a list aversion

I have mentioned many a time on here that I am a total list lover. I enjoy making lists and I enjoy marking things off my to-do list even more! But sometimes I get in phases... do you do this? Right now I am back in a Food Network phase. And a not wanting to keep my house clean or be organized phase. And a I-dont-want-to-do-that-bc-it's-on-the-list phase.

I have a to-do list at work. And I am finding that I get everything that MUST get done finished, but all the things that are tasks I wanted to get done while things are slower in the summer- well they are just being avoided. I am having a strange aversion to things written on my lists.

This is even seeping over into my reading life. I am reading alot, but I really dont want to read anything on my list of things I had wanted to read this year. Each time I finish a book I look at that list and think- ick! I dont want to read those. It's a weird phase.

And I am afraid it is even interfering with my blogging life. I have a list of posts I wanted to write... but once I get the time to write I look at the list and think "ick- I dont want to write about that!" So then I dont know what to write about. And here we are.

So doe anyone have any good tips on how to push yourself out of a phase?? What is your weird phase? Please tell me you have one!

Takes me back…

• Today I had to participate in a group fitness instructor audition class (which means, yes I got paid to work out for 20 minutes). It was a "step" class (step aerobics, not the cool stomping and clapping style of dance) and as I stepped up and down on that riser my mind drifted back. Back to my middle school life to be specific. When I was in middle school, my sister got into going to a step aerobics class. So naturally, like everything else in my life, I went with her! We took them at our local civic center several days a week, and we were all about it. Random memory, but there you have it.
• As I folded massage sheets today, "Summer girls" by LFO came up on my playlist. The year was 2000 (my Junior year of High School), and I remember riding around in Cort's altima during the sunny days listening to this song. "New Kids On The block,had a bunch of hits Chinese food makes me sick. And I think it's fly when girls stop by for the summer,for the summer. I like girls that wear Abercrombie and Fitch, I'd take her if I had one wish, But she's been gone since that summer... Since that summer." We had just recently decided to paint her room, so we sponge painted butterflies EVERYWHERE. Yeah, I am surprised HGTV didnt call us about that great design. Ha! 
• You know it's hot when you let your dog in and he goes straight to the air vent and collapses on the floor under it. 

Randomness from my couch

Mr.Pate is off working hard for the money, and Joey & I are chillin on the couch. So I thought to myself, "I bet my fabulous blog readers (the millions of you that are out there- wink wink) are really desiring to hear what is running thru my brain right now." I aim to please...

• A person on WW and trying to make new, lifelong, healthy food habits should never EVER buy their favorite splurge food (or convince their hubby to do so for them)... such as nutella. That may or may not have happened at the Pate house this week. 
• Being an adult in the summer sucks. All work and no play by the pool... ugh!
• My 2 shows for the summer are both on Sunday nights. I think thats weird, Sunday just doesnt feel like a TV night. Whatev. 
• Is anyone else watching Design Star? Nina is freakin annoying. And that one guy (dont even know his name) that keeps yelling at Trent about his placement of stuff... he is right about what he is saying but totally annoying in how he is saying it. Someone tell him to shut up!
• I used to write like 5 blog posts a weekend. I found it super easy. Everything made me think of a blog post. That line of thinking has ceased and getting on the computer seems almost like a chore now. Interesting. 
• My nieces didnt come this weekend. Didnt work out. Sad times. 
• My oldest niece is about to start middle school. MIDDLE SCHOOL! UGH! How did she get so old? And I am terrified about the drama that my face her. Middle school aint no joke. I should know- I am involved in Youth ministry. It is not a walk in the park. But she is a strong and sweet lady, she will be fine. But I will still worry, I mean wasnt she born yesterday??? 
• I used to keep my house spotless. I would even dust everyweek. EVERY WEEK! Usually once people have children, they go lax in this department. I have no children, and yet this summer I have sooo gone lax. I just do not want to clean!! It is such a vicious cycle that never ends. 
• If I could choose to live anywhere, I would live in Narnia. Yep, a fake world. Have you read it?? You would want to live there too. 
• I am really trying to focus on learning more about photography. I am reading books, blogs and taking a class in the fall. Dont worry- I will share anything useful I learn with you peps! 
• And I am now sleepy.... 

Peace out my homies... 

And the winner is...

And the winner of "Name that Movie Friday" is...

Emily! Good job. 

The movie was The Proposal! I seriously considering putting the "to the window..." quote- but I thought I could offend somebody or be taken wrong. Is that not the funniest part ever??!! I saw this movie in the theater while I was in Mexico visiting Karen last summer. She & I and Kris laughed so loud at that part. We got out of the movie and had some time before the rest of our crew was ready (they were seeing boring ol Harry Potter), so we went and sat and talked (at Starbucks no less- my haven! haha). It was one of my favorite parts of the trip! So the movie has sweet memories. And its hilarious. Thanks for playing along guys!

Name that Movie Friday!

Welcome to "Name that Movie Friday"!

