Weekly Running Wrap Up and More

* I haven't typically run much through our little neighborhood because well its pretty small. To get any good distance in with out venturing out on the main road I'd have to do a couple loops around our circle. That gets old real quick. Last week I did finally make my way into the neighborhood that's right across from ours. Just thinking it was a short dead in street I figured I'd at least check it out. Low and behold I ran across this street sign. Made me miss my love so so much!!! I was able to get a good 4 miles combine with my normal route all together. So not to shabby. 

* April 10th made a year that we signed on our house here in TN, I still can't believe sometimes that we own a home. It's been a great year and we've learned a lot about being home owners. Thankfully we haven't had any problems at all. Knock on Wood. We've made a few changes / adjustments around the house but for the most part its been working well just as is for us. I'm looking forward to many many more years of memories made in our first home.  

* Last Sunday I met up with one of our sweet friends from our time at Jackson. Drill SGT Cutter was here at Campbell going through a school for a couple weeks. Her and the Hubbs were Drill SGT's in the same Platoon together and became good friends. I know G was bummed he didn't get to see her but it was great to catch up and have a yummy lunch together. 

* That afternoon I decided I'd better run off that yummy fried chicken I had at lunch and counter balance it with a healthy protein filled dinner. A 4 mile run and a Avocado Boiled Egg Sandwich was the perfect ending to a great weekend!!! 

DS Cutter, the Hubbs, DS Brady 

* The week before last I was pretty stoked with my run and pace. 4 miles in under 40 minutes and my pace was in the high 9's. Not to shabby at all for just getting back into the running season. Little did I know that was only the beginning. 

* This past Wednesday rolled around and I headed out for my run on my lunch break. I never really have a plan going into it during my lunch runs, I just go for it and figure it out along the way. 3.10 miles later - I was over the moon with my pace and time. It may not be much for some but for me it was awesome. 

* April's my Birthday month, I'll be 29 so I set a goal to run (at least) 29 miles during the month. I accomplished and passed that goal on Friday with my 5 mile run during my break. I went down further than I normally do on my route which meant I had some killer hills to come up on my way back. Figuring that would set my pace back a little, I was mentally prepared for it. Nope I crushed it yet again. 

--I've got the distance down, now it's just working on the pace. I'm not trying to get to a certain pace or time. Simply working on pushing myself, maintaining and getting stronger and if my pace continues to gets better that's just a added bonus.--

* A friend of mine from Texas makes these cute adorable signs, pretty much anything you want it to say she can to. I set her this quote I'd see a while back that I though would be fitting for our back patio and she had it whipped up in no time. I'm just getting around to hanging it up but I think it fits perfect on our patio. 

Easter Goodness

This year for Easter it was rather low key, I got up and went to the first service at church which was at 8am. This way I still had the whole day ahead of me. A friend from work and her little family came over for lunch that afternoon. I love love cooking and having people over but I really haven't done much of that since the hubbs has been gone so I was more than willing to make lunch for today. Everything came out perfect and tasted to yummy. A little non-traditional meal for our Easter Feast. Although besides Deviled Eggs, I'm not really sure what Easter traditional foods are. On our Menu was: Oven Baked Fried Chicken, Crock Pot Candied Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole (I like my marshmallows really toasted, (they were out of mini ones but the big ones tasted just perfect)), Rolls, Spinach Dip & Chips and Green Bean Casserole (made by B.). I took this opportunity to make a delicious Loaded Chocolate Chip Cheese Cake and let me just say it was Heavenly. It took all I had not to eat the entire thing. Along with a batch of No Bake Cookies. I've been itching to try a couple different recipes out but never bit the bullet till today. And I'm so glad I did, I remember growing up on something similar to these that my step mom made and I always wished I had the recipe. I'm pretty sure these are going to be my newest easy go to dessert for outings. Everything came out perfect and the table looked great with all of my beautiful Fiestaware incorporated in. I was a bit down that the hubbs wasn't able to be here with us (thank you army) but I know next year he will be for sure!! I remember my last Easter at my Mamaw's house. We always had the best time's celebrating Holiday's with her. She's enjoying them now from up above in heaven, and I'm so grateful to have a little bit  of Heaven in our home.
After B and her fam. left I had the daunting task of tackling the yard for the first time this year. I was not at all looking forward to it but it had to be done and I refused to pay someone to do something I know I can do but would just rather not. (back story, last August with the hubbs was away for a month I mowed the yard right before he came home, it took me over 3 hours to do and I killed the grass completely because I cut it so low.) I was determined to have a better experience this time around and that I did. I put on my iTunes and went to work. It took me just less than 2 hours to mow and edge. We've got a BIG back yard so it was a little time consuming. Thankfully the grass hadn't majorly gotten out of hand yet so it wasn't to bad. I laid seed in hopes to help the grass grow so we have a pretty green yard. Fingers crossed I can keep up with it over the next several months with the hubbs away. I just keep telling myself that I'm getting a good work out in while doing it, so I mean that's motivation in its self. Two birds with one stone.
All in all it was a great day that ended with a nice little stroll around the neighborhood with the pups. 

Cooking For One

I've been missing this handsome fella something fierce here lately. Time is creeping by and its got me going stir crazy. I feel like there's still so much time to go and so much happening before he gets home. I'm swamped with work and school, on top of trying to maintain a healthy well balanced diet and work out plan. I'm managing I am, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have my bad days. 

Hurry home baby I miss you, to pieces and your dogs are driving me crazy!!!! 

This is one of the pictures from the night he left, which I never posted because they break my heart every time I look at them. 

