Summer Update...

So far, this Summer...

I'm down 2 employees, and hiring 3, so I'm super busy with work. Being the boss is cool most of the time. But I don't enjoy doing the work of 3 people all that much.

I'm super pleased that I jumped the gun on putting my a/c unit in weeks ago, because when it was 90 degrees, I didn't sweat my ass off putting it in, instead, I just pushed that heavenly button to comfort! ahhh..

I finally graduated to real push ups vs. "girl push ups".  Love this!

Mr. Magoo is enjoying his pool, and so are my feet...

I officially booked my flight to VA Beach in September to see my sister, and run the half marathon!

I bought my new running shoes, to break in for my half marathon. I always love new shoes, but Fizzgig was happy with the box. 

I have been steadily walking and running the rescue dogs in the blazing hot sun, working my way up to the next level of dog walking which is...."difficult dogs"

Cooper isn't difficult he's adorable, and adoptable!

I'm catching up with a favorite couple in the "Bared to You" series...(Bee tee double you, read this series!)

I'm going to see Kid Rock in a week. I'm not a huge fan, but I'm going with one. The most exciting part, is that we are cabbing it there, and back, (bring on those $4 beers!!!) and that two of my BFF's are sleeping over. I don't care how old you are, it's always fun to have sleepovers with your girlfriends!

We're gonna listen to loud music, laugh, watch stupid movies, tell stories, and eat food like we don't know what a calorie is. Does it get any better than that? I don't think so!

I look forward to the rest of my summer, full of possibilities!! 

How is your first week of summer? 

Enjoying My 15 Minutes of "Fame"...

You may or may not remember that I won a major award at my gym for my physical excellence, and dedication to fitness. I was also the first ever winner, so it's kind of a big deal.

I got my awesome award, suitable for framing, and my picture with my trainer was posted on their facebook page. Ever since then, I've become kinda famous.

The trainers recognize me in all my classes as the winner for May. My boot camp instructor calls me "the people's champion" and "the one to beat" in all of his classes.

And then, random gym members recognize when I'm in the gym, and congratulate me too. It's kind of awesome!

I think it might be going to my head, because last Saturday leaving the gym I held the door open for two guys coming in, and one said "HEY!!! You're that fitness of the month winner!"

I replied with  "yes...that's ME! I'm kind of famous" as I waived my hands in the air.

My reign is coming to an end, and I'm frantic at the thought of someone else taking my place!

Somebody stop me....

I'll just continue to be the best that I can be, and keep collecting my little army guys. Soon, I hope to have an impressive army!

A Post Father's Day Post...

That's me and my Dad...when times were good. Mom and Dad were still married then. I would guess I was like around 5. We are holding our first harvest onion. What a 'beaut'!

I lost my dad when I was 25. He had an aneurysm. Just like that, one day (April fools day to be exact) he was out of my life.

My Mom and Dad divorced when I was 8, and I was never particularly close with my dad after that. He was always there for us whenever we asked, but we usually had to ask. I went through a period in my pre-to early teens when I felt like he didn't love me. My Mom made us talk about it, and as awkward as it was, I guess it helped.

When I got older I started to make a valid effort to get to know my Dad as an adult. I tried to just go and hang out with him and like...watch football...which I just love. (total lie) Just to spend time with him.

You never get over losing a parent. Whether you are close to them or not...it is the way you came into this world, and the person you had as a role model. The person you were most connected with. And you are always envious of people who still have both their parents.

I am very thankful that even though I didn't get to spend the day with my Dad, I still have my Momma. We spent the day together shopping, and having lunch.

From my Dad I got my work ethic, and my drive to do better. I always wanted to be the best sibling, so I tried really hard. He taught me to always make a better drive time than the last time I took any trip...and how to check my oil, my tire pressure, and how to fix a toilet that won't stop running.

I hope everyone got to enjoy a special day with their Dad's on Sunday, and if you didn't I hope you got to remember, and honor him in your own special way.

Vegan for Six Weeks...Should I Stay or Should I Go?....

After a 6 week trial of going vegan, I've learned...it's just not for me.

I didn't hate it. But I also didn't love it.

Was it hard? Yes!

Will I still continue to make choices that I feel good about? Yes!

I don't plan on dismissing all vegan foods. I have actually enjoyed all of the vegan meals I have had. I even tried more vegetables that I'd  never tried before, and I can certainly live with this stuff about 80%  of the time.

I will continue to strive to be vegan, but if I occasionally stray from the course, I am going to be OK with it. Going full speed ahead is a really hard way to go. I'll find what works for me, and until then, I'll keep doing what I'm doing.

The past week after my 6 weeks was up I have been eating mainly vegetarian. (back to having dairy, and not watching for "whey proteins" in all my foods) Which, I can live with.

I put on about 10 lbs on this trial, and not for lack of workouts....but for lack of finding the right proteins that fill me up, and are cost effective. Most people lose weight when they go vegan. Not me. I'm the exception! I ate way more of the beans/legumes/vegan proteins than I should have...I tried to compare it to eating a chicken breast and the fact is they just have way more calories than chicken.

I can say with full gusto, that being a "clean eater" made me feel physically and mentally way better than being a vegan. And I think I'm headed back down that road.

I like my chicken, and I like my veggies. I have at the very least, found a local Amish chicken farm, and it costs a bit more to buy from them but the tiny bit of piece of mind I'll get from it will be enough for me.

In closing....Yes!! Vegan foods taste pretty great...amazing even...Everyone should try something vegan before dismissing it! But most of the delicious convenient proteins are "processed" and I'm just not a fan of it.

It's my personal preference. 

I'm really happy that I took the challenge, because my new most favorite thing to eat is a lentil burger! And, I learned that spinach is a great filler for any meal! I am also in love with tofutti cream cheese, which I also got a few coworkers to admit was delicious, and I plan to use this in place of cream cheese from here on out!

I will consider every non-animal product I consume as a success as I move forward.

And that is good enough for me.

Winning...But Not Like Charlie Sheen...

I wound up being boot camper of the month at my gym! This means I got this sweet award, and my picture was posted on facebook with my trainer. I also won a free class, and best of all...bragging rights.

Not only was I the best participant all month, I was the FIRST best all month, and I got to set the bar as to what the others have to achieve in order to win.

That's kind of bad-ass!

It's kind of fun to go to the gym and have people recognize you, and congratulate you...especially all the trainers that I've worked with.

I feel a pretty great sense of accomplishment. I haven't won a physical fitness award since I was in grade school. And I actually worked my ass off for this one, I didn't just show up like back then.

The Volunteer Dog Whisperer...

It seems like I started out on this volunteer journey a long time ago! But I've only just begun!

My main objective was to walk and exercise dogs because I feel so bad for dogs who are stuck in cages until they are adopted. Some dogs...don't even get walked every day.

In order to simply walk dogs, the rescue where I volunteer required a lot of training. We all have to teach them the same style of walk, and basic commands. Waiting at doorways, heel, and sitting at crosswalks.

This is  my first official "walk" we did 1.5 miles and he went back into his kennel and crashed. what a rewarding feeling! 

But, since I always aspire to do more, I'm training to be on the dog behavioral team. After logging a set amount of hours with the dogs, I then get to spend time training them, and teaching them how to stop their "bad" behaviors. 

The day after I walked this little shih-tzu/terrier,  he was adopted! I didn't see him on my walk list, but his name was on the adopted board. What an amazing feeling! People really are out adopting animals every day! It has given me even greater hope!

I may not be making any money doing what I love, but I am certainly....doing what I love!