Meet Wally

  Happy Tuesday!  Let me introduce Wally:

  Wally is the newest member of the Francis/Bosch household. The Little Rock Humane Society posted a photo of this handsome guy on their facebook page 2 weeks ago. Hubby and I went straight from work, fell in love and took him home. He was, according to the shelter, abandoned in the parking lot of the shelter. They call them drive bys at the shelter. Poor guy. He turned one in June so he is still technically a puppy. He is part basset hound and part corgi. As you can see in the pics, he is a cuddler. He loves all of us, sometimes a bit too much, but that is not me complaining. He loves to go on walks and is almost fully house trained. We have not taken him to the dog park, but that will come soon. Anyway, meet our awesome boy, Wally. He is the best!

Hugs!!!!

Hugs

  I love hugs.  Getting and receiving.  I read an article that we need at least 8 hugs in one day. Hugs can help to heal sickness, depression, loneliness, anxiety, and stress. Now you need a proper hug, not one of those side to side hug. You need one of those hugs that press heart to heart. The article listed 10 reasons why we need hugs. I am going to paraphrase.
1.   Sense of safety
2.   Hugs instantly boost oxytocin levels which heals feelings of isolation, anger, and stress. Next time you get upset, go hug someone. Not necessarily the person you are upset with, but hey, you never know what may happen.
3.   Holding a hug for longer releases serotonin levels which creates happiness.
4.   It strengthens the immune system.
5.   It boosts self esteem. We associate hugs with self worth and hugging stimulates our tactile sensations.
6.   It relaxes muscles and tension in the body.
7.   It balances out the nervous system.
8.   It teaches you how to give and receive
9.   It teaches us to let go and live in the moment.
10. It encourages empathy and understanding.

  "So four hugs a day for survival, eight hugs a day for maintenance and 12 hugs a day for growth".  I am definitely going for the 12 how about you?

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5756/10-Reasons-Why-We-Need-at-Least-8-Hugs-a-Day.html

Hugs!!!!

It's only Wednesday

  Oh my!  It is only Wednesday.  This has been a long, but fun week.  Our company's annual user conference was this week and it has been fun, yet exhausting.  I have met some fabulous people from all over the United States and have experienced cool stuff that Little Rock has to offer.  Sunday night started our welcome reception at Dizzy's.  Hubby and I have been there before, but it was a wonderful cocktail reception with yummy food.  Monday kicked off the conference and luckily I got to attend and not plan or put it on.  That is awesome hubby's job.  He is on the marketing team and does a fantastic job.  For the last 3 days I have heard from our clients how wonderful my hubby is.  And I'm like, I know, right?  He is wonderful.  Monday night we headed out on the Mark Twain for a lovely and relaxing riverboat cruise with our clients.  Go do this.  It really is relaxing and the Arkansas river offers beautiful views.  Last night we headed out to Prost.  The food was decent, but the staff was super friendly so that makes up for the decent food.  To clarify, I want food to be outstanding.  We ended the night with some karaoke and fun dancing.  Yes, there was wobbling.  What is wobbling?  Google it. So, tonight, I am at home and ready for bed at 7:30 pm. Sad, huh?  I guess I am not in my 20's anymore.

  Saturday we are headed to tour the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville with Jake.  Our original plan was to be in Raleigh to watch my niece play soccer, but unfortunately we had a super expensive car repair come up and had to cancel.  I thought we had told everyone our trip was cancelled, but I guess we forgot the youngest stepson.  Although I swear we talked about it at dinner.  I do hate when we forget to tell the kid's things. Princess says I do it all the time and the sad thing is, she is probably right. Oh well.  We are not perfect. Anyway, back to trip. This tour is for Senior students only and we are touring the actual school that he is interested in, the College of Health Sciences. We are going to be served lunch so I am guessing it is an all day affair. It starts at 8:30 am so we are going up the night before. Jake is going to stay with his dad in Bella Vista and they are going to meet hubby and I at the school. I know I have said this before, but I am so glad that we all get along. Hubby and ex-hubby get along well. It really does make things easier. But, men are so much less drama, usually and hubby is so easy going that it does not surprise me. I am looking forward to this tour as the U of A is in our top choices. I still can't believe my baby is off to college soon. Sniff sniff.

