Day 1.

Something you hate about yourself.

Hate is a pretty strong word.  Probably one of the things I dislike about myself the most is that I never feel like I am good enough.  Not in a self motivating way, just in a "if I was ________ then I'd be better".  The blank could be anything from skinnier, to kinder, more empathetic or more laid back etc.  

There are a lot of other things that go into that feeling I'm sure, but since I'm not a licensed therapist and you all don't really have enough time in the day to listen to me try and dissect all the little things that may or may not feed into my feeling of not being good enough, I'll leave it at that!

.....lets see how this goes.

Another blog I follow started doing this lately and I thought that it might be fun.....


Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself
Day 03 → Something you need to forgive yourself for
Day 04 → Something you need to forgive someone else for
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

Happy Anniversary!

Yesterday was our first wedding anniversary.  It does not seem like a year has passed at all!  We just walked in from a weekend trip to Table Rock Lake, I'll post pictures later.  For now, here are some of my favorite pics from the "big day" last year!

Shot of the final prep before I got to see Spencer!

Fun shot of the girls flowers and red shoes

Spencer's favorite pic of him and the guys

We took most of our pics at Liberty Memorial, its a WWI memorial in KC, and has an AMAZING view of the city skyline.

There was a photographer from the KC Star there that day and a picture similar to this ended up in the paper the next day!

This is my FAVORITE picture of us from that day

Having fun outside the theater where we got married

Group shot!

My step dad and dad with me during the ceremony, I think this is the point where our minister, (one of Spencer's best friends) was calling me headstrong, I was trying really hard not to laugh out loud!

Saying our vows 

 

First kiss as a married couple

We used the props from the photo booth when we made our entrance back into the reception

We had our cake topper made to  look like us from a shop on Etsy.

My little brother and I at the reception

Spencer and I in the photobooth we had at the reception

Bragging

OK in my "about me" page I talk about how awesome I think my friends are.  I am reminded of this fact a million different ways, every day.  Whether it's a conversation I'll have with a friend over dinner and a glass of wine, or something awesome that one of my friends is up to; sometimes I just sit back and marvel at what fantastic people I have in my life. 
My friends are scattered across the country, doing some pretty amazing things with their lives.  One of my best friends works in the Christian music industry.  Her current job allows her to travel to radio stations, work the some pretty amazing groups and get her artists air time on local Christian stations. Given that her dad has been in radio since well before Al Gore invented the Internet, this job is an amazing fit for her. I remember how excited she was when she called to tell me she had been offered the position, that was one of the moments I mentioned before when I am hit by the fact my friends are simply amazing people. 
Even in things that are not job related I get reminded about what cool opportunities my friends have in their lives right now.  My friend J of J's Everyday Fashion (http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/) has a love of fashion and clothes that is intense.  Its a passion for her, and you can tell, because the girl always looks amazing!  For her super amazing blog she has an opportunity to interview Guilana Rancic at Miami 2010 Fashion week.  It's just so cool to see how many awards she has gotten, how much press coverage she has gotten by just talking about something she really loves.  I love that she was able to translate something that is fun for her into something that has been so much fun for the rest of us to read! 
Those are 2 examples of my awesome friends, I could literally sit here all night and give examples of things my friends do that amaze me.  And I just might continue to pepper my blog with stories about my friends and the fun things they do, maybe I'll add some pictures next time!

Just Dance, and take pictures of it!

On Saturday night (after my FAIL workout) I headed over to my amazing friend AnnaB's to spend some quality girl bonding time with her and our friend Megs.  Megs was also in possession of her little sister T so it was a low key night we had planned.  We ordered pizza, (stuffed crust never tasted so good) and watched "The Invention of Lying" which was funny, but some parts were not so much "T" age appropriate!  After the movie AnnaB busted out the worlds coolest Wii game.  Just Dance.  Amazing.  I called Spence in the middle of laughing my head off at AnnaB and T dancing along to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and "Lump" and informed him that before our next party that this game MUST be purchased.  I snapped a few pics of Megs and T dancing it up, they don't even begin to do it justice! In the first picture Megs has laughed so hard she is doubled over.  No really, its that much fun.

