This page has moved to a new address.

A Renaissance Woman

3/29/12

Freebie Friday - Link Up #contests and prizes every Friday

Are you hosting a #contest? Great! Post it here on Freebie Friday. What better time to search and enter contests than on the weekend? Sign in so that others can find your giveaway. I will be hosting Freebie Friday each week from now on so be sure to drop back by. Now go grab your tasty beverage, sit back and relax and contest hop with me! Don't forget to check out these hosted contest links too.
post signature



Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: , ,

3/28/12

#WordlessWednesday - Princess Polar Bear?

She cracks me up on a daily basis. What do you think? Veterinarian, Fashion Mogul, Olympic Snow Boarder....Can't wait to find out.





For more WW participants head to:
Mom Blogs  


Labels: ,

3/26/12

#Mamavation Monday - On My Way Back

Mamavation
I have the ok finally to try running a mile. I haven't tried it yet because my feet have been burning. I don't want to make them worse BUT I did get to do a much heavier work out. I'm not cleared for lifting over head yet. What did I do today? Pull ups with a band, row machine, ghd back extensions, dead lifts, back squats with a bar and I haven't done any of that in FOUR long months. I got my butt handed to me. I felt like a newbie all over again. There was nothing but liquid awesome going on today. Last week doesn't matter. I am on too much of a high today. I'm super excited. I felt some tenderness when I got home so I immediately put myself on ice. I'm ok with that. I'm on my way back and that's all that matters to me.

Still working on: Operation: Humpty Dumpty

Eating out: Zios, Chick-fil-a, Five Guys Burgers, Hotel buffet, Rodeo food - GAK!!!!!
Perry's Steakhouse

My Work Outs this past week-
3/19 Monday - Crossfit still modified
3/20 Tuesday - Injured
3/21 Wednesday - Crossfit Super modified work out
3/22 Thursday - Injured
3/23 Friday -Crossfit Modified
3/24 Saturday - Injured
3/25 Sunday -Injured


Scale Reading- It's the same. Boo! Although the only thing that was on the menu yesterday was cake. I could have said no but why? lol ugh....

Stress Level - I don't know any more.

The UP side- Today was a great day for working out! 


Injury prevention is important!
Be a good role model.







Need for fitness support? Join the "Sistahood". More great resources: The Y, Crossfit Training, Vitamins for your age group, RealAge.com

  • The long term goal 37 pounds by the end of the year.
  • The short term goal lose 3 lbs. per month. 
    • January 172 - 160 = 12 pound loss
    • February 165 - 161 = 4 pound loss
    • March 166
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December

 

Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: ,

3/25/12

5 Fingers of Thanks

Photobucket 

1.) Thankful to have gotten the ok to try a 1 mile run. That's progress! I haven't done it but I'm going to try soon.

2.) Thankful that to be needed.

3.) Thankful for time. Even though I don't seem to have a lot of it I still manage to get a lot done.

4.) Thankful to have started sifting through the piles of mess.
5.) Thankful to have gone to such a fun baby shower and celebrated my nephew's birthday but I'm all caked out!

Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: ,

3/22/12

Freebie Friday - Link Up #contests and prizes every Friday

Are you hosting a #contest? Great! Post it here on Freebie Friday. What better time to search and enter contests than on the weekend? Sign in so that others can find your giveaway. I will be hosting Freebie Friday each week from now on so be sure to drop back by. Now go grab your tasty beverage, sit back and relax and contest hop with me! Don't forget to check out these hosted contest links too.
post signature



Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: , ,

3/20/12

#WordlessWednesday - Smile

She's smiling in the sunshine, what could be a better shot than that? We were on the Sky Ride at the rodeo over spring break when I captured this moment. I love that little face. It reminds me of a song by Vitamin C called Smile. She givse me a run for my money but more than anything she makes me laugh. Her adventurous spirit is going to be something to see as she grows. I'm excited.

My husband and I will be celebrating 14 years of marriage today. 








