Working Out Routines

Welcome to my next challenge!  Working out every day for 30 days.  Notice I picked a month with 30 days instead of 31.  I was going to wait until February but I don't think I should.  Just before summer, I lost a significant amount of weight.  I was proud of myself, but still, something was missing.  So I thought I should do a little bit of exercise every day just to keep myself active and maybe add in some strength training and ab work.  I went on Pinterest and found some short (and long) workouts that I can do in my basement, while my husband and I watch TV.  Or I can do them in the morning, because most of them don't take that long. 

Disclaimer - I am not doing these exercises to LOSE weight.  I'm doing them to keep it off, stay fit and tone my body.  If you are looking to LOSE weight, these exerices may not be the best for you.  But if you are interested to take a look at what I pinned, check out my workout board.

So that is all besides the point.  I needed some way to change it up and make each workout a surprise.  I loved this idea and I had everything I needed already!  But instead of writing one exercise on each stick, I wrote the name of a workout that I had pinned.  And instead of cups, I used baggies for two reasons.  1: We don't just have extra cups laying around, if we have them, we use them.  2: My cat enjoys knocking things off countertops just to watch us get up, pick it up and put it back.  He's mean that way.  And finally, instead of haing to log into Pinterest everytime I want to workout to look at what the workout involves, I found a small notebook and wrote down each workout in that book.  So far, it has worked well.  I haven't done a workout every day - until now!  For the next month I will choose a workout every day and let you know how it goes.  There are some deadly ones in that bag, I hope I survive!

Month of Movies: Week Two

Yep! I am challenging myself to watch a movie every day for the month of July. I picked July because I am home from work and we are not traveling anywhere this month, so I shouldn't have anything like that get in my way. My husband is a HUGE movie person, so I will mostly watch with him, but I will also watch movies during naptime if needed. So what movies did I watch this week?  Not a lot, that's for sure.  I have not completed the challenge for this week.

Hunger Games:
The idea of this movie made me shudder.  Kids killing kids?  That's HORRIBLE!  But one night my husband and I had a date night, so we went to see this movie.  As horrified as I was, I was still a LITTLE bit interested.  The idea behind the whole movie is the "Hunger Games" (I guess like an Olympic type event - televised worldwide, everyone watches) is a time when 24 different children from the ages of 12-18 are put into the wilderness (and kept in by futuristic forcefields) and the last one standing wins.  I didn't have to check my watch once, it actually kept me interested for the WHOLE time.  And now, I may even cave and read the books - just because I can't wait until movie two to see what happens next!  And I am not a reader.  I tell you, this trilogy is really something!

The Aristocats:
The kids had a sleepover with their grandparents the last couple days and while they were there, my daughter fell in love with this story.  So last night, we watched the movie together.  For an old movie, it was pretty good.  It actually kept both of the kids, on the couch, for the whole 75 minutes.  For me, it kind of dragged.  The storyline?  Cat and kittens live with the rich lady and when she writes her will, she leaves all her money to the cats, and that cats to her servent (1910 is the year).  The servent wants to come before the cats, so he gives them sleeping pills and drops them off far away, thinking they will never come back.  The cat and kittens meet an alley cat who helps them on their travels home.

Month of Movies: Week One

Yep!  I am challenging myself to watch a movie every day for the month of July.  I picked July because I am home from work and we are not traveling anywhere this month, so I shouldn't have anything like that get in my way.  My husband is a HUGE movie person, so I will mostly watch with him, but I will also watch movies during naptime if needed.  So what movies did I watch this week?

Paranormal Activity #1:
Storyline: Basically the woman in the movie has been haunted since she was young and she wants to find out what/who is haunting her.  The boyfriend buys a video camera to catch all the weird things that go on at night while they are sleeping and during the day.
I watched this by myself when the kids were napping so that I wouldn't be scared right before bed.  I made it even less scary (again, because I was by myself) by turning down the volume.  Honestly, I think it's more the loud noises that scare people in these movies.  The thing with movies that are filmed like a real home video is that there were points where I was actually forgetting it was a movie.  It wasn't the best movie, but I will watch #2 just to check it out.

The Usual Suspects:
Storyline: Five "friends" work together to pull of a heist.  There is a bad guy in their midst, but which one is it???
This movie I got from the Top 250 Movies from IMDB and it was pretty good.  It was a thinking movie but it kind of reminded me of the Ocean's Trilogy with the group of friends and robberies/heists.  Plus I'm a sucker for Stephen Baldwin - well, the younger Stephen Baldwin anyways.  I kept caught up with the movie, and I figured it out just minutes before the detective did - but it did keep me guessing the whole time.

The Change Up:
Storyline: Two friends go out together one night and while peeing in a fountain the wish they had the other persons life.  A lawyer with a wife and three young kids the other with no job, sits at home smoking pot and sleeping with different women every night.  They switch, enjoy it for a while, and then realize what they are missing.
No different than any of the other "switching roles" movies in storyline, but because of the actors/actresses and humour - this movie has so far been my favourite.  And I won't lie, I did tear up in the end when Jason Batemen is finally home again with his family.  Time spent with our kids is priceless and missing those moments is heartbreaking!

