My Saturday

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2.5 HOURS

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1500+ square feet

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Scrubbing on Hands and Knees

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(don't worry that's not really me, but that's what I felt like when I was done)

But my floors look pretty good.  We are now a no shoe household, no way I'm letting it get dirty anytime soon...And I'm hoping we will have hired someone for next time.  (I did get a 1 hour uninterrupted warm bath with calming Aveda bath salts when I was done.  That seems to have lessened the pain in my shoulders, but nothing for the bruises on my knees)

Socks

Who knew socks could be so exciting...I was running errands last weekend, specifically for the guest bedroom we've been updating.  I was strolling through TJMaxx/HomeGoods and wandered to the clothing side...I had noticed I needed some new socks for running and grabbed a pack of Asics socks.  Not really thinking much of it, they were soft and looked like they would fit my small feet.  (I think they are the ones pictured below) 

Well, let me tell you, those things are awesome.  They feel much thicker on, are soft and cozy and don't slip or cause blisters... I think I may be heading back to get more (3 pairs for $4.99)

Speaking of working out/running.....I went to the gym Mon and Weds morning and am headed there at lunch today.  Slowly easing my way into it, but it feels great!!  Hopefully I'll be up to running more in the next week or so. 

Defeated

The #1 ranked UK Wildcats (first #1 ranking in a long time) got beat last night by South Carolina....UK was the last undefeated team remaining.  Hopefully they can pull it back together for the game this Saturday.

(I watched a bit of it, but a 10:30 rolled around and I knew I was getting up for the gym - yep - 2 mornings now - I needed to get to sleep.)

Still love the Cats!  Looking for a win on Saturday!

Beauty Product Review - Avon

I don't normally do a lot of reviews, but I got some Avon for Christmas and thought I would write about it.  My SMIL and her mom use Avon skincare and swear by it.  She had told me about it, but I hadn't taken the plunge yet.  I have a hard time buying lotion for $10 at Target, let alone $30.  So she got me the eye cream below and travel sizes of the day and night lotion for Christmas.

I actually like this stuff.  I have been using the eye cream (both AM and PM) regularly.  It goes on smoothly and actually has a bit of a cooling sensation to it.  I will say that once or twice the PM version has iritated my sometimes sensitive skin.  But I go through this every once in awhile even with the stuff I have been using (Cetaphil).  (Probably ought to go get a GOOD facial and figure out my skin type so I can treat it accordingly!).  The day cream is wonderful.  Goes on smoothly and soaks right in.  My face feels soft and not greasy.  I will be buying a regular size version of this.  I like the night cream as well.  I have been alternating it with the Biore that I have been using so I have more of it left.  I will order some later when I run out of Biore.

I went online to check out the prices and to see what deals they have and noticed they also have a gel cleanser and rinse off treatment.  They also have a deal buy one get the second at $5...not too bad if you ask me....I was thinking I would try the cleanser and get the full size lotion!  (but considering the gel is $12 and the treatment is $25, it might make more sense to get the lotion and the treatment, save the gel for next time).

Anyone out there use Avon skincare products?  Thoughts???  I'll let you know what I decide to buy and how it works.

(NOTE:  My skin still looks like a teenager's....I cannot get rid of the breakouts on my chin...any ideas????)

I did it....

....I actually stepped foot inside the YMCA again.  Wow - its been about 4 months...That's a long time for me!!  And I can't say I really wanted to get up this morning...we didn't get to bed as early as I would like to get up at 6.  (Read - we were so interested in the Football games/tennis going on that we got sidetracked and lost track of time) So, at about 11 when we were going to sleep, James says "what time should I set the alarm for?".  To which I reply "umm, how about 6, then we can snooze one time and still make the gym by 6:30."  (Yes, I am a queen of the snooze button....)  Fast Forward to 6:09 and the alarm goes off for the 2nd time.  James jumps out of bed.  "are you going" he asks.  "ahh this bed is so comfortable I think I'll just stay snuggled up I guess I have to start sometime" I replied and pulled my tired, lazy butt out of bed.  I decide to make it a slow transition back to the gym, so jumped on a treadmill to walk.  I turned the TV to ESPN2 to watch the Australia Open and set about my walk (at a brisk pace and 0.5 incline - starting somewhere right).  Well, about 10 minutes in I decided just walking wasn't going to cut it.  So, I ran 2 mins at 5.5.  Not too bad.  Walked again, ran again, walked again, ran again.  Then decided to walk the last 10 minutes (still at a brisk pace and 0.5 incline).  At minute 30, I still hadn't had enough the tennis match was still on, so I walked slower to watch more of it.  (It was a really close match).  After 10 minutes of slow walking/watching tennis, I decided I need to do something else.  I grabbed 8 lb weights and went through 5 upper body exercises twice.  Starting somewhere indeed.  Followed by 2 sets of 10 knee ups (abs).  Glad to have gotten the workout in.  But seriously thinking a short nap later might be needed!!!

