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Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Sunshine

Hello Friends! Happy Tuesday.  Last week this beautiful mama-to-be nominated me for this!


She asked ten questions and I loved them!! You're supposed to nominate 10 people, but I am running short on time, so I nominate you! If you're reading this and are a 'sunshiney-person' then feel free to copy these questions and post on your blog.  Leave a comment letting me know, so I can learn more about you!

1. Who is your blogger inspiration?

When I first began blogging, I was so excited to stumble upon other women my age who were head over heels in love with their husbands.  It was refreshing to see women like Danielle put it all out there! She has been an inspiration from day one.  I also enjoy Kelle Hampton's blog, as it reminds me to stop, slow down, and smell the roses.  It's very easy to get caught up in the newest trend, fun accessory, expensive tote, but her blog takes me back to what's important in life: Enjoying the Small Things.

2. What is your biggest dream?

To grow old with Joe and see our child(ren) marry and have children....I just know we will be amazing Grandparents. It may seem silly, but we're not granted that many tomorrows, so being grandparents sounds like a good dream to me!  I can picture us sitting on a big old front porch watching the kiddos play in the front yard. 

3.  How do you gain inspiration for your writing?

I must say that I have even more admiration for writers, ever since I started to blog.  There are days where I feel as though I have nothing to say, so I don't.  There are days when I have so much to say, and yet no time. I write from my heart; I try not to think about (or care about) what others may think when they read what I write.  I am not here trying to please anyone, I simply love to write.  I also enjoy looking back on all of the times I've captured in my writing.  My life inspires me....


4.  What is your favorite holiday tradition?
I am a Christmas gal, through and through. I love everything about it! My favorite tradition is decorating our tree.  You can see my posts about it here and here and because I was so big and prego, Joe wouldn't let me get a huge tree last year haha--here. I cannot wait for Brooke to see all of the pretty lights and ornaments this year!  The first phone call I ever had with Joseph, he told me how he bought this house and fell in love with the upstairs, where you can overlook into the living-room; he said he couldn't want to see his {future} children's faces all lit up when they saw presents under the tree.  *tear* I know, how could I not marry that guy?!

5.  If money were no object, what would your perfect weekend entail?

I'd fly to Italy with my hunny.  We just fell in love with Rome; I'd rent a private jet so we could travel in comfort style and we'd stay at a beautiful hotel overlooking the old city.  We'd eat as much as we could and bring back as much cheese and vino as they'd allow!


6.  What is your favorite fall activity?
I am so excited for the pumpkin patch this year.  I've been dying to get some adorable photos with her and the pumpkins.  I'm looking forward to some hot apple cider, donuts, and maybe even a hay ride.  But most of all, I want to see how many pumpkin patches we can hit up in one month! haha



7.  What is one passion you may or may not share on your blog?
Dancing. 


I think I've shared a few times my love for dance.  I took ballet 14 years.  Jazz. Pointe.  Hip Hop.  Even tapped for a summer.  I danced a little bit in college when I was a part of Show Choir.  The last time I "danced" was when I was 26 and auditioned for "Dancing with the Teachers" on our local morning news.  There were 100 people who tried out and only 8 of us made it. [I came in 4th!] It was always an outlet for me and I LOVE it.  And? I MISS it. Heck, I even miss dancing out at the clubs!! Minus the whole staying out til 2am thing.  Zumba was a great outlet that  I really should get back into again...

8.  What is your exercise routine?
Speaking of Zumba...Yeah, we (even my husband was saying he wants to workout more) need to get better at this.  Right now I take walks with Brooke and try to do "something" [a Yoga DVD, Jillian Michaels, the elliptical] I need to stop making excuses and just DO.  My friend Nikki gave me a goal of 4x a week 30 min.  Now I just need to stick to it!!

9.  What was the last book you read?  How would you rate it?

I am currently reading The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson. It is a leadership book that was recommended from some of my top team members.  It is an easy read and so much of it applies to my life already.  I laugh and tell my husband that he could've written it, because so many of the tips the author gives, my husband does.  It all stems from the same ideas, and either you are or you aren't successful.  It is not hard to be good at certain things, but this book is the perfect reminder, "What is easy to do, is also easy not to do."  If you ever wonder why you're not where you want to be in something with your life, grab this book and read it.  Even if it's just 10 minutes a day...you'll start shifting your mindset and I guarantee you'll start to see changes in your life. 

