Category Archives: Life

Fasty Friday and Favorites…

not fasty as in fasting, but more like quick..you know?  Fasty.  Or you can just say Quick Takes and 5 Favorites combo’d.  QTs is over @ CampPatton again this week because new Mama Jen FINALLY GOT TO TAKE THE BABY HOME FROM THE NICU!!!  Awesome news in this week of ickiness.  Superb, in fact.  AND……in a bid to bring joyful and useful news among the rough news week, I am ALSO joining in with Hallie and her 5 Favorite Things link up….but mine will have 7-ish.  A two-fer if you will.  It’s always fun to see what people are up to during the week and I’ve been enjoying the  5 faves and seeing what folks around the internets consider their favorite products and such.  Go check ’em ALL out!!

It’s a clean eating theme.

This week marks the end of my 2nd week of eating clean.  It’s not a hard and fast “Clean” and/or Paleo, but a bit of a combined, best-of-both worlds and guess what???  It’s totally working.  Of course, the fact that I have planned out our meals and have made sure to have adequate food for my eating purposes has certainly helped….but, I think this is something that I could totes live with.  Now, that said, I’m heading into week 3 which is where I have generally sputtered and run out of motivation in the past, so pray for me and feel free to send on some encouragement, etc, etc!  Ok, ok, here’s my 7:

  1. Adoration.  I’ve been TWICE this week.  I love  Adoration.  Peace.  Quiet. Prayers.  In light of all the tragedy this week in Boston and Texas amongst other family and friend urgent prayer needs, it was a welcome respite in which I highly recommend.
  2. Pat Gohn.  Love her podcast.  And she has a new book out, “Blessed, Beautiful and Bodacious!” which is on my night stand in the next-to-read position.  This week she interviewed Mary Wallace and they talked of working moms OUTSIDE the home and incorporating your faith life in your work life.  It was a stellar podcast and has encouraged me to begin a “Positivity Project” .  Without going into detail, I’ll just say office morale is totally in the toilet…BUT Mary and Pat encouraged me to “be the change”.  Every person can make small efforts to turn the tide even if those who should be setting the example don’t.  I started yesterday with Gandhi’s quote, “Be the change you want to see in the world”.  I’d like to see a lot less whining, griping and people just doing their job and helping others…..
  3. Pre-cooked food.  Eating Clean-eo has been much easier with cooking up some roasted veggies and hard-boiled eggs on the weekend for some ease in putting together lunches and snacks for me for the week.  However, I’ll just say that I’ve now given brussel sprouts THREE separate tries and they really are not good.  I ate them.  They weren’t horrible.  However, I won’t be eating them again.
  4. Pre-planned meals.  Meal planning for the week just helps me stay focused.  No guess-work in the morning on what to take out, no fumbling after work for what we’ll eat.  It’s just working for me.  Winning.
  5. Almond milk.  Since I’ve cut out dairy, this is my substitute for my coffee additive in the a.m. and my smoothie base after workout.  No dairy.  No gluten.  Tasty.
  6. Spin bike and burpees.  Actually, I hate them both.  However, to get my cardio in on non-workout days the spin bike fits the bill and when I break it up into 5-8 minute sessions with a set of 10 Burpees in between it goes much quicker.  Not to mention I am sweating like a sweaty person when I’m done.
  7. Choco-cado smoothie.  Before you get all EWWWW, sounds gross on me….let me just say….it is so delicious I thought I was cheating.   The fact I’ve had no sugar and/or processed stuff for twoweeks probably increased the yum factor, but seriously…..DELISH!!!!  I’m including the link on the pic credit, but here’s MY version:  8 oz Almond Milk, 1 frozen banana (go ahead and peel that BEFORE you freeze it so you don’t have to nuke it to get the peel off…ask me how I know this.)  1 giant handful of spinach.  1/4 of a avocado.  1 scoop of chocolate protein powder.  Blend and enjoy.  You are welcome.

Now go check out all the other people and their QTs and Faves…Happy Weekend!!

