World Mental Health Day 2017

  Life, guys, life. What a rollercoaster it has been this last year. New job, new school, and of course new health problems. I have had a major relapse with my anxiety and panic disorders and well as my clinical depression. Every year since I started this blog, I have always been very open about mental health and have been vocal about my struggles on this day.
  Every human, at some point, has some form of anxiety. It's completely natural to go through, but I feel like the world has been more normalized, in the term of just throwing it around with no real meaning. I think that is why some people don't take how serious mental health is.
  In my case, I have had it my whole life and is completely genetic. My new struggle to date is having nocturnal attacks. So, not so much during the day but more of just the feeling of it, then at night I get attacks and don't sleep. That's something that I have kind of struggled with because (1) I love sleep, I could do it all day no problem and (2) my job requires me to wake up early, so I usually get fourish hours a night.
  I'm not going to depress you through this whole post I promise! I have found a new (more like rediscovered) and amazing way to deal with my never-ending anxiety. Y-O-G-A! It's the answer. I found a wonderful studio a couple of months ago and I haven't stopped. It literally has changed my life in more ways than I could possibly type. I'm more calm, my attitude has changed, and I'm getting strong! The transformation from then to now is pretty drastic. It's something that I look forward to!
  I don't want to make this day, a day of sadness but a day of recovery and progress because that's what we all need today! And every day!  Join the community of mental health and help educate and give awareness, that it's not an "illness" but simply something that affects people more than others.
  Come together and love each other.

Until Next Time,

Madison

XOXO

A Mother's Day Tribute: Grams

  This year for Mother's Day we celebrated my mom with a pedicure, a new FitBit and lots of flowers! We made sure she felt super duper special! Since my Grams lives down in Fresno now at a very nice assisted living center, we brought her up here for the weekend to celebrate with us. Even though my Grams is, well, my Grams she still deserves a nice little tribute for Mother's Day even if it's a week late!

 Grams name, besides the obvious, is Mary Lou Lyons and may I tell you she is one tough cookie! Her family (large I might add) migrated all the way from Oklahoma and lived in various states. She met my Papa when she was just twelve years old (there's a picture to prove it) but they parted ways, only to meet again later in life and elope! I say she's a tough cookie for many reasons you might think of a cross-country journey, living with my dear Papa for almost 70 years (!!!) and raising my mother!
 There is not a mean or unjust bone in her body, and the most giving women on the face of this good earth. I have SO MANY happy memories with her it's insane so I decided to list some:

1. Teaching me to crochet
2. Taking me to her local thrift store she volunteered at and let me go crazy
3. Taught me how to cook through lots of cookie dough eating
4. Read me the same books over and over
5. Let me give her lots of "make overs"
6. Bragged about me to anyone who would listen
7. Tea parties
8. Our little walks in the afternoon
9. Swinging in the bench Papa made
10. Drinking coffee and pestering Papa
11. Jeopardy
12. Wheel of Fortune
13. Teaching me how to play (and cheat) at cards
14. The one time she scared me when she took out her dentures
15. Spanking me only once in my life and apologizing right after

She was, and is, such a mother figure in my life and I love her very much. She should be given a reward for raising THREE boys and my mom! Thanks Grams for all you do, you're amazing.

Until Next Time,

Madison

XOXO

Girls Night Out: From Indian Lakes

 You. Guys. My wish came true and From Indian Lakes added Fresno to their second tour! They could quite possibly be my favorite band, so I swooped on those tickets the second they went live. When I was in college in Phoenix back in the fall I was so lucky to be able to see them there on their first tour for their latest album and that was a beyond amazing show!
 I grabbed Mia and my friend Sarah and we went to the show at Strummer's, for a little girls night out. The first band, Queen of Jeans, really blew us away and got us pretty pumped. FIL came on and played ALL of my favorite songs, rocked our socks off and had everyone singing along. The only setback was an extreme moshpit that got out of control with people literally slamming into us. However, the show was great, my girls are great, FIL is great and Joey V is God's gift to this good Earth. Amen!

