Project house to home

As many of you know I take a zillion pictures.

I actually haven't taken as many of me and Chris

as I usually would and that makes me kind of sad.

So I am making a valiant effort to make sure I

carry my camera around like I used to. In my

last house we hardly had any pictures up of us.

I think pictures on the wall are a very important

step of making your house a home. I'm unsure

of the arrangement I want to do, but I am thinking

I am going to hang this on the wall by the stairs.

I bought the cute wood plaques on the top and

sides from Walmart. And then one of my favorite

sayings on the bottom....Life is not measured by

the number of breaths we take, but the moments

that take our breath away. <3

These sweaters had a good run, but it

is time to retire them and make them into

something new. Leg warmers you shall be :)

Chris and I found this gem at the DI.

I love it! My idea is to paint it and

find a lamp stand that we can wire

it with and make it sit on top like a

yard light. I'm thinking around 4 ft

tall.

I am thinking of painting this mirror black

and putting it in the entry way above a medium

sized table.

I have some canvas's left over from Xmas

and I have some fun ideas for them!

Thanks to Pinterst.

A lot of the scrapbook paper below is going

to be used on the canvas's.

This one in the library.

This one in the living room downstairs.

I'm thinking two of these with a shelf in the middle.

In the library

In the library

I love this one!

We are thinking of doing our upstairs bathroom

in brown and turqoise so I am trying to get

some ideas.

In the library

In the downstairs bathroom.

I heart words.

I think I like this one better for the

bathroom upstairs, although I need

more dark tones to accent with.

Maybe I will rough up the edges

with some brown paint.

I absolutely love these paintings we got

on Black Friday. The best part is that you

switch their direction to facing each other

or facing away from each other at the bar.

I told Chris that when he comes home and

see's it facing away from each other he'll

know he's in the doghouse. lol

This is our living room downstairs.

I want to paint the wall the clock is leaning

up against an accent color. I'm thinking sage

green. Then I will hang the clock in the middle

of the wall. I'm trying to think of what to put

on the sides of the clock or somewhere else on

the wall so it's not so bare. Any ideas???

Loving me some DI purchases.

The cast iron mirror and the brown

vase are both from the DI.

Chris has known how much I have

wanted a book case. We picked one up

a few weeks ago and Chris put it together.

I love it! I still haven't moved my books

from my other shelves, but I'm liking

having something to display our pictures

on. :)

Chris's Grandma made the sign on top for us.

She's so cute. I don't think I am going to leave it

there. I'll probably find a place on the wall for it.

Maybe above the window.

I bought this little diddy while I was in

Seattle. As you can see it is currently

working as my bookcase. I don't mind

it either. I still haven't figured out when I

am going to put in the little baskets. What

do you have in yours? Probably kid's stuff

for most of you.

Chris happened to have this recliner sitting at

his brothers, which ended up working out

perfectly in the library. I wanted it by the window

because I love to come in here and read with the

window open when it is sunny outside.

We weren't sure about our this kitchen

table because it looked so red in the store

and it even looks red in this picture, but

it actually blends pretty well with all the

tones in the kitchen. Now I just need to fin

a good centerpiece. I also want to find

some fun things to put above the cupboards.

No greenery or anything that will collect

spiders or dust, just some simple things.

 So many projects to do! I better get to it.

Love,

Remarkable, crafy ME

Happiness Skill #4

Today is all about recognizing people who provide service to us on a regular basis. We run into them all the time…at the grocery store checking our items out, at the restaurants we eat at, the bank, the police, our mail carrier and garbage collectors. There are so many people who provide services for us, which we pay for, but rarely take the time to thank them or do something to acknowledge them and the services they provide. I know that my time working in retail really opened my eyes to the amount of crap the store associates have to deal with, and how rarely they get any gratitude for their services. I make it a point now to let them know I appreciate them and if an issue comes up I am quick to forgive them because I know it's not their fault. I have been in their shoes. I have been on the other side of the counter. I think that's something that all of us should do more often.
Challenge of the day. Put yourself on the other side of the counter, metaphorically, and give all the people the gratitude you wished you could have gotten from all the customers, patients, or clients you have assisted.

