It’s been fun growing my blog this year. Here’s my stats!
And, it’s my 2 year anniversary on Word Press!! Even better!! It’s my 4th year blogging, and I am so happy I moved over to Word Press 2 years ago. A huge thanks to you all for sticking with me, and a big welcome to all the new faces! ❤
Happy Anniversary with WordPress.com! You registered on WordPress.com 2 years ago! Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging!
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 19,000 times in 2015. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 7 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
The laboratory supervisors got our schedule for next year, which includes our weekend rotations of regular holidays and weekends. It showed me on Christmas PM shift, in 2019. And that made me stop and think…where will I be in 2019?
I don’t plan to be here in the Chicagoland area. As much as I love the city, the taxes kill us, and I am ready for a less stressful life filled with downsizing and beaches. Miami/Ft. Lauderdale is on our radar, but who knows, right?
But let’s talk today…shall we?
Today I realized that even after 24 years of doing my job, I still can kick butt as a bench technician rockin’ out the work like a mad woman.
Today I realized that my little girl, isn’t so little anymore as she asked me, “Mommy, when will I get under arm hair?” Ack. #notready
Today despite another sleepless night, I realized I am stronger than I think as I rocked out my 5k/5 minute plank after a crazy day at work. (see above)
Today I realized that it’s only December 9th, and I’m ahead of the game with package wrapping. Does anyone else feel like it’s double Christmas when 99.9% of your shopping is done online? I love opening all the packages, LOL!!!
Anyone else LOVE Amazon Prime? My anxiety just can’t take the crowds this time of year!
Today I realized that while wrapping, and shopping on said Amazon Prime, that I had left over Cooper’s Hawk wine that my sister brought over for Thanksgiving!! What is leftover wine you ask? I can hardly answer that question, ROFL!!!!
Today I was reminded of how much my Dad loves me. I received this gift of two handmade ornaments and a hand carved rolling pin. All. The. Tears. We don’t see each other very often, but the love is so evident. I even got to talk to him on the phone tonight, thanking him graciously for such a heartfelt gift.
Today I spoiled myself with a beautiful gown that I will wear next weekend when we are in Chicago. I most certainly will feel like a princess. Wouldn’t you?
And lastly, today, I was reminded by my husband that although he is gone a lot, he thinks of us all the time and loves us very much. And that my friends, is a wrap.
How was your day today? Do you ever wonder where you will be in a few years?
I’ve been sitting here for 5 minutes now, starting at the title of this post struggling to come up with something witty or catchy that will spark my readers attention.
But I’m drawing a blank.
I’ve read the last several of my posts. Man I sound like a broken record? Yikes…
My hubby is gone this week, so its my first week of figuring it all out on my own again. Although I’ve done this several times as he has always traveled a lot for work and/or the Army, this time feels a little different. I am doing my best to get us into a routine, so that when he leaves early spring, we will be at least physically prepared. The mornings can be a mad rush, so laying clothes out the night before, preparing snacks/lunches, signing homework folders and checking off reading logs all get done the night prior.
This is SO me, except my kids are 9 and 16 LOL
Today I finally decided no more excuses, my sinus crap was gone and it’s time to get back to working out at least 3 times per week. Last night I planked, and today did an interval workout on my treadmill followed by a 4 minute plank. I think I might have even smiled afterwards as I looked in the mirror at my beet red face. I was smiling, WHA?!? No way!
I figure the stronger PHYSICALLY I feel, the better emotionally I will feel in the end, so my goal is to keep pushing, and get stronger. I’ve lost 6 of the 9 lbs. I gained with marathon training last year, and my hubby even commented that I look like I am slimming down! #winning all around.
Today, I didn’t cry. Despite work drama, home stressors, you name it, I held it together. #morewinning right? I know my family is worried about me getting through this, but I am not the woman I was even just a few years ago. I’ve grown, I like to think, in to a much stronger person. And I’ve got many of you to thank for that strength. You amazing support, kindness and friendships have truly added years to my life. ❤
There are some days, when I can honestly say everything hurts. The ache in my heart seems to permeate throughout the rest of my body, and I just don’t have much left. That’s my last week in a nut shell. And it sucked.
So here are a few things that made me smile over the weekend.
