My sweet furbabies!
05 October 2011
26 September 2011
Manic Monday
This weekend was super boring for me and busy for M. M had to work both days. I'm not sure when his next day off will be. He is a grader for the next few weeks, so he may not have an off day for three weeks. Saturday, I cleaned up the house and watched football and Sunday I cleaned a little more and watched football. Yes, super exciting I know! ;)
Today has been a day. It wasn't good, but it wasn't awful. It started out this morning. I live in an apartment complex. I have dogs. I have to take my dogs out. In an apartment, you don't have a yard. Common sense right? Apparently, my downstairs old lady neighbor thinks she has a yard. This morning, M and I were taking both dogs out before he went to his appointment/work. My dog is standing on the sidewalk (not peeing or pooping!) sniffing the grass that is right off her porch. She starts banging her finger in between her blinds and pointing. Since the maintainence man was out, I thought she wanted me to get him for her. I shook my head saying I didn't understand. She opened the door and said 'honey I know you are new here, but the dog area is by the fence.' First off, I dislike being called honey in a condescending way and the way she said it was. Second, my dog wasn't doing anything but sniffing! Third, she has no control over where my dogs go to the bathroom. (FYI: we pick up our dog poop... not everybody here does!) Fourth, she called the apartment manager. WTF?!? I have been so mad about this all day. It grates on my nerves that she came out to me when I know for a fact that my dogs are not the only dogs that pee/poop in that area. Ugh, I get riled up just thinking about it.
So after we got back from the gym (which will be talked about next!), we stopped in to talk to the apartment manager and I asked her if the old lady called. Just as I figured, she did. The apartment manager was shocked that she was talking about us. So tomorrow we get a resident's letter in the mail about 'respecting other's property.' You know, I could understand if my dogs were on her porch or had peed/pooped on her porch. It's freaking grass and we live in an apartment... Ok, I have to let this go somehow.
Another thing, we went to the gym today. I have seen one other female in the gym the whole time we've been going. We are now on week three. As we were working out today, there were other guys in there. Not a problem. I've been dealing with that for three weeks. What I can't understand is why these guys are using 15/20 pound weights. It's doing nothing for their bodies because they are strong than lifting 15/20 pounds. Yes, there are some exercises where they will only use that weight, but for what they were doing... it should have been at least 10 pounds higher. What guy bench presses (with dumbbells!) 15 pounds?!? I just couldn't understand and I still can't understand.
Ugh, I am ready to go to bed and have this day over with! I will be praying hardcore tonight. I hope everyone has a great week. Be Blessed!!
Today has been a day. It wasn't good, but it wasn't awful. It started out this morning. I live in an apartment complex. I have dogs. I have to take my dogs out. In an apartment, you don't have a yard. Common sense right? Apparently, my downstairs old lady neighbor thinks she has a yard. This morning, M and I were taking both dogs out before he went to his appointment/work. My dog is standing on the sidewalk (not peeing or pooping!) sniffing the grass that is right off her porch. She starts banging her finger in between her blinds and pointing. Since the maintainence man was out, I thought she wanted me to get him for her. I shook my head saying I didn't understand. She opened the door and said 'honey I know you are new here, but the dog area is by the fence.' First off, I dislike being called honey in a condescending way and the way she said it was. Second, my dog wasn't doing anything but sniffing! Third, she has no control over where my dogs go to the bathroom. (FYI: we pick up our dog poop... not everybody here does!) Fourth, she called the apartment manager. WTF?!? I have been so mad about this all day. It grates on my nerves that she came out to me when I know for a fact that my dogs are not the only dogs that pee/poop in that area. Ugh, I get riled up just thinking about it.
So after we got back from the gym (which will be talked about next!), we stopped in to talk to the apartment manager and I asked her if the old lady called. Just as I figured, she did. The apartment manager was shocked that she was talking about us. So tomorrow we get a resident's letter in the mail about 'respecting other's property.' You know, I could understand if my dogs were on her porch or had peed/pooped on her porch. It's freaking grass and we live in an apartment... Ok, I have to let this go somehow.