Despite the fact that we really don't have a lot of disposable income of late, last night we made the executive decision to go ahead and purchase a new camera.  I refused to have our anniversary go by with no pictures to show for it!

The camera we have is less than stellar, and basically doesn't really take that good of pictures.  Oh, and I cant find the charger, like, its gone.  Really gone.  And the flash doesn't work, so unless the photo conditions are ideal then you are SOL.  Right I used all these arguments on Spencer last night and he relented and said we could go look at cameras...... 

So Spence and I headed to Best Buy to see what we could find.  I had been looking at the Samsung TL220 Dualview camera 12mp w 4x6 optical zoom, with the LCD screens on the front and back.  I am a big fan of the self portrait, flashback to myspace days.  At different times over the past year we have both looked at reviews and said we liked it etc.  It just so happened that the camera is on sale at Best Buy this week for $199! 

Despite the fact we walked into the store pretty much convinced of what we wanted, we didn't get that one.  We ended up purchasing the Samsung TL240, it has more zoom 7x optical zoom. more mega pixels (14 vs 12) and was cheaper.  Why you may ask was it cheaper if its SO much better? Because they just came out with a model that is exactly the same except it can upload wirelessly to your comp, so they are clearancing out this model to make room for it.  Other than that one feature I could not tell the camera's apart!  So instead of it being $300 it was $179.  AND we both had gift cards that knocked it down to below $100.

SO what this means my dear bloggy readers is that you may, just may, get something besides my phone pictures to enjoy on the blog in the near future!  Upcoming events in my super exciting life include our 1 year anniversary this weekend, super fun wedding the next 2 weekends and a birthday dinner tonight!

Another recipe! and workout update.

*Giveaway alert* check out "shut up and run" at http://twentysixpointtwoormore.blogspot.com/
Super cute headband being given away.  The headband is moisture wicking headbands with inspirational sayings on them. There is a small plastic strip sewn into the front of the band so these babies never slip.



Last night I searched AllRecipe again for something to make for dinner.  The winner was "Chicken with Mushrooms" http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-With-Mushrooms/Detail.aspx

Ingredients


4 cups sliced mushrooms

3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

2 tablespoons butter

6 slices mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup chicken broth \
+3/4 can 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. (Saute mushrooms with butter and garlic) Place half of the mushrooms in a 9x13 inch pan. Dip chicken into beaten eggs, then roll in bread crumbs.

3. In skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Brown both sides of chicken in skillet. Place chicken on top of mushrooms, arrange remaining mushrooms on chicken, and top with mozzarella cheese. Add chicken broth (and cream mushroom soup) to pan.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

I modified the original recipe based on the reviews I read, I sauteed the mushrooms with some garlic before I browned the chicken, and added a can of 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup to the chicken broth before I added that.  I also usually don't do any kind of a wash on my chicken before I dip it in the breadcrumbs.  I don't know why, but I don't really notice a huge difference in the coating I get.  So I skipped the egg wash portion. 
 
All in all it was pretty good.  I will probably add double the mushrooms next time, Spence and I both really like mushrooms, and serve over pasta instead of rice.  But its been added to the recipe box!
 
Workout:   fail.
I managed to go to the gym for a whopping 20 minutes on Saturday.  I was not mentally there and finally gave up before I fell off the treadmill and killed myself.  Sunday was a wash, I was a bum. 
Today however I got up despite not getting a lot of sleep last night (kept waking up for no apparent reason) and got my happy little tushy moving.  I did 2 miles on the treadmill and then 15 minutes on the bike, stretched and called it good.  I'm feeling like I could have done more so I am considering a spin class tonight to burn some more calories.....
In the back of my head though I'm wondering if that will kill my legs for tomorrow.....

Colorado pictures cont.

Well friends we're back with the second installment of the Colorado pictures post! (I know you are all super excited). 
We'll start out with some more pictures of Spencer and I cheesing it upfor the camera. 