I have so many movies I could watch over and over again (or have watched over and over again)! So I have decided Fridays around Patelife will be a day for me to quiz you on lines from some of my fav movies. Are you up for the challenge??!!

Was that your family?
Yes.
Tell you to quit.
Every single day. 

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Why didn't you tell me you're some kind of Alaskan Kennedy? 

We were in the middle of talking about you... for the last 3 years. 

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Your're a FREEAAKK!

Name that Movie!

Weeks & Love...

• I got to sleep in my own bed all week! Ha! 
• I had to purchase a new marketing camera for work, so I got paid to research cameras! Awesome! I learned alot about dslr camera's from it. 
• I was able to go to good ol Gallatin all day on Saturday, which was great. 
• I saw a not-so-fabulous-and-I-wish-I-hadn't-paid-for-it movie with a completely-fabulous-why-havent-we-hung-out-more friend. Then we had lunch (which was yummy) and sat and talked about everything under the sun. It was wonderful. 
• And THEN Livvi's B-Day party! It was super hot, so perfect weather for a pool party. She is such a fish. 
• After Livvi's party me, Mist, Ash, and my parents just sat around talking for a long time. It was such a great time. We never get to do that. I have been so blessed with a great family, even though they are kinda crazy too! hehe!
• On Sunday I had Youth Small Group (which was giggly) and then we had a Movie Night!! Yay! I love my youth girls, they are an exciting bunch. 
• Last night I got to watch my 2 fav summer shows: Design Star and Next Food Network Star! And Mr.Pate even watched with me. 

• My niece's are coming to stay this weekend! WooHoo!
• I am meeting with my dgroup again, finally! I have missed them.
• Pool Party on Saturday! I need me some time at the pool, I am tellin you. 
• I am actually cooking some meals at home this week! I am sick of eating out or camp food or randomness. 

What are you looking forward to this week??

And the winner is...

And the winner of this week's "Name that Movie Friday" is....

Jamie! Good job! The movie was "You've Got Mail". 

Lots of you knew this one, which means we all have good taste in movies. Haha! I love love love this movie, and I can quote most if it word for word. Once I was driving a group from the BCM down to Florida for Spring Break, and the van had a DVD player. I put this movie in and without being able to see the screen at all, I knew exactly what was happening at each moment... yeah I have seen it alot I suppose. Anyhow, I included several quotes yesterday but there were still more I wanted to include! Here is my fav quote from the movie- but I was afraid it would be a dead giveaway. 

"The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don't know what the hell they're doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino." 

And now I am off to the said coffee shop to see the hubby and practice my decision making abilities.... 

Fab 5 Friday- Wish List Style

It's that time again! Time to join with Emily and count our tangible, material blessings.

This week, instead of trying to figure out 5 things that made my life more fabulous (mainly because I haven't slowed down enough to notice), I decided to pick 5 things I wish I had to make my life more fabulous. 

1. A personal chef. Enough said. 

2. Chacos! My Freshmen year of college I got a Wal-mart knock off version of these that were awesome! They lasted until 2 summers ago... man I miss those things! I would love to have a pair of these babies. 

3. iPhone. Enough said.

4. A backyard Pool. 

5. Photoshop! 

What makes your wish list??

Name that Movie Friday!

Welcome to "Name that Movie Friday"!

I have so many movies I could watch over and over again (or have watched over and over again)! So I have decided Fridays around Patelife will be a day for me to quiz you on lines from some of my fav movies. Are you up for the challenge??!! I am giving you plenty of clues today...

"What is that? What is that? What are you doing? You're taking all the caviar? That caviar is a *garnish*! "
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"I thought all that Fox stuff was so cute, F-O-X... "Joe"? "Just call me Joe"? As if you were one of those stupid 22-year old girls with no last name? "Hi, I'm Kimberly!" "Hi, I'm Janice!" Don't they know you're supposed to have a last name? It's like they're an entire generation of cocktail waitresses." 
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"I *love* Patricia. Patricia makes COFFEE nervous."
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"The Godfather is the sum of all wisdom. The Godfather is the answer to any question. What should I pack for my summer vacation? "Leave the gun, take the cannoli." What day of the week is it? "Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Wednesday."
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"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So good night, dear void. "
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I would have asked for your number, and I wouldn't have been able to wait twenty-four hours before calling you and saying, "Hey, how about... oh, how about some coffee or, you know, drinks or dinner or a movie... for as long as we both shall live?" 
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"A HOTDOG is singing. You need quiet while a hotdog is singing?"
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NAME THAT MOVIE! 

Aim- Tweaks & Updates

Remember those goals of mine I set?? Well it is now June, which means it has practically been half a year since I endeavored to accomplish these things (I actually didnt set them till Feb, but close enough!). There are a few that I am realizing are not important to me, a few that I feel like I do easily and no longer need as a goal, and a few that I need to keep at and get my bottom in gear with! Ha! So here is my list, how I did last month, and a few new tweaks as well...