Not sure I'm back in the habit as I was before,  but I've definitely taken a step in the right direction!

Busy weekend ahead

We have a busy weekend planned.  Tonight James is going to Boys Poker Night...and I'll be hanging with a couple of the girls.  Tomorrow we'll be putting the Guest bedroom back together and hopefully painting the Dining Room.  I am going to run and pick up at least one other sample of paint because we aren't sold on the two currently on the wall (see post here ).  The other color we're going to try is Edamame.  Saturday evening we have a birthday party for a friend.  Sunday is church and house work....

Fun/busy weekend ahead!  Hopefully I'll get some after pictures of the guestroom done and I'll show you a painted dining room!  Have a fun one!

Restaurant Review - Kyma

Last night we had dinner at Kyma with James' business partner and his wife.  (Somewhat reluctantly given the dreary day, though it definitely was fun!)

Kyma had an extensive martini list, though I chose to go with the standard Cosmo, made with Ketel One Citroen.  Good, basic martini.  James decided on wine.  I think he got this one: Antonopoulos...it was a light red and pretty good.

For starters we had the spread platter.  Generous portions of 4 spreads with pita bread.  1)yogurt, cucumber, dill 2) roasted red peppers, feta 3) potato, garlic, olive oil 4) grilled eggplant, walnuts.  My favorite was the roasted red pepper and feta, a bit tangy but great.  The tzatziki was great.  Lisa and I shared the seared tuna with wild mushrooms “a la grecque” and zucchini chips with  sheep’s milk cheese “manouri".  The zucchini chips were awesome.  Very thinly sliced, with a very light batter and golden fried.  YUMMY.  The tuna left a bit to be desired.  Definitely not the best tuna I have had.
James and Ricky shared oysters - I did not partake in that - and a spicy lamb pie.  The spicy lamb pie was actually pretty good.

Our waitress (who was great) suggested the lamb main courses.  After all the appetizers, we decided to split 2 entrees.  The girls had the lamb shank and the boys the lamb chops.  Our meals were split in the kitchen and served individually, nice touch.  The shank was extremely tender and the little pasta underneath and the tomato topping was simply wonderful.  The flavors were not too overwhelming.  Perfectly comforting on a rainy day.  The boys enjoyed the lamb chops as well.  Served with Greek Fries and more tzatziki sauce.

Overall a wonderful meal with good company.  Great night!

Painting

We've been on a painting kick here at the Halfway House.  Future guests will have a newly painted room and a slightly different color scheme.  We still have to put the room back together so below is the only picture you get for now.....

The next room on the list is the Dining Room.  We're having a bit of a problem determining the color.  Below is a picture of the samples we painted on the wall.  The room gets a lot of natural light, so we're giving it a few days to see what we like better.  Right now we are divided....any thoughts would be WONDERFUL!  I also added another picture of the dining room so you can get an idea of the overall room.  We are also on the hunt for a rug under the table.  We'll be framing the paintings (they are copies that my MIL painted....she's talented like that!).  Once we get that done, I feel like the room will be complete....at least for now....I still envision cabinets in the corners to hold our china and/or glassware.  The colors are SW Olive Grove on the left and Meadow Trail on the right. 

(I realize this picture is not as big and the others and I can't make it bigger.  This is looking into the dining room from the entry way.   To the left are the pictures and the paint samples.  To the right is another large arched window as seen in this picture.  Hopefully that gives you some idea.  The table has 3 sets of reddish/orange hydrangeas on it.  Otherwise nothing, unless its the holidays and then I put my china and red placemats)

HELP!!!  We're taking all the opinions we can get!

