My Happy Thoughts

Sunday, my mother called and offered to take the kiddos for the day so I could have some time to myself, since John was studying all weekend. I got some much needed work done in our front yard. John took a break and we were able to take Kaiser for a long walk/run before picking the boys up. I love it when we get the chance to run together. I didn't get any pictures of the run...so here is some dancing in the kitchen. Which always makes me happy.

and yes...they are wearing Christmas pajamas in March...

Yesterday, I gave our pup the empty peanut butter jar. Never treated him to the jar before, he was thrilled. Extra bonus? The kids thought it was fantastic!! There was an awful lot of giggling.

Linking up with Art@Home!

FAF 2013: Week 9

2013 Starting Weight: 165

Last Weigh In: 159

Current Weight: 158

Lost This Week: 1

Total Lost: 7

 I am very happy with my weight loss this week, but I wish I could say it was because I was eating all the right things and working out like I should. 

It's not.

In general I'm an emotional eater. If I'm unhappy or stressed about something I WILL eat. This week, I've been a little distracted and have been thinking a lot...which for some reason has caused me to lose my appetite completely. There have been a couple days that I have completely forgotten to eat meals...others where I just pick at what's in front of me. I haven't been sleeping all that well either, which has translated in more coffee than water. 

Really not sure what's been going on workout wise. Running and working out usually helps to clear my head, but really I only got myself in gear a few short times. 

Hopefully next week will be better! 

2013 miles as of last week: 83.76

Miles logged this week: 4.4

Total Miles: 88.16

Have a happy and healthy week!!

Sweethearts Swap Goodies

Earlier this month I signed up for the Sweethearts Swap. I had the pleasure of being paired up with Ricki over at Art@Home. It was really wonderful getting to know her and her blog. She paints some truly gorgeous pieces. Go check them out HERE. She also hosts My Happy List on Tuesdays, which I have started linking up with, and Literary Fridays. I really have enjoyed going over her previous Literary Friday posts and have a little list of books I need to look for on my next trip to the library or book store. 

Yesterday I received my package from her. (Please ignore the fact that I might need to iron the table cloth.) I then waited till naptime to have a quiet moment to open it and actually enjoy it :o)  

 I was really delighted with all the wonderful goodies she sent me. I don't think I've ever seen such fun goody bars. Both are dark chocolate which happens to be my favorite. The Pink Bubbly has raspberries and the cinna-man has cinnamon.  

I'm waiting till tomorrow night to give one or both a try. Can't wait.

Next up were these wonderful heart stickers and a family themed smash pad. I'm a little behind on my Project Life album, but I'm thinking about jumping ahead to Valentine's week JUST so I can use some of the beautiful hearts.  

 The family pad will be wonderful for a heritage album I am trying to organize. 

These Love Rocks are so cute. 

There are 12 decals to dress up your glasses. Which I totally will be using. Possibly not all on drinking glasses, they would be so pretty for candles or my scrapping too. Love them. 

I was REALLY stunned to find the Project Life Cherry Edition Core Kit in my box. 

I am on my second year of Project Life and haven't gotten a Core Kit...just the protectors and pretty much make do with the supplies that I have. 

I think I've looked at all the beautiful journal cards (which can double as fillers) a dozen times since yesterday. I love the colors and the patterns. I've been thinking pretty hard about going back and doing a 2011 Project Life album....perhaps this is a sign?

Aren't they beautiful? And that's not even half of them!!

Here are all my lovely goodies. 

 Ricki, I cannot thank you enough for your amazing gift. I cannot wait to use all my goodies and I'll be sure to share them as I do. They are all wonderful. I am so glad we got to know each other and I hope we continue to be blog buddies!

Angie and Beth, Thanks for hosting such a spectacular blog swap!! I really had so much fun and cannot wait to do it again!

If you want to see what I sent Ricki, check out her post HERE. And be sure to go check out all the wonderful gifts all the other bloggers involved received! 

Welcome Home Wednesday: Out Back

Our backyard! Photos taken November 2011

(above: back gate)

(above: view of our deck from back gate) 

 (above: our loverly, spacious shed) 

 (above: view of back yard from deck. note: poor, brown cedar...)

 (above: view of yard and little magnolia from left fence. LOVE the magnolia)

 (above: view from rear fence)

(above: view of side patio off dining room)



Out Back To Do List

• Pray that our beautiful big cedar is still alive - pretty please? Turns out it was NOT a cedar as we were told, but a balding cypress. Yay!
• Remove dead limbs from magnolia
• Clear rocks/pebbles from flower bed near rear gate Mostly...from our veggie garden anyway.
• Plant some veggies in bed by rear gate. We planted tomatoes and jalapeno last year. 
• Repair loose panels along rear fence
• Attempt to remove old fencework from rear left corner flower bed What we could anyway.
• Get soil  and fill holes in beds/yard
• Clean out rear flower beds completely
• Repair sprinkler system
• Clean out gutters (on neighboring house)
• Install lattice work to cover the underneath of shed and deck
• Sand and repaint deck
• Plant drought/butterfly/Texas friendly plants in flower bed (did this last year and we got an awful caterpillar infestation...so we need to do it again. SIGH)
• Remove large hooks from rear fence (What the heck are those for anyway?)
• Get a smaller smoker to replace our insanely huge one. Went with a propane grill instead, cause smoker flames make me nervous with our houses so close together.
• Have BBQ and Enjoy (lots)

My Happy Thoughts

My birthday is next week. So my hubby is taking me to the Funky Finds Spring Fling. 

 It's a fun indie arts and crafts fair. Plus the event is free to the public and is family AND pet-friendly. There is also a flea market next door which is fun for treasure hunting. We go every year, but this is the first year we won't be taking the kiddos. Super excited to go.

Last night my husband brought home a surprise lobster dinner. 

I LOVE lobster...seriously would move to Maine JUST for the lobsters...well and fried clams...but mostly lobsters. So, yeah...surprise lobster dinner, made my night. 

Last weekend my mother and little sister, spent the night at The Magnolia in Dallas and had a little girls weekend.  

our view
I'm kicking myself for getting ZERO pictures of my girls, but hoping my sister did. I did have an amazing time with them though and I'm so happy we got together.

I'm linking up with Art@Home. Come share your happy!!