Really, YOU CAN!

Mr. Man had our kitchen remolded and it was quite an experience. I absolutely love it and there is so much light coming in and it feels so much larger. Before: After: We started at Lowes, they had a kitchen remodel program that dissipated before it really began. We chose shaker cabinets and granite countertops. We took the wall out between the living room and the kitchen, load-bearing so required a beam which we recessed.  Took it down to the studs as there wasn't drywall in kitchen so we drywalled. I grew up in a home where the ovens were in the walls and I really wanted that,. Mr. Man wanted an island, I was indifferent; however, I absolutely love it. I did not want my sink in the island as I prefer to be old school and look out the window so that is where we put the cooktop. View looking into living room standing at cooktop on island (we chose mindful gray from valspar as our color) The renovation was over budget and took fo...

Well, you have probably guessed that I have been super busy. So to bring you up to speed... Well.... I did get married and it turned out to be an amazing day. We got married in a ceremony with   the preacher on my late father's birthday and then had the ceremony a few days later. I could not have pulled it off without my friends. My maid of honor and bridesmaids in particular. My Maid of honor was my daughter and she pulled off a surprise bridal shower - I have NEVER had anything like that and during the course of all this my estranged mother was found dead at her home. My daughter was a rock through for me the past two months. I am one lucky momma Aren't they beautiful :) Kristine made our bouquets and the men's boutonniere - I love Cala Lillies and she did such an awesome job - they were absolutely beautiful These three ladies are the most important to me and I love them dearly  - my two best friend...

This could not be any truer since I have become a runner, I feel so much better.  I have to be honest that most of the time I do not enjoy the run, during the run, it's the after the run that I love. I feel a sense of accomplishment, de-stressed, and just, well..., just better. My brother made a comment to me not long ago that my skin and hair looked so much better and wondered if it was the running. Great possibility, I am getting more fresh air but I was an avid walker and graduated to a jogger/runner to help boost my weight loss. Running was the gateway to more physical activity. I read blogs on running and do a lot of research on it. It is way more complicated than one would initially think - which also appeals to my "learning" nature. I found the below on this blog and it really is true - except realize is misspelled :) I learned that to become a better runner - I needed to do more than just run -  strength training is highly encouraged in the running worl...

Really,  can you can look cute and sweat at the same time AND believe it or not, feeling cute is motivational. When I first embarked on my lose weight/feel healthy quest - I would go out in some comfy shorts and loose cotton t-shirts (a no-no for running). Mr. Man made the prediction that I would soon be investing in running clothes. I started researching what runners should wear with such articles as this ... And then the below began to resemble me... Phase 1: I started noticing how the other runners dressed - I really liked the cute, colorful leggings but felt I was too heavy to sport them out in public. I found with shorts that I do not like them postage stamp size and I hate when they bunch up between my thighs. First - the shoes - Brooks Glycerin is my go to Second - running socks - my favorite are Thorlos experia Then... I found  running shorts  at Old Navy, I think they are more like bicycle shorts,  but I love the compress...

Really, you can finish one goal and mess up another at the same time... So, my daughter and I went to find me a dress - one of my goals towards my upcoming wedding. I went to David's Bridal and was taken care of like I was a queen. When you find the one, their tradition is to ring the bell and I rang the bell and actually cried. Now, I went with the intention of getting a $99 wedding dress. I went way over my budget but it was soooo pretty AND IT HAS BUTTERFLIES... how could I resist? Isn't that back the coolest EVER? So it was a little over budget - well, a LOT over budget but I justified it by being able to put it on layaway. I was joking with one my bridesmaid that now we aren't eating - we are just going to have cake since I ate quite a bit into my budget.  I was reassured that my back looked okay in it... This pale pink with hints of purple and mint butterflies and some pearls - so whimsical, and so me. My daughter is the maid of honor and this dress went p...

Wow, it seems you really can lose a month! I cannot believe it has been a whole month since I posted and where did the month go? Soooo, I guess.... I have been so busy at work and then come home and work some more. I did manage to get my house changed over to spring. I decided to not hang any curtains back up because the cats are destroying them...but that is another blog.  I guess it would be fitting to start the new month like I needed January  - with the February report card My fitness goals are below and I am proud to say that I am keeping up: Barre at least once a week: Cycle classes at least once a week - only missed one class  because of a conference call scheduled at the same time as the class Weight training   - once a week (Sunday is the class and lately the weather has been Greenway worthy so haven't been getting this in - I did find a Tuesday night class but haven't been able to make it due to staying too late at work and my c...

Okay, so I have been really focused on my goals for 2018 - because, Really, you can achieve whatever you set your mind, right? My fitness goals are below and I am proud to say that I am keeping up: Barre  at least once a week: Cycle classes  at least once a week -  Weight training   - once week Running/Walking  - at least 3 times a week The scale says I've lost four pounds - the first pic was the beginning of Jan and the second yesterday  - I can't see a huge difference but I can tell you I feel a difference in how I feel - and that is probably the best benefit     As a matter of fact, I have been so focused that my stay-cation has not been hobbit-like as usual. I have been leaving the house and going to the YMCA taking classes - mainly because on Monday, Mr. Man wanted me to go to the store and pick up some lunch meat so since I had to be out - I took a weight training class and jogged on the treadmill. Tuesday, I m...