tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71919755077470030832024-03-05T15:51:35.420-08:00Mom 3 WaysI became a mom 3 different ways...all unique and amazing stories. I have a grown daughter and three teenage boys! I am an OR nurse by day & sports mom on evenings, nights, and weekends. I am also Glammy to 2 precious baby girls! I'm doing my best to embrace and enjoy the current season of life without thinking too much about the past or worrying about the future. One thing I know for sure, the seasons are always changing!!Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.comBlogger387125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-30275875331655654842020-05-26T14:18:00.001-07:002020-05-26T14:18:24.969-07:00CLOSING TIME<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is the post that I've written so many times in my head over the past few months. I have blogged off and on here for the past 13 years!! My life has changed so much since then. I've learned that often time beginnings are scary and endings are sad. But so far I have survived every single one of them!! There is so much uncertainty these days. And there are SO MANY THINGS I have ZERO control over. I have learned there are basically two things I can control: 1. MY attitude and 2. MY effort. And so this is what I have decided to focus on. I can choose to be positive no matter what my surroundings look like, and I can choose to work hard no matter what life deals me! If you know anything about me, you know I love music. I love listening and finding new songs. I love sharing songs with my people. And I love love love good lyrics! Many things that I quote often come from song lyrics. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Good vibes. Open up the champagne...pop. Ain't nothing gonna break my stride. Life is short and love is rare....we all deserve to be happy while we're here. The house don't fall when the bones are good. Breathe in...breathe out...move on. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Nothing's gonna stop us. Always be sure to count your blessings. Everything's gonna be alright. There's a song for everything (and yes that is a song lyric)!!!! Maybe I need to start a new blog all about songs I love...or maybe not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I think the point I'm trying to make is that it's time for me to hang up my blogging hat. There are so many other social media platforms that take up enough of my time, and blogging is not one of the ones I am passionate about anymore. So if you need to get your "Denise fix", you are welcome to <strike>stalk</strike> find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So to quote the song <i>Closing Time</i>..... "you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here".....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Denise out!</span></div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-16608128966365166082018-12-05T10:22:00.001-08:002018-12-05T10:22:30.928-08:00Ain't It Funny How Life Changes.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well I realize it's been a very long time (almost 8 months!) since I've written here! The last time I wrote I was getting ready for the Indy Mini Marathon in May, I was doing another Whole30, I was living my everyday normal life: going to work, taking care of kids and a house. Well I did complete another Whole30 (HOLLAR!). I also got another PR at the race on May 5th (HOLLAR!). Life was pretty good. The school year was winding down for the kids. And this is about the time the proverbial rug got pulled out from beneath me. My (then) husband filed for divorce. There had been conversations about this topic before, but I obviously did not have my eyes or ears open, nor did I believe this would ever happen to me. So I found myself looking back at the past 22 years of my life and everything that I believed and thought and trusted in. My life as I knew it no longer existed. </span></div>
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<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">Ain't it funny how life changes</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">You wake up, ain't nothing the same and life changes</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">You can't stop it, just hop on the train and</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">You never know what's gonna happen</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">You make your plans and you hear god laughing</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">Life changes, and I wouldn't change it for the world, the world, oh no</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">And I wouldn't change it for the world, the world, oh no (<i>Life Changes</i> ~Thomas Rhett)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are many things I could say about what led to my husband filing for divorce. But I do not feel this is the place to air my dirty laundry. I also know that there are two sides to every story and there is also the truth. I just have been reminding myself over and over that everything happens for a reason. It may takes weeks, months, even years to figure it all out. But nothing in life is wasted and there is always something to learn. I've also learned that just about every country song is about a relationship, a break up, or getting over a relationship or break up!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what have I been doing the last 7 months?!? (besides listening to country music)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. I've learned A. LOT. about myself. I've learned I am way stronger than I thought I could ever be. I've learned I can get shit done! I've become way more independent than I thought I ever could be. I've dealt with things I never thought I'd have to deal with. I've become a happier person. I've focused a lot on myself. I've gotten sad and mad, but have quickly gotten over it. I also found out how many people really love me! #NewMe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. I bought my house from my ex and myself. I applied and qualified for a mortgage all by myself. I got that done in less than 60 days! I then decided to paint my horrible orange and brown kitchen a beautiful shade called <i>Mindful Gray </i>and absolutely love it. It's amazing what a new paint color can do. It's kind of like starting all over which I felt like I did every single morning I got up. #BeginAgain</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. I picked up more hours at work. I officially became a 40 hours/week employee. Something I hadn't done in over 15 years! I also had to get my own insurance benefits from my employer. Something I hadn't done in over 21 years! So basically I became a functioning member of society all by myself. #LifeGoals</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. I've done more things that I never had to do before. Yard work. Unclog toilets. Take out the garbage. I've also learned to take care of myself. I've clung to everything that Whole30 taught me. I decided I could either get fit or fat the last 7 months. A friend from work and I decided at the last minute to sign up for a fall mini marathon. I think we had less than 8 weeks to train for it. And wouldn't you know we crushed it! I got my PR in November with a time I never would have thought possible. I have been healthier this time of year than I can ever remember. No Christmas chub for me this year....hallelujah! #TakingCareOfBusiness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I cling to the promise that "The Best is Yet To Come!!" When someone tells me, "You look happier" (which has happened several times), that is the best compliment I can receive. I truly believe the best years of my life are ahead of me. </span></div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-34437650429586037962018-04-25T19:38:00.000-07:002018-04-25T19:38:14.966-07:00Whole 30 So Far This Year<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought I'd do a Whole 30 2018 update.... I know everyone's been waiting for this š</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">JANUARY</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started a new round of Whole 30 on January 1st. After more than 2 months of awful eating (hello Reese's pumpkins and trees, Halloween candy, Thanksgiving, and Christmas food everywhere), I felt awful. My clothes were getting tight. My scrubs at work were getting tight. The Christmas chub really caught up with me. I'm not going to lie, this round of Whole30 was my worst one! I felt better, but not amazing like other rounds. My clothes fit a little better. And I started really training for the mini marathon which is May 5th (Cinco de Mayo). I finished my 30 days, and went back to "normal" eating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FEBRUARY</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For some reason February seemed like a really long month, even though it's the shortest. Weird. I continued adding miles each week to my running. I would do a short (3.1 mile) run on Wednesdays, then a longer run on Saturdays. Our gym started a running club, so a co-worker and I would meet at 8 am Saturdays to run. I also started eating more. My mindset was "hey I'm running lots of miles each week, so I can eat whatever I want", which is totally the wrong way to think. I would buy a treat that would turn into 3 or 4 days of eating junk. Then Monday would come and I'd try to start eating healthier, then the cycle of running/poor choices would continue. Crazy!