Weekend Recap

We had a great weekend!  Very low-key and relaxing, which is so nice in the middle of busy season for a CPA.  On Friday, actually, I decided to increase my part-time percentage at work.  I was at 90% and am moving to 95%.  I did it with mixed emotions.  I am doing the work, so I might as well get paid for it (pro), but I don't want to be doing the work (con)...but such is life right now.  It helps our family financially as Brent is still growing his business.  The best part?  We are going to get a cleaning lady again!!!  That in itself was probably the best part of the weekend - ha!

Anyway, Brent and I rented 50/50.  We both really enjoyed it.  I did cry a few times, and Brent kept looking at me asking if I was crying.  I finally told him to stop looking at me if he didn't want to know if I was crying.  But even with a few tears, this was a really great movie!

And Sunday was Broadway Across America night - and it was WICKED!!!  This is still my favorite play of all time.  Now, granted, I've only seen about 10 plays, but this is leaps and bounds my #1.

Trent also got another successful haircut!  And we spent a lot of time with my sis and the kiddos got along good.


So overall a really good weekend.  Too bad work has to get in the way of such great times...

KGSR

I was in the car leaving the gym the other day and was listening to the radio.  I ended up on a certain radio station.  This radio station and I have a history with each other.  And as I was listening to Christina Perri '1000 Years', I had a little chuckle to myself and thought this would be a fun little story to share and a great memory to keep.

My dad only listens to this radio station.  And I used to hate it.  I mean a station that plays a song entitled 'Take Me to the Snake Farm' (and I am dead serious) is just not for me.  So when I rode with him in his truck, we fought over the radio.  I would vehemently argue with him about this stupid station that played stupid music.


Well, rewind in your minds to June 27, 2009.  My due date with Trent.  Except Trent didn't want to come out.  And I was upset.  I rode with my parents to my cousin's daughter's birthday party and was on the verge of tears the entire car ride but was trying so hard to hide it.  And we had that station on the entire car ride...except the music didn't suck!  For the first time ever, I was enjoying the music.  But then we pulled up in front of my cousin's house, my mom got out of the car, and I burst into tears and bawled 'Daddy, I don't want to be pregnant anymore.'  Not one of my finer moments...but I was at least happy with the music.  And when I finally told my dad that he had a chuckle.


Then a few years later, I was driving to a client, and there was a new station in town playing great music!  I didn't know what it was, but I was so excited. Until they paused for station identification and it was THAT station...they had just moved frequencies.  So I had to call my dad, and he had a chuckle.


Now?  That station is one of my presets.  Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Rocking My World

I had a few moments in the last few days that have totally rocked my world.


Rhonda and I tried Zumba again.  When we saw our instructor we were both a little skeptical.  I think her turquoise sequined headband worried us.  But she was fantastic!  She gave a lot more direction so that we didn't get lost nearly as much.  So Rhonda and I were able to stay with the routines better and overall got a much better workout and had a bunch more fun doing it!


I love tzatziki sauce and Greek food.  I always assumed tzatziki sauce was made of sour cream and therefore terrible for you.  NOT SO!  It's made with Greek yogurt!!!  A roughly 2 1/2 or 3 ounce serving has 54 calories.  That's it!


I have eaten fish twice recently.  I haven't cooked with it, but I've eaten it.  Once I didn't hate it and once I actually liked it.  Whoa.


I put green bell peppers on my Subway sandwich (I like red, orange and yellow but not green.)  They weren't awful!!


Kind of a big week, huh? {grin}

A Perfect Date

Tuesday was one of those days I just want to remember.  Brent and I both have made comments about wanting/needing to spend more time together.  We love each other, we're committed to this marriage, but life (and a toddler) sometimes gets in the way of really making our marriage a priority.  So my sweetie asked me out on a date this week...swoon.  Most Tuesday nights, Trent spends the night with the fabulous in-laws making this a perfect night for a date.  We went to Gloria's and just had a magical time together.  It was one of those nights where the conversation was great - I even learned stuff about him that I didn't know - and that's hard to do after almost 15 years together.  We laughed, we had great food, we talked, talked, talked.  We even got some frozen yogurt.  Then?  This morning I got this:  

Y'all - I think he loves me!  I am one lucky lady!!

