Why I quit counting calories

Thanks to Skinny Meg I hired her macros coach just for a quick session.  She made me realize calories shouldn't count if I'm eating balanced foods.  I mean did I really need to hire someone for that?

I also realized I am not drinking enough water even though I always thought I was...

I started weighing my food.  Sounds time consuming and yes it is a little bit but those packages are WRONG.

She made me realize that 4 glasses of wine are almost half my carbs for the whole day...ouch

She also told me when I am working out and recording my workouts NOT to eat back those calories, which I always do.

So here I am trying hard to hit those macros everyday.  I did it perfect the first day and haven't been able to do it since.

I am also selling my polar if anyone is interested?  I realized I have been so obsessed with how many calories I actually burn that if it's low I am disappointed.  It doesn't matter that I just spent an hour lifting weights and only burned 150 calories, I am starting to see progress in my body.  That is what counts!

So from now on I will not be counting calories, only macros and working out to feel good.

It's kind of freeing actually....

I'm magic...

and by magic I mean I disappeared from blogging for a few.  Truthfully I just don't have the time to blog at all.  It's easy to sit down and write something but to get pictures on here and truly plan things out, I just don't have the energy anymore.  Maybe after the holidays.

Speaking of holidays...besides 2 Starbuck's gift cards for Marcus' teachers I am completely 100% DONE Christmas shopping, including stocking stuffers.  For years I didn't enjoy Christmas because I was always so stressed out.  This year I decided I was going to stay on top of it at home and work.  That also includes everything wrapped and ready to go.  The only thing I have left are some candied almonds but those can't really be done yet or they won't taste fresh.  I am a black friday shopper every.single.year.  Do I regret it? Feel bad? hell no!

What else is going on?

I have been decluttering my house and putting together a garage sale pile for the Spring.  Why you ask? You guessed it, I'm moving again...BIG surprise haha This time we are moving in with the boyfriend.  Him and I want to buy a house but we want to take our time really looking and finding exactly what we want and his lease is month to month.  SO that means moving from a 4 bedroom house to a 2 bedroom apartment.  It's actually great to downsize.

I have been working out ALOT.  I love it. I have been joining the 5am club and doing mostly weight lifting.  It's my favorite.  I also did the 3 day refresh from Beachbody.  It's 3 shakes, a fiber drink and only fruits and veggies.  No meat.  I was pretty sure I would die but actually it was fine.  I wasn't starving.

My mom had hand surgery.  She has tendonitis that turned into rheumatoid arthritis (something I get to look forward to).  So for 3 weeks I was taking care of her when I could and doing extra work at work because she was out.  Of course it had to be extra crazy at work too.  Healthcare during the holidays and anywhere near a full moon is nuts and it doens't help when you actually work with people that are nuts haha

My name is Analisa and I have a concert problem...I might have gone to 2 concerts back to back last month.    I really hated myself after it too.  I also discovered I can't drink anything but wine without getting sick anymore #oldbitch.

I had 2...yes 2 Thanksgiving's.  The joys of divorced parents.  Both traditional, turkey and all.

And that my friend's is why I haven't been blogging.  I noticed a lot of people have been taking a break.  Not a bad thing.

What's been going on? Christmas shopping done?

Empty Nest Syndrome

I know that empty nest is supposed to be for couples when their kids go off to college or move out but I think I'm feeling it.

My niece moved back with her mom and dad, who are doing so great!  I love that she's back with them but I feel an emptiness.  I was her mom for a year.  It was only a year but we got so used to having her around that it's sad.  We had a routine down and Marcus liked having her around.

Marcus goes to his Dad's on the weekends, my best friend is gone working or at her boyfriend's most of the time so my house on the weekend is empty.

Friday nights I usually go to my boyfriend's and we go to dinner and sometimes a movie.  Friday we went to dinner, got froyo and then watched Dateline....talk about feeling old!

Having an empty house is nice to a point because I can clean it and declutter and do all those projects I've been putting off.  It should be nice but really it's kind of depressing.  I love being a mom.  Kids may drive me crazy but not having them around is boring.

The rest of this weekend I got some Christmas stuff done, my haircut, spent WAY too much money, went to Ikea and bought too much stuff, ate lots of pizza, drank lots of wine and did a ton of laundry.



It was productive but I need a hobby!  I may start working out all weekend long haha just kidding but seriously someone give me some hobbies to do??

