Few of My Favorite Things - Gretchen Clog

So this is a rather new and maybe odd favorite thing but since I bought two pairs of them one in black and one in brown and I would wear them every day if it wasn't weird they are a definite favorite.  I found them at Payless as part of their safeTstep line for women.  I love Dansko's but they always slip off my heel and I could walk right out of them, not cool.  So when I saw these at Payless I had to give them a try and to be honest I am thrifty I love to save money and these are way cheaper than Danskos but they are well made and so comfortable.

If you are looking for a pair of shoes that are super comfortable and cute these may be the ticket. I know I love them.

TBT - 4/24/14

Now this is an old picture.  Pregnant at a friends' bachelorette party, see how small huge I was! And no that is not alcohol in that cup it was water, just so there are no rude comments.

Few of My Favorite Things - Pastry Cutter

Now here is an interesting item, my pastry cutter.  Pretty sure I actually stole borrowed this from my mom.  Good thing she hasn't asked for it back, why you ask? Because I definitely don't make my own pastry crusts that is for sure. Nope I use this little beauty for breaking up ground meat for chili, goulash, spaghetti, and whatever else I want ground meat for.  Yep it is a meat cutter for sure I can through a pound of ground elk in the skillet put the lid on and let it cook for 5-10 minutes and then break it all up quick and easy.  I know most people don't own one of these but I really do recommend them love this magic little tool.

TBT - 4/17/14

Hippity Hoppity Easter Time is Here!!

And some of the magic is lost, the girls have officially admitted to knowing the Easter Bunny does not exist. However, we did have a great talk about how even though the Easter Bunny is not real the magic behind him is pretty awesome. Just because you can't see something doesn't mean you shouldn't believe.

Few of My Favorite Things - Commuter Java Press

So I got introduced to this beauty by a coworker, funny thing is I had never had french press coffee before now I may be an addict. I love me some tea though too and this wonderful invention can do loose tea leaves also. That is a win-win in my book.  I paid $20 dollars for this cup but it has already been used almost every day since I bought it and this summer camping it will get used lots more, I am thinking hubby's triple shot breve's will be started in this handy dandy baby. If you like coffee, don't need a whole pot of it, and want convenience this is the cup for you. LOVE it!!!!!!

Commuter Java Press

T25 First 2 Weeks

So I am holding myself accountable by blogging on my journey to get back in shape. After starting school, transferring schools, starting a new job, stress and life, I lost my fitness mojo.  I am back on the train people no worries I have stuff to do this summer and shorts, tank tops and a new bikini are calling my name. I have have tried the gym, I tried the treadmill (it is stuck on incline so it is not so much fun), and I have tried P90x (all I can say is ugh). So hubby and I were laying in bed and getting ready to turn off the TV and an infomercial for T25 comes on.  OK so a few side notes I love Shaun T I think he is amazing, I can always make 25 minutes in my day for fitness, I love a challenge, and I love the calendar.  So I went out to buy it YIKES!! $120 bucks later was not my idea of a good purchase and I don't care what you say, I am thrifty.  So eBay was calling my name, I found it for $72 bucks oh yeah, I didn't get the Gamma but from what I can see I would have to buy that separate anyway so I have decided that is my prize for finishing the first set which is Alpha.

So Week 1 rolls around I followed the calendar and definitely didn't nail anything so marked all of them Barely Made It. Oh well, at least I did it. Speed 1.0 was fun, it was a lot of jumping and fast feet, I think I looked like a duck out of water tripping over myself, thankfully my household was sleeping so nobody got video or witnessed that extravaganza. Total Body Circuit, don't remember much except my arms burning from planks my abs never seem to hurt as bad as my arms do ugghhh.
Friday is supposed to be a double up day, but I just didn't get 50 minutes that day for working out so it was Lower Focus and then Saturday morning the second round of Cardio for the week. Man for only 25 minutes it was painful.

Sunday, A day of rest well not really I mucked out cleaned two little girls rooms. 6 bags of garbage/junk and 2 bags of clothes that don't fit or they won't wear later we have rooms that almost sparkled.  There was also lots of dusting, moving of furniture, cleaning of fish tanks, and vacuuming involved, but it got done.

