A new week, new goals to crush, more coffee to drink.
One of the things I’m seeing tonight as I write this is one of my posts from 2 years ago is trending in the top two spots on Google search…..go. me.
Single Ingredient Diet
Yeah so that’s kinda nice. People wanna read me and I like to think I have positive words to offer up, along with a dose of sassy humor. 😉 you can check this post out later.
Speaking of humor…..
You may have seen the Target dress challenge on social media. Basically Target launched this line of dresses they were like, apparently serious about.
They look like left over Little House on the Prairie wardrobe pieces. Ankle length frocks, quite lovely.
Ugly? Yes.
Frumpy? Oh yes.
Man repellant? Most definitely.
Wearing these dresses makes you look like you’re ready for a long day on the farm preparing for a locust invasion.
But wait… I was eating at a local restaurant the other day and they have a gift shop with all kinds of goodies in it. Imagine my horror when I saw this…..is everyone getting on board with this??
😱😱😱
And the ones behind it weren’t much better…trust me.
When it comes to fashion like this, I’m always glad that I’m out here doing my own thing.
Oh yeah..my own thing. Wanna see?
Decided to start my new year with a fun flare. 🖤
Shades of pink, but most rose gold, I love the mix of it all and nicknamed it my Neapolitan hair.
The main factor is that I love it, but after that, the fact others like it is cool too.
A girl checking me in at my dr appt commented on it….
“Love your hair! Kudos to you for being so bold and doing it”
I thanked her, but here’s the deal.
It doesn’t take much for me to be bold and adventurous. But really, I love doing things that please me, and that is usually something outside the box.
Can I suggest that if you’ve pondered doing something, why not do it? What’s holding you back?
If this past year has taught me anything, live life, even if it is diving into rosegold hair.
Do what makes you happy and brings you joy.
Ever notice how life can randomly point things out to you? 😅
The truth of this hits deep
Teasing aside, I am thankful and grateful for every year I’ve lived, even if there are days that are harder or a body that wants to go rogue, I am thankful for the years I’ve lived.
In other news..
The month is almost over and there has been of course, the push for people wanting to get back to exercise and “get in shape”.
If you’re in that boat, you aren’t alone! I think during this past year so many have gotten out of a normal routine or have been sidetracked by the weird turns of life.
My simple suggestion to get back in the groove? Get out for 30 minutes.
Take 30 minutes to do something that moves you, that makes you feel alive and refreshed. Can’t do 30? Make it 20, but make it count.
If I’m short on time and decide to do 20 minutes on the rower or elliptical, I pedal down and go all out in those 20 minutes and believe me, it’s a solid workout that works me.
Life is hard. Exercise helps.
Food. Food helps too.
I thought I’d share a salad I made with you during the holidays. I used greek yogurt in place of the sour cream for a lighter healthy swap.
Raise your hand if you’re reading this through bleary eyes waking up slurping your morning coffee. Uh…don’t slurp your morning coffee…
So one thing running through my mind starting this post is….well several things running through my mind….
What you may wonder could it possibly be??
Am I the only one…please tell me I’m not…that cannot stand that “Baby Shark” song?
Tell me I’m not.
Just hearing it makes me cringe because I know it will then be trapped in my head over and over like a merry go round until I blast a dose of heavy metal into my head to get it out.
I think there are two camps on this.
Those who love it and happily sing along with abandon…
And those of us who twitch the moment it begins.
There is no middle ground.
It’s cool if you love it.. I just won’t be singing along with you.
Measurements are like ya know, super important. I need to get the size of pieces for a variety of reasons so it really, really frustrates me when people post items for sale and don’t give any measurements.
For instance, I saw a gorgeous china cabinet. It didn’t look huge as so many are. I asked the guy and I got back “it’s 54″
So I responded back, ok its 54 inches tall? How wide?
I get back…”no it’s 5’4”.
This my friends was obviously his height. This was the only measurement I was offered to determine my decision on making a purchase.
Alrighty.
I can’t tell you the photos I’ve seen where people are using their body parts or small kids as units of measuring.
Recently I saw a kids play house. One of those “free you come move it” things. The guy is standing by the door with his arm raised to the top of door.
This was so you would understand how tall it was.
Problem here big boy is I don’t know if you’re topping out at 5’8…..or a bigger whopping 6’4….
How is this helpful to me???
My favorite by far was a table with a part of a leg in the pic. I honestly thought the leg photo bombed the pic…
Then I read description and it said…”table goes up to my knee”
You really have no idea how I laughed. I kept that photo and I pull it out on days I want something to send me into wild giggles.
Like Karen I have no idea what the distance is from ground to your knee…for real.
All this to say…is it really that hard to measure something with ya know, the typical measuring devices?
And speaking of measuring things. This week I was again wondering who on earth determines how much of hair products to use in your hair.
Conditioner often says to use something “the size of a quarter” and work through hair, Like… that isn’t a whole lot…
I bought a hair conditioner this week and it said to use 2 pumps… which is nothing… I mean come on Bob I’ve got enough hair for three people that whole “2 pump” thing isn’t going anywhere with me. More like 2 pumps per section of hair haha
Obviously, this cannot be a one size approach to everyone but I’ve been left wondering how they determine that usage for customers..
I’m in denial…..
April is almost half over and Easter is rapidly approaching.
I have not bought one single chocolate egg, not one stuffed bunny, or plastic eggs for the kids to do an egg hunt.
I have a million baskets to make.
Yes, my adult kids still like getting baskets.
One year, and may I add, one year only, I had thought to be clever and make couples baskets.
I mean, the married ones live in the same house and all right? It shouldn’t be a problem.
Ha. Oh no.
I never lived it down…no one wants to share their chocolate 🤣
So besides baskets I’ll also be planning a tasty menu to feed the crew
I’m torn between traditional Easter food or going all southern and throwing a brisket on the grill.
I made this recipe last year and it was a huge hit….
I have a hard time being inside when the weather is so perfect outside. Whether it’s working in the yard ( I cut miles of grass today with a push mower) working on my furniture or exercising, it makes me feel so alive to be in it
I’m looking forward to longer rides and serious sweat again.
