tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132647082762612512024-03-13T14:18:34.041-07:00Musings From A Not-So Mundane Life: Getting Through Life And Motherhood One Day At A TimeHalf Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-45700133682175874902016-12-31T20:44:00.000-08:002016-12-31T20:44:26.660-08:002016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyFijSE8GBRV88v1vsMY3wI63EVRj4pIeieDhgPyd0hyphenhyphenob4igHozMlw2T9m7nS9tCMBwF-9FdfPicTcUuufGJcd1jWcFY-Zb7YdTV-tLvHmzSZApeNntUkUu2nn27eBFjutnENoVewebR/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyFijSE8GBRV88v1vsMY3wI63EVRj4pIeieDhgPyd0hyphenhyphenob4igHozMlw2T9m7nS9tCMBwF-9FdfPicTcUuufGJcd1jWcFY-Zb7YdTV-tLvHmzSZApeNntUkUu2nn27eBFjutnENoVewebR/s320/IMG_0126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
Feet are up (okay, they're on the ground, but they're "up"), I have a delicious glass of wine, I have snacks, the little one is sleeping, and I'm watching a binge-worthy amount of Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce. 2016 is ending in mere hours, and I am pretty happy right now. Not to see it end, but because I'm relaxing. Yay!</div>
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These moments are few and far between, but when they happen, I LOVE THEM!!! And I don't love them because it's New Year's Eve (that has a little to do with it), but I love them because that means I am taking some time out for myself. Each night I do take an hour or so to check emails, catch up on some shows (Vanderpump Rules, anyone??), and to try and decompress. By the time I turn around, it's after 10, and my alarm will go off at 5am for work. Fun, right??? Nooooo.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year I will make more time for myself. I will read more books and check them off my never ending book list. I will get a haircut before I look like I'm homeless. Taking a barre fusion class has been on my mind for months. I'm doing it! I'll de-stress by using my Mandala coloring books. (Don't judge till you try it. I <3 them and I <3 coloring...and they work!) My health and fitness journey is always a concern of mine. Always. I'm making it a top priority. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's to 2017, the year where I think a little more about myself. Just a little. </span></div>
Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-41843051668827077572016-12-29T19:46:00.004-08:002016-12-29T19:46:57.508-08:00Inspiration in Unlikely Places<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHcMgjmOb1LuFy5xYoNV2j4JzHcyPjPWaawPUKXqe5v7tcAzqIhPjQplWyHQZlkYQZEccpxHKOGZEbhGco4QLwd5X0RQ2wNL3Ywu4vup8M8seLxFaIZgjql5pGR992P3jnmx1OfTfiw1w/s1600/quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHcMgjmOb1LuFy5xYoNV2j4JzHcyPjPWaawPUKXqe5v7tcAzqIhPjQplWyHQZlkYQZEccpxHKOGZEbhGco4QLwd5X0RQ2wNL3Ywu4vup8M8seLxFaIZgjql5pGR992P3jnmx1OfTfiw1w/s1600/quote.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I'm inspired by something, I latch onto it. I tend to become borderline obsessed with it. (Netflix, Reese's Pieces, a good book. This list can go on forever...). But I'll admit it. The one thing I continually cannot wrap my head around is being able to get in shape. <i>Here we go. Another person with a New Year's resolution about getting in shape, </i>you say to yourself. And yes, you're probably right, but for me it's so much more than that. I have been inspired.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All my other past attempts at getting in shape have come from a deep place. A good place. They have started off with a lot of momentum behind them, and then slowly but surely, they lose steam. Last year I started off great and then really hurt myself in March. That put a damper on everything going forward. I had a goal, but not really. I just wanted to workout, see a change, and feel better. Those are great goals. In the summer I started to amp up how much exercise and movement I did per week. I started going to the gym more, and I branched out and took some new classes. They were fun, but I kept going back to my one love, Spin class. (What did you think I was going to say?!) ;-) I began running more, and I tried training for another marathon. Once again, it didn't work out. Something had to change, but again, I fell back into my old, comfortable ways. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Recently, I opened my eyes. I mean <u style="font-weight: bold;">really</u> opened my eyes. I have been working at a gym for 6 years. My friend from the gym started blogging and sharing her fitness tips and words of wisdom about her healthy lifestyle. She had been hesitant to start writing and sharing her thoughts, but she finally did it. She questioned herself like we all do, but once she set her mind to it, the results were really great. THAT is what has me inspired. No, I'm not going to start a different blog (although I'm definitely going to write more frequently on this blog!). I am going to push all my negative thoughts and questions aside, and I'm going to push forward. Even when I don't want to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It probably sounds ridiculous, but I can never get out of my own way. I never tell myself to just do it. It's always a constant struggle. I push so hard from the start and I end up burning out quickly. I need some motivation, some goals, and maybe even a mental picture. Luckily, this time my husband is joining me on this journey, so we will both have support and motivation from each other. :-) I'm not even waiting for the new year. I start tomorrow...slow, steady paces, but I start tomorrow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where was I going with this post? I have no idea! Haha. I need to put this out there in hopes that people can relate to all my ramblings. Men and women have both been there, so it's not at all uncommon. My bottom line is to open your eyes, see what inspires you, and then take that feeling and run. Literally or figuratively! My change for me is about getting in shape and making a transformation. For you, it might be something totally different.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm leaving you with this awesome quote that I posted on my Facebook page tonight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place." - Unknown</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<br />Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-90312094766035218062016-02-26T19:14:00.001-08:002016-02-26T19:14:43.746-08:00These Asics Are Made For Running, And That's Just What They'll Do!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDv9te8y0DifDYp1J2JpFVzIWTY_NHAOYu7eh6WAgJuBo9FfqQzkaVFiP2e_K-t8iOqvAem4GEaS5ytEcHDAtNTZEC72dApI7b_aEpnj0dYMsDauhGVLvusa7-H0-dJgdiRUHRK46xlfP/s1600/running-sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDv9te8y0DifDYp1J2JpFVzIWTY_NHAOYu7eh6WAgJuBo9FfqQzkaVFiP2e_K-t8iOqvAem4GEaS5ytEcHDAtNTZEC72dApI7b_aEpnj0dYMsDauhGVLvusa7-H0-dJgdiRUHRK46xlfP/s320/running-sun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm officially in week 3 of my training plan that will get me to my half marathon goal. I've come a long way since day 1 when I could barely run a half mile, BUT...I still have no idea how I will ever be able to run 13.1 miles! I have to put it all in perspective because I know the race isn't until May. I'm not looking to come out on top during this marathon. I just want to finish. On this journey, I've come to learn a few things about myself.<br />
<br />
1. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I hate running on the treadmill. When I started "running" (I'll put the word <i>running</i> in quotes because I hardly feel like I'm even doing that! Shuffling, barely jogging, walking fast...that just about sums up my ability.) Anyway, when I started running, I thought the treadmill was amazing. I was building endurance and strength, I was watching my minutes per mile go down, and I was watching my speed increase. Total BS! As soon as we had a nice day, I got out on the road, and what the hell...I ran so slow, and I had to stop so many times. The treadmill basically pushes you along, but if you're out on the road, your body is what propels itself. For me, it actually feels better to run outside than it does on the treadmill. Call me crazy, but I feel it doesn't leave my legs as sore, and I get less shin splints. Win/Win!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. I don't know how to run. Is that weird to say? Well, it's true! I don't know how to run! Just move your legs and your arms. Uh huh, uh huh. But it's not that simple. I never realized how technical running can be sometimes. (Maybe not to you seasoned runners out there, but for me...I'm constantly thinking about it!) Fine, I won't overthink it. Just like a coworker told me today, "It's really just one foot in front of the other." You know what? Good advice. I'm taking it.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BeNVQ9grRkrt7yrY4xugF9qRCRGOou1fS5FgZ_fNVLccr58PBFrlRbjcgee3W44KIJ_9Oxl9k_3_EN1TLEiMuVuHCs2wetVRf17vGSxcyDaw-XpoZAAQft-ISvY3aSStt2AhUrC79M9Q/s1600/running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BeNVQ9grRkrt7yrY4xugF9qRCRGOou1fS5FgZ_fNVLccr58PBFrlRbjcgee3W44KIJ_9Oxl9k_3_EN1TLEiMuVuHCs2wetVRf17vGSxcyDaw-XpoZAAQft-ISvY3aSStt2AhUrC79M9Q/s320/running.