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MARCH</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More running. More bad eating. Every time I would start to make better choices, something would pop up. I know. Life happens. Easter candy makes a yearly appearance. Chocolate is on sale...I buy it....I tell myself "it's for the kids"....then next thing I know I've eaten an entire 6 pack of Reese's Eggs. (do you see a theme here?!?) I should know better by now. I keep adding more mileage every week. And I tell myself a new round of Whole30 will start the day after Easter...April 2nd!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">APRIL</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Easter arrives. I eat a lot of food. I eat a lot of dessert. My niece made a three layer cake with buttercream frosting, and I eat a large piece. I'm almost to the point of nausea from food-overload. I know Whole30 starts tomorrow. So I wake up Monday morning rearing to go. By 3:00 that afternoon I'm dizzy, nauseous, and have a horrible headache. I try hydrating and finally take some tylenol. I want to go to bed. I know that 2 months of eating junk is not good, and my body is telling me this same information. Thankfully I wake up feeling much better the next day, and every day after that! I'm doing well this round, and I'm going to feel great for the Indy Mini Marathon. I've had two 10 mile runs the last two weeks, and have not died yet! My clothes fit so much better. My scrubs aren't tight...hallelujah! We have to order our scrubs at work, and I didn't want to have to go up a size! I keep telling myself to remember how good I feel right now. I'll update once the #IndyMini is over!!</span></div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-47603968837837375742018-03-21T09:12:00.001-07:002018-03-21T09:13:47.944-07:00My Completely Honest Review of The City Museum in St. Louis<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Itās Spring Break time here in Indiana. My kids have 2 glorious weeks off. (We are on a balanced calendar schedule, so our break is a little earlier than most schools.) Itās definitely not warm! Itās the first day of Spring, and it snowed. Iām a nurse who works with lots of other moms of school aged children, so taking time off during school breaks is a precious commodity. This year, I took Ā½ of the first week off so I could spend some time with my 12 year old twins. Their almost 17 year old brother is on a church mission trip this week. So I decided to take the twins to St. Louis rather than sit around the house and fight for 3 days. Might as well fight in another city!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iāve heard lots of good things about the City Museum, and did a little research. The day I planned to go I woke up in the hotel room with the worse case of vertigo ever. Iāve never had this before, and donāt know what cause it. Iām saying I was dehydrated from driving all day the day before, then not drinking any water the rest of the day. Who knows?!? So we got a much later start than I had planned. Our hotel was on the south side of town, so by the time we got downtown it was a little past noon. I knew the museum closed at 5:00, so weād have at least 4 hours there. It was a very cloudy cold day. The website mentioned the serpent parking lot that charges $10. I totally missed that lot, but ahead was a giant sign that said MUSEUM PARKING and a guy waving a flag. I totally fell for the flag waving, and thankfully we pulled into a ground floor spot. When I went to pay it was $15, which I wasnāt going to complain about. It was covered parking and there were free dum-dum suckers for the kids! So we left the garage and it started raining (of course I left my hooded coat in the car because I didnāt want to carry it), then the flag waving guy comes running out to tell us we are walking the wrong way (of course). So the walk to the museum in the rain took even longer. We finally find the group entrance and walk around until we find the area to pay. Iām soaked and now carrying 2 wet sweatshirts!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We paid our admission fee of $14 each person. Our total was $45.86. We were each given a City Museum bracelet to wear. They recommend writing your phone # on your kids bracelets...highly recommend. I saw 3 lost kids in the time we were thereā¦.one hysterically sobbing...and two normal frightened/lost kids. Thereās also a sign reading āNO WI-FI. PLAY WITH YOUR CHILDRENā. Also note there are no physical maps. Iām guessing this saves paper and money. But I have no idea if we saw everything in the museum or not. There is a large outdoor climbing/play area that was closed due to weather. We were bummed about this. The outside climbing area looks like lots of fun and would make for some great photos!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are tons of tunnels, slides, crawling mazes, and places kids can pop out of. Some of them you have no idea how they got there. You look up and there are kids above youā¦.pretty strange. Iām a tall mom (6ā) and Iām training for a mini marathon so my knees are not in the best shape right now. Also the vertigo was better, but I was definitely not feeling 100%. Thereās no way I could have crawled through any of these tunnels. Also the darkness kind of freaked me out. Luckily I have 2 12 year olds, so I told them they had to stay together at all times. And I showed them where Iād be waiting. Every time they found me! I would not have sent younger kids or kids by themselves through these. I saw a few loyal dads with knee pads on, and I saw a few freaked out moms because they had no idea where their kids were. There are multiple slides in the museum. The slides were my boys favorite parts. Crawling to them not so much. They were definitely sweaty after a couple of slides, and they are both in pretty good shape. I was a chubby, not in shape kid growing up, and there is no way I could have done half of the stuff in this museum when I was a kid! Seriously! Also if I had younger kids, I donāt think I would have let them climb by themselves. Like I said I saw 3 lost kids in the time we were there. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After being there for close to 2 hours, they said they were ready to go. I talked them into some food hoping theyād get a second wind. We got 2 small pizzas, 3 waters, and 2 chips for the price of $25.25. The pizza was a cracker like crust, and my kids did not enjoy it. I carried around 2 boxes of pizza the rest of the day because Iād just spent $25!! I talked them into walking around a little more. We found a couple areas we hadnāt seen yet. There was a warp wall which my boys enjoyed climbing and another slide. That lasted maybe another 30 minutes. And thatās all I could squeak out of them. By this time they were more than ready to go. So we took another rainy walk to the parking garage (we took the right way the first time), and went back to our hotel.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*We totally missed the circus. I think we would have enjoyed watching it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*The roof was closed for the season. Iām sure itās open in the summer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*Having the outside part open would have been way more enjoyable for my kids.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*We bought nothing at the gift shop. My boys didnāt even want to look inside!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*No one in my party got lost!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So thatās this momās take on the City Museum. When I asked my boys if theyād go back they said only if they could play outside.</span></span></div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-83981649235609990122018-02-14T11:50:00.000-08:002018-02-14T11:50:06.857-08:00The Masterpiece<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Valentine's Day! Just a quick book I want to share with you all. Yes, its' a love story, but it is also a great read!! This was originally an Instagram post, so I actually finished this book a week ago...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">So I just finished The Masterpiece this morning! Redemption and Romance are the two themes woven throughout this story. She uses a graffiti artist as one of the main characters which I found interesting! I loved getting to know the two main characters and how they use the past to connect to their future. Kind of like the love God offers us on a daily basis.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favorite quote from the book.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">āGod had been drawing them to Him from the time they were children, both desperately in need and longing for a father. Long before they knew Him, he had been at work in their lives. The Lord had promised those who believe that He would take away the stony, stubborn heart; give them a tender, responsive heart; and put His Spirit in them so they could follow Him.ā </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj028nb22fnBelc0kDH_cDe5svrSGgx7S6Ht4aNU6h0nXv4H-SIOej-LwMn3HqVfA49yvc47eULivW_vLoBVIICmPXVh7b6SR_TY9j5edzU-wwcXJMzFTTj6Y-di7WIMjUIF-1jz8JgIEM/s1600/mp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="420" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj028nb22fnBelc0kDH_cDe5svrSGgx7S6Ht4aNU6h0nXv4H-SIOej-LwMn3HqVfA49yvc47eULivW_vLoBVIICmPXVh7b6SR_TY9j5edzU-wwcXJMzFTTj6Y-di7WIMjUIF-1jz8JgIEM/s320/mp.