Choose Your Own Adventure-November

This month's adventure is organizing!  I am usually a somewhat organized perosn but my house is a complete disaster!  Here are my goals:

1.  Organize my Christmas stuff.  Make actual boxes for things instead of throwing them all in the same tub.  Lazy geez.  

2. Declutter!  This may take more than a month but that's ok.  I already got one room done......5 more to go

3. Clean out my kitchen cabinets.  This will probably mean only buying produce for a couple weeks.

4. Find a good way to organize all my bills, anyone else hate paper like me?!  It's such a pain in the ass.

That's it.  Anyone else organizing this month?

Days Like This

Yesterday (Monday) I woke up in a mood.  You ever just wake up and know it's going to be a shitty day and you have no idea why?  I hadn't even got out of bed yet and thought f this day. 

I got to work and the crazies were more crazy than normal.  Maybe not crazy but whiny.  These grown people whine more than children some times.  The phone rang non stop...I just wasn't in the mood.

Then I get a phone call from my mom.  She had heard a rattling in her furnace for awhile now, possibly 6 months.  The plumber came to check it out and found a crack in her furnace.  That means carbon monoxide.  When he checked the levels they were deadly.  He saved her life.  She hasn't been feeling great lately but blamed it on other things.  I mean who thinks carbon monoxide poisoning when they don't feel good? Nobody that's who.  People are more likely to suspect ebola these days. My poor mom.  She also had to buy a new furnace...ouch.

Then I get a phone call from the principal at Marcus' school.  I won't get into details but he was put in in school suspension.  Anybody know what to do with an 11 year old that can't stop getting in trouble?  I'm contemplating beating him but people might frown upon that.

So I came home and lost myself in a lot of wine with my best friend.  I'm really thankful she lives here.  It brightens my days.

This morning I didn't have to work, kind of a rare weekday off.  I dropped the kids off and went and voted!  So glad I made time to do that.

Then Marcus had a presentation at school and what luck that I was off to go watch it!  All the kids made a power point presentation on their own individual computers and the parents got to walk around and watch them all.  School has sure come a long way.

From there I went to the gym.  Yes I am giving you a play by play of my day but I promise there is a point.  I have gone to the gym 4 of the last 5 days and LOVE it.  I forget how much energy I have when I workout.

I then went to Target.  We all love us some Target right?  Everything I needed to buy was on sale, so great!  I had signed up for the debit red card.  You get the 5% without having to sign up for a credit card, check check check it out!

Then I went to lunch with my best friend, to the post office, library and picked up Marcus from school.  When we came home Marcus raked leaves and I started sanding a cabinet I want to put it my living room.  I also food prepped, cleaned and decluttered my niece's room. (she moved out)  I was a busy girl and so sore.

My boyfriend stopped by as a surprise just to give me a hug and a kiss.

I took a bath with a book and a glass of wine and the Ray Lamontagne Pandora station.  It was the best.  Then this song came on...

All I could do was smile.  Most people associate this song with a bad day, today (Tuesday) I associated it with a great day.  It was just the reminder I needed that no matter how may bad days I have, there will always be more good.  Thank goodness for the little reminders sometimes.  I know I some times ignore them but today I had to smile and remember what this life is all about.

What do you have to be thankful for today?

October Wallet Watch-Follow Up

I'm not sure why the button won't work for me but it won't.....

1. Stick to my budget.  I always know I have wiggle room and I take advantage of that way too much.  I have recently been hit with a ton of medical bills and if I don't stick to my budget I will never get them paid.  I have a ton of birthdays, Halloween, I'm throwing a wedding reception, etc... but I am sticking to it.  I was good with this, there were a couple times I had to pay for things I hadn't planned but that's life sometimes. Savings-Not quite sure

 

2. NO MORE STARBUCKS.  My name is Analisa and I'm a Starbucks addict.  I spend ridiculous amounts on chai tea.  I need to start making my own (it just doesn't taste the same) I did it!!!!  It's November 5th and I still haven't bought any! Savings-$60

 

3. No more gas station stops.  We stop at gas stations when we clean sometimes and grab energy drinks, candy and snacks.  The problem is you don't realize how much that adds up. Not one time! Savings-$25

4. Make meal plans and stick to them.  I have been working my ass off lately and have hardly had time to grocery shop, let alone cut coupons or look at ads.  Last night I was at the grocery store at 8pm without a list, hungry and tired and spent 25 more than I normally do.  I know that doesn't seem like a lot but to my budget it is. I did this probably 80 percent of the time. Savings-$75

Pretty good I have to say!  