For more WW participants head to:
Mom Blogs  


Labels: ,

3/19/12

#Mamavation Monday - Reboot

Mamavation
Spring Break is over and it's back to our regularly scheduled program. I'm not proud of this post but I'm going to write it any way. All that hard work that I did with working out and eating is going down the drain and I'm just standing there watching it, while eating a cookie. The vacation time was not good for me. Healthy choices are tough when you are on the road. The world doesn't seem to be set up for healthy options or at least clean and Paleo options. I could nit pick every place a part but the truth is I didn't take the time to figure it out. I didn't prepare or plan and I just went with it. Now, I'm heavier, I feel heavier and I don't feel good. I'm sick of being in pain and waking up in pain every day. There is some part of my body that screams on a daily basis now. It sucks. So rather than wallow in self pity I am reminded of this!
It's Keith's St. Patrick's Day racing gear. I have blogged about him before but check out his name on his bib. That's right, "Awesomeness." So rather than sit here and feel bad, I'm reminded that there are some good friends out there waiting on me to get better. It's time to just be Awesome! and wallow in that for a while. Today is a new day and I'm getting back on track, period. Just wait until next week! I'm gonna kill it.



Still working on: Operation: Humpty Dumpty

Eating out: Zios, Chick-fil-a, Five Guys Burgers, Hotel buffet, Rodeo food - GAK!!!!!

My Work Outs this past week-
3/12 Monday - Injured
3/13 Tuesday - Injured
3/14 Wednesday - Crossfit Super modified work out
3/15 Thursday - Injured
3/16 Friday - Injured
3/17 Saturday - Injured
3/18 Sunday -Injured


Scale Reading- too much gain

Stress Level -HIGH-It was Spring Break

The UP side- Today is a new day!


Injury prevention is important!
Be a good role model.








Need for fitness support? Join the "Sistahood". More great resources: The Y, Crossfit Training, Vitamins for your age group, RealAge.com

  • The long term goal 37 pounds by the end of the year.
  • The short term goal lose 3 lbs. per month. 
    • January 172 - 160 = 12 pound loss
    • February 165 - 161 = 4 pound loss
    • March 166
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December












 

Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: ,

3/18/12

5 Fingers of Thanks

Photobucket 

1.) Thankful to be on Baby Step 6 in the Dave Ramsey plan. Every single time we have a panic moment about what we are doing we always have peace of mind that there are safety nets in place.

2.) Thankful that my skills are in high demand right now.

3.) Thankful we had a fun Spring Break but I'm glad to return to our routine.

4.) Thankful to be celebrating 14 years of marriage this Wednesday.
5.) Thankful to be reading pain management articles. It can really get you down!
Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: , ,

3/15/12

Freebie Friday - Link Up #contests and prizes every Friday

Are you hosting a #contest? Great! Post it here on Freebie Friday. What better time to search and enter contests than on the weekend? Sign in so that others can find your giveaway. I will be hosting Freebie Friday each week from now on so be sure to drop back by. Now go grab your tasty beverage, sit back and relax and contest hop with me! Don't forget to check out these hosted contest links too.
post signature



Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: , ,

3/14/12

#Wordless Wednesday - Follow The Leader






For more WW participants head to:
Mom Blogs  

Labels: ,

3/11/12

5 Fingers of Thanks

Photobucket 

1.) Thankful for another awesome Parent's Night Out! We had a great turn out.
2.) Thankful to still be healing.
3.) Thankful for my sanity because by the end of the week, I will be crazy from Spring Break.
4.) Thankful basketball season is over.
5.) Thankful necessary decisions will be made.
Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: , ,

3/9/12

Recipe Etiquette - Calling All Food Bloggers!

Photobucket

Recently there was a blurb from a disgruntled food blogger about someone copying and pasting an entire recipe on their blog. Although the blogger gave credit and a link back this still annoyed the original owner of the content.

Quickly I reviewed my own recipes that have been published here and rarely do you see the recipe in its entirety. My method is to list the ingredients because I'm calculating and logging the calorie count. This is my great effort to put a healthier spin on it if I can. Some recipes are just comfort goodies and it's as simple as that. Credit is always given and link backs are used.

However, this is not a food blog and I wanted to throw out the question to those that do this on a daily basis. I'm a Pinterest recipe hunter. The photo captures my eye and either I make it as is, alter the ingredients, or say forget it this is just a recipe that's going to the hips!

What is the recipe etiquette among food bloggers? How can we use, share and modify recipes without upsetting the original owner? What are your thoughts? I would love to hear them.

