breakthrough

I had a giant breakthrough!

Y'all. BIG.

I ran infront of my husband. Not like he just passed by me while I was on the treadmill. He full on saw me! I even had a short-mostly out of breath-few syllable- conversation.

I know this isn't a huge deal but generally I try to leave my exercising completely invisible to my lovely husband. I was way too embarrassed of my self for him to see me running.  Out of shape, sweaty, jiggly. It was and is too much. I can't believe I got this far where running a mile is something I need to work up to.

BUT

here I am. A changed woman. Last night, he came into the bedroom and saw me running and I didn't flinch. I wasn't counting down the seconds or just stopping so he wouldn't see how bad or out of shape I was. From now on I will run freely without embarrassment.

Ya know what... I am proud of myself. For 24 days in a row I have worked out. I feel good and more confident. I am running longer and quicker than i ever have. I feel like whatever that was supposed to "click" finally has. I feel like I have went around that corner and I am not looking back!

I know I am not where I need or want to be but I am on my way! It may take me years to be at my goal weight but the time will pass anyway.

I'm going to Tri

So, last night as I was on the treadmill I wasn't listening to any music. Nothing. Just me and my thoughts. Ordinarily this is my worst nightmare. I'm an over thinker and things tend to snowball if I think too much. 

But 

Last night was different. I was just talking and praying. I was thinking about how it is my responsibility to teach my son about being healthy, not to quit and push harder, and some days are harder than others.

 As I was reflecting on that. I kept feeling like I was talking the talk but not really walking the walk. Exercising the minimum 30 minutes a day and making healthy food choices with the treats in moderation is great but it is not enough for me. 

I want to teach my son to be healthy and follow his dreams. Whatever they may be, not just the easy ones. I want to teach him this. 

All of that to say. It is high time to put my money where my mouth is and start walking the walk. 

I've had a dream of doing a triathlon for as long as I can remember. It's always been kinda an out there dream. Mostly because I am a terrible runner. It's not my strong suit. At all. I haven't ridden a bike  in over 10 years. The one positive in this is I am a strong swimmer but I have never swam in open water. Also, I am scared of the dark so dark water full of snakes, sharks and/or gators. OH MY. Fun fun. 

Yet, here I am... declaring it here for the world to see.

 I am going to do a triathlon in 2015!

 Yikes. I'm scared just typing it out. Like my heart starts super pumping.

I'm not really sure how this is going to work because the latest triathlon I saw so far for Jacksonville is May 3, 2015. I won't really be able to triathlon train until we move down to Jacksonville in Februaryish (gyms with pools and spinning classes). So mid to late February till early May is not enough time to prepare. So I am going to start looking all around Florida. The one thing I can do in the mean time though is work on my running. 

And that's what I am going to do.  

I am planning on keeping track of my triathlon training here. If you have any questions or encouragement. Let me know!

DIY: No Sew Christmas Tree Skirt

Howdy Ho, Neighbors!  Name that show...


It's that time of year! Hip Hip Hooray!

It is CHRISTMAS TIME!!

Since my son has been born I have tried to make 1-3 Christmas Crafts a year/season. Hopefully, one day down the road I will have a bunch of  Christmas decorations filled with lots of fun memories.

The Christmas craft I have made thus far is a No Sew Christmas Tree Skirt!

This isn't my dream Christmas tree skirt but it did turn out pretty cute and we will probably keep it for awhile. Even better is that it has absolutely no sewing!! I am not a seamstress... not at all! So this tree skirt is right up my alley.

First Off:

Supplies:
     Felt- In whatever colors you choose.
     Hot Glue and Glue Gun
     Ribbon
     Scissors

Step One:

You want to make a star shape and leaf like shape for a stencil. Then trace the respective amounts out. For each poinsettia star shape you will need 5 leaves. So 6 stars will need 30 leaves.
*hint* this may seem dumb but trace your shapes on the non pretty side of the felt so that the chalk won't be on the front.

 

From there you will need to cut them out.
Go ahead and get your glue gun fired up and stretch your fingers. They will be busy for awhile.
In order to make the petals just put a bit of hot glue on the end of your leaf and pinch together. You don't have to use clothespins. I just did because I kept burning my fingers.

 

Then just assemble your poinsettias. I would also cut all shapes and glue all leaves together at once. Don't go back and forth from cutting to assembling. Just for times sake... if you want to do it that way. More power to you. It'll just take longer

To assemble poinsettias : Put hot glue on pinched part of leaves and put in the middle of the star. After done and you want to put on some buttons go ahead.

Also, now that you know how to make some killer poinsettias you can make some and put them on a wreath, a pin or a headband. Who knows. Possibilities are endless!

To make the tree skirt base. All you need is your felt and make a giant circle depending on how big your tree is. Our tree skirt has a diameter of 44 inches. Then cut a small circle for you tree and cut a strait line to the small circle.

Glue on poinsettias and add ribbon on each side of the tree skirt. You don't have to add ribbon. I just did because I have two crazy dogs and a crazy 2 year old. So I want to keep that sucker together.



 TA DA - You just made yourself a tree skirt!!!

You are now a semi professional tree skirt maker ;)

If you make one or have any questions.. let me know! Tag me on instagram if you post it!

Linked up to : The Grits Blog & Sequins in the South

Books: He Loves Lucy

I have been busting out the reading lately!

