Our apartment-Sugarloaf Estates

I know we have almost been in Massachusetts for 2 months now,but our apartment is finally coming together. It also took us awhile to get furniture. We found our kitchen chairs on the side of the road along with a dresser. Matt's aunt was redoing her living room,so she very kindly gifted us a couch,2 chairs, 2 end tables,and a coffee table. We also got a kitchen table and another table from our friends in our ward. We did a fun diy project with our kitchen chairs and dresser, that I will do a post on later.  We are starting to get more used to our surroundings,but it has been a huge adjustment from Provo. One big difference is there are way more smokers here especially of illegal substances. We could smell pot in one of our bedrooms when we first moved in,but we were able to take care of it mostly. We live on the third floor and we have a corner apartment,so we don't hear our neighbors. We also really like that our complex has a fitness room, so we are able to exercise in the A/C, which is such a blessing since it is super humid here. Sunderland is basically farm lands,so there are tons of farm stands everywhere. So far we liking it here and we are excited,because another LDS couple is moving in this week to our same building,so we are excited to get to know them! Now for the pictures.

Hallway- We are inside of building that has a passcode

From the door

entryway closet 

2 locks on the door only one you can use from the outside

Living room

Gallery wall

From the couch

From the living room window

Dining room- class mirror wall

small kitchen and our back door

From the kitchen

Again the kitchen- with the pantry door

Close up of the chairs we did (we want to paint the table white,but we don't own it)

Hallway storage closet

Hallway between the bedrooms

Bathroom

Our bedroom

The dresser we painted

Mexico plates 

Resolution Updates-August 2013

We are already in AUGUST! That means I need to do another update on how my resolutions are going. Like I said back in April I made 4 goals for myself to achieve in 2013. I'm really glad I made these four goals,because they are helping me become better in different parts of my life. I'm also really proud of myself for sticking with them!

My personal goals for 2013:
1. Blog 2 times a month
2.Do personal scripture study
3. Read 50 books
4. Lose 50 pounds

Goal #1-
January-6
February-3
March-6
April-3
May-4
June-3
July- 3
August-1

Goal #2-
I decided to read the Doctrine and Covenants for my personal study. I can gladly say that I have started reading it. Some days are better then others when it comes to reading,but I happy that I'm at least making an effort at this goal. With the rate that I'm going I should be able to complete it by the end of the year!

Goal #3-
I thought this was going to be such a simple goal. I originally wanted to make the goal to read 100 books,but Matt talked me down to 50. Which I'm so happy be did! I love to read,but making the time to basically read a book a week is a challenge.

So far I have read 23 and I'm currently reading my 24th book. So almost halfway there. If anyone has some quick reads or books you can't put down, let me know! 

     

                                                          My goodreads account page Click here

Goal #4-
This is the goal that I am most proud of. I have made weight loss goals in the past,but this time I'm actually sticking to it. I enjoy exercising (most of the time) and I can tell what foods are good for my body by the way I feel after eating them. Even though the progress I have seen is slow going, I'm happy that I am losing and that I'm doing it in a healthy way. I love the app Lose it! It makes eating easier,but I can see how many calories everything is. I also like that I didn't have to cut out a million calories in the beginning,but that with each pound I lose I lose around 10 calories,so I'm gradually eating less and less. Our apartment complex that we live has a small health center. This has been a great blessing,because Matt and I have been able to work out together in the A/C! We go 4 times a week and we are trying to get in a fifth day,but this hasn't become a habit yet. Up to this point I have lost 30 pounds! I am a little over halfway to my goal of 50 pounds. There are about 20 more weeks until the end of the year,so hopefully I can meet this goal!

30 pounds down

                     The progress pictures! These blow my mind. I like seeing the side by side views.

Before- December 2012/ During July 2013 (same shirt)

face difference 

                                                        a close up of the main change