End of the month musings...

Oh Lord really... How is it the end of January already?? It has been a really good month for me... reset, detox and all that jazz. I thoroughly enjoy the holidays but January is also becoming a favorite month of mine.

I am semi dreading the start up of Lacrosse for my little one. My weeknights will be full with practices again for both her and I (tennis) . I wonder if it might be worth it to team up with a neighborhood parent to share the weeknight carpooling duties? We've done this in the past but it generally results in a tit-for-tat situation (them not me) which I have zero patience for. Why do grown ass adults have to be like that?

Is it possible that what you eat can in fact make you feel like a totally different person? I am inclined to believe it is 100% possible. Which also leads me to another conclusion...

Maybe all of the fuss about gluten and the way our manufactured foods are processed is really fucking with multiple aspects of how we feel and function in daily life? I know people make fun of the gluten wackos but if the symptoms of sensitivity are really truly caused by gluten (and other stuff)... OMG... maybe what I always thought was just getting older and having an even more sensitive stomach is something else altogether.

I haven't been on a date since before the holidays. Wow... like 6 weeks. That is some kind of record for me. I have 2 current gap fillers that I sort of alternate weekends with when I feel so inclined. Neither one is relationship worthy though. I'm getting bored, may have to ramp up the Tinder again. Why are most available men so utterly disappointing?

Operation strip wallpaper is the worst damn idea I have had in awhile. Yuck. I am not a "let's just hit it hard and knock it out" kind of person so this could take awhile. I am currently stripping about 2-3 sections per week. At this rate I will be done by the end of February. I am ok with that. It's not coming off easy and the chemicals are gross. I hate this project.

I have been journaling every day in the new Whole30 companion book and I am surprised by how much I am liking it. Haven't journaled in forever. Might have to stick with this for awhile.

I cannot wait to get on the scale on Wednesday morning. Seriously I am dying to know how much weight I lost. I am trying to not focus too hard on the number but I hope it's a good bit. Two of my tennis pals yesterday were talking about how they recently dropped 20 pounds and I was like "oh hey I might have too but I won't know till Wednesday".

I have my entire Whole30 reintroduction planned out to start on Wednesday also. I am really stoked about this. My first add back in will be a glass of wine on Wednesday night and then most likely back to strict Whole30 for 2-3 days. Then we will see what's next. It's embarrassing that I have never taken the time to do this part of the program before, I think it is going to be really eye opening!

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

End of the month musings...

Monday, January 29, 2018

Oh Lord really... How is it the end of January already?? It has been a really good month for me... reset, detox and all that jazz. I thoroughly enjoy the holidays but January is also becoming a favorite month of mine.

I am semi dreading the start up of Lacrosse for my little one. My weeknights will be full with practices again for both her and I (tennis) . I wonder if it might be worth it to team up with a neighborhood parent to share the weeknight carpooling duties? We've done this in the past but it generally results in a tit-for-tat situation (them not me) which I have zero patience for. Why do grown ass adults have to be like that?

Is it possible that what you eat can in fact make you feel like a totally different person? I am inclined to believe it is 100% possible. Which also leads me to another conclusion...

Maybe all of the fuss about gluten and the way our manufactured foods are processed is really fucking with multiple aspects of how we feel and function in daily life? I know people make fun of the gluten wackos but if the symptoms of sensitivity are really truly caused by gluten (and other stuff)... OMG... maybe what I always thought was just getting older and having an even more sensitive stomach is something else altogether.

I haven't been on a date since before the holidays. Wow... like 6 weeks. That is some kind of record for me. I have 2 current gap fillers that I sort of alternate weekends with when I feel so inclined. Neither one is relationship worthy though. I'm getting bored, may have to ramp up the Tinder again. Why are most available men so utterly disappointing?

Operation strip wallpaper is the worst damn idea I have had in awhile. Yuck. I am not a "let's just hit it hard and knock it out" kind of person so this could take awhile. I am currently stripping about 2-3 sections per week. At this rate I will be done by the end of February. I am ok with that. It's not coming off easy and the chemicals are gross. I hate this project.

