weekly wrap up – Page 2 – Movin' it with Michelle

Deployment thoughts, food, moving forward, Recipes, weekly wrap up

Going on 7…weekly wrap!

April 24, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

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!

donnoe

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!!

4.24.yard

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!

4.24.dinner

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?

WeeklyWrap

Have a great week!!!!

Cheers!

Michelle

weekly wrap up

Weekly wrap and Spring break fun 3/28-4/3

April 4, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

For the first time since I have had kids, I took off work for Spring break. I worked last weekend, which means I had last Monday off so technically I only needed to take 4 days of vacation. We didn’t have a ton planned, but we did decide to do at least SOMETHING most of the days, while allowing ourselves 2 days of sheer blissful laziness. I didn’t work out once, and since I am still coming down from a nasty chest cold, I don’t feel very bad about it minus the mental benefits I am missing dearly.

Monday: Doctor appointment for my oldest. Sadly, she takes after me TOO much, and has developed bad headaches/migraines. She of course thinks she is going to die, because when you are 16 everything is dramatic, and breathing is even hard. Needless to say keeping the drama at bay and my nerves somewhat calm has been a challenge. (Note, she was fine ALL week during spring break and today not an hour after school starts I get an “I’m dying” text. Lord help me.)

Tuesday: A day in the city. We took the train down to Chicago with plans to visit the Shedd aquarium but decided to not waste 2 hours of our day in line. Instead we went to lunch, visited The Art Institute, saw our neighbor’s son who goes to school in the city, and finished the day off with a nice dinner.

Wednesday: Lazy day on the couch. We played games, watched movies and just relaxed. It was glorious.

Thursday: Trip to my work and the movies. Since it was my 2 year anniversary at my job, and my kids had never met my coworkers I decided to stop by with my kids and picked up some yummy bakery bread for everyone. After which we headed to see the Batman vs. Superman movie. Despite terrible reviews, we actually enjoyed the movie for the most part.

Friday: Consignment shopping Part 1. My oldest was doing some studying with her friend, so I took my youngest and we headed out to our favorite consignment shops. We both scored a few really cute things, and for a fraction of what we would have paid in the actual stores. I also went through all of my youngest daughter’s clothes and packed up what didn’t fit her anymore. Yes, this pile of clothes is how I entertained myself Friday night. Don’t judge, LOL.

Saturday: Consignment shopping Part 2. Since my oldest was busy the day prior, we took her shopping to Plato’s closet to pick up some Spring/Summer clothes. All while battling the Spring blizzardy sunshiny windy crazy weather, LOL. I then cleaned out my entire closet (minus the shoes) and organized thusly. Ah…how I’ve missed my OCD, LOL. These projects keep my mind busy at least, so that’s a win, right? We also have 4 bags of clothes that we’ve purged, so double win!

Sunday: Crockpot cooking and second lazy day. I woke up fairly early, and made my favorite Chicken soup. The rest of the day was spent mainly on the couch, with a little vacuuming and dusting added in, LOL.

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia again, and hope you head over and support these amazing woman and all the awesome women that participate!

How was your week? Are you able to take time off work during spring break? Did you go anywhere new/fun?

Cheers! Have a great week!

❤ Michelle

weekly wrap up

Weekly wrap up, 2 weeks down with an easy recipe!

March 20, 2016March 20, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

Today I am linking up with Holly and Tricia, and I am thankful I keep doing these posts because it keeps me from completely “holing myself up” as my sister (and I) always say. Because those that know me well, know I tend to go into Super Woman mode when faced with challenges, thinking I can do it all, when really, no matter how strong I think I am-I need help. Lots of it. ❤

WeeklyWrap

I started out the week strong, managing 2 workouts. And then my mini got sick, and then she decided to share her nasty chest cold/cough with me…so our weekend was a bust, only getting out to run mandatory errands yesterday morning. We got supplies to send my hubby an Easter box, went grocery shopping and gassed up my Jeep. The rest of the weekend we were watching movies and relaxing for the most part. I watched “High Fidelity, Silver Linings playbook, and Brooklyn” this weekend. Friday night and Saturday nights were hard…I was missing my hubby quite a lot, especially because I felt like crap, but more so because the quiet of the house once the kids go to bed is especially lonely. Thankfully I channeled my energy and got all of my laundry done, and my floors swiffered LOL. I have issues.

3-20.3 — still smiling, despite not feeling well!

