Foot Fetish Thursday

This week seems to feel like the week that never ends....ground hog day anyone? Maybe it has to do with the fact it gets dark at like 4pm...which makes me feel like I'm working way late, when really it's still early...grrr!

I'm all messed up right now....gotta get it together Melanie! Time for a little pick me up from the feet up:)


I <3 feet!

Yep, pedi's make everything better! I keep trying to drag Paul in there with me cause he needs one WAY more than me but it's a no-go with him "too girly"....he doesn't know what he's missing but I'm not giving up- he'll probably be hooked once I get him in there so it may be a blessing in disguise right now!

Does your man pedi?

Chicken Salad for President!

NOT!!!






Still waiting for fb to calm down...can't we all just get along? Instead of using all my energy to convince everyone I am all knowing I decided to focus it on actually becoming all knowing, or at least more knowing...okay, more like knowing more about something- ME!

Got this spiffy book to help me!

Got this lunch idea from one of my La Costa $19 meals- of course theirs was much tastier and looked prettier but I'm all about using left overs and new ideas for them.

This is chopped up chicken, salt, pepper, and some mayo- I think Parky ate more than I did but it was yummy!

 

Are you going to miss Campaign season???

Check out my Nuts!

Took on cleaning out the fridge yesterday :/ I can't decide which I like least- cleaning out the fridge or the cleaning the toilet... is it odd that I am debating the fate of foods from both ends.

Here is the "After" Pic...




...my fridge looks anorexic! I definitely need some vegi's up in here!




...yes that is a paint brush in a plastic bag from last year on the 3rd shelf down...I'm sure it's something I saw on the DIY- A YEAR AGO!




Cleaning the fridge is down right scary...

My Mom flies in tomorrow, so I really do need to get some vegi's up in here, but my Nut stash is looking pretty sweet!

...Does this make me squirrel-ish?








Hoping to try out some new soups this week, as the weather is starting to turn and it's time to break out the soup pot!

What's your least favorite chore? I think I am going with toilet  (>.<)

Lessons From the Road of Life

I did much better at documenting the road trip back, but after careful consideration I am finding ironies as to our particular travels and how they correspond to my life right now.

1. Even when you plan your trip it's not always going to be a straight line to where you want to go.






...seriously...wth IS THAT?

2.You have to expect to be prepared because their will always be temptations along your journey...


...I'm pretty sure these taste like Christmas in your mouth, but I will not know as I left them in the gas station I saw them in, but they did make me Happy!

3. When someone takes the time to create a cement dinosaur on their house so you will stop and look at their produce stand- STOP and LOOK at their produce!

I felt compelled to buy something that would keep so I spent $2 on red potatoes- the bigger picture is once we stopped so did 3 other cars...you never know what your actions may bring about..

4. Nothing worth anything is free in life, but I have noticed the rewards of finding a way far surpass the costs- don't let them be the excuses that keep you from experiencing joy and beauty.



...sometimes us mom's spend everything we have on those we love; time, energy, money- don't forget to fill your own bucket with those things or you will have nothing left to give those you love

5. Sometimes making a U turn is part of your path, not because you messed up, but because you had more to learn before the next leg of your journey.






...we have to learn to "Let It Go", stop nursing and cursing the should've, could've, would've and move forward with forgiveness- not for the sake of others, but for your own.

6. Your path in life doesn't need to be justified to anyone else. It is your unique journey from where you began to where you are going, don't forget to stop every so often to appreciate the beauty of it.

...each of us are unique- we are not meant to be a photo in a magazine, or the walking example of perfection for our family or friends- in fact we are meant to be Perfectly Imperfect- embrace it and focus on being the best YOU that you can be!

What is the best advice you have from your own journey down the Road of Life?

Ladies Alive 2012 Day 2

After a late night chatting it up with my new girlfriends we headed back to La Costa Resort and Spa for day two...how cute are we?







Ladie's Alive is an AdvoCare women only conference that is held once a year in each region, this one being for the Southwest. Women traveled from AZ, TX, NV, WA, OR, and even a few from the East coast who wanted to hit another one. This is my first time going and let me tell you- after going to one I WISH I could afford to hit each one because it is such an amazing, positive, uplifting experience.