So, I thought I would tell you about one of my favorites. It is an easy easy read. Perfect for a vacation...lying by the beach or pool. Or since it is winter cuddled next to fire with something warm to drink...mmmm

He Loves Lucy - Susan Donovan

So let me tell you. This is one of my faves for like sure I have read it twice now. It isn't some miraculous book where you learn the secret of life. It is what I would call one of the "girly" books. It is about Lucy who is overweight and through her work she signs up for a contest. For publicity for the Health Club if the trainer can get Lucy to lose 100 pounds or whatever amount the trainer and Lucy will get $1000 per pound lost! Lucy has a past and the gorgeous trainer has his own things going on.  It just kinda follows them on that journey.

I would recommend this book to anyone! I would say from a chubby girls perspective... I loved it. It really hit home with me and I could relate to a lot of what she was going through!

I am going to try to write reviews on the books I have been reading.... just in case someone wants to know.

If you have a book you love, let me know what it is!!!


xoxo,
B

What Up, Friday?!

 
 

So today is Friday or FriYay as the kids are saying it now.


have i told you that my husband works caaarrrazy hours so weekends aren't like a real thing for me. like, technically, tomorrow friday will be my Wednesday. so not as exciting and fun as the rest of the world.

either way...It'll be roarsome!

I shouldn't write blog posts late at night because I say weird things. oh well

So... I'm going to write a little bit about my life in a little thing called 5 ON FRIDAY. boom.

1. I am doing a thing on instagram (hey if you want to follow me that'd be cool.)  where you work out for 30 minutes everyday for 30 days. Well, today is day 13 and I got it done. I haven't missed a day! I never thought that would happen but I am feeling good and sleeping better. I am hoping to have some weight change but.....

2. Leading off from that I haven't weighed myself. I have decided to throw hide my scale for the rest of the month for NO scale november. It was really hard at first but now it is a Godsend. I never realized how much power I put into a number. not good.

Have I ever told you guys that I have PCOS? well, i do and it sucks. like a lot. It makes it really REALLY hard to lose weight and the one thing that helps PCOS symptoms is to lose weight. awesome right?! I can't even count how many times I will be killing it in diet and exercise and not lose anything. Just gain weight. Then comes the downward spiral of shame and frustration. rinse and repeat

so the scale my hide forever or until I am strong enough to not let it get to me.

3. I taught my kiddo to say "chill out". I am still not sure if that was a great idea because he keeps telling me to Chill out but it is so dang cute. I just can't help it!

4. I have been really crafting it up lately. It has been NICE. I made a wreath for my MIL, a tree skirt and I etched our cookie jar.

You guys!!! It is soooooo cute! I can't wait to show you!

5.  I made a roast chicken in the crock pot and then made a delcious Chicken stock with it! WAY easier than making on the stove. SOOOOOO much easier.

You know I can roast a chicken any day of the week. Not hard at all. You know what is the hardest part. Dethaw!!! Gaaahhhh I always forget to do it then I have to move said dinner until the next day. It usually happens like 3 times before I get it all figured out.

Sooooo.... I hope y'all have a fantabulous weekend!

I'll be over here just chillin' like a villan.

Let me know if you have any awesome plans. I need to live vicariously through somebody. lol

xoxo,
B

New Horizons

So... I am pretty sure that I've made it clear that we would be moving.

That day is getting closer and closer. I mean c'mon it's almost NOVEMBER. ALREADY!!! 

seriously. where did this year go??

There is a lot of planning and thinking involved with moving. even more so when you are moving states. 

Whew. My brain hurts already trying to figure it all out. 

So we are planning on moving in the beginning of the new year. For sure by the end of February bc we wont have a place to live after that. :) Florida here we come!! 

Now don't get me wrong I am not a moving novice. I have moved 7 times going on 8 in 7 years. Living in 4 different states. Moving to hopefully my 5th and final state next year.  So I understand moving.

This move seems different though. Maybe it's because it's where we want to settle. Maybe because I have a very rambunctious 2 year old. Who knows why this time is different. 

Either way. I have a ton of stuff to do! I have to find a good area in Jacksonville which is not an easy task because Jacksonville is ginormous! Did you know it's the biggest city mileage wise in the country?! I mean there is so much ground to cover, literally. So many different factors. Safe? Food? Redbox? Internet? Shopping? Gym? Commute? Kids? Price? I have been sending some huge prayers that God will place us right where he wants us In the perfect little rental house. Don't laugh about my Food, redbox, internet, redbox, gym requirements. I live 35 minutes from most places and my internet connects through the phone. Eeekkkk! I mean one of the many perks of moving to a big city is that I can make those requirements. 

Anyways... I am excited for this new chapter! I am not trying to rush through this one though. God has me here for a reason. Boy o boy am I excited though!!

Now if you'll excuse me ... I'm going to write some more lists. It's just what I do. :)

.:. so I think Johnny here is a fantastic actor but I only find him attractive as a pirate. Not weird, right? .:.

oh ps... if anybody happens to read this and live in the Jacksonville area and want to give me any suggestions... Please do so!! :)

Blogtember: Wishlist

Hey Y'all!!!! Happy Saturday!!! I don't know about you but I have had one heck of a long week. I have been low carbing it for about 3 weeks now and dang. It could be a reason why I am a little cranky. Whoops but I have all my cravings and stuff under control.

So that may be a little bit of info you may not care about but hey now you know!

So here is my current wish list! I have had some of these on my wish list for way too long now! I think I am gonna have to do something about that. lol :)

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

-Naked2 -does this even need explanation. I've heard and seen so many amazing things about this. I want it. I need it. lol

- Younique 3D Fiber Mascara- I am on the eternal search for the perfect mascara. I want to try this but I am afraid to. I think I will take the plunge soon enough...

