5QF - YAY!

Mama's 5 Question Friday is baaaaaaccckkk! *happy dance* It's back for only this week! *sad face*


I'm excited, even if it is only for one week...so hopefully you'll link up today!

- - -

1. If I had 5 minutes alone with Mother Nature, I would tell her...
If I had time alone with Mother Nature, I wouldn't do much talking...I'd give her the beat down of her life. Joking. But seriously. I am OVER this crazy weather. We get one beautiful, lovely, sunny, amazing day. And then...and then? It snows. It's 30 below. I am tired of the germs and crankiness exhibited by many. So Mother Nature, take a pill and get over it! How about letting us have our spring and summer?!?

2. If you could eat only one thing for a whole week, what would it be?
I eat a lot of chicken. I like chicken, but honestly...if I could only eat one thing, it would have to include a few more food groups, like pizza! ha I love love pizza. I could easily eat it for a whole week. ;)

3. What is your favorite season and why?
FALL! I love autumn weather. The days are still sunny and fairly long, but you also get to enjoy not sweating to death all the time. I enjoy seeing the leaves change color and being able to wear jeans/sweatshirts. Fall also brings on bonfires with friends and college football!

4. Do you have a meal that you are AMAZING at making? If so, share the recipe!
I do have some meals that my hubby loves...however, I can't say they are anything special. Ya know? If there's a recipe, I can follow it and generally have no problems with it turning out. One of my favorite Pinterest recipes (that the family enjoys) is Bubble Up Enchiladas. Yum! It's so easy and you can make it as spicy as you want. Just search for it on Pinterest...you'll find it! ha

5. What has changed in your life since the last 5QF? (8/2/13 was the last one!)
Where do I start?? Sooooo  many changes have taken place since the last 5QF. I was still dealing with blood clots and had 2 more visits to the hospital after that date. I lost my job of 3 years and spent 6 months unemployed, having now been at my new gig for the past month. I started exercising with a personal trainer and have truly enjoyed the past 7 weeks...4 more to go! We enjoyed family time at Christmas and Valentine's Day saw my sister-in-law getting engaged. We lost a very special person in my husband's family (his maternal grandmother) and recently spent time with his family picking out special pieces to remember his mamaw and papaw by from their home. We also went to court seeking more time with my step-daughters and unfortunately the law did not prevail on the right side....so we are still dealing with an evil troll for every single moment Eric is entitled to with his children (while paying off a hefty lawyer's bill).

Weekly Workouts

Feeling stronger every day from my strength training...and I didn't think I would! ha Silly, I know. It has really been a mostly mental battle (aside from my ankle/leg problems from last summer which really don't hold me back any). I am amazed most every time I meet with Abby, who is just a rockstar personal trainer! I actually look forward to working out with her once a week...and literally, leaving exhausted and barely able to move the next day. She has given me two different at-home strength training workouts and this latest one has me doing a plank that alternates from forearms to hands. Woah. Saw that on my "to do" list and thought, well I will attempt it, but will probably end up just holding the forearm plank. And you know what? I actually DID IT. You read that right! I was able to do the alternating plank...all 3 times I had it on my workout list! Crazy! Anyway...I am moving to a Clean Eating plan vs. the Paleo plan I've been using. I am excited about the change and being able to add a few things back into my diet. I went grocery shopping and loaded up on all the good stuff again. Ready to tackle a new week!

Sunday, March 9 - home strength training #1 (workout designed by Abby)
Monday, March 10 - 1 hour training session with Abby
Tuesday, March 11 - walked 3 miles with Leslie Sansone Power Walk (YouTube) + plank
Wednesday, March 12 - home strength training #1 (workout designed by Abby)
Thursday, March 13 - walked 4 miles with Leslie Sansone Boosted Walk (YouTube)
Friday, March 14 - home strength training #2 (workout designed by Abby)
Saturday, March 15 - rest day

Workout Time

This week felt better for my workouts. I adjusted my lunch to a half hour at work (I've never understood hour long lunches...who needs that much time?) so that I can get home earlier in the evening. And yes, it makes a HUGE difference. I know it's only a half hour, but it seems like so much more! ha I am still fighting some sort of crud. Yesterday was awful for me which is why I took my rest day then. I feel slightly better today.