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure this is a caricature of me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. Music is everything. Anyone who knows me knows that music is my life. I eat, sleep, and breathe music. I walk through life with a soundtrack constantly playing in my head. As soon as I decided to start running, I knew that I'd need to have good music. It propels me past hurdles when my legs are killing me and I want to stop, when I'm tired, and it especially propels me through all the mental setbacks. Good music for me is KEY. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">As I progress in my running journey, I realize now that I don't even hesitate about putting on my running shoes and going out for my run. Sure I'm in the middle of a training plan, and sure I'm trying to lose some weight and keep up with my fitness challenge, but I have also realized that this has become a routine and a way of life for me. I'm pushing myself waaaayyyy out of my comfort zone. I swore I'd never run more than a mile or two, and now I'm gearing up for a 5 mile run tomorrow. The mind and body are truly amazing when you think about what they can do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Tonight I'm going to leave you with one of my favorite running songs. It's not new, by any means, but I find it so motivating. I listen to it on every run, and it does inspire me to push harder. Maybe you'll use it the next time you're working out, walking, or even running. :-)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-d07ZUqvjz4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-d07ZUqvjz4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-34079868803661052282016-01-29T08:40:00.003-08:002016-01-29T08:40:47.466-08:00Life is a Journey.<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2016 is the year I hit rock bottom. With my weight, that is. I've been trying to "lose weight" since Chloe was born. Ummmmm that was 2 1/2 years ago. Right before the new year, something inside me just clicked. I don't know what it was, or how it happened, but I was determined to make a change, starting with how I feel about myself. I'm a Spinning instructor at my local gym, and I feel like a complete fraud: helping people reach their fitness goals, talking about nutrition, talking about exercise plans...and then I go home, and I can't even make these things happen for myself.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I became fixated on getting fit, eating better, and dropping some weight...just as soon as January 1st rolled around. I needed to have one last indulgent day and enjoy my New Year's Eve. Aaaaaaaand New Year's Day. I began this journey on January 2nd, and I haven't looked back.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While I have only been on this journey for a month, it has been an emotional one for me. I am determined to accomplish "something", but I could never quite put into perspective what I want from myself or what my long term goals need to be. I don't want to begin to work hard and not know what the end result is going to be. I simply decided...start working out. That's all well and good, but it just didn't resonate with me. While posting my "goals" on Facebook one day so I could get my inspiration, my sister in law made a comment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">"Why don't you run the half marathon with me this year?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">What? (*cups hand over her ear) What? I'm sorry, I can't hear you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Me run a half marathon?! Seriously?? I ran a couple of 5K's in my lifetime, and one 3 mile Turkey Trot, and I barely made it through those. Never in my life have I tried to run anything remotely high in mileage and athletic ability. I brushed off the idea and told her I would think about it. Someday. I'm not the runner in my family. My sisters are both runners, my husband is a marathon runner, and so is my brother in law. I told my husband and he gave me some pointers, encouraging me to do it. I told him he was crazy. I'm better in Spin class and doing powerful gym classes. I said thanks, and I moved on. But I didn't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I couldn't get the thought of running out of my head. What would it take to run a half marathon? Would I be able to train for it and still take care of a toddler? What kind of training plan would I use? Should I get new sneakers? Oh, and of course, the kicker here...I can't even run! What if?...Would I?...Can I?...So many questions, so much doubt, and oddly enough, a giant burst of determination.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">It was an idle Saturday night when I sat at my laptop and found myself registering for the race. I did it without thought. And honestly, it has been amazing so far. Like I said earlier, I am not a runner, but now I find myself saying, "I'm a runner." Just registering for the race got me so pumped, that I immediately started training the very next day. When I started jogging (yes, jogging, because my feet barely left the ground and I felt like I was walking instead!) at the start of January, I couldn't even complete a mile. This felt oddly like trying to run the mile in gym class back in high school. Ugh. I was so slow, I had to walk for a bit, and when I completed the mile I really did feel like I had been put through the wringer. How was I going to run 13.1 MILES?????</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I began a fitness challenge at work, and I slowly started incorporating more cross training into my routine. I discovered that I absolutely love boxing! I got a pair of gloves, and I really pushed myself each week. With a lot of strength training and core workouts, I felt myself getting stronger within my running. My clothes are starting to fit better. I have more energy. I'm making better food choices. And get this...I actually LOOK FORWARD to running! (I think it's my music playlist that gets me pumped up. You need good music when you're working out! That's my #1 rule!) I visualize running that last mile, or crossing the finish line, or seeing spectators on the side cheering me on. I've always been one of the cheering spectators on the sideline, so it will be an amazing experience to be the runner this time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So without boring you anymore, that's my story. That cat is out of the bag. This overweight girl, who never ran more than 3 miles (like 6 years ago) has been training for her first half marathon. I know it's peanuts to some people, but I'm already up to 3.5. miles without walking. And you know what, I'm proud of myself! This is only the beginning, but I'm really looking forward to the results. (**Sidenote: A giant THANK YOU to my sister in law, Stacy, for planting the seed in my head. I NEVER would have considered it! Plus, the route is flat. Flat, flat, flat! lol)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"But I have promises to keep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And miles to go before I sleep,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And miles to go before I sleep."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> ~ Robert Frost</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-31100965349833222042015-08-04T06:24:00.003-07:002015-08-04T06:24:57.372-07:00A Summer Cold#SOL15<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7kr4WGoQPmJU79GVE2Upm62nhjQoWcVp3Y6sbZvZUeJ_FVsz_n16WdkUgblski090SH3i2ywIJAXbOBiJxWr4Pw7SXNdj8cQyS-MzLOBIim8Q-w8N1yjIm7FCGkOz67hJygViw0phwMC/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7kr4WGoQPmJU79GVE2Upm62nhjQoWcVp3Y6sbZvZUeJ_FVsz_n16WdkUgblski090SH3i2ywIJAXbOBiJxWr4Pw7SXNdj8cQyS-MzLOBIim8Q-w8N1yjIm7FCGkOz67hJygViw0phwMC/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
There's nothing like a summer cold to really make you feel miserable. Well, I'm sure there are plenty of things far worse, but getting knocked flat on your you-know-what by a cold that comes out of nowhere is just the worst. When the sun is shining bright and the pool is calling your name, no one wants to be stuck on the couch with a box of tissues, DayQuil, and a stuffy nose.<br />
<br />
Hmmmm...that "stuck on the couch" part only comes in the evening after I put my daughter to bed. If you have a toddler, you know all too well that there is no time to be sick. I have to give my daughter a lot of credit, actually. She's quickly approaching her second birthday (Next month! Where did the time go?!), and she certainly could've been an absolute terror. She was such a good girl yesterday, even when we went out to run some errands. I had to get out of the house and get some fresh air. I'd like to believe on some level she knew I wasn't feeling well. I mean, I did say 50 times "Mommy doesn't feel well. Thank you for being a good girl", but I was just trying to drill the point home in order to make the day easier for myself. haha. Dinnertime went well, bathtime was a breeze, and the bedtime routine wasn't as long and drawn out as it normally can be. Thank you, universe! :-)<br />
<br />