1. Personal Goals:

• Memorize the book of Philippians. Yep, the whole book. Still at this one! I currently know 1:1-27, which sounds pretty good till you look at how long I have been at it! I am really hoping I pick up some speed with Chapter 2. At this rate, it may take me 2 years to memorize this short book! 
• Read 2 books a month. Still at this one too. This month I finished 1 book. But it was a really good book! 
• Be social at least 3 times a month. This is one I dont feel is needed anymore. While I am still a homebody, I think now that its warm I am having no problem getting some social time in. 
• Begin a Youth Book Club. A new one. 

2. Marriage Goals:

• Have a "connect" time each day- a time where we have intentional communication, a devo and prayer time. We have scaled back our goal in this area to a couple of times a week. This seems to help it be a more meaningful time and not a chore. We need to improve on this one! 
• Be more affectionate. This one is just hard to measure, so I am taking it off the list. 
• Practice the discipline of date night. Doing well, but averaging every other week right now. 

3. Financial Goals:

• Track our monthly spending to ensure we are actually living out our proposed budget. I made some progress on this one last month. I got our spreadsheet updated and we made a plan on how to track what each purchase is for. Now we just have to enact that plan! 
• Give coupons another try. I am keeping this one on here, but I have made zero progress. So my new short term goal is to begin this in July. 
• Cut our grocery budget by 10%. Did a horrid job of this last month. Went over! 
• Be more diligent about contributing to our savings & retirement. Savings is going strong, retirement not so much. But Mr.Pate met with our advisor guy today, so hopefully this month will be more productive. 

4. Physical Health:

• No longer be considered insulin resistant. I know this sounds presumptuous or like I think I have control over my health, but in the case of insulin resistance you really can control having it or not by managing a healthy weight. I am getting so close, but not there yet! My levels were actually slightly up last time, which my doctor was not sure why. I do labs again in August, so hopefully I will be at a 0 at that point! 
• Get to my WW goal. Ugh!! Remember when I updated you guys on my WW journey? Yeah, well it is almost a month later and I am only 0.4 lbs lower. I am still going for it, but these last pounds are creeping off! Ha! 3 lbs to go. 
• Do something physically active 5-6 times a week. This one is no longer an issue, so its coming off too. 

5. Project Goals:

• Begin my Holiday memories & random memories scrapbooks. This one is getting changed alittle, but I have not started any of it. 
• Create a family heritage cookbook for my side of the family and Justin's. I am going to try this one for one more month, but this one may not happen either. I cant find a company that does them relatively cheap, and I cant get our families to send us any recipes. 
• Make a price book. I have gotten a little closer, but not yet. I have downloaded another ladies, and found it helpful! Ha! 

How are you doing on those New Year's Goals?? Do you even remember them?? Do share!

Weeks and Love...

Why I LOVED Last Week:

• Camp! I got to spend great quality time with the Lord & my youth! 
• The Lake! We went to a camp called Crossings @ Jonathan Creek, which is on a lake. So I got to swim (yay Summer!) and enjoy awesome views. 
• Fabulous worship services! I got to experience great praise music and hear some great challenges from our speaker at camp.
• Sheldon (the youngest of the Pate boys) graduated High School! Oh my goodness! He grew up sooo fast. I am so glad we got to go be a part of that experience. 
• I got in some good reading time.
• I got to use my new camera a bunch! And it took some great pics for me. 
• Dance parties- yep lots of them in the girls room at camp!
• Getting to visit one of our youth who is in the hospital. She is awesome and so much stronger than I am!
• Got to catch up on the phone with one of my best friends- it had been way too long! 

Why I LOVE this week:

• My bed! I was soo ready to sleep in it when I got back.
• Getting to be at home with Mr.Pate and Joey & Zoey! I missed our animal kids badly!
• My youngest niece's bday party is this weekend! Yay for family time!
• I am going to hangout with a great friend who I havent seen in FOREVER on Saturday! Woo Hoo!

P.S. I totally tried my hand out at making a graphic for this. Feel free to save it for yourself and join in... especially the person who told me to make it- I need some updates from you!!!

What up my Blog peps!!

The blog has been a bit quiet, I know. That's because I am spending my days acting like a paprazzi for my Youth group in the suer hot sun! Mr.Pate, Dustin and I have brought our Youth group to Crossings @ Jonathan Creek for church camp this week. We left on Tuesday and get back on Sunday afternoon. So far so good, the youth are having a blast. I love bringing them to camp, mainly because it gets them away from their normal drama-filled atmospheres so they can get some Spiritual clarity and focus. I have had some great talks with the girls we brought, and I am sure it will only get better.

I am spending any free time I get uploading pictures and updating our youth group blog for the parents, so I wont be able to provide you with any entertainment this week. Sorry friends! Ha! Have a great week!! Oh and congrats to Sheldon, the youngest Pate brother, who graduated from high school on Wednesday (yep we had to leave camp, go to Louisville, and then head right back!)!! I cant believe you are 18!!