It's Friday....Shake Your Tailfeather

My dearest Friday: I am so thankful you are here once again and you are letting Monday join you, Saturday, and Sunday for the weekend. It makes my life a little more happy. Thank you for getting here so quickly just being so wonderful as always. Field day combined with movie day is the perfect way to spend my Friday with my little friends and the right way to start a long weekend. 

Dear Partner: Thank you for having the weekend off....I know it's not really your choice...it's how the cookie crumbled but I'm excited to actually spend your ONE long weekend this month with you. I love that you have our menu and activity board planned out already and am ready for some boating, trans, cooking out, and just enjoying this long weekend with you. (and possibly a date with K and A?!) hehe 
P.S- can we please go back to Vegas asap.
Dear 22 little friends: 8 days?! Really? Please don't leave me yet. But on that note, I have GOT to get on my game and make your end of the year gifts so I can cry the whole time making them. There will be a full post about this closer to end of school but let me just warn you it's going to get sappy up in there. Dear closet: make some room for some brand new clothes. I mean a long weekend means extra online shopping time...just sayin. Dear Summer School: You make it hard to get excited about the end of the year but you are only 4 weeks long, we have an awesome curriculum that I'm excited to use, and you will result in the purchase of my new iMAC. what what. Working does have it's perks I suppose. Dear office: Your stark white walls will be brightly colored and that awful fan will be long gone after this long weekend. Sorry but I'm truly not sorry. Now I just need to treat you to a new work desk and you will be all set. 
This awesome thing was like this when we moved in....rude...
Dear Alexa: my phone and I are missing you and our text convos. I hope you had such a blast but i'm pretty sure I speak for the whole blogland when I say "COME HOME". Dear Kayla: IT'S YOUR WEDDING WEEKEND. ahhhhh. You are going to be a stunning bride. Snapchats and pictures all day long....Erin...you too. Please and thank you. Enjoy every single little moment of you and Caleb's special day. Love you to the moon and back.

And just for kicks, I had to throw this song into the mix for #backthatazzup with the oh so hilarious Whitney who every time I say her name...I want to call her whittle...sorry friend. I don't know why....ANYWAYS hope it gets you backin it up in your office, at home, in your car...wherever you are reading this. Happy Memorial Day weekend friends. Be safe but have fun! 
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Running on thankfulness

You see what I did there with the title? Thursdays are always my thankful post days and I try to keep up with my 30 miles in 30 days posts on these days too... Impressive..right? No? Ok...moving on!! With everything that has happened there is just way too much to be thankful for in my life. 

This 2nd to last Thursday of the school year I'm thankful: 
  • To my husband for being my constant source of support, laughter, and encouragement. You keep me on my toes and it makes my heart happy to know that we have get to spend forever together. I'm especially thankful this week for your safety and that you are off this weekend with me. 
  • That our house incident was so very minor compared to what my mind made it up to be. This also includes having a neighbor who watches out for us and knows how to get a hold of us. 
  • For the fact that summer is literally 2 weeks away. Even though I'm teaching summer school it's only until July 3 and from 8-12...that's totally doable and means a little extra cash for the savings account. A little extra never hurt anyone am I right?
  • That Kaitlyn is officially (JUNE) a Houston resident which means lots of fun over the summer. Friends make my heart happy, especially fun ones with cute bow obsessions. 
  • photography has found it's way into my life. I have had more fun playing around with photoshop, my camera, and learning new things than I thought was possible. I don't know where it is going but I love getting to capture such a happy part of someone's life. 
  • for my life that I am living right now at this very moment. I feel blessed to be married to someone who makes me so happy, have a job that is so fulfilling, and be surrounded by amazing people. Yes, there are days when I get knocked down, overwhelmed, and stressed but that doesn't take away from the things that I have that bring me back up again. 
Thankful is both an adjective and a verb. It's something that we describe ourselves as being but it's also something that we do. I love writing these posts because it is my reminder to BE thankful, not just describe myself as that. 

Running Update

 
  I am officially on day 52 of this lifestyle change and feeling better than ever. I shared my journey on Kristine's sight a few days ago. I love that she published it on her blog because she has been one of my biggest fans/supporters (along with Nikki and all myfitnesspal friends)on this journey and keeps pushing me to do more but more based on what my body can do. 

Week 1: 3 miles- I only counted Wednesday-Saturday on this one. I started a new system for my workouts where I was running one day and doing Jillian Michael's 30 day shred the next. 
Week 2: 18 miles- this week was my turning point. I could barely jog for 45 seconds at the beginning of this journey and this week I did 5 days that were over 2.5 miles of jogging/walking. I had some of my best intervals and could feel the energy that I use to lack as I kept pushing myself. It was the best feeling. 
Week 3: 7 miles- This week I focused on shorter distances but a faster pace. 
Week 4
Sunday- 1.5 miles and Jillian's 30 day Shred
Monday- 1.5 miles
Tuesday- Michael and I rested
Wednesday- 1.5 miles with my best straight running mile interval and best 1.5 mile interval. woohoo

Total miles for week 4: 6 miles
Total miles for 30 miles in 30 days challenge: 34 miles
Miles left to go: 0 but I'm shooting to get at least 40 miles this month.


