Day 32

I almost made todays headline as "Day 31" until I realized it is already 12:45am... *sigh*

I can't sleep tonight.  I am frustrated.  We have been having visitors ever since we bought those storage units, and I just put two and two together.  Last night was an active haunting night, a picture was actually thrown off the wall.  Rafal saw it and I heard it, I knew where he was in the bathroom, and I know he was too far away to have had anything to do with it.  Marley has been growling at sounds that I think only I heard.  Whispers and what not.  Last night Marley had me on edge with his "friends".  Then I was woken up in the early hours after sunrise today to the feel of someone touching my thigh, like a small child trying to shake you awake...

My son stayed the night at the babysitters last night.

I don't feel like its bad, I just feel uncomfortable, almost like there's a pervert window watching... Ugh.

I am going to go lay down and snuggle up to Rafal, he always makes me feel a little more safe.

DAY 30

WOW! Can't believe it has already been a month since I started changing and bettering myself!  I took it one day at a time and here we are on Day 30!!!!

Just finished my Day 12 Workout with Shaun and the Bodybuilders team on Insanity: Cardio, Power & Resistance... I feel as though I may be sick, I pushed it today, I pushed it HARD.

Here is a Day 12 Shot::

 

In other news, we carved a pumpkin last night...

 

 

We only did one of the three we got, daddy has been working a lot lately so we haven't had the chance and I still want Rafal & I to carve our pumpkins together <3  It is a family tradition!!

Tonight Dylan is going to stay at our amazing babysitters house and I couldn't be more excited.  I love my little mini breaks.

It is Saturday everyone, be safe out there this weekend and enjoy!!!!

Day 29

Today is Week 2: Day 4: Cardio Recovery

Thank goodness!  I woke up this morning and was like “Oww, I don’t think I can workout today” And even though I know I still would’ve I don’t know if I would’ve pushed myself to do my best.  BUT Cardio Recovery is a little less intense and its only 30minutes instead of 45minutes.

This morning is finally a cool morning.  Two weeks ago we had a cold front that teased me with the thoughts of ~winter~ but alas, it is back to hot.  Yesterday was a perfect beach day; it was like 85 and hardcore sunny.  We like to go to the beach at the beginning of the season and the end of the season rather than in the middle of July when it’s like you roast.  It must have rained last night, the ground is damp outside, and you can still feel the moisture in the air :)

My drink of choice this morning is tea, and golly is it yummy.  I love hot tea on a morning like this.  Today I am going to try to do something awesome, but what I am not sure.  I cannot believe that it is already Friday that 28^th!! Where this week went I am unsure!

Last night when Rafal came home from work he surprised Dylan and I with a date to Chili’s :) So… we didn’t get to carve pumpkins, but we did enjoy a fun family date and a few margaritas too!  I tried a blackberry margarita, and. Oh. My. Gossssh. It was amazing. I need the recipe; I want to make those all the time!

Today Rafal has a huge job that’s taking them to Jupiter, which is a city in South Florida.  It sure sounds funny though “I love you baby, off to Jupiter for the day!” [haha] Makes me giggle!  Ohhhh a cold breeze just shot through the house, I love it!

Day 28

I just gutted a pumpkin. Eww.
[haha]

I actually don't mind at all, it is one of my favorite things to do this time of year.  I love carving pumpkins.  Going to gut three in the next hour and then tonight after dinner the Ski family will be carving our very own!  I will post before and after pictures for your visual enjoyment! :)

Today was the mark of my first week of college being completed!  I turned in my Memoir last night and finished a test on chapters 2, 3, and 6 too!  It feels good to already have all of this weeks work done already.  I strive to continue such hard work through the rest of my college career.  I don't want to be one of those people that wait until the last minute and then have to study 20hours straight one night.  Time management my friends, it works wonders, and even if you say you can't do it... Your wrong! You can!! Any one can!  In fact, here's an idea.  For the next 2 or 3 days I want you to jot down what you are doing every 15minutes, how did you spend the last 15 minutes?  Then at the end of every day look back over that list and see what you could have done differently, or better even to give you the most for your time.  Time is the only thing we can't get back.  When its spent... thats it, it is gone forever.  Try it out, check it out, my life is changing and so can yours!

