Sick Day

My little girl has been dealing with a nasty little cough since Saturday that kept her and I in the house the entire weekend.  I had high hopes of getting out on Saturday doing a little light shopping at the mall and taking Quinn on a little cruise in the stroller. 

Yesterday, Quinn decided that she was going to take about five hours worth of naps (awesome!) and then not go to bed until about 10 pm (not awesome!). 


She woke both hubs and I up to her crying multiple times.  Girlfriend did not feel good.  We let her sleep in our bed all night for the first time (we usually let her chill and nap in the morning if she wants but never put her in our bed to sleep through the night).



At 2 a.m. her temperature was at 102 degrees (first fever we've had to deal with...I should consider it lucky we've made it 8 months fever free).  By 5 a.m. it was back down so I gave her a bottle and Tylenol to deal until we could get to the pediatrician later this morning.  Needless to say no one in my house got very much sleep last night and Quinn has another ear infection in her right ear.  The same ear when she had the ear infection at the beginning of January.



The doctor gave her stronger meds since she's had two infections in less than two months.  We're hopeful that these work and she doesn't continue down the path of ear infection after ear infection.  I would like to avoid tubes. 



Yep, Magic Fingers

I realized on Fat Tuesday, that hey, the next day was in fact Ash Wednesday. Then on Ash Wednesday I realized that hey, it’s the start of Lent silly and I need to give something up...because I'm Catholic...if you couldn't figure that one out. 

I know a lot of people give up things, like not eating sugar, chocolate or soda and so on.  But I think the meaning behind the giving up of something gets lost.  I think if you want to give something up health wise, you probably should have set a New Year's Resolution.

It's supposed to be about doing something that improves your relationship with God.  With that thought in mind, I'm giving up taking the elevator...anywhere.  This will vastly improve my relationship with the Good Lord because I'll be shouting his name all the way up. 
"OH MY GOD, DO THESE STAIRS EVER END!"

Plus, I have a love-hate relationship with elevators.  Also, I heard God always takes the stairs.

Elevators...smelavators.

So, I’ll be steering clear of buildings that have 10 or more floors.  So don't invite me on a super cool trip to Chicago and want to see the observation deck on the Sears Tower.  It's not happening until Easter. 

I wanted to give up soda but I really, really wanted the Mountain Dew I had packed on Wednesday and this doesn't improve my relationship with God.  I also want to give up cussing, but I get so mad sometimes (usually talking to my husband…weird how that works) that it just slips out.  I'm sure God would have wanted to see that one improve.

I’m just kidding about all the above. I’m really giving up work, cleaning, cooking, showering, brushing my teeth and laundry. It will be a great 6 weeks.


Oh and by the way, don't ask me why we Catholics don't eat meat on Fridays.  It's an ignorant question and makes you look like an asshole.  If you want to know, Google it biatch!





Five Things On a Friday

My Husband Almost Burnt Our House Down

Saturday night, we got home from the Outdoor Show and grocery shopping and decided to make a nice meal of pork chops and potatoes.  We threw the pork chops in a bowl of water to thaw and break apart.  I turned on the oven to get it heated up and ready, took out our pizza stone and then threw together the rub for the chops. 

I proceeded to go into the living room to play with Quinn a little while knowing the oven and chops would take a bit.  Hubs went into the kitchen and said "Uh, Rach.  You might want to come in here and look at this!".

{Oh, great.}  I walk into a room filled with smoke floating out of the oven.  I opened the oven, even more smoke coming out and noticed the rather large dark circle of grease that had magically appeared on the oven floor from the last time I cooked.

I looked at Barney and I just knew.  "Barney, what happened to my oven?  It wasn't like this the last time I cooked!  And what the hell is this all over the pizza stone?"  Pointing at the layer of grease that also magically appeared since the last time I used it.

Hubs looks at me, guilt written all over his face.  "Oh yeah, I may have cooked those sausage links on there the other day".

If looks could kill, he would still be laying dead on my kitchen floor.

Needless to say, we had to wait until the next night to cook dinner. 

The silver lining: the oven finally got the proper cleaning it needed.

***

Bethenny Ever After


One of my very favorite reality shows has returned!! I'm so, so excited about it. 

"I am someone who has to work at most things.  I work tirelessly at my career, endlessly at being a mother, and constantly at being a good wife...I want you to see the real me, whether emotional or inappropriate or neurotic.  This is who I am."


