2017 recap

  I can't say that I have never had a year I wanted to hold onto and this was definitely not one either.

  I started 2017 out with some bad health news in my family and then problems just continued after that.  You know that saying, "When it rains it pours."  I don't want to over exaggerate my problems because there is worse out there but, I did have doubts of how much I could tolerate at one time.

  Thankfully some issues have resolved themselves and others I'm carrying with me into 2018 sadly.  I have nonetheless also accomplished some goals and had proud moments.

  In 2018 I crossed off 2 bucket list items!
Stand up Paddle Boarding and Zip line in addition to hanging out in a tree obstacle course!  Of course what I didn't get around to doing just gets rolled over and hopefully some will get crossed off again this year.

  I read a total of 40 books and went to the movies at least 16 times.

  I shared firsts with my kids like a hockey game, a carriage ride and laid wreaths.

  I had more collaborations both paid and with complimentary products compared to my previous year (this was my 2nd year blogging).  I even was selected for the Chick Fil A moms panel!

  Kudos to me for even donating blood for the first time!

I also tried aerial yoga and that wasn't even on my list! Bonus!

  So I can sit back and smile with satisfaction of my success as a blogger.  I can't wait to see how I grow in this new year.  I have a few blogging goals I would like to accomplish so amongst everything else like my bucket list and resolutions. I'll be working towards those too.

  Happy New Year everyone and I wish much success on everyone. 

Finale to Healthy challenge

  I have lost track to update you on my finale to the 30 day healthy challenge.  I had an increase to my household which distracted my blog focus on sitting down for the post.  So I will make this post short and sweet.  No food pictures no boring meal by meal plans.

  I finished the days off the same way I started.  Hard, focused and with motivation.  No point of finishing off the challenge even if it was 2 days with not a care in the world.  So I still ate in moderation, made healthy choices and worked out to the same level of intensity that I had been.

  I do not have the numbers from the starting point and ending point.  However I can see the results and almost don't even need to dwell on inches lost.  If you can actually see them as I posted the fitting of my daughter's pants.   That is definitely an obvious indicator.

  I did keep track of the pounds lost.  At one point I had lost about 6lbs.  After that the scale went back and forth.  Ending at a 4 lb weight loss overall for the 30 days.  Not a lot but I gained and toned muscle so I have to accept that.  The muscle mass that I have gained would have also manipulated the inches reading so I will be ok without it.

  I debated sharing pictures with you and decided why not.  I shared the food, the exercises and some recipes I might as well show you and before and after.

Lol, I feel like putting one of those disclaimers at the bottom that individual results may vary.  Thank you for your support, motivation and encouragement on my journey to a healthier lifestyle.  I will continue to work on some tweaking goals I have.  I look forward to seeing what else may happen .  This by no means will be easy. The first 30 days was not easy.  I will always have to adhere to a high discipline to maintain my sweet tooth, junk food and over indulging cravings.  I may splurge on some soda, cheesecake, cheesefries and breadsticks to name a few.

1 point for Mom

  We have looked at boats lately.  More for my benefit but depending on the boat it could benefit the family.  A kayak would obviously be to my benefit.  It would be a single person one. A way for me to get outside and enjoy a little peace and quiet.  It would be open and available for others as well but I am the only one asking for it.  I am struggling to prove my muscles are more than just show.  On the other hand a canoe would benefit more family members. I love water and being out on it is a nice change of pace.  We have looked at both boats, paddles, life jackets, and ways to possible bring it to the water (cargo for the truck and wheels for it to be rolled to the water)

  I however am lacking in the concept of putting it on top of my truck.  I mean really how do people put their bikes in a upright position, boats even body boards that are wider than me on top of their cars?  It can't all be done by men, can it?  I have even looked at rentals.  That doesn't help.  They will put it on my truck but I still need to take it off when I get to my destination; and it needs to get back up there for the return trip. Maybe there's a you-tube channel for that.

  Well I remember my husband mentioning when I have rented a boat enough to cover the cost of a new one maybe we'll get one. Ha ha, I am $4 closer.  This momma took her 2 babies out on a lake and brought them back in the same condition. No one fell in! We all stayed dry to include my shoes!

I took that canoe off the rack,

dragged it to the water

and even paddled it all for the most part by myself.  My two co-captains did have paddles but I think they kept the boat moving in a circular motion when I wasn't looking.

I wish there was an app to tell me my distance/calorie count for boat work.  We did make it across the water to a bridge and then back again.  That bridge seemed pretty far away.  It would make me feel better to know I did such and such measurements.

Bottom line, I had been told I couldn't do it and I did do it! I managed it all with 2 kids basically by myself.  I felt very accomplished!  I have taken several hikes this summer but only one by myself it feels good to step outside of my comfort level and succeed!


I challenge all mom's to find something your not used to doing. Find something you have wanted to do but haven't for whatever reason.  Hike, bike, run, swim!  A lot of items on my daughters bucket list will have me stepping out of my comfort.  It's ok to bring back up to just have support (or put that boat on the truck).