What I'm Loving

It's a beautiful January day and easy to think of lots of things I am loving.

{1} I'm loving that the week is halfway over!

{2} I'm really loving that January is almost over which means summer is getting closer!

{3} I'm loving that I've fallen into a great workout routine! It does mean eating supper a bit later, but is totally worth it. I really do feel a lot better.

{4} I'm loving the outfit I pulled together for today. I don't consider myself a fashionista or style blogger at all, but am excited about this one.

{5} I'm loving that hubby is back at work today. Hah! Totally shouldn't say that, but of course when he is home I stay in bed longer in the mornings ... then again, he did a great job of helping with Cooper in the mornings as well.

{6} I'm loving this hair! Almost makes me wish I were a boy :)

{7} I'm loving these things I've recently pinned ...

Source: armedinheels.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: alittletipsy.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: krissys-creations.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: kidsinthesink.wordpress.com via Michelle on Pinterest

{8} I'm loving my handsome men :) {Totally need an updated picture}

What are you loving today?

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Tuesday randoms

• I've actually written two blog entries since I last posted but forgot to publish. Whoops.
• So, last Wednesday hubs had a minor surgery, to remove a nodule from his vocal cord. Everything seems to have gone well and he has a follow up planned for tomorrow. The worst part of it all is that he's been on vocal rest for a week - which is essentially no talking or whispering. Frustrating.
• Little Mister marked 14 months last Wednesday! Once I get him to sit still for a few pictures, I'll have a little post :)

• Last week, our college president called a meeting in which he refocused our department. I'm super excited about these changes and feel it will be for the best.
• The weather here is absolutely crazy. I'm definitely not complaining about temps in the 60s in January, however.

• I'm really considering purchasing this weekender/garment bag that's being featured on Groop Dealz today. Super reasonable, and I think I need it for our upcoming Vegas trip!

• If you are a mom of a toddler, or have nieces and nephews, what do you feed them? I feel like, other than lunch/supper, C eats the same food day in and day out. He really loves some foods, like cheese, bananas, cheerios, cherry tomatoes, and applesauce, but I don't want to burn him out. To be honest, he has hot dogs and frozen pizza more often than I care to admit. Also, I have a really hard time with the veggies. HELP!
• Hubby got a new work truck. We are very excited. I probably looked/sounded like a dork with all my "oohs" and "aahs" but I'm so proud of him. This is his first new truck since he started this role almost eight years ago, and he's grown his route to be the second largest out of his market center, so I am really happy for him.

Why yes, that is a Tonka truck in the driveway :)

• In addition to the nice weather, I'm really anticipating spring/summer for the garage sales!
• I'm thrilled that I've done really well on my money/budgeting since posting about attempting to use all cash for my personal purchases, minus gas! Between a check from my freelancing and mileage, I paid all but $200 on our fridge last weekend, and am also paying the facility rental fee for a baby shower I'm helping to host with cash! I'm almost positive I'll have the fridge taken care of in the next few weeks, and then it's on to saving for car insurance (blech), my new iPhone, and Vegas!
• Working out/eating healthier is going pretty well. I think I'll save all that for a more in-depth post later this week.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Losing it

As I mentioned in my post looking ahead in the year, I really want to find a happy weight and truly make it a lifestyle. 

With hubby's birthday and some work related things, this goal has been on the back burner. But over the weekend, realizing Vegas is coming up very soon, I decided to bring it front and center. 

Ideally, I'd like to lose about 10 -15 lbs. total. That's about what I was in college and truly a "happy weight" for me, I think. But there are so many variables ... I've had a kid, so things have definitely changed. Right now I'm focusing more on a tone body as well, so when it's muscle versus just slim, that makes a huge difference in the number on the scale in relation to the size. Overall, I just want to feel good in my own skin - which is definitely not the case right now. 

For my workouts, I'm trying to keep things really simple. Running is such a great form of cardio, and last fall, hubby and I invested in a treadmill. So, I'm aiming to begin running again at least every other day. I've also discovered there will be a 5K in my town on April 6, so my goal is to be back at being able to run the full thing, hopefully in less than 30 minutes.

One of my biggest trouble areas is my tummy. So, I decided to do the Fab Abs January workout schedule I found on Pinterest.

Source: shrinkingjeans.net via Michelle on Pinterest

I didn't come across this until last week and just began on Saturday, so I'm planning to do 2-3 workouts each day until I get caught up. So far, I've done five days and my chest/abs are already hurting. 

I've also pinned similar calendars for February, March and April, and am looking forward to having an easy workout that isn't too time-intensive to keep me working my abs daily. 

Of course, one of the biggest problems/lifestyle changes I need to make is altering my food choices! While nursing, I could eat anything and literally not gain a pound. For awhile, I was eating two breakfasts. Those days are over and those habits have got to change. So I'm working really hard to have healthier options for breakfast, lunch and my snacks. I'm not going to be too restrictive on what I cook for supper, but I am going to work on smaller portions. 