Love,
Remarkable, thankful ME

From steam to lean

As you all have seen in the previous cleanse posts, I got a steamer/fryer. Obviously, I am not using the frying capabilities right now but, I am LOVING the steaming! I have made asparagus and carrots in it so far, both very scrumptious. I still have an artichoke I need to try.

My daily food has consisted of:

Breakfast-
egg whites with a dollop of salsa
fruit bowl (if I don't have any berries I do a banana)

Snack-
apple and peanut butter (my appetite has shrunk a little so sometimes I don't need this snack, but it's still good to have to keep your metabolism going)

Lunch-
spinach salad with sugar free, low cal, raspberry vinaigrette dressing
on top of salad I add carrots, avocado, cucumbers and sometimes red peppers (the red peppers give a little sweetness to the salad)
5 ounce piece of chicken
steamed asparagus or carrots

Snack-
greek yogurt (has a great source of protein so it actually makes me less hungry for dinner)

Dinner-
5 ounce chicken, fish (we use cod or tilapia), or turkey burgers (we use 100 cal thin bun slices, whole wheat)
brown rice
veggie of some sort

The cleanse recommends drinking green tea before bed. This is supposed to help as a appetite suppressant. I did this one of the nights and it seemed to help.

I've decided what makes this diet/cleanse easier to do is making sure you are mixing things up. If you have a salad mix up what you put on top. For lunch one day bring fish with a, cholesterol free, 30 calorie corn tortilla for a taco. If things get too repetitive you are more likely to give up on all together.

Love,
Remarkable, healthy Me

Happiness Skill #3

I really like this one and I like the way he worded it so I will copy and paste from Todd's email (referencing www.daymaker.com).

Day 3 is all about moving. Everyone of us have heard over the years about how important exercise is and depending on who we have spoken with we can get some pretty varying ideas on what we need to do to be physically fit. Well, today’s exercise is not about becoming physically fit, it is about doing some type of physical activity that we are not currently doing. It doesn’t matter what activity we choose to do.

 The healthier we are the better we feel and the more happiness we can have. Exercise releases endorphins into our blood stream, which with vigorous continued exercise, can give us a ‘runners high’ and makes us feel great. I am not suggesting we all add a new exercise into our lives that will give us this so called ‘runners high’ but we can all add some sort of physical movement which will make us feel better.

 When I began running several years ago a friend of mine commented on how proud she was that I had been so consistent at running and she wished she could do the same thing. I suggested to her that she do something less strenuous than running ‘Even if you just walk up and down the stairs ten times a day that would be a great start’. My friend took that comment to heart and she began walking up and down her stairs ten times a day. After a while, she moved to walking outside and invited her daughter to join her. In a short period of time she and her daughter were walking several miles a day and having the time of their lives talking with one another about life, their dreams and just every day stuff. Their commitment to walking inspired her husband to get into better shape as well. Now, three members of their family are feeling better about themselves, have more energy throughout the day AND, are happier because of their accomplishments.

 No matter what you set as your long-term fitness goals do this assignment and see if it helps launch you toward achieving them.

 Here is today’s activity –

 Beginning today, select ONE type of physical activity you will add into your daily routine. It does not matter how easy or difficult the activity is. For some of us, going for a walk every day will do the trick. For others, who may already go to the gym three days a week, an additional activity should be added to their routine. You can determine the fitness level of the activity you would like to add. It can be anything from stretching in a chair, walking up and down stairs to running several miles a day. What you decide to do doesn’t matter as much as actually doing it. Continue this added physical movement for the remainder of the ’21 Day’ workshop and then into the rest of you life if you like. After this workshop is over, you may want to increase your exercise. Who knows? You may increase it after the first week of this activity.