Sunday, March 2 - home strength training (workout designed by Abby)
Monday, March 3 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone Slim Walk (YouTube)
Tuesday, March 4 - home strength training (workout designed by Abby)
Wednesday, March 5 - 1 hour training session with Abby
Thursday, March 6 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone Power Walk (YouTube)
Friday, March 7 - home strength training (workout designed by Abby) + 1 mile walk outside with family + stairs every hour at work
Saturday, March 8 - rest day

5 On Friday

[ONE]
New foods. Also learning to love foods I haven't had in a long time. It's really a combo of the two. Trying many new things and eating things I used to eat all in the name of nutrition and health. Recently, greek yogurt, hummus, acorn squash and Larabars have entered my world. I have been doing a 30 day Paleo challenge. Today is the end of week 3 and it's been great! I've honestly not had too many cravings. Feels good! If you follow me on Instagram and you're tired of my paleo food posts... #sorrynotsorry


[TWO]
New makeup. My friend, Jerri Lynn, is the makeup queen. She's the one who so expertly did my makeup (and the bridesmaids' makeup) for our wedding. Being broke is no fun, but she tries all the products (Wal-Mart cheaper versions to Ulta/Sephora expensive versions) and helped me find a few new items. I am running low on most of what I have (except eye shadow) and I have very sensitive skin, but so far the new stuff seems to be doing well.

[THREE]

A job. Today marks the end of my second week at the new job and I have to say that's it is going pretty well. I share a cubicle with a girl who I surprisingly have A LOT in common with! Marie is awesome though. We make the work day fun and help each other through all the questions. It is a bit mentally taxing working in the Quality/Regulatory Affairs department, but so far so good. I feel like I've picked it up fairly quickly and haven't made too many mistakes! ha


[FOUR]
Scentsy. The new Spring/Summer catalog debuted at the beginning of the month! I have my catalogs and the new scent testers on hand...LOVE! This amazing company keeps outdoing themselves. The warmers are even more beautiful than before and the scents are so fun. When I got the new scents, I asked my family to tell me what they thought the name of the one scent was as they passed it around...Tomato Vines! haha And yes, it seriously smells like that. So if you love to garden or miss having a garden, it might be the scent for you!

[FIVE]
Ginger ale, Fisherman Friend's cough drops & generic Nasal Spray. Ugh. Being in a cube farm (yes, my work is rows and rows of cubicles on different floors) is my worst nightmare for sharing germs. Ever since my leg/blood clot issues from the past summer, I have had a horrible time getting over colds. I have had a slight cough most of the winter. Ever since my second day at work, I've been battling sickness. To make matters worse, it has gone beyond a common cold to some sort of virus that is getting passed around. Everyone in our department seems to be sharing...and I really wish they weren't all so generous with sharing!

Weekly Workouts

Longest week of my life...just possibly. I'm not lying. I started back to work on Monday and let's just say that pairing a 40 hour work week (which I haven't done in 6-9 months) with a cold (thanks to all my new co-workers) has left me exhausted. I was glad to get a session in with Abby this week, plus all the stairs at work, but I feel terrible. I hope to kick this crud soon!

Sunday, Feb. 23 - rest day
Monday, Feb. 24 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone walkaerobics; completed 3 sets of stairs (up/down) - 2 flights at work
Tuesday, Feb. 25 - 1 hour training session with Abby
Wednesday, Feb. 26 - home strength training (workout designed for me by Abby); completed 2 sets of stairs - 2 flights at work
Thursday, Feb. 27 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone walkaerobics; wall push-ups (part of my home workout from Abby); completed 3 sets of stairs - 2 flights at work
Friday, Feb. 28 - rest day; completed 3 sets of stairs - 2 flights at work
Saturday, Feb. 29 - home strength training (workout designed for me by Abby)

All I can say is that you just have to power through sometimes. It isn't easy. Trust me. This was the week from hell. Just do it and then you can be proud of yourself!

Workin' it Out

I'm joining 2 of my blogger buddies (Jenn & Nikki) and joining their link up - This Week in Workouts!