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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As a Tyndale blogger, I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review. Opinions are mine.</div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-41021423469045188832018-02-01T19:34:00.001-08:002018-02-07T14:37:34.906-08:00Whole 30<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9db2WXT35zDijX1n7MIpL0w1skv9bWPvrV0tVSZxpr3luvNGaZ3GXBVuiqa5MAVKjs63BBrCGcJFiJiyAzFIjAG4lMgXN0zRCAG5Qlc8Ue0GdV3OfWoUHXHf16exQfCNXSMZppJc6Bvg/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="136" data-original-width="369" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9db2WXT35zDijX1n7MIpL0w1skv9bWPvrV0tVSZxpr3luvNGaZ3GXBVuiqa5MAVKjs63BBrCGcJFiJiyAzFIjAG4lMgXN0zRCAG5Qlc8Ue0GdV3OfWoUHXHf16exQfCNXSMZppJc6Bvg/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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* <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">photo from <a href="https://whole30.com/i-finished-the-whole30/">whole30.com</a></span> *</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I just finished another round of Whole30 yesterday! I honestly canāt remember how many rounds Iāve officially finished. Iām thinking 3 maybe 4? Anyway January this year has been the slowest month ever. I just saw an Instagram post that said it feels like January 74th.... and thatās exactly how I feel. Iām hoping February goes a little faster. To celebrate my Whole30 today I ate a Greek yogurt (the zero additives kind which I'm pretty sure was a Kroger freebie) and a handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips because I know how to par-tay!!! What do the next 30 days look like? Iām thinking more healthy eating and more Whole30. The Indy Mini will be here before I know it. Then summertime! Come on May!! Come on warm weather. Iām never going to complain about it being too hot after this winter. (Yea right!?!) </span></div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-60199852581746216712017-09-20T14:44:00.000-07:002017-09-20T18:09:38.150-07:00Cross Country Mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So this year one of my boys decided to try a new sport. And I am so excited!! Last spring after a not-so-stellar basketball season (it's tough being short), this kid decided to go to tennis camp. He really enjoyed it, the Jr Hi coach was very encouraging. She even sent us names of people who offered private lessons if he was interested. So I thought he would definitely want to play tennis. However, the last day of school he brought home a flyer about cross country conditioning for the entire summer, and said he wanted to go really bad! I thought it would last a day, boy was I wrong. This meant finding him a ride for the mornings, and him getting up early twice a week the entire summer. Which he did and never complained. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fast forward to cross country season, and he is still in love with running. And I am in love with cross country. I never thought I would say that sentence. Here are some reasons I love this sport....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. There are no referees! Which means no parent yelling at the referees. It's amazing! No "you suck", "that was a horrible call", "where are your glasses?", "I can tell this is your home town", "blow the #$%&@ whistle", "are you kidding me?!?". (all of which I've heard spectators yell)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. No one is telling the kids all the bad things they are doing. No "that was a bad pass", "why didn't you catch that?", "are you kidding me?", "are you going to play or not? you're wasting my time." (all of which I've heard parents yell at kids)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPgt_CYnhywrdbUfD41z-2Y0RNBkCIEZ9fUir1yEf_mgmGLS5AguNaxqhm12jTVEG0sLkdT2UxZFnANkLw_H7_p52mHq3J1xXdfqFOHnKoahoOQaYTkFgd6ZZoNqwmVtJY8qrg3oVaUc/s1600/1_IMG_7183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPgt_CYnhywrdbUfD41z-2Y0RNBkCIEZ9fUir1yEf_mgmGLS5AguNaxqhm12jTVEG0sLkdT2UxZFnANkLw_H7_p52mHq3J1xXdfqFOHnKoahoOQaYTkFgd6ZZoNqwmVtJY8qrg3oVaUc/s320/1_IMG_7183.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Everyone is cheering for everyone. First place or last place, everyone gets cheered for. It is so encouraging to see the slowest runner still being rooted for. I've seriously gotten a little emotional watching some of these kids run. To see all the hard work these kids have put in and the hours of running they've done just gets me all choked up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. It's an individual sport and a team sport. I have no idea how the scoring/point system works. I do know it helps to have several fast runners on one team. Our boys team has won meets without a 1st or 2nd place runner. (still don't understand that) So you are not only running for yourself, but also the others on your team.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPGHRyWYH0PzXePFNTCOkWPxCKa-NTrS2s_R_7O7NMIjJEJ2SPWJT_eoCzKhhNb-Wrzen-yhG1kZ9KyU6L18xUTfun_497BdGYklT0GYJfXpCpGKPtd2rTcrqlCtwidD5YM7yNoWvHeQ/s1600/1_IMG_7216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPGHRyWYH0PzXePFNTCOkWPxCKa-NTrS2s_R_7O7NMIjJEJ2SPWJT_eoCzKhhNb-Wrzen-yhG1kZ9KyU6L18xUTfun_497BdGYklT0GYJfXpCpGKPtd2rTcrqlCtwidD5YM7yNoWvHeQ/s320/1_IMG_7216.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. And lastly I love cross country because of this guy right here. Our team has 4 7th graders who are pretty fast, and they are already talking about next season. He's also trying to talk his twin brother (who is fast/plays soccer) into joining cross country in 8th grade. If this happens, I'll fall even more in love!!! #allthehearts #XC</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheR3-ywVQNj4Dh_bAREgDt4xB6_ceeQmvcbtaDlfRX3fOmUm7N0-K0wUaVubEixFIV4XwTh4kkkFGa3ilDraSD0zSzhzvHn2IDch8ShNlkKa2IeUouJBeUY6-rEuWR4neX5FPVlzSSz6k/s1600/1_IMG_7231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="767" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheR3-ywVQNj4Dh_bAREgDt4xB6_ceeQmvcbtaDlfRX3fOmUm7N0-K0wUaVubEixFIV4XwTh4kkkFGa3ilDraSD0zSzhzvHn2IDch8ShNlkKa2IeUouJBeUY6-rEuWR4neX5FPVlzSSz6k/s320/1_IMG_7231.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-45021777919520107702017-07-02T11:03:00.000-07:002017-07-02T11:03:34.456-07:00Summer = Half Over!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First I have to say that this summer is flying by. June went way too fast. July will go even faster I'm sure. Then school starts August 2nd! I cannot believe I will have a junior in high school (who just got his driver's license this week!) and two boys in junior high. Also recently I just figured out that when my oldest is a freshman in college, I'll have two freshman in high school....3 freshman in one year. SLOW DOWN TIME......</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are some fun things we did this June. Our middle son played in a weekend soccer tournament and they ended up in 2nd place. We had a very rough soccer season with not a lot of wins, so it was nice to end the season with a few wins and a plaque for being in the final game. We have about 6 weeks of no soccer, then we will be back at it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOA5igU0FarQEqs00jL9hxbojsmfxnhwJ0EZ6a2Jl_sj2qASAio38UeouICBKS7-6fkiCVXyQRm_M15xry4rPVRe6-SuJsfs_IhgjUQUN18ZGEY9x51ZXSwlCeuIwkYA_EakW1saNuTk/s1600/IMG_6783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOA5igU0FarQEqs00jL9hxbojsmfxnhwJ0EZ6a2Jl_sj2qASAio38UeouICBKS7-6fkiCVXyQRm_M15xry4rPVRe6-SuJsfs_IhgjUQUN18ZGEY9x51ZXSwlCeuIwkYA_EakW1saNuTk/s320/IMG_6783.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The boys have been begging me to sign them up for a mini marathon, so I told them they had to start small. We did a local 5K in our town a few weekends ago. Let's just say these boys are fast. This was all of us before the race. Devin has a face of fear, although he has been going to cross-country conditioning at the junior high all summer. They ended up finishing 2nd and 3rd place just behind the cross-country coach who is very fast. I jogged slowly with a friend from work, and we all survived!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87WGORdLmwT3VOBrfIahIIIJcG6973OSJRPifEa8NNF-vb9_gSwLDrzF8IcayrB4XNb_2_733ZR7K8l4dEC1JvccpqLDU8zBzWDjSnfkhx8b5fdwCQX7Ol4VQsGMj4c26OLJbLTLA16k/s1600/IMG_6797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87WGORdLmwT3VOBrfIahIIIJcG6973OSJRPifEa8NNF-vb9_gSwLDrzF8IcayrB4XNb_2_733ZR7K8l4dEC1JvccpqLDU8zBzWDjSnfkhx8b5fdwCQX7Ol4VQsGMj4c26OLJbLTLA16k/s320/IMG_6797.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This guy's cross country conditioning definitely paid off because he beat his brother! Which was his ultimate goal. He really enjoys running, his brother not so much. We have already signed up for his second 5K in August which is at Lucas Oil Stadium. So we will keep on training. His cross country team has a goal of running a total of 100 miles this summer, so he needs to get moving. It definitely has kept me motivated to do the same!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqgJ79z4OSOO0YQXhNodJUGdbxYx7CkAzanHo0JHgitzCAGowOtqYeMUEHQcSU7okWqgpq3YWXuRad09YFp5PZUqhpuB2YKVvm3-7aXPhyEOQuwByyXbjz8qrn3hJga5aCm3eNfbxOrM/s1600/IMG_6798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqgJ79z4OSOO0YQXhNodJUGdbxYx7CkAzanHo0JHgitzCAGowOtqYeMUEHQcSU7okWqgpq3YWXuRad09YFp5PZUqhpuB2YKVvm3-7aXPhyEOQuwByyXbjz8qrn3hJga5aCm3eNfbxOrM/s320/IMG_6798.