled and confirmed in Chicago for next week and my boss thought it would be a great idea for me to attend! So travel arrangements are made and I am registered for this developer training which will weigh so much on my resume!

On top of that I get to be at my BFF's first Crit race which for me is a pretty big deal, I haven't seen her since Thanksgiving and even though I speak/text with her daily I miss her so very much. We will get a ride or two in and I will get to run in my favorite city :)

The food? I might have to behave as I have been doing Paleo and the results are unbelievable, the goal? my abs by June... I definitely see the difference and how I am getting leaner. This promises a long weekend trip with my Boo who is in the same path both displaying our new accomplishment. Hot pictures you ask? Most definitely, he's such a HOTTIE!

I am definitely going to enjoy my Chicago visit, besides Kosti is pregos and I will get to see her, her princey poo and her bump! I'll catch up with my friend Chris and I get to stay at Hotel 71 with amazing view of the city!

I can't wait to get there and run by the lake front, have a glass of wine with Shannon and just enjoy the city that I love with the company of my friends.

That's it for now!

CM

Challenge of the month!

So people on Twitter/Facebook have been doing monthly fitness challenges which is a great idea not only to motivate others but to keep yourself accountable. So I am stealing the idea and using it to keep me on my toes! I've been running but the last couple of weeks I have only done long runs and skipped most of my shorter weekly runs, so my March Running Challenge will be to run EVERY DAY at least a mile.

This is great to get you out there even if you are on a tight schedule and most likely once you are out there you will end up running more than just a mile. My friends who have done it got a lot faster with this challenge, I guess it works a bit like speed work (shorter/faster runs) so i am looking forward to this. 

My other March challenge is 100 Squats a day. I need to target specific areas of my body that will make me a stronger runner and this is definitely a good one... On top of making my behind nice and perky for bikini season.

On top of that I am focusing on a LEANER diet to get those abs out, AB RipperX 3 times a week, a few pole dancing classes and silks which should take care of the upper body strenght since I'm already in Level 2 (Climbing and out of the Hammock!).

Add to this a swim a week and maybe next month I will start cycling again... Oh lord, talk about packed schedule! The first few days of the month will be challenging, heading to California today for the IIN Mega Conference... This will definitely get me motivated but since its a Girls Trip, it will be hard to not fall of the wagon when it comes to going out for drinks and prioritizing my workouts. The up side to it? 100 squats and a mile run take very little time so at least with those two things I can keep me on track!

That's it for now, I will be posting some silks and pole pics when I come back from Cali!

XOXO
CM