Nothing like the sun coming up on you 🙂
No matter how I mix up my workouts, being outside is always the best. I mean seriously, the world becomes my gym.
It doesn’t get better than that.
Ok your turn! Wanna weigh in on the shark song? What are your Easter plans? Do you enjoy working out in the “outdoors”?
Is anyone else appreciating that the days are slowly getting a bit longer and for us, warmer as well?
So I’m feeling a bit victorious...
Why you ask? I’m coming off a 9 day stint of taking care of my very active, busy, precocious 2 year old granddaughter while my son and wife were in Ireland.
Rough for them I know 😛
Anyway, I dusted off my 24/7 mom skills and thankfully they were still in place. And it should be mentioned, being fit has payoffs in keeping up with a non stop 2 year old.
Thankfully she enjoys being busy and enjoyed running and going places with me.
She loves being outdoors with the sun in her face and wind in her hair. She wants to explore and is open to new adventures. She’s fearless and doesn’t hesitate from jumping into things.
She’s my spirit animal, seriously.
We went to the park one day. And of course she wanted me running up the hills with her, and then climbing up the big slide. She delightedly waited at the bottom for me to slide down squealing in joy. We got on the swings, her in my lap holding on to the chains thrilled we were sailing into the trees.
***me…attempting to bend all 6’0 under the slide over hang***
It was all fun and games till she let one arm go. I was trying to keep her on my lap while the swing was twisting wildly and I’m internally freaking out ’cause I’m terrified I’m gonna break her little arm. When I finally get the crazy swing under control and stop us, she turns to me and says “Nanny come on, do it again!” While my heart is still pounding out of my chest…
I got to climb bars, swing from them, and all kinds of other things while well behaved moms in yoga pants sat chatting watching my antics.
It’s the cool thing about being old. You just do what you want and you don’t care if anyone may or may not be approving.
There’s a crazy amount of freedom in that.
And you know something? It is true…what people used to tell me…that grandkids are awesome and blah, blah…I thought they were just running their mouths
You love them in this crazy, awesome, different way from your own kids. They are the reward for not eating your own offspring 😜
They own your heart in ways you can’t explain.
I have 6…and a 7th due in less than a month…another little girl to own my heart. My first born son expecting his first born. I can hardly wait to see him in a daddy role to his baby girl.
I just hope he doesn’t pass out during the delivery….
So yeah, grandbabies are kinda cool.
Then one day, we’re in my car hitting the highway. I drive a Charger and it never gets old letting it open up, hearing the engine kick in, and that swift feel of rapid speed. It’s a head rush.
I do love it.
Then from the backseat I hear….”Whoa!” Followed by a wild delighted laugh. I glanced back to see her with this big smile on her face. It appears she may enjoy it too…
This was us “driving” later. I may be ruining her for her dad hahaha
The next morning as we were going to car she runs for drivers side and I hear…”Nanny are you ready?”
I spent a whole lot of time laughing. 😂😂
Her parents returned home after a fun trip and collected her.
I missed her sleepy little face that first morning they were back, waking up, calling me and giving me morning hugs and kisses.
We had been partners in crime.
Fortunately they live next door so I don’t have to go to long before I get those again.
Later, I got to enjoy my coffee in a cool cup. Pretty sure not many people have a coffee cup like this around Texas….
Oh yeah, aside from busy 2 year old care, I had time to work on lots of projects for my business. That has kept me running too. I love all the creativity that comes with it.. I find it quite relaxing in a weird way.
I finished this cool antique table this week. I’m excited it has sold already.
Look at those claw feet. I’m a sucker for those.
I repurposed an ugly vintage suitcase…
Look at it now…
And I turned a boring brown table into a clock table which I love…
I’m on a black and white kick….
And one other thing. Check out this super cool antique radio cabinet I scored. I’m totally repurposing it for something else…I can hardly wait to start it.
In other random stuff….
I was running through the store the other day and spotted this.. .
Like…what the heck Barbie?? I know times are a changin’ ya’ll but.. this isn’t the Barbie I knew and loved.
I love the glamorous Barbie even if the world thinks she’s unrealistic. What’s wrong with fantasy and fun play? I like my Barbies with crazy long legs and unrealistic waist sizes.
She had amazing clothes, cool cars and equally spiffy boy friends.
I don’t want a thick Barbie in mom jeans.
I know that may not be politially correct to say but it’s my personal opinion. Childhood is short, why can’t you have something wildly fun and non real to enjoy before you have to grow up?
Maybe there is a market for the mom jean Barbie….I prefer the Barbie who knows how to dress and has the cool car.
Your turn to weigh in…what do you think about a modern looking Barbie? What new projects or adventures have you been up to this week? How will you spend longer days?
Monday, the day of the week that seems to garner the most whining, complaining and lamenting. It’s the killjoy of the week, the black sheep of the family, the ugly step-child, or the stuff you stepped in on your shoe.
I’m never sure why Monday always gets such a bad rap.
Oh I know, the party’s over, right?
Back to work, the grind, the no fun and games grind of the work week.
Some of you relate….
Of course some of you get up with your positive pants on and head into work and you be like…..
And with all the negative Monday talk have you ever wondered if…….
Yeah, something to ponder.
But then, I’m over here like….
I guess for me it’s easier to embrace it as another day of opportunities and chances to do things.
It’s another day we’ve been given this amazing gift called, life, and we are complaining about Monday.
You. Are. Alive.
One more day to spin around the sun, see things, do things, feel, touch, love, and experience life.
Yes, you might view Monday as the armpit of the week, but don’t miss out on living while you feel that way.
Speaking of living….
Yikes. I seem to be meeting myself coming and going lately. Working with my son for awhile at his business ( means being gone all day) training for my duathlon, maintaining the household/ life stuff, writing for this blog, doing research for mentioned blog ;), and attempting to work on my projects for my business leaves me feeling like I want another hour or two in my day, preferably to sit and be still for a moment.
Training is rolling along for the duathlon.
I took off Sunday morning to go run both legs of the course where the race will run. I’ve done it like. twice, since last years race. As I shared in a recent Instagram post, it’s not an “easy” 5k. I mean really, to me a 5k is a distance I’m just warming up in. But this 5k, literally out the start line, is on an incline and you head right into hills, big hills. It continues pretty much until they turn us around to head back, then there is some down hill work, but also more up and down action too.