This past weeked marked my last official "I have all day to fit in a workout" lifestyle. I know it will be challenging to figure out work, workouts, training sessions and everything else, but prepared for it! Let the fun begin. ha

Sunday, Feb. 16 - rest day
Monday, Feb. 17 - 3 miles Leslie Sansone power walk (YouTube)
Tuesday, Feb. 18 - 45 minutes Zumba (YouTube)
Wednesday, Feb. 19 - 2 miles Leslie Sansone Slim Walk (it's a 4 mile boosted power walk - YouTube)
Thursday, Feb. 20 - 3 miles Leslie Sansone power walk (YouTube)
Friday, Feb. 21 - 1 mile walk outside
Saturday, Feb. 22 - 4 miles Leslie Sansone Slim Walk (YouTube)

Sadly, I had to skip my session with Abby this week. She is one of the coaches for a local high school girls basketball team and due to the weather, the Sectional games got all moved around. They played Monday night (during our normal session)...and won! This weekend they play their Regional game and with the other stuff we both had planned, just couldn't make it work. Hopefully I will be able to see her next week, but have to change my scheduled day/time due to the new job end time and her group fitness class time.

Hope you'll log your workouts and link up next week!

Sweatin' it Out

I'm joining 2 of my blogger buddies (Jenn & Nikki) and joining their link up - This Week in Workouts!



A month of workouts complete...now if only the winter weather would fly by as quickly! ha I am going to try to start amping up my workouts a little bit. I know Abby is going to be giving me at "at home workout" to continue doing after my next session, so I hope to start doing that plus everything else I've been doing. We shall see! ;)

Sunday, Feb. 9 - rest day
Monday, Feb. 10 - 1 hour training session with Abby
Tuesday, Feb. 11 - walked 3 miles with Leslie Sansone power walk (YouTube)
Wednesday, Feb. 12 - completed 3 rounds of Fitness Blender low impact cardio (YouTube)
Thursday, Feb. 13 - completed kettlebell workout
Friday, Feb. 14 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone walkaerobics
Saturday, Feb. 15 - walked 1 mile with Leslie Sansone walkaerobics AND completed 20 minute low impact tabata workout (YouTube)

Hope you'll log your workouts and link up next week!

A Week of Workouts

I'm joining 2 of my blogger buddies (Jenn & Nikki) and joining their link up - This Week in Workouts!



I am proud to say that I have completed 3 weeks of workouts! Booyah! ha It feels so good to accomplish that. I'm not saying it's my first time being dedicated like this, but something about this round does feel very different.

Sunday, Feb. 2 - completed Slim in 6 Start it Up dvd workout
Monday, Feb. 3 - 1 hour training session with Abby
Tuesday, Feb. 4 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone walkaerobics dvd
Wednesday, Feb. 5 - completed Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred - Level 1 workout
Thursday, Feb. 6 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone walkaerobics dvd
Friday, Feb. 7 - walked 3 miles with Leslie Sansone power walk (watched it on YouTube via computer)
Saturday, Feb. 8 - completed 2 rounds of Fitness Blender low impact cardio workout (watched it on YouTube via computer)

Hope you'll log your workouts and link up next week!

5 On Friday

It's my first time linking up with the 5 On Friday crew! I have missed doing Mama M's 5 Question Friday, so I'll try to be consistent with this one.

[ONE]
I am loving my personal training sessions with Abby! Are they killing me? Yes. Does it feel good? Yes. Food choices haven't been perfect, but with limited grocery funds, they probably won't be for awhile. My portions are under control and the exercise helps balance everything!

[TWO]
Gold Bond. Seriously. I am still trying to resolve my arm pit rash from trying the Dove deodorant ONE time! Argh. Having sensitive skin is such a pain in the you know what! Gold Bond has been my friend the past few days. Hopefully this thing clears up soon. It's not fun.

[THREE]

Mani/pedi. Ahhhhhh. I have soooooo been missing having my bi-weekly manicure and monthly/bi-monthly pedicure sessions. My husband calls me "high maintenance" and I tell him, darn right! ha I am terrible at doing my own nails, although I have gotten slightly better over the past 8 months. I joyously received 2 gift certificates for my favorite nail salon for Christmas gifts and have been plotting when to use them. Sad, no? Since it's almost Valentine's day and I also have a Scentsy training event on Saturday, I decided to have a little me time at the salon. Saw these nails on Pinterest and couldn't resist having it done!