           ‘Just Do It’

I used to do pilates every morning. Not only was the waking up without a rush to get ready nice to experience, but the physical activity in the morning gave me more energy throughout my day. And as a bonus I was toning up and sliming down. I am going to use this as my activity for my happiness skill #3. I will do it for the remainder of the days and who knows, maybe by the end I will be willing to keep it up. :)

Go get physical!

You can share your experiences by emailing them to todd@daymaker.org or by posting a comment on my blog.

Happiness skill #2

A pocket full of gratitude

With your family or friends, go for a walk at a park or canyon and take turns sharing things you are grateful for including your family, home, job, car, food, clothing, etc. As you walk and share your thoughts, look on the ground for small rocks that each of you can pick up. Just ONE rock per person and make sure it is small enough to fit into your pocket…but big enough that you wont lose it.

Once you have each found a rock you like…put your rock in your pant pocket and keep it there. Every time you reach into your pocket and touch that little rock, take a few minutes and quietly express gratitude for the things you are grateful for. Just to be clear, you do not need to list EVERYTHING you are grateful for but think of 3 or 4 things as you continue doing what you were doing.

I am grateful for my family, my friends and Chris. Without the people in my life I wouldn't be who I am and without them I wouldn't know the true meaning of happiness.

Happiness :)

Salon Obsession

I have been getting my hair done from my dad's, now fiance', Audrey for about three years now. I don't only go to her because she is my dad's significant other, but because she is so very talented. I love her color line, her product line and her creativitiy. Not only is she awesome, but so are the stylists she works with. Go check them out at Salon Obsession! Also at Salon Obsession, you can check out some scarves from It's a Scarf Thing! 

21 days to happiness

I got an email invite on FB to a online workshop from Daymaker.org It provides daily assignments for 21 days. The daily assignments range from very simple to moderately difficult and are designed to provide ways for you to CREATE happiness in your daily life, even if you are already a very happy person! If you want to participate there is still time. Email Todd Sauce Farris your email address that you would like the assignments to be sent to. This is our first assignment.

Read and Repeat

Twice a Day

Iam grateful I have the choice to be happy whenever I choose to do so. I understand that outside influences can only affect me to the degree to which I allow them too and by choosing to do so, I can focus my energy and thoughts on creating happiness in any situation I am faced with. Even when I am faced with undesirable circumstances I have the choice, and exercise that choice, to find the positive and happy side of the situation. My happiness is up to me and I choose to be happy.

I put this on my mirror in my bathroom so for the next 21 days I can read it out loud when I get ready in the morning and at night before bed. :)

The cleanse continues

Please excuse the quality of pictures. They

are camera phone pics. :)

Our new steamer being put to work for the first time.

I steamed asparagus and artichoke. You set the temp at

250 and let them steam covered for only 3-4 minutes.

I didn't put any butter or salt on them because I am trying

to cut out all the additives, sugars and carbs. Even without\

all that stuff they were very delicious.

I have a cup of rice for dinner for a filler.

For this dinner I used it in the

fish tacos.

 

Chris has been getting so good at grilling.

He bought me this small grill when I was living

in my apartment so he could bbq for me when he

was there. Yes, he's a sweetheart. He has been working

on perfecting the blackened fish. We have used tilapia

most of the time, but the picture above is cod. I think

we actually liked the cod better. He likes things spicey

so the last time we were at the grocery store we were on the

hunt for some hot spices. Ground Cayenne Red Pepper

and Old Bay have been two of our favorites. But, keep

in mind, when using Old Bay it does have salt in it so

you don't need to use many other spices with a salt base.

Paprika is a good base. Most of the ingredients we have

used so far use that as the main ingredient. I use

Paprika when I am making oven-fried chicken. It's

scrumchious.