Best Smoothie EVER

I think it's pretty common knowledge that I am not a veggie eater.  I do love fruit, but I find it hard to get enough of them eaten each day.  6-10 servings is just about impossible!  I've on-and-off made smoothies for myself for awhile.  But as I am trying to be a healthier me in 2012, I have been tinkering with them a lot lately.  And today's?  Was SO good!  Like almost something you'd get at Smoothie King.  And the most shocking ingredient?  People, I put tomatoes in there.  Remember back to 2011's Project 52.  A goal I had was to just eat a tomato.  And I did.  And it was terrible.  But if I sneak them into my smoothie, I can't taste them!

This morning's drink of goodness!

So today's recipe (makes 2 servings):

-1 1/4 cup almond/coconut milk (I added a little more liquid this time, it was a little thick before and I think that helped!)

-2 cups spinach (can't even taste or see it!)

-3 cups of fruit (today was grapes, frozen strawberries/ blueberries/ blackberries and a frozen tropical blend w/ pineapple, mango and banana)

-6 grape tomatoes (about 1/2 a cup...I'm building up here people)

Result? 4 1/2 servings of fruits and veggies to start my day!  All for roughly 200 calories or so.  So by 9:00 AM I was more than halfway to my daily fruit and veggie goal.  Yay!!

Laundry

I don't know about you, but I don't like laundry.  Well, if we're being honest, I don't like chores at all.  But laundry is especially annoying because even as you're doing your laundry, you're already making more dirty clothes just by being dressed.  Ugh.  But having a little helper makes it so much more fun!  Might take forever...but way fun!

He'll help you load the machine {with maybe a delay to throw some out}

He'll help you fold {or roll around in the warm clothes}

He'll hang up the clean clothes {or throw hangers and clothes}

Book Club Review: Before I Go to Sleep

We had our 4th book club meeting last night.  It was our first meeting since Heather and Kit moved to New Zealand.  It was noon on Monday, so Heather was able to Skype in for the meeting, which was super fun!  As per usual, we consumed a little too much wine and hummus, talked a lot about the book but a lot more about other {somewhat inappropriate} topics and had a great time!

Book synopsis:

Memories define us.

So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep?

Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love—all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may be telling you only half the story.

Welcome to Christine’s life.

Review: Best bookclub book to-date!  I couldn't put it down.  I didn't expect to this to be such a mystery/suspenseful book, and it was!  I was a little worried it would be super repetitive with the constant re-telling of facts every morning, but it really wasn't.  The author did a great job of keeping the story interesting while having to redo certain things every day.  Overall, it was SOOO good.

Next up - The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

Randoms

Lots of randomness to share today!  So let's get started.

Can you believe this girl is 9 months old?  Impossible!

Can you see her trying to watch TV in the picture on the left?  Sneaky girl.

Did anybody read Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series?  I gave up after book 17.  The first movie is coming out next weekend.  My mom and I are going to see it.  They should have made this movie 10 years ago starring Sandra Bullock.  I'm giving Katherine Heigl the benefit of the doubt...for now.

I have blogged before about loving My Fit Foods.  Well, they are now selling in 2 grocery stores - 1 of which is by me!  YIPPEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!  Brent and I bought about 6 meals last night.  So excited!

We have our 4th book club meeting Sunday.  I have been dying to blog about our last book, so happy to finally be able to!

I'm such a dork at work - I make a list of work that needs to be done and take a picture of it so I don't forget.  See?  Ha!

Anything random you want to share?

Backhoe Loader

You might have read this title and wondered 'Hmmm...what does this title mean?'  Exactly what it says!  Brent was in Academy and found a motorized backhoe on sale, and we just had to buy it for our obsessed construction worker.  He was SO excited (and still is) about owning a backhoe loader!  If you ask him where he got it, he jumps up and down and shouts 'My DADDY!!!!'  If that doesn't melt your heart!

Checking it out

Putting on his Bob the Builder hat to do some work

Nothing can separate him from his backhoe...not even a lack of clothes!

