30 Day Challenge - Day 7

Day 7 of the challenge is complete and I'm feeling great!  Today was a busy day!  My workout was a little later than normal, but nonetheless I got it done!

I watched the third episode of Drop Dead Diva.  I'm nearly caught up now.

One full week of successful challenge completion!

Day 7!

Today was busy because I had to take defensive driving course because I got a speeding ticket a few weeks ago.   I must say it was grueling.  I elected to do the online version and it was a four hour, online course.   12 chapters on a timed sequence with a timer at the bottom of the screen giving me a countdown of how much time I had to review the chapter material.  There was no way to go on to the next chapter if I finished early; I just had to wait for the timer to go to zero so I could move to the next chapter.  Some chapters I had as much as 17 minutes left before I could move forward and on others I had to rush through the text because I didn't have enough time.  So I spent four hours online, in our office, in front of my computer.  It was not fun.    I took six full pages of notes because the exam at the end has to be passed with an 80% or better otherwise it's all for nothing and it would mean I would have to pay the ticket in addition to what I had already paid for the class. The exam at the end took me an entire three minutes to complete.  I ended up getting 100% on the test.   


Which is really not that surprising, after all, I'm kind of a big deal....ha!

30 Day Challenge - Day 6

Happy Friday!  This was the longest, short week ever.  I am so glad it's over!

I ran into another obstacle at work today but I was able to overcome it without concern.  Due to an unforeseen issue, I was pulled away from work for about three hours.  When I got back to my desk I freaked out at first, but then quickly went into survive mode and put a quick game plan together.   Failure is not an option so I just had to get it done.   And I did!   I'm not saying that I would have had a complete meltdown pre-challenge, I'm just saying I was a lot more focused and less stressed about it today.  I know that's due to this challenge; I will not give up.  

I am more excited than ever to get through the next three weeks and three days.   I feel that this clever exercise is going to lead to growth, both professionally and personally.   That's thrilling!

When I got home from work, Sweetheart and I had dinner and then we sat to watch a little bit of TV.  At about 8pm, I decided I had to start my workout otherwise I would probably fall asleep.   I can literally go to bed at 9pm on Friday nights.   We were watching Blues Brothers and I asked Sweetheart if I could jump on.  The Livestrong 13.0 is super quiet so I just did a fast walk while we watched the movie.   Frankly, it was more like a stroll than a fast walk but it still counts.  

Slow and steady today:

Day 6 is done! 

Just one more day and I've done an entire week!

Meanwhile, one of my girlfriends at work sells lia shopia jewelry.  I bought this cute small link charm bracelet yesterday and this adorable bone charm!  Initially I was just going to get the bracelet; I had been looking for a petite charm bracelet.  I have been collecting Hard Rock Cafe guitar pick charms for years and this bracelet will be perfect for them!  Sweetheart, got me started on it because he collects Hard Rock beer glasses.  Every city we go to we look up Hard Rock and get our collectibles.  I just got one from Boston and New York!

When I saw the cute dog bone I thought of my pups.  I had to have it!   Do you love it?

See you back here tomorrow!

30 Day Challenge - Day 5

Day Five is complete.  I do not really have a whole lot to say about today.  My work challenge and my personal challenge are complete.  I feel great about overcoming small speed bumps that could very well have influenced my result in a negative way.  I'm going strong.

After dinner (actually during dinner), Sweetheart and I watched The Next Food Network star.  I am so drawn to competition shows; I love them!  And this one is getting really good!  After that, Sweetheart asked me if I wanted to watch a movie and I had to decline.  If I had watched the movie, I would not have had time to get on the treadmill.  Fortunately I have a very understanding and supportive Sweetheart -- he got up and went into his office to work on the computer so I could take over the living room.  Oh, did I mention I moved the treadmill into the living room during this challenge?  After all, a big park of being successful is planning, preparation and utilizing all resources, yes?

Today I watched episode two of Drop Dead Diva.  See Grievous in the background?  Always barking at something or someone out front.  And remember Mikey, my anniversary present from Sweetheart?  He's sitting on the couch (bottom left corner), ha!.  The ottoman that appears to be sitting in the walkway?  Naboo did that, she was sitting on it and heard something outside and as she jumped off of it, it propelled forward. No, I'm not being a drama queen, the ottoman literally flies across the room every time she does that.....

That's my favorite water bottle! 

Day five and going strong

I will leave you with photos of our very own little firework show.  Remember those fireworks that Sweetheart brought home?  We lit them up last night and had a blast!  It was impossible to capture the brilliant colors and the actual "ooh-ahh" affect that those little fireworks actually had, but here's my best shot:

30 Day Challenge - Day 4

Happy Birthday America!  

This was an amazing 4th of July for me and Sweetheart.  Mostly because we got to spend a relaxing day at home.  The day was off to a good start because we got to sleep in and we woke to rain drops tapping against the window.  Yes, it rained!  It never  rains here, ever.   It rained on and off most of the morning.  Of course rain is always welcome during the summer when everything is so dry and especially today when fireworks will be going off all over the city!

After breakfast we turned on Pandora and just chilled.  It was such a relaxing day, I wish our weekends would be this tranquil.  We did partake in traditional 4th of July activity: we had a BBQ!   While my Sweetheart was outside grilling hot dogs, I was inside making crab cakes!   All in all, it was a wonderful day!

Oh and because I still had my challenge to complete (challenges don't take holiday), I jumped on the treadmill early so that I wouldn't get lazy and skip it.  Today, I watched the first episode of this season's Drop Dead Diva.  I'm a little behind, I still have 4 more episodes to go before I am caught up.  Good thing I have a whole month's worth of workout to do....

Looking good: 

Day four is DONE!