Pictured is the watch I spoke about in my previous post. It was an anniversary gift for my husband, and he truly loves it. My daughters have truly rallied around me (the 16 year old has her moments of course) and keep me smiling. This weekend was my friend Carolyn’s 40th birthday, and although I couldn’t make it to the city with the girls, I was able to meet for her surprise birthday dinner. YAY! I miss these ladies dearly, but the stressors in my life have taken front seat unfortunately. I also made a yummy roast for dinner tonight, with a sweet potato mash topped with parmesan cheese and chives. YUM. Oh and naps. Yup. I had my running clothes on today….but a nap seemed like a much better idea. See, sleep just doesn’t happen anymore so I take what I can get. #dontjudge
Check out my dress. I LOVE pretty clothes! #giddy This is one of the dresses my hubby picked out during our anniversary weekend.
This week my husband will be traveling for a leadership meeting for his deployment. It all got very real, very quick. Today he was called in for another emergency meeting, and it’s so very hard to digest the whole situation. I can’t obviously go into it, but let’s just say S#@! just got real.
Tonight, while was cooking dinner I looked over and watched him. He was sitting in his rocking chair, drinking a glass of wine and reading his favorite magazine, Wine Spectator. But he wasn’t reading. He was staring at our Christmas tree. I asked him, “Are you ok?” and he looked down and nodded. I went to him, hugging him tightly, and he choked back sobs. This big, strong man was crying. And everything hurt, a little more.
But this too, in time, shall pass…We WILL get through this. Thanks to you all for your amazing support and patience. My blog has obviously taken a turn, but it helps to get it all out there even if just once a week or so.
How was your weekend? Did you cook anything yummy? What makes you happy during tough times?
It’s no shocker that I’ve been a bit MIA. I just haven’t felt like doing a whole lot to be honest. Sometimes work, life, etc. just overtakes us and we forget to make time for things we love.
So tonight I decided to dust off my apron and make a healthy meal for my family for dinner.
Chicken Sausage over “spaghetti”
Ingredients:
1 spaghetti squash, halved and seeded
4 links of chicken sausage, sliced at a diagonal.
1 shallot-finely diced
2 cloves of garlic-minced
6-8 shitake mushrooms, sliced
2 heads of baby bok Choy that have been cleaned and sliced-add these in the last 10 minutes
1/4 cup of frozen peas-add these in the last 10 minutes
Extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, oregano and parmesan cheese to finish.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and place the squash open face down and roast for 20 minutes. Turn it over after 20 minutes and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and oregano and put back in the oven for another 30 minutes.
While the squash is roasting, add extra virgin olive oil (just a drizzle) to a non-stick pan. Heat to medium-high heat and sauté the mushrooms, shallots, garlic and red pepper flakes until golden brown. WAIT to season until you get the golden brown color. Next add your chicken sausage and let brown. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Cook for about 15 minutes or until golden brown, and in the last 10 minutes add the bok Choy and peas. Taste for seasoning, and add salt and pepper as needed.
After the squash is done roasting, remove from the oven and let cool just slightly. Scoop out with a fork into a pasta dish, and top with the chicken sausage mixture. Finish off with parmesan cheese, and enjoy!
Do you have a favorite low carb meal? Does your family give you the side-eye when you try new and healthy recipes?
Thanks for the amazing support lately, I can’t thank you all enough! ❤
In the blink of an eye reality can change. Often times this change can be a wonderful surprise, but that isn’t the case for me this time…
Thursday I got the call from my husband that no military spouse ever wants to receive. That “This isn’t a text conversation please call me” call that is heart shattering. “Where are you going, and how long will you be gone this time?” I asked, thinking it was just another work trip. “Call me” was his answer and with a shaking hand I lifted the receiver off my work phone.
My husband delivered the news that he is getting deployed overseas for 12 months. There. I said it. I’ve told close friends and family, but I’ve kept to myself the last several days while trying to digest the idea of him being in harms way for another year. See, when I met him 12 years ago, it was just a few short months prior to his deployment to Afghanistan. We met late summer of ’03 and he deployed in October. I have loved this man from the very moment I laid eyes on him, so there was no question if I’d wait for him or not. I waited. For 10 1/2 months I waited by the phone as this was long before times where Skyping and instant messaging happened. I waited for that call, that MIGHT come every few weeks, and I checked my mail box Every. Damn. Day. in hopes that I’d find a letter. I didn’t watch the news in fear of what I’d see, yet found myself so very compelled to turn the channel back to CNN for just a peak. I didn’t sleep in fears of missing a phone call, and I worried more than I ever have about anyone or anything in my lifetime other than my daughters.