Go read it now!!

10.  Share one thing about yourself.

 I am constantly working on being a better person.  I take it really seriously and listen to audiobooks, read leadership books, and try to surround myself with positive and uplifting people.  I even stopped watching Real Housewives (gasp, I know) just to see if that was a bad influence.  I still will watch it from time to time, but I don't want to be like those women. OK, I want their clothes and figures, but their personalities? No thanks.  I believe that if everyone spent as much time on herself, really working on trying to be the best she could be, a lot of problems would solve themselves.  Jealousy, insecurities, pessimism----it doesn't have to be a way of life.  The more I step outside of my own mind [and stop worrying about what others think of me, as it really is NONE of my business] the more comfortable I become in my own skin. I love this feeling.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Weekend

How was your weekend? We had a nice one!

Friday Joe and I both had a hair appointment at the same time {we go to the same place; he started seeing one of the girls who works at my hairdresser's salon a few years ago}. Little Miss Brooke came with us and she was great. Hubby's hair only takes 20 minutes, while mine takes 2 hours.  They came back and picked me up after I was Fall ready....and by that, I mean blonde!

Don'tcha love the disco ball?


Yay for more blonde and happy layers.


Saturday was a low key day.  I cleaned the house, prepared a delicious beef stew & our brother came over for a bit.  Sadie did have some seizures, but we try to focus on the positive [that she only has them twice a year now].  She'll be out of it for a little while and that makes me sad...but I know she's lucky to have us as her parents.

Sunday morning brought a few truckloads of wood to our house! Hubs did an excellent job stacking all of it.   I made us yummy breakfasts--an egg over easy with tomatoes & avocado.  I also did a few country sausages up too--so good!


It was a gorgeous day and we wanted to take full advantage of it.  I was hoping to get to a Pumpkin Patch, but that will have to be for another day [maybe Tuesday].  Opening day of hunting season is almost here and he needed to practice--



So we went out to visit his Grandma.  We got there and his mom had already picked a bunch of apples and pears (and yes a tomato!) I now have a huge box and need to bake.
 Pies?
 Cake? 
Crumble? 
Muffins? 
Yes please!


His grandma has chickens and we swear their eggs taste so much better. The yolks are almost orange and quite delicious.  She let them run around for a bit outside of their pen...

Brooke just thought they were the best thing ever!


She absolutely loves Peek-A-Boo


Grandma & Great Grandma took her on a walk, but she refused to sleep!  She was in bed by 7 Sunday night.

She enjoyed the chicken cutlets, pasta, meatballs, homemade bread, and of course her bottle.


The family helped chop, move, and stack wood here too!


I hope my family helps me one day when I'm old like his grandma.  It was a peaceful day and for that, I am grateful.  We quietly celebrated Grandpa's birthday, as he is no longer with us.  Such an amazing man and someone my husband will always look up to.


Sometimes you just need to head to the country, take in the fresh air, and get your hands a little dirty and sore.  I think we'll all sleep a little better tonight...and I know I dream of us having our own land someday where Brooke can grow up running around in the fields, playing outside and being a kid.

Makes me think of this song...


Happy Monday!!

Sami's Shenanigans

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Have Your Cake...

Happy Saturday Friends!! I hope you all enjoy your weekend with your families and friends. I am hoping we get to a park or something fun while the sun is still shining and get little miss on a swing before it starts snowing! 

 Just two things.