Sinus Surgery and other happenings

Since January I have had 6 sinus infections and 3 double ear infections.  The last sinus infection in July decided not to go away so I sucked it up and went to a real doctor.  Every time I got sick I went to a Little Clinic because it was fast and easy.  I didn't have to make an appointment and they would give me my antibiotics and that was that.  What I really needed was an ENT specialist.  I finally went to one and he said my sinuses were a disaster basically and I needed surgery pretty badly.  So I did it.  

It was miserable.  It put me out for 5 days.  When he told me it was an outpatient surgery I figured it would be easy and I would recover pretty quickly...as if.  There were stents up my nose for the first 6 days....if you don't know what those are then you don't want to.  Basically there were plates up my nose and when he removed them I almost wish he had put me to sleep again.  I was kind of looking forward to recovering because I could get some TV watched, books read, blogs written and projects done.  I got TV watched but that's about it.  

While sitting on my couch everyday I came across a post on FB from Mama Laughlin talking about a 21 day detox put on by her trainer.  I do not care what anyone says I'm still and always will be a ML fan.  I decided to join...why the helll not? The first three days were perfect because I couldn't smell or taste food so it didn't matter what I ate and it got me over the initial hard days.  Fast forward to today Day 12 and it's a big fat MF'in fail.  Oh well.  My boyfriend told me if you aren't all in then you aren't going to do the whole thing...I really hate when he's right.  One of my friend's decided to do it with me though and she is doing great!  She lost 7 pounds the first week.

So back to that whole balance thing I was talking about.  I thought a detox would send me in the right direction but it didn't.  I did decide to join a gym though.  Complete motivation!  If I'm paying for it I will go, I don't like to waste money!

In other news...My niece turned 3!

 

 

 

I went to a Blacklight Run....we didn't run but we had a blast!

 

And I threw my Aunt a surprise wedding reception...

 

 

 

Hopefully now that I feel better there will be some more blogging....How is everyone?  What's going on for Halloween?



I'd like to thank.....

This friday I would like to thank....

* The Full Moon for making everyone around me crazy...you have no idea. If you work in healthcare you do

* The October Wallet Watch.  I have not had Starbuck's in 9 days and it's kind of rough but I've saved a shit ton of money

*My boyfriend for deciding we are going to the beach in February.  That means I have to get my ass in shape so I can roam around in a bikini for a week....EEK. I'm so excited! I haven't been to a beach since I was 15

*My best friend for moving in with me and making life so much more fun!

* The fact that I'm going to a beach in february for me turning down, pizza, bagel bites, grilled cheese sandwich and creamsicles all yesterday.  SO hard but I did it!

*My Aunt and her new husband for giving me a reason to throw a surprise party this weekend:)  They have been together 16 years and FINALLY got married. Pictures to come.

*These kids for helping me with dinner last night

*Trader Joe's for having EVERYTHING pumpkin...I mean they even had croutons

These both are delicious!

* Shakeology for getting me over my hangover last weekend.  I wish I could afford it all the time!

What's everyone doing this weekend?

Things I love MORE than food

Yeah I said it.  It's hard to believe anyone can love anything more than food but when I started thinking about it there are MANY things.  I thought of this post while browsing Pinterest can you believe it?!  All I think sometimes is that my life revolves around food.  I'm either eating it, cooking it, looking for new recipes or dreaming about it.  Sad but true.  Anyone relate?  So today I'm naming some things or people I love more than food and maybe should be thinking about more....but considering my post yesterday I thought this was appropriate.

*Marcus-Of course I will always love him more than anything in this world

*My niece-She lights up everyone's lives and has this personality that keeps us all laughing

*My boyfriend-There isn't enough time to talk about how wonderful he is to me

*My family and friends of course.

Those are all the boring, everyone knows those answers

*The crisp fall air

*Putting on my pajamas and slippers-nothing like being comfortable

*Saving money grocery shopping-it's like an adrenaline rush sometimes when you realize you just saved 50% on your grocery trip (I know this kinda has to do with food but it doesn't all at the same time)

*Music!  This is probably my number 2.  I couldn't live in a world without music.

*TV- (Don't judge).  Who else is excited for all the new premieres?

*Pumpkin or Apple candles-anything fall really

*The beach....