- Silhouette Sketch Pens - I have a Silhouette cutting machine and it has so many things that it can do. I want to start learning on what to do with it. 

- Dior Addict Lip Glow - Both Colors please!

- iPhone 6. I am usually not one to hop on the newest gadget train but my iphone has a giant hole in the front right corner. So its time.

- MAC lipstick - I have never tried any MAC's lipstick. I have read rave reviews about them. So I want to try them out. I want to try "Snapdragon" and "Girl about town".

-Keurig 2.0- As slightly pathetic as this sounds... this is pretty much an answered prayer. My husband drinks between 4-6 cups a day and I only drink 1 iced coffee. So it never seemed like a smart idea for us to get one when we go through so much coffee. BUT now with the Keurig 2.0 it has a 4 cup carafe and the regular size. Boo Yeah!!!

- Chuck Taylor Fancy - I have never had a pair of chucks before but this white pair is kinda calling my name. I am afraid they will make my feet look like clown feet though.

- Lily Jade Bag-  Oh this bag. OH. It technically is a diaper bag BUT the baby compartment is removable! It can also be worn as a shoulder bag, cross body bag or a backpack. This bag is a game changer! They have different styles but this style is my favorite. I am saving up for a leather one so it will last FOR-EV-ER! Seriously, if I was a student I would totally look into this bag. It has a tons of compartments for stuff and you can wear it 3 different ways!!!

Well, this is my current shopping list. Do you have any of these items? Do we want any of the same things?? Let me know what you think!!!

xoxo,

B

Blogtemeber: You don't know but...

 

 Hey Y'all!!! Are you guys having a fabulous day?? I have been having a superb day. I built a chalkboard today. Woah. Can you believe it? Well, that is something you didn't know but onto some other ones...

Today's prompt: "Most people don't know this but..."

 Hmmmm....

I have this weird thing about how things feel. If it feels weird I have to wipe it off. Now there isn't actually anything on me. I just have to wipe my hand off on something else like my shirt or pants leg. or my husband.

I do not like clothes that should be seperate items but are sewn into one. For example shirts and sweaters. You are actually wearing a sweater with sewn in collars and shirt tails. Some reason they creep me out.

I name everything. I will change names of restaurants and stores to whatever comes in my mind better. We have an ice cream store that is called "the scoop" I have always called it "the shack". My poor husband has to keep track of all these things.

I love grapes and wine but hate grape flavored items. Grape Kool Aid. Yuck

I will drive faster in a car than a SUV. If its lower to the ground the faster I will go.

I enjoy a motorcycle ride.

I have been married twice to the same man. No divorces. but that is a different story for a different day.

i just learned how to wink this year.

i can fit a whole white castle in my mouth.

i know all the words to baby got back


Well, that is about all i can think of at the moment! What are some fun facts about you???


xoxo
b

Blogtember: Vacation Collage

 

 Whoops I missed yesterday. I suck at this whole 30 day blogging challenge. In my defense I was having a great time at the new local winery. So it is what is. lol

Today we needed to make a collage of something. I decided to make a collage of the hopefully little mini vaca we are planning.

1. Trulia- We are using this little mini vaca to hopefully have a ton of fun and scout out some future living places.
2. Champagene- So we are getting a hotel at the beach and we may be having a little date on that patio with the ocean view.
3. This is the pool at the hotel we are thinking about staying
4. Sweet Pete's. If you visit Jacksonville. You have to check this place out! It is a candy store but its all like natural and made in house. It is delicious! Great for people with a sweet tooth and if you are looking not for all the processed stuff.
5. Beach. Duh?!
6. Y'ALL! MAPLE STREET BISCUIT COMPANY!!!!!!! I can't even begin to start to explain to you how aaaaahhhhhh mazing this place is. It is like woah. words can't even describe the amazingness of this place. just go there. thank me later.

So, that is what we are planning. Praying everything works out. Things have been a little crazy here so fingers crossed!

What do you have going on?? Any vacations getting planned??


xoxo
b

Blogtember: Livin' Our Love Song

Today I have to write about our love story.

I have never actually wrote this down before. After I started writing it I realized that it was going to be incredibly long. So I have decided to a couple follow up posts and write it all down so i don't leave anything out. So here is part one

Short Story Version: Many moons ago a lost princess found her prince charming. He showed her what true love actually is. Now and forever they have love, laughter and a happily ever after.

Long version.

I had been in a on and off again relationship for a lot longer than it ever needed to be. I was in my "girls just wanna have fun" stage. didn't want to be in a relationship. i think that's when love hits you hard...when you aren't looking for it.

     So, on February 1, 2008 I was supposed to be going on a "double date" i say this very loosely because i wasn't on the date part. i was just with a friend who had just went on a break up and i was on the "off again" stage. (it was the final off. thank god) My darling husband was supposed to bring a lady friend and we were all supposed to hang and get a few drinks. Thankfully for me she didn't come. So it was just me and two other fellas. I had never met Mo before. My friend Greg always described him as a huge red neck country bumpkin. I was really expecting a huge guy in overalls with no shirt and some missing teeth. So i was very pleasantly surprised.

     We went out to dinner at Frisch's. (oh lord what I would do for a big boy right now.) I remember him taking his baseball hat off when we got to the table. I told him that was cute, it is something you don't see too often anymore. Unfortunately.  He was and is very much a gentleman. Afterwards, we went to Newport on the Levee where the bar was. We were down there way too early to go the bar. So I convinced both men to go see 27 dresses. They both wanted to go see some rambo type movie. I told them that I heard that 27 dresses had boobs in it. It didn't. Not that it mattered. They would have seen it either way. lol. still makes me giggle. I easily got two very manly men to go see a romantic comedy. We went to the bar and I was DD. Mo was a perfect gentleman the entire time per the norm. The next night after I got off work I met with Greg and we went up to Mo's little Indiana town to see some true redneckery. Greg was DD this time. I practically met the whole town and had a great time. Even met one of my future bridesmaids.