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-84750367840601511002017-05-29T17:52:00.001-07:002017-05-29T17:52:20.868-07:00May is almost Over!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cannot believe May is almost over. Another Indy 500 is finished. School is out for the summer. Let the fun begin. I have lived in Indiana for 37 of my 42 years of life and have been to zero Indy 500 races. Growing up, this was never anything anyone in my family did. I've learned there are racing families and there are non-racing families. I definitely am the non-racing family variety. Fun fact, my sister married into a racing family (I did not), and my 16 year old son has been to several races with her son. Maybe one year, I will go with them. Just to say I've attended...I think one race would be enough for me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just wanted everyone to know (in case you don't follow my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mom_3ways/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, which you totally should) that I did in fact finish the mini marathon with my best time ever. 2:39:17!!! My average mile time was 12:08/mile which I was so excited about after training on the treadmill with a 12:00 mile pace. The weather that morning was very iffy...it looked like lots of rain would be happening. However it ended up being a great day, and I ran most of the race with a rain jacket tied around my waist. This year is the best I have felt before, during, and after. I think my training and doing the Whole30 helped me. I finished 36 days of Whole30 to get me to race day, then the next day we celebrated Mother's Day a week early where I ate a giant piece of <a href="https://thecakebakeshop.com/shop/millionaire-cake/" target="_blank">cake at The Cake Bake Shop</a>. It was well worth it...not one single regret!! I really believe eating Whole30 changes a lot of things for me including my attitude and how I feel in general. So my plan is to stick to Whole30 for 99.9% of the time. I did add sugar-free creamer to my diet (I know...chemicals and such, but it's so good!), and I plan to allow myself one treat on the weekend. So far, so good!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what's next for me? I want to continue jogging 3-4 miles twice a week. The boys really want to do a 5K this summer, so I am planning on signing us up for one. They also want to join the jr. high cross country team, so they will need to also jog/run each week. I keep telling them they are not going to be lazy all summer! Hopefully they will read some?!? (which can be very painful to enforce) And does the amount of toilet paper consumed during the summer quadruple, or is that just at my house?!? I'm thinking of ordering toilet paper on Amazon because I'm afraid we will run out.</span></div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-69827485976532213292017-04-26T17:59:00.001-07:002017-04-26T17:59:11.131-07:00Whole30 + Mini Marathon Training = One Crazy Month!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it's been another long stretch since I've posted on the blog! I'm definitely more active on Instagram, and I've noticed lots of bloggers I loved to follow have fallen off the blogging wagon. Maybe it's because of the ages of our kids that keep us busy, busy, busy!! It's fun having things to do, but sometimes it's more fun having NOTHING to do (which rarely happens in my case!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Indy Mini Marathon is quickly approaching, and I've been putting on the miles at the gym on the treadmill. One thing that definitely has helped this time is the mini iPad. I've been catching up on lots of shows (The Middle, American Housewife, and The Goldbergs mostly) that I never have time to watch at home. I've been going to the gym 2 days a week (my day off work, then Saturday or Sunday depending on sports schedules) and doing a short run (3-4 miles) during the week and a long run on the weekend. The longest weekend run before the race will be 8 miles which is longer than last year's training regime. So all in all I'm feeling pretty good about May 6th and am not dreading it yet! I think I said last year I was going to keep running after the mini, but that did not happen. In fact, I didn't start training this year until February....yikes! Much later than I had planned originally, but at least I got started and was able to keep with it. This will be my 5th Indy Mini, and I hope to beat my previous times....we shall see! Here's my official running plan I made myself....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now about the Whole30!!! April 1st I started a new round of Whole30. If you follow Melissa Hartwig at all on social media, you know she encouraged her followers to start a round of Whole30 on that date. Looking at the calendar, the month included Easter (think Reese's Eggs) and my twin's birthday (think peanut butter icing), so I knew if I made the commitment, I'd be missing out on two of my favorite things to eat. Now granted, after doing Whole30 several times, I try my hardest to eat that way 90% of the time. But for some reason this year after the holidays, my eating went way down hill. As I described it to my co-workers, <span style="font-size: large;">"I fell off the wagon, then rolled down the hill!!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a very bad thing if you want your clothes to fit...which is where I was. My jeans were tight and I just felt bad most of the time. So I made the commitment to doing Whole30 the month of April, and I survived Easter and the birthday without cheating. And let's just say I'm so glad I did! Here are the benefits that I have noticed after 26 days of this.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. my clothes fit again</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I swear my body has Whole 30 memory</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. my back fat has gotten smaller</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. my mini marathon training has felt great (I don't dread getting on the treadmill....HUGE!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. all around I think my mood/attitude is better (my family might protest this one)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'm so glad I decided to do this again. Technically this round is over April 30th, but I think I'm going to go for a Whole36 so I don't mess myself up before the mini. I'd hate to have issues in the middle of Speedway, Indiana with only port-a-pots. What's the first thing I'm eating day 37, I'm not sure yet....but I'm leaning towards this!!</span></div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-75016695630331872412017-03-19T18:00:00.000-07:002017-03-19T18:00:30.171-07:00Just Some Numbers<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ZERO....the number of LuLuRoe items of clothing that I own. All of a sudden, everyone on Facebook is posting about LuLuRoe leggings, tunics, dresses, tops, etc.... They all have names and fit differently and you have to have a LuLuRoe unboxing Facebook video... I just don't get it! Maybe that's why I have no clothing items from them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">SEVEN....the number of times I cried while my twins and I watched <i>A Dog's Purpose</i> at the movie theatre yesterday. In my defense I begged them to go see <i>Beauty and the Beast </i>with me, but they turned me down. I compromised by going to see a movie about a dog. Boy was it emotional. I guess I cannot handle dogs dying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ELEVEN...the number of days until I have a 16 year old boy. I am mostly excited for 16 because it means 90 days later he can get his drivers license. This means less running him around and a little more freedom for him. It also means insurance for a 16 year old boy which I am not excited about!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">SEVEN HUNDRED....the number of hours I've watched NCAA men's basketball since the March Madness tournament began. We did another family bracket, and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to win this year. (again)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">THIRTY SEVEN...the number of times I swept up dog hair this week. There is something about spring and dogs, and it drives me crazy. It's insane here. I'm hoping it ends soon!</span></div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-83543971487989210682016-11-15T05:50:00.001-08:002016-11-15T05:50:15.648-08:00A Few Weeks.....<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have been so busy! It seems like everyone I talk to is busy. Our kids and jobs definitely keep us very busy. This time of year always seems to get busier with four exciting holidays right in a row (Boo Boo!! Gobble Gobble!! Ho Ho!! Happy New Year!!) It's also the start of basketball season, and with three boys in three different leagues, we are definitely going to get busier.