Another thing, we went to the gym today. I have seen one other female in the gym the whole time we've been going. We are now on week three. As we were working out today, there were other guys in there. Not a problem. I've been dealing with that for three weeks. What I can't understand is why these guys are using 15/20 pound weights. It's doing nothing for their bodies because they are strong than lifting 15/20 pounds. Yes, there are some exercises where they will only use that weight, but for what they were doing... it should have been at least 10 pounds higher. What guy bench presses (with dumbbells!) 15 pounds?!? I just couldn't understand and I still can't understand.
Ugh, I am ready to go to bed and have this day over with! I will be praying hardcore tonight. I hope everyone has a great week. Be Blessed!!
20 September 2011
Book Review - My So-Called Life As A Proverbs 31 Wife
I know I was suppose to post this yesterday, but yesterday slipped away from me. Steele had a rough night with it being the first night away from his brothers and sisters. Last night was great! He got up once around 2am and whined for a couple of minutes and then went back to sleep. I think I will be well prepared when we do have an human baby! Now, on to the book review.
About the author: Sara Horn is the founder of Wives of Faith. She has also written the books God Strong and Tour of Duty. If you haven't read either of those books, you should! Tour of Duty is a bible study to help with deployments and God Strong is an encouraging book.
About the book: In Sara's words:
Welcome to the blog that became a book that became a blog.
My name is Sara and I confess. I am not Martha Stewart. I’m not even her third cousin, once removed. I can’t sew. I am getting better at cooking, though I still read the back of the box to make macaroni and cheese. Which is silly, if you knew how much macaroni and cheese I’ve made.
But a couple of years ago, I had one of those strange experiences that ultimately changed my life. I’m sure I’m the only one who has ever gotten upset at something her pastor said. But there. I said it. I was sitting in church. Angry. Steam coming from my ears kind of angry. Not exactly the right attitude you want to have sitting in God’s house. My face showed the equivalent of the 5-year-old who has been told what he doesn’t want to hear and is beating his head, hands and feet against the floor in protest.
My pastor was talking about the Proverbs 31 Wife. And he was making all of these points about how I, as a woman, could be more like her. Which I didn’t want to hear. Because I didn’t like the Proverbs 31 Wife.
I could have gone home in a huff and forgot about it, chalking it up to one more thing men don’t understand when it comes to women. But for whatever reason that day, I listened. At least to myself. I wanted to find out why I was so mad.
Because deep down, I wanted to be a better wife. I wanted to be a better mom. But I also wanted to be successful. And at the time, success seemed like a word that could never go with those other two. I mean, have you ever seen a woman ordering Happy Meals for her kids, breaking up a fight before they sit down and listening to her oldest ask her if he can go play 20 times in 10 minutes and you said “Wow, she is such a success in that mom job she has!” Yeah, neither have I.
If you’ve found this web site, you have probably seen my new book, My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife. This is my story of what happened after an infuriating sermon by my pastor indirectly dared me to prove him wrong. I’ve been a writer and an author for almost 10 years, and I can honestly say this is my most personal and honest work yet. I hope it makes you laugh. I hope it makes you feel less alone in your own struggles as a wife and/or mom. But most important, I hope it makes you think and ask the question I had to ask myself: is there anything I can do to be a bigger blessing to my husband and my child?
This blog continues the journey I started in the book (which I actually started as a private blog/online journal). If you want my official bio, visit my main website at sarahorn.com. If you’re a military wife, I hope you’ll check out the ministry I lead, Wives of Faith. Otherwise, I hope I’ll see you here. I’m sharing photos, stories, the occasional recipe and new P31 Challenges we can all do together.