I have been journaling every day in the new Whole30 companion book and I am surprised by how much I am liking it. Haven't journaled in forever. Might have to stick with this for awhile.

I cannot wait to get on the scale on Wednesday morning. Seriously I am dying to know how much weight I lost. I am trying to not focus too hard on the number but I hope it's a good bit. Two of my tennis pals yesterday were talking about how they recently dropped 20 pounds and I was like "oh hey I might have too but I won't know till Wednesday".

I have my entire Whole30 reintroduction planned out to start on Wednesday also. I am really stoked about this. My first add back in will be a glass of wine on Wednesday night and then most likely back to strict Whole30 for 2-3 days. Then we will see what's next. It's embarrassing that I have never taken the time to do this part of the program before, I think it is going to be really eye opening!

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

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Goals Part Deux: 18 For 2018

Since I did another post on my goals for 2018 Part 1 I guess I better finish up this thought with my Part 2 huh? Well my Part 2 is completely stolen from the Happier Podcast by Gretchen Rubin but it's ok because she put it out there for all of us to get on board with. If you don't listen to this podcast check it out, it is one I really enjoy and find offers a lot of good practical advice on how to make your life just better overall. So, on the podcast the challenge was to come up with a list of 18 things you want to do in 2018 and it could be anything at all. This is not just about huge life goals but also an opportunity to set the bar low and just check off a few regular things too. Things that you pretty much always have time for but maybe you just don't do. This is not about goals in big broad terms either, it's about giving yourself specific action items if you will. For example instead of "eat healthy" how about pack a healthy lunch to take to work at least 3 days a week... that kind of thing. Anyway here is what I came up with for my 18...

Buy some hiking shoes and hit Sweetwater Creek State Park. Maybe not just this one but it's something I have wanted to do for awhile. I have come to grips with not really being a gym person at this point in life but I like walking outdoors and nature is like Xanax for me.

Finish the book Food Freedom Forever that I bought 2 years ago and do a real Whole30 Reintroduction phase by the book. Complete with mini-resets as needed.

Take a day trip to Athens, GA and visit Creature Comforts Brewery. Because beer.

Have a date night with my kids once a month and pick a new place at least every other time. 

Go to Michigan.

Lose 30 lbs. This really not that daunting considering that most likely after Whole30 is over I'll be close to halfway there. 

Paint and purge at least 3 areas/rooms of my house that I currently am not fond of. 

Practice the One Minute Rule regularly. This is another Gretchen Rubin thing... the idea is to immediately do any tasks that come up if they will take 1 minute or less to complete. Like... hanging up your coat, putting dishes in the dishwasher instead of the sink, read mail and toss it, etc. 

Clean out the side of my garage that is currently not usable as a garage so that when Olivia is home she can park her car in it not in the driveway.

Visit Oakland Cemetery and actually take the tour.

Have dinner at Golden Eagle. 2018 birthday maybe?

Take a one day/afternoon class in something I have never done before.

Read 12 books or 1 a month.

Delegate, delegate, delegate. I have 2 able bodied children living in my house and a huge team of people at work at my disposal. I need to get better about allowing others assist in the big projects so I don't get burned out and pissed off.

Host a brunch at my home. As much as I love brunch I have never hosted a fun brunch. I have had family/holiday things like Easter or Baptisms but I want to do a fun friends day drinking event. Maybe during Wimbledon?

Take the kids on a surprise weekend trip somewhere unexpected that we can drive to. Southerners give me ideas!!!

Find a way to organize my shoes. Ugh... this part of my closet is an embarrassment.

Bake a grain free paleo cake. I have this beautiful book on paleo baking and I haven't even made a damn cake yet.

So there's my list. Some things are rather small  but just stuff I want to do. Some things may seem silly to someone else but that's not the point either. I tried really hard to be specific so I can actually   say hey... this IS what it is exactly and check it off when it's done. I need concrete rules to be successful, I know this. Another idea they talked about on the podcast was creating this list with your spouse or partner which I think would be very cool too. Now... what to tackle first. 