I did make this yummy AND easy crockpot chicken parmesan recipe:

3-20.4chicken.png

1 jar of your favorite sauce. 5 mushrooms sliced. Put both in your crockpot. 6 chicken thighs seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Brown chicken on both sides. Add them into your crockpot. Top with Parmesan cheese and basil and cook for 2 hours on high.

How was your week/weekend? Do you love your crockpot as much as I do? Tell me something good!

❤ Michelle

Deployment thoughts, weekly wrap up

Weekly Wrap up 3/13-First week down, ?? to go!

March 14, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

This marks the first week we’ve gotten through with my husband being gone. Ok, tomorrow is technically one week, but who’s counting.

To say the week was hard, is an understatement. With as much as my husband travels, I thought that this truly would be easier. But it’s not. And more days than not last week I wondered how on earth I would get through this next year without him?

I don’t want to cook, don’t want to work out, don’t want to even watch the shows he and I watch together because honestly it just hurts. I attempted Sunday supper last night to try and get back to our normal routine, and the emptiness of my husband’s chair made it painful to even eat. We all feel his absence, and it’s hard to even put into words the raw ache I feel in my chest.

So here a few highlights of my week.

Does drinking wine alone make mean I have an issue? LOL…The kids and the dog are in the house so it doesn’t count as drinking alone, right? HA!

I worked out, ONCE last week. And was sore for 2 days afterwards, LOL. #outofshape

The girls and I got to Facetime with my hubby and it was GREAT. We went out to eat to celebrate Saturday night. Ok, I just didn’t want to cook.

My youngest also got her first slide phone. With the recent nanny issues, and my husband being gone, I just wanted to be able to communicate with her at all times. Call it paranoia? Normally I wouldn’t allow a cell phone until middle school, but I think this time my change of mind is warranted.

My hubby sent me a selfie of him and one of his troops. LOVE!!

Well, my lunch break is up, so I better get back to work!!! I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for the Weekly wrap up! Make sure to check them out!!!

How do you get back in to a routine after a traumatic event? What age did your kids get cell phones?

Cheers!

❤ Michelle

Deployment thoughts, weekly wrap up

Weekly wrap up and goodbyes

March 7, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

I had thought about skipping the weekly wrap again, but I really want to keep writing, too….so I decided to work on my weekly wrap during my lunch break today to at least get something brief out there…last week was a doozy, so bear with me. So here it is, my weekly wrap up hosted by Holly and Tricia! Make sure to head over and see what they are up to!

It finally became all too real that I will be without half my heart, my smile, my best friend for an entire year.

Monday: I cried in the shower so my kids wouldn’t see how upset I was. And at some point during my pity party I forgot if I had washed my hair, so I washed it quite possibly twice, just in case…No one likes greasy hair. #losingmymind

Tuesday: I realized in a panic that I forgot to call my nephew the night before to wish him a happy birthday. While yes, I had sent his present and given him his card on Sunday, I still had promised him I’d call him. And I didn’t. #allthesuck #auntiefail

Wednesday: While in the midst of a conversation about the ever so important food network and upcoming shows, My husband loudly said, “You didn’t even hear what I just said, did you?” after seeing the blank stare on my face. Nope. Sorry babe. I didn’t hear a word. I was too busy trying to wrap my brain around being without you for a year, and how on earth I’d hold it together when we say our final goodbyes for the year this upcoming Tuesday (tomorrow).

Thursday: My nanny quit. Via text. Oh, and with NO NOTICE. “DON’T YOU KNOW MY HUSBAND LEAVES ON TUESDAY???” I begged, asking for at least 2 weeks’ notice. Nope. Sorry. That night, while my 16 year old drove us to dinner in my husband’s Honda, we were discussing the infamous Jeep wave. If you drive a Jeep, you wave to all fellow Jeep drivers in passing. Don’t be that guy that doesn’t wave. So while at a stoplight I spotted a Jeep and yelled to my daughter from the backseat, “Make sure to wave!!!” Wait. We’re in a Honda. Ugh.

Friday: The hubby and I escaped to Geneva for the day, eating, shopping, and just having a couple hours of just us. That night we took the kids to see Zootopia and to dinner and it was so nice to just hang out as a family.

We spent the rest of the weekend interviewing new nannies (I think we found one, fingers crossed this time she works out), and spending time with each other and some of our closest friends. My husband’s departure ceremony was on Sunday, and I was then reminded for the gazillionth time how darn proud I am of him. If you could see the way the room just is energized when my husband speaks to his soldiers, you would be in awe. It’s just awe inspiring and I get to call him my husband. Man, I am one lucky gal.