Oh and because rainy days always put me in the mood to bake, I decided to bake banana bread.  I had three very ripe bananas sitting in the fruit basket so it was perfect.  I found a really simple recipe recently that I was anxious to try.  Bananas, butter, baking soda, vanilla, egg, flour and a dash of salt.   Simple and scrumptious!

it's missing the end because I had to test it. 

I hope you and yours had a wonderful Independence Day! We're off to light those fireworks Sweetheart bought!

30 Day Challenge - Day 3

Well, day three is finally over!  Whew, what a tough one!  I anticipated that today's challenge would be a little bumpy because it's the day before the holiday.   The day before a holiday at work is always a lax day so I went in this morning with a plan of attack.  It was touch and go and I stressed out in the afternoon because I felt I would run out of time.  In the end, I did it and I'm pretty proud of myself for it!  Funny side note:  at our meeting today my manager asked us if we were "still going strong" on our goal and we all  nodded in agreement that we were.  Then he said "great you've surpassed most new year's resolutions!".   We all laughed, but I thought, I think I may fall into that "new year's resolutions" category....

Fast forward to the end of day.  I asked Sweetheart to remind me of the challenge if he sees me falling into my old "day before the holiday" habit of watching TV until way beyond what would be my normal workday bedtime.  So after dinner (which I prepared -- I put a roast and vegetables in the slow cooker before I left for work this morning) I picked up my book, set my alarm and read for 45 minutes.  I foresee this challenge making a new person out of me.  Never in the past would I pick reading over watching the many recorded shows on the DVR.  I am really enjoying this.


So after my quick book reading -- which happens to be very relaxing for me -- I put my workout clothes on and got started!  I added 1 pound walking weights to my workout, which really got my heart rate going.  I also watched Design Star as I did my workout.

By the way, when I went to "X" out today's date, I realized I was off with my days.  Oops.  I'm good now though:

P.S.  When I got home from work today, this is what I found on the kitchen table:

Why, yes, that is a big pack of fireworks.  Fireworks that I told Sweetheart were not a good idea to buy.  Fireworks that I told Sweetheart that would an incredible waste of money.  Fireworks that Sweetheart was so excited about I simply could not be angry with him.  And trust me, I tried.  He had a sparkle in his eye and said "this is yours and this is mine and this one you can light and this one I will light....".  He's lucky he's so adorable.   Any guess on what we'll be doing tomorrow night?  :)

30 Day Challenge - Day 2

Success!  Okay, okay.  So it's only day two.  Nevertheless, I'm pretty stoked about successfully completing day two.  I will have to admit, today was a challenge.  First, I met my 30 day work challenge with flying colors.  It was tough -- I knew when I set the goal that it was very ambitious and yet I was surprised at how taxing it would be.  I know, I know...I'm a drama queen.   Not the first time I've heard it and it won't be the last.

Onward to the personal challenge.   When I got home from work my Sweetheart had already started dinner. So I changed into my comfy clothes and sat to have dinner.  After dinner I was so tempted to lay on the couch and just chill for the rest of the night.  Instead,  I decided I would read my book.  Ah yes, my new book.  I can do that, I thought to myself.  So I set my timer and I nestled into my comfy chair and I read my book (while Sweetheart did the dishes -- if my mother ever knew about that, oh boy!).

After 45 minutes of reading, I decided to put my workout clothes on and tackle the challenge.   Running shoes -- check!  Bottle of water -- check!   Cell phone (you know in case I get a super important text) -- check!    I watched three episodes of Will & Grace while I did my workout.  I could not wait to be finished.    It was tough, but being able to put a big "X" through today's date gave me a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.  Small wins, that's what it's all about.  Yes?

Day Two!

Meanwhile, check out the cute bookmark I got at B&N yesterday.  The Wizard of Oz happens to be one of my all time favorite movies.  Oh, and the ruby slippers on the bookmark are sparkly!  What more could a girl need?

Click the picture to enlarge; it's super cute!

Happy Monday!

30 Day Challenge - Day 1

Today was day one of the 30 day challenge!  After a long day of running errands and spending time with Sweetheart, it was time to take care of day one.  I decided to watch Army Wives while I walked on the treadmill ~ two birds, one stone.  :)

Day 1 -  complete!

Earlier today My Sweetheart and I went to Barnes and Noble to pick up some summer reading.   Since I (we) are starting this month off with a new challenge we feel recharged.  We decided to watch less television and read more.  So we strolled Barnes and Noble for about an hour looking for some good reading.  Normally, I run straight to the true crime section.  I love reading about true crime, specifically se.rial killers.  I am fascinated by them.  I have been since I was very young and read my sister's book called Hel.ter Skel.ter; a book about the Charles Manson murders.  I try to keep my love for reading about se.rial killers under wraps because some people think that's a bit creepy.  Really creepy, but that's a story for another time.

So today I ventured into the romance section.  I was tempted to buy 50 Shades of Grey.  Kind of.  I am not into romance novels, never have been.  But there were actually two books that I looked at.  When I ran into Sweetheart in the Science Fiction section, I showed him the three books so he could help me decide.  There was the 50 Shades of Grey, Great Aunt Sophia's Lessons for Bombshells and The Memphis Three (from true crime).   When I finally decided which I wanted I returned the other books to the shelves then remembered that I always wanted to read a book by Nora Ephron.  I've always LOVED her movies but never had a chance to read any of her books.  So I went searching for "Heartburn".  I have never seen the movie so decided this was a great way to get started.  So that's what I got:

When we got home we both found our comfy spots in the living room and started reading.  It was a very nice evening of quiet and reading and just being together.   It was a lovely way to end a great weekend!

Hope you had an equally wonderful weekend!