My review:
This book is a must read. It starts out with a church sermon and Sara's feelings toward it. How can anyone be a perfect wife when everyone is on the go these days? It just can't happen.... or can it? Sara decides to try an experiment and life gets in the way. For me, it wasn't about what happened in the book (although there are a few laughs along the way), it was about the epilogue. My reading this book had made me do a lot of thinking. I know I will never be the Proverbs 31 wife but I can be the best wife I can be. There will be a few changes in our life and hopefully it will be a better, more fulfilling life for us both.
Stay tuned for my next post which will go into my goals for being the best wife I can be and my new schedule.
Be Blessed!!
About the author: Sara Horn is the founder of Wives of Faith. She has also written the books God Strong and Tour of Duty. If you haven't read either of those books, you should! Tour of Duty is a bible study to help with deployments and God Strong is an encouraging book.
About the book: In Sara's words:
Welcome to the blog that became a book that became a blog.
My name is Sara and I confess. I am not Martha Stewart. I’m not even her third cousin, once removed. I can’t sew. I am getting better at cooking, though I still read the back of the box to make macaroni and cheese. Which is silly, if you knew how much macaroni and cheese I’ve made.
But a couple of years ago, I had one of those strange experiences that ultimately changed my life. I’m sure I’m the only one who has ever gotten upset at something her pastor said. But there. I said it. I was sitting in church. Angry. Steam coming from my ears kind of angry. Not exactly the right attitude you want to have sitting in God’s house. My face showed the equivalent of the 5-year-old who has been told what he doesn’t want to hear and is beating his head, hands and feet against the floor in protest.
My pastor was talking about the Proverbs 31 Wife. And he was making all of these points about how I, as a woman, could be more like her. Which I didn’t want to hear. Because I didn’t like the Proverbs 31 Wife.
I could have gone home in a huff and forgot about it, chalking it up to one more thing men don’t understand when it comes to women. But for whatever reason that day, I listened. At least to myself. I wanted to find out why I was so mad.
Because deep down, I wanted to be a better wife. I wanted to be a better mom. But I also wanted to be successful. And at the time, success seemed like a word that could never go with those other two. I mean, have you ever seen a woman ordering Happy Meals for her kids, breaking up a fight before they sit down and listening to her oldest ask her if he can go play 20 times in 10 minutes and you said “Wow, she is such a success in that mom job she has!” Yeah, neither have I.
If you’ve found this web site, you have probably seen my new book, My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife. This is my story of what happened after an infuriating sermon by my pastor indirectly dared me to prove him wrong. I’ve been a writer and an author for almost 10 years, and I can honestly say this is my most personal and honest work yet. I hope it makes you laugh. I hope it makes you feel less alone in your own struggles as a wife and/or mom. But most important, I hope it makes you think and ask the question I had to ask myself: is there anything I can do to be a bigger blessing to my husband and my child?
This blog continues the journey I started in the book (which I actually started as a private blog/online journal). If you want my official bio, visit my main website at sarahorn.com. If you’re a military wife, I hope you’ll check out the ministry I lead, Wives of Faith. Otherwise, I hope I’ll see you here. I’m sharing photos, stories, the occasional recipe and new P31 Challenges we can all do together.
My review:
This book is a must read. It starts out with a church sermon and Sara's feelings toward it. How can anyone be a perfect wife when everyone is on the go these days? It just can't happen.... or can it? Sara decides to try an experiment and life gets in the way. For me, it wasn't about what happened in the book (although there are a few laughs along the way), it was about the epilogue. My reading this book had made me do a lot of thinking. I know I will never be the Proverbs 31 wife but I can be the best wife I can be. There will be a few changes in our life and hopefully it will be a better, more fulfilling life for us both.
Stay tuned for my next post which will go into my goals for being the best wife I can be and my new schedule.
Be Blessed!!
18 September 2011
Intro to.... and Weekend Update
I figured that I would do introduction first because I don't want family members to get the wrong idea.
Here is the newest member of our family:
This is our new puppy, Steele! He is so adorable and we already love him to pieces. Tank and Shadow are both getting used to him, but we are all doing pretty good so far.