This is exactly why I love Bethenny. She doesn’t sugar coat anything and is real to a T.   I find her to be so relatable in every aspect of life. She’s proof that not everything or everyone is or will be perfect and that is more than okay. We should always be the versions of our own self, not someone else’s version of ourselves. I think quite a few people should realize that. 


***
Healthy Smoothie

I made the best Strawberry Banana Oatmeal Smoothie this morning.  So tasty.


Healthy Strawberry-Banana Oatmeal Smoothie
1 C. ice
1/2 C strawberries
1 banana
1/2 C. plain low fat yogurt
1/2 C. oatmeal
1 C. V8 Lite Strawberry Banana V-Fusion Juice

Throw in blender and blend.  It makes about 4 cups.  Approximately 100 calories per cup.

***
A Poop Story

This morning Quinn ate breakfast and was as happy as can be.  You would have never guessed that  she would have the most disgusting, massive blowout waiting for me. 

She blew out the side of the diaper so that her upper leg/buttocks was covered.  I wasn't quick enough with the clean-up and little Quinney sticky fingers who has to touch everything, happened to reach down and touch her leg, then the lotion bottle, then her belly and belly button, and then her hair,.  Needless to say, she got a bath this morning.



This is the first blowout we've seen in a few months.  It's a rare occasion when she does it but when she does, she goes big.

***
Crawling Quinn's Way

Exhibit A:


This is as far as we've gotten with Quinn crawling.  She will get up on all fours and sometimes scoot backwards.  If there is something in front of her that she wants to get her mitts on, she will do this awkward type crawl using only one arm with her head on the ground and shimmy her way there.  But most of the time, she rolls....see exhibit B.

Exhibit B:


Why would she need to crawl when she can just roll everywhere, especially places she's not supposed to be??  See that on her face?  Yep, that's what we're in for.  I don't think that's the last I'll see of that shitty little grin.

Have a great weekend!

The Music That Gets Me Going


I have to listen to music every single time I run. 

My IPod died about 2 weeks ago on a run and the sounds that I heard come out of me were the most god awful and disgusting sounds. 

I really don't need to hear the sound of death by running, I can already feel it.

So here is a sample of pump me up songs I have on my running playlist entitled, "Run Fat Girl Run" that get me through each and every run.

Beyonce - Countdown
David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj - Turn Me On
Flo Rida - Turn Around (5,4,3,2,1)
Britney Spears - Toxic
Big Sean - Dance (Ass)
Black Eyed Peas - Showndown
Beyonce - Love On Top
Nicki Minaj - Super Bass
Timbaland - Pass At Me
The Pretty Reckless - Makes Me Wanna Die
Beyonce ft Andre 3000 - We Likes To Party
Freesol ft JT & Timbaland - Fascinated
Gym Class Heroes - Ass Back Home
Jessie J - Domino
Kanye West & Rihanna - All The Lights
Jessie and The Toy Boys - Push It
Jay-Z and Kanye - Niggas In Paris
Kelly Rowland - Lay It On Me
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
Luke Bryan - Country Girl/Shake It For Me
The Noisettes - Sister Rosetta
Rihanna - S&M
Petey Pablo - Show Me The Money
Trick Daddy - Shut Up
Trina - Million Dollar Girl
Waka Flocka - No Hands
Wilson Philips - Hold On
Kreayshawn - Gucci Gucci

I definitely need to add a little classic rock to the mix.

Shake your money maker.

What are you running to?


Over The Weekend

Over the weekend...

...I got my Valentine's Day present from my hubs and by hubs, I mean I ordered it myself and told him thanks.  I am the 1% of people who enjoy getting fitness related products for V-Day.  I'm so happy with it and it's going to be a big help in turning my running goals into reality. 


...we got a babysitter and went out to dinner with a couple friends.  We also went the casino where I broke even and hubs won $90.  I'm pretty sure that paid for the babysitter and dinner! 

$2 margarita make you holla
The Hubs & I




...we went to the outdoor show.  Best company were the ladies offering wine slushie samples.  I didn't leave the show without buying one...okay it was three.  For real, who knew they offered wine at a manly man's show.

sorry PETA

In Daddy's dreams...
...we woke up to this...a very happy baby.



 ...we also did a lot of lounging around and playing.  We even had a couple visitors!

Supergirl!
...I made this for dinner.  I'll try to share the recipes this week because it was pretty damn good.

Glazed pork chops and crack potatoes
...I even managed to get a run in.  I'm very happy with my pace.

