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

Fun Surverys

The ABC’s of me!

March 10, 2016March 10, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

I saw this idea on my friend Jamie’s blog, and thought what a fun prompt to keep writing. So here goes!

A – Age: 43

B – Breakfast Today: Um, I skipped. I did however sample a piece of the Crème Brulee cake I brought in to work

C – Current Time: 1630 hrs

D – Drink You Had Last: Water!

E – Exercise of Choice: Running and weights. My two favs!!

F – Favorite Song: I can’t really say. If I were to pick ONE, it would be the classic “Way you look tonight” by Frank Sinatra. It’s my wedding song, and the song I sang to both my kids when they were young before they went to sleep.

G – Grossest Memory: My youngest daughter throwing up ALL over me. And me, in turn, throwing up for hours afterwards. EWWWWWWWWWWW

H – Hometown: Duluth, Minnesota

The Lift Bridge on Lake Superior, Duluth MN

I – In Love With: My hubby, always…

J – Jealous Of: People who get to 1. Do a job that they love or 2. Work from home or 3. Don’t have to work at all!

K – Kids: Two girls, 16 and 9.

Aren't they just pretty?!? <3 Pic from our summer vacation last year. — Aren’t they just pretty?!?

L – Longest Friendship: Hard to say…I’ve got lots of life long friends thankfully!

M – Middle Name: Rae. I was supposed to be a boy with the middle name of Robert (and first name Michael) but came out a girl so my parents went with Michelle Rae.

N – Number of Siblings: One amazing sister who always knows when I need her, even when I don’t ask for help.

My sister and I at the finish line of the 2012 Chicago Marathon

O – Occupation: Lab (Pathology) Supervisor

P – Pet Peeve: Dishonesty, being late, loud chewing

Q – Question You’re Always Asked: Did you fly planes when you were in the Air Force? NO. We aren’t all that lucky. I worked in the lab for 20 years (and still do full time), far from exciting as flying a plane. lol

R – Reason to Smile: My family, my friends, my coworkers…Oh and the biggest reason-I woke up this morning!

S – Snack You Ate Last: Kettle cooked chips. Don’t judge, it’s cheat ~~week~~ day.

T – Time You Woke Up: 5:50 a.m.

U – Underwear Color: Blue

V – Vacation Destination: Anywhere with a beach! Hope for this to be my home in the next few years!

W – Workout Today: Trying a new workout by Tony Horton and hopefully a quick run before my daughter’s dance class later tonight.

X – X-Rays You’ve Had: Head, chest, the routine ones…

Y – Your Favorite Food: Seafood, I could eat it daily but my kids get tired of it. “Fish again!?!?!?” LOL

Chilean Sea bass, MasterChef audition dish from season 5 tryouts

Z – Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Play along!

What’s your sign? What is your middle name? Last thing you ate? Dream job?

Cheers! ❤

Michelle

Deployment thoughts, Uncategorized

What day is it today?

March 9, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

I swear I have lost my mind, and yesterday threw me on a roller coaster of emotions I had thankfully forgotten from our first deployment. Our final goodbyes for the year have been said, and I can honestly say that I am not sure how I survived the 60 minute drive home yesterday. After being enveloped in my husband’s arms as we all sobbed, I just can’t put into words the raw emotion that we felt. My daughters and I simply hung on to one another yesterday, and after tucking my youngest in as she cried herself to sleep, I knew I’d have my hands full this next year.

brianescort — He texted me this photo on his way to the airport. They were being escorted by veterans. SO cool.

So my sister challenged me, to keep busy, find a project, and/or journal to help the quiet of the evenings hurt a little less. So that’s the plan. I’ve got several house projects to do on my list, and plan to write a lot more. That’s the joy of my blog, it’s multifaceted, and not just about running. Plus, it’s mine and I can write what I want to, LOL!!!

I still have to remind myself to breathe sometimes. I have to choke back the sobs more times in the day than I can count. But with each day that passes, it’s one day closer to his return. And I am reminded daily of all the blessings in my life. I walked in to work this morning to find this on my desk, a beautiful gesture from my entire staff. #allthelove

flowers

I also received several texts, got a dozen hugs, and this awesome gift from my friend Kelly. I wish I had words to describe how grateful I am for all the awesome people in my life.