For instance, I want to check my Facebook right now, but I know that isn't something that needs to be done right now.  If at the end of the day I have gotten everything done that I set out to do today then, I will make a space for some "free" time.  I try to update my FB a few times a day to let my "fans" know when I have completed an exercise, or a project of some kind.  I didn't realize I had so many readers, and now that you are all beginning to contact me and let me know your reading, I will strive to give you more information!

I have started telling more and more people about my desk at home, and the more people I tell, the more feedback I get about how awesome it is.  SO I want to share it with you guys too!  I have post it notes and index cards all over the place tapped to the wall, the monitor, the lamp and even my notebooks.  Every single one of them states some kind of affirmation, whether its "You are smart!" or "You can do this!!!" and because most of my stay at home work involves the computer and its desk I am sitting here a few hours every day.  Which means I see and read this continuously throughout my every day life.  It has been close to two weeks since I started posting the little notes around, and I feel a huge difference.

I am confident! I am funny! I am stronger than I have ever been and it is truly an amazing feeling!

Day 26

Today has been a most eventful day and we never had to leave the apartment.  Rafal had work today, a big day of two jobs which is always a plus... I worked out and did Day 8: Cardio Power & Resistance, it felt so good, but at the same time it was the first day since I started that half way through I started doubting myself.  I have to get rid of the doubt.

I am strong.  I am talented.  I am persistent.  I can do this.

I struggled through it, but finished and actually I feel like I did a LOT more this time than on Day 3 when I did the same workout.  The butt kicks were higher, the knee kicks were higher, but I still have not gotten the needed muscles for the traveling pushups.  Time will tell and the muscles will grow.  This is a truly neat program though, doing the same things days apart shows me how much it really is working.  Before Dylan (BD) I was pretty athletic not to mention a habit of mine was constantly sucking it, aka tightening my core.  I was constantly doing that, to the point where my doctor yelled at me when I was 5months pregnant.  The gyno said, you are going to hurt your son if you don't relax your stomach muscles.  It was so drilled in to my subconscious that I had no idea I was even doing it.  So it took some time for me to "let go" and stop holding on to that skinny me.  Here I am 3.5 years later, and I had forgotten how to suck in my core, seriously, I know this may sound silly especially to some one who hasn't given birth.  But truly, I think and I KNOW that those stomach muscles had lost their ability.  In the past week I have been able to revert into my ways of keeping my core tight and man oh man am I impressed.  It will probably take another week before its second nature again, but I notice it allllll the time now and then I tighten and feel great!  I can feel all of my muscles coming together and working hard to achieve a healthier new Sara :)

I wrote my memoirs today, about my car accident from 2003.  I am not sure if I want to post it online or not though.  I changed names and a few details but I am just not sure if it's something I am OK with sharing yet.  It was and still is an iffy situation in my heart.

Rafal and Rob are cleaning out the storage units right now, finishing up sweeping them out.  They should be home soon.

I baked bread today, 4 tiny little loaves so that Rafal can take one to work with him tomorrow and the nest day, if he doesn't eat them all tonight :)

My new phone came in the mail today at my mom's house, so I hope to go pick it up tomorrow.  Part of me truly enjoys not having a phone, no one can contact me! haha  The important people have my email and we correspond via GMail and that is good enough for me.  Not to mention Facebook :)

Tonight Dylan and I encountered a *spirit* of some kind.  We were both sitting at the computer talking about school when a little windup music box in the kitchen started playing its music.  It didn't play for 5 or 10 seconds but for an entire minute.  Dylan was saying "Daddy is that you?", but daddy was at work.  I felt like it was a grandma, maybe shes a grandmother to a family in our building and was just stopping through?  It was a nice pleasant cheery feeling that I got from the presence we both felt.  Odd at the same time though that she chose the music box that she did.  We have others throughout our home, but this one doesn't have a turn knob on the bottom, its missing, so we've never heard it play.  Dylan and I just smiled and I told him to say thank you to whoever it was for blessing us with the opportunity to listen to the music.  I am a crazy hippie I know!  :)

Day 24

Tonight Rafal, Dylan and I will be carving our pumpkins that we got last week.  I cant wait!!  I love this time of year, and the pumpkins are so fun!!