The "stuck on the couch" portion of being sick can sometimes be awful, but truthfully I have a new guilty pleasure. My new addiction. Hulu. Yes, that's right. The website Hulu shows every TV show you can think of, and I. Love. It. We have AppleTV, so I watch things like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube right on my television. My friend got me into a show called Mistresses. Have you heard of it? I am hooked! I watch about 2 episodes nightly, unless something mind blowing happens and I need to see the next episode. I'm trying to catch up to the episodes that are now airing on Thursday night, and I'll be bummed when I have to watch it on live TV. That's what DVR is for, right? So you can fast forward through all the commercials. :-)<br />
<br />
So as I try and kick this summer cold, I look forward to my downtime at night. I wish I felt better to fully enjoy what I'm watching, but I'm pretty sure I'll be cured in no time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Zv3sj_Vz_XO39pEakJhAb3xZcQ6xhN5sU5PRcxI5YRN2DsK2qaUaKjpl_NKSD84tlw6NdzsrkofPpziroEIhNi8p57d6D52wAizcLKNRnzUkOnHX09qJUg99b7Gq7zfaoLFTXnivt3px/s1600/mistresses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Zv3sj_Vz_XO39pEakJhAb3xZcQ6xhN5sU5PRcxI5YRN2DsK2qaUaKjpl_NKSD84tlw6NdzsrkofPpziroEIhNi8p57d6D52wAizcLKNRnzUkOnHX09qJUg99b7Gq7zfaoLFTXnivt3px/s320/mistresses.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woohoooooo! :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-42283746351906709812015-07-04T19:41:00.001-07:002015-07-04T19:41:55.997-07:00Saturday Night's Alright For...Sleeping?<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello! It has been so long since I last posted a mommy blog, or really any blog for that matter. I was at a BBQ today and a family member asked me if I was still blogging. I told her I thought about it each and every night, but I never actually have time to sit down and write. I'm making time TONIGHT.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may be thinking I haven't blogged because I don't have material to write about. That's not the case at all. Chloe has kept me chock full of topics and interesting information. But if I'm being honest at all here, I'll tell you that my daughter just doesn't sleep anymore. She has a hard time going down at night, and then she wakes up in the middle of the night. Please tell me I'm not alone here! There are other moms that have been where I am, right? (Or many that are there with me right now??) She used to be such a wonderful sleeper, and I have no idea what happened. Functioning in day to day life as a zombie is just something I do on a daily basis at this point. But this is my point as to why blogging has been so hard for me lately. By the time she finally falls asleep at night, and I do all my nightly duties and chores (Don't you just love mom chores?!), I sit down on the couch and I'm done for the day. I know I have to get to bed at some point because, like clockwork, she will be up again in the middle of the night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember when I was pregnant I always used to say, <i>"When I have a kid I will never...</i>(insert random piece of insane information here.) Well, get used to it because those wonderful lines and pearls of wisdom will often get chucked to the wind just to protect our sanity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"When I have a kid I will never, ever let her sleep in our bed." </i>Ahem...well, ummm...mom fail. Chloe hasn't slept peacefully for so long, and the only way we got any ounce of sleep at all was to...well you know. Don't make me say it. My alarm would go off at 5am for work, and some days she would keep me up till 4-4:30. Have you ever gone to work functioning on that little sleep? Have you ever had the feeling that no amount of coffee or espresso in the world can help you on that particular day? Chances are you have, and chances are you're a mom. (or a dad). At those hours of the night, my husband and I do whatever we need to do to survive, and that meant that if we had to bring her in bed with us, so be it. Of course there are the obligatory elbows to the face, feet to the gut, and slaps to the cheek; that goes without saying. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here I am, months later (yes, she has been doing this sleepless dance for months), and I'm trying to collect my thoughts. I forgot how therapeutic writing is for me. It's nice to put this stuff out to the masses because then you feel like you're not alone! I love having conversations with people who look at me wide eyed and in shock saying, "Your daughter still doesn't sleep?? Oh my son/daughter has slept every day since he/she came home from the hospital. And they sleep for 12 hours." Ugh. Sigh. Liars. But when you get a nice, honest answer about how they have been through what you're going through and that it does get easier, then I somehow feel a lot more normal. Most of the time. Sleep training is its own special kind of hell. So when you get in bed tonight, or lay your little one down, say a little prayer for me that my munchkin sleeps through the night tonight. </span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-13486714078269791852015-05-26T19:03:00.001-07:002015-05-26T19:03:08.502-07:00CPR/AED Certification<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFSYQHsQ-Kd_JFlR4SkGVXjb0GCT8B-mTp_1nNWk6N7kikqjna35yscSz1eepDGeERdp2fBBqFL6rq4PeNTvv1jpPX12g8v4U6O5Hl3KaTu2ndAFf5-bQVHNjxjiw_phArVIIeUN9BOrK/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFSYQHsQ-Kd_JFlR4SkGVXjb0GCT8B-mTp_1nNWk6N7kikqjna35yscSz1eepDGeERdp2fBBqFL6rq4PeNTvv1jpPX12g8v4U6O5Hl3KaTu2ndAFf5-bQVHNjxjiw_phArVIIeUN9BOrK/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
Hello there! I know, it has been a long while since I've written a new post. I can explain. I'll give you the Cliff's Notes version, but we just moved last week, it was also our three year anniversary, and to top it all off, we took a trip to Cooperstown for the weekend. (Yes, kid-free! I missed the little peanut, but it was a great getaway with the Mister.) So with everything packed into one week, AND all the prep leading up to such big events, you can understand why I went on a small hiatus. But I'm back now!<br />
<br />
Today I took a CPR/AED course to fulfill a requirement for my other job. I make it sound like an obligation, but truly, it really is something I should know and keep with me. I have a young daughter, and god forbid...I'm not going there. Anyway, I've taken the course several times before, and I usually renew my certification every two years. This time, the course was a lot different for me. Maybe it's because I am a parent now. All I can say is that I never realized how truly important it is for someone to know CPR. Not everyone knows what an AED machine is, and that's fine, but being able to administer CPR can possibly save a life.<br />
<br />
I honestly hope I never have to use my CPR training. Could you imagine?? The instructor had some interesting stories to tell us, and I can't imagine standing in his shoes for any of those events. If you can get CPR certified, I highly recommend doing it. If the course comes with AED training as well, I suggest that avenue as well. As an educator, at my regular job and at the gym, it's pretty much mandatory for me to have this under my belt. I have been thinking about the course and material all day long. That's how much it hit me this time around. It's a good feeling tonight, as I'm about to go to bed, that I know all my loved ones are safe and sound, and that they're healthy.Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-46208421691212913202015-04-30T18:36:00.003-07:002015-04-30T18:36:38.583-07:00It's Only Thursday?!<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><b>I am in the midst of the longest. week. ever.</b> I know you think I'm exaggerating, but that is really what it feels like. You know, the feeling when you're so exhausted that it almost feels like you're NOT exhausted?? Sigh. Yep. (Update: at 6:45 tonight I was practically asleep on my feet, so please disregard the above sentence about not being exhausted. ZZZZzzzz...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">My mornings have been starting at 2am, sometimes 5 (which is my usual wake up time, but preferably by an alarm clock), but today the day started at 3:30am. YES, 3:30am. Nothing can wake a person from their sleep faster than a screaming child. It is one of the worst ways to wake up, but obviously, the child is crying for a reason, so you have to feel a bit bad, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">And so, that is how my day started. My poor little bug was crying in her crib at 2:30. Being the nice wife I am, and wanting to let my husband sleep, I took Chloe out to the couch and we settled down on some nice comfy pillows and a blanket. Do you think she fell back to sleep? One guess! If she wasn't so stinkin' cute, I may have wanted to cry or throw things. I had to kiss her little face when she lifted her head off of my chest and looked at me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">"<i>Hi, mom mom!</i>" she chirped, as the clock rounded 4am. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">"<i>Hi, Chloe. It's very late. Time to go to sleep.</i>" She settled her head back down and continued to be restless.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Right before 5am, I turned the alarm off on my phone, and I listened to the sound of the coffee pot turning on to brew. I listened to the drip of the liquid into the pot. I listened to the four beeps which signaled the coffee is now done. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">"<i>Cosseeeee!</i>(coffeeeee)" she says, and jumps off the couch. Oh boy. She hightails it into my bedroom where my husband is still awake and climbs into bed with him. They snuggle with each other as I go in to get my cup of coffee. My day has now officially begun. About twenty minutes later, I walk back into the room to get a shirt, and there I see her. All her cuteness is laid out on my side of the bed; legs sprawled out, arms flung wide, and she is snoring deeply. Sigh. I smile to myself, turn around, and go back to the couch to enjoy my few minutes of silence. </span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-5620600409616817872015-04-14T19:57:00.001-07:002015-04-14T19:57:52.719-07:00Learning The Piano<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBRABKx03hoFqEJKPIViSU83Im8nG2WTGGs6Q4y4yclkAhC9Da9ZBhTaREXLQjtOVhKyUPCpezvC2JkTbQ3RxH_PsIxxKpsWuX-k9lYjFnCmV0mJxTqhVBPat9JTS9Yg7bn6t7RNoeLTF/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBRABKx03hoFqEJKPIViSU83Im8nG2WTGGs6Q4y4yclkAhC9Da9ZBhTaREXLQjtOVhKyUPCpezvC2JkTbQ3RxH_PsIxxKpsWuX-k9lYjFnCmV0mJxTqhVBPat9JTS9Yg7bn6t7RNoeLTF/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><u>I'm going to teach myself to play the piano.</u></b> That's what I said to myself two years ago. I told my husband I wanted an electric keyboard and a Piano For Dummies book. I was diving head-first into piano playing. Christmas came, and I received this giant box from my husband. Wouldn't you know it...it was an electric keyboard. What a guy! Not only did I get a keyboard (top of the line, I might add!), but I also got my Dummies book, an awesome pair of noise cancelling headphones, and little stickers to label the keys. I got the works! I was all set and ready to become the next Billy Joel...or something.<br />
<br />
<b><u>I never taught myself how to play the piano.</u></b> About a week after Christmas I discovered I was pregnant! YAYYYYYYY! Boy, did that put things on hold. haha. But in a good way, of course! It seemed to take over my life, and every part of my day, and before I knew it, it was 9 months later and I had a daughter. I never did get to sit down to the keyboard and try to play. I read my Dummies book when I could, but who would have time for that while pregnant or afterwards?!<br />
<br />
<b><u>I'm going to teach myself to play the piano - 19 months later. </u></b>I'm really doing it this time! The keyboard is all set up, and I even did my first 30 minutes of practice tonight. And by practice I mean, writing down musical notes on sheet music and practicing the notes. Very, very slooooowly. But I imagine that's how everyone starts out. So here I am, very excited to try again tomorrow after reading more of my book. I'm sure I'd benefit better from some professional lessons, but that's not in the cards right now. (Anybody out there give lessons??) I can't wait to be able to play songs for my daughter. She already loves touching the keys and making "music." It's a great age to be able to introduce her to musical instruments. :-)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjym6bVt7WY23EFUHnSrSyx6-BW8qhf8-UDjfzZ8ixPmY9SaHCgxv1s-V3DtFMcCbL8BuBHKY8ZkJ8ktmZt7XM3pUrj2g8jYW594If6Lq3Vvltec_G5XXyk-pyj5koZSB9fGwKyAdhDZbV2/s1600/Piano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjym6bVt7WY23EFUHnSrSyx6-BW8qhf8-UDjfzZ8ixPmY9SaHCgxv1s-V3DtFMcCbL8BuBHKY8ZkJ8ktmZt7XM3pUrj2g8jYW594If6Lq3Vvltec_G5XXyk-pyj5koZSB9fGwKyAdhDZbV2/s1600/Piano.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See! I'm all set!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-59808052190581466062015-03-31T19:51:00.001-07:002015-03-31T19:51:59.910-07:00I Made It!#SOL15<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPmJHIEcvJZdtjTnN23eqSXxpN4kkrC9W9fKJ943Fa9kch-69sV_EMf3kmYbekA46Ex3tgdY6dMAe9wJkK9LvW9cpxWgNO2igNMeKZHuGh57bb0M2Q_lMmSxuJLvmuU6VNIaK2qRxYzQg/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPmJHIEcvJZdtjTnN23eqSXxpN4kkrC9W9fKJ943Fa9kch-69sV_EMf3kmYbekA46Ex3tgdY6dMAe9wJkK9LvW9cpxWgNO2igNMeKZHuGh57bb0M2Q_lMmSxuJLvmuU6VNIaK2qRxYzQg/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
I did it! I honestly cannot believe I blogged for the entire month of March! This challenge has really made me hone in and focus on my day to day life and activities. I may have missed some great moments, or not have seen the little moments that were huge, had I not been thinking about this challenge each day. Hopefully I can keep up my writing streak! :-)Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-77800931521164695192015-03-30T20:42:00.002-07:002015-03-30T20:42:55.808-07:00Why I Love What I Do<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">#SOL15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGl_UDjxJWRxV26SdkKbW9T7_BjMlARTWZqMFK9tKfcojj2KoSsSxuzJQZDLqMLy9RRbyasoXjBOViT6ccMECCAYsTIW3S2B8YVpnNERo3xS1MH5sYaVNeuaXR0JWyZManmz6_BtJGnTyJ/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGl_UDjxJWRxV26SdkKbW9T7_BjMlARTWZqMFK9tKfcojj2KoSsSxuzJQZDLqMLy9RRbyasoXjBOViT6ccMECCAYsTIW3S2B8YVpnNERo3xS1MH5sYaVNeuaXR0JWyZManmz6_BtJGnTyJ/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I love when a student comes up to me and expresses their love for writing or reading. It makes me feel really good about my job, and it also opens up a dialogue with the student about something I'm passionate about. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Today we had school because we had to make up a snow day. I am officially on Spring Break, even though it doesn't feel like it yet! Despite the excitement of vacation in the air, the kids were really good today; more focused than I would've imagined. At the end of second period today, one of the students approached me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Mrs. Narvesen, I was wondering if you'd like to read the short story I've been working on?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Really? Of course!" I replied. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"It's here in the notebook. Sorry, but it's kind of long. I've really been working on it. When I come back 4th period I'll bring you the artwork that goes with it."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My mouth dropped. This was awesome! I love that he wanted me to read his piece, and I love that he trusted me enough to see the unfinished product plus the art. I felt really touched that he asked me to read his story. He could have asked any of his teachers. Was it because we always talk about all my favorite authors? (Edgar Allan Poe, Ray Bradbury, Stephen King) Was it because we always talk about how much I love writing and how I write daily? I don't know what it was, but what I do know, is that this meant something to me. It was an amazing feeling to be trusted with something as personal as someone's creative writing. (And did I mention, they were doing this all for fun?! It's not a class project or an assignment. They're writing and drawing because they love to. Wild!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I started reading right after he gave it to me. I read it straight through my free period. His story turned out to be 13 pages long. Quite a large feat for a 7th grader! I was impressed! I gave it back to him when he returned. I told him everything I loved about it, and I told him I would love to read the final product. He even showed me the monster drawing that goes with the story, and I have to say, that was also truly amazing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I guess what I'm trying to say is this. There are some great students in the building where I teach. I'm so fortunate to know a lot of them. It's days like this that reaffirm why I chose my profession and why being passionate about reading and writing is such a huge part of my life. I hope this boy continues his passion and runs with it. The encouragement of teachers and people in his life will make him the amazing writer he aspires to be.</span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-90433081358471024322015-03-29T18:50:00.001-07:002015-03-29T18:50:20.081-07:00Little Talks#SOL15<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hgbu_BjgS18sI6gsQ_s5W1K9OANvDg5KMRAmvWnYXaFxyxqEhz1cDy2-TyAfu1KtoK6Rd1CdlHyNnanhPOk4vukPmKmOx2mH_zEBrEgbIZa7pjQh9aKRxcgJ9EzbDDylxpiqlecggttI/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hgbu_BjgS18sI6gsQ_s5W1K9OANvDg5KMRAmvWnYXaFxyxqEhz1cDy2-TyAfu1KtoK6Rd1CdlHyNnanhPOk4vukPmKmOx2mH_zEBrEgbIZa7pjQh9aKRxcgJ9EzbDDylxpiqlecggttI/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
Today my 18th month old daughter finally said <i>love you</i>! She didn't originally say it to me, She said it to our virtual cat named Cooper. It's a game we play on my tablet. I wrote a <a href="http://tnarvesen.blogspot.com/2015/03/daylight-savings-time.html" target="_blank">post about Cooper</a> several weeks ago. She just loves this game! But either way, this was a huge bright spot in my day! I asked her to say it a few more times, and she did say it every now and then. We'll have to work on it more, but really...it's the most amazing thing I've heard in a long time.Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-80416935643701739182015-03-28T19:51:00.001-07:002015-03-28T19:51:45.452-07:00Saturday Night Dinner Prep#SOL15<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYxR3-VEy2uqI22YjfAfvHcKaiZLjYG0HVLSAGq0Y0R_wvsSd_pBtW_a1L3iKXF-AwkQjrujgN1izCJu-tICceKfOHtKjNg41zcN9vmnpzlBvxbVY2rZOTBKgPnsgP0kSiIZoGgxbGhWS/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYxR3-VEy2uqI22YjfAfvHcKaiZLjYG0HVLSAGq0Y0R_wvsSd_pBtW_a1L3iKXF-AwkQjrujgN1izCJu-tICceKfOHtKjNg41zcN9vmnpzlBvxbVY2rZOTBKgPnsgP0kSiIZoGgxbGhWS/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