Anyway, I wanted to be out there to get it under me again mentally as well as physically. The heat and humidity is just a part of what goes with my training so that adds to fun as well.
As I was heading into the final stretch I checked my watch to see that I had clipped a 10 minute mile… now for a lot of you that’s like…slow.
For a 50ish year old woman, I’m okish with that 😉 especially given the mile it had been. I saw my finishing time was close to what I did in the duathlon last year when I was in my peak condition and all I could think is… “I need to get my average pace down”.
I’m hard on myself. I expect a lot and I have high goals. don’t like to feel like I’m not working towards improvement in what I do.
The beauty of athletics right? The sky is the limit on reaching new goals no matter how small or big they may be.
I reminded myself that my last mile was worth cheering over and a decent time on that course was celebratory too.
Finished both run legs for the duathlon… smile time.
Of course I might’ve been smiling ’cause I knew food would be imminent. It’s not a good sign when I take off and my tummy is already growling. Food never, ever tastes better than post workout and my hunger is deep, real, and needy.
Do you ever let yourself get that hungry? Trust me, you appreciate food on a whole new level when you are that kinda needy.
Speaking of food….
nothing like finding a random snack hanging out in my purse haha I guess it beats having candy in there or something of that nature.
In the category of things that make me go hmmmm.
Featured stories on the daily news leave me shaking my head.
daily interaction with your children will help them grow and thrive.
eating a diet with less processed food and sugars will help you lose weight.
exercise can help you feel and look better.
eating a diet high in vegetable and fruits can help prevent many cancers.
reading to your children will grow their vocabulary.
smoking can shorten your life, be aging and cause other health issues.
I mean, aren’t these “no brainer” kinda things? Common sense? Like you should just know this stuff? Maybe not but it always leaves me scratching my head when I hear stuff that just seems like you’d know to do it or not do it.
When I’m not trying to eat well and train for a duathlon….
Ok I’ve shared in other posts about my new little vintage business. https://sassyfitnesschick.com/2018/07/25/the-journey-of-opening-a-vintage-business/ Believe it or not, it’s been a month since I jumped in the deep end and got my little space at a local shop. I’m so excited that the month has gone really well! I’ve sold a lot of things, I’ve also sold stuff online and picked up some custom orders too.
This is where I start thinking I need 8 days a week with 36 hours in a day…..
especially with the upcoming holiday season on top of it all.
Goodness.
I’ve got plenty of projects going on. I scored this cute little number the other day…
I have a thing for these old phone tables. This one is unique so I was excited to literally stumble across it one day last week at a local thrift shop. I love the fabric on seat and it appears rather new so I’m working with it… I already have a vision for what the rest will look like so stay tuned.
Ok, it’s getting late for me and I need to wrap this up… but first.. this week when I was doing a shift at the shop… I saw one of the girls selling this…. I instantly related….
I mean… really…. I do believe this could be true 😛 Coffee is a the soothing beverage of life. It can pat me on the back and remind me I can do great things haha
I do believe it could be my spirit animal.
Do you have one? How do you feel about Mondays? Tell me something cool and interesting from your week.
So today is my birthday, the day I came crashing into history. Another chance to spin around the sun once more. The older I get the less I view that as something I’m entitled to. It’s a gift pure and simple and one worthy of celebrating, appreciating, and giving thanks for.
Before I get going on this I do wanna give a shout out to Chunky Tribe Creations for working with me on creating this fun birthday tank using one of my signature hash tags. She was super sweet and went out of her way to be helpful with my…uh… unusual request. Find them on Facebook and check out their page. Black is one of my favorite colors and I love how the pink and white compliment it and pull it all together.
A special birthday shirt because, why not?
I “technically” won’t roll to my new age until the evening of my birthday, according to my mothers meticulous record of my birth day.
I love how vintage, old and cool my baby book looks now.
I’m vintage. Nifty.
You can see I came into this world longer and bigger than most of my petite 6 or 7 lb counterparts.
I kinda never slowed down and grew into all of my 6’0 height by middle school… awkward at best and not knowing what to do with all of me.
Fast forward a very good number of years and I am more than comfortable in my skin and taking up all my space on this planet.
I don’t shrink back, try to be small, or less than anything I am.
I guess that’s one thing about getting older, right? Getting to where you know who you are and owning it. Making no apologies for anything or to anyone for being yourself.
It’s a matter of simply being comfortable in your skin and embracing and loving yourself.
And yeah, it’s really ok to love yourself. If you don’t, how do you expect others to?
Age brings wisdom… or so they say….but there won’t be grey hair to prove it
I guess you don’t get to this point in life where you haven’t learned a thing or two… or at least you should have. I have a lot of younger friends and I enjoy their enthusiasm, energy and zest for life. It sometimes doesn’t take long though for me to realize in chatting with them that I do have words of wisdom and advice that I can offer. Sometimes I relate to situations, other times it’s a matter of just being able to see things in a more clear, objective way.
Hey, I guess age does have it’s benefits, right?
My daughter in laws often tell me the same thing, that they appreciate my wisdom. I love that they come to me when they need advice, counsel, or to just talk.
I think being older often lets you see things in a more objective manner, to discern them differently or a little more rationally.
I’m not afraid to use my voice
I think when you’re younger, you may hold back or not feel comfortable speaking your thoughts, ideas, objections or view points.
Being older I’m not afraid to let go, or to hold back. I’ve learned silence can be powerful but I’m not afraid to speak my mind and call it like I see it either.
I can see black and white, but I also know there is a grey ground too when it comes to topics or thoughts and ideas.
Having a blog and being active on social media has certainly given me a broader platform to use my voice and to speak out loud, to live out loud, and that feels powerful.
Speaking of power….
getting older means you know yourself better, what you can do and accomplish and you’ve learned what you’re made of by now and that’s pretty empowering. The more struggles, trials, life learning events and other fun stuff you go through only builds and strengthens you in a deeper way.
My first tattoo ( ha and supposedly, “only” tattoo) was a wrist bracelet that says “strength”. It is one of my life words. When I see it, it’s a constant reminder of what I’m made of, what I’ve been forged by, and that I have strength for all things I deal with in life.