I pride myself in my creative pumpkins, and this year I am still not sure what I want to carve. Something special that's all I know.

The weather is beautiful today and we will be spending the whole second half of the day outdoors.  Sundays are my favorite days.  Lazy and relaxing.

I am feeling so frustrated today though and it is eating away at my good mood.  I keep saying I won't let it.  BUT I am so quick to snap this morning.  Dylan is making me cooky... I am not sure why though.  He just likes to test us and I am sick of it.  I despise yelling at him, in fact I hate it... I feel horrible when I have to yell at him.  But when I say "Don't touch that" 7 times and he just does it any ways I have to raise my voice to get his attention and I really really don't like doing that.  I would love to hire the perfect parenting nanny to come help us for a week to get us to start being more consistent.  Rafal and I were raised in very different homes and he and I don't see eye to eye on raising Dylan.  Which makes it even more difficult for me.  I feel like we aren't always a "team" which to me is VERY important.  We should always look like a team to Dylan.  Ugh.  Ok enough complaining for today.  If any one has any good advice on parenting a hot headed bad tempered 3.5 year old, please by all  means give us some good words of wisdom.

In other news!  Tomorrow is officially my FIRST DAY OF COLLEGE!!!  Wish me luck!!

Day 23

Can't believe I am sitting here looking at the calendar and that it is already October 22nd.  When did that happen?  No seriously... what the heck.  These days are flying by just like a fast train!!

It's cold again today, we woke up to a 40degree house, brrr!! Let me tell you, I threw that heat on QUICK, as soon as me feet touched the floor I was zooming through the house to the thermostat.  Now with the warmth flowing through the air it feels so nice, just a pleasant feeling... You know, cozy. I love a cozy kind of day.

So, last night was Day 4: Insanity Challenge: Cardio Recovery.  Rafal skipped out on Day 3: Cardio Power & Resistance the night I did it, so he made up for it and did that one TOO last night.  So now he's back on track with me.  Monday will be our first off day, and honestly I don't know if I can handle an off day, I love this feeling so much.. its like a drug and I don't know if I can go a day without it!

Jack Johnson is playing in the background of my daily life, and it really is right now too: How could we have known? Ill tell them its not so hard to tell....  I love a good dose of JJ bright and early on a gorgeous day like today.  Dylan wants to go to the park, so I told him when daddy gets home from work we will.

My coffee tastes better today than lately, not sure what that means, maybe that I usually suck at making coffee??  Who knows.  It is just delicious and thats all that matters.

Last night we had a lovely impromptu dinner date with my folks, and it was magical!  We just met at the mall and enjoyed some food court food and Dylan and Nana rode on the marry-go-round and it made me SO happy to see my mom so happy!!

We ALL deserve happiness, ya know?  If there is ever a moment that you don't believe that for yourself.. I am sorry... YOU deserve to be happy!  Tell yourself that over and over again :)

Day 22

I have a sister, and she is the most amazing, intelligent, funny, hardworking, gorgeous woman I know.  She can put a smile on anyone's face and I am blessed to call her MINE :)

I state this random fact, because to me, this is not random at all.  In fact, I am sitting here in the cold morning air smelling my coffee brewing wearing a really nice and warm deep blue sweater that my sister gave to me when I saw her this past August.  I love hand-me-downs, they are the best thing ever.  So sitting here wearing this sweater it brought back some nice smiles and memories of her last trip to Florida with her amazing boys.

Had to share my warm fuzzies of the AM!

Speaking of warm, its the first time this season I have turned the heat on... and it is stinky!! Dylan was running around hollering because of the smell.  He is such a goof ball.

Last night was a hardcore workout and we planned on getting up this AM and doing Day 4 Insanity but lets just say, when the alarm went off and I felt the cold air on my toes I snuggled up next to Rafal and didn't want to move!  Which isn't a good thing, but it was so warm next to him.  In fact we laid there for so long in the warmth that he was almost late to work!

I love the cool weather this time of year.  I can't believe Halloween is approaching so quickly and then it will be Thanksgiving before we know it!  Holy cow!