It's Saturday night again. The week flew by! But this is another weekend for me to try and make a nice meal and create a nice family dinner. Tonight we had medium rare London Broil, avocado salsa (don't get excited...it's basically just chunky guacamole. haha. But it's awesome with steak!), homemade mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I try and keep Chloe out of the kitchen when I'm cooking because the oven is on or I'm doing too many things. Many of you moms know this is not always possible. Tonight was one of those days. She started crying and wanting to come in. She got so upset, so when she finally did come in, she just wanted to be held. I was making mashed potatoes and wasn't sure how I'd finish with only one hand. I pulled over a small stool, threw the rest of the ingredients in the bowl, and put the bowl on the stool. I told her to help me cook.<br />
<br />
"Cook. I cook," she told me, as she put her hand above mine on the spoon. I slowly mixed the potatoes in the bowl and watched her start to smile. We did this a few more times. She took the spoon out a couple times, and some potatoes went flying, but it was nothing major. Plenty left! After a few minutes, I gave her a taste. "MMMmmmm." She expresses pleasure when she likes food these days. She makes a yummy noise. It always reminds me of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S4YW0Pm9zE" target="_blank">the dessert scene from Young Frankenstein.</a> lol. She's too cute.<br />
<br />
I made up her dinner plate, giving her a small scoop of potatoes she cooked, and she ate it all! I even gave her a second helping and she ate that too. The whole time she kept making all different mmmmm sounds and telling my husband she cooked the potatoes. It was so cute! I couldn't help but wonder if she ate it all because she cooked it and knew that, or did she eat it all because they really were delicious? (I'll admit, they were pretty awesome tonight.) I guess there really is something to having kids help you cook in the kitchen because they are more apt to eat what they create.<br />
<br />
Honestly, this SOL challenge has made me focus so much more on little bits in my daily life. I really never would have zoomed in on that moment or saw it for the precious gem it really is. I really want to bring her into the kitchen more often now and have her help me. Tomorrow is a new day, so I'll see what we can create together. :-)Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-60543050471907230422015-03-27T20:47:00.000-07:002015-03-27T20:47:01.376-07:00Back To The Music Department#SOL15<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCAcQbxcVcjO7Be6qow-tofjsRMqdJn0xegX5hj64IPzLzh91tl6jFdClXoC_BkJNjqxdISJ0K55RkW1mgckZJcyfZ79bFi9Q1yuGMuYJBI7F9_HD4tXeMyEZoxxqJ2ffavN2NIsAKMdp/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCAcQbxcVcjO7Be6qow-tofjsRMqdJn0xegX5hj64IPzLzh91tl6jFdClXoC_BkJNjqxdISJ0K55RkW1mgckZJcyfZ79bFi9Q1yuGMuYJBI7F9_HD4tXeMyEZoxxqJ2ffavN2NIsAKMdp/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
For the past two days I have had the pleasure of covering chorus classes for a friend of mine. I truly had the <b>best</b> time. The two chorus classes were 6th and 7th graders, and I have to say, I am so impressed with them! They sounded wonderful! It made me miss my days at GFMS singing in chorus or playing flute in the band. They harmonize together, use hand signals determining notes and pitch (something I wish I learned back in school!), and really just sound professional. It moved me so much, that I actually researched to see if there are any choirs for adults around our area. THERE IS! Unfortunately, my plate is full almost every night with work, tutoring, or my writing group. I can't spare another night out of the house during the week.<br />
<br />
Maybe some day in the future I can pick up my passion for singing again. Right now, I'm pretty happy being able to follow my writing passion, so that's good enough for me. I still have the vocal warm ups and songs of the past few days stuck in my head. I'm sure I'll continue singing them around the house all weekend. Fine by me. I'll even belt out a couple notes in the shower or sing to my daughter. ;-) It may not be the choir I'm looking for, but it'll do for now.<br />
<br />
**The link I share below is <b><u>NOT</u></b> the choral group from my school. The song <b>Ah, Poor Bird </b>is a warm up they do, and it has been stuck in my head for two days. It's beautiful, and I just want you to hear it. Enjoy!**<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HWacIk8U8tI/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HWacIk8U8tI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-52680040753227359922015-03-26T19:29:00.003-07:002015-03-26T19:29:27.172-07:00Where Do You Keep YOUR Cutting Boards?<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">#SOL15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJ_ctsnD3aIBHNDQuV1hVM69v_rYMrzGVlksVCd9R-hOeis9kuhf-2RJVj2lLn4xQPoyw9vFzgrQL20RIICFGm1C4bMW-ta8J3Kat3lqSy706Slqr2CQnFm6N_jb88vDg7p2rrVzwDpYc/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJ_ctsnD3aIBHNDQuV1hVM69v_rYMrzGVlksVCd9R-hOeis9kuhf-2RJVj2lLn4xQPoyw9vFzgrQL20RIICFGm1C4bMW-ta8J3Kat3lqSy706Slqr2CQnFm6N_jb88vDg7p2rrVzwDpYc/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's a normal Thursday night, and I'm getting ready to wind down and head to bed. But first, I need to write my slice for the day. I sit here and wonder, <i>what am I going to write about?</i> Nothing really jumps out at me. I'm staring off into space when I notice something. It makes me smile. It's my cutting boards. <i>That's odd</i>, you think. <i>I've never heard of anyone smiling because of their cutting boards! </i>Well, believe it, because I AM!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For past few weeks, my daughter has been into my kitchen gadgets, which is completely fine. She seems to love all of my cutting boards. They are bendable plastic and come in 4 different colors. She loves to grab them all at once and carry them around. Whatever works, right? About a week ago, she's playing with them in the living room and I hear, <i>Oh no! Oh nooooo!</i> I come rushing in, and what do I see? She slid the cutting boards through the top of the glass cabinet and into the entertainment unit. They were now resting comfortably on to of our cable box. HAHAHAHA! She now does this on a daily basis no matter how many times I take the boards and put them away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, if you're still wondering why I'm smiling, it's because as I stare straight ahead, I see 2 cutting boards sitting on top of my cable box. A blue board and a red board. Remnants left from earlier in the evening when Chloe was playfully keeping herself occupied. They're nestled nicely behind the glass, as Chloe is dreaming sweetly in her bed. It's the little things she does throughout the day that make me smile; even if she's not in front of me at the moment. I can't wait to see what she'll think about doing tomorrow. So, I ask you, where do you keep YOUR cutting boards? ;-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahlVu0j7rySU65M10d38dMaLkx0SIZoZXtuTP1ipUZdpDjoSFpbavYAJTxyPrUN8KPNeIARxa9NtTYcW_zNl82RA9V7r1adSzs1vY0uNkAyJ6S9BhsPxf0z0H5K9iy5fWVmSjTSSZe2MJ/s1600/IMG_3129%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahlVu0j7rySU65M10d38dMaLkx0SIZoZXtuTP1ipUZdpDjoSFpbavYAJTxyPrUN8KPNeIARxa9NtTYcW_zNl82RA9V7r1adSzs1vY0uNkAyJ6S9BhsPxf0z0H5K9iy5fWVmSjTSSZe2MJ/s1600/IMG_3129%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look closely on top of the cable box. :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-4091266255476378802015-03-25T20:11:00.001-07:002015-03-25T20:11:08.976-07:00What Time Is It?!#SOL15<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZ94jxiVEQIq53D60y7fo1u6hVQXQRm7O5pWxeKF9nWTofQsLokj6Z7agwdFH4ic7zTA1Ha8EP6aXtq6MFKKk3p4JMxugr9QxkwdX9ONT4soeCxmX-WFRRY4Z1-uWeroPpeJrv-cPo3Vi/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZ94jxiVEQIq53D60y7fo1u6hVQXQRm7O5pWxeKF9nWTofQsLokj6Z7agwdFH4ic7zTA1Ha8EP6aXtq6MFKKk3p4JMxugr9QxkwdX9ONT4soeCxmX-WFRRY4Z1-uWeroPpeJrv-cPo3Vi/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
Why can't I go to bed at a normal time? The question is mostly rhetorical, but seriously. Why not?! All day long I tell myself I will lay down at a normal hour and get plenty of sleep. I want to wake up refreshed in the morning. But here it is, 11:06pm in New York, and I'm awake and writing this blog post.<br />
<br />
I suppose it is the life of a mom. Maybe. I have always stayed up late and liked it. I watch TV, I check emails, I write, etc. But now, I feel that after my daughter goes to bed, that's MY time. Like a college kid who has gained their freedom, I just go crazy thinking of all the things I can do now that C is in bed. Is that strange? All I really end up doing is vegging out, and trying to think of what I'm going to write about today.<br />