Baby Shower

I may have mentioned that while home for the holidays I helped host a shower for one of my bff's.  We basically grew up together (we have pictures of us in diapers and through all of life's changes, even moves out of the country and cross country and we still pick up right where we left off - yep, she's that kind of friend - the one that's always there and makes you a better person) and now she is having a little girl.  I am so excited for her and can't wait to meet the little one!  I was even asked to be the godmother....Definitely exciting times.  The shower was very fun (even if a bit rushed for me - James picked me up at the shower to continue our travels to NC).  We did a brunch the Sunday after Christmas.  There was a yummy french toast casserole, 2 egg casseroles, ham and a fruit salad.  Wonderful food and great company.  D got lots of great things for baby girl!  I don't have many pictures from the shower (I was taking pictures with her camera and thus forgot about mine), but I do have one of the two of us.  (Funny story....we did not plan to dress alike...I also had a pink scarf in the car that I was going to wear, but in the rush of everything forgot to put it on.....guessing great minds think alike!!)

Christmas Picture

Yep...that's the only one you get...nothing else worth showing and this one isn't even that good (notice my chin looking like a teenager - I still haven't figured out how to rid myself of these little breakouts).....But we did have a wonderful Christmas, celebrated many times.  First with my MIL and her husband, then with my parents and extended family and finally with my FIL and SMIL.  Overall great times spent relaxing - or at least trying to - with family and friends.

My parents got us a Wii so we've been playing on that...mainly sports, but James got RockBand 2 and Beatles RockBand for his birthday so we've played that some, too.  Though I think the best - or that James is enjoying the most right now - is the downloaded old school Super Mario Bros.  As in the very first one....so funny to play!  Now I just need to get the wii fit...that will help with the gym going slump I have been in.......

AI - Atlanta Auditions

We were watching American Idol Atlanta auditions on DVR last night.  While it was amusing and there was definitely some talent, the thing that stood out most to me was guest judge Mary J Blige.  She didn't pull any punches, was quick to encourage talent and overall was fun to watch.  What did you think of the Atlanta auditions???


(Just a note, generally I don't start watching until Hollywood, but decided to watch what I can until then)

Found some

Motivation that is. I went for a walk with the dog and a friend. We waited for 40+ weather, bundled up and headed out. It was nice to get out, exercise and enjoy the sun. We're planning to go today, too.  Guess that's a step in the right direction!!  I figure if I can do this 3-4 days this week, I might be able to convince myself to go to the gym next week. 

Here's to the sun shining!  ;)

Motivation

I think by now you noticed I am lacking motivation.  Whether it be this blog, getting back to the gym, just about anything, I am not really motivated.  Maybe its the cold weather, maybe I just got too worn out in the last few months.  Who knows, but I'd really like it back....and I am sure my friends at the Y would love to see me again....though I am not sure it would be too fun a place considering all the NY Resolutioners ;)

You would think the tight little number I have to wear in a wedding in a month would be motivation enough for the gym..nope not working. 

A little background if you're new around here:  I am typically at the gym 3-4 days a week, plus tennis and outdoor running.  I don't necessary work out to lose weight, but to feel good.  Its just something I enjoy, especially feeling strong.   During a tennis match I thought I pulled my hamstring.  Went for a massage and figured out it was my IT band.  Probably didn't pull it, just a little strain.  However, I used it as a good excuse not to do much of anything other than play tennis.  Couple that with the fact my loving husband thinks the above workout regime was impacting my ability to get pregnant and the last quarter of the year was extremely busy....no gym time for me. 

But now I would like to get back at it....So readers, if you can help me find a little motivation, I would greatly appreciate it....Anything to get me off my rear and into the gym (or if it really gets to 50 degrees this week, maybe outside)...I'll take it.  Thanks!!

Still in Hibernation

'It is so danged cold here....All I want to do is curl up with a cup of tea (specifically Tazo Wild Sweet Orange) and snuggle in a blanket

 pic courtesy of www.amazon.com

...so needless to say I haven't posted yet...In my defense we have misplaced the camera cord...still searching...so I can't upload any photos yet.  However, I did get the rest of my to do list done. I'll try to do the holiday recap this evening.

My To Do List Today

Work
DG CCE
DG PPD
Christmas Put Away
Blog Posts (See I told you they were coming!!!)

So work gets the priority because it pays the bills.  Unfortunately it seems there is a lot to be done today.
DG work gets next priority because there are deadlines associated with each.  No bill paying from these, though must meet deadlines
Christmas put away is next because, well, the 12 days of Christmas are over.
And finally I will get back to blog posting....some upcoming topics:

whirlwind Christmas travels and gifts (very few photos)

Baby Shower I helped host for a friend

NYE pictures

Husband's Birthday and Restaurant review

2010 Home spruce up plan

Don't worry (I know you are worried that I won't come back, those 5 of you that read) I will be back this week!

I'm coming back

SOON....promise!