Quote of the day:
"Watch your thoughts, they become words.  Watch your words, they become actions.  Watch your actions, they become habits.  Watch your habits, they become character.  Watch your character, it becomes your destiny." -Frank Outlaw

Day 21 - Continued

Here I sit with the sliding glass door wide open and the cold chill of the 45degree air is blowing through my damp hair and I love it.  After an intense 45-minute workout of Insanity Day 3: Cardio Power & Resistance, I need this cool air.  In fact, I finished that workout almost an hour ago and I am still trying to catch my breath and cool down.  Tonight was freaking NUTS to say the least. 

I was so pumped up and ready to go, and about 5minutes in to it I realized something, I am already stronger than I was just yesterday, I am jumping a little bit higher,I am squating a little bit lower, and even more impressive I did over 30 push-up's tonight in total.

Even in basic training back in 2004 I don't think I did this many push-ups with this little strain.  Now, don't get me wrong, it hurt like hell, and I was grunting REALLY loud to get it done, but I did.  I got it done.

I got it done.  Day 3.  Wow.  I am impressed with myself.

In school news today I found out that my first writing assignment will be a 5-page memoir, and I am so excited to get more details so I can start right away!  I love to write.  I always have, and probably always will.

My dinner wasn't the best dinner I have ever made tonight, Rafal ate it all, but I didn't... and now I want some much earned ice cream!!

Good night.  See you bright and early for Day 4: Cardio Recovery!

Day 21

The cold, 60-degree air, is brushing itself against my back this morning.  I am sitting at the computer with my back facing the sliding glass door, and I have it wide open allowing the crisp autumn air to flow on in.  It is a beautiful morning.  Took Marley out for his AM walk and after we were downstairs I thought to myself that I should've grabbed a scarf!  I love a chilly morning this time of year.

My coffee is smelling so good sitting here next to me on my desk, I can see the aroma swirling out of the cup in the steam and its just making me melt even more.  Perfect day for coffee you ask?  Oh yeah, no day beats a day like today.

I got up early this morning eager with anticipation for doing the Insanity Day 3 workout, but never-the-less something came up and we have decided to postpone it until this evening.  Rafal said I could do it without him if I really wanted to, but I don't want to, he's my partner in this, and if something comes up and he can't do it.. I will wait until he can.

Last night we laid in bed talking about dreams, not the kind you have in your sleep... the waking one's where you think about your future.  That was interesting and always is these days.  We are so different and yet so the same its amazing to me.  We spoke of our dreams of having land and a large home with a larger family.  Let me rephrase that, I spoke of MY dreams of having land and a large home with a larger family and he just kind of agreed.  I wonder what that says?  He says he wants a farm and to be self-sufficient with his family.  He wants to get all Rambo and get a ton of bad ass guns and archery supplies and just live off the land in the mountains.  That sounds like fun to me.  We're weird aren't we?  Most 20-something's are planning parties and things like that and were planning... a farm?  [haha]

Yesterday was Day 2 of school, and I worked on my first assignment in my Composition class, it went very well I might add.  Today going to start Chapter 2 in Critical Thinking and see how that goes.  School doesn't actually start until next week, but I am an overachiever, and I have my books and the syllabus so why not get some of it done while I can so I am not in such a big rush.

Mmmm... coffee.. you are so strong.  I love you.

One more thing world- I wanted to share with you that Rafal did not have a single cigarette yesterday.   When I asked him about it he said "I could go get some if I wanted to, but I don't want to, I wonder how long I can go before I need another smoke?"  I too wonder, will this be a permanent change?  And.... how amazing if he was just able to quit cold turkey eh?  I am proud of him for trying and thats what counts.

Enjoy your day!

Day 20

Last night I started college... I started my Problem Solving and Critical Thinking class by reading Chapter 1 and answering the end of chapter questions.  It was 33 pages, and I was not expecting so much reading.  Even though it seemed like a lot, I got it finished.

Rafal and I did our body test when I started getting stressed with homework, yes it was late, but who cares.  We kicked its butt, and it kicked our butts too!  We both felt really good after wards and then Rafal and I laid in bed for about an hour just talking about all kinds of fun stuff.  He remembered through the workout when he used to workout for Judo and how much fun he used to have doing Judo.  I love hearing his stories, he has so many amazing ones!  I think we were asleep by about 2am...