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last weekend we ended our middle son's travel soccer season (he's the only one that plays a dedicated fall sport). We were at a tournament for the weekend, and sadly the games were not in our favor. It was ok, but we were definitely bummed after not scoring a single goal two games in a row. The coach quickly got the team together to say a fast goodbye (he had another son playing on a different field). As he was walking away he said, "see you in a couple weeks". And us moms who are trying to gather our kids, bags, chairs, water bottles, and soccer balls look at each other thinking "a couple weeks?!? What?!?" The season is over....spring soccer is months away! As the coach is walking away a mom yells, "what's in a couple weeks???" He stopped, thought, and replied, "indoor conditioning starts right after January 1st....it will seem like a couple of weeks to you all!" This totally got me thinking that "YES! it will feel like a couple of weeks!!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a couple of weeks, Thanksgiving will be over, Christmas shopping will need to be finished, then it will be 2017! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On that note, I wanted to include a couple of referral links. If you don't have Swagbucks, Ebates, or Ibotta, I highly recommend you getting these apps. They save me money (not tons of money, but money none the less!) I am saving my Swagbucks for an Amazon gift card to buy Christmas gifts. I just got a $30 check from Ebates in the mail! And I have over $200 in my Ibotta Christmas fund!! These are definitely wins for me and you too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/evanoff213" target="_blank">SWAGBUCKS</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.ebates.com/r/DGPANG2?eeid=28187" target="_blank">EBATES</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://ibotta.com/r/grw6jw" target="_blank">IBOTTA</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Shopping to you!! And see you in a couple of weeks, or maybe in January!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-35676781603362956602016-08-11T19:12:00.002-07:002016-08-11T19:12:45.097-07:00Summer is Over!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Am I the only one that feels like June and July lasted 5 minutes each?!? It's crazy how fast the 2 months went. The boys felt the same way! We did not take an organized family vacation this summer. We have plans to travel for fall break in October. They did get to go to Kentucky twice for a long weekend, but other than that we stayed close to home. I picked 2 pictures for each boy to describe their summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Row 1. We went to the public pool quit a bit this summer. My 11 year old twins begged me to let them ride their bikes by themselves to the pool, but I didn't think they were ready for it. They did however convince my mom that I let them do this, and they got a free day of swimming while I was at work. We watched lots of NBA playoffs in June. I have a huge Steph Curry/Golden State Warriors fan, and he was very upset when the Cavaliers won the playoffs. He found his brother's shirt, and we staged this picture to text him. (No actual Cavalier/Lebron James shirt was harmed in the making of this picture)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Row 2. My middle son had a summer of soccer. We played a few games then a weekend tournament in June. It was the hottest weekend we had (so far), and we sat in the hot, humid weather. His team ended up winning the championship game (by default...the team they were supposed to play didn't show up. They did go undefeated, my son scored a goal (I may have knocked over my chair cheering for him), and it was a great end to their season. After bringing home a recipe book from the library, I asked him to pick out a recipe to make. He picked homemade strawberry shortcakes, something I had never made before. This was the shortcake dough which ended up tasting just ok. Not a favorite dessert by any means.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Row 3. My oldest son cleaned out his closet and sadly he threw out his rock and fossil collection. It made me a little sad to see these in the trash pile. He used to be into rocks, fossils, and sea creatures big time. Lots of time collecting and researching and it's all over. One weekend the twins were gone, I took him and a friend to an indoor rock climbing place (Climb Time Indy), and they had lots of fun. This was how he felt after an hour at the place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And now that their summer is "officially" over, they are almost done with 2 weeks of school. Only 7 more weeks until fall break (not that we're counting or anything)!! I had to go to work their first day, so I was sent these pictures. Not too bad! We are going to kick some sixth grade and sophomore butt!!</span></div>
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<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-72417271481909440362016-06-12T19:23:00.000-07:002016-06-12T19:24:31.442-07:00May Photo Dump<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know it's already June, and I'm totally behind the times. But it's my blog, and I'll do what I want to. The first 2 pictures are my Mother's Day surprises from my kids. Megan, Garret, and Harley had flowers delivered to me at work the Friday before; It was so nice to be surprised by beautiful flowers from my Colorado peeps. The second picture is my new Yeti mug {which I LOVE!!}. The camo thermos was what Steve wrapped up to give me first...he printed off the YETI words and taped it to the thermos. Then told me he just saved us 40 bucks.....He's so funny. Then he gave me the real YETI cup which I have taken to and from work every day since then. It's awesome!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We celebrate Health Care Team Week at my work every year, and this year's theme was FIESTA!! We had so much fun every day with different activities. The OR was in charge of the salsa/guacamole contest that week. You can tell by the picture what great participation we had. And yours truly came in second with a tasty pineapple salsa I made. Sadly there was no second place prize.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One evening I stopped at my sister's house to use her Cricut machine to make a big "D" to put on my YETI cup. Since they are becoming more popular, I don't want anyone to accidentally drink out of my cup! That would be bad!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And what's May without finishing up the school year with a wonderful fifth grade history project. Both of my 5th graders needed to get a good grade on this project, so I put dad in charge of making Conestoga Wagons (with the boys help, or course!). We made two of the exact same thing, then each boy had to have a presentation typed out to present to the class. Both of their presentations were similar, with just a few personal tweaks. It's funny that there was a 10% difference in their project grades! Although their presentations might have been what caused that. Who knows!?! But the final Conestoga Wagons turned out great! I told my husband he could sell the pattern to 4th grade parents for next year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">May is race month in Indiana, and I've never been to the Indianapolis 500. I've lived here 36 out of my 41 years and have yet to see the actual race. This year we did go to the parade for the first (and last) time. It was ok, just really really hot sitting on metal bleachers in the sun. I did get this close to Mrs. Brady (aka Florence Henderson). There were several other celebrities, but none as exciting as her!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And lastly we survived 5th grade. Barely. The boys love to dab as you can see in this picture. They are so thankful it's summer. They've already been staying up way too late (thanks to the NBA playoffs) and trying to get away with anything they (or the neighbors) can think of. August 1st will be here before we know it. Because as we all know, the days go slow, but the years go fast!!</span></div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-26451536310794777892016-05-17T13:32:00.000-07:002016-05-17T13:32:06.168-07:00Indy Mini Marathon Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the Indy Mini is over, and I am so glad! Let's just say every year I go to bed the night before the race and say a quiet prayer. It involves rain and lightning and the race being cancelled. And again this year I woke up to clear skies, a slight breeze, and the forecast showing sun until the race would be over. So once again I drug myself out of bed and met the girls I ride with every year and found myself in Corral X waiting and waiting with the huge mass of people. The view is always a good one, and I love what they did to the side of the JW Marriott. May is definitely all about Indy Car Racing in Indiana!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMxYiSPhwsgTzWLWvWbAX2H1brGbhyIqNaGG_C3hj4-16lNlHVv4VEJzbOUv2IpGjNjPcEVjrh_NJh0bz4AUysnLiedkSIHJywMqzOBpNW7y8VLAL-E5yiGkBQDxJ3FxjFVzyYEQqpuo/s1600/IMG_4330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMxYiSPhwsgTzWLWvWbAX2H1brGbhyIqNaGG_C3hj4-16lNlHVv4VEJzbOUv2IpGjNjPcEVjrh_NJh0bz4AUysnLiedkSIHJywMqzOBpNW7y8VLAL-E5yiGkBQDxJ3FxjFVzyYEQqpuo/s320/IMG_4330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this year I actually started training in January (unlike any other year), and I was looking forward to seeing how it would pay off in the end. I was able to do 6 solid miles at a 12 min/mile pace on the treadmill. The one thing I did not do was run outside at all. This had me a little nervous because I wasn't sure I would be able to pace myself at this speed. I quickly found a lady who was going the pace I felt like was 12 minute miles and decided just to follow her. It worked out great....until she started walking at mile 3! So I decided to see how far I could go without stopping to walk. And guess what? The training paid off big time! I was able to complete the whole 13.1 miles without stopping to walk (unless I was forced to by the people in front of me, or if I got stuck in a water pit stop). Here you can see I kept my 12 minute mile pace roughly close. When I saw my pace or the whole race, I was thrilled. And to finish under 3 hours was the icing on the cake (more on that later)!