37 pieces???

  Happy Thursday! The sun is shining and the weather is gorgeous. I love spring and summer when it is actually spring and summer. No cold weather for me. Blech! Hate it.

 I have been researching a new concept regarding my wardrobe. It is based on the concept of only keeping 37 pieces, including shoes-what???, and rotating the outfits out throughout the season. Think lots of basics and making your outfits pop with accessories. Now, that is 37 pieces per season, so 37 for spring/summer and 37 for winter/fall. The concept comes from www.un-fancy.com.  She has a great blog and I love this idea. The only thing I need to tweak from her idea is I need a more defined work wardrobe. I work at a company that is business casual to business dress, so I need less casual then her ideas. I started working on my wardrobe this weekend and have gotten rid of one trash bag full of clothes and shoes! I changed out my winter wardrobe, got rid of things I did not wear this season and then only kept the things I loved and wore out of my summer wardrobe. I think I can get my 37 pieces, but I may need to add a couple of things. I need a good white button down that is suitable to dress up or down and I need two work jackets. I have never been a jacket (think woman’s suit coat) wearer, but I need to dress up my outfits a bit and a jacket would be perfect. I thought I had two purchased, but the size 4’s I purchased were too small. I really need a 2 for the classic fit. This is going to be a huge problem because size 2 is just about impossible to find. The place I got my jackets from does not even carry the jacket in a size 2! So very frustrating!  This weekend I am on a quest to find these jackets. Wish me luck. I will keep you updated on my 37 piece wardrobe, complete with pictures to keep me accountable. I am a clothes and shoes fanatic, but I am trying to change my hoarding ways.

 I am so very excited! I am finally well enough to go run with my girls tonight at Women Run Arkansas! I miss my group. They keep me laughing and I am awed at the accomplishments from every one of them. You are welcome to join us tonight even if you have not officially registered for WRA. We are at War Memorial from 5:30 to 6:30.  Would love to see you! Tonight we are running 4 minutes and walking 1 minute for a total of 31 minutes. I believe I may die. I have not run in two weeks so it should be interesting. I try to remember something I read which is great advice: “Your mind always gives up before your body does”.

Hugs!

It's National Walking Day!

It is National Walking Day. How are you celebrating? At the office we are participating in a company walk. I work downtown, so we are starting at Broadway and walking to the Capital Building and back. It is going to be sunny and 70 degrees and should make for a beautiful walk. 

 I finally am getting back to the land of the living. I have been struggling with some health issues the last couple of weeks and things are finally starting to level out. Once I fully get over the hump, I will share my story with you, but needless to say I slept decently last night for the first time in forever. Yippee!!! I hope this trend continues because this girl needs her sleep.

 Last night hubby and I went to the European travel informational meeting last night. Youngest stepson is traveling to Europe for 10 days with his high school. I am excited for him to have this opportunity. He, his mom, and grandma have paid for the majority of the trip and hubby and I have picked up the last minute expenses. Hubby and I did not contribute more because, honestly, we have multiple kids to take care of and believe what we do for one, we should do for the others and we do not have the finances right now to spend a couple thousand dollars to send kids to Europe. I am glad his mom and grandma have been able to provide this for him. It should be lots of fun. When Brother Richard was talking about the trip, it made me long to travel overseas again. I have been fortunate enough to have travelled internationally. I have seen all of England, Scotland, Spain, Amsterdam, Canada and Mexico. I loved it and it is an experience I will never forget. Experiencing other cultures is fascinating to me and makes me appreciate home even more. Hubby has never been overseas, so we are in the midst of planning an international vacation. It will not happen for a few years because like I said earlier, we have multiple kids to pay for.  Plus, we are trying to narrow down where we would like to go. I would love to see the Orient, but hubby is leaning toward England. I guess being the soccer fan that he is, I can understand that. We have friends who live in England so we already have somewhere to stay, plus I would love to show hubby my old stomping grounds. I encourage everyone to travel overseas at some point in their lives. It really is a wonderful experience. 

Have a fabulous day and get out there and walk!

Hugs!

Catch up!

 Wow! Almost a month since I have last blogged. Crazy. This is our busy time of year and the days are flying by. I am home today with an illness I am getting over(will expand upon this later) and decided to catch up on my blog. Sorry for the absence my loyal readers!
 What's been going on this month:

1. Princess made high school cheerleader. I am so proud of her for this accomplishment. She worked hard and succeeded. What a rock star.