#1

My current favorite AdvoCare product: Carb-Ease.  Now, I am well aware that good health is attained by good eating habits.  Like I tell all of my friends, it's all about 90/10.  Don't try to be "perfect" because as soon as you "mess up" you'll feel guilty and that is not good!  There are times to enjoy a small bowl of pasta, a piece of white bread, or cake.  And when you do?  There is Carb-Ease to the rescue!  I definitely feel much better if I take two before I indulge in my heavy carb meal.   {Like when we ate out at Carraba's the other night. It's a rare occasion to eat at a restaurant for us, but when we do, I now have this!}




  • Helps reduce the absorption and breakdown of carbohydrates and fats*
  • Helps support healthy blood glucose *
  • Helps reduce the negative effects of excessive carbohydrate consumption*
  • Provides support for body composition*
  • Backed by more than 21 published scientific studies
IS THIS YOU?
  • Someone who has trouble resisting sugary, starchy foods and refined carbohydrates such as sweets, pastas and breads
  • Someone looking to control the results of a high-carbohydrate diet
  • Someone looking for better weight management
  • Someone concerned with maintaining glucose levels already within the normal range 

If you're interested in it, check it out HERE

#2

I just found this quote the other day, and I just love it.  I truly believe you can do anything, you just have to have the will and strength to follow through.

google images

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Reminder



Just some food for thought today....my question is, what will be the newest and greatest "thing" when my daughter is 16?  I am all about the Smart Phone, but I also know there are times when I need turn the darn thing off. 

I love how he says we need to just "be".  Some of us don't like where emotions take us.  What are your thoughts? 

I agree with the texting and driving---especially with Brooke with me, I take it really seriously to pay attention while I am driving.  If you look around, it's so scary to see how many people are playing on their phones while trying to drive.

I mean, driving isn't difficult, but some people struggle with it---and then they start playing on their phones?!

I just thought this interview was accurate and just a good reminder to PUT DOWN THE PHONE.

I know I need reminders too, so maybe try and take a 'break' from your Smart Phone and be in the moment.

You don't need to capture every detail on camera.

Play with your child.

Go for a drive with your husband (boyfriend, wife, significant other)
 
Read a book.

Cook a meal.

Walk the dogs.

Talk with your friends in person.

Do yoga.

Watch a movie.

Go outside.

Think.

Be.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Wednesday Randoms

I really need to get better at organizing! I want to be better about blogging consistently {and having topics that are fun to blog about!} I'm inspired by this awesome mama Leah who shared this organizer yesterday. I think I may run to the store and get some filing systems (for our office) and a binder to get my life better organized! I also need to stay on top of all the AdvoCare stuff. Phew! Oh, and fit in workouts since I have been slacking on those, and meal planning...I definitely need to continue to work on time management. 

I have also been working hard on not being stressed.  No matter how hard I try, it always seems to creep right into things.  I don't share everything on my blog; it's impossible to!  I also try to keep it upbeat and positive, as I know I don't like reading other negative nancies, so why would I want to instill that here in my personal place?  However, I struggle with things, just like everyone else.  I'm not perfect, but I'm very happy with my life.  I always try to do the right things, but quite frankly I am D-O-N-E trying to make everyone else happy.  It never works. Someone is always upset.  I can only do so much. {refer to last ranting post here}

Without going into too much detail, it's family drama [again].  To the point where hubs and I had a work thing, they paid for us to stay at a fancy hotel, dinner, and a spa treatment and I was so terribly stressed that I had to leave Brooke and about the situation, it was honestly hard to enjoy myself.  That sucks.

I tried to make the best of it, because how often do I get served room service w/ breakfast in bed?


I will say that the Transformational Facial certainly helped de-stress a little bit. And I wore my cute new shirt.


But it was not as "wonderful" as I had hoped, because of certain issues that never seem to go away.  So for now? I'll be focusing on my little family.  Brooke brings me so much joy, that I just have to let go of things that are out of my control.

I mean seriously, look at her:




My grandma, whom I called "Grandma Owl" (she loves owls and always had them all over her home!) Made these adorable little owls/duck light for Brooke.  I am hoping she gets to meet her at some point, but it's tricky because she's down in SC!  Thank you so much for these grandma, Brooke loves them!!


Last night hubby, Brooke and I had a date night. We went to Carraba's and then Buy Buy Baby. Crazy, I know!  We picked up her toddler rails for her bed, which I have a feeling she'll be needing sooner than later.

I put a mini skirt on her (18months) and girlfriend has long long stems.  It was too short!

So I put some leggings on since it was chilly anyway. 


I hope you have a great day!!