Have you just started a workout program or been doing one? What do you do to keep motivated and active? Any tips for this lady? Send them my way please and thank you! Happy Friday eve my sweet friends. 
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Your DIY Headquarters


DIY Thank You gifts for those special people in your life!
We are so blessed to have some truly wonderful people in our lives that stand by us through thick and thin, offer us a shoulder to cry on and a hand to high-five! From parents to partners to loved ones, all of these people deserve to know that their efforts and support are cherished and valued, and what better way to say “thank you” than with a gorgeous, hand made gift which will bring a smile to their faces? Here are some DIY ideas on how you can make inexpensive, handmade presents for those special people in your life.

1. Nothing pleases a sweet tooth more than a large jar of home-baked cookies, there are so many variants to choose from, and you can always make a mixed batch of them instead of just one variety. However, for the serious chocolate chip cookie connoisseur, a basic, delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe will hit the spot and have your loved one asking for more!

What you will need:
*recipe courtesy Betty Crocker*
  1. 3/4th cup granulated sugar + 3/4th cup brown sugar
  2. 1 tsp vanilla extract
  3. 1 cup butter, softened
  4. 1 egg
  5. 2 ¼th cup all-purpose flour
  6. 1 tsp baking soda
  7. ½ tsp salt
  8. 1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (optional)
  9. 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
How to proceed –
  • Pre-heat oven to 375*F
  • Mix both sugars with butter, vanilla and egg
  • Stir in flour, baking soda and salt; then add nuts and chocolate chips
  • The dough should have a stiff consistency
  • With a clean ice-cream scoop, scoop dough out on to un-greased cookie sheets, keep them 2 inches apart.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes or till the edges are golden brown; let them cool for a little while and then remove from the cookie sheet to cool on a wire rack.
  • Fill in a large Jar and gift!
2. Customized essential oil blends have a multitude of benefits, and are suitable gifts for everyone. Essential oil comes with a number of health and beauty benefits, and recipes are easily available online. Using a safe carrier oil to blend the oils with, and always storing them in dark colored bottles, will ensure longevity of the oil and retain its benefits. If a loved one has a specific problem, your oil can serve to alleviate it and provide some much-needed comfort.

What you will need:
  1. Amber colored bottles for storage
  2. Essential oils [Lavender, Rosemary, Ylang Ylang, Roman Chamomile]
  3. Almond or Olive oil
How to proceed –
  • Insomnia Remedy: Blend 6 tsps of Olive oil with 10-12 drops of Lavender and Ylang Ylang oil respectively. Fill in bottle and the oil is ready.
  • Stress relief and relaxation: Blend 6 tsps of Almond oil with 12-15 drops of Roman Chamomile. Fill in bottle and the oil is ready.
  • Muscle pain relief: Blend 6tsps of Olive oil with 12 drops of Lavender and Rosemary oil respectively. Fill in bottle and the oil is ready.
A family wall will serve as a tribute to the most special people in your life; your family. Dedicating an entire wall which highlights your best moments with your family, including celebrations, birth and other special occasions, will remind each and every one of you of how important you are to each other. For those family members who have passed on, a remembrance section will keep the happiest, most cherished memories alive.

What you will need:
  1. Designated wall space
  2. Framed photographs with backings, ready for hanging
  3. Knick knacks and memorabilia from travel
  4. Awards, trophies and other articles of achievement
  5. Hammer/ Drill and associated nails/bits
How to proceed - 
  • This is a relatively simple exercise. Decide on where to place the photographs and make the appropriate markings on the wall.
  • Place photographs and framed certificates on the wall after hammering nails in the previously marked areas.
  • Surround the photographs with small knick knacks and medals. A corner table could serve as a spot for large trophies.
“I love you” coupons are a fun way to keep any relationship alive, and also serve the dual purpose of resolving conflicts! Gifting a partner a booklet of handmade coupons with specific “benefits” will allow them to “cash in” on them when they want to. For parents who are making these for their kids, little treats such as “an extra 30 minutes of TV, Please!” or a “get out of doing the dishes” coupon can fun to their lives! For romantic partners, you can use your imagination; there are options in the likes of “this coupon entitles me to breakfast in bed” or maybe “no TV channel switching during football night”. The options are endless!

What you will need:
  1. 12 sheets of thick, colored paper, A4 Size
  2. Sharpies or markers
  3. Glitter and decorations [in case you want to add some bling to your coupons]
  4. Clear sticky tape
  5. Stapler or hole-puncher
  6. Scissors
How to proceed –
  • Cut the paper into equal, horizontal strips, each A4 sheet should render 4 strips.
  • Write a unique coupon out on each strip. Decorate with glitter if you want.
  • Run the sticky tape around the perimeter of the coupons, so as to prevent tearing.
  • Collate the coupons by piling them on top of each other till a little “booklet is formed. Two blank strips could be placed at the beginning and end of the booklet for it to have an authentic “cover”. 
  • Either staple them together or use a hole-puncher and ribbon to bind the booklet together.
  • Gift it to a loved one! *This makes an excellent Valentines Day gift as well!*
Combining gifts in a basket or simply gifting them separately will surely make your loved ones very happy, and with the number of DIY gift-making options available, there will always be a new gift to make for them during special occasions.

Guest article from www.glad2bawoman.com. Glad2bawoman is an online media company for women with over 77,000 members. The articles on their site encompass various topics around Health, Empowerment, Relationships, Fashion and Leisure.


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