2. Oldest son finally decided where he wanted to attend college. He was accepted at the 6 he applied for, but in the end, he decided to be a Razorback. I am proud of his choice and the ball is already rolling in preparing him for departure in the fall. He has picked a roommate, someone from Houston, Texas. They have never met. They found each other through a website kinda like match.com only for college roommates. He graduates in one month and I am mentally preparing myself for this. His graduation invitations came in and I only cried a little bit.

3. Still loving my job. Passed the 90 day mark and they still like me so I guess I am staying. I will say, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas is a wonderful company to work for and I can see myself retiring here. It is so nice to finally have a career. My college degree really paid off.

4. Women Run Arkansas is going amazing. I hate that I am missing tonight. These ladies inspire me and I love them dearly. I am also really enjoying the running we are doing. We are up to 3 1/2 minutes running and 1 1/2 walking. We are true rock stars. I am ready to rock out the graduation 5K with these ladies in 3 weeks. And, you should see my legs and ass! I got a bit jiggly over the last couple of years and I am toning up nicely.

5. Hubby is doing fabulous. He is training to run the Rocket 5K and I am so proud of him. He gets in about 6-7 miles every day. He gets up early and runs with Wally. Of course, this is after he gets my coffee and breakfast ready. I told you I was spoiled.

6. Youngest stepson went on his first college tour last week. For some reason he is interested in all these expensive private schools. Now, I am not knocking these schools and he has the test scores and grades for them, but none of them give full scholarships. Why not go somewhere that you will not have to get a loan or grant?

7. Oldest stepson? Hmmmm, not sure on that one. I hardly ever hear from him. I am going to assume that he is doing well. He and his dad text and talk occasionally, but have not seen his face since his birthday dinner. Pretty convenient, huh?

8. Hubby and I are celebrating our anniversary next month. 3 years! Like I said before, time has really flown. We are making plans to do something fabulous to celebrate because, we are so thankful we have found each other. Like he said, I was not his first because you always save the best for last.

Hope all is well with everyone and remember to do something amazing today.

Hugs!

Dreary Day

It is a dreary day in Central Arkansas and my mood is definitely reflecting it. They are forecasting some sun later on today and I am hoping that rings true. I hate feeling dreary. I am a glass is not only half full, but it is ¾ full. Life is challenging at the moment and getting me down. I have situations that I not only do not have control over, I do not get a say so. I hate watching a train wreck about to happen and not being able to pull the emergency lever. I refuse to let myself stew in the current mood I am in for long. I am pulling myself up by the boot straps, in this case some lovely pink plaid rain boots, and moving on. Life is about choices and I am choosing to not stay dreary. How do I do this? By making a list, I love a good list, of what is positive right now. Here goes:

I had a free lunch yesterday and get another one today.

There is a chance of some sun this afternoon and we will not be running in the rain tonight.

Princess is having a great time in Nashville and I get to see her in 3 more sleeps!

A friend of mine was offered a new job.

Even though I am not sure about my new haircut, I have been getting lots of compliments. So, thank you everyone for making me feel more confident about going short again.

I still love my new job. It challenges me and I love the people I work with. I am even getting used to my little walk in the mornings and afternoons.

The fitness team I am leading at work is in 7^th place! That is fabulous and I am very excited about this.

I have a wonderful husband. We are celebrating three years in May and the time has just flown by.

I have great kids and step kids. They are accomplishing great things at the moment and I am bursting with pride.

 Ahhhh…feeling better already. Now it is time for my free lunch! What does your list look like? Take the time to make one and feel free to share.

Hugs!

 

Staycation

Ahhhhh, don’t you just love a good staycation? Hubby and I took a couple of days and enjoyed the beauty that is Arkansas and I want to thank Mother Nature for accommodating us as well. Sunday after celebrating my eldest step son’s 21^st birthday (yikes!), we came home, packed and headed up to our friend’s cabin for the night. We stopped by my favorite winery on the way up for a couple of yummy reds. I love going to the cabin. It is in the middle of nowhere and there is no wifi, so it is great to just unplug. We took a small hike to the lake when we got there and enjoyed the view and each other. Nature’s sounds are the best. So relaxing and soothing. The weight of the world just drops off your shoulders when you can escape like that. Monday morning we headed up to Petit Jean. We have not been there for a couple of years so it was nice to see it again. We took what we thought was a small hike to the falls, but ended up being an hour and a half hike with a decent climb at the end. It was well worth it. The day was beautiful and just the right temperature. I would like to go when it is warmer and play in the falls. It was a bit crowded as it is spring break, but I loved everyone being out and enjoying nature and there is always someone ready to help you with the best photo op. We lunched at Mather Lodge and the food was excellent. We split the Reuben sandwich and a Chicken sandwich. We were then off to scratch something off of my bucket list, Wye Mountain. I have never been there.  The daffodils are beautiful and the smell is magical. I am going to take princess up there before they wilt because she would love it and I have a perfect photo opportunity for her. On the way home we stopped by Mooyah’s and split a banana/peanut butter shake. Yummmm!