<br />
So, before it gets any later, I'm going to say goodnight. 5am sneaks up on me really fast, and I told myself I'm going to get up and work out tomorrow morning. (Oh boy.) I'll leave you with the words I say to my daughter every night before putting her to bed: <b>Goodnight stars, goodnight air, goodnight noises everywhere.</b>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-46972622243235688912015-03-24T20:13:00.001-07:002015-03-24T20:13:52.508-07:0010 Unique Things You Didn't Know About Me (or now wish you didn't know)<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">#SOL15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCXFaBJNbPEAuYZvTP0vuoVlk1kE8OHeT88UVF0W0oP0aKlGTcntoOLHh1URLRY8lYaywhdR5lbkaKHpHgVh-KoSvdlEdO0xfjN3IK2NH9HkvUa8KgWYoKDZS7Q7HT29xbjU0wg1LuALB/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCXFaBJNbPEAuYZvTP0vuoVlk1kE8OHeT88UVF0W0oP0aKlGTcntoOLHh1URLRY8lYaywhdR5lbkaKHpHgVh-KoSvdlEdO0xfjN3IK2NH9HkvUa8KgWYoKDZS7Q7HT29xbjU0wg1LuALB/s1600/SOL.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I saw someone else post a list like this the other night. Sleep is weighing heavily on my shoulders, and I think I may be coming down with something, so I'm going to keep this brief. Here's 10 unique things about me that will be forever ingrained in your mind. ;-) When you leave a comment, tell me one unique thing about yourself. This should be fun and interesting!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. I went to professional bartending school back in the early 2000's, and I hold a bartender's license. I only worked at one restaurant in Putnam Valley after I got my license, and I never pursued it further.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. 8 years ago a bad break up caused me to go to the gym more often, and I became addicted to Spin classes. 6 months later I was a certified instructor. Changed my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. I am afraid of most animals. Yes, even dogs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. I can't swim.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. I played the flute from 5th grade to 12th grade. I still have it. Sometimes I bring it out to play because Chloe likes the sound and it makes her laugh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. One of my lifelong dreams (maybe not a realistic one) is to be in the Cash Cab. :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">7. I often read cookbooks in bed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">8. I carry a small notepad in my purse where I jot down bits of conversations or ideas. I look at the pages randomly hoping to find a new story idea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">9. My husband is 6'3 and I'm 4'11.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">10. While I was pregnant with my daughter, I was absolutely grossed out by meat, especially chicken. I became a vegetarian for the first 6 months of my pregnancy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-27035283332880175712015-03-23T20:17:00.003-07:002015-03-23T20:17:36.719-07:00The Struggle Is Real!<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">#SOL15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglssuMa8cvCCqNwzc4A6vE6MtSTTCX_ZPc3inGyNBKG-frmqGzBU4Vueqz3PfY-J_fyBSJkznSc0rfG-SieVLaHdr8piYBlQUKAb8FmL78idgYUPdolgEl_krpNYfhmxKi6rESg_i6UlsL/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglssuMa8cvCCqNwzc4A6vE6MtSTTCX_ZPc3inGyNBKG-frmqGzBU4Vueqz3PfY-J_fyBSJkznSc0rfG-SieVLaHdr8piYBlQUKAb8FmL78idgYUPdolgEl_krpNYfhmxKi6rESg_i6UlsL/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><u>**I apologize in advance. Too many thoughts! This post will probably be all over the place. :-)**</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">One of the big things I have struggled with since having my daughter is my weight. Since giving birth to C 18 months ago, my weight has fluctuated up and down. I figured this was normal, and I'm sure in some ways it probably is. But what about everyone who says, <i>If you nurse, your stomach will become flat</i>, or <i>It will take a few months and then you'll be back at your pre-pregnancy weight</i>. Hmmmmm...interesting. I'm still waiting. haha.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It's easy to get discouraged about how I look on a daily basis. We all know that some days are better than others. We feel great in certain outfits, and this boosts our self esteem and image. Then the next day, we can't fit into any clothes, jeans won't button, tops make us look frumpy, and it's all downhill from there. I'm not the only one hiding under a long sweater and a pair of leggings these days! (At least I hope I'm not!) A few weeks ago I hit rock bottom. I needed to do something about this weight. The weather was starting to get warmer (well, it tried. What happened???), and I want to be more active with my daughter, so I decided to start doing <a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/focus-t25-workout.do?e=374730" target="_blank">T25</a>. If you don't know what this is, click the link now. You won't be sorry. In just a short while, T25 has given me motivation and pushed me forward.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I work out for 25 minutes a day and that's it. 25 minutes of hardcore working out with no break, but it feels amazing when I'm done! Is anyone else doing this program as well? This usually happens after my daughter goes to bed because that's my only time to accomplish this task. In all honesty, I really do enjoy the workouts. Getting motivated at night to get changed and get going is what I struggle with. Oh, and the eating. Eating right is a big problem for me. I just love food. I'm getting off the topic here. I did it for 3 weeks, and when I was going into my 4th week, I just lost it somewhere. Work got crazy, I had a bunch of late nights, and my eating was out of control. So here I am restarting week 4. It's a constant struggle, and the struggle is real!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Tomorrow night I teach my Spin class, so either way I'm getting exercise in. Hopefully in the morning I can get in a quick workout. What are the odds my daughter will let me exercise and even decide to jump around with me? :-) While reading a fellow SOLer's post last night, I came across this video. It is such a feel good video with famous dance scenes from a bunch of movies. I wish I could remember who originally linked this to their post. But, if you need a reason to smile, or just something to get you motivated to workout, this is my go-to video at the moment. I'm sure you'll be smiling as much as I was. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kVJu9AMJJr4/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kVJu9AMJJr4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-35025883715495586872015-03-22T18:06:00.007-07:002015-03-22T18:06:55.747-07:00A Little Something Random<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">#SOL15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tonight I decided to not do a traditional blog post. I found this same format on another Slicer's post, and I love what she did with it. It's nice to get a bunch of thoughts on paper when I can't decide what to write.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisToT2M2F3RjjLNv0cs6m5zIHthk-KDjgVKYwHpx5ZwvYY2hmvBXqcPjR3zodTkfCTKV4hQTZoNfGXJ5UiJ6x__MZDKT-XH1fny0akOeKSb29zaMYAM5FFwIg9a1yQYsDq63WKIySy1PII/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisToT2M2F3RjjLNv0cs6m5zIHthk-KDjgVKYwHpx5ZwvYY2hmvBXqcPjR3zodTkfCTKV4hQTZoNfGXJ5UiJ6x__MZDKT-XH1fny0akOeKSb29zaMYAM5FFwIg9a1yQYsDq63WKIySy1PII/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I am</b> watching an episode of Giada at Home. They're making an awesome rice dish. I'd try and make it, but I'm pretty sure my waistline wouldn't like my afterward.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I keep</b> tons of things I should get rid of: clothes, purses, shoes that hurt my feet, statements or papers I get in the mail...I'd write more, but it's probably not a good idea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I wish I could </b>find more time to stay neat and organized. As a mom, I have every intention of doing things after my daughter goes to sleep. When that happens, all I want to do is relax.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I love</b> my family and my closest friends. I don't know what I'd do without any of them. It feels wonderful to have such an amazing network of people to lean on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I dance</b> to 80's music while cleaning my house. I did it the other day and it was so much fun! (The music channels on Verizon Fios are the BEST!) Tears For Fears, anyone??