Tomorrow, he leaves and we will start the year of firsts. First phone call, first letter, first month done, etc. And I’ll be counting down the days until he returns. Please keep him and his soldiers in your prayers this upcoming year. ❤

Have you ever had a family member deployed? What’s your favorite thing to do with your family?

Cheers,

Michelle

Uncategorized, weekly wrap up

Weekly Wrap up 2-21-2016

February 21, 2016February 21, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

It’s time again for the Weekly wrap up with Tricia and Holly. If you want to read, support, and be inspired by others I definitely recommend checking out these awesome blogs.

Last week was a bit shaky for me, but I did manage to get in a few good workouts and my longest run of the year-10 miles of much needed solitude and soul searching.

Friday was rest day, and after the week I had at work I will admit I was ready for it. My stomach was/has been a mess these days and my almost dormant IBS-D has been rearing it’s ugly head. I woke up Saturday knowing I’d need a bathroom close, so I waited it out and started my long run at around 10 a.m. Thankfully my stomach cooperated, and I was able to get a really solid ten miler in. I have to give kudos to my friend Andrea for cheering me on. She’s just about the coolest person I know, and she ALWAYS knows when I need her, even without me asking. Those friends are the best.

Saturday afternoon I took my daughter’s to a late lunch/brunch at a new place in Geneva called Hache’ Modern Brasserie which highlighted amazing French food. We had the cheese and charcuterie plate, and were greeted by the Chef himself to present our appetizer. J had fish and frites, S had steak and frites, and I had the Bouillabase. All of our dishes were packed full of flavor and you could truly taste the passion in the food from Chef Andrew. We were also even given a small plate of pork belly to share from the Chef as a complimentary dish while we waited. The décor was modern French with pops of color and fresh flowers throughout. We were even lucky enough to meet on of the owners, Peter, who delivered the flowers himself to our table. Our service was impeccable, and we will definitely return in the future!

We clean up quite nicely, hehe

Lunch Menu

My girls

Cheese and Charcuterie plate, presented by the Chef himself

Complimentary pork belly? Yes, please!

Someone is happy about her steak and frites. Cooked to PERFECTION I might add.

Fish and frites

Bouillabaisse with a spicy saffron broth

desert!! Oreo Chiffon? Yes please!

After lunch we were out shopping and my hubby tagged me in this post on FB.

He wrote-“Wherever I am, there is always something that makes me think of her. Snapped this picture flying over Venice, Italy”

I had to duck into one of the aisles to gather my composure. #allthefeels

Today was a much needed day of rest filled with movie watching, craft making, and cooking. Marcona almond crusted cod with quinoa/roasted veggies, and cilantro peas!

Our new chore incentive chart, filled with some fun and sweet motivational quotes.

Full view

fish

There really is no “recipe” for this fish, just ground marcona almonds, season with salt and pepper and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes! Yummy, and easy!!

How was your week/weekend? Highs/lows? What’s the longest distance you’ve run this year?

Have a great week!!!

❤ Michelle

Deployment thoughts, weekly wrap up

Saving Valentines Day

February 14, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

This week, I wasn’t going to post. But I decided that despite heartache, I needed to celebrate the fun weekend we had. So here we go, in mostly pictures, my weekend wrap up.

I got my hair did….cheaply, but done none the less…eek I look tired!

Lunch with my girls! Why I am so squinty?

I wish I could say this was an epic hallmark holiday, but I can’t lie. It was tough without my husband. We’ve spent the last several years apart, but tonight’s reminder that we are together always was just what I needed. My neighbors are currently plowing my driveway after our snowfall, so blessings all around. Thanks to Holly and Tricia for the weekly wrap up!

weekly-Wrapup

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend!

❤ Cheers!

Michelle

Deployment thoughts, weekly wrap up

Weekly Wrap up 2/8/16

February 8, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

Gosh I have been bad about writing. But to be honest, I haven’t had a whole lot to write about. I am technically in training for the 4th full marathon, but have struggled the last couple weeks to gain motivation to really push myself. Emotionally I have just been all over the place, and range from mad, to sad, to just drained.

