30 Day Challenge - Day 14

What a wonderful day today was!  It was so relaxing!   We were able to sleep in this morning which is always a welcome treat.  After breakfast, Sweetheart suggested we read our books for a little bit before jumping into our chores.   It was a great idea; we read for about an hour and it was sooooo calming!   Never something I would have done in the past.  My mindset is always "chores first, play later".   However, this time I thought I would do it his way.  I am so glad I did.  It set the tone for a very soothing day. 

It rained this afternoon and it was a very long, very wet rain!  Sweetheart and I were outside -- he was mowing the lawn and I was sitting in the patio watching him -- when these huge rain drops came out of no where.  At first we figured it would 'sprinkle' a little and then it would be over.  Instead, it started coming down so fast; Sweetheart got SOAKED!  It was so funny!  One minute he was dry, the next he was dripping wet! 

I had a ton to do today; I cleaned house, got my car washed, went to Costco and helped Sweetheart in the backyard (sort of).  BUT I still made time for my workout.   It was an awesome workout too ~ I love it!

I love my Livestrong!

Today completed two full weeks of working out.  Much more important than the workout (in my opinion) is the commitment to stay on track and not allow anything at all to falter my goal.  Focus is key!

2 weeks complete!

Hoping tomorrow is as good as today.  Hopefully it will rain again!

30 Day Challenge - Day 13

Happy Friday!   I am one day away from completing two full weeks of my 30-day challenge.  I am almost running out of things to say about my work and personal challenge because I have adapted well.  I honestly did not think it would come so easy to me.  I was expecting the personal challenge to be a bit more daunting because of the time commitment, my evening schedule and my obsession with TV.  

When I got home for work today I read my book (which I am almost finished with!), then Sweetheart and I had dinner.   After dinner, I came into the office to start planning my Saturday but got a bit side tracked.   Standby for that story.   At about 8pm, I decided to get on the treadmill and get my workout in.  I watched a show I recorded called Twisted: Ted Bundy.  My fascination with serial killers doesn't bug Sweetheart anymore.  He used to think that he would eventually have to sleep with one eye open but I think he's over that now....

Day 13 is tomorrow.  I'm thinking of doing my workout in the morning before I start my day.  Well see how that works...

Day 13 - done!

Meanwhile, this is what distracted me earlier.  I was supposed to be organizing my day, when I ended up on the  http://www.westelm.com/ website.   I am loving the hurricanes and I can see that ivory throw on the couch.  Of course, I can also see Sweetheart using it to cover Grievous while he lays on the couch.  Hmmm...I need to rethink that one.

Footed Mercury Hurricanes

Chunky Tassel Throw

So now, I need to sit and plan out tomorrow then head off to bed.  I have ALOT to do tomorrow!

30 Day Challenge - Day 12

Well, well, well!  Day 12 and going strong!  I actually woke up early and did my treadmill workout before work.  Yes, really!  I knew that we would be home late tonight so I had planned on working out before work, but I am a night owl and night owls just don't do the "early bird" thing very well.  Ever.   

I love how this challenge is changing my behavior both personally and professionally.   In the past, I would have rather slept the few extra minutes and skipped my workout.   But today, skipping it was not even an option.  Sleeping through the snooze was not an option.  I got up at the first alarm and got going.  It may not seem like a big deal to many, but to me it is huge.   And I am so very proud of myself for it.  

Day 12 at work was equally impressive.  I left work a few hours early so that I could come home and hang out with the pups (they are like our kids) before the movie.   There was never a doubt in my mind as I went in this morning that I would complete my daily challenge.  I put together a plan last night before I left work and executed it perfectly today.   I am really impressed with my commitment to this.  Not saying that I have commitment issues, but I do have problems with change.  I tend to be very stubborn and am normally inclined to fight change.  I am a control freak...and not in a good way.  

I like that I am open to change.  This is turning out to be a great life lesson for me. 

Day 12 is done; two more days and I will have two full weeks complete!

Day 12 is a wrap!

Oh and The Amazing Spiderman was, well, amazing!  I really enjoyed it and could have sat for another two hours following the story line.   And our friends Mike and Lindsey were there so we got to enjoy a nice evening with friends.  

We have another movie screening next Friday and I can't wait!  Can you guess what it is??

30 Day Challenge - Day 11

This one is going to be quick and easy.  Day 11 was a cinch.  Work was good; challenge met.  I got home late but I jumped on the treadmill and did my thing; home challenge met!  I actually greet each day with a smile because I know that I have a challenge waiting for me.  It is such an amazing feeling.  

I watched Design Star tonight as I did my workout.  As I alternate running and walking I need to keep rewinding if I miss what is said while I'm trying to catch my breath after the "run" part.  It's pretty comical because after a few times doing that, Sweetheart always shouts out from the other room "didn't you watch that already?".  Ha!  He has no idea how hard it is to be me.  :)

They were down to the final four on this episode and Mikel was the one that was sent home!  At this point, I'm excited for the final three -- good luck to Hilari, Danielle and Britany!  By the way, I'm such a sap that I actually cry at this point in the competition as contestants start to get eliminated.   Who does that??

Today was pretty easy.  Tomorrow presents a challenge for both work and home.  But I already have a plan in place -- no worries!

Day 11 and I'm feeling pretty confident.  