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp4n8yjY_gS1gO52P_gAKwRoSMfc1ysvxJSE_EmdFqJRKlXmIAzWJz7rffwjVHgAYBCeCQYZTE4mIOf4uoeCJj_wSo-UoYTLihdDutWrQL3ASR_kN9gXLshdAl052uvJWZ4BYqneKQgQ/s1600/IMG_4348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp4n8yjY_gS1gO52P_gAKwRoSMfc1ysvxJSE_EmdFqJRKlXmIAzWJz7rffwjVHgAYBCeCQYZTE4mIOf4uoeCJj_wSo-UoYTLihdDutWrQL3ASR_kN9gXLshdAl052uvJWZ4BYqneKQgQ/s320/IMG_4348.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The medal they handed out this year was my favorite so far. With the 40th running of this particular race, I think the design is perfect. As a lady in her 40s, I appreciate it a little more!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My employer gave out free Fitbit zips this year, so I was able to see how many steps I actually took that day. I'm pretty sure I won't see numbers like that again until next May. Yes, I've already signed up for next year! I couldn't resist the $10 discount they offer right after the race. Now I need to work on my goal for next year!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lFlR-mAiWdfSSnLmZ5jvRIxwA0jQx17qLlVwwKi5OK4DhuSlDXmhStoTL3yZ-wqSOKU8lBVAgJU9nsU4ZnqcD6oGSnjbbkykQjku4Nk74DWWfWUEmK4oLpnbVBxsPviMyTLeRU8lqqQ/s1600/IMG_4337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lFlR-mAiWdfSSnLmZ5jvRIxwA0jQx17qLlVwwKi5OK4DhuSlDXmhStoTL3yZ-wqSOKU8lBVAgJU9nsU4ZnqcD6oGSnjbbkykQjku4Nk74DWWfWUEmK4oLpnbVBxsPviMyTLeRU8lqqQ/s320/IMG_4337.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my 4th Indy Mini, but only the 3rd under my own name (a friend gave me her entry the first year, so I was Jenny that time). You can find your archived times on the Indy Mini Marathon website. And I absolutely love seeing the progress I've made! Momma has gotten faster in her old age!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHh3oaIjjD21Ie6l2JObIhcqz8T9U43IDirgLwIgejhEiGLrthOLyrh82D1Onc6xYqlyMNkhFfbb7qecPUSRpZKowFFR5bECSDy-KuZ8PQgJRddUq5l_CHqbJI7KF0-Re_rtjHUxOpnmA/s1600/IMG_4349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHh3oaIjjD21Ie6l2JObIhcqz8T9U43IDirgLwIgejhEiGLrthOLyrh82D1Onc6xYqlyMNkhFfbb7qecPUSRpZKowFFR5bECSDy-KuZ8PQgJRddUq5l_CHqbJI7KF0-Re_rtjHUxOpnmA/s320/IMG_4349.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't do a post without sharing this beauty. Oh my word!! Marathon Foto, I will not be ordering this or any pictures from you. (This was the best one!) I cannot decide if I am in pain, need to use the bathroom, or just plain crazy here. I've offered 8x10s to my family, but so far no one has taken me up on the offer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_1Ihyfsqq7Agl1Zu5FnPKN9CUbU-oTutN-VUVnp6IZFhWmQ6BUpCy8VZ_yiZwT7hxdJzIdeDx_0Oi549g8OJLpk63kBK9eEAI5zX6OLAlY6GcibtZ7Ee1liuay6GFuWOV96AflHxCx4/s1600/IMG_4353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_1Ihyfsqq7Agl1Zu5FnPKN9CUbU-oTutN-VUVnp6IZFhWmQ6BUpCy8VZ_yiZwT7hxdJzIdeDx_0Oi549g8OJLpk63kBK9eEAI5zX6OLAlY6GcibtZ7Ee1liuay6GFuWOV96AflHxCx4/s320/IMG_4353.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I talked about cake earlier, and this was part of what I ate Saturday evening after the race. I was able to join my mom, sister, and niece for a Mother's Day celebration that evening. I was glad to be able to walk and sit down without too much pain. This banana cake with peanut butter icing from The Cake Bake Shoppe was delicious. I ate it all without feeling one bit guilty!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiSz1s6wNb7JNfcXqAJQ71av3lvj7I7xQ2T3fqnkVC02yo2OTjmnffXGstP52bJPKwP6JoUrXj0wE7aj8TWzCUCE8Gj8RmEoK4KVSZ4oci41KuAkKEGvZAh4DPns6ebvdl8zdNmwMXQg/s1600/IMG_4336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiSz1s6wNb7JNfcXqAJQ71av3lvj7I7xQ2T3fqnkVC02yo2OTjmnffXGstP52bJPKwP6JoUrXj0wE7aj8TWzCUCE8Gj8RmEoK4KVSZ4oci41KuAkKEGvZAh4DPns6ebvdl8zdNmwMXQg/s320/IMG_4336.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Final thoughts about this year's mini marathon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. I'm so glad I trained this year! My longest training run was 6 miles which felt like forever on the treadmill. For next year, I think a longer training run will be in order.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I bought a FlipBelt at the packet pick-up/vendor expo and was very glad I did. In the past I have dropped my phone at least twice during the race. I did not have to worry about it at all the entire time. And I didn't have to switch hands or worry about getting drinks at the pit stops with a phone in one hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. I used wireless headphones which I highly recommend. One less thing to worry about!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. I want to continue to do a run at least once a week. I'm thinking 3.1 miles sounds good now, and it will feel like a breeze compared to 13.1!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. May 6, 2017 will be here before I know it! Time flies.</span></div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-63101915044584620112016-04-12T12:52:00.002-07:002016-04-12T12:52:49.108-07:00On Running....<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the last 3 years, I have walked the Indy Mini Marathon. I've not trained at all, go walk 13.1 miles, then moan, groan, and hobble around for several days afterwards. Then about day 3 after the walking, I say out loud, "I'm never doing that again". Then on day 7 or 8 after the marathon, they always send an email that includes $10 off next year's race if you sign up now. And guess what I do?!? Of course I sign up. Because by this time I'm {mostly} walking like a normal human being.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year in January I decided 2016 was going to be different. I was actually going to train for this year's mini marathon. I had grand ideas of starting slowly (around 3-3.5 miles), then gradually adding a mile or so each week. Which was all good until I got to mile 6. It seems I can't get past mile 6 (which isn't even half of the race). I have been doing all my training on the treadmills at the gym because of our Midwest winter that will not go away. And going one more second past mile 6 has me wanting to cry! I've kind of looked at training plans and I should be up to about 10 miles if I want to really do the whole mini without walking. So we shall see..... I have 3 more Saturdays {when I do my longer runs} until the actual race. Maybe I can get past 6 miles. Maybe not. Either way I hope and pray that I don't hobble around like an old lady the week afterwards. And I'm pretty sure this will be my last Indy Mini {until I get the $10 off next year email....}!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*I am not a real runner by any means. When I say run, it's more of a slow jog/trot.*<br />*My pace is about a 12 minute mile. Like I said I am not a real runner.*</span><br />
<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-71369256582958775802016-03-29T19:43:00.000-07:002016-03-29T19:43:37.223-07:00Interview With a Fifteen Year Old!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last time I interviewed this kid on my blog he was turning <a href="http://mom3ways.blogspot.com/2009/03/interview-with-eight-year-old.html" target="_blank">eight years old</a>! I blinked and now he is fifteen. How does this happen? Where does the time go? How do some days drag on and on, but the year flies by? In fifteen years my oldest son will be thirty! This will be an exciting year in his life with driver's ed, getting a learner's permit, and finishing the first year of high school. I am looking forward to the day he can drive himself to practice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So without further ado, here is the {long awaited} Interview With a Fifteen Year Old!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is your favorite subject in school? Radio and TV</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is your favorite restaurant? Fogo De Chao (un-ending meat)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is your boy best friend? Andrew Chase Joshua (that's 3 boys)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is your girl best friend? Alex R and Haley C</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is your favorite TV show? Fresh Prince of Bel-Air</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is your favorite school lunch? Pizza Calzone</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What size shoe do you wear? 12</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is your favorite drink? Arizona drinks or FIJI water</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is your favorite thing to do outside? hoop</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is your favorite animal? (still) a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Beautiful%20Planet" target="_blank">stingray</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you want to be when you grow up? Hooper or Sports broadcaster</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is your favorite singer? Kanye West, Childish Gambino, and Lil Wayne</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being mom to this kid is fun, entertaining, exciting, and unpredictable. Noah is a loyal brother and friend, a great student, and an entrepreneur. He is a good communicator, and I love watching him play basketball. If you can't tell, I am very proud of him and cannot wait to see where the next few years take him!