*My number 1 will always be Sunsets

*Lists-writing them, crossing things off and throwing them away when they are complete. Anybody else?

*The smell of firewood, gas or any kind of lumber (yeah I'm weird)

*Books-of course...always.  Anybody reading anything I need to read right now?

What things do you love more than food?

Balance

I was looking back at some pictures from 2008 and 2009 and remembered that's when I started my actual fitness journey.  Then it stopped till about 2012.  When I was in high school I worked out 2-3 times a day.  What?! I know I was crazy, 2 gym classes and then sometimes the rec center after.  All of this while working two jobs and going to school.  I was probably crazy.  Then I think back to what motivated me all 3 times and it's all different.

High school -it was the fact that I HAD to take those gym classes to get through high school.  But once I was used to it I wanted more.  Kind of like an addiction but a good one.

2008-2009-I was just tired of not fitting in my clothes and my chubby face.  I would post a picture here but there really aren't any to show.  The problem was I didn't understand the whole abs are made in the kitchen or that cardio was not the way to go ALL the time.  I worked out like crazy but still ate like crap and drank like a fish.  I never could understand why I didn't lose weight or get in shape.  That's one of those "If I knew now...."

2012 I was going through the worst break up I've ever had and needed an outlet.  That's also how I discovered all the great blogs I read daily (or almost daily) and Instagram.  By this time I was a researcher and after all that learning I realized I needed to eat better and lift weights.  Who would have guessed I would have fallen in love with lifting weights?  In the summer of 2013 I was in the best shape of my life.  The funny thing is I really didn't eat wonderful then, workout much and even drank a whole lot.  The difference was I didn't constantly stress about it, I ate healthy probably 70 percent of the time and the other 30 I did what I wanted.  I worked out 3 times a week and I was happy.

I want to get back to that.  I want to find my balance.  I want to be able to indulge sometimes without binging.  I know it's all in my head but I'm ready.  I am having sinus surgery on the 15th so I won't be able to do much working out after that for awhile but I'm going to make it a point to eat paleo/clean 70 percent of the time.  This is going to be rough considering the holidays are coming but I will just make all the meals and make sure there are healthy choices.  But it starts today. In the past I have always needed a challenge or some kind of 14 day something to get started but this time I want to find a lifestyle not just a temporary thing.  

Here are some things I'm going to try to make an all the time thing:

*More Veggies.  I have a hard time with this.  I need to incorporate them in every meal

*Less sugar.  It's my weakness but I find if I don't eat it I won't crave it so the goal is to find sweet paleo options

*Try to get 10,000 steps a day.  I'm loving having a fitbit, it motivates me and reminds me I should be drinking more water and moving more.

*Meal Prep every.single.week.  This is hard but I've done it a million times before and I will do it again.  It keeps me from snacking and plus I love real food much more than junk.

*Small workouts 3 times a week or more if there is time.

Anyone else have trouble finding a balance with food?? I'm sure the whole world does!

I'd like to thank....

The academy jk

I'd like to thank...

Mimosas for putting me to bed at 4pm on Saturday.

RockStars for getting me through the weekend and week

My sinuses for making my life miserable and causing me to have surgery blah

Pinterest for letting me hoard all the shit I'm never going to make or cook.  That's kind of a lie, I make some of it

The Voice for coming back and completing my life.  Now if only it was on 7 days a week.  P.S. check out James David Carter on YouTube from the Voice.  I have been YouTube stalking him for awhile now and when he announced he was on the Voice I was so excited!

My child for running away from home and giving me 5 heart attacks (he was safe luckily)

My sister for watching the kids while I work a shit ton of hours this week, what was I thinking?

Anyone else have something that gets them through their week?  I may start doing this every week!

Being a Mom

This post has been brewing for a couple weeks but I couldn't figure out what to do with it...

It started when I had several friends talk about how glad they were that they didn't have kids, especially when school started.  I understand all the reasons to not have kids but then I think back to the last 11 years and don't know what I would have done without Marcus.