We have had a pretty good weekend. Friday was crazy with appointments, gym time, PX, Commissary (on pay day weekend no less!) and people who don't know how to drive. Saturday we relaxed until it was time for the Alabama game. We had to go to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the Alabama game (and I live in/close to Alabama!!!). We had a good time. Today has been relaxing as well. I hope everyone had a great weekend!
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about my book review or my schedule that goes along with it. Be looking for those on Monday and Tuesday. Be Blessed!!!
Here is the newest member of our family:
We have had a pretty good weekend. Friday was crazy with appointments, gym time, PX, Commissary (on pay day weekend no less!) and people who don't know how to drive. Saturday we relaxed until it was time for the Alabama game. We had to go to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the Alabama game (and I live in/close to Alabama!!!). We had a good time. Today has been relaxing as well. I hope everyone had a great weekend!
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about my book review or my schedule that goes along with it. Be looking for those on Monday and Tuesday. Be Blessed!!!
15 September 2011
Random Thursday
There are a lot of things I want to talk about, but they aren't all big enough to have their own post. Here we go with Random Thursday!
- Last night, M and I were getting ready for bed. The bad thing about living in apartments... the noise! We were going to bed at 11pm, which is already late enough. On top of that, there were people outside making A LOT of noise. I told him if it kept on, I was calling the cops. I'm not one to complain a lot, but we live in a complex with a lot of military. They have to get up and be gone by 5/530am five days a week. It's not cool when people are outside making a lot of noise. I didn't have to call the cops because somebody else did. Have a little respect! Weekends we can look past (sometimes!), weekdays... I don't think so.
- We made another bodybuilding.com order and I got a new pair of lifting gloves coming my way. I am super excited about it! I have gloves now, but they are too big and it makes it hard to hold the bar even with my long fingers.
- Both of our animals got in trouble yesterday. Ugh, it was not a good day to be an animal in our house.
- I'm thinking about placing another Scentsy order. (If you don't know what it is, go here.) There are nine scents that I want to try out. I'm thinking of doing a bundle and then ordering the other three next paycheck.
- I want to go shopping. I want a scarf (or 4!) and some other key pieces for fall. We will have to see what our money situation looks like. Maybe I can get one thing a month or something.
- I'm still looking for a job! Also, I have a huge test coming up in two months. Be looking for a post on my new schedule sometime in the next few days.
- I am going to do a book review about the new Sara Horn book My So-Called Life As A Proverbs 31 Wife. It will tie into the new schedule post, so they will either be up the same day or two days in a row.
There you have it. Thursday Randoms. I hope everyone has a great Thursday. Be Blessed!!
- Last night, M and I were getting ready for bed. The bad thing about living in apartments... the noise! We were going to bed at 11pm, which is already late enough. On top of that, there were people outside making A LOT of noise. I told him if it kept on, I was calling the cops. I'm not one to complain a lot, but we live in a complex with a lot of military. They have to get up and be gone by 5/530am five days a week. It's not cool when people are outside making a lot of noise. I didn't have to call the cops because somebody else did. Have a little respect! Weekends we can look past (sometimes!), weekdays... I don't think so.
- We made another bodybuilding.com order and I got a new pair of lifting gloves coming my way. I am super excited about it! I have gloves now, but they are too big and it makes it hard to hold the bar even with my long fingers.
- Both of our animals got in trouble yesterday. Ugh, it was not a good day to be an animal in our house.
- I'm thinking about placing another Scentsy order. (If you don't know what it is, go here.) There are nine scents that I want to try out. I'm thinking of doing a bundle and then ordering the other three next paycheck.
- I want to go shopping. I want a scarf (or 4!) and some other key pieces for fall. We will have to see what our money situation looks like. Maybe I can get one thing a month or something.
- I'm still looking for a job! Also, I have a huge test coming up in two months. Be looking for a post on my new schedule sometime in the next few days.