Now we got to the lake and decided that we'd walk around it, see the sights before getting back into the car.  MIL, SIL and I were ahead of the boys and we noticed this cutie little duck swimming for the shoreline straight for us.  We assumed that the little duck (hereafter "Ducky") thought we may have food for him.  He waddled up on the shore and walked right up to us.  We didn't have anything for him, but he still just kinda hung around for a little bit until we started walking.....then he followed us!  He walked a little ways, then got in the water and swam along side of us until we stopped again.  When we stopped he got out of the water and milled around us until we started going again.  He got back in the water and swam along side us again!  The little guy followed us almost half way around the lake!  We couldn't help but take some pictures of Ducky while we were walking around!

Last but not least I leave you with a picture of the lake!

Colorado pictures

This is Spence and I at one of the traditional stops in Rocky Mountain National Park. 

This is at the same stop, but we've climbed up this rock formation.  You can't really tell from the picture but we are right on the edge of a cliff!

This is further up the mountain.  And its cold.  Like really cold.  If you look closer at the picture it looks like I have a mohawk type hair look going on....Spence is trying to keep his hat from flying down the mountain!

Spencer's friend Brandon told him to "punch a chipmunk" for him while we were there.  Since it was a little chilly we didn't see many of the little guys running around, so Spence settled for punching a fake chipmunk at a gift shop!

Spence and I at the Alluvial fan.  This is about half way as high as we hiked up.  The last time Spencer was in CO with his fam he apparently went twice as high as we did.  Next time I promised to climb up as far as he wants to!

This picture is Sandy (MIL), Spence and I at the Alluvial Fan. 

The last 2 pictures are Spence and I at a waterfall, I think it was called Sprague Falls.  It was a pretty intense hike down to the falls.  I didn't think Heather (SIL) was going to make it, shes not exactly an adventurous type, but she made it down and back up!

Those are all I'm posting for now....more to come!

Cooking and running

Last night I made shrimp etouffee for dinner.  I was really happy with how it came out!  I have no idea how authentic it is, but since I live in KS and Spencer doesn't know any better we called it a win.  I don't have any pictures of the prep, but I do have some "show off" pictures of how clean the kitchen was by the end of the process! 

I am making it a goal to focus on cleaning up as I cook.  I think it will help with the overall cleanliness of the kitchen. 
Here is the recipe I used for the shrimp etouffee: http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/shrimp-etouffee-ii/Detail.aspx

Its in the rotation for this winter, I think it will be a good hot meal for when the good 'ol KS winter hits and we are covered in ice and snow.











Well the second part of my title was "running".  Its a misnomer.  I don't run. (YET)  Currently, I sorta-kinda jog.  With a lot of walking added in for good measure.  Today was the first day of the 3 weeks I am giving myself to get into shape and start the training program I have in the top bar of the blog.  I've decided to post my times once a week to track my progress.  The first week of the program I need to be able to do a 4 mile "long run".  I am nowhere near being able to do that currently!  I have a lot of work ahead of me.  Here is the first picture of my progress.  I jogged/ran at a 14.45 minute pace:

Disney Princess confession

OK all you 6 people who follow my blog.  I'm putting something out there.  I want to run a half marathon.  One specific half marathon, the Disney Princess.  Here is a short blurb from http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/princess-half-marathon/:

Fairytales do come true. One mile at a time.



Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend brings women of all ages together to participate in a magical event designed just for them. The Disney Princesses are the inspiration for the weekend's events and will focus on the attributes every princess possesses: commitment, courage, determination, fantasy, perseverance, and strength.


There comes a time in every woman's life when she must blaze her own trail. A time when she has to run, not from an evil stepmother, but to her moment of glory. A day when the true princess inside of her shines through. The time has come for you!
So, dust off those glass running slippers and get set for an experience nothing short of happily ever after!

So what do we think bloggers? I put a page on the top of the blog with the training schedule so I don't die.  I'm going to register on Friday! (this is  my scared face.)