     From this time on. The circle as we called it went out every weekend. Either in Kentucky or Indiana. We went to concerts, monster truck shows, got stuck in some blizzards and just had way too much fun. Then on my hubby's birthday. He was acting funny but he mustered up the courage to ask me to a wedding in May as his date.  Pretty much after his birthday we started to spend a lot of time together. Every weekend. I took him out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse sometime after that for his birthday and he thought it was crazy I was doing anything for him.  Apparently, the girls he had been around weren't the most giving. who knows.


     Memorial day weekend of 2008. We were watching tv and there was just this nervous exciting energy in the air. The windows of my apartment were open and that cool summer air was flowing in. The sun had set and it was dark but the street and parking lot lights were on barely lighting up the room. We were laying in my bed watching something. I remember him looking at me and you could tell he was thinking about something else. He looked down at me and said "i love you". i remember hearing it and it felt like i could breathe for the first time. My whole body was suddenly on fire yet cold and tingling. Clearly, i said it back. FYI he still does this to me.


     That summer was full of fun and a lot of driving. Did I mention that we lived an hour away from each other? It isn't a huge amount of distance but enough when you are truly,madly, deeply in love with someone. At the end of the summer he left for a work conference in Vegas. (still a little jelly about this :/) This was the first time we were truly apart. He came back and was back for a week or two then he left to work in the Little Cayman Islands. This was a really hard time for the both of us. We barely got to talk to each other. I was absolutely heart broken. He was down there in the middle of hurricane season and of course while he was there a big one hit. There was no power. no nothing. I remember just watching the weather channel trying to see what was going on. When he came back it was just like my heart exploded. From that moment on there was no more of this is just a fun relationship. We both knew that this was real and it was going to last.

Around thanksgiving we moved into our own apartment. In that tiny little Indiana town. The rent for a 2 bedroom apartment was only 450 a month. lol Can you believe that little for rent?? It was a crappy little apartment but it was enough. In February I was in a car accident and totaled my car. Mo was so worried about me and I remember when he finally got his hands on me. One of the most wonderful feelings ever. I had hit ice and went through about 4-5 lanes on the interstate and smashed into a concrete barrier. thankfully i was fine and i did not even touch another car.  this is saying something for driving at 6pm on a monday night. it was very busy and God really took care of me. In April, Mo had surgery and I took care of him and nursed him back to health.




Next time we will talk about how he put a ring on it... :) with way better pictures!!!

xoxo
b

Blogtember: traditions

 

 September 12: Tell us about a favorite tradition. It could be a family tradition or from a holiday, university, you-name-it. What makes it so special?

i know i have mentioned it a couple times. I LOVE HOLIDAYS. i have a problem. Christmas is my favorite. mostly because the season lasts the longest and it gives me the warm fuzzies. i honestly already watched elf this season just last week. like i said a problem.

back to traditions. growing up my family didn't have a lot of traditions. i really can't remember anything that we did religiously. now that i have a family of my own, i find myself trying to start a lot of them. one thing i have learned through this process of trying to make these traditions is that you can't force them. at least for me the traditions that have worked just kinda happened.

my favorite tradition is our Christmas tree ritual. we have always put our tree up in the evening after it is dark. we first watch the original movie of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" then we watch Dirty Dancing.

i am not even quite sure how this started. i think our first Christmas together i wanted to watch Dirty Dancing but felt guilty about not watching a Christmas movie. so it just worked out that way?! i really have no idea. it just has stuck and now its is what we do. it isn't some huge ordeal or anything but it is always this special time.

also, i put up the tree in the first two weeks of November. i love the coziness of Christmas decorating. since we move a lot, we are in a rental. i think that is another reason i like to have my decorations up early. it makes it feel more like home.

does anybody else this song stuck in your head?

 

oh just me, dang.

 

do you have any favorite traditions? do you happen to love the holidays as much as me? Anybody??? :)

xoxo,
b

Blogtember: inspiration

Today the prompt is about inspiration and where we find it.

I can't say that all of my inspiration comes from the same place. If I had to pick one place Pinterest is it. You can find anything and everything on there. It is amazing.

This is my Fitness inspiration board that is in front of my treadmill in the garage. Its pretty old school but I like to think that I am kind of old school.

You can find about everything else on Pinterest but for cooking I love browsing the Pioneer Woman.

For hair I like to go to see Kate @ the small things blog.

I also get a lot inspiration from Instagram too.


ps... I'm not going to ask you to follow me on pinterest or instagram but if you want to I wouldn't be mad at all. lol

Where do you find inspiration? Am I missing something huge? Fill me in!!!

xoxo
b

Blogtember: My Love List

Woah... I sorta accidently took 3 days off from the blogtember challenge. bummer. oh well... I am back today!!!

Today the prompt is.... 10 things that I love about myself!!

1. My Hair- Its naturally a good blonde color. It styles very easily. I can curl it or straighten it and it listens. The best thing is that with just a little product I can have those beach waves and it takes me like 2 minutes. SCORE!

2. My ingenuity. I feel like I can fix problems or rearrange things so they work better. 

3. Stubborn.  I can be stubborn as a mule when I find something I am passionate about. Most people don't really like this but I know when the time comes I will stand up for what is right.

