Category Archives: Uncategorized

Busy, Sad, BLT

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Yesterday we went out to eat with some friends, which turned in to too much money spent, too much food eaten, too much alcohol consumed. It was just too much.

I had the blues all day today. I know it stems from money and weight, and clothing not fitting, and thinking my hair is ugly. I’m also suddenly very busy with work and house chores, yard chores, small businesses, so I’m a little overwhelmed. It’s clock work though, every summer I take on too many projects and feel totally swamped with expectations.

No one buys paintings from us from Christmas through April. I begin to think no one ever will, but just like last year, Mothers Day signifies the start of our “painting season” and I had FOUR painting requests this weekend. I love doing paintings, I really do, but they take up a TON of time. Each painting takes me at least 6+ hours. I wouldn’t really say I make a descent hourly rate off them, but they do give me extra spending money. Last year I used almost all of our painting money for wedding stuff. This year I think I might sock it away to buy myself my dream camera for my birthday in September.

Needless to say I kept busy this afternoon in order to not feel sad. I worked in the morning with Mr. Gaunt, I did painting stuff in the afternoon, I took a nap in the yard in the sun and burnt my shins. I got coffee at 5pm, because I wanted to, and we ate steaks from the grill for dinner, with very bitter eggplant. We went for a long walk at sunset, and now I’m blogging, responding to emails, and hoping to watch some Vampire Diaries (my new guilty Netflix show!).

However I weighed myself today and felt sad, but I mowed the lawn and felt proud.

I did laundry and bought soap, and made lunches for work

Every day is not easy, or happy, or skinny (and yes, those three things are what make up a good day for me) some days are hard, and sad and fat. I also have had major jealousy pangs today. I’m jealous of everyone, their looks, their kids, their houses, their vacations, everything. I know it’s just a phase and that I’m just struggling with. I KNOW I have so much good stuff, and I’m making lots of good choices for my family, and I know what other people’s lives look like might not be reality. It’s that damn Facebook that always gets me!

This week I’m focusing on my health and my fitness, and my businesses, and my husband. Those are what’s important to me, and whats special, and whats good. The rest I will just have to let go, and not stress about.

I did have a nice mini-dinner party on Friday, and made Chicken Caesar wraps and this SKINNY BLT PASTA SALAD, that was pretty good. I thought I would share it, because it’s so easy, and it’s nice to change things up every now and then with a pasta salad. You should make it!

 

 

Dress May

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It’s May already! That basically means its smooth sailing to summer…seriously.

Mr. Gaunt and I went for a lovely 2 hour alley walk (where we walk the alleys of our neighborhood, its awesome, people are slobs) and then tonight we went and got Menchies, which resulted in the owner recognizing me from this post, which NEVER happens to me, so I’m all sorts of blogger giddy.

Anyway, all around the states its warming up. In Colorado it’s been in the 70s and 80s, in Missouri its in the 90s, on the East Coast people are having high 70s. Here in little old Bellingham Washington we are looking at the next 10 days under 65 degrees. THAT my friends is a little something I like to call SPRING!

Spring is this great season full of rain and bursts of sunshine…hope. Its the light at the end of long wet winter, it’s the tip toe into summer. Spring is prepping the gardens and growing the tress. I feel bad for all the states that miss out on Spring. Yes sometimes I think I too would like some 80 degree weather, but I know there is a time and place for 80 degree weather, and its in July, not in May. I know to appreciate 80 degrees you need 2 months, not 5 month of it. To prep your lawns and vegetables, and rivers for those hot summer days, you NEED spring.  Spring I welcome you with open arms, and I accept all the rain you want to give us. My Succulents are lush and happy and my car is clean. (:

Another great thing about Spring is that it gives you time to window shop for Summer! And window shopping I am. (click photos for source)

Of course I can’t afford any of these clothes or accessories. Which is fine. It’s fun to see what prints and styles I’m interested in, and to obviously keep my eye out for similar styles that are more budget friendly.

HAPPY MAY DAY!

Swiss Chard Year 2

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Last year I planted Swiss Chard in the early spring (like they tell you to). I’m obviously no master gardener, so when September rolled around and my Swiss Chard was still tiny, I assumed I just did it wrong. When we did our fall clean out of the garden, I chose to leave the Swiss Chard, as it still looked like it was growing. When the plant sprouted seeds, I cut them off.  Shockingly it made it all the way through the winter (despite articles I read about frost killing it), and about a month ago it began growing like a weed! How cool. I don’t know if this is common, I couldn’t find any articles that said this was normal, but who knows. Washington is so mild in its seasons, and the soil is so moist and rich that things seem to just love to grow here.