Split Time Moving Time Distance Avg Pace Avg Moving Pace Best Pace Calories
1 07:49.1 7:47 1 7:49 7:47 6:35 118
2 08:09.8 8:08 1 8:10 8:08 7:24 119
3 08:04.8 8:01 1 8:05 8:01 7:20 119
4 01:12.8 1:13 0.16 7:31 7:32 7:01 19
 Summary 25:16.5 25:09.0 3.16 8:00 7:57 6:35 375

Pretty perfect weekend.  Let's hope this week flies by! 


Getting Crafty With It: DIY Hair Bow Holder

I've been needing to get a hair bow holder for Quinn for quite some time now.  All her hair bows and headbands were thrown in a drawer of her dresser and every single time I needed one, it was a nightmare to find it.

I needed organization and Quinn needed more things for her wall.

So, instead of buying one pre-made, I made my own.





I love them because they not only hold barrettes and clips but also headbands.  Quinn has a massive head so she's outgrown quite a few of the headbands so I think I need to do a little packing away of sorts.  But they are so cute, I just don't want to.

I think this whole project cost me around $10 dollars.  Cheap and easy...my mantra.

P.S. I made this back in January so I'm good on at least one of my goals for the year.

A Little Blog Award

Thank you to Christina for giving me this little award! 



So here’s how it works:
1} Link back to the person who gave you this award.
2} Complete the form.
3} Share 7 random thoughts about yourself.
4} Award 5 blogs and let them know in a comment or email.


The form:
1} Name your Favorite Song:  I’m the type of person who gets obsessed with a song or two, plays them over and over and then gets sick of it.  But a song that I’ve always enjoyed is an oldie but a goodie.

The Temptations – I Can’t Get Next To You


2} Name your favorite dessert.  I generally like anything with chocolate except brownies…I’m fairly certain that is an oxymoron.  One thing I love that’s pretty cheap, easy to make and extremely delish is Jell-O No Bake Oreo Dessert.  Go get your hands on some of that.




3} What ticks you off?  When people don’t do what they say they’re going to do and bad drivers.

4} When I'm upset:  I cuss a lot.  I would make a sailor blush.  I try not to throw things, but sometimes it just happens.

5} What's your favorite pet?  Probably a dog.  Hubs and I don’t have one now (although, I’d like Quinn to have one someday) but growing up we always had a dog.  Tiger was probably my favorite.  He was an Australian Shepard. 

6} Black or White?  Both.  They’re classic.  I like a little black dress and a comfy white cotton shirt.

7} Biggest fear?  Death/losing a family member too early.  I try not to think about that kind of stuff but it would be my biggest fear, besides the dark.  I’m chicken shit in the dark.


Seven random thoughts/things about me:

I’m the middle child of 5.

I ran hurdles in high school and I’m only 5’1.  I was also a cheerleader.  When I tell people this, they really don't believe me.

Ever since pregnancy/childbirth, I have an uncontrollable craving for Snickers.

I’ve been going 6+ months strong of working out at least 4 times a week (give or take a week or two that I did less).  I love that I had the motivation of getting back into shape a month after I had the baby and that motivation has stuck.

I haven’t bought a pair of shoes yet this year and have only gone shopping for myself twice (I made my husband go to the mall yesterday and wait while I tried on clothes.  Pretty sure he hated every minute of it).  It makes me happy but a little sad at the same time.

I’m an auditor but not the kind people love to hate.

I only like to watch the Bachelor this season to see the drama between the girls.  Cat fight….raaaaar!  Ben is pretty much a snooze.


5 Blogs:





Our Love Story


1.  How long have you and your significant other been together?


We have been together since the summer of 2005 so almost 7 years.  


2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

He first laid eyes on me the night of my brother’s wedding in May of 2005.  I was of course, wasted face, with someone else and probably acting like a real jackass.  It was love at first sight for him and I was lucky if I remembered my own name, let alone someone new.



A week later, I was playing coed softball with a couple of my girlfriends.  Barney was there playing on another team.  He started talking to my friend Maria because he knew her (he played softball with her before, was friends with her brother and a few others on our team that day).  I was eating fruit snacks and offered him one I accidentally dropped on the ground (sharing means caring).  After talking for a bit, he remembered me from the weekend prior (because who could forget THAT).  I also told him how much I loved bacon (that’s how you win over a guy’s heart).