4. Cooking/Baker. Even though my kitchen is for dancing. I am a pretty dang good cook and baker. 

5. I love and hate this personality trait but I strive for the best in everything I do. I don't settle till I get what I want. It can be a great thing but it can also be a huge pain.

6. I love that I am a dreamer. I have big dreams and I love that I can just see past my fingertips.

7.  My eyes. I have big blue eyes that are a gray blue color. Depending on what i wear is if they are more gray or blue.

8. I love Holidays. I LURVE THEM ALL!!!!! FYI Christmas is like 15 Fridays away. I'm already planning away. Can't wait. MMMMmmm thanksgiving too. aaaaahhhhhh

9.  I am always down for an adventure. 

10. This is kinda part of #5 but I strive for the best and that includes who I married. My husband is the best. Ever. I am so glad I never settled for less than I deserve because I had plenty of chances to just settle to be with someone. Then came my Husband and he truly is the bomb.com. Also, on this we made a really cute kid! :)

I kinda had a hard time coming up with some things but I pulled through. 

What do you like about yourself??

XOXO,

B

Blogtember: Currently

 

 Can you believe it we are on Day 6 of the Blogtember challenge! 

Todays challenge is Currently..

Reading...At the moment nothing. Yesterday I finished Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews.  It was cute and a good easy quick read. It had a cooking theme so I enjoyed that.

Playing... again nothing.I play a lot of Buzz and Woody with the Kiddo. My husband and I play a lot of quick games of crazy 8's if we have a little time to kill.

Watching... I watched The Watch last night and I have been reminded on how much I love that movie. How could you not? Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill. Sign me up!

Trying... to stay awake I feel like I could pass out on the keyboard at any second.

Cooking...We went to the store tonight so in the morning I will be making Chili and Chunky Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Eating... Nothing now. I am stuffed. We ate at a local pizza Buffet tonight and it was good but there were some birthday parties there. Do people not watch their children anymore?

Drinking... Water with drops of Lemon Essential Oils.

Calling... Nobody its late. Hopefully hear from my mom sometime though. My Mamaw has been put into the hospital today for a stroke so please be in prayers for her. Last I heard she has her speech back but I am hoping my mom has more good news the next time I talk to her.

Texting... last text was from Target telling me I have new coupons. Not sure if that is sad or awesome.

Pinning... Some fall crafts and Christmas everything. I love me some Christmas!

Crafting... Finishing up my Cincinnati Bengals/ Halloween wreath. Yeah I made a dual purpose wreath. BooYeah!

Doing... Just this little ole blog.

Going... out of my mind with hiccups.

Loving... my cute little family. I am truly blessed.

Hating... Seafood smell. Passed the seafood section in Winn-Dixie and Yuck that was a strong smell.

Discovering... How bad I need a haircut. Holy splitends Batman!

Enjoying... my Duck Pants. I have had these rubber duck pajama pants since the 7th grade. For a reference I am 28 years old. So yeah these pants are old but they are soooo dang comfy.

Thinking... about my Mamaw.

Feeling... tired/stressed/sad

Hoping for... a great nights rest and good news!!

Listening to... Unfortunately, I am listening to some video my husband is watching about Monster Trucks and Bigfoot.

Celebrating... That we were able to go to Church tonight so I can sleep in, in the morning. Hopefully.

Smelling... Di-gize essential oils.

Thanking... God for all he does for us and I know his plans are better than mine.

Considering... starting to work on the Childrens book I want to write.

Finishing... two infinity scarves and some curtains for the kitchen.

Starting... to notice some very small arm muscles from doing my pushups every day. boom boom pow.

so that is my currently list. So what is going on with you?

Also, again my family and I would really appreciate if you could pray for my mamaw. Thank you!

Blogtember: Passion

 

This is actually something I have some trouble with. I feel like I haven't found my "passion" yet. I don't know maybe I have. I am just going by how other people act about their passion. I guess I haven't found that one thing where you have that "ah-ha" moment when it all just clicks. The sun starts shining in that one spot and birds sing like crazy. I may be relating this too much to a Disney movie.Who knows?! :)

Trying to figure out something to write for today has been a bit challenging. What I finally came up with is trying to find something that I could go on a tangent about. Ya know? 

The Ocean.

I love it. It's beautiful and crazy awesome. It calls to me and I know that sounds crazy but it just does. I also go on tangents about mermaids but I consider this a sub-tangent about the ocean. Gosh, this makes me sound like a nutter but I am going to say it anyway. There COULD be mermaids. I am not saying there are mermaids and I am not saying there isn't. All I am saying is that the ocean is huge and we have yet to see it all. Who are we to say what is down there and what isn't. lol

The ocean though. I love it. Not in a "I can't wait to go to the beach this summer" way ... more in a "I have worked my entire life to live near it". I know I will never be a millionaire and live on the beach. In the next 6 months though I will live in a beach lying town and I am pretty excited about it. I can't wait to be there and help clean it up and do my part to help take better care of the beach, the ocean and all the marine life.

*also please ignore the gentleman swimming in his blue jeans. It was just the only picture I had available from the last time I was at the beach.*

so there we go I apparently have a passion for the ocean and mermaids. Where is that wide-eyed emoji when you need it???

So do you have a crazy passion or am I the only one?

Day 4: Fashion

 

Today's writing prompt is to give a fashion trend you love and hate. 

I'm not that into trendy stuff. Not that I don't admire it, it just isn't my thing. 