I have earned this in these years of my life, this deep strength.
Don’t sweat the small stuff….
If there’s one thing I quietly observe in the world around me is how often people waste time on things that don’t matter. They waste time on unnecessary drama with people they love when they could be loving them or enjoying that time together instead of camping on stuff that just doesn’t matter.
Through social media I often observe people throwing dirty laundry and drama out for the world to view. It’s rather sad, but more sad is that they are wasting time that could be spent loving, laughing, and appreciating the lives they have together.
Remember, none of us are entitled to anything. Don’t squander it over the small stuff that doesn’t matter.
I’m older and I’m really ok with that….really.
I had to laugh the other day when my daughter asked my age and came in a number of years behind where I am.
She said” I’m sorry Mom, I just forget, I don’t think about your age!”
And I don’t either. It’s rather irrelevant to me. I do what I want and do what makes me feel good, alive and what’s fun.
I don’t ever plan to be hindered by some age card or held back in any way.
I have to roll my eyes when I see some copy and paste post going around about older women and how they look at 20 something aged women wishing they were still there or looked like them or whatever… hahaha… no.
Don’t get me wrong. My 20’s were great. I was happy, I was happy with life and all that stuff. I was starting my family and tending babies and running a household. Life was good.
Life is still good.
But the reality is I’m in better physical shape now then I was then. I’m also way more confident, stronger, smarter and in touch with myself than I was then. I know what I’m about, what I want, what I don’t want.
I don’t wish to be something I used to be, to do so only takes away from what I am now.
Reflecting back on this past year….
As I write this, I’m thinking back over this past year, ways I’ve grown, things I’ve accomplished and learned.
In the ways of my family, they’ve grown and some have married, started new households and new jobs. I’ve graduated my final one from high school last year and watched her start her second semester of college. I celebrated another year with a man I’ve been with most of my life now.
I not only went out and trained for my first multi-sport event last year, the duathlon, I took first in my age group. Never would I have seen myself doing that, yet I did, and I’m going after it again this year.
I also stumbled into a new hobby/new business at the beginning of the year as I started flipping old antique furniture. I had zero experience with it but it turns out I’m pretty good at it and people like it so I’m gonna see where it continues to grow to.
Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks??
Unapologetically me.
I guess on the topic of getting old I can just say that I’m unapologetically me. I won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, yet there are others who love every weird, funny, smart, quirky, sassy vibe about me.
And that’s cool in both directions.
I’ve learned other peoples problems or hang ups they may have are their own, not mine. It’s irrelevant to me and my life.
I will never march to the beat of someone else’s drummer. I will always go against the flow and I will never intentionally conform to someone else’s standards or thoughts.
Now on with the celebrations….
Ok so I’ve kinda been working the birthday thing all week, even though as I write this, the 11th is the “official” day.
I think birthdays are worth celebrating no matter how old you get.
Cake… heck yes. My daughter made me an amazing German Chocolate one that we all devoured. Toss some ice cream on it too.
I love presents and all those unexpected treats. No, I’m not to big for gifts.
Metallic rose gold Converse 🙂
Speaking of gifts… my daughter knows of my Converse love and gifted me with these lovelies to sport around. How pretty are they ??
Of course I shared with you in my Monday Musings post this week, hubby totally surprised me with a Go Pro, to which I’m in the process of assembling and getting all put together.
Then it will be off for some adventures with it. 😉
Being older has some other advantages…..
Like… I have no idea what the most popular mini van, “sport” van, or SUV is no days… I traded mine in for a Charger R/T Max almost 2 years ago and I’ve never looked back. I know more about it’s 0-60 abilities than I do features on new vans 😉 #nomoremomcars
I skim into the grocery store peacefully getting what I need while I pass Moms with kids hanging off baskets or crying babies. Bless them but I’ve been there, done that, free now.
I can come in a total mess from a workout and get ready in record time. Although my mane of hair definitely takes the longest, I learned a long time ago less is more with makeup. All the things young women go through now days with makeup, I’ve got no time for that. You’ll just have to look at my awkward “un contoured, un bronzed, un highlighted” face 😉
50ish and unfiltered. Hubby asked me one morning what I was doing… I was actually heavy into strength training… he got this little gem in his phone. This might make him more cautious about asking in the future 😉
I’ve got more “me” time. All my kids are grown, self sufficient, get themselves up and off for work, tend to their own needs, or better yet they live in their own homes. I can do things during the day I want to do.
I can stop for a coffee and read on the patio at my local coffee hangout…one of my fav leisure activities. Coffee, reading, and people watching.
Also, another birthday puts me closer to getting a Senior citizen discount on my breakfast… so there’s that 😉
In the year ahead….
I’m not gonna get all deep and introspective on you. My approach to my new year is simple….
Take no prisoners.
Take challenges, take risks, work hard, don’t be afraid to fail when attempting new things, seize new opportunities, live fearlessly, believe strongly in myself in what I can do, love with abandon, let go of what is useless, embrace the things that matter, be kind, accept some things are what they are, work hard, and never let age be an excuse to not accomplish something new.
I think that’s a crazy fine way to head into another year of being #50ish.
Happy Monday boys and girls… here we go again! A week behind us and a new week of adventures ahead.
Since it’s Monday, I think it’s appropriate we talk about M&M’s.
Candy. Yeah I know.
You like hanging out with me ’cause I’m sane and sensible when it comes to health and fitness and treats are an allowable part of a good life.
But there’s a story here…
You see our local store has been hawking them like crazy for weeks now.
Why? I’m not exactly sure. But they are everywhere. On the end of every aisle and literally all down the center of store right before check outs with huge signs that say
“BUY 1 GET ONE FREE!”
They have them in baskets right where you pay with the same sign.
Ok, I just can’t be tempted that easily. You gotta come at me harder. I mean I do have many moments of temptation in the store but can usually dodge stuff like that.
The checker the other day was prompting me…
“Don’t you want some? I mean, you get an extra bag”
Me: “No, I still have candy from Halloween, Christmas, and Easter laying around” ( I didn’t buy any for Valentines day)
I’ve managed to avoid temptation until I realized they were peddling a new flavor…. which would be Crunchy Mint.
