Shape it up!

Today I went to my first bootcamp at the Y, and let me tell you, it totally kicked my butt! We started out running around the track, which I am used to... but then we had to run single filed and that's where it got tough for me. I have my own slow pace that I like to run, and I know I need to speed it up some, but the people in my class were just too fast for me! It seemed like they all were in tip top shape and were just doing the bootcamp to keep that up. I liked it though, even though my abs are feeling it right now (you know there has to be some abs under there somewhere!), and I may even go back next week! Thanks Miranda for inspiring me!

I have started to pick up more workouts this week than my usual one or two. I went to zumba on Monday and Thursday, ran at the Y and lifted weights on Tuesday, then I did the bootcamp today (Friday). I may start taking some different classes at the Y, instead of going to the zumba on Mondays. I hope I can keep all this up after I go back to working again.

I have also decided to cut down on my portions during meals, try not to snack late at night, and only drink pop on the weekend. Phil and I have been planning our weekly menus the week before, and making up our shopping list with those meals in mind. This has helped on cutting costs at the store each week.

Here is our new favorite recipe for our crockpot:

Lentils

1 cup dry lentils
1 cup carrots (chopped)
1 cup celery (chopped)
1 cup onion (chopped)
1 cup smoked turkey sausages (chopped)
4 cups vegetable broth
Season with salt, pepper, & cumin

Place all ingredients in the crockpot on LOW for 6 hours.

We are addicted to this right now, it is super easy, and before we made it Phil, had never had lentils before! I had never used cumin while cooking and now I love it! So good!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Our Babies

I have decided to introduce you to mine and Phil's fishy babies today!

First up is Chameleon! Chameleon is a Plecostomus, aka pleco or algae eater. He is a type of catfish (all our fish are). We have had Chameleon since he was a baby about 5 years ago! Isn't his belly pretty?

Next is Harley! Harley is a Striped Raphael catfish. She likes to stay inside of her house most of the time, but she will sometimes venture out, especially if Chameleon kicks her out! We have had her for about 4 years.

This is 1 of 3 new additions to our fishy home! Meet Bruce! Bruce is an Eclipse Catfish, aka SunCat. These guys like to hide, so I though I'd get a picture of him in his bag before we released him.

This is B.B. King, our new Spotted Corydora catfish, aka cory cat. B.B. King is much larger than this now and we have had to put him on a diet!

And finally, our last baby is an Albino cory cat we name Mr. Miyagi! He is named that cause his favorite past time is swimming back and forth the front of the tank waxing on and off! haha



I also wanted to mention my outside furry baby we named Muffin! Muffin is not our cat but loves to visit us occasionally and will want me to pet him and will stare at us through our window! We first met Muffin on Phil's birthday, a couple days after we moved into our place. The birthday card I got Phil is above, then Muffin shows up looking alot like the cat on the card! It was meant to be!

What kind of pets do you have?

Valentine's Wreath

I know I promised to show you my Valentine's Day wreath I wanted to make, and I think it turned out just okay. Let me know what you think...

I used the flowers from my bridesmaid bouquet from my friend's wedding I was in several years ago. After the wedding, I hung the bouquet upside down until after my wedding when I put my bridal bouquet in it's place! I was inspired to use it for my wreath.

My mom purchased this wreath around my wedding and thought we could use it. We didn't use it there, but I was looking for something to put up on my door in place of the Christmas wreath so it came in handy anyway.

And the finished product! I think it turned out good enough. I kind of just placed the dried flowers in between the branches of the wreath, so I hope the wind won't be too harsh on it! At least our porch is covered and the rain can't get to it! I kinda want to have something hanging down in the middle, like a cute little Valentine's sign or something. What do you think?

I Had A Dream...

Very fitting for this week, but not what you may think. A couple nights ago, I had a dream about Jake Pavelka, you know the pilot guy who was once "The Bachelor"? It was pretty weird and I can't even remember what it was about, except that maybe the song "On the Wings of Love" may have been in it! But, after I woke up from that dream I kept going in and out of sleep thinking about how to write a blog on my love for the show. I did tell you I didn't feel good in the beginning of this week, right? haha One of my ideas was a list of how you knew you might be addicted to "The Bachelor/Bachelorette"... so I am just going to try that idea! Here goes...

• You have dreams about past cast members of the show! (obvious addition to the list!)


• You can't wait for Monday nights!


• You watched Miss America just because you love Chris Harrison!


• You follow Chris Harrison and Ben Flajnik on Twitter!


• You root for the girl (or guy) who is in your profession to at least not be crazy!


• You follow past bachelors/bachelorettes after their shows! For example: did you know that Kasey Kahl, you know the guy that wanted to honor & protect you, was arrested??? Click here to see his mug shot! Also, go here to see who will be the next Bachelorette!

That's all I could think of right now. Can you all think of anymore? Feel free to comment them to me, I would love to see what you think!

Yuck!

I haven't felt too great this week. Monday I worked and felt fine, but yesterday and today I just don't feel the best. Anyways...

Since I last blogged, on Friday we celebrated mom's birthday with some yummy garlic mashed potatoes I made! They turned out really yummy and I found the recipe here.