The following week, we were playing in another softball tournament (we love softball, what can I say?!).  He was there, trying to get on my sweet side all day.  I was oblivious to it because why would he like me, right?!  He got my number that weekend but ended up losing it.  He didn’t call me for a few days and all I could think was his loss, seriously his loss.  Ends up he had to call a few people to track down my number (that must be love folks).  He took me to Wedding Crashers on our first date a few weeks later.  He didn’t have a license at the time, which I didn’t know.  I made comments such as “why are you driving the speed limit” or “why are we taking this route” so on (seriously though, I have never taken the route he took us on to get to town and what dude ever drives the speed limit).  Plus we got a flat tire that night. 



A couple weeks after that, we attended our county fair together.  We were both drunky poo, but he asked me in the sweetest but corniest way if I would be his girlfriend (if that wasn’t already given).  And the rest is history.



3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}

We got married on September 12, 2009 (that’s about 2 ½ years).



4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?  If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?



We had a full Catholic ceremony at a rather large church that’s located in the country.  It was the church my family attended growing up and it’s about ½ mile down the road from my parent’s house.  We had 6 bridesmaids, 6 groomsmen, 4 ushers and 2 personal attendants.   We sent out around 300 invitations and had probably tripled that, in people, at our reception.    



The wedding reception was held at a roller skating rink.  Yes, you may say that screams redneck or small town or whatever you want but when the decorations go up and the lights go down, it’s actually pretty classy.  Plus it’s the biggest reception hall, closest to where all our guests were coming from outside of the “big city”.


My brother and my sister also were married at the church and had their receptions at the same place.  We like to switch it up in our family.



We had an awesome DJ and he was cheap, I don’t think the dance floor was ever empty.  We also very cheap entertainment and a lot of people who were having way, way too much fun.

Cue, photo dump....enjoy!

Bach party...my favorite ladies!!


Loved my wedding dress!



My parents

Personal attendants and a little self-fondle

Wedding party

Hubs family


My brothers and sister

We're married!



Cake cutting

The entertainment



5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

I and everyone else that knows him call him Barney.  I prefer calling him sugar lips or Mr. Round Tree…kidding…tell me the show and you win.  He calls me Little Bug to my face but probably devil woman behind my back.



6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.
His athleticism, his sense of humor and ability to make me laugh daily, and how good of a dad he is to Quinn.



7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?

He proposed on September 12, 2008 (do you see the correlation?  See #3!).  It was a Friday night, I had just got home from work to our shitty, shitty little apartment.  He wasn’t home.  I started getting ready because we were going to a wedding reception that night and had my music blaring, of course.  He got home, asked me turn the music down and then to come out to the kitchen/living room area because he needed help with something (our bathroom was to the back of the apartment).  I came out and all I saw was him holding the box open with the perfect diamond in it.  He asked me to marry him and I think I went completely silent (or was in shock because the night before I told him I wanted a ring…little did I know).  He asked me a couple more times and then finally got on his knee.  I gave him a kiss and a hug and of course said yes.



8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals? 


Definitely flowers.  Every once in a great while he’ll get flowers and a bottle of wine.

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?


Both.  I like getting dolled up and going out for dinner and a little romance but I also enjoy a relaxing night at home in sweats.  It depends on what we want to do with Quinn which is more often than not, just relaxing at home.

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

It would be fun to do something adventurous like skydiving with the hubs.  Not sure he’d be down with it.  In fact he’s not, at the mere mention of it, he said ‘fuck that’.  Such a peach.  So, we could ziplining…that’s somewhat adventurous.



11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.

Hubs has a stag to go to so Quinn and I will be spending the night together playing or snuggling.  She’ll want to go to bed around 7 and then I’ll have peace and quiet to myself, just like every other Tuesday night since about October.



12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?  

No, love is all I need.   BAHAHAHA.  Actually since we won’t be together on V-Day, hubs is taking me out for all you can eat shrimp the weekend before…so that’s this weekend if I can do math correctly.



13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.

Communication, trust and respect are key.  But you also need time away from each other doing the things you each love to do because I don't know about you but I definitely don't enjoy the same things my husband does, aside from softball.  This is especially good advice when you have children.  Oh and go on dates without your child there.  I know it may seem stupid because maybe your child is 7 months old like ours is and is the best baby in the world but when you’re with your children, you’re not concentrating on one another.  You need adult time.   AND SEXY TIME…whoops, sorry mom, it’s only happened once.



14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.


Our sweet, lovable little love child.  She's the best and brightest part of our lives.  It's hard to imagine our life without her in it.  She's the best representation of love there is.