I bought into it like a fish going after a June bug. A girl can only take so much pressure, right??
Chocolate and mint are in my opinion, have the right kind of relationship going on
It says “Sharing size” I’m not sure about that idea 😉
This is evidently one of their new flavors you/we the public get to have a say in. Let me say this about them… have you ever had the Girl Scouts Thin Mint Cookies?
Yeah… like little crunchy, chocolate morsels of ground up Girl Scout cookies. They are up there in ways of tasty deliciousness. Vote for these little suckers to stay around all the time.
Ok and I may share with the fam… maybe….
Anyone tried these?
A deep thought provoking question for you
Hubby shared something last week, one of those meme’s that said something like ” being an adult is a lot like trying to fold a fitted sheet”
Well, the topic of folding fitted sheets got more discussion than the actual funny intended meaning of the post.
Which got me to thinking… weird.. I know…
I pretty much stated how I felt about folding fitted sheets. I find them annoying. I can fold them, my mom and grandmother taught me well. It’s just I don’t spend any amount of time trying to “get them right” or perfect or whatever.
Sometimes they might be a loosely tossed folded ball hahaha
Not really. The point being, I find it largely irrelevant. I don’t care if they are folded right or just clean and put away. I understand no one is patting me on the head if I do it “right” nor do I get an award for being awesome at it.
I’m to much of a free spirit to worry about many things, that being one of them. I’d rather get on to something more fun.
Lots of people though, seemed to take their folding fitted sheets pretty seriously. I guess the older I’ve gotten the more I seem to not worry or get hung up on a lot of things that don’t need so much of my attention. The sheet thing just got me to thinking about it.
How I’d rather get done necessary chores, in as quick a way as possible while keeping a clean, organized home, so I can get on to stuff that’s fun and enjoyable to me.
As in I like a clean house, but it’s not something I love doing. I like the final result but I don’t get a thrill out of.
I save that for flying off hills on my bike 😉
What camp do you fall in? Are you super particular with sheet folding? Or do you just hit it and get on with life ? Or are there other things that you prefer not to do but get done to move on with something more fun?
Then there’s life in the hill country
Nothing makes my day more complete than coming home and realizing two of my goofy dogs have gotten a wild hair to dig out under the fence.
Nothing really makes my day more complete than one of them coming home looking like this….
Yep, a face full of porcupine quills
The sad thing is, he’s so goofy. This isn’t his first time. Or his second time. I wasn’t feeling super happy with him at this point… the next day and hundreds of dollars later he came home… much happier than when he went in.
Goof head. All he had to do was stay in his safe yard and not go running through miles of rugged country and he wouldn’t have to go through that.
But before that unexpected surprise
I had been out shopping and gathering ideas for some of my furniture projects I’ve been working on
these colors 🙂 you’ll have to see they all play out
You will just have to wait and see what unfold with this scheme 😉
Oh but I did collect some fun new goodies this week! The best part, they’ve all been super cheap.
1930’s beverage trolley
this little piece I got from a girl selling some random things out of a storage building. I knew it was old but took it and knew I’d research it more when I got home. It was 15.00 so I was willing to take a chance on it. It’s an old school beverage cart/ trolley. How clever right? They actually used to use carts for teas and other drinks. I love the little drawer that I guess, held utensils. I also got a cute solid wood accent table that I have ideas for, I just need to get to it.
I’m excited to have several pieces I’m working on that will hopefully be ready to go to new homes in the next week.
Sunday I picked up some chairs that I came across. I haven’t really gone after chairs as I haven’t been sure exactly what I would do with them. But these were so cute and old and she was selling them for next to nothing, I couldn’t resist.
I couldn’t resist, especially since I immediately had ideas bouncing through my head for them.
those legs!
ok what I love most of all is how perfectly, horribly needy they are. It’s my idea of perfect project pieces.
I’ve only learned to celebrate my win when I’m actually driving home with my prize
Random fact
If there’s one thing I get a lot it’s comments on my smile and this week I guess I heard it more than usual.
So I’ll just say this to the questions I get often.. yes my teeth are naturally like this and no I never had braces 😛
I’m a good girl and see my dentist twice a year for cleanings, floss most of the time and eat foods that keep my mouth healthy.
Are you good about flossing? We all should be 😉
Speaking of food…..
I came across this tasty looking recipe a day or two back. I haven’t made it yet, but think it will be on the menu sometime this week.
Have you whipped up anything new this week? What new adventures have you been on? What are you most looking forward to in the week ahead?
So it’s that time of night I should be doing stuff to get ready for bed, instead I have ideas bouncing around my head and I’m sitting down to write with a few pieces of Easter candy that somehow landed next to me and coffee to go with them.
Have mercy, I may never sleep tonight 😛
But when ideas come, it’s hard not to let them out. They tend to swirl around like the dog under your feet when you’re cooking chicken.
Obnoxious. In the way. Won’t leave you alone till you acknowledge them.
Welcome to the brain of a writer.
Often the truth of the matter….
I’ve come to accept this, the ideas that come at any given moment. They can wake me up, leaving me scurrying for a note pad to hastily scratch out the idea with beady eyes seeing it later wondering who the hell wrote something so illegibly, or as mentioned it can keep me up till I get it out of my head.
I’m feeling a bit victorious today. I finished off another one of my furniture project pieces and it is the sweetest thing ever. I mean, I’ve got a few others under me but I’m pretty sure this is currently my favorite.
No… no photos right now. You’ll have to check back and see those soon 😉
I will just say I love having a vision in my head and then having it all play in life is so satisfying. And when I look back at photos from day 1 when I dragged something home I’m always a bit shocked to see how much it really has changed.
Ok.. on with the show….
As things go with me, my ideas for writing come from all directions at any given time. Ideas come in subtle and not so subtle ways. Sometimes, it’s conversations with people that trigger it. When a similar thought comes from several people within the week, if I’m paying attention, I see it as a possible idea for a post.
Really, if it’s the same idea from a few people, there are most likely others out there who have thought or dealt with similar things.