18 in 2018 • 2018 Goals

Goals Part Deux: 18 For 2018

Monday, January 22, 2018

Since I did another post on my goals for 2018 Part 1 I guess I better finish up this thought with my Part 2 huh? Well my Part 2 is completely stolen from the Happier Podcast by Gretchen Rubin but it's ok because she put it out there for all of us to get on board with. If you don't listen to this podcast check it out, it is one I really enjoy and find offers a lot of good practical advice on how to make your life just better overall. So, on the podcast the challenge was to come up with a list of 18 things you want to do in 2018 and it could be anything at all. This is not just about huge life goals but also an opportunity to set the bar low and just check off a few regular things too. Things that you pretty much always have time for but maybe you just don't do. This is not about goals in big broad terms either, it's about giving yourself specific action items if you will. For example instead of "eat healthy" how about pack a healthy lunch to take to work at least 3 days a week... that kind of thing. Anyway here is what I came up with for my 18...

Buy some hiking shoes and hit Sweetwater Creek State Park. Maybe not just this one but it's something I have wanted to do for awhile. I have come to grips with not really being a gym person at this point in life but I like walking outdoors and nature is like Xanax for me.

Finish the book Food Freedom Forever that I bought 2 years ago and do a real Whole30 Reintroduction phase by the book. Complete with mini-resets as needed.

Take a day trip to Athens, GA and visit Creature Comforts Brewery. Because beer.

Have a date night with my kids once a month and pick a new place at least every other time. 

Go to Michigan.

Lose 30 lbs. This really not that daunting considering that most likely after Whole30 is over I'll be close to halfway there. 

Paint and purge at least 3 areas/rooms of my house that I currently am not fond of. 

Practice the One Minute Rule regularly. This is another Gretchen Rubin thing... the idea is to immediately do any tasks that come up if they will take 1 minute or less to complete. Like... hanging up your coat, putting dishes in the dishwasher instead of the sink, read mail and toss it, etc. 

Clean out the side of my garage that is currently not usable as a garage so that when Olivia is home she can park her car in it not in the driveway.

Visit Oakland Cemetery and actually take the tour.

Have dinner at Golden Eagle. 2018 birthday maybe?

Take a one day/afternoon class in something I have never done before.

Read 12 books or 1 a month.

Delegate, delegate, delegate. I have 2 able bodied children living in my house and a huge team of people at work at my disposal. I need to get better about allowing others assist in the big projects so I don't get burned out and pissed off.

Host a brunch at my home. As much as I love brunch I have never hosted a fun brunch. I have had family/holiday things like Easter or Baptisms but I want to do a fun friends day drinking event. Maybe during Wimbledon?

Take the kids on a surprise weekend trip somewhere unexpected that we can drive to. Southerners give me ideas!!!

Find a way to organize my shoes. Ugh... this part of my closet is an embarrassment.

Bake a grain free paleo cake. I have this beautiful book on paleo baking and I haven't even made a damn cake yet.

So there's my list. Some things are rather small  but just stuff I want to do. Some things may seem silly to someone else but that's not the point either. I tried really hard to be specific so I can actually   say hey... this IS what it is exactly and check it off when it's done. I need concrete rules to be successful, I know this. Another idea they talked about on the podcast was creating this list with your spouse or partner which I think would be very cool too. Now... what to tackle first. 

Read More

Five Things Friday

Twelve days into the new year. How is everyone doing? Not gonna lie I feel pretty amazing now that I have cast aside all of my overindulgent holiday habits. Damn, I forgot how much better I feel when I am putting in the work, at least in the beginning when everything is shiny and new. So, just checking in with a few things of note...

