Gym + Gardening = Butt Spasms

I swear my mom is trying to kill me!!  Last night we went to my Uncle Dave's house to plant a garden.  He has graciously give us the plants, space, and free water.  All we have to do is weed  and maintain.  I am so excited about this because I am wanting to develop some new talents.

Anyway, after 2- 1/2 hours of planting green chili plants in a garden the size of a football field, I could barely walk!!  I have been going to the Fitness Center at the College and so I was already sore from squats, lunges, stair climber, running, and weight lifting.  When I got home last night my lower butt cheeks started spasming.  Now that is the creepiest feeling ever - lol! 

I was afraid that this morning I would have to roll off my bed onto the floor and crawl to the shower.  Initially the walk to the bathroom and bending onto the toilet seat was painful, but after that my muscles loosened up and I was able to do a good stretch.   I am (can't believe I am gonna say this)...ready for more - we still have 3-5 more rows to fill with zucchini, squash, pumpkins, broccoli, green beans - well you get the idea!

This is Tinkerbell one of our dogs.  She is half Yorkie and half Chiwawa.  She is the scamp of the family - something gets stolen off the table - it is always her!!

Shirt:  Thrifted $2.00, Jeans:  Calvin Klein - Thrifted $5.99

Shoes:  Thrifted $5.99, Purse:  Thrifted $4.00

 Bracelts:  They were some I found at Big Lots and combined together for the finished product.  $5.00

Necklace:  Thrifted $1.00

Have a Relaxing Weekend!!

Complicated Me!

  



She is a Feisty One!!



 Lately I have been doing some self reflecting.  I am a feisty girl, I can when angered, tear you to shreds with my mouth and justify it with ...it's your fault for making me mad because I try to be nice and I am pretty mellow until you lite my fuse!!  Then WATCH OUT...I am on fire!!   - I actually hate this about myself.  I see these women who don't react emotionally when caught off guard and I respect their ability to stay level headed and look at the whole situation before judging and acting irrationally.  Am I making any sense??  So on to my point...I have been praying, I mean really praying and pleading with the Lord to help me change, to be softer and see the good instead of being on the defensive and thinking only about myself.  I can honestly say, I think it is starting to work, which excites me and is enabling me to keep pursuing this dream of mine and developing it into my new reality!!  Want to know the secret?  Pray before you speak, act, or fly off the handle.  I ask for help and then wait a few seconds and thoughts come rolling in and new ways to approach things come to light.  It truly has been amazing to me the power given and the love shown to me from my Father above.

 

Geez I really need to smile more!!

Jacket:  homemade by Me, Capris:  Thrifted $4.00, Shoes:  Thrifted:  $5.00

Coral Purse:  Payless on sale $16.00

I am trying to learn new styles with my hair so I did a braided twist.  Came out alright for my first try.

 

Cat Claw Shirt:  Thrifted $2.39, Maxi Skirt:  Free - hand me down from a friend

The shirt is amazing, the colors are actually more vibrant than in the picture.

Purse:  Thrifted $1.50, Shoes:  Thrifted:  5.99

Have a Wonderful Day - See ya tomorrow for Jean Friday!!

Jazzer-Jammers

I know the picture is blurry but I couldn't resist posting it.  Last night I took James to Jazzercise with me.  He climbed up on stage with Alia Dire (instructor) and danced his little heart out.  He eventually laid down on the stage and busted some break dancing moves - kicking his leg up in the air and twirling around on his back.  I have never seen him be so bold before.  Usually he will get up there with Alia or myself when I teach, but after a few minutes gets pretty shy...it must have been the superman cape - gave him nerves of steel!

Interested in a new fun way to jazz off those last few pounds?  Check out Jazzercise.com for a local Jazz Class in your area.
We had these Southwest Chicken Wraps for dinner last night, they were SUPER yummy!!

Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps
Printable Version
Printable Version with Picture
*Makes 6 wraps*
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup cooked rice, warm or at room temperature
1 cup cooked, shredded chicken
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 green onion, finely sliced (white and green parts)
1/2 red or green pepper, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
juice of 1 lime
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
2 cups shredded cheese (I used a combination of monterey jack and sharp cheddar)
Sour cream (optional)
6 burrito-sized flour tortillas
DIRECTIONS:
Mix rice together with chili powder, cumin and garlic salt. Add remaining ingredients except for cheese and sour cream. Sprinkle cheese over tortillas, leaving 1/2-inch border around edges, then arrange chicken and rice mixture down the center of each tortilla. (Optional: on some of the wraps, I dotted the cheese with about 1-2 tablespoons of reduced fat sour cream before arranging chicken and rice mixture down the center – it made the wraps delightfully creamy.) Roll stuffed tortillas, leaving edges open. Spray the tortillas all over with cooking spray.
Heat a large non-stick skillet (or griddle) over medium heat for 1 minute. Arrange 2 wraps, seam-side down, in pan and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining wraps. Serve.

Here is the website if you would like to check out more recipes.  I added her to my favorites!
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/

I Made It To The Gym!!

This is a fun outfit for me to wear this morning.  The shirt is colored lace of olive green, brown, and dark blue.  With the dark purple tank underneath that I added, it takes more color and not so much drab.  The maxi skirt is so comfy and with one of my favorite high heels I feel on top of the world - which is good because this morning I hit the gym running at 5:30 and I can guarantee I will have some extremely sore muscles tomorrow.  However, today I feel great, I can't believe all the extra time I had to accomplish little things this morning:  dishes, scripture study, pics taken and posted early, snuggles with James, made breakfast, dropped Kierra off at soccer practice and made it to work 15 minutes early.

Shirt:  Thrifted $2.69, Tank top:  New $5.00

Maxi Skirt:  Thrifted $4.69

Purse:  Thrifted $1.50  Shoes:  Thrifted:  $5.99

Papparrazzi Jewerly $5.50
I took this picture of my Son at the computer.  I caught him designing his own Nike shoes on their website.  He was embarrassed and tried to escape but my fast fingers still captured him.  He has started to take more time in his appearance this past year.  Now when I am ready to go and it's spur of the moment, we have to wait on him to get ready.  Geez already...let's go I say, but who can be mad?  It's cute and I love when sometimes his voice goes up because he is at the tail end of the voice changing stage.  Sunday I measured him up against his dad who is 6'2...Hunter is now over 6'0 and couple more inches will surpass his dad.  He is going to be a sophmore this year I can't believe in 3 1/2 more years he will be on a mission for our church.  Time flies too fast!!

Scary Movie Saturday

I love scary movies, but I am too afraid to watch them at my house because then I have to go to sleep alone.  I wake up at every little noise and get totally freaked out.  So instead I beg my sister to spend the night and we go to my parent's house to watch them with my daddy where he can protect us and we feel safe.  Now she is married and would rather stay home and snuggle with her dog Millie and her husband.  I let my kids talk me into renting The Woman In Black and of course they insist on waiting until 9pm to watch it so when it's over we will have to tromp back to our house alone in the dark.

Now the question remains...will we stay or will we go??  Home that is...stay tuned for the outcome.

We had this for dinner.  I got the recipe off pininterest.  I am not a refined, or even good cook.  I have to have pictures so I can see if I am even on the right track.  This recipe was very easy and extremely delicious!!  The chicken came out so tender.  

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR_2q5_RBEgIzeXbJAkquDeev4L8w14zUF9U5GAluT6RZ8Iunz2Zt9tlx7gq2NENIQyZLFV7Mbob3Jo54NbJEbIIG4NT6gUquh49lRMt3PSA2Dj2n5XQq3VJ5Ngg0R0ZoJGnYpvWqvO8/s1600/Avocado+-+4A.JPG

I did however cook my chicken for 8 minutes on each side instead of the 4 as suggested.