Greens have been a big filler in my diet. I have

never been a huge fan of spinach, but after eating

it for a week it's not so bad. Maybe that's because

I am so hungry. lol In my cleanse it had a simple

mixture for a dressing, but instead of hassling with

 that I just found a sugar free, low cal, no carb dressing

at the Walmart. It's a raspberry dressing. It's been a nice

sweet topping for my salads. I had shredded up some

iceberg lettuce to put in my tacos (picture on the left).

As you can see Chris was ready to eat. This week

has been hard because it's the week your appetite has

to shrink. I am very proud of us both for sticking to is

and having such will power.

Our dinner for this night was blackened fish tacos.

 Chris doesn't like ANY veggies

so he just had an extra taco and more rice than me.

I had my fish tacos on a corn tortilla that only have

30 calories per tortilla and little carbs (white to have about 150 calories).

I squeezed fresh lemon juice over my fish,

put some lettuce ontop and a dopple of salsa.

On  the side I had my asparagus and a salad. And

always, always lots of water.

I have been hearing mixed things about this

detox actually working, but I have continued

the process. So far the water is no clearer. It

is still greenish, nasty brown. But, it's only

day two. I'll keep you posted.

It has been a week since I have ran. I have let my body rest and rejuvinate. I'm going to start back up this weekend. I have missed it so I'm excited to get back out there. 54 days until Mexico and I am bound and determined to rock the hell out of that beach. ;-)



Love, Remarkable healthy ME

*For more information on the cleanse visit this link http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/cleanse-diet

*This is not the exact detox foot bath I have been doing, but it gives you an idea

http://www.gaiam.com/product/d-tox+foot+spa.do?SID=WG127SPRTAPEMACS&extcmp=life_prod

*Some good detox recipes

http://life.gaiam.com/article/5-natural-detox-drink-recipes

One of those days

I am having one of those days. The ones that the past creeps up on ya and punches you right in the heart. I have to send out some love to the people who are, sadly, no longer part of my life. I miss you and love you all every day.

Cleanse & Detox

Now that the race is over I wanted to make sure that I keep up on being healthy. Even though I have been running for three months straight I haven't lost a pound. I decided to start a cleanse/detox to meet my goal before Mexico is here. The goal is 15 pounds. I'm already at 4! I'll keep you updated along the way!

Lunch (5 ounce chicken, rice, spinach salad)

Foot Bath Detox

(It's supposed to take out all the toxins in your body)

This is called Ionic Detoxification.

The goal is that over the next few weeks

the water will get clearer and clearer.

Movie Quotes

Sharing some of my fav movie quotes. Enjoy!

Leo: How do you look at the one you love and tell yourself it's time to walk away. (The Vow)

Leo: Oh my god, first date and you're already inviting yourself to stay the night? (The Vow)

Johnny: Nobody puts Baby in a corner. (Dirty Dancing)

Edward Lewis: So what happens after he climbs up and rescues her? (Pretty Woman)
Vivian: She rescues him right back.

Edward Lewis: What's your name? (Pretty Woman)
Vivian: What do you want it to be?

To prepared to hear a lot from Sweet Home Alabama. It's my very most FAVORITE movie. :)

Young Melanie: What do you want to be married to me for, anyhow?
Young Jake: So I can kiss you anytime I want.
Jake: [not recognizing Melanie in her sunglasses] Can I help you?
Melanie Carmichael: Well, for starters, you can get your stubborn ass down here and give me a divorce.
Jake: You're shittin' me, right?
Melanie Carmichael: I never fully understood that expression, but no, I am not "shitting" you.

Bobby Ray: You can take the girl out of the honky tonk, but you can't take the honky tonk out of the girl.
Melanie Carmichael: The truth is I gave my heart away a long time ago, my whole heart, and I never really got it back.
Melanie Carmichael: You're the first boy I ever kissed, Jake, and I want you to be the last.

Jake: You show up here, after seven years, without so much as a "Hey there, Jake, remember me... your wife!" Or a, "Hi honey, lookin' good. How's the family?"
Melanie Carmichael: You expect me to tell you look good? What, did they run out of soap at the Piggly Wiggly since I left?

