Movin' it with Michelle
Running, Recipes, and Real life adventures!
Going on 7…weekly wrap!
Well, we’re going on 7 weeks down this coming Tuesday. As of late, things have somewhat evened out at least emotionally, that is until last week. See, we are our HUGE inspection at work that gives us our national accreditation and they show up unannounced. Ok, so deep breathes. I walk in to work on Tuesday with the news they’ll be here in an hour. No big deal, right? Its just ONE day, and how bad could it be? Well, when after introductions they announced they’d be inspecting our lab for THREE days. Gulp. Needless to say my long days and still needing to maintain our evening schedules left very little for working out. Good news is, we got through the inspection with only minor write ups that have already been fixed. If stress burned as many calories as working out does, I’d be 10 lbs. lighter after last week. ROFL!!!
Friday my oldest daughter, J, had plans with her friend, so I took my mini for Mani’s and Pedi’s after I picked her up from school and we ran a few errands. We never do things like this, so it was quite the treat.
Saturday J had a mandatory study session at school from 10:15-2:30 so after dropping her off my mini and I went out for breakfast. And guess who we saw?!? Donnie Wahlberg sat RIGHT there at the counter when I was paying for our meal. No, I didn’t take a pic, but YES it totally happened, LOL!!!! Sure, Mark is cuter, but I was star struck nonetheless!
Saturday night I was heading to Chicago to watch The Avett Brothers in concert at the Chicago theater with a very dear friend of mine. We headed downtown at around 4 P.M., had dinner at the Public House, and went for drinks at 3 Dots and a Dash before heading to the concert.
I haven’t been “out” in ages, I supposed more so due to guilt because I feel like my kids need me even more now that we are a single parent family. But J said, “Mom, GO! Have FUN!!!” And fun, I had. I smiled the entire evening, and sang my heart out during the concert.
Sunday I really wanted to relax. But, I had my fun last night so yard work trumped my plans of lounging on the couch. I spent 2 hours spreading turf builder and weed killer on my 1.5 acres of land. My arms are truly, officially SMOKED. LOL!!
Tonight I cooked a simple yet yummy dinner!!!
Here’s the recipe for my Asian inspired chicken. I marinated 4 chicken thighs in soy sauce, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper for 30 minutes. I took 1 bag of baby broccoli and drizzed it with extra virgin olive oil, 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper and place on a baking sheet, and roast for 40 minutes at 375 degrees. Simply pan fry the chicken (pouring the marinade over the top) in a non stick pan for about 12 minutes or until cooked through. Cut at a diagonal, and serve over your favorite brown rice/quinoa. Top with the roasted broccoli!
I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for the weekly wrap!! Please make sure to check out these (and all the amazing linkers) amazing ladies!!! How was your week? Try any new recipes? Do you have a big yard?
Have a great week!!!!
Cheers!
Michelle
54 Comments on “Going on 7…weekly wrap!”
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Welcome to my Blog!
Surprise inspections? Sounds like me and audits. YUCK. Stressful. I don’t like those mandatory Saturday study sessions the kids have sometimes. Our yard is not big but we live on a hill with huge trees. It’s not an easy lawn to maintain. I worked out there quite a bit this weekend. There is a never-ending supply of sticks and limbs to pick up. It’s definitely cross training. Thanks for linking with us Michelle. I’m proud of you!
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Very stressful indeed!!! Thank you, Holly…you and Tricia have really helped me keep writing!
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A thoughtful blog. Thank you.
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Thank you, Daniel!!
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What a fun girl’s night! You are always taking care of everyone else. I’m sure you enjoyed taking some time for yourself. That chicken dinner looks delicious you made!
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We had such a blast, thanks!!! And the chicken dish was so easy to make!! Thank you!!
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Surprise inspections are no fun, but it’s great that they only found minor issues. Your daughter is right, you need to have some fun too!
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Thanks, Coco!!! I’m sure trying to make myself have a little me time too.
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Dang girl! That’s a big yard to do it all manually. BEASTMODE! 😉
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It was tough!!!! Lol thanks!!!
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Your yard is beautiful! Way to go!! A fun night is always a nice treat for moms too! Glad you had a good time. I agree Mark is cuter, but fun that you got to see Donnie.
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Thanks so much!!!! And yes, Donnie was quite handsome, especially in person! LOL
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I am happy to see you are feeling like you are getting back in your groove. It’s always great to have a girls night out once in a while. Have a great week!
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Thanks so much, Deborah!!!! I am hoping to get a few more workouts in this week! Have a wonderful week!
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Ahhhhh! Inspections! I work in banking, so I know how stressful it can be even though you haven’t done anything wrong. Somehow you always start questioning and second guessing yourself lol! 1.5 acres is A LOT! xoxox
Should you run with or without music? https://candiesandcrunches.com/2016/04/25/should-you-run-with-or-without-music/
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I am SOOOOO glad it’s over with, LOL!! Thanks lady! xo!
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How are you always downtown when I am not? 3 dots and a dash is one of the most fun cocktail bars, and teh Avett bros I’ve heard are UNREAL in concert. Glad you had some fun in the midst of it all!
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Thanks, Suz!!! We WILL have to meet up sometime!!!! The Avett bros were AHMAZZZZZZING live. Better than any band I’ve heard live.
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That inspection sounds totally stressful! The pic of you and your Turf Builder is hilariously awesome! Way to get it done! Yum! Love me some Asian chicken!
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Thanks Marcia!!! I had to laugh while doing it because my arms were on fire and I’d have cried otherwise, LOL!!
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I’m glad the inspection went well for the most part and now it’s over! And your Saturday night looks like it was a lot of fun. Well deserved 🙂
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Thanks!!!! We had a blast Saturday night for sure!