Star Wars IV:
Storyline: A young man joins "the force" to help and save the princess and their planet from destruction. 
So heres the deal.  I don't like Star Wars.  I don't like Star Trek.  I don't like Sci Fi in general - but my husband does.  I made a deal with the devil last summer when the last Harry Potter Movie came out.  My husband watched all of the movies with me and didn't complain until the end - when he looked at me and said "So now that I have watched all of these with you, will you watch Star Wars with me?" I said yes, thinking he would forget but he didn't.  He keeps reminding me.  So here we are.  Watching a movie every day for a month and I might as well get this Star Wars stuff out of the way.  We started with this one - I guess it's the first one that came out.  Did I like it?  Nah, not really.  Will I watch the rest?  Yes, because I made a promise and my husband loves these movies, so I want to enjoy them with him.  I guess.

Panic Room:
Storyline: A woman and her daughter are trapped in the panic room of their new home when three home invaders want something that is hidden in the room with them.
I'm not sure what to think about this movie.  It was a good thriller/storyline but I think it went on a little longer than it should have.  I really like Jodie Foster, so that made it great.  Also it made me NEVER want to buy a big house - just kind of creepy!  While watching this movie, I acutally recognized parts from the trailer way back when.  But funny part, when my husband got home and I told him what movie I watched, he looked at me and said, "We watched that movie together."  In my defence, it was a while ago.  I'm talking YEARS.

Photography Challenge - Week Four

I have a little bit of a love for photography, but I don't do it professionally or anything. I just love to take pictures - mainly of my kids! I found this Photography Challenge on Pinterest and I just had to try it. So bear with me as I attempt to take a picture every day for a month. I will post all the pictures that I have taken on Fridays with a small description of each.  This is the last Friday of the challenge and I'm kind of glad that it's over.  I was really struggling.  Maybe this was a bad month to do it in because we are so darn busy around here - or maybe I don't like being forced to take pictures.  I don't know.  But what I do know is that I like being challenged.  So I am going to attempt another monthly challenge in July and I will post about it on Saturdays - starting NEXT week.  So stay tuned to see what I have signed myself up for this time . . . I hope I can make it!

Day Twenty Two: "From a High Angle"
Today I took the kids back to where I grew up to watch the annual parade.  Here they are, sitting on the street waiting for all the floats to start moving.

Day Twenty Three: "Movement"

Jumping in the bouncers is great fun.  What is NOT great fun is trying to get the kids OUT when their time is up and they cry and scream because they want to go back in.

Day Twenty Four: "On Your Mind"
What's on my mind every day?  Whether I'm home or not?  My kids.  The biggest questions.  What are they going to be like when they turn into teenagers?  Are they happy?  Do I spend enough time with them?  Are they learning enough?  This picture answers all those questions!

Day Twenty Five: "Something Cute"
Nothing cuter than a picture of the kids looking in the pond to try and find the fish.  I love these pictures and I have a LOT of them!

Day Twenty Six: "Where You Shop"
This is NOT where I shop all the time, this was where I was shopping on this day when I was waiting for my mom.  No better way to kick of summer holidays than shopping, manicure & pedicure and supper with your mom!  What an awesome day this was!

Day Twenty Seven: "Bathroom"
I never thought it was necessary to decorate a bathroom - and my husband STILL doesn't think it's necessary - but I really like this little put together in the corner.  It adds some colour to the room and makes it feel more like a room!

Day Twenty Eight: "On the Shelf"
Schools out for the summer and on the last day, one of the kids gave me these vases as a gift.  They  go perfect in our living room!  Thanks little man!

Day Twenty Nine: "Soft"
I don't know for sure if they are soft, but they sure looked soft.  We had some pretty severe weather earlier this week and these clouds - called Mammatus Clouds - boy did they ever look beautiful!  I have never seen anything like them before!  The pictures do NOT do these clouds justice, that is for sure!

Day Thirty: "A Friend"
This is my dear friend, Jax.  He drives me crazy most days/nights, but I still love him.  He looks gentle and kind, but if you know him, you know that is NOT true!  To us, he is just our pet, but to him, we are EVERYTHING!

Photography Challenge - Week Three

Sorry for the late post, it's taken my longer than I thought to get these pictures up here.  ENJOY!

I have a little bit of a love for photography, but I don't do it professionally or anything. I just love to take pictures - mainly of my kids! I found this Photography Challenge on Pinterest and I just had to try it. So bear with me as I attempt to take a picture every day for a month. I will post all the pictures that I have taken on Fridays with a small description of each. Maybe you could play along too! Click on the link above to get started!

Day Fifteen: "Yellow"
That beautiful cleanrance tag on that shoe box is my favourite colour when I'm shopping!  My kids even know to watch for the yellow tags!  Not only was it clearance, it was 30% below that!

