Easter Nails!

As you know, I never can resist a chance to try out some art on Ashley's nails, and with Easter weekend upon us, I couldn't resist:

The pastels, the bunny and the chick are all perfection in my book.  Best part is - Ashley loves them too.

Have you tried any fun design for the holiday?

GurleeGirrl, Where Have You Been???

Wow - you blink your eyes and two weeks have gone by! Incredible. 

I have been busy enjoying life.  Plain and simple.  Enjoying my time with my family and friends.

In case you are interested, here are some highlights of the last few weeks:

I was happy to attend "Breakfast and Books" at Cole's school.  Basically you go in about 1/2 hour before school starts, you get free breakfast (danishes, donuts, cakes, cookies, yogurt, fruit, etc.), then you have some time to shop the book fair.  After that you go to class with your student where they give you an insight to their normal day.  I was excited and happy that he wanted me to come.  I had the best time with my little man.  Since "our thing" is him reading books to me, we spent the morning reading a few new purchases, as well as him sharing a few of his completed art projects.  I love being a mom and it's these special moments that I lock up and will hold on to forever. 

I had a fun-filled weekend trip to Grand Rapids.  It was my first visit and I loved the city.  We stopped at Founder's Brewery where I ordered my first ever beer!! It was called a "Walter Melon" beer and it was delicious!  I actually drank 2! 

Another first this weekend was the Doritos Cool Ranch Taco.  I loved it.  I thought it was better than the regular Nacho Cheese Taco.  But I seem to be in the minority.

The weather was nice of enough to take Boo for a few walks too.  I had to snap this picture of Ash with her because as you can see, she has the "doo-doo" bag in her hand, and that NEVER happens.  Mom always seems to be the sh*t carrier.

I also took picture of all the Kleenex I went through while catching up on some Biggest Loser episodes.  I have to say this season was the best ever.  I was an emotional wreck all the time.  My kids think I'm nuts, but I just can't help it!

St. Paddy's Weekend was upon us and it was time for the Bingo Bus trip.  I wish I could report that I came back rich - but that would be far from the truth.  BROKE - is a better description.  However, being the beer connoisseur I became the previous weekend, I tried Redd's Apple Ale and fell in love.  Delicious doesn't even describe it.  I have never been able to drink beer at all - but this Redd's stuff is the bomb.  Try it, you won't be sorry.

Last week consisted of more reading with my boy.  He's become such a strong reader and I'm loving it.  We celebrated Ben's birthday with a party and a trip to Greek Town Casino (where I lost more $$$$).  I've been doing well on our weight loss challenge, eating clean and the results are starting to show!  I hope to be able to keep it up.

In other exciting news, the Jeep hit 100,000 miles today.  I've been watching it for weeks, waiting and waiting and waiting.  Then it was so close this morning, then it slipped my mind at lunch so when I did notice, it was 100,001.  By the time I grabbed my camera, it rolled to 100,002.  Big Fail Heather, Big Fail.  I never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd drive a car with 100,000+ miles on it, but I love her and hope she runs for another 100,000 more!

Now that I've caught you up on my world, what's new with you?

[Gurlee]Girrl Friday

Wow - it's been a whole week since I last posted! Although I have lots and lots of stuff in my head, sometimes it's just impossible to write it all down.  But let's kick this weekend off with my favorite link-up:

Pure Ice - Crimson

 

I had ZERO drive this week to do anything fancy with my nails.  I feel like such a failure! LOL

 

So I added a little pizazz with my black and silver detail brushes.  It gives it just enough oomph.

 

What do you do when you don't have the time to create nail masterpieces?

 

Now on to some randomness:



• In honor of the upcoming St. Paddy's Day, I decided to add a little green to the mantle:

There is something about tinsel decorations that I am drawn too.  Their tackiness? Probably.

• Ashley had her school music program this week.  She was very excited to have a "speaking" part this year.  The teacher sent home instructions letting us know that if we wanted to let them wear make-up, she is ok with it, since under the bright lights they might be washed out.  Well I agreed to let her wear some make-up, as long as I was the one applying it for her.  I'm almost jealous at how perfect her eyelids are for shadow.  I can't believe that in just a few years, she'll be wearing make-up all the time.  Time is flying by!  She also begged me to curl her hair - it took an hour to get it like this - but she loved it so.

• This week I've had two types of meatballs for dinner.  Paleo Meatloaf Meatballs and Bora Bora Fireballs.  They were AMAZING.  Trust me - you would love them.

• As I've mentioned, I love going to bingo.  This past Sunday I actually won!  It was only $40, but hey, it's a start.  I love spending a few hours spacing out and playing bingo.  I'm always amazed by how many elderly women are there and they play about 3x  more than the amount of cards I play.  How they do it, I'll never know.

• I am happy to report that me tracking my food all week paid off and I actually lost weight and it was enough to keep me at the top of our competition.  It's getting really close.  I would love to win obviously, but if I don't, I won't be too disappointed.  I already feel great about the weight loss and the fact that I've been working out regularly, I couldn't be more proud of myself.