Lurlynn: It's funny how things don't turn out...
Melanie Carmichael: ...It's funny how they do.

Jake: Nobody finds their soul mate when they're ten. I mean, where's the fun in that, right?

A few favs from the classic comedy, Dumb and Dumber.

Harry: Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!

Harry: Skis, huh?
Beth: That's right!
Harry: Great! They yours?
Beth: Uh-huh.
Harry: Both of 'em?
Beth: Yes.
Harry: Ah... cool!
Lloyd: We got no food, no jobs... our PETS' HEADS ARE FALLING OFF!
Lloyd: Mary... I desperately wanna make love to a school boy.
Lloyd: What do you think the chances are of a guy like you and a girl like me... ending up together?
Mary: Well, Lloyd, that's difficult to say. I mean, we don't really...
Lloyd: Hit me with it! Just give it to me straight! I came a long way just to see you, Mary. The least you can do is level with me. What are my chances?
Mary: Not good.
Lloyd: You mean, not good like one out of a hundred?
Mary: I'd say more like one out of a million.
[pause]
Lloyd: So you're telling me there's a chance... *YEAH!*
Harry: Ooh, look at the buns on that one...
Lloyd: Yeah, he must work out.
Harry: What's her last name? I'll look it up.
Lloyd: You know, I don't really recall. Starts with an S! Let's see. Swim? Swammi? Slippy? Slappy? Swenson? Swanson?
Harry: Maybe it's on the briefcase.
Lloyd: Oh, yeah! It's right here.
[He reads the manufacturer's name, which is Samsonite]
Lloyd: Samsonite! I was way off! I knew it started with an S, though.
Lloyd: Wanna hear the most annoying sound in the world?
Harry: You sold my dead bird to a blind kid?

Who doesn't love Liar Liar???

Fletcher: You scratched my car!
Motorpool Guy: Where?
Fletcher: [indicating with his hands] Right there!
Motorpool Guy: OH... That was already there.
Fletcher: You - -LIAR! You know what I am going to do about this?
Motorpool Guy: what?
Fletcher: Nothing! Because if I take it to small claims court, it will just drain 8 hours out of my life and you probably won't show up and even if I got the judgment you'd just stiff me anyway; so what I am going to do is piss and moan like an impotent jerk, and then bend over and take it up the tailpipe!
Motorpool Guy: [tossing the keys to Fletcher] You've been here before haven't ya?
Fletcher: [having been charged a huge amount to get his car back. He reaches for an air freshener] I'm taking this!
Jane: Do you like my new dress?
Fletcher: What ever takes the focus off your head!
Fletcher: The pen is blue, the pen is blue, the goddamn pen is blue!
Max Reede: My teacher tells me beauty is on the inside.
Fletcher: That's just something ugly people say.
Fletcher: Weight, 105. Yeah, in your bra!

Busty Woman on Elevator: Everybody's been real nice.
Fletcher: Well, that's because you've got big jugs. I mean your boobs are huge. I mean, I wanna squeeze 'em. Mama!

Fat Coworker: Hey, what's up, Fletcher?
Fletcher: Your cholesterol, fatty!

My Grafitti with Punctuation

Chris and I just watched the movie Contagion and I thought this quote was funny.
Dr. Ian Sussman: "Blogging isn't writing. It's graffiti with punctuation."

Until I can expand my writing career my grafitti with punctuation will have to do. :)

Running your heart out + Crossing the finish line = Winner

I did it again! I crossed the finish line of the Moab Canyonlands Half Marathon! :) For those of you who have ran one before know the adrenalin and exhilaration you can get. It was just as cool of an experience as it was 4 years ago. There were uncontrollable winds this time that didn't let down though. It blew right in our face and along with it came all the dust of the canyon. But, what's a race without obstacles along the way.