~WORDS HAVE POWER, SPEAK LIFE~LOVE YOURSELF~TEAR UP THE LABELS BECAUSE THEY ARE FAKE~YOU ARE NEW~DO NOT LET ONE PERSON DECIDE YOUR FATE~WE ARE MEANT TO BRING LIGHT TO DARK PLACES~DECIDE TODAY~IF YOU WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN YOUR LIFE THAN YOU MUST MAKE CHANGES~

The view of the golf course from the terrace where we ate lunch. The weather was amazing as was the view...my pic does not do either justice :/

Team Hotness at the hotel I could afford- YAY for the Courtyard by Marriott.


Side note to Marriott...has anyone ever tried accessing the bathrooms in these rooms? Seriously...WHY is the bathroom door so big it takes up the entire sink/closet/entrance area? Meh!

Do you have a favorite hotel when traveling? I personally love me some Double Tree

...and the Hilton!

Ladies Alive 2012 Day 1

I completely failed with taking pictures on the way here- bummer cause we drove by where they grow Super Bowl Sod...I know you are totally hating me right now for missing that one :/ I will do better on the way back, promise!

Please bear with me on the side pics- I am on the little laptop and it is so now working with me this morning!

Night one and the tears were already flowing. This is the much needed break I needed and I am so glad I took the step outside of my comfort zone to come. We got to dress up and take crazy pics in a photo booth <3 it!

LOVE all the ladies I am meeting and getting to know- everyone is so loving, I can't even explain it but it is pretty much exactly what I needed right now.

Be careful what you wish for....bring on the adventure! The six of us figured out how to jump this GMC not once, but twice...and how awesome does Jill look in action?

What man tasks have you triumphed?

Thelma & Louise

Bustin free for a Ladies weekend, Roadtrip to Cali! Posting from my phone today so it's gonna be short and sweet today, but I did bring my laptop so I can update with pics over the weekend.

So far it's been uneventfull except for two crazy drivers, one flipped car (we drove by after the main event) and an annoyance in my right eye that is making me crazy- I may poke my eye out and buy a patch so stay tuned... :/

Taco Chili and Chaos, it's what's for dinner!

Yesterday was super crazy with Halloween- here's a pic of the cut-outs that lead to my mental demise earlier in the week








Knowing it was going to be a busy day/night I figured crock pot was the best choice for dinner.

Used 1lb ground lamb, seasoned w/taco seasoning, 1 can each of kidney and white beans w/juice, 1 can chopped tomatoes, 1 whole onion chopped, garlic cloves chopped (I used 3-4 but they were on the smallish side). Then I had leftover chopped tomatoes and sliced zucchini from the other night so I chopped them up and threw them in too (probably at least a whole zucchini). Added 1/4 tsp each of seasoning salt, pepper, and chili powder- and 1 TBS of taco seasoning.





Here's some costume pics...

 The boppy in the background of Caden's "Undead" pic is my favorite LOL, chaos and pictures- great combo!

Here's the after pic of the Taco Chili...meaning after everyone got served and I almost forgot to take a pic...

This really was a throw together "chili" dish from left over vegi's, meat I had in the freezer and canned beans- not too shabby AND it tasted better than my "regular" chili!

I enjoy the challenge of actually using everything I pay for at the grocery store so I have gotten way more creative at making sure we actually eat all of what I buy. Especially with kids like mine who aren't into leftovers- and it's super easy to use your left over vegi's in soups like this one or even make broths and freeze!

 

What's your go-to Halloween dinner dish?



Happy Halloween!!

I have pretty much decided I am scrapping this week as far as eating right because I am seriously failing...today really needs to be my last "free day" because I have GOT to get back on target to my 90 day goals. I have purchased Halloween Candy twice already and yet I hope to have enough for the Trick-or-Treaters tonight...seriously...it it just my house?

After enjoying many a "Treat" yesterday, Parker decided to try out his skills at "Tricking"...
















It was SUPER CUTE the first couple times....the next 23 started to make me crazy..


