food for thought...

This weekend is another weekend in the rink. Luckily it is cold and snowing outside so being inside is not too terrible. And I have set up my computer in the back so I can use my free time to hop on and do some homework. Since alot of my job is making coffee and keeping the food stocked, I am trying to pretend I am in a coffee shop, just enjoying my Saturday...a girl can dream!

Weight Watchers has been going pretty well, but last week I did gain a pound. Rightfully so as last weekend I was not as strict with my points while working the hockey event, and I had little time for work outs. But you know what, that is life! Some weeks will be good, some will be average, and some will suck. That is why I love Weight Watchers. Just because I gained a pound does not mean it is time to throw in the towel! hell no! I get to pick myself up and continue on my journey!

I am making the goal this week to not dip into my weeklies as Tuesday will be our 9 year dating anniversary and we are going out to dinner! I am also tracking EVERY LITTLE THING I PUT IN MY MOUTH! Yesterday was day one at the hockey event and I passed with flying colors! No little nibbles, no sneaking unneeded calories..if I ate it, I tracked it, and if I needed a snack, I looked for fruit or veggies or peanut butter and other healthy options! Good thing I organize the food so I make sure there are healthy options!

I am excited about this adventure, just as much today as I was at the beginning. I don't obsess over it, I just live it. That is what WW's has taught me in three months! You can eat ANYTHING, you just have to be accountable!

making the most of it...

My husband and I do not have a boat load of money. We are a single income family, as my husband completes his schooling, and we live with my grandma. We do however rarely feel pinched with money (although I am sure my husband would disagree) but even during difficult times, I find it rewarding to still help others.

We have been blessed with insanely supportive families. Not that they throw money at us, but they love us, and encourage us, and always provide us with the smiles and generosity that bring us emotional support! Of course our families help pick up tabs, or offer financial support if we really need it, but generally, we do just fine, and I think it is largely in part to our upbringings and families. I would say we live above our means, we have luxuries like cable and we go out to dinner. And we make it a point to help others who may not be as fortunate as us.

Both of our cats were adopted from shelter situations. Faith was a feral cat that was caught and tamed. When we first got her, she was very shy, but has since come around to be the biggest softie! All she ever wants to do is cuddle and paw the bed.

And Kea is an 11 or 12 or 13 year old white cat that we got a few months back. She has a gimp leg and was one day away from being put down at animal control. We took her in, vetted her, found that she has a brighter outlook then we imagined and she too has become such a ray of sunshine in or house.

Since adopting Faith, we have donated money to the foundation we got her through. We even sponsored the spay of a kitty this past January. We send boxes of treats and cat food and catnip.

But don’t worry, it is not just the furry friends we help out! We purge our clothes often and donate to clothes closets whenever we realize we have too much crap! Chaz loves putting change in any bucket he finds sitting out helping this cause or that cause. I like to work United way and volunteer events at work, and Chaz is always asking D. Lo what he can do to make her life easier. He has cleaned her garage and her storage room and put up shelves around her house. Those things count! That’s helping another individual!

I don’t spread this message to show you what we do so that you can be proud of us and shower us with compliments. I don’t want that. I don’t need that. That is not what fuels my volunteering. I just put it out there to encourage you to find something you are passionate about and really help out. I can bet that everyone in this world, even the wealthiest of people, could use help in some way. Help comes in a variety of ways, whether it be financial, emotional, or physical. It will make you feel better and it will certainly make someone else feel better!

piece of mind...

My husband is pretty great...even when he is a butt head!

it has been a while...

It has been a week since I last posted! I am on a every Tuesday cycle and I fail to get another post out during the remainder of the week!

This weekend was busy though so I have a bit of an excuse. We worked a hockey event and were going from sun up to sun down…well, even past sun down! It was a good weekend but I am so busy, there is really no time to be on the computer or any social media for that matter! Plus, I took any free time opportunities I had to read the new book out by Matt Logelin. I have been reading his blog since spring 2008. His wife and him are from the MN and now live in LA. She passed away the day after his daughter was born and has since been blogging about his feelings, his insecurities, and his joys. He is a great writer, and now has written a book. Needless to say, it is even better than the blog! I have been hooked and only cried once or twice! Check out his blog if you get a chance…www.mattlogelin.com. Or buy the book! I recommend it! You can also donate money to the non-profit he has set up to help other individuals who have become widows and their families. Click on the yellow link to the left of my page for more info!