And as the day came to a close and my kids played outside while I did laundry and cleaned I received a text from my oldest. “Mom, come outside and look at the sunset” She loves the sunrises and sunsets nearly as much as I do.

As we watched the sun set into the horizon, we hugged each other tightly and she whispered, “Love you…” and held her even tighter.

This will be a very tough year. But we love each other so very much, that I believe in the end it will help us get through this even stronger. The crazy emotions of the week have brought on a pretty terrible headache so I put off my workout for another day because I just can’t bear to be down for the count. I’ll get back at it in no time.

Who’s your biggest supporter? Do you have beautiful sunrises and sunsets where you live? What’s your latest workout?

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

Deployment thoughts

T-1 week

March 1, 2016March 2, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

I missed out on the weekly wrap this week, and honestly hadn’t planned to post until my husband leaves next week. It’s now very real as he is home packing up all of his gear today. #allthesobs after seeing these pics…

Someone isn't pleased... — Someone isn’t pleased…

Time to pack...I'm not ready. — Time to pack…I’m not ready.

But I am trying to focus on the good, so here goes…

Our weekend was wonderful, having spent it with my parents as they flew in from Arizona. We visited the city, ate yummy good food, and just enjoyed each other’s company. We went to the city on Saturday and enjoyed the unseasonably warm Chicago weather we were given that day (it’s snowing today…really?!?). We took the train down, and hit up our favorite places to eat, Quartino and MK. We also did a bit of shopping, but more so just walked around and had fun together. My parent’s had NEVER been to The Bean, so we of course had to get an obligatory Bean selfie. I skipped my long run this weekend, and am 110% ok with that, especially since we walked over 5 miles on Saturday. I’ve pretty much decided I will only run the half in May, but that’s another post in itself.

When they brought this desert out to him, he lost it..."I'll see you in my dreams..." — When they brought this desert out to him, he lost it…”I’ll see you in my dreams…”

Sunday, we got home from having lunch with my sister’s family and wishing my parents safe travels home, and I was feeling pretty sad. Yet here’s what changed my mood: My neighbor AND girlfriend made this beautiful flier for me, passed it out to the neighborhood, and a neighbor that I hadn’t met had stopped by to offer her support. I was just in awe, and am still so touched there really are no words.

In less than a week, he will be gone and I still have trouble imagining this next year without him. I know, it’s probably tiring to read the same thing over and over, but I somehow have to get it off my chest because it literally feels like an elephant is sitting on my heart. BUT…the day he leaves, starts the countdown to his return and I found this super cool app for my phone.

Thanks for all of your amazing support and prayers. We truly appreciate it!

How’s the weather where you are at? Have you had to scale back on a race due to real life before?

Cheers!

Michelle

Deployment thoughts, Uncategorized

This too in time shall pass

February 26, 2016February 26, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

I promise I’ve not fallen off the face of the planet. I’m still here…sorta. I haven’t worked out once this week, and cooking has been minimal at best. You see, Monday it hit me like a 10,000 ton of bricks, that my time with my husband is nearing the end. When someone asked me yesterday when he was leaving, and my answer was, “In just under 2 weeks,” I found myself choking back a sob or 10. Ok, more like 10,000,000 but who’s counting?

My days of thinking I could do it all have long since been laid to rest, and now all I can do is force myself to go to bed at night, and then make myself get up for work in the morning. I am tired. All. The. Time. Being this emotionally drained feels more like I’ve ran 10 marathons vs. dealing with deployment fears. Give me the marathon any day!

I am not ready to say goodbye to this man, MY PERSON, the one person who gets me and has stuck by my side for what feels like an eternity. While friends have come and gone over the decades, my husband, MY BEST FRIEND, has continued to love me even when hating me would be so much easier. Trust me, I’m not the easiest person to love. I am moody, emotional, self-loathing, and harder on myself than I need to be on a daily basis.