• Speaking of exercise, on top of my regular Jazzercise classes, I've added some strength training including squats (5 reps / 5 sets / 100 lbs), bench press or overhead press  or rows(5 reps/5 sets / 50 lbs.) and dead lifts (5 reps / 1 set / 115 lbs).  I never knew this body could ever do that.  I was lucky to pick up 30 lbs. when I first started.  It's been amazing.  What's also amazing is that I am in Week 4 of the Getting Running App.   That means I ran for a total of 16 minutes yesterday.  This from the girl who BARELY walked the mile in PE class.  I HATE running/jogging, etc., and to have stuck with it for a solid 4 weeks, it's a miracle.  When it's all over, I hope to report running for a solid 30 minutes.  Wish me luck.

• Tomorrow is the last day for basketball and volleyball!! Finally I will be able to sleep in on Saturday morning and get my Thursday night back.  Don't get me wrong, nothing makes this momma more proud than to see her two babies kicking butt in their sports, but I so need some downtime.  It won't be long before baseball season starts up, and that eats up even more time, and he's only 8. 
• Looking forward to a road trip this weekend and next.  This weekend I'll be heading to Grand Rapids to see Adam and Stubhy of LBC perform an acoustic show.  This is for sure going to be awesome.  I cannot wait.  Founder's Brewery and Yesterdogs will be visited.  Next weekend I am headed out on the bingo bus to hit up some casinos again! I've been socking some $$$ away and hope to come home with more than I take.

With that - I hope you all have a fun weekend!

[Gurlee]Girrl Friday

Welcome March!!! Hopefully you are bringing me warmer weather.  This week has been mostly work, kids and exercise.  Certainly not complaining.  Three things that keep me busy and happy.

This week I sported two different manis:

I thought my animal stamps were just the right amount of fun to spice up a pretty pink girly color.  I loved it and hated to see it go.  But Jenny Jenny went shopping this week and picked me up a new pretty color:

This is called "Jade Is The New Black" and they ain't kidding.  This color really pops and I love it.  I have seen some many fashion blogs/magazine predicting emerald green as the up and coming color to wear and I won't be upset if it is.  This color is going to be a favorite of mine for sure.

What do you think of the "new black"? 

Now on to some randomness:

• I haven't done much blogging the last two weeks.  Just not "feeling it" I guess.  Sometimes I just run out of hours in the day.
• Some good things this week:

1. Coming home and seeing that one of my AWESOME neighbors took care of clearing my drive and walkway.  This MADE my week. 
2. I amazed myself by cooking my own salmon dinner! I have never attempted to cook fish and with a little direction, I whipped it up in no time.  I sauteed some zucchini and squash and called it a feast.  It was a little on the fishy side, so it wasn't amazing, but I was proud nonetheless.
3. Nothing makes me happier then when I'm cuddling with my little man and I can feel his breathing change over to his "sleep mode".  He didn't want to admit it, but he couldn't keep his eyes open.
4. I picked up these chips on a Target run.  I'm saving them for the bingo bus in a couple of weeks and by then I hope to pick up bags of the Chicken and Waffle and Cheesy Garlic Bread ones too.   

• I've mentioned this before, every time it's time for a haircut, my hair starts cooperating with me and turns out awesome.  A few times this week I've had very good hair days.  Oh well, I'm still making Jenny Jenny cut/color it this weekend.

• My sister took a trip to Florida a week or so ago and if that wasn't enough to make me jealous, she came home sporting some new bling.  Is it not the cutest ring ever?

• There are times when I realize my kids take after me more than I think.  Case in point, this week Ashley was "dancing" at grandma's house when she slipped and fell and sprained her wrist.  I cannot tell you how many times I slipped and fell growing up, but instead of wrist injuries, I would get sprained ankles.  We are not the most graceful of ladies.  She's tried to milk it out this week, luckily it's her left arm, so it's not too bad.
• A few of my girlfriends and I started a book club.  We are the Bad Book Bitches Book Club.  We met last week for the first time to review our first book, Rule.  We are now reading Safe Haven (which I've already seen the movie since Josh Duhamel is in it) and so far am enjoying it and noting the differences between the book and movie.  Has anyone read and seen the movie? Which is better?
• Melanie is having a blogaversery tomorrow and is giving away some of her favorite things.  You should go here and enter.  I would love to win that awesome clutch!
• This week I had a major meltdown over our weight loss competition.  I came in last place this past week, losing only .2 pounds.  I was sooooooooo mad.  GTuck told me to get the My Fitness Pal app so I could track my eating this week.  I inputted the required info and was disappointed to see I should only be eating 1200 calories a day to lose 1.5 lbs. a week.  After reviewing my eating habits, I now have come to the conclusion that I must eliminate my "treat" of sunflower butter from my diet.  It tastes like a dessert, and I guess it really is.  Just a little will add almost 200 calories - and by cutting that out, I will hit my calorie goals daily.  However, if I don't see a big improvement this Sunday at weigh-in, I will be eating it straight out of the jar by the end of the day.

And on that note cheers to the weekend!  Peace out!