In other news, I am down 22.5 pounds. I am very close to losing 10% of my starting weight! I have been a bit more lax in my counting but I am making more of an effort to actually measure (not eyeball) and track everything I munch on! I have run a few 5k’s since actually participating in the St. Patty’s 5k race around lake Calhoun. I am enjoying running a lot, I am just having to work with my shins as sometimes, they are not on the same level as me!

family and chocolate

Last night, my brother came over and it was a perfect evening! We had dinner with D. Lo and my hubby, made some delicious treats, and went for an outdoor workout/run! It was so nice to just hang out and talk and really just banter like the good old days!

We also made these delicious Mock Moon Pie Cookies that were featured on a blog I read! You can find the recipe here!

http://danicasdaily.com/mock-moon-pie-cookies-2-points/















I made two batches. The first were a bit of a mess so I adjusted my process a bit. 1 tsp. of peanut butter and fluff proved to be a bit much so with my second batch, I spread a thin layer of peanut butter on the crackers, chilled them, spread a thin layer of fluff and chilled them again prior to dipping in the chocolate. I also found that I needed to melt more chocolate for how many I made...I think I made around 40 and needed a whole bag of chips (I used Ghiradelli chocolate chips).

I have been storing them in the freezer and can atest that they are wonderful right out of the freezer! In addition, Danica features a recipe with out the fluff for a Mock Tagalong cookie! Both are 2 p+ so I say bring on the fluff!

So that was my night last night. Dinner, treats, and my family!

day by day

Grey days like today, ones that still have a little nip of chill in the air, I want nothing more than to crawl back under my nice warm covers and just relax. In the summer, when it is warm, I feel more enticed to be active, but not when there is a bite in the air. This morning it was so hard to crawl out from under the covers and emerge from the darkness of my basement bedroom. This may have been due to the grey and dullness peeking in from outdoors, or possibly due to a bad night’s sleep, but whatever it was, I had to force myself to stop yawning while brushing my teeth and washing my face.

I actually do look forward to the varying days of the year. Each day is interesting and appealing in its own way. And my body enjoys a day like today, a day to move a little slower, push off a tedious task one more day, and just pick up a book or watch some tv.

So many colors, so many choices

Sometimes the hardest part of a wedding is picking the colors. Yes, the bride has probably dreamed of this day for a while, but when it comes down to it, you have to pick colors that are seasonally right, colors that will look good, and colors that will essentially match your theme.

It was easy for me to pick my colors. I have always loved very traditional, rich colors, and maroon and gold have always sounded beautiful. Then when I asked the husband what he would want, and those were his exact colors, I knew our fate was sealed.















My other friends have really had to play around though to find their right combo.

Tonya planned her wedding in a few short months and really had to play around to truly find what she wanted. Of course in the end, she chose green with hints of purple and honestly, I would call the colors perfect for her! The wedding was truly reminiscent of her style!





















And another of my BFF’s, Laura, was all over the place when picking colors! Her mind changed daily and many of the colors were bold and funky! In the end, she did purple with hints of green (colors like Tonya’s but played out differently!), and I would say that the wedding was very much her style too!















The Knot.com actually has a great area on their website where you can pick your main color and see what nice pairings would be for that color. They show pictures of the colors being used and it really is helpful for those wanting to see some different color variations. Here are some great ideas for color ideas using orange as the main color.

http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-colors/orange-wedding.aspx

Seriously, the orange seems to be a very fun, hip color to use! There really are so many combinations and hues out there, it really should be an enjoyable experience and true expression of the couple.

I have a wedding coming up in May and I am already so excited to see some new colors and ideas. It has been a few months since I have been to a wedding!