Sushi Train

Last night I had grand plans to make shrimp etouffee.  Had is the operative word in that sentence.  The cleaning schedule got switched up and since I really feel lazy being home when others clean my house Spencer and I decided to head out for dinner. 
*As long as we have a roommate we will have a cleaning lady come in 2x a month to clean the main common areas of the house.  It alleviates a LOT of tension when I don't feel like I'm cleaning up after our roommate and I know that at least 2x a month the house will be clean from top to bottom.  Once we don't have a roommate, I promise to become a good housewife and clean up after myself and Spencer.*

Back to dinner.  We decided to head out to one of our favorite sushi places in KC.  Sakura, or as I like to call it, Sushi Train!  The photos should pretty well explain why I call it that..... I love it because you can pick 2-3 pieces at a time and you get to try a lot of different things without committing to an entire roll (and without the price of an entire roll!).  The plates are either $2.05 or $2.60 each, which is a pretty good deal!  We can usually get out of there for about $35 for both of us, last night was a tad bit more but we were both STARVING!  I snapped some pictures of the train, they are a little blurry because the train was trucking right along last night!

CO trip.

I am still brain dead from our whirlwind trip to Colorado, so here are some pictures from my phone that I took.  They are mainly of my super adorable husband (because I just can't help it, I think the man is adorable), I'll try and put some more on once they are developed.  *yes I used a film camera for a lot of our scenery pictures*

This first picture is how Spencer spent the trip out to CO.  We got up at like 5am and met his parents at their house to leave by 7am.  It was a long day.

Picture of Spencer recreating one of his  (many) childhood falls into water in Estes Park.  There wasnt enough film for me to capture all of the spots that this guy has fallen in the water!

Picture of Grand Lake Co.  We drove all day through Rocky Mountain National Park to get here.  According to the family, this is the tradition of the trips to CO, I got to be a part of the ongoing tradition!Spence and his dad at Grand Lake CO.

This is the Alluvial Fan, a huge huge huge flood happened in the 70's and deposited al these massive boulders.  Spencer, his mom and I climbed part way up on the fan while Heather (SIL) and Steve (dad) held down the fort below!

On our last day in CO we stopped at Tiny Town Mini Golf to play a round.  It's awesome, only $3 for a 18 holes!  Spencer was the clear winner, he shot 4 holes in 1! I shot 1 over par and came in 4th....

Far too soon it was time to head home.....

Carbonara.

I had the brilliant idea to try and make pasta carbonara last night.  I found a recipe on AllRecipes.com (my go to recipe website) and on the way home picked up the ingredients.  The recipe I found was not a true carbonara recipe, no eggs involved.  It did have cream cheese though so I immediately started drooling.  Got home sat on the couch for a little bit and watched Spence finish up his P90X workout for the day and then set about making a meal so dense in calories that we could not eat for 2 days and still not be at a deficit.  Here is the prep in pictures.....I was so excited that once I plated it I forgot to take any more pictures of it!

First we have the bacon.  I was supposed to cook until crispy and then use the bacon grease to cook the rest of the food in.  What I did was cook it till not raw and reserved more than half the grease because there is no way I needed ALL of that! (Neither Spence or I like super crispy bacon, so I cooked it the way we like it and then broke it into pieces once it cooled a little)

On the counter is the rest of the sauce ingredients.  The plate contains, butter, garlic, Parmesan cheese and mushrooms. Then we have a cup of milk and block of cream cheese.  OMG yum. 

I love tortellini and we hadn't had it in ages.  So obviously this meal needed some more cheese and calories so we went with some Bertoli tortellini.

Finally the sauce is done and in the pan. It even looks rich in the picture!

Dinner was a hit and Spence said he really liked it!  On the flip side its something I wont be making for at least 90 days because I promised Spence that once we get back from CO that I will focus on making really healthy meals for dinner so that his P90X work will be more noticeable.  So I'll try and post at least one fun healthy thing I cook a week.  Since I will be cooking them at least 5 days a week that wont be so hard right?!?