- I am going to do a book review about the new Sara Horn book My So-Called Life As A Proverbs 31 Wife. It will tie into the new schedule post, so they will either be up the same day or two days in a row.
There you have it. Thursday Randoms. I hope everyone has a great Thursday. Be Blessed!!
13 September 2011
Workout Routine/Supplements
My last post was talking about how we have started working out again. Today, I want to talk about my routine and what supplements I take. M and I have done a lot of research into this. We found our workout and buy our supplements at http://www.bodybuilding.com/ and they have been awesome at shipping out our stuff quickly. This is the same site that we used while M was deployed. These people get a lot of our money, but they are not sponsoring this post nor do they know anything about it.
My workout routine for the next four weeks looks like this:
Monday: Bench Press, Bent Over Barbell Row, Dumbbell Shoulder Press, Skull Crusher, Barbell Curl
Tuesday: Barbell Squat, Stiff Leg Dead Lift, Leg Extension, Lying Leg Curl, Standing Calf Raise, Lying Leg Raise
Wednesday: Cardio - Moderate Running for 20 minutes
Thursday: Dips, Pushups, Lateral Raises, Tricep Pushdowns, Cable Core
Friday: Dead Lift, Leg Press, Dumbbell Lunges, Seated Calf Raises, Dumbbell Shrugs
Saturday: Cardio - Moderate Stationary Bicycle for 20 minutes
Sunday: Rest
I do 3 sets of 8-12 reps. I normally do 12. If I start out at one weight and can finish 2 sets of 12 reps relatively easy, I go up in weight on my last set. I can already tell that I am getting stronger. I love it! We are also those people that carry a little notebook around in the gym and record our weight and how many reps we did. We are hardcore like that!! ;) My workout will change in four weeks and then in another four weeks after that. Once I finish that, I will change up my workout completely.
As far as supplements go, the most important one is water. Of course, everybody knows that already. FYI, I will not bulk up like a male from this workout. Also, I am not a doctor. This is what M and I decided would work best for me. Use your judgement, do lots of research and ask your doctor!!
I've been working on upping my water intake. It's hard and I go to the bathroom all the time, but I know it's good for me and my body.
As of right now, I take a multivitamin, fish oils, a thermogenic and protein. I take amino acids and pre-workout 30 minutes before we workout and a post workout recovery after we finish working out. It's better to eat small meals more frequently to keep your metabolism up.
Here are some links for what I am currently taking:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mrm/smart.html - fish oils
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/women.html - multivitamin
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/revolution/thermogenic-push-female.html - fat burner
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/nb/isolow.html - not this exact one, but close
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/musclepharm/assault.html - preworkout
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/gn/superpump-max.html - amino acids
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/musclepharm/recon.html - post workout (I think this is the one we use!)
There you have it! A lot of information... a lot of research. Everybody needs to make health a priority. Work out and be blessed!!
My workout routine for the next four weeks looks like this:
Monday: Bench Press, Bent Over Barbell Row, Dumbbell Shoulder Press, Skull Crusher, Barbell Curl
Tuesday: Barbell Squat, Stiff Leg Dead Lift, Leg Extension, Lying Leg Curl, Standing Calf Raise, Lying Leg Raise
Wednesday: Cardio - Moderate Running for 20 minutes
Thursday: Dips, Pushups, Lateral Raises, Tricep Pushdowns, Cable Core
Friday: Dead Lift, Leg Press, Dumbbell Lunges, Seated Calf Raises, Dumbbell Shrugs
Saturday: Cardio - Moderate Stationary Bicycle for 20 minutes
Sunday: Rest
I do 3 sets of 8-12 reps. I normally do 12. If I start out at one weight and can finish 2 sets of 12 reps relatively easy, I go up in weight on my last set. I can already tell that I am getting stronger. I love it! We are also those people that carry a little notebook around in the gym and record our weight and how many reps we did. We are hardcore like that!! ;) My workout will change in four weeks and then in another four weeks after that. Once I finish that, I will change up my workout completely.