[FOUR]
Taxes. Yes, you heard me right. I am one of those overachieving eager-beavers that likes to get my taxes done early. I usually spend the first few days of the year getting all my papers together (it's a little more involved with a home business) and then play the waiting game all month on my W-2's and 1099's. This year we miraculously had everything together by the end of the month, so Saturday we made the trek to my tax accountant. If you're in the Louisville area, Accounting Unlimited is an amazing office! Pat and her family have been doing my taxes for about 10 years now. No one knows the law better! She has satellite offices in Greenwood, IN & Lexington, KY during tax season. She's worth the money. I normally mail mine in, but since Eric and I are filing together this year, we had an appointment (as she does with all new clients). Just remember, you get what you pay for when filing taxes!

[FIVE]
My Scentsy Family Business. February 1st marked an exciting start to the month! Scentsy & Velata are both 10% off this month! Grace Adele debuted the Spring catalog! Oh my word! Love it!! I'm thinking I am going to need a coral or teal purse!!

 

A Week in Workouts

I'm joining 2 of my blogger buddies (Jenn & Nikki) and joining their fairly new weekly link up - This Week in Workouts!



I continued my week of workouts this past week...and let me tell you, it HURT. ha After having my first training session with my personal trainer, Abby, I could barely lift my arms until Friday/Saturday. And now that I am feeling good again, I'm ready to go back for more tomorrow night. :p

Sunday, Jan. 26 - rest
Monday, Jan. 27 - 1 hour training session with Abby
Tuesday, Jan. 28 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone dvd
Wednesday, Jan. 29 - kettlebell workout with dvd
Thursday, Jan. 30 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone dvd
Friday, Jan. 31 - walked 1.3 miles on the treadmill
Saturday, Feb. 1 - rest

Hope you'll log your workouts and link up next week!

Weekly Workouts: Link Up

I'm joining 2 of my blogger buddies (Jenn & Nikki) and joining their fairly new weekly link up - This Week in Workouts!



This past week I got serious and started buckling down on my eating and exercise habits...here's how the workouts went:

Sunday, Jan. 19 - rest
Monday, Jan. 20 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone dvd
Tuesday, Jan. 21 - kettlebell workout with dvd
Wednesday, Jan. 22 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone dvd
Thursday, Jan. 23 - completed Slim in 6 Start it Up dvd workout
Friday, Jan. 24 - kettlebell workout with dvd
Saturday, Jan. 25 - walked 3.1 miles on the treadmill

Hope you'll log your workouts and link up next week!

My 1st Official 5K

I did it! I completed my first official 5k (at home) and didn't die! hahaha When you haven't "walked" for exercise in 3 months...jumping right on the treadmill and knocking out 3.1 miles isn't as easy as you would think. :p

At the beginning of the month, I saw that Katie was hosting her 2nd Annual Virtual 5K. I told myself I would sign up for it, but if I didn't complete it...no big deal. The day loomed closer and as I started my #onedayatatime journey, I just couldn't let myself not do it! So, I suited up and dusted off the treadmill (like you wouldn't believe how much dust was on that thing!) and plugged away at the 3.1 miles. I didn't finish it nearly as fast as I used to be able to do, but I call it at a win since my ankle never felt sturdy on the treadmill until now, since I broke my leg.

If you're looking for fitness inspiration - Katie's blog is a great one to read! I've followed her pretty much the entire time I've blogged.

30 Miles in 30 Days: Oct Week 3 Update

Is this month really half over already? Holy cow!