</span></div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-77002709210528250812016-01-12T16:52:00.002-08:002016-01-12T16:53:45.590-08:00Updates (aka It's Been a While Since I've Blogged)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKapM8Q6utdIjS5x9nCvN_EQfGBMFmz5ZUP3hju8SwjEBY3ND3Rcu0jiWWhmHF5Ar-iKOtKuoX1zB6hy-4bBID2BMETieiuaHnei1VRl21Cf9jHQJ2PM-gUfAGA-JujY8uj9p4sUxgg4M/s1600/air.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKapM8Q6utdIjS5x9nCvN_EQfGBMFmz5ZUP3hju8SwjEBY3ND3Rcu0jiWWhmHF5Ar-iKOtKuoX1zB6hy-4bBID2BMETieiuaHnei1VRl21Cf9jHQJ2PM-gUfAGA-JujY8uj9p4sUxgg4M/s320/air.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's winter here in Indiana. We have been blessed with a very mild winter until the cold and snow hit us on Saturday night. Since then it's been freezing cold, snowy, and icy. I had to drag out boots, gloves, hats, and real winter coats. We have seriously been wearing jackets and vests before this weather hit! We've already lost gloves and discovered boots from last year don't fit. Who's ready for spring?!? This girl!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realize it's been a long time since I've written anything, so I thought I'd explain what has been happening around here...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Basketball. I have a freshman playing school ball and a fifth grader playing travel ball. We go to lots of games and practices. I am so looking forward to when my oldest son can drive!! I have kept track of how many books I've read for the past few years. This year I am going to keep track of how many basketball games I watch (and think of all the time I could be reading.....sigh!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Work. I bit the bullet in November and officially picked up full time hours (36 hours/week) at my real job. Lots of factors went into this decision, and so far I am surviving. I've been blessed to work part time since my oldest son was born (except for a brief time when we moved back to Indiana), so I really have nothing to complain about. Kids just keep getting more expensive each year. I remember thinking I could not wait to get the twins out of diapers because we would save so much money!! Oh how I wish the days of diapers were still here. Not really, however, sports fees, school lunches, big kid shoes, and feeding growing boys really adds up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Whole30. I started another real round of Whole30 this month. I tell myself I eat this way about 90% of the time, but the month of December sure did a number on me. It started with a cookie day we had at work (everyone brought in their favorite Christmas cookie to share), then went downhill from there. I may or may not have eaten an entire container of pumpkin pie ice cream. Then I decided I had to consume some Reese's Trees, even if they were not shaped like trees (who cares?!?). Then for about 2 weeks I ate whatever the heck I wanted. Now that I'm back to Whole30, there is a LOT more food prep, which takes a lot of time. But is definitely worth it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that's what has been happening around here, and what I'll be doing the rest of this month! So who knows when I'll write again.</span></div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-39193112436052301592015-11-05T11:02:00.003-08:002015-11-05T11:02:42.457-08:00Random Acts of Kindness<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few months ago, Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK from here on out) started showing up at my workplace. We have a locker room where we change into scrubs for work, and little gifts would show up in front of people's lockers. Or if they don't have to change for work (the business office people), their gifts would be sitting on a table in our staff lounge. Two or three people each week would get a gift, and my turn never came. At first, I didn't really say anything. Then as the weeks went by and still no RAOK for me, I started saying things like:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm so kind, I don't need a Random Act of Kindness"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"They started with the people who are not kind first"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"If you're listening RAOK person, I really need a new {whatever I felt like saying that day}"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few of us even got out a list to see who had yet to receive a RAOK. I was on the list......until I went on a break, walked past my locker, and there was a gift by my locker. I was so excited and thrilled and speechless. My gift? A pumpkin crate filled with all things pumpkin. Pumpkin Oreos, M&Ms, Pumpkin Spice Latte packets {Starbucks}, and an umbrella {which is a long work post to be shared another day}. If you know me at all, you know I love pumpkin. So the RAOK person definitely knows me, or they work for Santa. Either way I may have teared up a little in the locker room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And just because you are dying to know.... 1. Every single employee where I work received a RAOK. 2. Several of them were very personal {the RAOK person really did their research}! 3. The RAOK gift giver has not been revealed! Which makes it even more fun.</span></div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-147457997557515872015-10-07T12:23:00.000-07:002015-11-05T11:06:35.166-08:00Random Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So we survived the cold cold weather on Saturday. First up was the parade where we sat outside for almost an hour. The boys were totally willing to brave the cold for CANDY! I felt sorry for the people riding on the floats. They looked like they were freezing. At least we could walk around and warm up. Second we went to my nephew's football Cadet Bowl. Sadly they lost, and I ended up with a dead battery at the end of the game. My vehicle became the warm up place for all the kids, and I'm pretty sure they were charging all their devices while sitting in the car. Luckily the car parked in front of me (nose to nose, even!) had jumper cables, and we were able to get my van started quickly!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Guess what I get to spend my fall break doing?!? Swiffering!! Yes, that is totally a verb. I won a contest on Dana's blog, <a href="http://www.aslobcomesclean.com/" target="_blank">A Slob Comes Clean</a>, and I got my very own BIG GREEN BOX just the other day. So far I've dusted ceiling fans (they were embarrissingly filthy!), and swiffered up tons of dog hair. There is always dog hair. I was very excited to win and hopefully I can talk the boys into swiffering with me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last year the boys dumped a couple of rotten pumpkins in the mulch in our back yard. When Spring hit, several pumpkin plants sprouted and grew. There were tons of vines and blooms, but only one tiny pumpkin finally formed at the end of August. I was so excited to see this just last week. I'll have at least one pumpkin to put on the porch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm still watching Gilmore Girls! Almost done with season 2. Jen Hatmaker just wrote a <a href="http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2015/10/07/gilmore-girls-all-my-feely-feelings" target="_blank">Gilmore Girls: All My Feely Feelings post</a>!! I have 5 seasons to get through before I can read it. She also said on Facebook that she spent 154 hours watching the entire show. I'm so behind, but will catch up!!</span></div>
<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-539532035023203362015-10-03T06:23:00.001-07:002015-10-03T06:23:44.573-07:00October Weather<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We haven't really had any cold days this fell...yet. Then today the forecast looks like this. And today is our small town's Riley Festival parade, my nephew's championship football game, and my oldest son's best friend's last home soccer game. A great day to spend hours outside! Guess it's time to break out the winter coat, ear muffs, and gloves. Which I'm sure I put neatly away last year and will be so easy to find. Or not!</span></div>