Then up at 5:30am, I got up, turned the alarm off and as I was brushing my teeth I heard a Dylan voice in my bedroom.  Sure enough Dylan had woken up, what was he doing up so early?  It was like maybe he felt us getting up too? Who knows!  I made a healthy shake for Rafal and I and woke him up.  He got up and we got started on the Day 2 workout.  The Plyometric Cardio Cicuit.  HOLY SHIT.  Excuse my language.  It was tough.  But we did it!!  And now that I am already done with my hardcore workout for the day I feel so energized and ready for the day.  Going to try to write an article today, not sure what about, maybe the fact that ALL these children keep going missing... Ugh its disgusting.

Going to start a pot of coffee, Rafal is at work all day today for the first day in over a week and a half.  Dylan and I will miss him today, we have gotten so used to his humor and company throughout the days.  I love you Rafal <3

Coffee, School Work, Examiner and then an appointment with a Daycare at 10am... cross your fingers, he would only go for short days, but it would be just enough for me to get school work done!

Here are our hysterical BEFORE pictures:

Don't judge me! haha

Day 19

Ugh, talk about a long weekend.  Not to mention an even longer week.  Rafal and I woke up today thinking it was Wednesday... when did that happen?  It's only Tuesday, Sara, geeze.

We had a rough weekend, to say the least.  With food poisoning and losing my cell phone at the top of the crappy list, we were glad when Monday rolled around.

Monday brought rejuvenation and rearranging.  Lots of cleaning got done at the Ski house as well as lots of moving things around.  Our whole house has got a fresh new look and it sure makes us feel "peppy"!

Today, which is Tuesday, brought about more cleaning and a need for exercise, so Rafal and I have decided to start the Insanity workout by Beachbody, the people who came up the P90X workout.

Tonight I will post our dorky before pictures for you to all giggle at.  BUT come Day 63 when we finish the whole program you won't be giggling at our after pictures ;)  hehe

Day 15

Looking over school stuff.  This semester starts on October 24th and will last 8 weeks with my next semester starting on January 2nd.

A lot of people keep asking me why I choose DeVry University since some of its course work isn't accredited.  I wanted to assure the worriers, that the program I am studying IS accredited.  I am studying for my Bachelors Degree in Multimedia Design and Development with a concentration in Web Design and Development. I couldn't be happier OR more excited.

Now that I have explained that I want to tell you why I chose them instead of say, SPC or HCC.  I found out while continuing my education in Massage Therapy that my brain learns differently than most.  As we all know, every single one of us learns differently, but to feel accomplished my brain works overtime for a few weeks and then slacks for a few weeks and continues on a cycle.  I found while attending Sun State Academy that the Two-Weeks on and Two-Weeks off theory that they put into affect is exactly what my brain needs to stay focused.  So instead of going to school at SPC and studying English 101 from August-December and having a few mental breakdowns in that time frame, I chose DeVry because they are on an 8-Week semester program.  So every 8-Weeks I will start 2 new classes.  And I personally love that idea.  

On October 24th I will begin English & Critical Thinking/Problem Solving.  Then in January I will begin Intro to Business &  Computer Applications for Business.  With 8-week courses I am able to fit 5-6 "Semesters" in to just one year, rather than only 2-Semesters a year.  That is how I will be able to graduate so much quicker than most attempting their Bachelors.

***

In other news, today is the first day Rafal has had work all week, since Saturday of last week.  Having him home has been nice, but I missed my routine more than anything.  When he is home I slack off because I want to spend time with him.  But then the dishes pile up, laundry starts getting out of control, and my articles/blog get neglected.

So here I sit drinking my coffee... Thinking about how I will get Dylan enrolled in Head Start this up coming week so that he can be in school while I too am in school.  Wow, what a huge help that would be.

Last night I was expressing my concerns that I don't know if we will be able to go to my best friends wedding in November, I am so sad.  Rafal saw how upset I was about it and started looking for cheap tickets, he said he really wants me to be able to go even if he can't because of work.  That made me so happy to know he knows how happy I would be to go.  She lives in NC and I could take a Greyhound for about $100 which isn't too bad.  I really want Rafal to be able to go with me, we used to go on adventures all the time in our early days, and lately... not so much.  I mean we have a 3.5yr old son, not too many adventures we can go on with a little guy.  