1

Since everyone is doing a word of the year  and I have the Stage 4 FOMO I will not be left out. I really didn't have to give this one too much thought and it's not like I even planned it but it just sort of occurred to me thanks to Tinder. Yes, I actually learned something about myself and where I am in my mindset from Tinder of all places. A common question you get asked early on in the online dating process is "what are you looking for"? My answer to this a question used to be sort of  planned out... blah blah blah, good sense of humor, tall, play sports, non-smoker, likes music ... I used to always answer the question with traits I would like to see in someone else. Seems logical right? Over the past year I have spent a lot of time really asking myself that question and not in terms of a relationship just in terms of life in general. I have come to some conclusions and now when someone asks me on Tinder I might throw out a few character traits but I find myself saying "I want to live a simpler life"... overwhelmingly this is my answer. It's a process and it's not easy because it involves a lot of real and honest introspection but I have been and will continue to work toward that goal very intentionally. So, my word of the year...

2

Whole30 Round 4 is in full swing for me over here and I am loving it, mostly. I mean there are moments of anger and longing when I walk by my pretty wine glasses or think of a nacho mountain at the bar with my bestie but overall the positives way overshadow those moments. After eleven days my energy levels are way up during the day, I'm sleeping better and waking up is a whole lot easier. My digestive issues are GONE, I won't get too in depth here but trust me, what a relief. My beloved dairy is really not my friend. I don't really feel any smaller but I never really do until closer to the end so I am not concerned with weight loss. I totally get off on the structure of these 30 days. Best thing ever for me to get back on track.


3

So I lied. I said no more festivals. I was wrong, there will be more festivals because Sweetwater 420 Fest this year that's why. Bands that I love, bands that I have been unable to afford, bands that I am dying to see and a free place to stay in town for the weekend. I am so glad I took a chance and bought 1 lonely early bird ticket for myself last October for $89.

So I guess this will be me in a few short months...

4


This is just an observation really but I get a little sad when the holidays are over. It's such a let down when the parties and family time is over, lazy mornings give way to battling traffic and rushing around. But on the other hand I really like January. I love my annual Whole30 as you know but other than that January is just chill. The kids are starting a new semester so there are no major school things going on. Kids sports have not started yet. Winter tennis is just kicking off. Taking all of the Christmas crap down after a month makes me feel like I have a new house. And best of all everyone is hibernating. I don't really want to go out much at this time of year and it's so easy because there is nothing to do!I am spending 2/3 of this month in pajamas and slippers and it is absofuckinglutely glorious.


5

I am literally out of my mind with excitement to go meet Melissa Hartwig here in Atlanta this coming Monday night. The Whole30 book tour is coming and I am going. Am I the only one that gets totally starstruck by meeting a favorite author?? How ironic is it to get the meet the creator of Whole30 while actually doing a Whole30? I know... dork.

Have a fabulous weekend.

5 on Friday • January Whole30 • Sweetwater 420 Fest • Whole 30 • Word of the Year 2018

Five Things Friday

Friday, January 12, 2018

Twelve days into the new year. How is everyone doing? Not gonna lie I feel pretty amazing now that I have cast aside all of my overindulgent holiday habits. Damn, I forgot how much better I feel when I am putting in the work, at least in the beginning when everything is shiny and new. So, just checking in with a few things of note...

1

Since everyone is doing a word of the year  and I have the Stage 4 FOMO I will not be left out. I really didn't have to give this one too much thought and it's not like I even planned it but it just sort of occurred to me thanks to Tinder. Yes, I actually learned something about myself and where I am in my mindset from Tinder of all places. A common question you get asked early on in the online dating process is "what are you looking for"? My answer to this a question used to be sort of  planned out... blah blah blah, good sense of humor, tall, play sports, non-smoker, likes music ... I used to always answer the question with traits I would like to see in someone else. Seems logical right? Over the past year I have spent a lot of time really asking myself that question and not in terms of a relationship just in terms of life in general. I have come to some conclusions and now when someone asks me on Tinder I might throw out a few character traits but I find myself saying "I want to live a simpler life"... overwhelmingly this is my answer. It's a process and it's not easy because it involves a lot of real and honest introspection but I have been and will continue to work toward that goal very intentionally. So, my word of the year...