 

Labels:

3/8/12

Freebie Friday - Link Up #contests and prizes every Friday

Are you hosting a #contest? Great! Post it here on Freebie Friday. What better time to search and enter contests than on the weekend? Sign in so that others can find your giveaway. I will be hosting Freebie Friday each week from now on so be sure to drop back by. Now go grab your tasty beverage, sit back and relax and contest hop with me! Don't forget to check out these hosted contest links too.
post signature



Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: , ,

#Aloha Friday 279 - Spring Break


Spring Break is next week for us. I wanted to plan a grand vacation but due to things out of my control it's not going to happen. I'm not exactly looking forward to next week. I want to spend time with my little people but they don't necessarily want to spend time with each other! lol


What about you? Are you looking forward to Spring Break with your kids?





Kailani at An Island Life has created this really fun idea. If you are interested in joining in, please visit her site for more details. Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: ,

Get Your "Pin It" On!









I was out and about one day and just seemed to be surrounded by all these fun quotes. It just reminded me of my Inspiration/Motivation board on Pinterest. I thought it would be nice to capture some shots and share them with you. Hope you find them as fun as I did. Happy Pinning!

Labels:

3/6/12

#WordlessWednesday - Instagram

It's been 5 days and she has made it half way through this bone. I had to keep her chewing habits under control or so I thought. She still ate some of the window ledge in the house. Ugh! Puppies. Yes, she is still a puppy. She looks like a pony. Crazy dog! How do you keep your pet busy?

Oh and I'm loving my new iPhone. So many apps, so little time. lol






For more WW participants head to:
Mom Blogs Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Labels: ,

11 Random Facts About Me


fitmomintraining.com
Stephanie from Fit Mom in Training is hosting these random questions. Hmmm? Answer some questions or fold laundry? Sorry laundry, you lose!


Questions for You:
1. What’s your guiltiest TV pleasure? Anything on BRAVO. I'm a sucker for anything on that network. It's junk food for the brain I know but I must admit that I do admire Andy Cohen. What a fun job he must have!
2. What is the strangest search term(s) anyone has used to find your blog? i'm a woman
3. What’s the worst movie you’ve ever seen? Bio Dome
4. What are 3 words you’d use to describe the 16 year old you? stubborn, independent, confident
5. You’ve been granted 2 extra hours in each and every day to do whatever you want, what would you do with the extra time? Sleep!
6. Who was your teen crush? C. Thomas Howell
7. Would you rather have a chef, maid or babysitter? NONE, but if I had to choose I think Chef.
8. Who inspires/influences you and why? Positive people because they can always find the silver lining to every situation.
9. Morning person, yay or nay? NAY, I'm a night owl all the way.
10. How long have you known your best friend? Going on 35 years.
11. What’s one item on your bucket list? Meet the band U2. That would be the best.

Labels:

3/5/12

#Mamavation Monday - Fighting The Good Fight? Not So Much

Mamavation
Nothing makes for a bad day like your environment! Today I did nothing because I don't feel well. I had kicked the caffeine and then I started getting all these "Free" drink coupons from Star Bucks. Whoo Hoo! Love me a caramel macchiato!  But what about the calories? I know, make it a "skinny caramel macchiato." It's free so make it a VENTI. I think I did this two or three times during the week. Either way it was too much. I have spent the last three days trying to kick the caffeine again. It's NOT a pleasant process, the headaches, the lack of energy and all the other nastiness that comes with caffeine withdrawals.


For Lent I think I have given up, giving up bread! It's been a free for all. I cooked a huge pot of spaghetti for a guest that we had over and then we ate on it for two more days. Ugh! It's going to be months before I make it again. I'm eating bread and the spare tire has returned in full force. I feel bad. 

I'm able to work out three days a week but it's hard. I'm not doing what I want to do, not even slowly. It's freaking frustrating. Combine the caffeine, working out, the bread and my husband's job and you have one very quick tempered woman. I still can't believe I did nothing today. I slept, took ibuprofen, just utterly sick of being in pain every single day. Today I was defeated and that's ok because tomorrow I can't be. When you have to be a single parent there is NO time for defeat, no time to be down or depressed. When you have to do it alone you just do what you need to do and that is all. 