On Saturday, Phil and I went to his work party at the casino/dog track. I finally got to play the Sex & the City machine there and ended up making $10! Woot!

Sunday, we did nothing except go to Subway, which we should make into a place we regularly go out to eat instead of some other places we go. It will save us some money and be a healthier choice.

I need to start working out again. Last week I went and pushed myself to run a faster mile, then my hip hurt. So I didn't do anything else the rest of the week. Now I don't feel good, so I guess I am just making excuses now for not doing anything. Tomorrow, my plan is to go to Zumba! I miss it!

I still plan on making my Valentines' wreath! Stay tuned!

Just to let you know...

• Tomorrow is my mom's birthday! Happy Birthday Momma!




• I am going to attempt to make some scrumptious garlic mashed potatoes to bring to mom's birthday dinner and I need a recipe! Anyone know a good one?




• I am going to be decorating a Valentine's Day wreath for our door, and I think I will take some pictures to show you all!




• I am hoping I wake up to some snow in the morning, but that the roads are okay cause I don't wanna worry about my hubbo driving to work!




• I got woke up to work this morning and I get to work Monday too!




• I love you friends! Have a happy day!

Makeup!

I almost forgot to tell you about one of my most favorite gifts I got for Christmas from my awesome hubby! I use it everyday (that I go out and wear makeup) and it is great!This is the Sephora Collection Makeup Studio Blockbuster and can be found here! As you may remember, I LOVE eyeshadow and I can make so many color combinations with this collection! I have already made a few and haven't even scratched the surface of what I could create! It also includes liquid eyeliners, tons of lip glosses, 3 different shades of blush, a bronzer, mascara, and some brushes to use with each. The price is pretty good too, ecspecially for the amount and quality of makeup you get!

Thank you husband! You done good!

The Hunger Games Movie Trailer!

Oh my, this movie trailer for The Hunger Games, looks so close to what I imagined when I was reading the book! I cannot wait until March! Go here to view the trailer!

Book Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Just 2 days into the new year and I already have read a book! This book is a super simple read and keeps you interested all the way through.

Matched by Ally Condie is about a "perfect" society designed to keep everyone happy and healthy, at least until their 80th birthday. Cassia is a girl who lives by the Society's rules and trusts they know and do what is best for it's citizens. On the eve of her 17th birthday, Cassia has her Matching Ceremony, where she comes to find out that her perfect match is her best friend, Xander. This is rare to be matched with someone you already know. Her faith in the Society waivers after that ceremony when she is confused by a glitch in her microcard that supposedly has all the info about her match. Xander's face appears, then fades away, and another boy's face appears... and she knows this one too.

I feel like Matched is like a cross between 1984 by George Orwell, Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, and the recent hit The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. So if you like any of the previously mentioned books, with a little romance and rebellion, I recommend this one.

12 Goals for 2012

Happy New Year!!!

Hope everyone had a fantastic time last night! Phil and I decided to go out to eat then stay home for our first New Year's Eve as husband and wife! It was pretty great to be able to stay home and be an old married couple! haha

This year I am hoping to complete 12 Goals for 2012 instead of making any resolutions at all... I'm not too good at those!

12 Goals for 2012

1. Learn to quilt!

- one I didn't accomplish last year that I made sound more realistic as an overall just "Learn to quilt" instead of forcing myself to make 3!

2. Continue eating healthy and working out!

- this one may sound familiar too, but it is an important one to keep up with!

3. Make dinner and eat at home as much as possible!

- this is a new one for me & Phil since we have started living together, and we have done pretty good so far, but I would like to make it a goal.

4. Make tooth fairy pillows for my cousins/nephews!

- yes, another repeat but Alec is bound to lose his first tooth this year and I need to be a good dental hygienist aunt!

5. Read more books than I did in 2011!

- I changed last year's goal up a little bit this year! I only read 18 books in my busy 2011, and I just bought 3 new books a few nights ago, so I am bound to complete this goal!

6. Wish all my friends and family a "Happy Birthday" on their special day with either a card or a phone call.

- I am pretty bad about keeping in touch with everyone, and relying on Facebook and texting to convey my message just seems so impersonal.

7. Hang out with my friends more!

- they are special people in my life, and they showed up to the most important day in my life, so I need to be able to let them know I will be there for them!

8. To become full-time with my current job (or possibly another).

- It is hard to work only a few days a month, even though I understand our program is just starting out in my state. I just hope I will be thought of as an important member of the team enough to where they will pick me to work and rely on me!

9. Keep up with housework.

- now that we have our own place to take care of, I wanna make sure that I/we keep our house clean and organized!

10. Be a good wife!

- I want to be the best wife to Phil as I possibly can! I want to be understanding, listen to him, and make our first year of marriage go by as smoothly as possible! (they do say that the first year is the hardest!)

11. Pick back up some of my old blog followers and acquire more!

- during my absence from blogging last year, I feel like I've lost many followers and feel terrible I let them down.

12. Continue to blog!

- I know, another repeat, but I love blogging and hope to continue throughout this new year!

Well, there they are!

What do ya think?

What are your goals for 2012?