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I totally agree with you on the stress burning as many calories as working out! Just why can’t this be?? Glad the inspection turned out well and OMG I am sooo freaking jealous you got to see Mark Wahlberg! I do respect their privacy and know they are usually just normal people like me and you…. but I would be so starstruck too! He is such a hottie! 🙂 Why do you think I’ve watch so many of his movies here lately!
Yay, for you going out and having a great time! We do need that more often than we think! I’m so very glad to read you enjoyed yourself.
You have a beautiful yard and it looks very well taken care of!! Thanks Michelle for joining us! Have a great week!
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It was actually Donnie that we saw, but I agree, they are both hotties, LOL!!!! Have a great day lady!!!
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Beautiful land you live on and so much!! Looks like you had a great week. I love concerts. I would go to one every week if hubby was game. Thanks for sharing your recipe. You make it sound easy but it looks so nice and fancy-restaurant-style!!
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Thanks so much!!!! My dream is to have my own restaurant one day!!
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Your property looks amazing…but I can’t even make grass grow properly on my postage stamp size plot of land, I don’t know how you do it – amazing!!! Also, OMG, you were next to Donnie? I totally had a crush on him in NKOTB days. lol
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Thanks…..AND YES….Donnie in the flesh. I had such a huge crush back in the NKOTB days!! lol
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I’m envious of people who make their food look so pretty! So not me. And lately I don’t want to cook anyway.
Very glad you got out for a night of fun — your daughter was right, you needed it, and that’s awesome that she recognized it.
Look at that, almost 2 months behind you!
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I’ve been dabbling in my plating over the last couple years, thanks Judy!!! And yes….hard to believe we are closing in on the 2 month mark already!!! YAY!!
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1.5 acres of land…….I know it is a lot of work but I am soooooo jealous!!! your arms look smoking hot in that picture! Suns out…guns out!!!
Well hot dang that chicken recipe looks devine!! Thanks for that!
Congrats on getting through the inspection…I used to hate those when I was a school director!
I am trying to schedule some time with my daughter for manis and pedis…she has been asking.
Have a great week!!
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It’s A LOT….and a lot of work. I think I am ready to downsize after maintaining this house for 5 years, LOL!!! Thanks for the compliments, you truly made me smile. You should definitely schedule some time, my daughter LOVED it.
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I’m glad you got through the inspection without too much hassle. It must have been so stressful.
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Thanks, Char! We’re all teasing at work today that we have “inspection hangovers” haha!!
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Cool that you saw Donnie, doesn’t he and his wife live out your way? I think they were going to do a reality show from their hometown if I’m not mistaken. Way to get all of those acres of land turf-built and weed killed! 🙂
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Yes! They live here in St. Charles, and we were just one town over in Geneva!!! Thanks, Pete!!!
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Those inspections sound crazy stressful! I am glad you made it through! For what it’s worth, I’ve been on the other end and it is stressful being the inspector, as well. OMG on Donnie! My mother in law LOVES Blue Bloods so she would die if she knew you ran into him! Your Asian chicken dish looks AMAZING. Gorgeous plating!
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It really was a stressful week to say the least! Thanks!!!! I too have been the inspector, so I get the other side of the coin as well! These inspectors were…well…less than pleasant, LOL!!
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Congrats on passing your inspection! I am so impressed with how well you take care of all that property! Your lawn looks great and so does your dinner:)
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Thanks, Lisa!!! I am blessed that some neighbors have offered their lawn mowing services while my husband is overseas, but the rest I’ve maintained myself!
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I’m so glad you passed inspection! That had to be nerve-wracking!
Are those boneless chicken thighs? I’m not much for dark meat chicken, but the recipe sounds great!
We have a big yard, but we have a service care for it. Florida grass is an absolute you-know-what and in the summer, it has to be mowed about twice a week. Not to mention we are on a pretty steep incline down into the water – people have lost lawn mowers down there. You’re doing awesome, though!
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Thanks Jennifer! They are boneless and skinless thighs. I just think they have so much more flavor but you could use the breasts too I’m sure!!! I. LOVE Florida! That is where we hope to end up!!
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Your lawn is gorgeous! That would be quite a workout!
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Thank you!! It sure was!!
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That is a huge yard! and so pretty and green, very nice 🙂
I would have died to see a Walhberg! I do think Mark is a tad cuter too LOL Sorry Donnie…
Glad you had a fun night after all the work stress!
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lol I agree!! Thanks Karen!
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I LOVE your comment about stress burning calories! Wouldn’t that be divine (?)…only we’d all have ulcers and no long-run endurance 😉 Glass half full LOL 😉
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Right?! HEHE, gotta always try to keep a positive spin on things, right?!
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Another good week Michelle! How cool is that – that you got to stand right next to Donny!!! 🙂 I watch Blue Bloods and really enjoy his acting (he is a bit of a hot head!!) – the weeks seem to be flying by!! 🙂 🙂
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hehehe, thanks Linda!!
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Sounds like you had a great week despite the stress at work. I find that kids are happiest when their parents are happy, so I never felt guilty about going out or doing something for myself. Firstly, it helps my sanity and secondly, it helps kids grow up be independent. They can survive and will not burn down the house.
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Very true…I think the night out really gave me the boost I needed to stay positive for my kids!! Thanks, Karen!
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Even with a stressful week at work, it sounds like you made the best of your week. You got to spend quality time with your daughter, you got a lot of yardwork in, and you made a delicious Asian dinner. Those are all wins in my book!
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I sure try to make the most of each week! Thanks so much, Kathryn!
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