Meredith Currently...

Obsessing over...my new hair. I finally chopped it all off, and I don't regret it at all!

This idea started last year and I finally mustered up the courage to do it. I ended up cutting about 8-10 inches off. When my hair stylist first turned me around my initial inner panic took off. "Oh my gosh, what have I done, its so short...I don't think I like it it...Don't freak out...umm...ok...I like it...ahhh...No, I love it. Wait, do I look like a boy? No, I definitely love it!" All that to say, I doubted myself for a second, but I'm so happy I did it. I finally feel like an adult. Is it weird that I had to cut all my hair off to do that? Prior to super short hair, I felt like a 19 year old that happened to be married and have a job. Probably because I was always being confused as a high school student. Now I have a whole new attitude and confidence about myself. "Heck yeah, I'm 24 and I can buy this bottle of wine and drink it like a grown-up, suckers!" ...but don't tell my mom...haha kidding. But really, this hair is the new confident start to 2014 that I needed.

 

Wishing for...a new hat. With my short hair I'm even more obsessed with hats. I especially love Bowler hats. Although I'm having a hard time finding a quality hat that isn't $300. I can't wait to wear them all summer long! I'm thinking of something like these...

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Thinking about...oh where do I even start. I have about 4 To Do lists scattered between my house and work. I can't even begin to form functional sentences about what is jumping through my head. It was a struggle to get my act together to write this. Therefore I will bullet point my thoughts below:

* A million books I want to read
* Making a meal schedule of lunches/dinners
* Photos to edit
* Things I need to clean and organize
* A certain puppies face I want to kiss
* Creative things <--- I know, only incredibly deep thoughts found here.
* House searches & moving plans
* Grocery list
* I have to pee
* Other writing drafts I have saved
* My school bag needs cleaned out

Ok well that was kind of stupid, and now I feel like I might as well be brain dead but whatever. It is what it is.

Anticipating...our move to Georgia in March. Evan will be going to Fort Benning to complete his Captain's Career Course Training which is 6 months long. I'm not exactly thrilled that we are moving to Georgia, lets just say its not my dream state to live in. My northern girl heart breaks a little more each time we move further south. I'm absolutely dreading a sweltering Georgia summer; I'm convinced I'm going to melt. But, I am excited to explore a new place and the possibility that I will close to Krysti. Next month we have to go look for a house, which will be fun. I love looking at houses! I think that will make it feel more real that we are really leaving Tennessee. When we first moved here I thought I would be indifferent when it came time to leave. Part of me is ready to move on and see the other places the Army might take us, but I am so sad to leave all the amazing friends I've made here. The Army is such a unique community where, I'm convinced, you make friends that become sisters more quickly than anywhere else. The girls here are so close to my heart; I already know they will be lifelong friends. I feel honored to have gone through a deployment with them, and I couldn't have survived without their company. Lastly, Tennesee the place where Evan and I had our first home together, which is especially sweet to me. We are taking our  time and enjoying every minute we have left here, as eager as we are to "see whats next."

2014

This is what I want my 2014 to look like.

1. Be more creative.

I felt at one time, not so long ago, I had so many creative ideas leaking out of my body that I didn't know what to do with them all. Sometimes I blurted them out here, sometimes I took pictures, and sometimes I just read a really good book and dreamt up a hundred new endings. Now I feel grey and dull. I couldn't come up with a single semi-interesting idea right now if I had to. I absolutely hate feeling this way. Life isn't meant to be lived in black and white. I'm on the treadmill of life, rushing along each day until I can quit my job or get my floors scrubbed. Really I'm just being lazy because its a lot easier to sit on the couch every evening, mindlessly watching a TV show, than to force myself out of this funk and create something. But here I sit, publicly declaring a more creative Meredith for 2014.

2. Be a better encourager.

Many, many times throughout my days last year I had moments where I wanted to compliment a stranger or text someone a few words of encouragement, but I didn't. It just felt weird and awkward; instead I stayed quiet. A short, simple card with a few positive words can literately change someones entire week, and I want to be the person that does that for people on a consistent basis. The worst thing that could happen is I might come off as a little strange, (which probably happens regularly normally) so I'm ok with it.

3. Build some muscle.

Now that I have better self control over making healthier eating choices, I feel like its time I incorporate building some muscle. Before I could have never done both endeavors at once. I walk Scout almost a mile everyday, granted its just a stroll, but its still something. But, the last time I carried in groceries I felt like Gumby. I felt embarrassed that I was struggling to carry food 10 steps from my car into the house. Basically it comes down to knowing its time.    

Overall, I'm super excited for this year. Last year my main goal was to be better organized. I can truly say that I have completely accomplished this goal, and it feels great! My house is consistently clean and organized. Look in any drawer in my house, I dare you! Believe it or not you will not find clutter. My hamper isn't overflowing and my clothes are put away. It gives me a whole new confidence into knowing that I can indeed reach goals I set. Along with setting new goals, there are so many adventures in store for Evan and I! We will be moving not once, but twice this year. Once to Georgia for 6 months, and then to another unknown destination, which is all part of the excitement for us. Maybe Evan will stay in the Army, maybe he won't. Maybe I'll figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Maybe we will live in Germany, Alaska, or Colorado. There are so many "maybes," but I'm more excited for this year to work on changing myself for the better. Its not a year where I'm going to be counting down the days until a deployment comes, or will end. I'm not focused on school, applying for jobs, or fixing my house. I'm so happy that I can take these next 6 months and literately focus on making me the best version of me possible. Here is to 2014! Lets do this!