Gonna try to come up with an article today...

Day 14

What if I were to tell you that I always knew I was destined for greatness?  What if I told you that ever since my brain can remember I have been telling people,

"I will be a millionaire one day, I just don't know when or how yet."

I have been saying that forever.  You know what else I have been saying since I can rememeber?

"I will be building homes for the homeless and underprivileged families in old rundown hotels one day."

Do you know me?  Are we friends?  If we are friends you know that I am pursuing a DEEP dream of becoming an Architect.  It is a deep seeded need that I am trying to fulfill.  The best part?

  I AM FULFILLING IT RIGHT NOW!

I don't know where, how, or even why I have felt this way my whole life but I have.  Watching this new series, Oprah's Lifeclass, has truly helped me to take those next steps forward.

When I was in 7th grade we had a speaker come to our school and Holly and I laughed for years about what the speaker had to say.  He was teaching us affirmations, and at the time we didn't even know what an affirmation was.  He was having us all stand up, a school auditorium full of us, and having us say out loud "I like myself".  Well Holly and I thought it was hysterical... at the time.  But through the years that phrase has stuck with me.  If there was a way to contact that young man who taught us that I would, and I would thank him.

I like myself.  I love myself.  I am a being worthy of love, and respect.  Abundance is on its way.  Life is good today, and everyday.  I love my life.

Affirmations are amazing, and I want to start teaching my son the awesomeness of it!

Day 13

After watching the second episode in Oprah's Lifeclass series last night I can't help but notice all my issues, and I would like to try and fix them, but WOW is this going to be hard.  I mean, this morning alone, and I have only been up for about 2hours, I have wanted to scream more times than not.  Last nights class was all about anger and what it really is, so now I am getting angry and trying to dig deep.  Why am I really mad that Dylan won't behave so I can write an article?  Because he is bothering me while Rafal is sleeping in the other room?  Wow.  I dug deep and found it out.  So the REAL issue is that I am up getting stuff done and I am mad that Rafal gets to sleep in?  That doesn't make much sense seeing as Rafal gets up more times than not at 6am for work.  Maybe its underlying jealousy that he gets days to lay around and I do not? That sounds more believable.  [haha too funny]

Trying to dissect every feeling might get old sooner than I thought.  Its only 10am and I am ready to give it up! [just kidding of course]

This coffee is amazing today, although the 85degree heat streaming through my slider isn't exactly what I wanted to wake up to.  I was hoping for more or less a beautiful cool 75 and breezy. 

Yesterday I finally finished the sofa tables last coat of paint.  I will post pictures tomorrow, I would call it an Espresso color, a deep hue of brown, its gorgeous.

As my patience is wearing thin I should probably sign off for the day, I got two articles done this morning and I guess that is better than none. 

Day 11

Good morning Monday, I am still in my writers block and getting very frustrated about it all of a sudden.  I guess I can only be a certain kind of creative on a certain kind of day.  As of late, my creative side is on a painting kick, and I am refinishing everything within arms reach :) Got the hutch down the other day, and its in the living room taking up space, maybe I should just get a storage unit already to start my collection for my store.  That is the best idea I have ever had.  One day it will be a reality, but while Dylan is still so young it is hard for us to get too much done.  As he gets bigger things will get easier.  I hope.  [haha]

Yesterday was spent in the rain, at a thrift store that I love dearly.  "Last Chance: Thirft Shop"  Best one ever.  I would know, I am a hardcore thirfter. Yesterday all "Miscellaneous" objects were half-off and that means everything in the store besides the clothing! So we spent $21, and if you only saw how much stuff we got you'd flip out.  Daddy got Dylan some new books, AWESOME books might I add. They ended up being like .25cents!  Good pick daddy!  I got some new baking pans and what nots.. I love that place.

My coffee this AM is enticing me... but its warm in our home this morning, lately its been cold, with a nice Fall chill in the air. 

Today I hope to take Marley outside to a nice big park and let him play.  I think he will do great, he has come SO far since we first got him, we think he is finally settled into our home and our hearts!  Hes a beautiful dog, and he has definitely made himself at home, that's for sure.

