Miss Home Improvement

Today, I was Miss Home Improvement. Not only did I stick to my simplify life campaign (more to come on that soon), but I also stain treated the couches and vacuumed the carpets- including under things! And that's not all...
Before I could even think about vacuuming I had to solve the mystery of the dust bunny. Which meant rescuing it from the depths of the vacuum hose and finding it a lovely home at the bottom of our trashcan. After that, viola! The vacuum now works and we are saved from the curse of crumbs.
After tackling the vacuuming and stain treating, I set out to find the little devil rattling inside our fan. Ryan told me last night it wouldn't be an easy task, but I dived in anyway. First was finding a screwdriver, we have plenty, but this was still the hardest part... After that I simply opened the fan, reattached the loose piece with some sticky stuff and closed it up again. We now, thankfully have a quiet, cooling fan. And with summer in Phoenix heating up, we're gonna need it!
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Every Mistake...

I took this photo a few years back on a cross country drive from Phoenix AZ to Damascus MD.

It was an amazing trip, and inspiration for the sentiment of the type.

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Sobriety

Now I don't want to turn this blog into something too serious, but the last few days have been pretty rough for Ryan and I.

On a related note- I have been sober since July of 2011 and last night I had a standoff with myself. I had made myself a drink, set it on the table, and I sat there thinking for 30 minutes.

I eventually got up, poured it all down the drain and made myself a cup of chamomile tea. It wasn't difficult- and I definitely wasn't thinking about the drink the whole time. About 5 minutes before I got up I thought to myself: "I want to, but I'm not going to." (Which was my mantra when I had first quit)

And I only had to say it to myself once, it was that easy for me this time around. And although I still feel like sh*t, I feel much better than I did last night and I still have pride in my sobriety.

Disclaimer: This is not meant as advice, just a little snippet of something that works for me.

Games I Love #1:

I want to do a post about Wii Fit, because I know I need to get in the habit of playing it every day. It is such an easy way to get some fitness time it.. but in all honesty I haven't been playing it enough so instead this post will be featuring: DRAW SOMETHING

I love this game, but you really have to exercise the full potential of the fun by thinking creatively. I actually made my own DIY stylus to use with my iPhone as well because I got SO into it very quickly.

Here is a photo of my DIY stylus:

I used a small metal screwdriver, a regular scotch kitchen sponge, and basic scotch tape. I didn't have to get the sponge wet or anything, or cover it. You can Google how-to's if you'd like to make one too.


And here are some of my drawings:

Discovery: Oatmeal Drives Away My Mid-Morning Growls

Typically, I NEED to eat around 10 or 11 am. I always feel it'd be too early for lunch, but since I have breakfast around 5 or 6 am, it's understandable that I would be hungry. What I had been focusing on is having a healthy snack, like some fruit or a Nature Valley Granola Thin.

Though the past two days, I wasn't getting hungry. Totally weird and unexpected. But then I realized I had been having oatmeal for breakfast- and I wasn't getting as hungry, even at lunchtime!

I know this isn't any new discovery. But for me, actually experiencing and realizing the "magic" of it was pretty awesome. So I thought I'd share :)

And thanks to anyone who visited my blog to check out my lettuce wrap photos, it was much appreciated!

Photo Update: Homemade Lettuce Wrap

Chicken Breast Slices
Reduced Fat Colby Jack Cheese
Tomato
Lettuce
Salsa
Salt and Pepper

My new favorite: Lettuce Wraps

Here is one of the biggest problems I have faced in my struggle to lose weight and stay fit: I LOVE bread.

I know, I know... Who doesn't? But I not only love bread- I eat it in excess. When the bf and I grab a loaf of French bread from the bakery, I will eat at least half of it before we even begin dinner if I'm not careful. And even if I am, I eat the rest after dinner.

And sandwiches... it's one of my favorite ways to consume bread. And I always find a way of convincing myself that since I have the veggies on the sandwich, it's not so bad. But with the new vegtably-focused diet I'm trying, I needed to kick the bread from my lunches.

So yesterday at work I ordered a Jimmy Johns Hunter's Club Unwivh- without mayo. And OH MY GOSH! It was soooo good. I couldn't believe it. And the best part is that I decided to buy some lettuce today to try it out at home, and it was also amazing. Especially for less than 150 calories! (JJ's was over 277)

I'll be uploading a picture the next time I make it, which will probably be tomorrow :)

Love quote of the week:

This quote from Bob Marley really spoke to me. I simply modified it a bit to work almost like wedding vows (very broad and alternative, but vows nonetheless).

It really sums up how I view my relationship with Ryan. And adds some great pointers for keeping the peace. I just love it!

I am thinking of having it printed large and framed.

Easy DIY Play Microphone

I got this idea because we've played pretend with my 1 year old with empty rolls by singing and talking into them. She gets a kick out of the sound!

Supplies Needed:
- empty paper towel rolls
- crayons, markers, glitter etc
- pencil
- thick string
- imagination & creativity!

1. Gather materials
2. Draw microphone outline (pencil recommended)
3. Color interior of microphone (add glitter for a glam microphone!)
4. Outline in black marker and add string to interior of roll with tape.