Until Next Time,

Madison

XOXO

Sense of Summer

 It seems like God finally gave us a break from all the rain and cold, handing us some nice sunshine! Runs are extra sweaty and my allergies are basically out of control but as long as its nice weather I really can't complain! I was given some motivation this year to start a garden so I picked up a couple of supplies and planted a variety of veg and I am also attempting to grow some chamomile to make my own blend of tea. I'll have to get back to you on how it goes.
 Hammock weather is also upon us, as I am writing to you from one in my back yard (courtesy of allergy medicine). I am also hoping for a nice tan or some braveness to show the little tan I do have! We are currently in the works of a camping trip and lots of water activities, which is something I have been dreaming of since October. I can't help myself I do love summer and all that goes along with it. This weather also makes me miss my Papa a little extra because this was the season for tomato growing and afternoons watching westerns. Most days I wish I could just drive over to his house and take refuge from the extra things of life.
 Anyways, thank you for reading my thoughts via a hammock! Go through on your bathing suit and soak up the sun!

Until Next Time,

Madison

XOXO

20 years

  Well, dear readers, as of last Wednesday I am finally 20 years old! I still remember being in middle school wishing I was around this age, in terms of freedom and such. Who knew that "freedom" requires money???
   I was super spoiled this year for my birthday; waking up to five bouquets of flowers and chocolate just waiting for me on my car. I did have to work that day, but it was perfectly steady and not too insane. Of course, I had to treat myself to a manicure! I can't go around town with gross looking nails at this age, ya know?! We had dinner at South Gate and I was presented with a FitBit amongst other items. I have been wanting one for awhile now for my distance running, and what a cool thing to have! It does practically everything. I also, later on, got new (and much needed) running shoes as well! We may be seeing a half marathon in the near (but not sooo near) future!
   Finally, I got surprised with a trip to Monterey! Of course, the aquarium and Cannery row were included. We also took the 17-mile drive and saw the most pristine beaches! For dinner, we went to Passionfish which was amazing with the food and wine! It will definitely be a restaurant to note.
  I was sooo spoiled this year for turning 20, which makes me so excited for the big 2-1! ;) Thank you to everyone who went out of their way to make my day special and I truly feel appreciated!

Until Next Time,

Madison

XOXO

Weekend Recap: Marisa's Birthday part II and a Race!

 Hello friends! How are you all doing? Good? Good! So many things happened this weekend my brain just couldn't separate them all into separate posts. Adulting is hard, ya know?
 Anyways, us girls in 320 were busy bees over our weekend! Saturday was the day of Marisa's second celebration for her birthday, and we spent most of the day glamming up for said event. Saturday included lots of makeup, hair, sparkles, and friends! Just what every girl loves, im sure. We all went to dinner at P.F. Changs, enjoyed garlic noodles (which blew me out of the water) and cute mocktails. After, our little caravan went to Top Golf and had such a fun a time! I'm slowly, but surely getting better at golf (thank the Lord). 
 Sunday, our neighbor and dear friend Brooke ran a 10K like A BOSS! Her race was in uptown Phoenix (my favorite part of this state) and we got to see her in the last stretch, and the finish line. Brooke finished her race at around 51-ish minutes, which is an exceptional time for a 10K race. We celebrated with coffee and breakfast, following the end of the race. I live for breakfast food.
 I also have to mention the amazing friendsgiving that our apartment complex threw for us. It was in our courtyard and they had so much food, cute decor, pumpkin chess, pumpkin bowling etc. We all got together and got to know new people through yummy food and the spirit of a wonderful holiday.

Until Next Time, 

Madison 

XOXO

Marisa's Birthday Part I

Well kiddos, my roommate turned 19 last Saturday! Whhhaaaatttt??? I know, she's the baby of the apartment. Room 320 likes to celebrate birthdays and basically any holiday we can around here. Marisa was so lucky to fly home for her birthday so we had to celebrate on Tuesday with our beloved neighbors. Lot's of food, decoration and cake! What else does a girl need, am I right?! Now, as you can notice, the title of today's blog is only part 1. We are celebrating agian on Saturday, us girls (and a few guys) are going out on the town and are going to have some fun.
 Marisa is such a unique human we have celebrate more than once!

Until Next Time,

Madison 

XOXO