I painted a large tree per Dylan's request on his walls in his room:

Yes, that is a music note on his wall too, he originally asked me for a "Rock and Roll" room, so on the other walls are guitars and more music notes, but alas, his mind was changed.  I love the "Giving Tree" it is SO peaceful, who knew painting a large tree could make a room feel so much more magical.  I want to sit on the floor under his tree and read a book!  Its awesome.  I am going to paint another one behind his bunk bed so its like he's in a tree house.  I am still unsure of how I will cover up the music note without some obviously ugly clouds [haha] so any ideas would be great!  I will probably just cover it up with primer and white paint after I sand down the edges.  Dylan has always had a cool room to intrigue his little baby mind, and keep that imagination working overtime!  He is so brilliant.  I am so proud of my little monkey.

Off to snuggle with my main squeeze before he leaves for another long work week.

Day 10

Rain Rain Go Away Come Again Another Day...

It is pouring outside, and it has been since we first woke up, and that was two hours ago.  I love the rain, except when we had outdoor plans today.  We were going to go kayaking, and now, I think we will stay in side.

I painted a cute wine hutch yesterday..

I have way too much fun re-vamping ugly furniture.  Next is a sofa table.  I put the cute wine rack on Craigslist for $50 or best offer, and some one will probably buy it for $30-$40, which would be a huge profit, considering I got it for free.  See, I work from home, between my articles, and my paintings and my furniture I have lots of goods to be sold!

Going to go make a pot of coffee and get on the next project...

Day 7

Day two on the whole "Hoe-Down" thing from T-Tapp.  I hurt today.  Yesterday Dylan and I "dance-ercised" for about 30minutes, I did about 5minutes of Hoe-downs and then just cardio for the other 25minutes, and I am exhausted and sore today! Must be working!!

Today feels like a lazy day, I fell off the wagon, [lol] I am out of my routine and I don't like it.

Laundry still gets done, food gets cooked and dishes still get done, but its not the same when I don't get up at 7am and start my REAL day.  Today I slept until Dylan woke me up at 8am... Which is OK, but I am a little mad at myself.

In other news- Steve Jobs died yesterday.  He IS one of the greatest men to have ever lived in our lifetime and I hope everyone can respect that.  He will be missed.... God bless him!

Last night we met my parents at George's Breakfast Station in Tarpon Springs for dinner and then we drove to Howard Park to see the sunset.. it was gorgeous.

This is a shot I took in the side view mirror of the sky behind us... Beautiful right??

Day 6

I am kind of in a funk, don't feel like doing my normal articles today, I feel like doing my craft projects that are piling up.  Ive got a desk that needs sanding and painted, as well as a sofa table and a bar hutch... they are all in decent condition and shouldn't take too long to sand down, but either way.  I gotta get to that today.

Got up this AM with Rafal like every morning, and took Marley out.  How is it possible that he doesn't have to use the bathroom every single time we go out?  Like once, or twice a day he actually pee's or you know, but its so rare?

I'm drinking my coffee thinking about some T-Tapp, a new workout I have stumbled upon due to my great friend Veronica Prewitt.  She is amazing :)  Very blessed to have her in my life.

Made a London Broil last night, and Rafal fell in love with me all over again [haha] It was really good, even I was impressed.  The other night I made crock pot country ribs, with a bud light lime, and a cup of apple juice and a few spices like garlic, salt and pepper.. it came out amazing! About 6hours and they were falling OFF the bone!  Then last night I marinated the broil in soy sauce, ketchup, salt/pepper, garlic and onions.  I also put about a cup of veggie oil in the sauce and it helped keep it juicy!  It marinated about 5hours and then just threw it on the grill, about 6 minutes on each side.  Came out like heaven.

Day 5

Learning muffins and cookies now.  Fairly easy, but perfecting the recipes as turned in to a daunting task.  Not a bad thing, but interesting to say the least.  Rafal will have lots of snacks as I try to get these right.