Oct 1 - none
Oct 2 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone dvd
Oct 3 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sanson dvd
Week 1 Total = 4 miles

Oct 4 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone dvd
Oct 5 - none
Oct 6 - none
Oct 7 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone dvd
Oct 8 - walked 1 mile with Leslie Sansone dvd; walked 2 miles outside
Oct 9 - none
Oct 10 - walked 2 miles outside
Week 2 Total = 9 miles

Oct 11 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone dvd
Oct 12 - none
Oct 13 - none
Oct 14 - walked 2 miles outside
Oct 15 - none
Oct 16 - none
Oct 17 - walked 1 mile on treadmill
Week 3 Total = 5 miles

Total so far - 18 miles

30 Miles in 30 Days: Oct Week 2

It's been a busy month so far, but I've been managing to get my miles in...especially since Hubs has started walking as well. Unfortunately for him, the large pumpkin pie blizzards he has been consuming after the walks don't really help him lose weight. haha ;)

Oct 1 - none
Oct 2 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone dvd
Oct 3 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sanson dvd
Week 1 Total = 4 miles

Oct 4 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone dvd
Oct 5 - none
Oct 6 - none
Oct 7 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone dvd
Oct 8 - walked 1 mile with Leslie Sansone dvd; walked 2 miles outside
Oct 9 - none
Oct 10 - walked 2 miles outside
Week 2 Total = 9 miles

Total so far - 13 miles

I really struggle with food choices when the girls are at our house. I hate making 2 meals for one dinner, but they are too darn picky for their own good. Hopefully I can make some good choices this next week or so and slim down a few more pounds. Last week I lost 3.4 pounds, so that's a start!

30 Miles in 30 Days: Sept Final & Week 1

I can't believe it is October!! I am still missing fall weather...as it's been so dreary these past few days with rain. Ugh!

Sadly, I didn't get my 30 miles in for September. I ended the month with 27 miles and for my first time doing the challenge since April, I felt good about it, especially since my leg/ankle is still healing. I came down with the same thing Eric and Emma had the other week...sore throat, earache, and stuffiness. I can't really take anything because of the blood thinners, but I was able to take a decongestant (which I'm not sure helped), but I'm feeling much better now!

Oct 1 - none
Oct 2 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sansone dvd
Oct 3 - walked 2 miles with Leslie Sanson dvd
Week 1 Total = 4 miles

Total so far - 4 miles

And now...outside I go to check on our lil girl, Sadie. This morning we discovered that she has roundworm. Gave her a medication for it and she seems to be doing better, no more signs of worms, so we'll have to wait and see. So far they have found homes for 3 of the puppies!

Something Special

Monday, September 30: Share a photo of something old. Maybe something that has personal history for you, that was passed down to you, and that has special meaning to you. Tell us about it and why it's special.

My something special was used on my wedding day...actually TWO something specials. The first item, my mom loaned me. It was her mom's ring, a birthstone ring with my Grandpa, my Grandma, my mom and my uncle's birthstones. I wore it on my right hand at the wedding. The second item, mom gave me on behalf of my Grandma. It was one of her old lace handkerchiefs. My sister stitched our wedding date on it in blue. I carried the hankie in my hand around my flower bouquet. Those items made up my something old, something borrowed, something blue. ;)

Dear Facebook

Friday, September 27: An anonymous letter to your Facebook friends. Be as snarky as you'd like. (but don't include people's real names.) 

Dear Facebook users - 

I do love Facebook. I was one of the first users back in the day. Yes, I realize that makes me seem OLD. Fact is, my first Facebook account was created back in the early college years when a friend at a "test school" for FB sent several of us Boilermakers an invite. We joined, had absolutely no clue what the purpose was (I mean...Myspace anyone? ha) and promptly lost our passwords to gain access so later on created new accounts. 

Facebook has changed...practically weekly sometimes. While it is great for some things, such as reconnecting with old friends, networking with colleagues, or just having your own little space on the interwebs, it is also NOT so great for other things. Those not so great things would be: sharing EVERY single step you've made through the day and repeating it EVERY day, posting 10 million fishy face selfies, posting pictures of you kissing on "the love of your life" who happens to change every couple of months, commenting on how horrible your life is because you had to work today (while others who would be 10x more grateful can't find a job), or sending me links for the latest health craze (I'm sorry but pills and shakes don't work long term...you have to learn how to eat healthy and then vitamin supplements are great) because I'm obviously the fat girl that needs to lose weight!