He even asked first thing bright and early the next day if he could drive his backhoe when EVERY single day he asks to watch a video.  That made this mama very happy.  I wish I'd never let him watch a video ever - ha.

Movie Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Back in 2010, I read this great book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  I LOVED it.  I then read the rest of the Millennium trilogy.  Some of the best books ever.  I found out there were Swedish versions of all 3 movies, so I watched them all in a row on Netflix.  They were okay.  Lisbeth was fantastic.  Mikael?  Eh.  When I found out they were making a U.S. version and who was in the cast I got super excited.  Well, Sunday, Rhonda and I had a date to see it.

And let me tell you - it does NOT disappoint.  The plot is very true to the book (Rhonda and I both noticed a few minor changes but none were too annoying), the music is fantastic (go Trent Reznor), and the actors are amazing.  Anybody who knows the story will get this - you know THE part?  I was dreading it, and it was just as awful as I imagined, which shows how amazing Rooney Mara is as Lisbeth.  Daniel Craig is H.O.T. as Mikael.  Rachel Weisz is one lucky woman to be married to him. {grin}  Overall this was a SOLID start to 2012 for movies.

Dallas Weekend

Saturday was Connor's 3rd birthday party.  Mom and I decided to be adventurous, take Trent, and head to Dallas - just the 3 of us.  {Blair is revolting against the car seat, so Patty didn't feel up to it.}  Well, let me tell you - we had an amazing weekend!  Trent was SO good and SO fun to be with!  He did great on both car rides, was so well-behaved at the party, slept great at my aunt and uncle's - just fantastic!

Connor's party was football themed, and everything looked so cute.  Hagan did a great job prepping for the party.  There were 10 kids at the party, and everyone got along and played hard and had fun.

Connor's cake and some decorations

Now, with a football themed party, I wanted Trent to dress the part.  The problem is I only support 1 football team - of which my husband disapproves. Oh wait...my mother-in-law already broke our 'no team support' rule...about 100 times!

Trent looking the cutest ever.  Gig 'em!  {Brent, please don't kill me.  I love you!}

The 3 year-old - so cute!  {Don't you just love his little Tom's?}

This morning, my cousin, Candace, came over with her kids.  She had a baby boy in September to add to her feminine household of 2 girls, and he is a chunk!  Not even 4 months old and already TWENTY-FOUR pounds.  Trent didn't weight that until 18 months.  Crazy!  But he's oh so cute and cuddly!

Trent thought Thomas was a-okay!

And he got in some swinging time with cousin Madilyn.

Overall, a great weekend!  Hope yours was too!!

A Tale

Once upon a time there was a young maiden.  (Okay, okay, she was really a young-ish madam, but it sounds better this way.  So go with it.)  She had a good life.  A husband who loved her.  The most adorable son in the whole world.  (Seriously, MOST adorable)  A job that provided for her family.  Great family and friends.  She should have been fulfilled and content.  

But she wasn't.  

She thought her husband should help more around the house.  She thought he should help more with the (most adorable) son.  She wanted to work less.  Work was, in fact, very stressful at times.  She was ready for another baby, but the finances weren't quite right.  Basically she felt sorry for herself.

She took her frustration out on her husband.  She griped at him and gave him 'advice'.  She didn't have the patience she should with her (wonderful) son.  She complained to her friends about work.  She wasn't really fun to be around.

One day, she got several messages from above.  She talked to her BFF.  She realized she was really looking at things the wrong way.  She needed to be thankful she had a husband who loved her.  She should have felt blessed to have a job that put a roof over her head and food in her mouth.  She should be happy that she got to work less than full-time.  She should be appreciative of her family and friends that were always there for her.  She apologized to her husband. She thanked her BFF for listening and providing counsel.

And she SNAPPED OUT OF IT.  And is going to try really hard to remember life's blessings rather than focusing on what she wants next in life.  But she might falter, and that's okay.  For she has great people to put her back on track.

The end.

Good News...Bad News...

Good news...I got a new point and shoot camera.
Bad news...It is plugged into my laptop and the pictures aren't loading.


Good news...All my flying has given me enough points for a free flight.
Bad news...Brent wants to use those points to go to Vegas for a guys weekend.