For example; I’ve been encouraged to talk to some of my friends who are getting started in a fitness program. As I listened to what they were doing and heard the excitement in their voices there was the usual….
“Well, I’m not doing what you do.” “or “I’m not where you are” or ” I can’t do what other people in class are doing”
No, they probably aren’t doing what I do. And no, they can’t keep up with me or someone else who’s been at it awhile.
Here’s the deal….
First, you should never, ever compare yourself to someone else. On any level. And especially on a physical level.
I would never start someone off working out where I am now. I wouldn’t have started in the place I am years ago.
Where I did start was at my level of physical abilities at the time.
I did what I could with where I was at.
Truthfully, I was a middle aged, sedentary, slightly overweight woman at the time who had no previous physical training or athletic abilities to fall back on. My best course of action was having a smart plan that allowed my body to adapt and change with my activities.
Of course at the time, I didn’t really see myself as a future athlete.
Nope… never even saw that coming, but I’m really glad it did. The athletic lifestyle is my niche and it comfortably suits me now.
However what did I learn that I believe is important to anyone getting started on a fitness program is this…..
Do what you can with where you are.
I know that sounds cliché but the reality of it is true. You can’t show up at the gym and think you’re going to just start lifting heavy things or grinding out miles on the treadmill if your only activity has previously been sprinting to the ‘fridge.
Trying to keep up with others in a class or at the gym or even your neighbor isn’t only not fair to you, but not healthy for you either.
Doing more than your body is used to is a recipe for injury that will quickly derail your budding fitness plans.
Even now, I know I’m stronger and more fit than I’ve ever been and I don’t back down from much. I do however, know when I hit my limit of what I can handle. There’s a fine line between pushing out of my comfort zone where continued growth occurs, and not overstepping into the arena where my body hasn’t gone yet and needs time to grow into.
Now for some of you, that’s baby weight. For a lot of you, you’ll never see it happen.
For me it represented another step to getting stronger. Could I have done that several years ago when I was starting out?
No. Way.
It’s taken time and practice and work. Lots of work. And my body has done what yours will do as well. It responds and it grows, changes and gets stronger and you can keep a forward moving process of improved strength and endurance.
Don’t apologize
Seriously. Don’t apologize for not being where someone else is. We are all on our own journeys. Some of us are going to be a bit more focused and intense about getting better and improving.
**** cough, cough who me??***
Some will be happy with slow progress being content to rock along in a comfortable place. Some will form specific intentional goals while others will just take each day as it comes.
The important thing is that you are starting. Making a choice to get physically fit will have lots of rewards for a healthier life.
Better mental clarity, less body fat, an elevated mood, bright skin, a healthier more energetic body, improved lab results, or even learning a new activity all have big payoffs.
Learn from others
When I start into a new adventure, I am notorious for keying in on people who know more about it than I do. I then shamelessly pick their brains to gather useful information to add to my collection of growing education.
Thank goodness I’m not shy or socially awkward haha
Don’t be afraid to do that with people around you who have been on the journey longer. I love being able to offer advice and help to those seeking information on nutrition or who want to get physically active.
In both cases, I never suggest they start off with extremes. A modest tweaking of the daily diet for awhile or encouraging them to get off the sofa for an evening walk is always a good place for anyone to start.
A few tips and tricks
Small steps are better than doing nothing. All of us have to start small.
Find something you want to do and will look forward to. This will help you stay committed.
Applaud your own efforts, really, it’s ok. You’re doing it!
Share your efforts or goals on social media. Really. You’ll find there will be a group who rises to the top who will cheer and encourage you. And you don’t know who you’ll be encouraging as well when you do.
Don’t.. don’t… over do. If walking 2 miles feels good, don’t think you’ll just do a few more. You don’t want to risk injury to a body that isn’t used to certain activities. Worse, when you are sore and can barely move the next day you’ll not want to do anything.
Small, slow, gradual increases will keep you moving and keep you from injury.
Focus just on you. Not the other girl or guy at the gym who appears to have it all together. Not the person who can do more reps in a class than you or the one who runs like lightening.
Focus on you.
Do what you can with where you are . Don’t be afraid to modify workouts if they are to hard. Don’t be afraid to walk if you can’t run. Don’t try and lift weight that could hurt you if lifting less can help you get stronger.
Be persistent and before you know it, you’ll be in a stronger, healthier, more fit place in your life.
Tell me… have you ever played the comparison game when it comes to exercise or fitness programs? What tips or tricks have worked to keep you on a fitness path?
Monday again. Wow. How did that HAPPEN??? I mean, I’m not “anti-Monday” or anything. I sometimes just find myself thinking wasn’t I just here starting a new week and now I’m off to another one.
Although my week felt a little “off” when we had some real winter weather show up down here in south Texas… as in ice.. and crazy, stupid cold.
No one drives and nothing happens when those roads ice over. So it was definitely a stay home and warm day and I even managed to get a few little projects done since I was trapped….. all day long. The negative to cold, grey days ? They make me want to eat! Carbs. All the carbs. My muscles soaked those goodies up haha
Anyway that cold stuff doesn’t last long down here so…..
I did a little weekend road trip to explore and hang out with hubby. Road trips always offer up some kind of adventure and we always have fun being together.
However, heading to my destination, there’s this super nice mega gas station/food mart/ buy weird stuff place to stop. Honestly, it’s like an oasis in the middle of god awful bathroom stops along the way. In fact they boast the cleanest restrooms anywhere and they are constantly staffed to ensure they stay that way. It’s worth waiting that extra 50 miles to stop when you really needed to stop 50 miles back 😛
It’s a beaver… he’s the mascot of the place
Of course we ate breakfast out, which is always fun in new areas and we found this super cool, healthy breakfast place with a great vibe and amazing food. Farm fresh eggs, thick multi grain breads, and salad greens? I never had those with breakfast but liked it. Definitely want to go there again….
What is wrong with this picture? My coffee cup is empty… again. No worries, they leave a carafe on your table.
OH. And I tried an elliptical for the first time…. ever. Now I’m not sure what the normal is for using them but tossing a runner/cyclist on it.. well.. I took off like a crazy girl. It’s like running on steroids! haha anyway I did a 10k in 31 minutes so I think that’s decent for a first attempt. However, I quickly learned if I didn’t stay focused that sucker could throw me. I really liked that it felt like running. I think I may need one for inside workout days, which are usually days that are to awful to be outside.