Tonight for dinner Mr. Gaunt grilled turkey burgers and I made french fries and our first batch of Swiss Chard. I sauteed it using this recipe, and it was delish, Mr. Gaunt even liked it. I’m excited to eat a lot more Swish Chard, as there are a ton of recipes out there for using it. Anyone have any favorite recipes? Ive made lasagna with it, but nothing else.

The House, The Lunch, The Barrel

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I’ve done these before, but they make me soooo happy that I thought I would do an updated one.

Although the bottom photo also says March, and really it was taken today April 28th, so that’s a lie. The newest addition to the front yard would be the landscaping, new plants and black mulch. Also if you squint you can see the new grass growing in where we brought the front beds in a foot or so. It’s growing so nicely.

It literally shocks me that the house looked like that last year. I’m sorry, but our neighbor who lives directly across the street from us must be thanking their lucky stars that we moved it. Soooo much nicer to look at.

Today for lunch Mr. Gaunt and I grilled. We made chicken sausages, french fries and leeks from the garden. The weather held out so we could eat on the Patio and Mr.Gaunt could hit some golf balls. Now its getting chilly.

For those who wonder, Hula does go into the backyard when it’s nicer. She HATES being cold, so she will only go out there if it’s above 55 degrees. She also just lays in the grass or follows us around. She has no interest in jumping the fence or running away (I don’t know if she even knows how to jump or run…lol!). She also comes in when we do, or if we clap at her she just prances in on her own. It’s a pretty ideal situation, as it would be super annoying to have to keep the back door closed, but I will not risk losing her and let her run wild. I really want to put a screen door (like the kind with a glass bottom, like a storm door) on the front door so I can have the door open for airing out the house, but so she can’t escape. I’m going to hunt for one used at the RE store.

Also I bought a 60 gallon food barrel off Craigslist last week for Mr. Gaunt to make me a rain barrel! We don’t have a water supply in our front yard, so this is going to make taking care of the front gardens a lot easier. And don’t worry, I plan to paint the barrel either the house color or black so it’s not so glaringly blue. (:

 

 

My Load to Bear

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“The reality is some people have the body that maintains a regular healthy weight naturally and some people have to actively watch their diet and their exercise.  If you had a reading disability, your reality would be more studying and work and school would take  significant more effort than for the average person.  Everyone has their extra load to bear, this is yours.  Some people are chronically ill (I am healthy, a runner, I have a beautiful family, but I have chronic migraines). Everyone has their blessings.  You are beautiful, intelligent, adventurous and brave.  I think that overshadows everything else.”

I took this from the comments on OneTwentyFive. I like it so much.

Thighs and Yoga

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I’ve been doing Yoga now for a month and a half now, on Tuesdays at my gym. It’s basic Yoga that my gym offers for free, but its taught by a real Yoga instructor, and not just some gym employee. It’s easy enough that I don’t feel embarrassed, but hard enough that I leave sweaty. I love it.

I’m actually really flexible. I can stand with my knees straight and put my palms flat on the floor. I can grab my hands behind my back and balance while holding my foot in the air. I can do a Sun Salutation fast and fluid at least 5 times before getting a winded. I feel like I’m built to do Yoga…well, except one thing.

I have the biggest thighs on earth, and Calves, both of them…HUGE. When I’m in Yoga, sometimes I get fixated on looking at my legs in the mirror. They are massive. One might think this would depress me, and although I have spent years hating my legs, in Yoga, I’m more fascinated by them. I see where my hips touch on the mat compared to everyone else. I see how much higher I am when we sit on our knees. I see how high in the air my butt is in Childs Pose. The sheer thickness of my legs makes my body move in completely different ways than everyone else in class.

So far there are only 3 (basic) positions I have found close to impossible. One is something similar to a spinal twist where you wrap your arms around your back and legs. There is no way in hell my hands could ever touch. Another pose is where you sit on your knees, and lay back slowly so your thighs are underneath you. this proves to be just too much weight/pressure on my knees. I also am not able to do a traditional cross-legged pose where you bring your feet up.

The thing is, I’m not even really bothered that I can’t do these few poses. The rest of me is strong and balanced, and I can confidently do most of the other poses. There are tiny girls in the class who fall over, or get to tired and fall behind, but I don’t. I find my inner strength and focus and breathe through any pain or uncomfortableness I feel. I pay attention, and I push myself to be faster and more accurate each class.

I am obviously so very much in the beginning stages of learning Yoga. I would love to eventually take a real class and learn more accuracy and technique. It’s very expensive though, so I’m happy with City Gym Yoga. And I’m even accepting of my huge thighs too. At least black yoga pants are moderately slimming….right?

I should probably invest in my own mat too some time soon.