I'm sorry if you see my personal business posts and get annoyed. I have MANY customers as friends and lots of them order repeatedly because of my FB posts. I do try to keep a good mix between life happenings, pictures and business posts so you will stay my friend. ha ;)

30 Miles in 30 Days: Week 4 Update

Jeez...can anyone else believe that it is the end of September already?? This month has FLOWN by! Yikes.

Sept 1 - walked 1 mile outside
Sept 2 - none
Sept 3 - none
Sept 4 - walked 2 miles outside
Sept 5 - walked 2 miles outside
Week 1 Total = 5 miles

Sept 6 - walked 1 mile outside
Sept 7 - none (was at a Scentsy event all day)
Sept 8 - none
Sept 9 - none
Sept 10 - walked 2 miles outside
Sept 11 - walked 2 miles treadmill
Sept 12 - walked 2 miles treadmill
Week 2 Total = 7 miles

Sept 13 - walked 1 mile outside
Sept 14 - none
Sept 15 - none
Sept 16 - walked 1 mile outside
Sept 17 - walked 2 miles outside
Sept 18 - walked 1 mile treadmill
Sept 19 - walked 1 mile treadmill
Week 3 Total = 6 miles

Sept 20 - none
Sept 21 - none
Sept 22 - .5 miles outside
Sept 23 - none
Sept 24 - walked 3.5 miles outside
Sept 25 - walked 1 mile outside
Sept 26 - walked 4 miles inside with Leslie Sansone dvd
Week 4 Total = 9 miles

Total so far - 27 miles

It's a beautiful day out, but after getting a little too much sun the other day on my 3.5 mile walk outside (my shoulders and chest are still pink (oops!) and the fact that my ankle hurts so much while walking on the road, I decided that I would dust off one of my workout dvds and give it a go. I wore my ankle brace during the dvd walking since there are a lot of side steps. My ankle is definitely feeling it, but I think it was a good rehab workout. I am going to try to use that dvd a few times a week to mix it up and hopefully help my ankle finish healing (I was supposed to be going to physical therapy, but I lost my insurance and it's like $600 a visit before insurance adjustments where I was going...um, no.)

I should be able to get my last 3 miles in before the end of the month. We don't have a very busy weekend planned as of right now, so with any luck, weather will still be nice (it's been in the mid to high 70's all week) and I can go outside and maybe get the hubs to go for a few walks with me.

Check back next week for the final September recap and kicking off October! :)

Happy Happy Happy

Thursday, September 26: Go to a coffee shop. Order a favorite drink. Write about what makes you happy and what makes you sad. Or write about anything you'd like! Bonus points for including a photo from the coffee shop. (I recommend downloading Ommwriter and bringing headphones along!) *if you can't make it to a coffee shop, at least leave your usual space and write someplace new.

Unfortunately, I do not have the luxury of visiting a coffee shop...a) we don't have one anywhere close by and b) I wouldn't have the money to go even if we did. ha

Today I walked 3.5 miles outside in the beautiful sunshine, so in a way that was my "new place" to work up a post in my mind.

Things that make me happy:
-my husband
-my family
-sunshine
-Dairy Queen treats
-fall weather
-travel
-laughing

And as Phil Robertson would say (come on people, tell me you're watching Duck Dynasty!!) - life is making me "happy happy happy." ;)

Nobody is Perfect

Wednesday, September 25: Write about a time you screwed up - a mistake you made. 

Ugh. Really? I have so many choices to pick from that it should be illegal to make that many mistakes! ha

I don't think that I can easily pick one mistake, so I will talk about something that gets me in trouble all the time - my mouth. Yes, you read that right. I often makes verbal mistakes. As a stubborn, opinionated  first-born child (yeah, let's face it - us 1st borns are pretty much all that way!), my outspoken and loud mouth often causes problems for me. I'm not one to always think before I speak. Heck, I opened my mouth yesterday in frustration and anger...and it caused grief for me the entire day. It is often hard to remember to think first and speak last, but instead ugliness comes spewing forth. Not puke folks...hurtful words that I can't take back. 

I have been doing better lately, but it's a work in progress. The moral of the story is that I'm not perfect and never will be, no one can claim that. We all learn from our mistakes (hopefully) and do our best to not make them in the future.

One day I'll learn. Right??