WIWS…Spring has sprung!

Sunday Mass fashion sharing with the masses @ Fine Linen and Purple…here we go!!!!!

Another weekend of a dress you haven’t seen on me here yet….exciting stuff, right??  With jewelry you may or may not have seen and if you look REALLY carefully you can see my budding herbs in the background.  My favorite time of year!!!

I’m including my female mininons this week, too….since they are always so helpful with the photo shoot and all.  The menfolk around here generally shun the camera or photobomb or make ridiculous faces….so they’re out!  This week anyway….

Full length....Target dress, many, many moons ago and one of my faves.

Full length….Target dress and shoes, many, many moons ago and one of my faves.

Bracelet gift from my mom a few years ago, ring you've seen this one before and funky necklace a thank you gift from a neighbor for cat sitting.

Bracelet gift from my mom a few years ago, ring you’ve seen this one before and funky necklace a thank you gift from a neighbor for cat sitting.

 

Our oldest girl and her VERY purple shoes (Kohl's) and matching hair bow (farmer's market)  and Aeropostale dress (thrifted) with my (Kohl's) sweater.

Our oldest girl and her VERY purple shoes (Kohl’s) and matching hair bow (farmer’s market) and Aeropostale dress (thrifted) with my (Kohl’s) sweater.

 

Youngest diva sporting her Kohl's blingy flip flops, and hand me down dress and cardi and a hairbow stolen from Mimi long ago!

Youngest diva sporting her Kohl’s blingy flip-flops, and hand me down dress and cardi and a hairbow stolen from Mimi long ago!

 

#Gosnell. MSM roundup, the day after the #Twitterfest

Let me first say that while I am fully recognizing that I am fortunate to be gainfully employed, it is also to be noted that such JOB absolutely interferes with my social interactions throughout the day (as well as blogging and exploring other hobbies), but hey…we gots to eat, right?  Anyway.  If you weren’t aware, on Friday, some GENIUS (and someone PLEASE let me know if you are aware of WHO started this train…just brilliant!), launched a full-out Twitter campaign to have Kermit Gosnell’s trial be the #1 trending topic to bring light to the complete mainstream media (MSM) blackout of the trial that has been happening since MARCH 18!!!!  Now listen, I am Catholic, follow mostly Catholics on Twitter, am relatively abreast on the news of the nation and world (“relatively”, because in all honesty the news is just plain depressing and I am a terribly sympathetic and empathetic individual and the news has a serious effect on my heart) and I have only been aware for a couple of weeks of the trial.  Back to Twitter….it was going OFF, OFF I say on #Gosnell.  It did, in fact, get MSM attention in a shame-fest.  Now, isn’t the whole job of a report to get a “scoop”..you know, the first to report on a happening?  We have a MSM full of chickens.  Yellow-bellied chickens.  By late afternoon/early evening there was a promise that Anderson Cooper was to  lead with the story on AC360 last night.  Other reporters started to comment on the lack of MSM coverage and The Washington Post vowed to do better in the coming days.  This morning I did a quick round up…”quick” means, scanning the FRONT internets page of the following MSM sites, I did also review “US, Nation and Politics headers” for other quick scans, because let’s be honest…most people get their news like that.  Here’s what I found based on my personal news folder at 6:30 a.m…therefore NOT exhaustive.  Not at all.  Because obviously I need to add the Atlantic in my folder, and life news…..

Breakdown of front pages:

CNN: a blip under “the latest”

Screen shot 2013-04-13 at 6.28.24 AM

NY Times:  Nada

LA Times:  Nada

BBC News:  Nada

NPR:    Nada

USA Today:  Nope, however Kobe’s injury and the implications of his future are front and center…

Local news:  Guffaw….just for kicks and nope

RealClear Politics:    An entire section!!!Screen shot 2013-04-13 at 6.42.32 AM

Let’s hope in the coming days these headers change.  It’s hard stuff to read.  Disgusting.  Mind-searingly evil and incomprehensible and yet we must be informed.  Ignorance is not bliss.  C’mon MSM, you can do better than that.