I'm more of a classic dressed person. I actually just donated bags and bags of clothes so I could stream line my wardrobe. Basic essential pieces with pops of fun here or there. I feel like I'm kinda an idiot for just figuring this out but my whole wardrobe was "fun" pieces. Which is great and I do love them still. I just had practically no essential pieces to build multiple outfits out one thing. Make sense? I just had that one fun thing that could only be worn that way. Also, I'm in a different season of life now. I'm a mom. I'm a wife and I'm getting closer to thirty. I don't want to be wearing the same clothes a kid in High School is wearing. 

So for my fashion trend I love is classic/southern/beach/prep with a hint of lazy in there. What can I say I love my yoga pants. Lol

So for my trend I don't like. Pointy scary nails. 

They scare me. How do you live? I just don't know. Gosh, I'm pretty sure I would injure myself and others around me. 

Another thing I don't get are rompers. I think they look super cute on some people but what happens when you have to use the bathroom. You take off all your clothes? I could get behind it if it had a button crotch like baby rompers do. I don't know. I could see me wearing one for the first time and then having a stomach explosion. All sorts of problems. 

So that's all I have to say about fashion bc I clearly have no expertise in this at all. 

What fashion trend do you like or dislike?

Blogtember day 3: grown up

 

"When I grow up I want to be..." Feel free to answer as your 5 year old self or as of now.

As a 5 year old I remember wanting to be a mom. I remember in kindergarten drawing a picture of me vacuuming with a baby in a play pen. So guess what 5 year old self . You did it. You are a mom and its awesome but you don't vacuum. SCORE. You have tile floors so you sweep swiffer a lot! Actually, you just turn your little swiffer bot thing on and let her do it.

Now: I have no ideas what I want to do when I grow up? In all reality I am a grown up but I sure don't feel like it. I just want to be a good mom. Not screw him up too bad. Hopefully have lots of fun and laughs along the way.

Just for fun... here is a list of things I thought I wanted to along the way.

Mom, Doctor, Missionary. Home Shopping Network person (I'd so still do this HSN hook a lady up), Masseuse, Event Planner, Lawyer, Politician, Elementary School Teacher, Middle School Teacher, Chef, Historian, Real Estate Agent, Caterer and I am sure I forgot a few.

Clearly, I bounce around a lot and I still have no idea what in the world I am doing or should do. I have always been a bit jealous of the people who have always knew exactly what they have wanted to do.

Maybe one day I will figure it out.

Blogtember Day 2: Happy

 

Things that make me happy.... hmmmm where do I begin? Do I keep it small and simple or elaborate? 

I try to be a glass half full kind of gal. It may not always work but I do try.

These are in no certain order just how things pop into my brain.

Iced Green Tea from Starbucks. Laughs from my son. naps. mani-pedi. sephora. ulta. dates with my man. Disney. manatees. Harry Potter.  good hair day. ocean. take5 bars. smell of suntan lotion. bringing someone food. CHRISTMAS. warm hugs ;). Joy essential oil. school supplies. lists. planners (ps emily ley planners go on sale tomorrow at 10amest. just a heads up lol) adventure. trying new restaurants. learning about Jesus. swimming laps. good book. kisses. teaching someone how to swim. holidays. flowers. afternoon thunderstorms. fans. clean house. home cooked meal. gyms. water. 80's music. clean house. no dishes. v8+energy. history. happy song.

that is a lot of things. lots of things make me happy. the flip side of that is that not many things make me unhappy. 

there is a silver lining to every cloud.

xoxo,

B

Blogtember : About the Author

 Blogtember Day 1: About the Author

I was going to write this in the third person like most about the authors but I just couldn't get the hang of it. Also, to be noted it sounded ridiculous! So I will just write about myself in a very non-orderly fashion.

I am a wife, mama, daughter, sister, friend. I am a sinner saved by grace. I love to cook and bake but my kitchen is for dancing. wine nights = BFF. I was lucky enough to marry my best friend. Golden Girls, Friends, The Nanny, and Once Upon a Time are my shows. I lurve me some Netflix and DVR. I never watch anything live. Ever. I'm pretty "crunchy" person these days but I don't care if you are not. I love to swim and all things water. I am pretty positive I was meant to be a mermaid. I love manatees. TeeTee's as my son likes to call them. My son is 2 and I think motherhood is the great equalizer. You may be the prettiest most wonderful person on the planet but at some point you too will get peed/pooped/vomited on. Who knows...maybe all at the same time. At that moment though... we are all the same. Just trying to survive. lol Seriously though my son is the best and I love him more than words can explain. He's my air. My favorite flowers are daisies and tulips but i like all flowers really EXCEPT sunflowers!!! I hate the middle part with all the seeds. YUCK they give me the creeps yet I will eat sunflower seeds. Weird, right? I don't drink hot drinks. They have to be cold. I love green tea and V8+Energy. I try to be pretty crafty. I love me some Harry Potter and Disney. I am from Kentucky (GO BIG BLUE!). Live in Georgia. Moving to Florida in the beginning of the year. Nap times are the bomb.com . I believe every woman looks better with some mascara and it is my mission to find the perfect mascara. I think I am close to finding it. I have dreams of doing a triathlon before I am 30. I have 4 tattoos with more on the way I am sure. I like baseball more than football. I am a ParrotHead and love me some Jimmy Buffett. I crave adventure and have a fear of not living life. In the words of Jimmy in the song: Growing Older But Not Up... I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead.

I wouldn't write a novel. I am not that great of a writer. ^Clearly^. lol I do want to write hopefully a series of Children's books. My best girl friend is actually a phenomenal writer so we are going to do it together.