Yesterday we found a local butcher and we are happy to say, its the best place on earth.  I may even write an article about it.  Acropolis Meat & Deli.  Awesome.  It is on East Tarpon Ave right in downtown Tarpon Springs.  We got 35lbs of meat for about $100.  Ribs, Steaks, Ground Beef, Lamb, Pork, TONS of stuff.  Our freezer is full of fun stuff.  We made home made burgers, on my home made bread, with the fresh home slaughtered cow meat, and topped it with home grown onions and homemade provolone cheese! YOU CANT BEAT THAT WITH A STICK!! Best burgers we have ever had, not kidding, they were mind blowingly delicious.  Good to know that Rafal and I can get back to basics even on an electric grill :)

Today I will do my article on "Popular Childrens Costumes for Halloween 2011" and then I plan to include some local costume shops, should turn out good.  I will get to that after the dentist.

Enjoying my coffee right now, its our 3rd AM with cold weather, not cold, chilly, 60degrees.  We love it.  This is my favorite time of year.  :)

Day 3

Well, here I sit with Mayo/Egg Yolks/Olive Oil slathered all over my head.  I needed a deep conditioning treatment for my nappy, over died, fried, bleached out hair, and I googled a home remedy and found one. Lets hope it works.  I do know one thing, Rafal loves Mayo, so he might be ALL over me tonight! haha

Haven't had a Red Bull in months, I had stopped caffeine and sugar.  As of August 9th I switched to only Water and Mio.  But then when I started getting up early with Rafal on September 9th I added a few cups of coffee to my morning ritual, SO caffeine has become a daily staple in my life again.  I stopped drinking sugary drinks to see if I could loose a few extra pounds of squishy I seem to have gained, but alas, nada.  So, screw it!

Its such a beautiful day today, but so weird not having Dylan.  He stayed the night at my parents house and they took him to the mall to play, and to see the Dolphin Tale movie.  *There are ants crawling past me on my living room wall... what the heck*  Anywho.  I just talked to Dylan on the phone and he sounds so grown up to me.

I am going to throw some ribs in a crock pot for Rafal and then head to my parents house to pick up the monkey.  Today is a good day.

Last night was a good night, I spent the evening with my two good friends Veronica & Darryl.  We had a GREAT time, doing silly teenage things like walking on the train tracks and giggling at the bus stop.  I wish I had taken some pictures of us, those would be good memories.  Ah well, it will happen again!

Enjoy your beautiful Sunday where ever you are and God Bless!

Day 2

I just sat here making an awesome Excel Spreadsheet for all of my examiner articles, I can’t believe I have so many already.  I started on September 9, 2011, and have accumulated almost 5 or 6 a week, I am very excited.  I am truly loving this work.

Right now I am blogging into a Microsoft Word document because my sweet boy is watching a Care Bears movie through the NetFlix on the Xbox.  I am a huge fan of this NetFlix and wouldn’t change it for the world.  The fact that our son can watch just about any show he wants is awesome.

During the “work week”, as in Monday-Friday, we have our set schedules and Care Bears is a weekend extra.  During the week we watch Sesame Street and Curious George on PBS Kids in the mornings.  Well, he watches them, that’s when I blog and write my articles.  He knows the mornings are “Mommy Home Work Time”, from when he wakes up until nap time I try to get all of MY work done.  Then while he naps, I clean the house and prepare any food for the evening.  Then comes the fun times with Mommy, after nap time!  I love teaching him things, and watching his little brain grow right before my eyes.  The best feeling in the world is when you see him “get it”, when it really sinks in, I love that more than anything.  Maybe its just the mom in me, but he is SO smart.  Too smart for his own good actually, and sometimes I think it’s a bad thing… and by that I mean that he is so smart that I think he misses out on some “child hood” things.  I sometimes fear he will continue on this path and be like his father and I were, and grow up too fast.  I pray he can be a child as long as possible.  I pray that he doesn’t worry about being “cool”, or having girlfriends when he’s 12.  I want him to play in the park until he’s 15 and too big for the swing set! [haha] OK, well maybe not exactly, but all you mommies know exactly what I am talking about.

Its a sunny gorgeous day in Florida, when we went out for Marley's early morning walk it was 75degrees out and Dylan was chilly in his flip-flops! I wore a jacket.. thank God for just "knowing" it would be cold! haha 


Time has flown by today, it is already 11am and nap time for Dylan.  Going to lay down with my baby before he leaves for the rest of the weekend to stay at my parents house.  I am SO blessed that my mom and dad live so close, and love us so much!  Shoot, they even love my baby daddy, and that makes my heart feel super happy :)