Day Sixteen: "Out and About"
I went home a week ago and my mom and I took the kids to the park that I grew up playing in.  Some of the equipment was new, but there were some things that were STILL in the park!

Day Seventeen: "In Your Bag"
Day Planner so that I can keep track of my husbands schedule (well, old school way because now I use my IPOD), Mail Key, Rocks from Mexico (not sure why they are still in there . . .), Deoderant and a Tampon - womanly necessaries, mini sewing kit (I won it at a Pampered Chef party that I went to), comb for my daughters crazy hair, notepad to make notes on (but notice no pen), a GPS and of course my sunglasses, wallet and keys.

Day Eighteen: "Something We Don't Know About You"
I don't like to read.  I am part of a book club, but really I'm just there for the socialization (I hope none of them read this . . .) - ah, they know that anyways, because every month, I haven't finished the book.  After saying that, I am reading a really good book right now - and it's not even FOR my book club!  I really recommend it!  It's told from a child's point of view who was born in captivity and has never known anything but the room they are kept in.

Day Twenty: "Fave Photo You've Ever Taken"
My favourite picture.  Hands down.  It was taken last Easter and we were outside playing.  My grandma was going through her chemo at the time, so of course was loosing her hair.  She loved that my son - her great grandson - loved her no matter what.

Day Twenty One: "Where You Slept"
We don't make our bed, just roll out and get moving.  We recently moved the bed to in front of the window - I like it mostly except the sun has been waking me up too early in the morning.

Photography Challenge - Week Two

I have a little bit of a love for photography, but I don't do it professionally or anything. I just love to take pictures - mainly of my kids! I found this Photography Challenge on Pinterest and I just had to try it. So bear with me as I attempt to take a picture every day for a month. I will post all the pictures that I have taken on Fridays with a small description of each. Maybe you could play along too! Click on the link above to get started!

"Day Eight": 6 o'clock

This is what we were doing at 6:00pm at out house - jumping from the couch onto a pile of blankets and pillows trying to waste some energy.  This after we tried making them tired by taking them to public swim.  I wish I had as much energy as these guys!

"Day Nine": Your View Today

Ahh, two loves of my life tonight.  PVR to tape the shows that I wouldn't be able to watch because of our crazy busy lives and Hell's Kitchen.  I love that show!

"Day Ten": Best Bit of Your Weekend

Planting flowers with the kids.  It was a last minute thing.  My husband and daughter went to the store and bought the plants while my son finished napping.  When they got back, the three of them planted the flowers together.  I <3 my life!

"Day Eleven": Door
This is our front door.  It has lots of marks on it, lots of fingerprints, but that's because it's so busy.  We no longer have room on our fridge for all of these fun magnets, so we moved them to the door instead.  Double win situation.  We get to keep the magnets and all of their learning power PLUS it keeps the kids busy and at the door while we are getting ready to leave.

"Day Twelve": Low Angle

Eating is a favourite time in our house.  There is laughter and talking - sometimes a little TOO much laughter and talking - but laughter and talking none the less.

"Day Thirteen": Art

This is how I hang the kids artwork in the kitchen.  Just two simple tacks in the wall with a piece of string between them.  Paper clips hold up all of the art work.  If it's really heavy, I actually pull apart the paper clip and poke it through the artwork.

"Day Fourteen": Time

My bedtime.  Yep.  I go to bed early so that I can wake up early the next day and have my quiet time before the kids wake up.  Good night everyone!



Photography Challenge - Week One

I have a little bit of a love for photography, but I don't do it professionally or anything.  I just love to take pictures - mainly of my kids!  I found this Photography Challenge on Pinterest and I just had to try it.  So bear with me as I attempt to take a picture every day for a month.  I will post all the pictures that I have taken on Fridays with a small description of each.  Maybe you could play along too!  Click on the link above to get started!

Day One: "In the Morning"
My kids were looking out the window one morning, checking out the cars that were driving past.  Messy hair, PJ's and all!

Day Two: "Empty"
We aren't moving.  We aren't painting.  My baby is moving into a big boy bed.  This is a picture of his empty room, after I had cleared it out on my own while waiting for my husband to return with the bed, dresser and nightstand.

Day Three: "On Your Plate"
Mmm, I made this French Toast Bake with raspberries and I can't wait to share the recipe with all of you.  I want to make a couple changes first though, the recipe that I followed was lacking a little in the flavour department.

Day Four: "Close Up"
This is our "fur baby".  His name is Jax and sometimes (most of the times) we drives us crazy, but we love him anyways.  I think he was getting annoyed of the camera in his face while he was trying to eat.

Day Six: "Hat"

I missed Day Five.  So busy.  But this is my little man with his favourite hat and wearing it his favourite way.  Backwards.  He loves "Cars" and really anything else that has wings, wheels or tracks.

Day Seven: "Drink"

Every morning I must have my coffee in my mug.  I can't drink my coffee black so I either add creamer, hot chocolate or an instant French Vanilla powder.  Mmmm, I can smell it now!