Alrighty, in big news this week : evidently if you’re one of the cool kids, eating Tide clothes soap pods is the IN thing to do ( I’m being sarcastic here… please.. don’t do this) at first I thought it was just a joke of some kind.
I mean it had to be, right? After some more investigating it appeared to be rather true. I can think of a lot of things to eat but that is no where on my list.
Soap. Just…why ???
Speaking of actual food….
I’ve been experimenting with a variety of recipes this week, namely in the veggie department that I have pinned to my boards on Pinterest. Several have been good but the biggest surprise and unexpected delight was a cauliflower recipe used to make mock potato salad. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/ARWljr6ZFFOvYUscYjTe9A7nbrhyjxkPAneCDUxOw3Ivn3gw6Jl8SRY/
Cauliflower right now is the multi purpose veggie that seems to be able to be morphed into a lot of other things… rice, bread crust, pizza crust, mashed potatoes, stir fry rice, and of course, potato salad. I may have mentioned on last weeks Monday Musings (I’ve slept since then) about my quest for experimenting with it in these various ways.
This turned out amazing and even passed my pickier eaters inspection so I think that’s a win. Next up I’m anticipating trying cheesy “breadsticks”.
Hubby’s take on this? “If I want bread, I’m going to eat bread” haha
Still…. I want to see if it will be a tasty replacement ( sometimes)
It has cheese. What’s there to lose, right? Cheese. It’s worth the effort.
Speaking of effort.
I hope your year is starting with you getting daily exercise in. I understand some times it’s just hard to make it happen, or maybe you have just a short amount of time to work with. I’ve tried a few circuit bodyweight exercises that get your heart pumping and give you a solid workout but only take a small amount of time.
I’ll share a couple workout ideas that just require your mental energy and your body 🙂 This is something you can do anywhere.
( please note: I do not or am not endorsing this X-Slim product)
I just found the second one a couple days ago. I really like the idea of being able to “build” your own routine. This allows you to get creative and try new things. Not to mention it’s a great way to work all parts of your body.
No matter what you decide to do, make sure you keep good form to avoid injury and to get the most you can out of each move.
Now, here’s to a new week of adventures and shenanigans! Make it a good one.
Tell me… do you have a favorite quick workout plan? Do you use an elliptical machine? Do you like it? Do you have a new recipe you’ve tried?
I will admit this publicly. Maybe I shouldn’t. You might be shocked.
But I’m semi-horrified when someone tells me they don’t eat veggies or don’t like them.
I’m like… “What did your mother DO to you??”
Oh, I get it. As parents we do try. I had one son who never really got into the veggie thing even though I fed him assortments of veggies as an infant (even then he wasn’t crazy over them) he has select ones he eats now, but at least he eats them.
As my kids grew up I made sure to present them with all varieties of food. I wanted them to at least try it before pronouncing they didn’t like it. I wasn’t a member of the “clean your plate” club like I grew up in but they did need to sample it.
My Mom used to delight in telling a story how I wanted scrambled eggs for breakfast but then changed my mind and didn’t want to eat them. When I stubbornly refused ( ah I was a bit head strong even then 😉 ) she evidently kept them around….
All. day. long.
They made an appearance at lunch… to which I refused to eat them… they were again brought out later.
Isn’t that child abuse or something ?! I had to take her word for it as I guess the trauma of having to see eggs that were becoming older and older by the moment was somehow blocked from my mind.
It’s a miracle I still eat eggs.
Needless to say, I didn’t grow up being allowed to be a picky eater and I was offered a wide variety of foods. It’s pretty much how my kids have been raised.
So when I’m confronted with the revelation someone doesn’t eat them ( more common than you may know) I’m honestly floored.
Upon deeper probing sometimes that person reveals that the only veggies they may have known come from a can or they would be so steamed/overcooked by mom they turned into mush.
ok… well maybe then I’d be down on veggies too. I’ve been in numerous buffet or banquet lines where the veggies in the pan were loose memories of what they used to be.
But beautiful, colorful, fresh produce?
Crisp green veggies perfectly steamed or better yet, roasted? There is no comparison in how delicious they are.
Roasting veggies has to be by far, my favorite way to cook and eat them.
I can eat my body weight in roasted veggies. You think I’m joking….
Roasting is such a simple quick way to prepare them while not killing off the nutritional value. I usually use some olive oil, lots of cracked pepper and some sea salt. Roast at about 450 and stir occasionally to let them crisp up.
Pure. Heaven.
Ok I’m giving you a cheat sheet for common ones so you have no excuse to not try them 😉
Ok maybe you like steamed. Some veggies are lovely when steamed till crisp tender. Steaming also helps retain all of the vitamins and minerals present in them.
Some humor for you ’cause well.. it’s how I roll 😉
And to help you out… here’s a short list of steaming, boiling, and for the always handy micro 😉
And for the record, all of those will roast up quite nicely too.
One of my favorite roasted combos is sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts.
Ok… stop turning up your nose and making gagging noises. I hear you.
Seriously, I’ve turned my kids into brussel sprout eaters by roasting them. If the only memories you have are of Sunday dinner and grandma cooking the life out of them and watching them roll around your plate…well.. leave those memories behind and get in the here and now.
The sweetness of the potatoes blends so wonderfully with the sprouts… yummy. Let them cook long enough to get crispy with the potatoes.
I have some friends who chop up a little bacon and cook them together. Now if you go this route be mindful your also adding additional fat to otherwise healthy veggies…but it is really good 😉
Roasted cauliflower is another favorite. In fact, I have to watch myself ’cause I’ll just nibble at it while I’m finishing dinner then wonder.. “didn’t I make more of this?” haha
It’s another kid favorite too. I’ve now gone to making two heads when I do it to ensure everyone can have what they want. Not only that, leftovers make great additions to my salad lunch the next day.
Ok maybe now I should try and sell you on WHY you should be consuming vast quantities of these.
Keep in mind, this is no where near a comprehensive chart.