Influenster #tlcvoxbox

 

So I was one of the lucky recipients of the #TLCvoxbox! It had some really great things in it and some ehh... I wanted to give you my honest thoughts on these products! So here goes nothing!

1. Ivory bar soap - This is my number one favorite thing! I was raised on Ivory bar soap! I love the clean smell and it floats in the water!!! I am not a huge fan of bar soap in general just because they leave soap scum pretty bad.This is a classic and I really love it!

2. Neosporin -Neo to GO - I will be honest I probably would have never bought this if I hadn't received this. It just seems so small for the price. BUT I will gladly buy it now! It is so convenient to throw in your purse or diaper bag. I have a 2 year old little wild thing. He has no fear and scrapes, bumps and bruises are apart of that game. So this has came in very handy!!

3. Puffs -I am a Puffs girl. They are the best the tissues you can get. The travel size is super handy to have with you. Also, just a thought for people with kiddos and especially potty training kiddos keep some in your purse in case a bathroom does not have any toilet paper! I will be honest and say I was very thankful for this little package of tissue. I was about to pee my pants just plopped on the nearest toilet because I thought I was going to explode.Of course no TP....So thank you puffs! 

4. Breyers Gelato Indulgences- Alright, I love ice cream. It may or may not love me back. So this is gelato. It is a bit pricey in my neck of the woods.With that being said. This stuff is good I got the chocolate chocolatey kind. It was rich and delicious. You don't need to eat a giant bowl full to get your fix. As I was eating this the only way for me to describe this was that it was "Disney world ice cream". Clearly, I don't mean the mickey ice cream on a stick. If you go to Disney and eat at one of the fancy restaurants with desserts or on the Disney cruises all the food is fancy. This gelato brought me right back to those fancy meals with a really great and amazing dessert. As an honorable mention the container is nice. I washed it and used it for leftovers. Very sturdy. I like that. lol

5. Shell Rewards Card- .03 cents when you fill up .25 cents the second time you fill up. You also have the chance to get more rewards to get more off of your gas. I like the idea of this but it is not my favorite. I shop at Winn-Dixie and I already get Fuel Rewards there that are better than .03 cents so I generally stick with those. This is good for the in between times when I haven't bought groceries and need gas. Another problem i have which Shell can't do anything about is that we don't have a lot of Shell's in our area. I think we have 3 or 4 total. Also, we get cheaper gas with our Sam's Club membership. SO this wasn't my favorite. It is a good idea. If we lived back in KY with shells all around and I drove more I would probably use this all the time but here its not really needed.

6. Avon Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother - Whew! Say that 4x fast. I didn't really like this. I didn't see any improvement. I don't really have wrinkles anyway. It was greasy and left a greasy feeling on my skin. The mirror was nice though. Very big. Its expensive. I would never buy it.

Okay so that is what I got! I think it was an awesome box! I love doing these "reviews" because I want to be honest and just put it out there. I also have some influenster invites if anybody wants one!

"I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes." 

XOXO

B

Healthy Livin'

I haven't really wrote anything about this because usually when I write about it... Nothing ever happens.

:/

But anyways I've been on the road to getting healthy for the past few months. I've lost 22 pounds!!! Which I am really excited about! Still a long journey to go but I'm freaking stoked (do ppl still say stoked?? That's how out of touch with reality I am. Lol)

So I wanted to tell you about what things I'm totally loving on my healthy journey. 

1. Plexus!!

     I know I've mentioned it once before but seriously. Plexus has changed my life! I love all the products but the Plexus Slim, Accelerator and X-Factor are my favorites!!

    Here is a little bit of what the Slim and Accelerator is. Plexus Slim is a natural health and wellness drink. It was originally made for diabetics to regulate blood sugars as well as getting your levels regulated such as lipids, cholesterol etc. Then they realized that one of the main benefits was weight loss along with being much healthier. So they targeted it to everyone. You just take 1 plexus slim drink in the morning. It's a little powder stick you mix up with a bottle of water similar to crystal light. Tastes good not gross at all, tastes like a cherry tootsie pop. One of my favorite benefits is my willpower over food and sweets. I no longer want junk or sweets. Which is pretty awesome. The accelerator which most people take with the plexus slim is just a pill you'll want to take with your breakfast. It just boosts your weight loss and it does have caffeine in it. 

   
     The X-Factor is a multi vitamin that I just love. It is made with aloe which is great because it is proven that your body will absorb the vitamins when taken with aloe. So the vitamins are made with it  and I can tell you i feel awesome! My hair and nails are growing like crazy. My skin is feeling so much better! Bomb.com

You want more info?? You can check it out here or contact me...info above!!!

2. FitBit

 

  So I am totally in love with my FitBit! It is a fitness tracker that you wear as a bracelet. It tracks your steps and calculates it for you. What I really love but you can't see in the picture is that it tracks your sleep!! Woah?! Right? It also has an option for silent alarms. It just vibrates on your wrist. But they are kinda touchy so don't put your life on this alarm if you know what I mean. I love that it just updates via bluetooth if you have a newer phone. The app is super easy to use. I dig it! Check it out!


3. C25K - Zen Labs

 

 I actually really really like this running app! I hate running/jogging i hate all of it. This makes it completely do able. For a complete inexperienced and out of shape person as I am... it is a little tough but the way it works up to it is really nice and easy going. I love how it gives you the prompts while you have your music playing. For some reason, this may sound dumb but having the app tell me to run versus me telling myself to run. I will run longer and actually do it when the app tells me to do it. But I like the whole set up and once I get finished with the 5K one I plan on getting the 13.1 and doing that! 