Here are the pics of my finished sewing projects:

This shirt was a maternity shirt that I cut apart and resewed to a tight fit.

 The Skirt is handmade.  I used a skirt I love the fit of for the pattern for the new skirt. 

Necklace was on clearance at Walmart $5.00

Shoes:  Thrifted $5.99

Move update:  I watched the first 30 minutes and stopped watching after the rocking chair scene where you see her hollowed out face.  Freaked me out because of an experience in a haunted house in Durango where the person I was with actually saw a lady in black ghost and it scratched her neck as we ran out of the house.  However, I did tromp back home through the dark and slept very peacefully.  All in All...a good day!!

Baby First Shoes

I bought my grandson's first pair of shoes today.  Actually I bought 3 pairs!  I think it is only fitting that I (the avid shoe lover in our house) be first to supply him with shoes!  Aren't they cute!!!

In honor of his birth in 3 1/2 months I just had to buy me a pair too.  (please no eye rolling)  I had to...when he comes into this world I will be one of the first people he sees and being that I am the shortest person in my family at 5'2 (besides James but he is catching up fast...) I need the extra 3-5 inches so he can see me over all the others peering in at his beautiful face. 

I can picture it now...our eyes will meet.  And he will smile and think wow, she is prettier in person - my grandma!!  LOL...now you can roll your eyes.

 Shoes:  Payless $27.99  Purse:  Thrifted $1.00

 Shirt: Thrifted $2.69  Skirt:  Thrifted $1.00

The skirt is actually way prettier than the picture shows, it has two pleats in the front and the back is straight and it also has vertical lines through out.  I just love it!!

 You can see the pleats better here.

Necklace: Papparrazi Jewerly $5.50

Kierra also got some new shoes and new glasses.  She was amazed at how well she could see with them on.  I am amazed at how beautiful she is!!

My Baby Girl is all grown up!!



June - Off To A Great Start!

This has got to be my "good luck/tender mercies month".  It is off to a great start already, My oldest daughter Makayla (age 19) just received Employee of Month - I am so proud!!  She received a $100 bonus and a paid day off.  Then Hunter (15) started his first job at Ace Hardware for the summer.  He said so far they have him putting together all the displays.  I love it...now when Christmas time comes and James gets new toys, Hunter will be a pro at disciphering the instruction manual.  I told him he is getting valuable training for when he becomes a father.  (He rolled his eyes and was like...yeah ok mom.)  Kierra (14) has started soccer practice with FHS Scorpions and is tired and sore.  They are learning ball controlling techniques and she is in loving every minute of it!  She said something about playing volleyball and only being able to use their head and feet - no hands.  Little James (3) is swimming his heart out in his new pool and helping Nana do yardwork.  He is a ball full of energy.  Wednesday night at our youth activity he was running around while all the kids played Ultimate Frisbee.  He ended up falling and cut his mouth open.  When he saw the blood, he panicked and so I said, " let's go home and clean you up and put some ice on your mouth".  He said, "No, Mom...Ice cream is better."  We stopped off at Sonic on the way home and after eating his ice cream cone he was again off and running. 

As for me, I have a few sewing projects in the works.  (Pics to come)  I am currently working on finishing an A-line Skirt, and then a shirt refashion from a maternity shirt. Yesterday I picked up the cutest 70's dress with a scarf-like tie at the neck - can't wait to modernize it.  Unfortantely it fits alittle snug so I might have to wait a couple months when my early morning weight training has taken effect.  It will be my incentive to lose my first 10 pounds! 

This week's tender mercy moment:  My air conditioner on my house is the orginal from 30 yrs ago when the house was brand new.  I am replacing it this year and we are doing duct work to each room.  The unit only blows are from one central  location - the hall way; at night we about die from the heat.  After looking at my budget I only had enough to cover the supplies but not he labor.  Thanfully, my ex-husband is willing to do all the labor for free.  What a blessing is has been to be able to forgive and become friends with my ex- husbands.  Once again, the Lord has taken care of me.