As far as supplements go, the most important one is water. Of course, everybody knows that already. FYI, I will not bulk up like a male from this workout. Also, I am not a doctor. This is what M and I decided would work best for me. Use your judgement, do lots of research and ask your doctor!!
I've been working on upping my water intake. It's hard and I go to the bathroom all the time, but I know it's good for me and my body.
As of right now, I take a multivitamin, fish oils, a thermogenic and protein. I take amino acids and pre-workout 30 minutes before we workout and a post workout recovery after we finish working out. It's better to eat small meals more frequently to keep your metabolism up.
Here are some links for what I am currently taking:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mrm/smart.html - fish oils
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/women.html - multivitamin
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/revolution/thermogenic-push-female.html - fat burner
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/nb/isolow.html - not this exact one, but close
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/musclepharm/assault.html - preworkout
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/gn/superpump-max.html - amino acids
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/musclepharm/recon.html - post workout (I think this is the one we use!)
There you have it! A lot of information... a lot of research. Everybody needs to make health a priority. Work out and be blessed!!
09 September 2011
Day 3
Today is day three of my new exercise routine. It's a 12 week routine where you start with lower weight and higher reps. My lowest weight yesterday was ten pounds and only for two sets. Holy cow am I sore!!! I started on Wednesday with twenty minutes of cardio. Yesterday was upper body. I had about six exercises that I did and I did three sets of 12 reps a piece. It's not easy, but I know I am going to get stronger and leaner. I am going to lose the weight that I have gained in the six months that M has been home from deployment. Today is lower body. I have pretty strong legs, but they could definitely use some toning.
For the next four weeks, I will either stick with the weight I start with or go up just a bit. The four weeks after that, I increase the weight and lower my reps. The same with the four weeks after week eight.
Just for the record, I am not bulking it. It will actually lean me out. I can't wait for the results. I hate the way all of my clothes fit me right now and I refuse to buy any more since I don't have a job yet. When I get a job, that will be different. Until then, it's getting back into the clothes I already have.
I have been doing pretty well at drinking water. I had a coke zero and a mountain dew over Labor Day weekend, but other than that I don't drink caffiene. I am cutting back on my portion sizes. I am trying to eat more healthy that what I already do. It's a work in progress and it's a lifestyle change. So far, I am loving it. Of course, after only two days I can't tell a difference, but I know it won't be much longer until I can tell the difference.
Oh, and I ran on the treadmill for around seven minutes or so. I loathe running on a treadmill, but I did it and I am proud of myself.
On a sadder note, The Unlikely Wife's husband was injured pretty severely. Please stop by her blog and send your prayers/good thoughts. Her family really needs them right now.
I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! Be blessed. Give a smile away!
For the next four weeks, I will either stick with the weight I start with or go up just a bit. The four weeks after that, I increase the weight and lower my reps. The same with the four weeks after week eight.
Just for the record, I am not bulking it. It will actually lean me out. I can't wait for the results. I hate the way all of my clothes fit me right now and I refuse to buy any more since I don't have a job yet. When I get a job, that will be different. Until then, it's getting back into the clothes I already have.
I have been doing pretty well at drinking water. I had a coke zero and a mountain dew over Labor Day weekend, but other than that I don't drink caffiene. I am cutting back on my portion sizes. I am trying to eat more healthy that what I already do. It's a work in progress and it's a lifestyle change. So far, I am loving it. Of course, after only two days I can't tell a difference, but I know it won't be much longer until I can tell the difference.
Oh, and I ran on the treadmill for around seven minutes or so. I loathe running on a treadmill, but I did it and I am proud of myself.
On a sadder note, The Unlikely Wife's husband was injured pretty severely. Please stop by her blog and send your prayers/good thoughts. Her family really needs them right now.
I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! Be blessed. Give a smile away!
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