  I am signing off now. I am about to turn into a pumpkin. Hey, wait! Are you on myfitnesspal? Friend me. Hubby and I have been taking daily walks and I would love to connect with you.

Hugs!

Blended Families

  I have had so many topics running through my head and have not been able to decide which one I want to share with you all.  This afternoon I read a Huffington Post article about blended families.  The first family I read about decided after a few years of marriage that it would be easier if they both lived in separate houses again.  There was too much stress with the kids and ex's and they lived in the same neighborhood so why not?  Life was easier while they were dating so this was the solution they came up with.  Strange?  Yes, I thought so.  One of the things I most enjoy about being married to my hubby is being able to kiss him goodnight before I fall asleep and kissing him good morning right when my eyes open.  Now, don't get me wrong, there have been times when life got a bit too stressful that this idea did not seem like a foreign concept to me.  But, at the end of the day, it is about showing your family, as in the kids, that even when times get tough, running away is not the answer. You work through it and stay in it.  Now, Huffington (who I am not a huge fan of, but sometimes I actually like what they report) has a blended family Friday series so I decided to read on about other featured blended families, because I really need some assistance when dealing with mine.  I read about one family that really hit home for me.  I am going to quote quite a few things, but this is the best advice I have heard in a long time.  First, they were asked what are some of the biggest challenges you have faced.  Their reply, "Building a blended family is the toughest, greatest, energy-sucking, most heartwarming journey I've ever been a part of."  Yes.  I adore my step kids and looking at it, there has been way more better times than bad. My family, brothers, sisters, etc have welcomed my step kids and hubby with open arms. My hubby's family has done the same with me and my children as well. All of the kids get along, for the most part, and I absolutely treasure our family dinners together. The oldest stepson is absent from our lives at the moment, but I hope in time this changes. We really aren't the bad guys, I promise.  The question was also asked, how do you handle stress? The answer they give is gold! "But in the end, stress is stress so we eat the elephant one bite at a time like everybody else." What a great way to look at stress. From now on, I am going to deal with stress one piece at a time instead of trying to handle it all at once. The last quote from this interview is also gold. "I suggest exploring your thoughts about what peaceful means to you. Peaceful is not something that happens to us--it's thoughts that direct our feelings. Our feelings are entirely based on our thoughts so monitor your thoughts. In other words, be mindful and deliberate in thinking peacefully."  That last line, "be mindful and deliberate in thinking peacefully".  Chew on that for a moment. What are you being mindful of? I am always asking hubby how do I get these negative thoughts out of my head? How do I let it go? He says, just stop thinking about it. Easier said than done, huh? My goal is to live that last line, "be mindful and deliberate in thinking peacefully".

  So, I thank you, Jennifer Kessler and the Huffington Post for posting something I needed to hear today and giving me the tools to handle the elephants that come in to our lives. I am ever so thankful I have an amazing husband who is there to handle it all with me.

Hugs!
 
 

Health Kick

  Lord help me.  I am on a health kick.  I usually have a fairly healthy lifestyle.  I pay attention to what I eat, portion sizes, and get daily exercise, but here lately, I have been in overdrive.  I am not sure what has kick started it, but something has.  I have lost about 10 pounds in the last month due to illness and stress, so I am underweight at the moment.  I know, hate me now.  I have luckily gained my appetite back and said to hell with the stress and finally feel better.  I think hubby losing around 12 pounds has something to do with it as well.  It is so much easier when the entire household is on the same eating plan.  Hubby and I have started back to our twice a day walking during the work day and he is on the soccer pitch and I have taken up running again after work.  I managed 10,000 steps today!  Although, between you and me, I think my pedometer is a bit off.  Who cares?  I am moving again.  I have been running a mile straight and it is feeling awesome.  I am trying to tone up and that has been the quickest and easiest way in the past.  My goal is to maybe run another 1/2 marathon, perhaps the Little Rock one?, but I am not sure.  I need lots more training before I ever attempt a 1/2 marathon again.  The last one in May nearly did me in.  I am thinking about attempting trail running.  I know several people who do them and it looks like fun.  Running on pavement all the time gets a bit boring. I am a bit of a klutz so I am not sure if this would be good for me, but hey, I am always up for a new challenge.   I think I need to find a beginning trail running buddy.  Anyone up for the challenge?  Let me know what your new fitness challenges have been or are you needing some motivation?  I may be able to help.