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<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-62619245114717884502015-10-01T10:49:00.000-07:002015-10-01T10:49:26.651-07:00October<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's October. We are almost done with 9 weeks of school. Our 2 week fall break starts after school on Friday. I cannot wait for no homework and not having to study 5th grade spelling words! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I begged Noah to take freshmen guys choir (yes, that's what they call it) this year. I am so glad he decided to listen to me. They had their first concert last night, and it was amazing. The concert lasted 2 hours! His choir sang 4 songs, so we watched lots of other kids also. But it was definitely worth the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love to read, but have never read any of the Harry Potter books. I decided this was going to be the year that I read Harry Potter to the twins. It's not easy to read a book like this out loud, but I am determined to finish. I told the boys we will watch the movie when we are done reading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The twins are playing soccer. They are on the same team which really helps out! Their team is undefeated so far (a far cry from our previous soccer seasons). It is definitely more fun when they win.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Noah is still playing league basketball. He will have high school tryouts in November. We are really excited to see him play at school this year. He really didn't start playing basketball until 6th grade, so it's really fun to see him improve and develop every season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WORK</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once school started I volunteered to work extra days when they are super busy at work. So I've been working more hours, but still not full-time! After thinking about it, I really haven't worked full-time (40 hours a week) since 2003. That's 12 years of part-time. I realize how lucky I have been to do that. I've also realized that kids get way more expensive the older they get. Oh to be paying for diapers and baby food again instead of sports team fees, book rental, and gigantic shoes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GILMORE GIRLS<br />I started watching Gilmore Girls because Jen Hatmaker told me to. (She really didn't just tell me, she told her whole Twitter fan base, but I felt like she was talking specifically to me) I'm on season two. Our library has all seven seasons, so I've been taking lots of trips to there to check them out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">READING</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not happening as much, except for Harry Potter. Gilmore Girls has taken over my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FRINGE</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bought a fringe tote bag at the Walmart a few weeks ago. I took it back this week. I am so in love with fringe, but am afraid to actually carry the fringe. As a mom I don't go lots of fancy places and all I can picture is the fringe getting stepped on and me freaking out. Maybe I'll find some cute fringe footwear in my size. Or maybe I'll never wear any fringe. Stay tuned!</span></div>
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Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-28081407622663965392015-07-10T15:45:00.001-07:002015-07-10T15:45:57.046-07:00I know It's Summer When...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are 8 bikes in the yard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've yelled shut the door 27 times and it's only 11 AM.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strike>We've</strike> <strike>used </strike>My teenage son has used 75% of our data plan and the month is only half over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I broke down and bought paper plates and cups because I just cannot handle one. more. dirty. dish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it's time to pack for something I just do laundry then throw the clean clothes in a Walmart bag.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have no idea when my kids showered last.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've been swimming that day, so that definitely counts as a shower.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brushing teeth is optional.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having to be anywhere before 11:00 am is painful for everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I tell my boys "it's time to wake up! if you were at school, you'd be eating lunch right now!", their response, "why do you wake us up so early every day?!?!".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Minecraft music will be the death of me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've memorized the YouTube videos they think are hilarious {"I'm legally blind", "What's 9 plus 10?"}.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are out of toilet paper. Again!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Making two 10 year old boys read for 15 minutes is torture. Just ask them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought I would save money not paying for school lunches. Boy was I wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three meals a day morphs into one meal a day and a ton of snacking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see the school supplies at the front of the Walmart and do the crazy, excited, let me bow down and kiss your feet dance!!</span></div>
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<br />Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-48767889916574139612015-07-06T18:29:00.000-07:002015-07-06T18:29:45.480-07:00Small Town Living<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My teenage son has a bad habit of losing things! {Especially things that have just been purchased.} A few weeks ago he was headed to a team basketball camp with the Varsity and JV teams. He decided he needed to upgrade his wallet. In other words, he graduated from the canvas velcro wallet to the $12 leather wallet from the Walmart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He headed to basketball camp with all his stuff and his new wallet with the spending money I gave him for snacks and food while traveling. He ended up spending all the money I gave him {no surprise there}, but he came home without his wallet. It took about 6 days to discover this fact. So I told him to ask the coach if he could look on the bus for his wallet. The next week, the girls basketball team rode the same buses, and I told him to text a friend of his and ask her to look for his wallet in the seat. He decided he was way too cool to do either of my suggestions. I told him no way was I paying for another wallet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought about calling the bus department on the small chance that someone had found it and turned it in. He thought that was a ridiculous idea. He told me to just give up on the wallet. This is where the part of living in a small town comes in very handy! This Sunday at church a lady (who also happens to live in our neighborhood) flagged me down to tell me she had Noah's wallet! One of the gals who cleaned the bus found his wallet and turned it in. And my teenage son was smart enough to put his library card {with his name on it} in the wallet. And the $1.27 he had left over was still in there! The wallet was recovered today, so that's one less thing I have to look for, and one less thing to hound my teenager about. That's a win for all of us!</span></div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191975507747003083.post-43180363754421670642015-07-01T18:36:00.000-07:002015-07-01T18:36:24.544-07:002015 is Half Over!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's really hard to fathom that 2015 is half over! This year has definitely gone faster than any that I can remember. I thought I'd take the time to give a little Whole30 update. This little blog is definitely not a diet blog, nor am I a diet expert. I'm just sharing some things I've learned the last 6 months.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I started my first Whole30 on January 1, 2015. In the beginning, it was hard. Very hard! But each day got a little easier, and I really feel like the first 30 days weren't all that bad. I tried to take a weekend off and quickly realized how much I liked the restrictive parts of Whole30. It gets easier to say no to food. (something I thought I'd never say)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I pretty much stuck to the Whole30 plan until after the Indy Mini Marathon. Oddly enough, this was the first marathon that I experienced leg/calf cramps. Around mile 12 I thought I was done for it. I couldn't walk. I had just passed a medical tent and thought about trying to crawl back to it. I stopped, tried to stretch, almost cried, stretched some more, then thankfully they went away. I don't know why I got them and haven't experienced them since then.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After the marathon, I decided to add hummus to my every day eating. I love hummus so much, and I was so thankful to have it back in my life! So right now I describe my diet as Whole30 plus hummus! Also on the weekends, I take a night (sometimes two!) and have a treat. I've tried the Arctic Zero ice creams (yuck), Halo Top ice creams (yummy), M&Ms on my popcorn (our family movie night treat), and I even had a Dairy Queen Jurassic Smash Blizzard after a co-worker raved about them (delicious). Eating treats definitely makes me want more treats, but so far I have been able to wake up the next day and eat healthy again. I plan to do this until my birthday when I get myself a big ol' cake and maybe eat the whole thing! Then I think after I turn 41, I'll do another serious Whole30 with no weekend treats. That's my plan for now.</span></div>
Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00601927601248102345noreply@blogger.com0