Good news...Trent has been super cute lately.
Bad news...Proof of this is on said new camera.


Good news...It's January 10 meaning my least favorite month is 1/3 over.
Bad news...I have 5 deadlines before the end of the month.


Good news...I took a tour of TX airports today.  Austin, Houston, Midland, and Dallas.
Bad news...Oh wait, I didn't want to see 4 airports today.


Good news...I've lost a pound.
Bad news...I have lost this pound more times than I can count.


Ugh.  I'm a ball of sunshine today, huh?

Project 52 - 2012 Edition

Friends, I have not been keeping you in suspense on purpose.  {I know you are all DYING to hear my goals for the year.}  I was SICK.  Happens about once a year, and this time was awful.  101 fever, thought it was the flu.  A trip to urgent care yesterday morning cleared that up - ear infection, sinus infection and general yuckiness.  3 prescriptions later and I feel like a new woman.  Brent had a great laugh when I was explaining to the doctor that I took a homeopathic flu vaccine...thank goodness I don't have the flu.  I would never recover from the embarrassment!  Now...onto Project 52!

1. Don't be such a homebody
   
2. Try fish once per month
3. Try (again) to learn how to play the guitar - one song is all I want!
4. Try (again) to learn how to sew
5. Take a photography class
6. Volunteer
7. Make a will
8. Eat like a vegetarian
9. Try 3 new things with Trent
10. Take Trent to a movie
11. Lose these last 10+ pounds
12. Try Zumba
13. By the end of the year, still be using gym membership
14. Take a trip out of state
15. Try a new restaurant
16. Go to the farmer’s market
17. Go to a dairy and buy/try raw milk
18. Date night once a month
19. Finish Trent’s baby book
20. Workout on a regular basis (as a part of monthly goals)
21. Build our savings account back up
22. Break Trent’s ‘night-night’ habit
23. Try 5 new recipes
24. Meet 1 blog friend
25. Learn to like unsweetened tea
26. No more artificial sweetener!
27. Take a CPR class
28. Give up cheese for Lent
29. Visit a state I’ve never been to
30. Have fresh flowers in the house more often
31. Go to the midnight premiere of The Hunger Games
32. Use my Deceptively Delicious cookbook every month
33. Reread all 7 Harry Potter books
34. Rewatch all 8 Harry Potter movies
35. Work on Trent’s hitting/throwing habit
36. Do something special for our anniversary (October 16)
37. Better outside Christmas decorations
38. Have Trent swimming by the end of summer
39. Reduce my work %
40. Be better with my skin care
41. Start juicing
42. Figure out how I want to organize our family photos
43. Organize said family photos
44. Donate blood
45. Spend more time in the evening with Brent (unplug from the computer)
46. Try taking Trent to a restaurant again
47. Stretch
48. Try new foods
49. Learn more about finances/see a financial planner
50. Get pregnant
51. Clean out kitchen drawers
52. Donate $5 for each goal not met

And I can already cross off #12!  Go me!

On a side note (because I'm having heart palpitations and sweating), related to #35, I put my son straight to bed for hitting me tonight, 26 minutes ago.  He is still in his room crying for me.  "Mommy, I need you."  I told him I wasn't coming back if he hit me, and he did.  I know I'm doing the right thing, but oh. my. gosh.  The urge to go in there and snuggle with him and give him a dang night-night is SO strong.  But hey, maybe I can achieve #22 at the same time.  Here's hoping!


So there you have it!  Cheers to a stronger 2012!

My First Zumba Class

It's only January 4, and I have already crossed an item off my {unpublished} 2012 Project 52 list!  This afternoon, Rhonda and I tried our first Zumba class.  

Pros:
-It was a workout.
-Great music.

Cons:
-No clue what I was doing 70% of the time.
-Instructor was no help.

The instructor would just shout out phrases at us like 'hips', 'hands up', 'shake it'.  Um...what?  No directions, no explanation of what we were actually supposed to be doing.  So you just had to watch her (or the WAY too skinny girl who was actually very good) and hope you figured it out. Ugh.  I got frustrated a few times.

Overall, I want to try it again (and also with a different instructor).  I think once I get the hang of it, it would be a lot of fun.