I've made a million mistakes, who hasn't?  But I always tried to be the best mom I could be.  Yes I went out a lot, I was young but I always made sure to tuck him into bed before I left.  Then I got pregnant a second time and was so excited.  It was almost like I could start over and take back all the things I did wrong the first time.  Not that I would change Marcus for anything, except maybe his cleaning skills haha jk

Anyway here is a list (because it's always about lists) of the best parts of being a mom:

* That kid gave me a reason to be.  He came at a time when I really hated life and when he came along I knew I had to live the best life for him, and give him everything I could (without spoiling him of course)

* You always have someone to tease.  WHAT?! I'm mean like that;)

* When they are old enough you can make them do things for you like.....Hey can you get me a beer out of the fridge? Thanks! I'm joking but when they get older it is nice that they can do things for themselves

* You get to watch them go from a baby that can't sit up let alone crawl to a teenager that talks back.  I know it doesn't sound like much fun but being there while they are learning to walk and talk is one of the best parts of being a mom.  You get to watch them develop their own sense of humor and personality.  Sometimes they get their sense of humor from you and you are either proud or scared haha

* You get to clean up a lot of messes you didn't make. 

You do but honestly I don't mind it.  I bitch and moan about it but when there are no kids around I'm bored and miss those messes.

* This e-card cracks me up and I know people that don't have kids think this is true but it's not.  That's what a babysitter is for duh.  I have had lots of fun in the last 11 years, either with or without Marcus


* Babies-that is all.  They may scream, cry, poop and eat every two hours but seriously they are perfect little creatures.  If only they stayed that way forever

*Toddlers- I don't understand why they are so cute but then we have to deal with the terrible two's or torturous three's (that's what I called them).  This is when they are learning so much and it's so adorable to watch them repeat everything you say, even if it is bad words

*  You become a kid again.  There is nothing better than a swing and a slide with or without your kids.  They just give you a reason to forget everything and play.

* Toy shopping.  Come on  you know it's a blast to see all the fun things they come up with for kids these days!

* Last but not least you always have someone that loves you unconditionally and you love them the same.  There is no other love like it.

I'm sure I forgot a million things.  What's your favorite part of being a parent? Not being a parent? Or are someday looking forward to?

Yolo #4

This is my final Yolo post. I am so glad I am done with events for a little while.  I am definitely feeling my age.  I am also tired of eating crap and drinking.  Never EVER thought I would say that.  I am cutting out all sugar and crap starting today and I've never been more excited.  I thought about doing a full on sugar detox again but I don't have it in me so I am creating my own version haha  More on that later!

 Santana!  This was my birthday present from my dad.  I've always wanted to see Santana in concert.  He is my favorite of all time and didn't disappoint me one little bit.  Except maybe that he opened for Rod Stewart.  First of all such a weird combination and second of all in my eyes Rod Stewart should have been the opener.  Maybe I'm a little biased who knows?!  The only thing that makes me sad is that I broke my phone that night so I don't have any pictures of Santana or the videos I took.  That just means I have to go see him again!

My aunt and dad

Me and my aunt

My dad's best friend, my sister and me

All of us

I'm a daddy's girl for sure

 

My mom, sister and I all have birthdays within 12 days.  It's a pain some years but we decided to take an overnight trip to the mountains and gamble.  We didn't gamble hardly at all but we ate crab legs, drank and danced the night away!

 

 

 

Nicole bought us concert tickets for my birthday.  This concert was like a throw back to high school.  T.I., T-Pain, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Ja Rule, DJ Quik, and Twista.

 

I've always been a big Twista fan and they announced if you bought his new CD he would autograph it and take a picture with you.  I was there!

 

My sister happened to be there so we met up and took some selfies!

Nicole is madly in love with T.I. so she had to have him on her chest!

Ja Rule...besides T.I. he was the best

T-Pain

T.I.....so pretty

 

My honey took me to the melting pot for my birthday.  It was our first time and it was fun. 

Every year I celebrate with two of my karaoke friends that all have birthdays within 5 days of me.  What's up with this time of year?  People were busy making babies at Christmas time!

 

Anyone else looking forward to fall?  I'm ready!



31

*Apparently I forgot to publish this on Monday. ..oops


Today I turn 31.  When I was 16 I thought 31 was ancient.  Although some days physically I feel ancient, mentally I am loving being  in my 30's. 

I was looking at some old pictures of me sober and not so sober and couldn't believe what a difference it was from then until now.  Not in the way that I look but in the way that I felt.

When I was in my 20's I was so nervous, shy and uncomfortable in my own skin....unless I was drunk.  When I had a couple drinks I was confident, talked to everyone and was never ever nervous about anything.  I didn't love myself, or even like myself.  I didn't even realize there was a difference until now.
 But I sure had fun in my 20's....