Last night we decided to take on the Pumpkins...we really do have to wait until last minute here in AZ cause it's still so warm during they day you either need to put them in the fridge during the day or you get like 27 hours max before it wilts and rots. Learned that one the hard way the first year I was here...nothing like slaving for hours over carefully created masterpieces to have them end up looking like aging zombies...but I guess those are in now....

Totally distracting you from the fact I don't have any great meal suggestions today cause I ate Pizza...and Doritos....MEH! Tomorrow is again a new day....sounding familiar?? Yeah, it's been that kind of week!

How long do you wait to buy Halloween Candy so that you actually have some to hand out?

No need for a costume this year..

I think I have decided that I have a case of "Supermom-itus" meaning not only am I trying to take on too much, but also with the expectation of pulling each task and responsibility off at a level nothing short of perfection...hmmm- totally possible, right?




 







Like I can't be the only Mom stressing that we only have two Halloween shirts for the dogs so we have to stuff the pup in a Santa suit...









Pretty bad when even the dog is looking at you like you are losing it...

I did manage to throw some frozen chicken breasts in the crock pot this morning with 2 small cans of enchilada sauce- which I shredded once they were cooked through. I sliced up some zucchini for the bottom of the bowls, topped with the chicken enchilada mix- then topped that with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato's, avocado, and sliced olives. It's easier to eat if you cut up the zucchini strips after you pour the mixture on top- here's the progression pic :) This dish is REALLY filling, and was yummy!

How do you keep yourself from going nuts?

Under Construction....

Having a "day" but didn't want to miss a post for those that are following me on my journey toward "becoming"....at this point I am really at a loss as to what that is or even a vague idea of what it looks like...this pretty much sums it up- hopefully in a better spot tomorrow....

I appreciate your patience :/

The Power of Pumpkin

So I am two-for-two again on days and exercising...I'm hoping to be batting a hundred by Halloween.  I know that's only three days away, but that would be a new record for me- BRING IT!

Seriously spent the whole day trying to piece together my daughter's costume for the season, which needs to be "EPIC" every year- meaning it needs to cost way more money than it's worth AND ride the line of what's appropriate and what's not :/ At least this year she's moved away from the hyped up half naked, advertised costumes that look like lingerie...meaning we put together out own cause everything in her size is "sexy"-(insert character here) witch, devil, zombie....I think the porn industry took over when we weren't paying attention. It's a lose/lose though cause even putting together something yourself still costs you $50...

Tonight we are taking on the pumpkin carving project- here are the carefully selected canvases:

 

 

 

 

I could only pass so many Starbucks during the day before I finally broke down to the power of the Pumpkin Spice (skinny) latte. Not too confident it will help with my "skinny" goals but I earned that sucker!





 I think I have decided my favorite thing about fall is "pumpkin spice" anything...what's yours?

Peach Perfection

I have discovered my new best thing......

A-MAZING! This is a Peach AM Bar that has been microwaved for 30 seconds and then let cool (most important step if you actually want to taste anything for the next 48 hours)

Peach Cookie!! YUMMERS!









HYDRATE PEOPLE!

Super busy day, but I did manage to muster up the energy for a 9pm run- was pretty proud of myself and it felt pretty good to actually get moving again.





From now till my 90 days I really want to focus on working more- well, more like ANY exercise into each day- it's time to kick it up a notch!

How do you work more activity into your busy schedule?

Foul Feta Friday

Parky thought he would help me with my post this morning- I am thinking we BOTH look tired...this week has been a rough one!

- need-SPARK-stat!



Broke out the Vanilla MRS and blended with some ice cubes and blackberries that were on sale out Sprouts this week for $.88, I think Parky sucked down about half before I got any...guess that's one way to lose weight quicker :)

Was feeling "breakfast" for lunch would be a good idea and it was until I decided to break the rules and put some Feta on them that's been staring me in face every time I open the fridge since I started the 24DC. BAD IDEA.....even though I checked the date I am pretty sure this Feta already went south for the winter (>.<)

Ended up picking it back off/eating around it...another great way to lose weight....MEH!

How DO you tell stinky cheeses have gone bad??