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I sing</b> to my daughter any chance I get. I love seeing her start to dance or try and sing along with me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I think</b> too much about things in the future. Things I can't even control. It gives me anxiety and nothing is even happening. I need to stop doing this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I really</b> want to get my anxiety under control. I've been this way my whole life; I'm always nervous. I found working out a little bit each day has helped me. If nothing else, it tires me out enough to let me sleep deeply at night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I need</b> to finish making my lunch for work tomorrow. I can't stand running around packing lunch when I should be getting out the door to go to work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I should</b> go to bed at a reasonable time. I always wonder what it's like to get a full night's sleep. I'm talking 7-8 hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I can</b> name almost any song by hearing the first 1 to 2 notes. It's a gift. I can't explain it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">:-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I like</b> watching reality TV to decompress and relax. My husband doesn't understand how I can relax when people are always fighting or yelling on the shows. My justification is that it's not my life, so I can immerse myself in it for a couple of hours. :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I make</b> time for my daughter and I when I have a day off from work. We will go out and go to story time; playgroup; open gym; to the bookstore; maybe lunch. It's important to me that she gets out and has experiences with me, as well as things she will do with my parents or in laws while I'm at work. <3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I always</b> wear make up when I leave the house. Always. I have for years. If I accidentally leave without make up (or something happens and I can't put any on), I feel really naked and awkward. It ruins my day a little bit. haha</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-71362858360347109452015-03-21T20:12:00.004-07:002015-03-21T20:12:44.555-07:00Weekend Dinners<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#SOL15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBnrUDx8XqJ95K8yUekUrB8fbhnh8kUMJFooGN69-q7tAn_Ep2Q8JHzoeWEFPiPeELX1WBwrC_Gskrccq0nHhyphenhyphenJQsns1dxa511RXJHNwmKW3Vc49AbVu5Hi4rFmxkw4EYvqB22kyfz18h/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBnrUDx8XqJ95K8yUekUrB8fbhnh8kUMJFooGN69-q7tAn_Ep2Q8JHzoeWEFPiPeELX1WBwrC_Gskrccq0nHhyphenhyphenJQsns1dxa511RXJHNwmKW3Vc49AbVu5Hi4rFmxkw4EYvqB22kyfz18h/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love to cook. Besides writing, cooking may be my favorite thing to do. I always wanted to go to culinary school, but I never wanted to keep up with the rigorous schedule and hours. So now I just do it as a hobby. I watch Food Network like it's my job. Seriously, if I could get paid for watching FN, we'd be millionaires.I even DVR my favorite Food Network shows and keep them for when I want something good to watch. I have learned a lot of my cooking skills from various shows.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the week, my husband and I are so busy with work, our daughter, I have two other small jobs besides my day job, so it makes it difficult to whip up these elaborate meals. I look for quick, easy, and minimal ingredients. On weekends, I really like to think about a dinner menu and plan something nice. It makes for a special night where we can have dinner together, just the 3 of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight I outdid myself. I made a mushroom risotto and a spinach, strawberry, and avocado salad. My daughter tried the risotto, but wasn't too sure about it. Ha! She did love the spinach salad, cut up into small bites, and she had a hot dog instead. Still a gourmet meal in her book! It's nice to slow down for a bit and eat dinner together as a family. I am Italian, and grew up on big family meals. When I cook for my husband and daughter, this is my way of expressing my love to them. </span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-28395428700610158112015-03-20T20:17:00.002-07:002015-03-20T20:17:25.489-07:00To Purge Or Not To Purge: Volume 2<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">#SOL15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGS2be4DEFHZbKSUsBFUuapDme61xJMHHpag6RsHf8qCWvGk4wEHwEXXQtm7UxHKqqeWYaGJb5r2N5QObCM0hPMmhH7k3QZxNwPfyrUgTaysYz5_COHmb5NuePGVxIVJw_xW3giTdkznM/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGS2be4DEFHZbKSUsBFUuapDme61xJMHHpag6RsHf8qCWvGk4wEHwEXXQtm7UxHKqqeWYaGJb5r2N5QObCM0hPMmhH7k3QZxNwPfyrUgTaysYz5_COHmb5NuePGVxIVJw_xW3giTdkznM/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's very rare to have a Friday to myself where I can get stuff done. I mean, REALLY get stuff done; not just do some dishes, load the dishwasher, and do some laundry. Like I said in my <a href="http://tnarvesen.blogspot.com/2015/03/to-purge-or-not-to-purge-that-is.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>, I have been wanting to live a life free of clutter for a very long time. Having an 18 month old does not afford me this luxury. ;-) Today I started on my mission for a life with less...stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My problem is that I don't know how to start small. I don't know how to start with just one area. I will think of a million different thing and go from room to room trying to get organized. I decided I wanted to focus on one room at a time, and possibly on one small section. I started today with my bathroom. I had the sudden urge to go through all my "products" and see what I have. Can you believe I have so many beauty products that I barely know what's there? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had to eat a good lunch and give myself energy in order to complete this task. haha. I'm not kidding. I didn't want to get tired, or give up, or go watch some bad TV. I had a task to accomplish. And man, did I accomplish it! I went into my cabinet under my sink and pulled out a whole bucket of beauty products. I had an idea of what was in there, but I didn't! Every hair care product to make my hair straight, smoothing cream to take out the frizz, gels and mousse to make my hair curly, hair spray, dry shampoo. The list goes on. It was freeing to throw away things I know I won't use anymore. I don't know why I don't do that more often. I got rid of all the make-up I <i>swore</i> I'd wear at some point. (I have no idea what I was thinking about some of those colors!) So, long story short, I have a very small bag of make-up that I know I use daily, and I have an organized cabinet of hair products that is easily accessible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know this really seems like nothing, but in my world, I always need <i>stuff.</i> I have a hard time throwing things out. Especially if it hasn't been used but I just have no need for it. I'm hoping to move on to the kitchen tomorrow. That will be a hard room to deal with. I love cooking, and I love all my cooking gadgets. It will be hard to determine what to get rid of. Can you tell I'm stressing already? Sigh. Stay tuned for that life changer! ;-)</span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-28443928338585795512015-03-19T20:55:00.003-07:002015-03-19T21:00:59.937-07:00Mommy & Me<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#SOL15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-FsA1gR65gKFKI28BYKeHiUPwMzUj8gHV5uopONhPSX9C5oPQZCP56MI79QGuXhX5johDQImfUyGm6ZXLm8_5lrKL7-i0sdkVIAYaBXp2akaMmjETkzOeBMdzNm7ZbWH2wLR1bgSB-7c/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-FsA1gR65gKFKI28BYKeHiUPwMzUj8gHV5uopONhPSX9C5oPQZCP56MI79QGuXhX5johDQImfUyGm6ZXLm8_5lrKL7-i0sdkVIAYaBXp2akaMmjETkzOeBMdzNm7ZbWH2wLR1bgSB-7c/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today was the best day. I don't get many days off from work now, but when I have one coming up, I like to plan something fun to do with my daughter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I work at a gym twice a week, and I found out they have a toddler playgroup a few times a week. Today was the perfect day to go see what it's about. My daughter loves running, and being chased, and playing with different toys, so we went to check it out. What a great time we had! She wasn't sure as to where we were at first, so she held my hand and we walked around. She looked at all the cool toys and the other kids playing. She needed a little time to warm up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Minutes later she let out a primal scream. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" And with that, she turned into her giggling, silly self. She ran around the gym floor trying to collect and pick up two bouncy balls at a time. When one dropped, followed by the other, she'd laugh hysterically chasing after it. She had her first experience crawling through a small tunnel. I don't think she got the concept at first because she kept putting all the balls in it, but when she figured it out, I couldn't get her out of there! She kept wanting me to get her from the middle. (I work at that gym, so the last thing I need is to get stuck in some kiddie tunnel during playgroup. haha)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After a while, other kids left, and Chloe and I had the whole room to ourselves. We walked around and did whatever she wanted to do. Towards the end of the session, I gave her a water bottle, and she walked back to our coats signaling she was ready to go home. I bundled her up, held her hand, and I walked her around the rest of the gym. After our little detour, we walked out to the car and headed home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She cuddled me and put her head on my shoulder right before I put her down for her nap. Without a complaint, she went right down and slept soundly. Today was the best day.