7 months pregnant!  We did this as a joke and people were freaking out haha

My boyfriend Lee Brice

But....in my 30's...yes I am only a year in but I've learned to be happy with myself.  Of course I'm always trying to improve but I no longer feel like I have to impress anyone.  I say what I think and could care less who takes offense to it. I am comfortable in my own skin and love myself.  It also makes it easier for me to love other people and be better in relationships.  Funny how that happens! I can also go to concerts and other events without drinking.  Don't get me wrong I enjoy it ALOT but I have found that I don't need it. 

What are some things you love about your 30's or if you aren't there yet, things you look forward to?

Things worth paying for...

As we get older I think that we learn there are some things in life that we really have to pay good money for. I am a cheap ass, no really.  I hate spending money on anything.  As I've gotten older I have started spending money on myself more and noticed I no longer want cheap shampoo or cheap shoes.  I have figured out that when you spend more money on certain things they last longer and you don't have to buy them as often....duh

Here are some things I splurge on:

Shoes-I used to try and find the cheapest tennis shoes possible but now I pay for good ones.  I need the support and comfort...don't we all?

Shoe insoles- Recently I learned I have arthritis in my feet.  I went to the good feet store.  Ever been there? My advice DON'T!  They were trying to charge me 780 dollars for 3 USED insoles wtf?!  Anyway I found something similar on amazon for 35.  If they work I will be paying for more in the future!

Shampoo and Conditioner- As a couponer I usually get these free or really cheap but it's always brands like Herbal Essences and Pantene pro-v.  I went to a salon and they convinced me to buy some Regis shampoo and I will never EVER go back.

Mattress- I've always looked for really great deals on mattresses and usually end up with crap ones.  I don't sleep well or at all sometimes and kick myself for not spending the money on a really good one.  Anyone can a mattress they can't live without?  This is my next big spend.

Phone cases-  After my last incident I decided spending 50 dollars on a phone case to protect it is worth it.  It hurt but it will save me more money in the long run.


What do you splurge on?  What are your favorite tennis shoes? shampoo and conditioner?

Yolo #3

 

I am so glad the summer is almost over!  Not because I'm ready for that white stuff but because I'm exhausted.  I have had a blast this summer and it's still not over.  I still have 2 more concerts in the next two weeks, a gambling trip, and my birthday.  So much fun but I'm ready to relax and lay on my couch.  For some reason with being busy I am managing to read a lot, not sure how that's happening but I love it!  I will do a post about what I've been reading.  Also I haven't had the motivation to blog but I have a ton of post ideas, hopefully I can get those going! 

 

First Up:

 

 

 

 

ZZ Ward

Oh Red Rocks you are so beautiful!

Amos Lee

 

This man can SING!  He's amazing!  Like a modern day Otis Redding which makes my heart happy!

 

My boyfriend got me 2 bouquets, balloons and a card for our 6 month anniversary.  Yes 6 months, we are cheesy...don't judge

 

My best friend Nicole decided she wanted a 13 going on 31 birthday party...mustache themed.  She loves mustaches so we made the party happen in my back yard!

 

Our friends Amber, Adam and their brand new baby complete with mustaches of course!

Nicole being silly!

 

 

We are creepy!

 

Her cool cake.  I free handed the mustache and her mom did it with the frosting because she has cake decorating skills and I do not

 

Jumping castle with my sister and niece in it!

 

Picture on the left is from her 26th birthday and the one on the right is from her 31st.  We don't look much older lol

 

The Rockies decided to retire Todd Helton's number.  I bought these tickets in January because I was so excited about it!

 

Nicole and I decided to pregame with some margaritas and chips and salsa.  I had to go light because I HAD to have a hot dog at the game, it's a must!

 

Nicole, Steve, Dorlene, Kevin and Terry.

We got goofy!

 

 

 

 

My baby started 6th grade:( Middle school next year, then after that he will probably get married and have kids.  That's how fast time is going...sad

 

We went to the lake again to jet ski.  This time Marcus' Dad, his wife, daughter and their friend came.  That picture is weird for a couple reasons.  I'm not supposed to be that good of friends with my son's step mom am I?  I just love her.  Second I just posted a picture of me in a bikini and don't regret it hmm...

 

 

I have been cooking my way through this cookbook and let me tell you EVERY recipe I have made so far is amazing, especially anything you bake.  I made chocolate swirled banana bread, lemon raspberry muffins and pumpkin waffles.  They are all delicious!!