Friday….bring the thunder

Fun Friday, Folks.  You know what that means…..well since Jen is a leetle busy post-birth and all and spending her days trekking it to and fro to the NICU for baby Joseph, she’s handed this weeks QTs off to Grace.

  1. Day 7 of  clean Eating, people.  Day 7.  Proud to say I’m toeing the line.  The whole planning thing really panned out this week.  And I’m feeling good!!!
  2. Week 1 of my gym’s 6 week Challenge and……..I worked out one day this week.  Totally need to re-group on the exercise deal is I plan on winning.  The whole life-getting-in-the-way ain’t gonna bring home the 2K, you know?!?
  3. I’ve been doing lots of praying this week.  For gals in labor, babies in the NICU, parents in the ICU,  those suffering from cancer, their loved ones, the struggles go on and on and sometimes it’s a little overwhelming all this suffering in the world and then I was reminded of this by Ann Voskamp….because I am a “fixer” and like to make things right and suffering frustrates me because I’m helpless and yet:Screen shot 2013-04-12 at 6.30.27 AM
  4. Back on the upswing….we bought our beach pass and have used it.  Twice.  Two weekends in a row.  Don’t hate.  Man I love the beach.  Love.

    Riding her cruiser!!

    Riding her cruiser!!

  5. I’m running out of things to say.
  6. Really I’m running out of time, because I need to get ready for work!
  7. In reply to Grace’s query of kitchen furniture and the like….we have a super hutch/dresser/furniture, thanks to some super awesome friends!  Sadly time is limiting me from finding the picture!!!

go check out the rest of the crew and jump on in so Jen has plenty of reading material in the NICU and keep those prayers coming, people!

And the last shall be first….

THIS week, Jen has flipped the order and the procrastinators (AKA, MOI) are at the TOP of the list…so Friday Saturday QTs it is….b/c I can’t seem to get it together in time for Friday….but y’all pray for her and her health and her upcoming birth of her bambino…..she really needs ’em!!  Annnnnd, BTW…congrats to MoxieWife, Hallie on the birth of her tardy chubs, Charlie!!!  Now onto the QTs….

 

— 1 —

This was week 6 of my Groupon for Impact Fitness and it was AWESOME!!  So awesome in fact, I conned encouraged a friend to join (which scored me 1/2 off the NEXT 6 weeks).  We are both doing the next challenge which promises a $2000 prize to the person with the highest % weight loss.  I’M.  IN.  GAME.  ON.

— 2 —

I’m also apparently in the lead for a word-of-mouth contest the gym had for referrals and maybe, just maaaaaaaybe if I win….Mama will be reading these blogs on her new iPad.   The anticipation is KILLING ME!!!

— 3 —

And so, with the upcoming challenge and my aspirations on bringing home the multiple Benjamins I am planning my menu…except I’m not.  I’m on the computer.  Earlier this week I already sorta mapped it out.  Now to put it to paper.  And head to the grocery store.  And cook.  HOWEVER…my family is on board.  Might have something to do with the dinner out I promised with my winnings…….

— 4 —

Switching gears….Hubs and I are almost done with this season of Downton Abbey.  ONE.  MORE.  EPISODE.  I’m preparing for withdrawals.  And bracing myself for a shocking last episode.  Or so my friend has said, without spoiling it.  GAH!!!

— 5 —

Hubs and I have a date night tonight.  Gotta love Groupon…..Steak!!!!!  And date night!  Double W!!!!

— 6 —

On a camera/photography note….I need to send off my beloved Nikon for repair.  Sad face.  Any suggestions?   So far, I’m planning on sending it to Nikon…they diagnose online and price it before you even send it.

— 7 —

For the final QT…I’m sharing this video of a hilarious “prank” by Jeff Gordon at a car dealership…real or no….flippin’ funny.  My friend showed me at work and then I watched with the Hubs last night and laughed even harder.  Happy Weekend!!  I’m off to PLAN for my WIN!!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!