 My advice to you today: Get away with your significant other. Hubby and I feel refreshed and more in love than ever. We made some discoveries about each other while away and I seriously think I love him more. I did not think it was possible, but it is. I am very blessed and fortunate to have this man in my life. I love you, my Mark.

 

Hugs!

 

Let's Run a 5K!

 Busy, busy busy. Busy working, busy playing, busy getting fit. That is right, hubby and I have caught the fit bug…big time! I am leading a group of beginning runners for Women Run Arkansas and I love it. Hubby and I did our first 5K together this past Saturday and I used the WRA program and it was fabulous. I have always been a sprinter and never learned the proper way to run distances so the WRA running program has been a lifesaver. Hubby and I did a 1 minute run and 3 minute walk for the entire 3.1 miles and finished in less than 45 minutes. It felt good. I felt good. It was exhilarating. Hubby ended up with a medal because he is just awesome like that. We are now addicted. He is training to run the Rocket 5K and I am going to do the 1 mile walk with Zeke, the Catholic High Dog, with Wally, our dog, because I volunteer and will be too busy to do the 5K. The good thing is that I will be at the finish line to cheer on hubby. Sunday, we went to Two Rivers Park and did 4 miles at the same pace and felt great. So as a reward and because he spoils me, he bought me a Fitbit. It’s beautiful and pink and named Fred. It is a clip on so I am not advertising to the world what I am doing. I love Fred. If you have a Fitbit, friend me and let’s get fit together.

 After our run, we celebrated at Leo’s Greek Castle for brunch. Ridiculous. I have eaten lunch and dinner there, but never brunch. It was yummy. Saturday afternoon we took princess and my two nieces, who are also princesses, to see Cinderella. Great movie. Go see it. I am a bit of a princess myself so I love the story, the dresses, the shoes and the glass slipper was beautiful. I cried multiple times during the movie because I was feeling super sentimental. There were a lot of beautiful little princesses there to watch the movie and I remembered when my princess was that age. Time goes by way too fast! After the movie, we went to the store because there were two holidays to celebrate: Pi day and Steak and BJ Day. I hope you celebrated both because I did. Our pie was a peach crumble from  Fresh Market and while we were there got some steak too. Both were great. As far as the BJ thing, well that is TMI and I will just say this: that is celebrated quite often in my house as it should be and it is always great, for both of us.

  Enjoy your hump day. Get to exercising and make sure to give someone a hug. It will make their day.

Hugs!

Let's run in the rain!

  Happy Rainy Tuesday! Why the excitement? Because it is not Happy snowy Tuesday. I am tired of the snow and hope we have seen the last of it for the year. Spring is coming in less than 2 weeks and I am more than ready for it.

  Last night, we had our Women Run Arkansas clinic in the rain. Yes, it was cold, wet and miserable, but at the same time exhilarating. I am training the beginning runners and this is a challenge for me as I have said earlier, I have not run in forever. Well at least 2 months, but it seems like forever. I was not sure how I would fare, but I and my group did awesome. We did not let the rain slow us down. We did our 3o seconds of running followed by our 3 minutes of walking 9 times for a total of 2.3 miles. In the pouring down rain! I am so proud of everyone. It is difficult to show up in those conditions, but my first 5K was in the pouring rain so it is important to train in all kinds of weather conditions.

  Tonight I am finally going to see 50 shades of gray. I do not understand all the controversy surrounding this movie. I mean, have those people read the books? Sure he is into a bit of tying up (seriously, who isn’t?-oops tmi, sorry, ignore) and once you get past that part it is a touching love story about a girl who helps heal a man who grew up being abused. The man was burned by cigarettes on his chest as a child; you are bound to have some issues, right? I will admit, the second and third book could really just have been one book, but good for EL James for turning a love story into 3 best sellers.  You cannot fault her for that.  So, for future, do not comment without reading, you just sound ignorant when you do.

 

 Enjoy your Tuesday and go out and love someone today.

Hugs!!!