2

Whole30 Round 4 is in full swing for me over here and I am loving it, mostly. I mean there are moments of anger and longing when I walk by my pretty wine glasses or think of a nacho mountain at the bar with my bestie but overall the positives way overshadow those moments. After eleven days my energy levels are way up during the day, I'm sleeping better and waking up is a whole lot easier. My digestive issues are GONE, I won't get too in depth here but trust me, what a relief. My beloved dairy is really not my friend. I don't really feel any smaller but I never really do until closer to the end so I am not concerned with weight loss. I totally get off on the structure of these 30 days. Best thing ever for me to get back on track.


3

So I lied. I said no more festivals. I was wrong, there will be more festivals because Sweetwater 420 Fest this year that's why. Bands that I love, bands that I have been unable to afford, bands that I am dying to see and a free place to stay in town for the weekend. I am so glad I took a chance and bought 1 lonely early bird ticket for myself last October for $89.

So I guess this will be me in a few short months...

4


This is just an observation really but I get a little sad when the holidays are over. It's such a let down when the parties and family time is over, lazy mornings give way to battling traffic and rushing around. But on the other hand I really like January. I love my annual Whole30 as you know but other than that January is just chill. The kids are starting a new semester so there are no major school things going on. Kids sports have not started yet. Winter tennis is just kicking off. Taking all of the Christmas crap down after a month makes me feel like I have a new house. And best of all everyone is hibernating. I don't really want to go out much at this time of year and it's so easy because there is nothing to do!I am spending 2/3 of this month in pajamas and slippers and it is absofuckinglutely glorious.


5

I am literally out of my mind with excitement to go meet Melissa Hartwig here in Atlanta this coming Monday night. The Whole30 book tour is coming and I am going. Am I the only one that gets totally starstruck by meeting a favorite author?? How ironic is it to get the meet the creator of Whole30 while actually doing a Whole30? I know... dork.

Have a fabulous weekend.

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Currently; January 2018

STARTING - My 4th round of Whole30, in case you didn't know. I can't believe it has been since 2015 since I did this for the 1st time. So much has happened in 3 years but I am really hoping to capture that excitement and fierce commitment that brought me such amazing results the first time. 

HOPING - That we get just a little more snow... I know, don't shoot me. It's so freaking cold here for us the least Mother Nature could do is make it a little pretty and fun. I am happy to hole up and sit by the fire for the entire month of January. 

SCHEDULING - A girls trip.. either Savannah for St. Pat's Day to see them turn the river green and drink lots o' beer or Nashville... haven't decided yet. 

READING -  You Are A Badass ... I know a few people who have read this and given it great reviews. I think my inner dialogue is what I struggle with the most so looking forward to hear what she has to say about it.  Plus New Year New You and all of that...

PLAYING - A Black Mile To The Surface by Manchester Orchestra on repeat. I can not get enough of this album. Music is life. 

What are you up to currently?

Linking up with Anne as usual... 

Currently • Currently Link Up • January

Currently; January 2018

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

STARTING - My 4th round of Whole30, in case you didn't know. I can't believe it has been since 2015 since I did this for the 1st time. So much has happened in 3 years but I am really hoping to capture that excitement and fierce commitment that brought me such amazing results the first time. 

HOPING - That we get just a little more snow... I know, don't shoot me. It's so freaking cold here for us the least Mother Nature could do is make it a little pretty and fun. I am happy to hole up and sit by the fire for the entire month of January. 

SCHEDULING - A girls trip.. either Savannah for St. Pat's Day to see them turn the river green and drink lots o' beer or Nashville... haven't decided yet. 

READING -  You Are A Badass ... I know a few people who have read this and given it great reviews. I think my inner dialogue is what I struggle with the most so looking forward to hear what she has to say about it.  Plus New Year New You and all of that...

PLAYING - A Black Mile To The Surface by Manchester Orchestra on repeat. I can not get enough of this album. Music is life. 

What are you up to currently?

Linking up with Anne as usual... 

Read More