</span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-56140262849120304122015-03-18T21:03:00.001-07:002015-03-18T21:03:48.053-07:00To Purge Or Not To Purge? That Is The Question.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#SOL15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVU9fjGZXKK5AhDL5sXWYdxH_NIotyX5_JnW1L7TCUmxsFNQOpmLJequRQedR7ViNR_Bq0THCX1nTGpuyRabx8Jn-zF2Hzkk9RUzTGVDWNhrjv3a_hM_FlTwT8sLyCb36aV121JuE6QHQb/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVU9fjGZXKK5AhDL5sXWYdxH_NIotyX5_JnW1L7TCUmxsFNQOpmLJequRQedR7ViNR_Bq0THCX1nTGpuyRabx8Jn-zF2Hzkk9RUzTGVDWNhrjv3a_hM_FlTwT8sLyCb36aV121JuE6QHQb/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's not a secret that I can't stand cleaning. I know I should be this happy housewife that really enjoys cleaning...something, but the truth of the matter is, I don't. Yes, I like when things are clean. Yes, I like when things are orderly. It's the "getting there" part that trips me up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday I will begin the purge of my life. (It's actually the 2nd biggest purge because when my boyfriend (now my husband) asked me to move in with him, I had to purge years and years worth of stuff. Years! It took me weeks.) Anyway, Friday is purge day because A) I am off from work, B) I have someone to watch my daughter, and C) It just needs to happen. I have been doing a few small pieces here and there. Of course my daughter wants to "help," so she helps by taking everything out of the bag I just filled. That's always fun. I have been holding on to stuff that I can't even begin to justify. Why am I such a hoarder?? (I'm not as bad as the people on that show! Don't let my husband tell you that I am!) ;-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What about stuff you are keeping that is brand new and never used? Maybe it was a gift. What about clothing or items with tags still attached? Why haven't I used it, or when will I actually use it? I know the rule of thumb is to toss it out if it hasn't been used in a year. Or in my case, ever. I feel horrible throwing it and I always try to think about when I'll be using it next. Friday I need to be strong and toss things I know I'm not using. I did it a month ago with clothes, and I ended up filling 4 bags to donate to Good Will. I'm hoping to get a lot done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I'm hearing we are getting more SNOW on Friday. Cross your fingers for me. This purge needs to happen! If you have any tips on organizing, decluttering, or just cleaning tips in general, share your favorites. I'd love to hear from you! :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-80639543365226797832015-03-17T19:32:00.002-07:002015-03-17T19:32:33.966-07:00A Very Merry Unbirthday <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">#SOL15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4j7wIBb9-G1x85-bhGq_j39zyF8Q6e-S4BW-YfRq1NgbX2urDNeELOjdOXf2ny8dE05LhLHWPhWWeFQLpfIAXJZhP8Y84cbIf_Fc3sqtAHQ1eKx9rdKgEglU5adriFW3zdbW4NeRMUSMp/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4j7wIBb9-G1x85-bhGq_j39zyF8Q6e-S4BW-YfRq1NgbX2urDNeELOjdOXf2ny8dE05LhLHWPhWWeFQLpfIAXJZhP8Y84cbIf_Fc3sqtAHQ1eKx9rdKgEglU5adriFW3zdbW4NeRMUSMp/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Today my daughter is 18 months old. A year and a half. Wow! Life has certainly changed and gone by quickly, yet in the best way possible. I can't imagine life before her. (Well, I kind of can. I'm pretty sure there was copious amounts of blissful sleep, Netflix marathons, and uninterrupted showers.) I truthfully don't <i>want</i> to imagine life before her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Today also happens to be St. Patrick's Day. While I was pregnant with Chloe, I had decided I wasn't going to eat corned beef that year. I just didn't want it. For the first 6 months of my pregnancy I had such an aversion to meat, so I was technically a vegetarian. After my morning sickness ended months later, and I was able to start eating some meat, I began to get more of an appetite back. And then came the cravings!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">One day I woke up and <i>needed</i> to make corned beef for St. Patrick's Day. I <i>had</i> to. There was no other answer. Obviously, I didn't buy one, so here it is the day before the holiday, and I drove to 3 grocery stores. Every store I went to was sold out. (Obviously!) My last attempt, and 4th store, was Stop & Shop. I came tearing into the store like a lunatic on a mission, and who do I run into, my mother-in-law. They live very close, so it's not like I hadn't seen them in a while. But still, I was out of breath and completely disheveled all because I was looking for corned beef. Good thing she understood! In the end I got the corned beef, and that year, it was probably the best I had ever had. ;-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/-rZ-cMx24FY/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-rZ-cMx24FY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> </span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313264708276261251.post-59937303871972660492015-03-16T19:52:00.001-07:002015-03-16T19:52:23.363-07:00Ray Bradbury And Other Sci Fi Favorites<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">#SOL15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>"Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories." - Ray Bradbury</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It took me a long time to realize just how much I love science fiction. Actually, it took me years. I have never been a fan of the fantasy genre, and if you ask me, fantasy and science fiction are completely different. I'm serious.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhPktPP9NorefNzGSbslKgHufCSYumKel9aUOg9xzouyCFhdm0iokx0wEWYLNzYAEZr-oHGSyVzhJRURUGCUWi_QaFgYHXSOeX75KgZO3ZDOkDaJW8EiBymSfxLXRZ93mefLJfMCNhqLM/s1600/SOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhPktPP9NorefNzGSbslKgHufCSYumKel9aUOg9xzouyCFhdm0iokx0wEWYLNzYAEZr-oHGSyVzhJRURUGCUWi_QaFgYHXSOeX75KgZO3ZDOkDaJW8EiBymSfxLXRZ93mefLJfMCNhqLM/s1600/SOL.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today I was subbing a 7th grade English class and we began discussing science fiction. Their assignment today was to read a short story by one of my favorite sci fi authors, <a href="http://www.raybradbury.com/" target="_blank">Ray Bradbury</a>. This story is titled, <a href="http://genius.com/Ray-bradbury-january-1999-rocket-summer-annotated" target="_blank">JANUARY, 1999, ROCKET SUMMER</a>. Anyway, as we are discussing material leading up to the reading, I start telling the class how much I love Bradbury. I talk about my love for his abundant use of figurative language and how much his futuristic writing was way ahead of his time. I started to recall a great short story about a house that runs all on its own technology. I hadn't thought about this story in years, but as I'm talking about it, a lot of the kids became really interested. I couldn't for the life of me remember the name, but I kept saying it was written by Asimov. I won't give you any insight to the story because I'd love for you to read it on your own. It's brilliant. I promised some students I'd look up the name during a free period. Well, I forgot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I remembered at the end of the day as I was walking out to my car. A girl from the class was walking with her mother on the sidewalk next to me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Mrs. Narvesen, did you remember to look up the title of the short story from this morning?" Damn. I had completely forgotten.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"No, I'm sorry. I got sidetracked. I promise I'll try and look for it tonight and let you know tomorrow," I said as I wracked my brain trying to come up with the title. I couldn't remember at all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Okay, because that story sounded really cool." Really? Wow. Not only had she actually been <i>listening</i> to me, but here is a student who is generally <i>interested</i> in the material and what I had to say. I must admit it felt really good knowing my story and lesson from this morning had resonated with someone. As it turns out, I was wrong about Asimov being the author when it was indeed another Bradbury gem. So if you have a minute, please read one of my favorite pieces about futuristic technology, <a href="http://www.gs.cidsnet.de/englisch-online/originals/soft_rains.htm" target="_blank">THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS</a> by Ray Bradbury.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="200" src="https://robinsafblibraryblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/death-is-a-lonely-business.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="179" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray Bradbury</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Half Marathon Traininghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097990202985507822noreply@blogger.com3