 One of my favorite parts of doing this is the people you meet. People come from all over to run this half marathon. I met an awesome mom and daughter that have ran a few marathons together. They were one of the pacers for the race. They have people running with small signs that are setting paces for whatever time you are trying to shoot for. They were holding the 2:50 pacer. I ran with them from about mile 5 to 9. Along the way we would help encourage the stragglers to come with us. We had a group of about 6 or 7 of us that kept with each other for 4 miles. We were all sharing our energy treats and helped keep each other going. At mile 9 the pacers had to pull back to stay on track so I picked up my pace.

Mile 1-5 was good. I had good energy and nothing had started to hurt yet. Mile 6 my feet started to burn. I was losing energy so I ate part of my Cliff Bar right before one of the water stations. After that I had energy back, but my body was starting to feel the solid ground below me as I took every stride. I pushed through the pain and at mile 9 I got a burst of energy and made into the city pretty quick, hitting mile 11. Mile 11-13 was the absolute hardest. You come out out the canyon and have to run in the city with cars right next to you, the wind having no blocks, and you're using up your last burst of energy and strength. There is one last water station before you the last 1.1 mile stretch. It seems like the longest mile of your life. In that last stretch I was running next to a lady who has MS and has been running against her odds for 4 years. I couldn't help but feel inspired by her.

As I turned the last corner I saw the finish line. I pushed myself to the limit and finally, at 2 hours and 47 minutes, I had done it. I had finished my second half marathon. Chris was at the finish line to cheer me on and snap some pictures. Boy, was I glad to see him!

We spent one more night in Moab. We spent the majority of that time eating and sleeping, but I was just fine with that. I was sore and exhausted. I got a few blisters on my feet and my muscles are a little tense, but other than that I felt pretty good for just running 13.1 miles.

So, another half marathon is behind me. It was another amazing experience. Now to train for the next! Layton Half, here I come! :)

Pictures to come!

Something is missing

Chris and I have been thinking about getting a puppy...or two. :) I love dogs. I always feel like something is missing in my life when I don't have one. I think that my reasoning for wanting one is because one, I miss my dog Mia, and two, I need something to feed some of the baby hunger ;-)



I have always loved Huskies.




Who could say no to this face???

 

Everyone needs a dog. Everyone could use a companion to love them unconditionally.


This is not my Mia, but it reminds me of her when she was a pup. She'd lay just like this on our hardwood floors for hours in the sun.

My Mia

More than anything Mia loved to come on adventures with us. She HATED being left behind. She had so much excitement and anxiety on the car rides to wherever we were going. She would whine and pace the whole ride. lol She hated it when we put her in the back like this. She liked being in the back seat where she could put her head up by us and out the window. She came on walks with us, hikes up the mountain, trips to our parents, hung out with us when we did yard work...wherever we went Mia came too.



I may just say this because I am bias, but Mia is the prettiest chocolate lab I have ever seen. And she is the sweetest, most loveable, well mannered pup. She took the divorce very hard. She could tell that we were having problems. And every time I would go to the house to pick up something she would walk around crying and laying her head on our laps. Mia and I have always had a special bond. I was the one who spent the majority of her puppy stages training her. There were many nights, because of stupid work schedules, that I was home by myself. The thing I miss most is that I was never alone. She was always there with me. Even though I miss her everyday, I couldn't take her away from Landon. I know that she is his baby too. And I wanted her to be in her home that she recognized. She is the last thing in that house that carries both of our love. That's the way it should be. I go see her sometimes, but I haven't been for a long time. It's almost harder to see her every now and then and have to leave her. Plus, it's still very strange to pull up to my old house as a visitor. I have been talking to Chris about getting a puppy, but every time I think of it it makes me cry. I feel like I would be cheating on Mia. I feel like that would be me giving up on her and replacing her. That would never be the case. Mia is irreplaceable. She has been our baby. And no matter how many other dogs I have she will always be the one that holds a special place in my heart.