Veggies not only fill you up for minimal calories, they deliver incredible health benefits to your body in the way of vitamins and minerals.
They can help protect/prevent many diseases. You can eat wheelbarrow loads of them and not worry about calories.
They do amazing things for your skin, hair, and many offer anti-aging benefits as well as help keep you lean.
A diet high in veggies/fruits also ensures that your internal systems all work regularly and properly.
Eating plenty of veggies also gives you energy and keeps you from that sluggish feeling of to many higher carb foods in a meal.
Listen to me. Just eat your veggies.
Your body wants them. Your health will improve with them. It will help you lose weight. It will help with the appearance of your skin and hair. Oh yeah, and remember me mentioning many have anti-aging properties?
How many reasons do you need to eat them? All you need to do is be willing to be open to try some new things and experiment. If you make a valiant effort with something you don’t like, move on to the next one.
Has it ever made you wonder why there are sooooo many veggies and fruits? It’s because we were made to eat a whole lot of them AND they are amazingly good for us!
Do you have favorite veggies? How do you cook them? Share your veggie tales with me 😉
So it’s getting to be that time of year again. Some years, I get to participate, other years I’ve been able to skip it. Those are the years we save our money and our sanity.
What you wonder am I talking about ?
Having the privilege to graduate another child out of school.
The culmination of years of homework, teacher meetings, open houses, class parties, field trips, school projects, peanut butter sandwich lunches, new clothes shopping, tons of school supplies, sleep overs, class birthday parties, band concerts, yearly school pictures, dances shows, football games, fun and unexpected calls from the Principal ( if you have boys you may understand this better 😉 ) early morning practice sessions, after school tutoring, school dances, boy friends, girl friends, college applications, college testing…
Ok.. I could go on… the list of things you do in a child’s school career is rather vast and endless. At times you wonder if you’ll ever get to the end of it.
I can say I’m there. My final one is exiting school and heading into the big world with college in her future.
We’ve ordered announcements, taken final pictures, and done the hundred and one things that seem to come crashing in the last few months of school.
I gotta admit this. She’s the last of my big brood. By this time I’ve pretty well felt like I could lead parent/teacher night. Or that I could predict with certainty that when I showed up for another year starting in dance, it would be same lines, new year. Or that some things in school just never changed much and it was comforting already knowing the drill on it.
I was the older, smarter more seasoned mom. I figured that in a few years they’d get it too… it takes some moving through the ranks before you learn you can say “no” to things.. 😉
By the time my daughter hit Senior status I was pretty much like… “just deliver me the necessary paperwork”.
I knew the drill for it all. Many of teachers through middle and high school had already had the rest of the crew… a new year was like old home week… meet and greet… just another new family face rolling through their room.
Although in all fairness to my daughter, one of my sons had made quite a um…mark… on several teachers going through various grades.. she’d get the “ohhhh… you’re so and so’s sister?”
If you have kids then you may have one of these… the high energy, high maintenance, social, outgoing never slow down, yet charming, kid.
Anyway, thankfully, the daughter child was probably a bit more quiet and laid back than previous brood members who went through.
No matter what the bottom line was this…
Get them through. Get them on that stage wrapping their hand around that cherished diploma.
I swear when middle son walked the stage it was ALL I could do not to stand and cheer and whoop like some wild woman. There were debatable days in his final year I wondered if we’d make it.
Now each class has it own “cream of the crop” the “crème de’ le crème” right? You know the ones who’ve been marked since first grade to be the Validictorian ? Every kid in the class knows it. They simply accept it as what’s going to be and move on.
Then there’s the whole “class ranking” thing which was making my daughter get all twitchy one day till I reminded her…
“they don’t hang a number around your neck when you walk the stage. No one will know, and honestly, no one cares..”
I reminded her when she’s out in the real world it will be completely irrelevant as well.
Then there’s the whole college thing. The angst of wondering if one will want her… if she will “make the cut” or be found acceptable. It doesn’t help when her friends are collecting admin letters like candy at a parade.
I reminded her that she could only go to one school and she will still get her degree to do what she wants.
In a community that’s big on pushing college it’s a lot of pressure on kids ( and parents) to feel like they need to perform up to some lofty expectations.. who’s.. I’m not sure…
’cause you see I have ordinary kids and it’s ok.
I’ve never tried to make them do things they didn’t want to do.
Support them in their goals and plans, yes. Push my agendas and desires on them, no.
We learned the hard way when we registered my oldest son for a semester of college, paying cash for it so he wouldn’t have any debt. He went like… three times? and then he said something that really paved the way for the rest of the brood yet to come down the college path way…
He said “you never asked me what I wanted to do. IF this was what I wanted”
Ouch. Point made.
Did I consider him any less successful for not jumping on the college boat? Not at all. My son has always had an artistic bend and was in a band. He traveled around the country for months with them. He lived every 19 year old young mans dream… being in a band in a new town every night, living for those moments on stage. Living in new places and eating off value menus and sleeping folded up in a van driving down highways in the dark of night. He didn’t do that forever. He settled down and works with his brother now in a family business.
Two of my other sons have wanted to pursue college. One went for awhile and then quit to take on a floundering business that he has turned into a success over the past few years. One is in college right now working on his degree.
But through these years of raising kids and wanting them to find and embrace what their own passion is I realized it’s ok, really ok, for them to be ordinary.
And I don’t mean that in a plain vanilla way or that they lack value, substance and intelligence because they are all very bright, funny, and clever. They know how to learn and teach themselves things and they are always actively learning.
I mean they don’t have to live someone else’s ideals or expectations or get caught up in the hype with friends and feel like they are somehow “less than” ’cause they perceive the friends are somehow more successful. I don’t need to have them do things to feel validated as a parent.
I saw a T-shirt recently that made me laugh ’cause it’s how I feel so often. It said:
“Worlds okayest Mom”
Maybe I need to buy it. It reminds me I can be me, can be the best mom I can without having to “do it all” or be at every meeting or every event, or get my kids into Harvard.
At the end of the day its about my kids being happy, successful, productive adults and maybe even a bit, ordinary.
However, if they make an impact in their personal worlds and are decent human beings, I will consider them, and myself, quite successful indeed.
sassyfitnesschick 