It was the hardest, most heart wrenching thing I have ever done.
And now. I have to do it again.
And I question if I can do it. I know I must, as the country needs my husband. He has been called to do what he does best, and that is lead his troops. But the whiney side of me wants to bawl my eyes out and say “I need you too, your daughters need you too…” Yet I can’t…I have my own duty as retired Air Force MSgt, and a military spouse to perform.
HE needs to know I am strong, and that I can take care of things here so he doesn’t have to worry. His worries are far bigger than whether or not I can get the kids to the bus in time before I go to work. He doesn’t need to be bothered with house repairs or paying bills. No. His calling is far greater than any of these issues.
So here in the next few months I may lose a little of my sparkle. The light in my eyes will be slightly dimmed, as this man I must say goodbye to is the reason why I shine. He sees something in me that many don’t, and despite our problems he continues to not give up on me.
Please pardon my slight absence as of late. I am just so. very. sad. For me, for my daughters, and for the year of memories my husband will miss out on. Yet this too, in time, shall pass.
I ask that you keep my husband and his unit in your prayers over the next year and a half. Keep their safety, well being, and morale lifted up in your daily prayers.
I am thinking about running another full marathon next year. As most of you know, I really wanted to run Grandma’s Marathon again, but without the free lodging my Mom got us last year and hotels going for a good $200+ a night, well…that doesn’t look very do-able for our family’s budget next year. 😦
SOOO…I found a local marathon that is less scenic, but a nice flat course that I could possibly push myself to maybe PR? Who knows…maybe?
I am thinking its time to REALLY start researching ideas and plans for my dream of opening a restaurant. I know this won’t happen for another 10 years or so, but I really want to be ready. So I’ve picked up my pen and paper, put on my thinking cap, and have started a list of regions in the U.S. that have good wines, and the cuisine that pairs well with the wine. I’ve only just started this process, but I have to admit, it is FUN doing all the research.
I am thinking since learning to hate embrace the added 5-8 lbs that have joined me since turning 40, I have also decided to fight back and turn that fat into muscle. I’ve gotten back on the running wagon, and have continued my strength training and yoga. Bye Bye Fat…and screw you, SCALE!
With that, I bid you happy National Coffee Day! Even though, well, I don’t drink coffee, LOL!!
What’s on your race schedule for the remaining of this year, and even next? Have you ever found yourself in a pinch when it comes to traveling for races? Do you drink coffee?
For those who took read Part 1, and shared your own likes-THANKS! I had fun with this series. We are wrapping the series up with the things I don’t like, so here they are in no particular order-except for number 1, that truly is the number ONE thing I don’t like.
being lied to…in any form or fashion. Be honest people. It WILL catch up with you.
body hair. ‘Nuff said.
Lima beans
cold weather-to include the white stuff. Mother Nature can keep it ALL.
water in my ears/nose/eyes
horror movies
alarm clocks
premenopause and all the horror that comes with it #thestruggleISreal
injury
death
beer-unless it’s at a ball game
bad table manners, to include LOUD chewing, elbows on the table and talking with your mouth full. Insert a pic of my hubby-HERE. lol
being startled. Maybe it’s anxiety thing, but DON’T sneak up on me to “scare” me for fun. I will jump out of my skin, Every. Damn. Time.
driving at night.
stuffy noses, especially my own. I NEED TO BREATHE lol
soda
flossing my teeth
that feeling you get in your mouth, when you haven’t flossed your teeth
water chestnuts. It’s like eating chalk. Bleh!
chafing
debt
fake friends, to include fair weather friends and one sided friendships. Somethin’s gotta give, right?
laundry (this might be my number 2…just sayin’)
high heels. I look like a 5 year old trying on her Mom’s shoes for the first time when I walk in them. ROFL!
One-uppers-You know, the people have to have done EVERYTHING, been everywhere and own everything that you do…twice.
uncomfortable silence
flying bugs
people that don’t like Disney
And quite possibly, this list…LOL!!! Maybe I need to just let things and not be so quirky, but nah. I am who I am, LOL
In keeping with my Julie Andrews theme…because I DO like her! LOL
What are some things that drive you batty? Any thing you don’t like that you’d like (haha, see how I did that?!) to share?