Yup!!! You read that right!!! I plan on doing a half-marathon! I want to get it done and my goal is to run in the Disney Princess Half Marathon!!!! BIG GOALS!!

GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!

4. DietBet

 

Have you heard of a dietbet? It essentially is when you put down some amount of money and say you will lose weight. Everybody that loses the required amount of weight in the time period gets to split the pot. For what I have seen the bet you put down is usually in the 20-30 range.They have a 1 month and you lose 4% and a 6 month and you lose 10% of your body weight. This is my very first dietbet and I learned about it through SkinnyMeg. I do think this is a great incentive to lose weight. It has helped me break a plateau. so if you are interested... Check it Out!!!

Well, those are the things that I are helping me on my journey right now!! Next month it could be a totally different thing! We will see... I'll keep you updated either way though!! 

until next time

xoxo

B

What I'm digging right now

The other day I went to Target all by myself!!!!

Eeeeekkkkk!!!! I know! Every moms dream come true. Just to get some alone time at target. 

I blared some music on my old school iPod on the way there. It was epic. This song came on and I'll be honest... I am pretty sure that this song was meant for moms that get to get out of the house with no kids or husbands. Lol.

 Don't get me wrong I love spending time with my family but I think a little "you" time is necessary. Sometimes when I pull out of the driveway to go to target this is how I feel!!

So while at Target I picked up some new girl stuff. So I wanted to tell you about them! I've had a couple of things for awhile but I just need to tell you about them.

1 & 2: E.L.F - Lip Stains. Crimson Crush #31206 & Pink Petal #31021

 I don't wear lip stick. Ever. I think I look ridiculous. My lips are super wrinkley like 70 year old lady smoking pall malls wrinkley. I don't smoke so I'm not sure how I got these wrinkle lips. So, wearing lipstick makes my wrinkles look so much worse. Plus it wipes off in like 3.2 seconds. Also, the smell and taste of lipstick. Yuck. Obviously I am not a lover of the lipstick.  Yet, I've always wanted to have that bright red Marilyn lip. I look better with some sort of color on my lips. Enter Lip Stain. I am completely new to the lip stain world. I received a sample in my Birchbox once kinda liked that so here we are. I totally dig lip stain. Stays on forever. Bright color. Didn't bring too much attention to my old lady lips. Best part of it all this brand was 2 freaking dollars. Just get in my cart! *These were the only 2 colors Target had. :( on the website they have more colors I like the crimson a lot. Mo doesn't like it really and thinks it is too dark. He liked the pink which i hated on me. I felt like an ugly barbie.*

3. PlusWhite - 5 Minute Premier Whitening System
 Okay, so about a month ago i saw thing on pinterest about teeth whitening. I then tried to find it again and couldn't find it for the life of me. Now, that I have gave up pinterest for Lent I can't look but right after Easter I will be on the search again. Anyways the clip was about how you get the cheap mouth guards at Wal-Mart for under a buck, then put them in hot water for 15-30 seconds and let it form to your teeth. Then you put this whitening gel on your teeth and then the mouth guard and let it set for like 30 minutes. This stuff works!!! Like good! It is super cheap! DIY whitening trays. It rocks. Try it out!!!

4. Pure Romance - Basic Instinct
  Okay, this is my second bottle of this stuff. I am absolutely in love with it. I know it says sex attractant and before you think I am a creep. Just hold on a sec. This perfume does or it did have pheramones in it which I guess could be a "sex attractant". The reason I am in love with this is because the smell changes for every single person. It generally just smells sweet but when it mixes with your body chemistry the smell changes. It smells great on me. I love it. I've tried it on everyone and the smell changes. On my husband it goes from sweet to smelling like wood and ceder like. I am not sure how it does it but Oh MY Lanta do I love this stuff!! PS. Pure Romance is a sex toy party thing. So do what you want with that but this stuff is legit.

5. BB Cream - Garnier
  I like the idea of BB cream. It has a bunch of stuff in it to make your skin better. It is not super full coverage which is exactly what I like. It's perfect for me as a mom it takes like 14 seconds to put on. Awesomesauce. The problem I have found with most BB creams is that since it has a moisturizer in it, it can make my combination skin gross. Add in some South Georgia humidity and its nasty. Also, SPF is good for me. SO far I am digging this. It stays on pretty well, it has a little bit more full coverage than normal for me but its okay. Doesn't make my face a huge grease ball. It was about 12 bucks which is a ton better than the 50 dollar one I liked from birchbox. I'll update you once it gets warmer here and how its holding up in the heat.

6.L'Oreal - Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara
  I heard about this mascara from Mama Lauglin. This is what she uses and her eyelashes are ridiculous. Forrealz. So what the hey lets give it a whirl. For a "Drugstore" makeup it is not bad at all. I will use it till its gone most likely. It is my favorite mascara ever. No. It made them a little longer but nothing dramatic for me. I guess because I am used to putting a primer on my lashes then mascara. So for someone that doesn't do that then this may be a good one for them. It was like 8 or 9 dollars. I think it is worth a try. It came off easily in warm water. I am just kinda blah about it. I really want to try the Younique mascara. problem is its 30 dollars for it!!! Yikes thats like a gas or a meal out. I will probably try it out just because I am super curious about it.

                                              

 *Here is my face with the pretty much everything on. Yeah I know it is a terrible selfie but I was just sending this pic to my friend to see what she thought of the crimson lip stain.*

So there ya go... My fav's for right now. This all could change tomorrow! If I find some more stuff I love I will let y'all know!

Have a great weekend!!!!

until next time

xoxo

B