Anyone else tried it?  Is this a normal experience?

2011 Project 52 FINAL Results

I am apparently very wishy-washy and have decided to do Project 52 again, even though my list right now has 3 things on it. {grin}  To start the year out right, and to show I am nothing if not completely honest...here's how 2011 ended.


Completed
Failed...Boo!

1. Create (read: pay someone to create) a header for my blog.
2. Eat a tomato (this one is for K-Dub).
3. See all movies nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.
4. Save money to buy a Canon Rebel. Although I will be buying it in January!!  SQUEEEE!
5. Take a photography class.
6. Get back to pre-baby body (or as close to it as possible).
7. Have a girls’ weekend.
8. Run at least 1 5K.
9. Finally finish Jane Eyre (I’ve started it twice).
10. Create 'pages' on blog.
11. Purge our house of excess clutter.
12. Start Trent’s college fund. Pathetic.  But I am also doing this in January.
13. Organize photos.
14. Finally learn to sew (lessons from mother-in-law).
15. Try ‘My Fit Foods’.
16. Spend some time in my flower beds.
17. Volunteer. How lame do you have to be to not even volunteer once?
18. Continue learning guitar (or more like re-start). So 2 years in a row on this one.  Boo.
19. Take Trent to the San Antonio Austin Zoo.
20. Make more dinners for our family.
21. Create a budget.
22. Make a will.
23. Visit the World of Harry Potter.24. Go on more dates with Brent.
25. Do something ‘Austin’-y.
26. Use my crock pot at least once a month.
27. Less bad eating!
28. Have a guest blogger (and someone who is not an IRL friend).
29. Get moving again.
30. Eat like a vegetarian for a week (or at least a weekend).
31. Cut back on Starbucks.
32. Go to 1 live concert.
33. Do something creative w/ Trent (like Children’s museum) at least 1 time per month.
34. Wear more of my ‘fun’ jewelry.
35. Try 1 new recipe per month.
36. Comment more on other blogs.
37. Buy leggings/tights (and wear them).
38. Make blog more fun!
39. Get more followers (hope #38 will help entice people). {Started Project 52 with 53 followers.}
40. Add some decorations in the house (some of our house doesn’t feel finished to me).
41. Spend lots of time with my new niece or nephew and take some of the burden away from my sister.
42. Do something fun for our anniversary (October 16).
43. Try Bikhram yoga.
44. Read 1 classic (other than Jane Eyre), 1 non-fiction book and 1 biography.
45. Finish combining our bank accounts.
46. Finish ordering professional pictures (maternity, newborn and Trent’s 1-year).
47. Hang Christmas lights myself and get something for the yard (but NOT a blow-up decoration).
48. Get a bounce house for Trent’s birthday.
49. Don’t be so scared about having Trent spend the night other places.
50. Attend the Texas Book Festival with Allison.
51. Go to at least 1 Aggie sporting event.
52. Pay $5 to a children’s charity for each goal not completed.


That's TWENTY of 52 goals I didn't complete meaning $100 to charity.  I crossed that off but haven't done yet, but trust me, I will!


I'll post my 2012 list when I have it ready, right now I only have 3 things on it, but I see some of 2011's coming back for another go-round.  Ha!


Happy now, Allison?

January Goals

I'm still debating Project 52.  I feel like I failed so miserably at it in 2011 that I don't want to set myself up for that again.  So I think what I'm going to do this year is monthly goals.  That way I can adjust as things change in our life.  I also want to make them measurable and achievable.  I don't want to start the month off already feeling like I can't achieve my goals.  I have some bigger ones in mind for later months but not during a public accounting busy season.


So...Here is a list of my goals for January!  Wish me luck!!


1. Survive. January is a rough month for me work-wise.  I want to not stress about the little stuff and just focus on surviving.
2. Workout 3 times per week. Seems pretty easy, but it's not for me!  My long-term goal is more than this, but I'm just starting out small.
3. Cook with fish once. I don't really like fish, but I know it is super healthy.  I want to see if I can find some way I like it.
4. Pick up for 5-10 minutes each day. Again, not trying to rock the boat here but want to start somewhere.