And then, last night, it hit me. I have been doing this “single parent” gig, well, for A LONG time. I was a single Mom to my oldest for the first 4 years of her life, and my husband’s travels between work and the Army have been significant over the years to say the least. Why can’t I remember that each and every time he goes, that this isn’t the first time he’ll leave, and it surely won’t be the last time either. Why? Because, to be honest…it hurts. It hurts because my husband has chosen this life, and his first love will always be the Army. And just admitting that, just WRITING that down to solidify that fact, well, hurts even a little more. Does he love me any less because of his life’s passion to serve in the Army? Not necessarily. But the Army will forever more come first. I can either accept that, or not. And for the past almost 13 years, I’ve accepted it, and will continue to do so. Our country needs more people like him in all honesty. And I know he does it not only because he loves it, but because he wants to provide a good life for us. I’ll stop whining. NOW. ❤

But sometimes it hard. It’s especially hard watching him already be gone, even though we’ve got a handful of days left. He got home late last night excited to be bearing gifts for the girls and I. He bought me a shirt from Free People…but forgot he bought me the very same shirt for Christmas. He got my oldest daughter a hoody, but got her a size medium which she’d drown in as she barely weighs 100 lbs. And he got our youngest American girl doll clothes for her doll Lucy, which was spot on. Hey, it’s 1 outta 3 right? Poor guy. He’s just not here anymore. He means well, for sure, and for that I am thankful. But to say I miss him already is an understatement.

So last week my training suffered, partly due to emotional setbacks, partly due to physical aspects (my right calf had REALLY been hurting since Tuesday’s run) and lastly due to finding the time between being a single Mom and managing to maintain the house and my career.

Monday-rest

Tuesday-3.1 miles on the tready and 4 minute plank

Wednesday-20 minutes of Pilates and core

Thursday-rest

Friday-unscheduled rest and date night with my daughters

Saturday-house work, shopping, lunch date and movies with my daughters as well as an unscheduled girls night with my dear friend and neighbor.

Sunday-long run forced inside due to child care conflicts and a sore calf left my 5 miler turning into 4.2 It was all I had in the tank to be honest. Hubby made it home for the Superbowl which was nice, and I even made chicken chili (which I will highlight in my recipe section, soon)

Chicken chili! I'll type the recipe up this week! — Chicken chili! I’ll type the recipe up this week!

So tomorrow he heads off to the second stint of his deployment which is only a couple weeks, but a couple weeks less time spent with us. One month from tomorrow, he will head out for his final journey of training before he goes, but it will be our final goodbye for the year.

I’m wrapping up with Holly and Tricia again, and hope you run over and support all the amazing bloggers in this link up.

Are you training for any races? Have you struggled to find motivation in the cold winter months?

Cheers!

❤ Michelle

Deployment thoughts, weekly wrap up

Weekly wrap up 1/31/2016

January 31, 2016January 31, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

I thought about not linking up this week for my weekly wrap up with Holly and Tricia, but it’s been such a good way to keep me accountable, AND keep me writing vs. bottling up all my emotions, so here goes…

My week started out pretty darn good.

Monday I did a brisk walk on my dreadmill while dinner was cooking, just 3 miles, but felt good to stretch the legs. I also did the Tracy Anderson strength training video (30 minutes)

I met up with my friends for Tuesday night run club, and knocked out 6.5 miles at an average pace of 9:24. Not bad for this average runner.

My new jacket is SUPER reflective, I love it!

Wednesday-Pilates and core for 20 minutes

Thursday-rest and this is the day things took a downward dive.

Friday I was supposed to do my long run for the second week of marathon raining, see my Runfessions post, but ditched it since I wasn’t feeling well. Managed a few miles on the ‘mill. Nothing even pic-worthy LOL

All in all, my week was mediocre at best. The news that my husband leaves next week just has left me in an emotional tailspin, and the addition of the ever dreaded weekend duty this weekend has left my positive attitude falling a bit short. I have, though, delved into the Army wife network group that we’ve built on FB, and have been distracting myself by looking for yellow ribbons to pass out at the farewell ceremony. Sometimes when you are feeling low, it’s nice to help someone else…it not only makes THEM feel good, but you get good feels in return.

Saturday/Sunday I worked, and when I have weekend duty, sadly I have very little left in the tank for workouts. This afternoon when I arrived home, my youngest greeted me with warm hugs and a bright smile so I passed on the nap I was so looking forward to, lol. I did have a slight moment of panic, when our heater wasn’t turning on and the temps were dropping quickly in the house. I went down to the basement, realizing that I wasn’t sure which big box looking thing was the heater. How was I going to fix this? And then it hit me…I better figure it out, and quick. Thankfully the hubby was home, and I felt terrible waking him from HIS nap, as he just came off 21 days of duty and leaves again Wednesday. But he grinned tiredly, and fixed it. YAY. We have heat. CRAP. I couldn’t do it myself.

mom14 — Yup, this sums up how I felt, LOL…all I can do is laugh, right?

How was your week? How do you handle set backs in regards to your training? For my women readers, are you handy around the house?

Cheers!

❤ Michelle

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