This weeks question is: What steps have you made so far this year to improve your quality of life? That's easy! Cleaner eating. I've fallen off the wagon a bit but Paleo is the easiest way of eating that I have found. You can't get any easier than meat, veggies and fruit.

Still working on: Operation: Humpty Dumpty

Eating out:

My Work Outs this past week-
2/27 Monday - Crossfit Super modified work out
2/28 Tuesday - Injured
2/29 Wednesday - Crossfit Super modified work out
3/01 Thursday - Injured
3/02 Friday -Crossfit Super modified work out
3/03 Saturday - Injured
3/04 Sunday -Injured


Scale Reading -Didn't weigh in this morning because I just didn't care today.

Stress Level -HIGH - My husband will be leaving the country again tomorrow but this time we don't know when he will return. No, he's not in the military. The military would make more sense than this job. When did I find out? this morning. People should really have boundaries with their jobs. The hoops that our family has to jump through is an all out 11 on the ridiculous scale.
The UP side- I still have the ability to pray. That's my silver lining in all the chaos.

I'm changing up my video series this year. I'm going to try and provide you with exercises that will help your body while you are working out with your regularly scheduled work outs.
Injury prevention is important!
Be a good role model.







Need for fitness support? Join the "Sistahood". More great resources: The Y, Crossfit Training, Vitamins for your age group, RealAge.com

  • The long term goal 37 pounds by the end of the year.
  • The short term goal lose 3 lbs. per month. 
    • January 172 - 160 = 12 pound loss
    • February 165 - 161 = 4 pound loss
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December








 

Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: ,

3/4/12

Facebook vs. Fan Page

I have made some changes to my Facebook account. My blog feed was going to both my personal account and my Fan Page. To me that would seem a bit annoying to get it twice in your feed, if you're a friend and a Fan. In order to consolidate the posts I thought I would just keep my blogging information on my Fan page (except for this post). What does this mean for you? If you are friend and not a fan then you will likely never see my awesome posts come up in your news feed. What's a friend to do? Click on the hyperlink above that reads "my Fan Page" and click "Like" easy peasy! 

Sometimes navigating your way through the online business can be confusing! As a blogger do you want to be known by your name? Your blog name? Both? How do you want people to find you? It's not a good idea to flip flop about that decision. I made that mistake with my Fan Page a few months back and changed the name. This means that I lost 300+ followers. Oops! I hate it when that happens. People are starting to come back and check it out again. Thank goodness but it's been a slow process.

Do you need a Fan Page? Guess that depends on what your Fan Page is for but an easy rule of thumb would be:
Are you a blogger? Yes - Yes you need a Fan Page.
Are you in business for yourself? Yes - Yes you need a Fan Page.
Are you an individual that just likes to hang out on Facebook and chat with your buddies and play games? Yes - No you probably don't need a Fan Page. Although I wouldn't rule it out. You could create a "I'm the Mayor of Petville" Fan Page. Who knows? I wouldn't rule anything out when it comes to Facebook. For more information on how to market your Fan Page check out this article on Mashable.

Labels:

5 Fingers of Thanks

Photobucket 

1.) Thankful for acupuncture. Right now I would gladly let the doc put needles in my foot. So sick of pain.
2.) Thankful that my kids had so much fun playing with their friends today.
3.) Thankful that Parent's Night Out is coming up! I need a few hours off.
4.) Thankful to have earned some extra cash to help pay for my iPhone. That toy is a blast!
5.) Thankful that I was a Girl Scout otherwise I would have passed up that box of Thin Mints on the way inside the store! lol
Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: , ,

3/2/12

#Aloha Friday 278 - Does Cuteness Sell?


Yesterday I was in Target buying toys for the dog! I got caught up in the $1 bin because I couldn't resist! 


Could you have resisted the cuteness?





Kailani at An Island Life has created this really fun idea. If you are interested in joining in, please visit her site for more details. Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: ,

3/1/12

Freebie Friday - Link Up #contests and prizes every Friday

Are you hosting a #contest? Great! Post it here on Freebie Friday. What better time to search and enter contests than on the weekend? Sign in so that others can find your giveaway. I will be hosting Freebie Friday each week from now on so be sure to drop back by. Now go grab your tasty beverage, sit back and relax and contest hop with me! Don't forget to check out these hosted contest links too.
post signature



Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: , ,