Monday, it started all over again only my routine is still not mornings darn it anyway, I really do enjoy working out in the morning getting to take a shower because I sweat like a creature from another dimension but that is not in the cards as we have been staying up way too late. Owning two businesses is a blessing and a curse mostly a blessing but the late nights are a killer sometimes. No biggie, I can always fit 25 minutes in and hubby is very understanding and supportive of my plight to get back in shape.  Remember he sat on the couch for almost 5 months with a broken leg so he has been getting back into shape too!  Finally got to mark Nailed It on my calendar for Total Body Circuit, it was awesome and I felt so good after it.  The numbers are not moving on the scale but I am OK with that right now, I know I won't see drastic results with 25 minutes a day and eating right I will see slow and steady results though and that is all that matters.


Here is to Week 3, come and get it baby I can't wait to finish Alpha and start Beta!! Oh and new workout shoes are being purchased this week that is always exciting, I am not so sure about Asics, I haven't had them for even a full year and my feet burn in them. That is OK though I love shoes of all kinds.

Paint

Five Minute Friday, oh how I love and have missed thee.  It is that time of the week again time to link up with Lisa-Jo and do a little dance and write in my little space.

The word this week is PAINT

Ready,

Set.

Go....

So it didn't take me long at all to think of what I wanted to write about this week.  It is these beauties, you see I found them last weekend when I was putting more squares in the girls' quilt tub.  The story behind the quilt tub, I have been saving clothes that the girls' are especially attached to or we got on trips and I am hoping to either do it myself or send them to someone and have a quilt made for each of them for high school graduation.  They have added to it over the years as they have gotten older, t-shirts that they love and are now too small, a baby blanket that they literally wore out so now just square of it remains.  But there were also these beautiful quilt squares in there I had forgot about them, the girls made them in preschool, I ordered the quilt squares knowing that I would put them in the tub and ordered my mom a couple of t-shirts with the same designs, she loves those t-shirts.  These squares though are so small they look almost miniature and I am so glad that the girls will have this memory for their quilts. To be honest I can't wait to see their quilts it is like painting only we are using pieces of clothe, in the end though it will be a piece of artwork that there will be no duplicate to.  Individual just like my twins, unique and full of wonderful memories.

End.

What do you think of when you think of PAINT?  Please share.

Throwback Thursday

2008 seems like forever ago, especially when you have kids.

Man do we look young :0)

A Few of My Favorite Things - Gratitude Journal

My Wednesday tradition of sharing with you a few of my favorite things be it an app, a food item, a beauty product, or whatever it something I consider a favorite thing.

Attitudes of Gratitude Journal

Check it out here Attitudes of Gratitude Journal

I originally went looking for this because I kept forgetting to write in my little journal I bought. It seemed easier to have a reminder set up on my phone and so I went searching Play List.  I found this little app, my only complaint is I can't share all of my posts at once or select a bunch of them to share at one time I have to share them one at a time which is not ideal for what I would like, but I haven't found a replacement app yet.  Other than that, I love that it gives me a reminder at the end of the day, and that I can go back and look at all I am grateful for. 

I think it is so important to be grateful for something every day, I know it has improved my attitude and it helps remind me that everyone is battling their own demons, I don't need to judge them I just need to be thankful for what I have. And I have been able to find something to be thankful for even during tough times.

Love this app, and of course it is free so even better, try it out and see what you think.  I am not getting any for recommending it but the satisfaction that you too will find little things to be grateful for every day.

ThrowBack Thursday

Oh the ladies will love that I shared these, love you girls you know I do!!

These are some of my best friends and I wouldn't trade any one of them for anything, this is friendship that has lasted years and I plan on having these ladies as my best friends when I am old and crazy!!

A Few of My Favorite Things - Walk Me Up! Alarm Clock

My Wednesday tradition of sharing with you a few of my favorite things be it an app, a food item, a beauty product, or whatever it something I consider a favorite thing.

Walk Me Up! Alarm Clock.

You can learn all about it here Walk Me Up!

So the idea is you set it like any alarm clock and since it is on your phone you can pick any ringtone, alarm, or song you would like to wake up to. It goes up but instead of just hitting snooze you have to walk however many steps you set it to, it counts the steps like a pedometer and then it turns off when you have completed your steps.  You can't shake it either it doesn't work very well especially if you are half asleep like I usually am when it goes off.  I will admit some mornings it drives me bonkers, well most mornings but it works it gets me out of bed moving, the blood gets to flowing and if I do lay back down it is only for a few minutes because I was already up.

If you have an Android phone you will love this I am not sure if it is available on iPhones but it really is the best alarm clock I have ever had, to be honest I have thought about seeing if I can put it on my daughters Kindles, such a great concept and since it is free it is even better.

Happy April Fools

Can you spot the trick two girls played on their teachers.

Brook
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