Bakin Friends Reveal!

Can you guys believe today is the last day of July already?  This summer is flying by way to fast.  

Well, with the last day of the month comes the Bakin Friends reveal!  This month's secret ingredient was a little different, but my friend, Dawn, did an amazing job!  This month we were to use BASIL.  A little weird, right?  

Dawn sent me some super tasty Lemon-Basil scones!  One of my favorite things to eat are scones and these did not disappoint!  They were super Lemon-y {which is one of my fave flavors lately} with a hint of basil.  I had them for breakfast and they went perfectly with my coffee {and as Dawn suggested, they'd be perfect with TEA}!  Thank you, Dawn, for the amazing treats!

Interested in joining, email me at leahmarie.mackenzie@gmail.com!

Happy eating!

Latte with Leah #6

Hi Friends!  It’s time to grab your favorite coffee& listening ears {ha, if you have a kid, you totally use this saying 100 times a day…admit it.  Please.}…let’s begin, shall we?!

~ Exciting news…I recently joined my friend Christie in her new beach body challenge!  Seriously, I am PUMPED!  It’s sort of pricey, but I am hoping it will be the motivation that I need right now to work-out and get back into shape!  If you know Christie, you know she’ll be the PERFECT beach body coach: healthy, motivating and FULL of energy and positive vibes!  I hope to update often on my challenge successes {ßsee positive attitude} so check back! 

~ I’ve recently given up getting Starbucks in the morning’s.  Ugh, it breaks my heart, but I know going everyday was not a fiscally responsible decision…$4 a day will surely add to the savings account!  If you see me and I seem out of it, you’ll know why.  I apologize in advance.

~ Seriously, this is not only brilliant, it completely blows my mind!  I’d probably end up losing a finger.

~ This is on my list of things to stuff in my face!

~ We finally have grass!  And some plants.  The house really feels like a HOME now and we absolutely LOVE it!  Building has truly been one of the best decisions ever!

~ I just finished up 2^nd book in the Maze Runner series, The Scorch Trials.  Loved it.  Easy read and it totally sucks you in.  I’m on the waiting list for the 3^rd book…I can’t wait to read it!  What are some of your favorite reads lately?

~ One of my new favorite songs!

~ I love, love, LOVE Farmer's Markets!  Nothing better than fresh and healthy fruits & veggies!  Oh, and gorgeous flowers!

So, if we were actually having coffee together, what would YOU tell me?

3 strikes you're out?!

Have you ever had one of those days where you just wanted to get in the car and drive.  Far away.  By yourself.  That’s the day I’m having.  

Sadly, it’s the kind of day I’ve been having for a while now.  Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE my time with my daughter & Husband – it’s the other 75% of my time where I’m miserable.  I dread Monday mornings…like to the point where I even cry on my way into work.  My stomach forms ridiculous “knots” and I’ve been having some crazy headaches.  And, why?  Because I’ve just about had it with my job.  I just feel so “stuck”.  I’ve been in the Accounting field the whole life of my career.  I’m not even sure why – I mean, I hate math and numbers just don’t make sense to me, but it sort of  “fell into my lap” after I graduated from college.  I was young and it was a real job.  So I took it.  I should have known it was a big mistake.  I was unhappy from day 1.  But, I kept at it.  I worked hard and figured I’d just “get used” to my career choice.  Since, I’ve simply shuffled from one crappy Accounting job to another. 

Lately, though, it’s unbearable.  I need to get out of this funk and career.  ASAP.  I’m constantly irritated when I’m at work {& even when I’m not…I tend to carry this with me at home} and I can tell my health just isn’t where it should be.  Too much {un-needed} stress.  Things have to change.  So, why not just make that change, you ask?  If only it were truly that easy.  My ultimate goal is to make my way into the Communications field or my dream job of being an Editor.  However, I don’t have a communications/journalism/marketing degree – strike 1.  And, though every job as well as  in our daily lives, require constant communicating, I have no formal experience – strike2.  The only thing I might qualify for are entry level jobs and those are usually earmarked for new Graduates – strike 3. 

Hmm…3 strikes.  You’re out?  I hope not.

I even reached out to a friend of a friend {don’t you love those} and asked about getting into communication type roles and she basically said the best thing is experience and taking some college courses to gain the communication skill/background.  Oh and then she said “there is no easy way to get into communications, especially if you have any interest in making a salary over roughly $30K, as most entry level communications positions are really just grunt work”.  Outstanding. 

So, where does one go from here?  I guess it’s all about networking, knowing the right people and keeping track of any & all aspects of my job that would highlight my communication skills.  I’m not ruling out taking a pay-cut, but it has to be for the right job.  Something that interests me and makes ME happy. 

Have you ever wanted to or made a career change?  How did you go about it?  Tips?  Words of advice/wisdom?  I’ll take anything at this point!

Friday Funny!

I've hit a bit of writer's block {and laziness},but hope to be back next week with some regular posts! For now, this will just have to do :)  Enjoy and have a fabulous Friday!!