Thanks to all who participated in the fun! I just wanted to change things up, and had fun writing these up in my free time. Enjoy!
Yup, it’s that simple. I have been finding it hard to come up with topics to write about since I’ve taken a break from racing (although that break may end soon…more to follow) other than posting a recipe here and there. So I am borrowing an idea from my friend Christa at A Voluptuous Mind and make a 2 part post. One, things I like…Two, you guessed it…things I don’t like! Just a few random things you may or may not know about me…:-)
Here’s part one of Things you may not know about me!
Things I like!
Romance in all forms
Surprises
the smell of the air on a fall day
key lime pie
crème brulee’
the beach
writing
lavender
the smell of sweat after the 2nd or 3rd mile of my run (don’t judge-I know I’m weird)
belly laughs
Photography…capturing moments with photography makes me smile
dancing
hardwood floors and exposed brick
honesty
fancy restaurants
bon-fires
music. all forms. But especially Frank Sinatra. I LOVE Frank.
wine with friends
cooking gadgets-ALL the cooking gadgets!!!
massages
seeing people enjoy the food I prepare for them
that feeling you get when you are no longer runner, but flying…
hugs where you don’t feel like you have to let go
lunch time walks
cold pillows and warm blankets
challenging myself to chase my dreams 🙂
These are just a few of my favorite things (now you’ve got the song in your head, don’t you?!)!!!!
What are you favorite things?! I’d love for you to share a few of them! ❤
Stay tuned for part 2 of Things you may not know about me…coming soon!
First off, a huge thanks to those of you who commented on my last post. It truly touched my heart, and gave me a renewed faith that what I am doing here isn’t for not.
So after a fun filled day in Chicago yesterday celebrating my oldest daughter’s upcoming 16th birthday on Tuesday, I sharpened my knives and decided to dive in to making a yummy, healthy, yet EASY dinner for my family.
Yup…these people. We even got to have my niece over for the entire weekend which was awesome!
My husband picked up this yummy aged sirloin steak yesterday while were in Chicago at Eataly, (one of my ALL TIME favorite grocery-ish type stores…like EVER) and grilled it on our BBQ grill.
Sea salt and pepper is all you need on a cut of meat like this one!
I was in charge of the side dishes, so I decided to tweak by Brussels sprout recipe just a touch, and make sweet potato “chips” as my second side. You can find the recipe for the sweet potato chips HERE!
For the Brussels sprouts, here’s what you’ll need:
3 cups of Brussels sprouts, cleaned and cut the end core off. I halve mine to shorten the cooking time. This is totally optional.
2 strips of thick cut bacon, halved long ways, and then cubed.
2 shallots, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons of brown sugar, halved
Kosher salt and pepper to taste, and a dash of cayenne pepper.
2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil
In a non-stick pan add 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil and heat to medium high heat. Add in your bacon and shallots and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and let caramelize. This takes about 10-12 minutes. Next, add your Brussels sprouts, and seasonings and sauté for 10 minutes ensuring NOT to overcook. You still want a bite to your Brussels! In the last 2-3 minutes add your remaining brown sugar, mix well, and taste for proper seasoning.
Dinner is served!
We served this with a hearty yet lighter Pinot Noir. Delish!
Next week I plan on tackling my inner “you can’t do this anymore because you haven’t been running other than on the dreadmill” demon and head outside for some much needed miles. I don’t always have to be training for a marathon to be a runner, and I’ve accepted the fact that I just don’t WANT to make the time to train for a full marathon, either. I have a family that needs me more, and to dedicate countless hours each week is just simply unfair. It’s put a damper on so many areas in my life, so for now I’ll stick to the half marathon distance and shorter.
I’ve also realized that when you aren’t running, your “running friends” sort of fall by the way side. And this makes me very sad. I had a nice little cry to today knowing it was the day of the Fox Valley Marathon (my favorite local race) but I had other obligations. I miss those friends, but they are still out there all running together or in groups…and I…well…am not. It stings a little. I won’t lie. But that’s just part of the circle of life…right? 😦
So with my mantra of #keepmovinforward I plan on putting my time and effort in things that bring joy to my life. Being that friend that everyone can bring their problems too, yet I can’t come to with MY problems is less than joyful to say the least. So here we go…upwards and onwards.
What’s been on your plate these days? Do you find you have “fair weather” friends at times? Do you have any fall races coming up?
Movin' it with Michelle 