Yet he loves me. And he gets my jokes. We say the same things at the same time, we know, always, what the other is thinking and feeling. And the thought of dropping him off to get on plane to go terrible-ville in just over a week makes my chest physically hurt. #ijustcant

So I don’t know what I will write, or when I will run or how I will spark my creative juices in the next week or so. I only know that I need to somehow keep it together, for my daughters because they need me. And I need them too.

I hope to be back at blogging once life falls into some sort of routine, but this next week I need to hang on to all the moments. I’ll be taking lots of pictures this weekend (my folks are coming to town) and over the next week in hopes to hang on to every single moment.

Until then, I’ll keep movin’ forward, even if its at a snails pace.

❤

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, Uncategorized

Thinking Thursday

February 18, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

Since the news of my husband’s deployment I’ve gotten so many wonderful emails, cards, and even gifts sent to me by loved ones.

book — A daily devotional from one of my FB friends ❤

Out pouring of prayers, texts and phone calls have been welcomed with open arms on most days. Because in all honesty even though I do get a daily text of “Love you” usually from my hubby, I have only gotten to talk to him a couple times as in “real conversation” talk in the last few weeks, and that makes my evenings very hard. To say I am just hanging on by a thread or two pretty much sums it up.

Work stress is at an all time high, and of course parenting 2 girls one of which is a teen means my plate is over flowing.

Some days, I am ok. Others…well, not so much.

Last night we had some window repair guys come to the door. I begrudgingly opened the door to have them come in and give their shpeal about how my windows were old (duh, the house is 30 years old) and needed repair. Would my husband be home later so we could discuss? No, D-bag…My husband is deployed and I am the head of the household from here on out for the next year. OOOOOOH. Thank him for his service they said as they looked at my Grandpa’s shadow box on the mantle.

mantle — My Dad built this shadow box for my Grandpa, and it was given to me after my Grandfather’s passing.

How many tours has your husband done? Two I said. I smiled and said thank you, and told them that I too, was retired military. How many tours? I didn’t go overseas…No comment from either gentleman.

myflag — Just a few of my accolades from over the years

They went on about the windows, and I could feel the fire burning in the back of my throat. So often my service is disregarded, even by myself-but I’m allowed ha- because I didn’t “fight any wars.” Not that they saw at least. And that will always make me sad, because I joined the military in my junior year of high school on the delayed enlistment program TO GO TO WAR and fight for my country. Yet here I am, almost 25 years later still working in a hospital job that was chosen for me by the military.

Miffed, I shook the man’s hands and bid them good night.

Several minutes later, my youngest tugged on my shirt as I cooked dinner to show me the card she and her daycare buddies made for my husband. As I pulled it out of the envelope and opened up the card I choked back sobs in seeing dozens and dozens of children’s signatures wishing my husband the best on his deployment.

And at that moment I realized that serving my country also meant sucking up all my stupid pride and serving proudly as an Army wife.

I may have not had the career I fought hard to attain, but God puts us where we are meant to be. I have to have faith that this is where I am needed, at least for now. Every ounce of support I’ve received is just another thread in the rope I’ll be hanging on to this next year. Thank you!!

❤

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

Recipes

Chicken Chili recipe

February 11, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

Hey gang, as promised here is my chicken chili recipe that I made for Super Bowl Sunday!

Chicken Chili recipe

8 skinless boneless chicken thighs seasoned with salt, pepper, onion powder and chili powder

1 large white onion-chopped

6 cloves of garlic-minced

¼ cup of freshly squeezed lime juice

Place the chicken, onion and garlic in a crock pot, add 2-3 cups of chicken stock with the lime juice and cook on high for 4 hours

In the last hour of cooking add the following ingredients:

1 32 oz can of diced tomatoes (low/no sodium preferred) with juice

1 can of diced green chiles

1 package of low sodium (I use Ortega brand that I purchased at Aldi) taco seasoning

1 can of black beans

1 can of red beans

1 cup of chicken stock (may omit if you prefer a thicker consistency)

Salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.

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

Serve over rice, noodles, or eat on its own! Enjoy!!!

Do you like soups, chili, stews more in the winter time? What’s your favorite soup?

Cheers!

Michelle

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