Happy Hump Day!!!

Hugs!
 

Random lists

  Random list of things I like/love that most people do not:

Snakes
The sound a can of biscuits when opened...love the pop
Clowns
Sardines
Liver and Onions-only the way my mom makes them.  The gravy is to die for.
100 degree days
Kung Fu movies....they crack me up, but the talent is amazing to watch
Being busy at work
Anchovies
McDonald's French Fries( I love, love, love them!)
Working out at the gym/Exercising
Hair bows


Random list of things I do not like that most people do:

Thunderstorms(they seriously scare me)
Cold Weather
Nutella-yuck, yuck, yuck
Amaretto
First day of Fall (I am in mourning)
The first snowfall- I could truly do without the snow
Nooks- very convenient, but there is nothing like the smell of a book
Yoga pants as fashion-just say no, unless you are going to yoga or working out
College as an adult-I hated every minute of it.  I used to wish for each semester to hurry up and be over
Basketball

And now you know a little more about me.

Hugs!!!!

Fab Weekend

  What a fabulous weekend!  It would be hard to pick my favorite part because it was all wonderful.  Friday night, I was at home, alone!  Well, until about 8:30.  Stepson was working, oldest son was with friends, princess spent the night out, and hubby was on the soccer pitch.  Hubby and I stopped by Mugs Cafe in Argenta earlier to support a local artist who's work is on display.  She does beautiful things.  Her name is Denise White.  Check her out.  While I was there, I ordered a yummy smoked salmon sandwich for dinner.  It was excellent. This was my first time at Mugs and definitely not my last.  Hubby and I parted ways after the show and I went topless on the way home.  I stopped by Target to get hubby a little something for our date a versary(can you believe it has been 4 years!) and then came home to relax and clean(a little).  After hubby got home we spent a lovely night outside on the patio planning and talking about life.  I cherish these moments.   It was beautiful out.  I love my house.  We have neighbors, but it is still quiet and peaceful.  
 Saturday morning, I got up and went for a run.  Yes, I said run.  I managed to run almost a full mile without stopping.  A super accomplishment for me!  It felt good.  I should really do it again.  I am usually a walker, because for some reason, I got the running bug this weekend.  Will I ever love it?  Doubtfully.  Saturday afternoon, oldest son and I headed up to Fayetteville to call the Hogs or as lay people would say, watch the University of Arkansas play football. My nephew is in the band, so we sat next to the band, very close to the field with my brother and sister in law.  It was great. We won big, oldest son got to see his dad(who was at the game), and I got to hug my nephew!  The Razorback band works hard.  They never stop.  It is so much fun to watch.  I am so proud of my nephew. We left at the end of the third quarter and made it home by midnight.  It was a long day, but well worth it.
  Sunday, we woke up and had family yard clean up day.  Everyone helped.  It was a beautiful thing.  Hubby and I then took a lovely nap, went to the grocery store and then he made us a yummy dinner.  We had 3 out of the 4 kids with us and it made this momma very happy.  I love our family dinners.  One of these days we will have all 4 kids.  In due time, I hope.  After we played Scattegories.  I love this game.  The kids are very creative with their answers and it is fun to just sit back and observe.  They all have such wonderful personalities and they make smile.  I am truly blessed with my awesome family.  After the game, I introduced hubby and princess to one of my favorite movies, Breakfast at Tiffany's.  I love Audrey Hepburn and this movie is wonderful.  I am not sure what I like more, the story or the clothes.  I would have loved to live in that time period.  The clothes were so elegant and classy.  No sagging at all to be found.
  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and if not, I am sorry.  I know they cannot all be wonderful, so cherish the times that they are.  Have a fabulous week, my friends.

Hugs!