Work Hard; Vacation Easy

I always take two weeks off for the Holidays; the week before Christmas to the week after Christmas. This year I was given one extra week at the last minute. I am not complaining! I am not the everyday American employee with paid time off, however. I am self-employed and must save up prior to my time off and budget accordingly. And because of this, I work hard and vacation hard (or easy!).

I was honestly looking forward to going back to work since my break has allowed me to rest and rejuvenate. I was also looking forward to resuming my flow of income. But I took this as a sign that maybe I do need one more week to just simply and plainly be. Yes, I am one of those people who sees certain life situations or happenings as signs. To me, signs are little messages from God pointing me in a slightly different direction than where I think I am headed. In my daily quest for balance, these last two weeks have allowed me to take care of my self, spend quality time with family and friends, organize my home, move some furniture around, transition my toddler from the crib to a "big girl bed", and sleep more than five or six hours at night. What a feeling to actually sleep a full night! Who knew that all these months suffering from exhaustion were due to my daughter's loathsome feelings towards her crib. Of course she woke up every night and screamed for hours. She was ready for a big girl bed. Last week I just had enough. I needed to sleep and needed to not feel so defeated every night. Bedtime had become such a battle. I had visions of rocking my sweet angel face baby to sleep at night, singing her lullabies, and kissing her forehead. Instead my reality was a strong-willed, screeching 25 pounder who refused her crib. When I decided to give to her whims and put her in my bed, I woke up every morning with an aching back and terrible mood. There wasn't enough coffee or ibuprofen to get me through my morning. Now, just one week after her departure from the crib, I am waking up so refreshed and happy (as is she!).

So, just a few more days of vacation and off to work I go. Until then, I will continue loving every moment of rest because 2012 is going to be a busy and wild year with my last year of grad school and my husband's adventures. Here is to a productive 2012!!!

I HAD A BABY!

Alivia Margot Martinez joined our family on March 5, 2010. I am just feeling human enough to resume to normal pre-baby activites with many baby activities added in.

My how money matters have changed!

In August of 2007, I moved in with my fiance. Since we each had our own place, we had an overload of furniture. I decided to list some bedroom furniture on Craigslist.com. After a few weeks and no bite... I gave up. I even had 2 garage sales and nada. So, my fiance moved all the furniture into the attic to save space. We set up the house and never gave the furniture another thought.

Fast forward two and a half years, now married and expecting our first baby, I thought it would be a good idea to sell the bedroom furniture and use the money from the sale to purchase baby furniture. I thought I was being thrifty!!

I almost dreaded selling it though because I did not want to go through the failure all over again. I waited until I was 8 months pregnant to actually sell the stuff. And its good furniture! Its not like I was selling cheap fake wood furniture... I was selling two top quality brand name queen bed sets. I listed the furniture on Craigslist.com, posted the pics and info on Facebook, and emailed everyone in my contact list about the sale. BAM! Both sets sold in 2 days!

What changed? The economy!

I can only deduce that back in 2007, most people were still living the high life, living with their so called secure jobs, making money, using credit, being a little snobbish about second hand furniture, financing big ticket items... you get the idea. Then in 2008, the market crashed and the economy did an about face.

I think people are making smarter choices. They are beginning to save a little each month, look for good deals (even if it means buying second hand), and buy what they need, not just what they want.

So, thank you economy for crashing. You helped me sell my furniture asap. You helped me acquire great second hand baby furniture. I hope I can keep this thrifty shopping mentality forever!

What is Fit Vida?

Everyday I wake up and realize that I have a choice; to have a great day or not. I try my hardest to have a great day, to not let the little things bother me, and to quickly get over the things that do. Some days are a struggle. Some days I struggle with my fitness or my finances (or both!). Some days, I have a great day with friends or family... which means, relationally, I had that great day for which I set out to have.

What I want out of life is; love, laughter, happiness, a sense of peace and fulfillment, and a balance in all realms of life; spirituality, my marriage, my family, my friends, fitness, finances, giving, and sanity!

That is what my Fit Vida journey is. It is to have the best life ever, to have the best life that was meant for me, the life God blessed for me. Life is not always easy, nor is it always fair. That is why it is a journey. Because, just when you think you have one thing down, something gets in the way, and life continues... we continue to work through life, and make it better.

My Fit Vida Journey!

An American Day

Glued to CNN, I am impatiently awaiting the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama. I would love to be there. Unfortunately, I have been too busy climbing my way out of debt, that I didn't save any money in 2008. 2009 is the year to save not spend. I am debt free now however, so these economic times, the recession that is quickly becoming a d(-shhhh, you're not supposed to say it yet; it's bad luck or something), is not so much hurting me and my household.

I am excited/hyper/anxious/proud... words are so hard to find to describe this wonderful day that will truly be an historic American World day. I am amazed to see the coverage of other countries that are just as excited about this as our country.

Dear President Obama,

I thank you for renewing Hope in Americans.

I thank you for not giving up on this country and for stepping up to fix our

wounded spirit, economy, and government.

I know you cannot do it alone.

Somehow, I will find my niche, the one thing I am gifted in,

and I will help.

Thank you for the belief.

Good-bye, Mr. President Bush... see you in Dallas.