I'm considering downloading one of the calorie tracking apps to help me see just how much I consume daily. Do you have any suggestions? And for those of you who already do this and are restricting yourselves to 1200 or 1400 calories a day, what suggestions do you have regarding the foods I can eat that are filling yet low in calories? 

I know a lot of my readers are already pros at what I am setting out to accomplish, so please, share your tips and successes with me. 





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Free time

If there is one thing moms can agree on, it's that, once the baby is out, there is no such thing as free time anymore. As a working mama, every day is a rat race from the time the alarm goes off until 8 p.m. when Mister goes to bed. I get so stinking jealous of the "me" time hubby gets between the time he gets home and Cooper and I get home.

Then there are days like today ... I am off work, hubby is at work, and the sitter is open. So, I took Cooper to her. At almost 14 months, he is into absolutely everything and it's downright impossible to get anything done when he is awake. 

But then there's the guilt. The feeling that I should keep him home with me. The feeling that I'm a bad mom for wanting a day of "me" time. 

Which is actually laughable. While I do plan to relax today, I have a million and one things to do, it seems. We had a pretty laid-back weekend, including a four-hour trip over to Kentucky on an errand yesterday, so I have tons of housework and laundry to do. I'm working on a couple of writing pieces. I plan to run on the treadmill and get in a good workout. I need to file papers and get the pile of things we no longer want/need organized for a yard sale. 

I tend to take days like today when I actually get a bit of free time and take a major chunk out of my to-do list. But there are days that I like to veg out and catch up on my shows. 

What do you do on free days? And if you are like me and feel you are always on the go, how do you carve out some "me" time?


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Sunday Social

It's been a hot minute since I participated in the Sunday Social, but I liked this week's topics and had a few minutes to spare, so I decided to join the fun!

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Top 3 Favorite Kinds of Food::
- PIZZA!!! I've had an obsession ever since becoming pregnant I think. Probably the reason I can't lose anymore weight.
- Bagels. They make such a yummy breakfast.
- Salad. I love, love, love a good, fresh salad!

First 3 Things you do in the morning
- Push the snooze button!
- Cuddle with hubby.
- Turn on my hair straightener (if it's a work day) or use the restroom

Last 3 Things you do at night
- Check on my angel baby
- Turn on the alarm
- Kiss my hubs

3 TV shows you NEVER miss
- Criminal Minds
- Wheel of Fortune
- How I Met Your Mother

3 Places you want to visit
- Vegas (so excited to be going in March!)
- Italy
- New York City

3 People you can always count on
- Hubby
- My mom
- My dad


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Yummy breakfast casserole

This is one of our family's favorite breakfasts. It is a real treat - I always make it for Christmas or other special occasions!

I've shared the recipe with friends, at work potlucks, and have also been asked to make it for brunches and such with them, including the morning of one of my besties' wedding. 

It is so easy and yummy!

What you'll need:

- One can crescent rolls (the big sheets work really well, too!)

- 1 lb. sausage, browned

- 4 eggs, mixed with 2 T. of milk and seasoned with pepper to your liking

- Shredded cheese (I think the recipe calls for 1 cup, but I eyeball it!)

To make:

- Coat a 9x13 pan with cooking spray

- Spread out the crescent rolls on the pan, making about a 1 inch crust on the sides. 

- Layer sausage, egg mixture and cheese. 

- Bake at 375 (or whatever temperature the can of rolls calls for) for approximately 12-15 minutes. 

A few tips:

- If you are like me and not a morning person, it works very well to brown the meat and mix the eggs the night before - just layer and bake in the morning!

- I like to pat the top down with paper towels once pulling out of the oven, as it eliminates some of the grease.

- Some of my friends aren't fans of eggs, so I once made a breakfast pizza without them. They all said it was very good!

Enjoy!

What I'm Loving

It's REALLY easy to think of things I'm loving on this surprise snow day :)

I'm LOVING that I work in education and have the day off. Despite driving 30 MPH on a major highway on the way home from our main campus yesterday. Ugh. 

I'm LOVING that I get to spend the day with this little love monkey.

I'm LOVING that it means I get to catch up on the DVR. Two episodes of The Good Wife are already cleared!

I'm LOVING that we had a great night out for hubby's birthday over the weekend. We had a delicious steak dinner then met up with some friends at BWWs. It was the perfect night, until some drunken jerk knocked a friend's fruity drink over and it spilled all over my lap. Ugh!

I'm LOVING that my birthday is coming up in just a few weeks:)

I'm LOVING that we have our flight, hotel and show booked for our Vegas trip! So excited and hoping time flies until we depart :)

What are you loving today? Are you in a winter wonderland as well?


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