Tomorrow we are going to a private screening of a movie.  The company where Sweetheart works rents out the entire theatre room for their employees.  We have been to the movies more this year than all the six years that we have together!  We normally wait for the movie to come out on video because we both despise movie theatre noise -- you know the talking and the chomping of food and the kids crying or talking, etc.  Anyway, we get to watch these movies for free plus they give us free popcorn and a $20 gift certificate for soda and stuff!   And since it's people he works with, the "noise" is usually not a big issue!  We do have to listen to a brief presentation prior to the movie from one of the vendors that sponsors the event but that's not a big deal.  They give door prizes during the presentation so the entire event is win-win! :)

This is what we are in store for tomorrow:

This means I will need be up early tomorrow morning so I can get my workout in before work because we'll probably be home late and I have a very early morning on Friday.  Whew!  I'd better get to bed!

30 Day Challenge - Day 10

So this challenge is becoming habit.  No longer do I stress about my work challenge.  No longer do I wonder how I will get this done.  No longer do I give myself a pep talk or talk Sweetheart into giving me a pep talk about getting on the treadmill.  I JUST DO IT.

Work was great today.  It's always good, I love my job.  I love to work.  I always have.  In fact, before I met Sweetheart, I was a bonafide workaholic.   I guess meeting the person that you want to build a life with puts things in perspective.  Yes, sometimes he still has to remind me to relax but for the most part I'm a workaholic on the mend!  :)

Today I watched Dance Moms with my work out.  I liked it because seeing those young girls dance and push themselves to the limit is inspiring.  I had a great workout today.  P.S.  I went back to wearing the running shoes...

 

Tomorrow is Hump Day; we're half way through the week.  I'm half way through my weekly challenge.  I feel great!

Day 10 is done!

I want to give a shout out to my BFF.  Next to my Sweetheart, she's my BIGGEST support and I am so thankful that she is my friend.  My dear friend!

She's Themla, I'm Louise.  Together we are AWESOME!  

30 Day Challenge - Day 9

Well hello!  So glad today is just minutes from being over (for me).  It was a tough day at work as Monday's always are.  Voice mail messages, emails and requests that come in over the weekend make for a very busy day.   Add one 30 day challenge and you have a recipe for a very demanding day.  But....wait for it....I did it!  Piece of cake! :)

I read a study recently about walking/running barefoot.  Supposedly, walking/running barefoot is so much better on your joints than wearing even the best running shoes.  Apparently running shoes (or any shoes) take you off balance and the heel takes the brunt of the impact which causes stress to your joints.  When you walk/run barefoot you tend to plant on the ball of your foot therefore eliminating all that stress.   Now, don't quote me on any of this because it's possible I made most of the story up.  I tend to come up with my own endings sometimes.....

Let's just say, my nail polish was still not dry and I had to get on the treadmill BUT I couldn't put on my running shoes.  Well, I could have but I would have taken a HUGE risk.  A risk I was not willing to take.  So I did the next best thing.  I got on the treadmill barefoot.  I put the speed at a brisk walk and the incline at level 6.  I'm sure I'll be feeling that tomorrow (because I can already feel it in my hamstrings).  I will admit it was a pretty awesome workout.  I'm definitely doing that again!

p.s.  my feet look a lot better in person.

Day nine is history! I am so ready for this week!

Day Nine - complete!

And by the way, I watched Drop Dead Diva again.  I just LOVE this show.  Sweetheart can't stand it and actually puts on headphones when I watch this.  Apparently the voice of both Jane and Stacy get on his very last nerve.  Tonight's episode was so very sweet; it made me cry.  Sweetheart thinks I'm nuts.

Maybe I am.  Or maybe I just love a good love story!

30 Day Challenge - Day 8

Happy Sunday!  What a great day we had today!  It was another relaxing day with the only thing on the agenda was spending time together.  We had a late lunch, went to the grocery store and then came home and read our books.

Today was one of the easiest days for me in terms of 30 day challenge.  I didn't dread getting on the treadmill at all, which happens often.  I will say the biggest motivator for me today was that this morning I tried on a couple of my sundresses and found that they fit so much better.  After our Boston trip, some of my clothes were feeling a little tight.  But this morning, I noticed a slight difference.  Oh, I am loving this!


Today I watched Army Wives during my workout.  It was a great episode; I've been watching Army Wives for years now and I just love it!

Day 8 starts a whole new week of challenge.  I'm so excited!

Day 8 done!

We had a late lunch at Spinato's Pizza.  We love eating in the bar; it's such a cozy, comfortable place to hang out.  The service is great and the food is delicious!  With our lunch, I had what I'm guessing is a Cherry Martini or a Martini Bopper (as I found online).  My first time having it since I usually stick to a glass of wine.  Their version is called "the Sophia" --  it's two shots of Cherry Vodka mixed with a splash of Grenadine with a maraschino cherry garnish.  Side note: Sweetheart always take the maraschino cherry from anything that I order whether it's a cherry Dr.Pepper or a milkshake or a dessert or in this case my drink.  Apparently it was really good too.  Just saying.  Anyway,  it is an amazing drink!  I had two of them and was pretty lit up pretty quickly!  There's nothing like a cocktail to get the evening started, yes?

See you back here tomorrow!