While G's been away I've completely changed my eating habits.... for the better. I'm by no means converting to going 100% clean but I am happy to say that I am now eating 75-80 % clean meals which is a huge change for me. I did a straight 15 days clean eating the last part of March and well I only caved twice during those 15 days. Progress and Practice People. 

I've enjoyed making some yummy new meals and even revamping some of our favorite meals into a healthy cleaner version. 

Scrambled Eggs, Grilled Chicken and Spinach for breakfast. 

Baked Apple Slices for a afternoon snack. 

Turkey Taco Salad w/ Fresh Canned Salsa for dinner.

 Are just a few of the yummy dishes I've been cooking up here these past few weeks. 

Speaking of being swamped with School, My friend / Co-worker / Classmate and I met up at Starbucks last weekend for a study date and spent a good 3+ hours working on one paper, ONE!!!! Only to find out a few days later we still needed to add to it. Not much but still, the fact that I had it or though I had it done and now its not is so aggravating. This whole back to school thing is still new to me, but I'm making it work. I'm so blessed and glad to be back in the classroom, but ready for summer break. (did I mention I might be taking a summer class aahhhhh)

Oh and I'm officially back on the streets!!! I took the winter off from running, why well because it was freaking cold out and I'm a wimp. I feel like a new person out there running. I was worried I'd struggle a bit at first to get my grove back but that hasn't been the case and it just makes me want to push and strive that much more. It just goes to show that this new life style I've created for myself has really benefited me in more way's then one.

 It's My Birthday Month!!! Holla!!!! 

And I've set a goal to run 29 miles in the month of April to celebrate my (soon to be) 29 years of life!!! 9 miles down and only 20 to go, I'm off to a great start!! 

And just for fun.....we got new jump ropes at school this past week and I had so much fun getting out there and breaking them in with the kids. I seriously felt like I was back in middle school gym class. Anyone looking to get me a birthday gift, here's a idea!!!! lol. No but for reals!!! 

Weekly Check In

                    This past week I challenged myself to finish out the month of March (which would be 16 days) by eating a completely CLEAN diet. I took some picture through out the week to help keep me accountable. I’ve been working out every morning when I get up before work since the hubbs left. I actually really look forward to waking up and working out each morning. I have also been walking the pups faithfully every day, some times multiple times a day. I’ve been really watching what I eat and controlling my portions (this one has been a big one, but I’m managing just fine). I’ve completely cut out Fast Food all together from my diet and I don’t do Soda. (I haven’t in 4 years.) Not to say that I don’t go out to eat here or there because I do. I’ve just cut out the junk. It started as simply just something to give up while the hubbs was deployed and nothing more. But I’m to the point were I will not go back. I’m sure I’ll have my day’s once he comes home were I’ll struggle to say no because it will just be quick and easy but I’m determined to stick with it. It's a lifestyle change not a diet. 

Saturday, I decided to change it up a bit so the pups and I went up to the Greenway for a stroll. What was just going to be a brisk 4 mile walk turned into a 3 mile run with a mile walk in-between. I would have ran the whole thing but Bailey my bigger pup couldn’t hang. When she’s done she stop’s dead in her tracks and doesn’t move. So I had to walk a bit between mile 2.5 and 3 to give her a rest. I had no intentions on running when I left my house but thankfully I had on good supportive shoes. No running watch, which in hin’s sight was probably better because I didn’t get caught up in my pace. Being it was my first run of the season. It did feel great though and I’m so glad I went for it. When I got home that afternoon I went straight into a 40 minute work out to finish out my day. 

           Sunday morning after church the pups and I went on a 50 minute walk around our neighborhood. It’s really not that big but I add in a side street and then loop around out circle twice and it comes out to 50 minutes. I had a good bit of homework to catch up on that I had put of so once I finished that I took advantage of having nothing to do and was completely lazy. Until 8:45ish that night rolled around I felt guilty because I hadn’t worked out yet so I got my booty up and pushed through a 20 minute work out. Going to bed feeling so much better about myself. 

               Monday morning I woke up 30 minutes earlier than I normally do got in a 40 minute work out and took the pups on a walk. During the week in the mornings I typically only take the pups half way around the neighborhood and cut through the middle street to loop back around. Simply because I always feel like I wont have enough time to make it all the way around and back before I have to leave. I though I’d give it a go this morning since I was ahead of my schedule and I had plenty of time. I even ended up running the back side on the way back. I had class that evening so I took my dinner with me and ate at work before going to class. I’m trying to avoid eating late. When I got home that night I did another 15 minute leg work out before calling it a day. Day 1- clean eating was a success!!! 

 Tuesday I started my new hours at work. The other Pre-school teacher asked if I’d be willing to switch schedules with her and work 7:30-4:30. Hello of course, I will. Anything to get off a bit earlier. The only down fall to that was, meant I was going to have to get up even earlier to get my work out in. I set 5 alarms on my phone before going to bed, fearing I’d sleep through them or hit snooze. Nope I work up right on time at 5:00am. (my goal was 5:30, but the earlier the better) I managed to get in a 50 minute work out at 5AM BEFORE work people!!! Talk about motivation. Then the pups and I headed out for our morning walk well before the sun came up. It was a bit strange to be out walking them in the dark but the temperate was amazing. 500 calories burned before 6:30am and later a freshly made smoothie in hand and I was on my way out the door to work and I even made it there 10 minutes early and wasn’t rushing at all. That evening after getting home I did a 15 minute arm work out, had my Crock Pot Chicken Salad for dinner and called it a night. 

Tuesday was also our St. Patty's day party at work and while the kiddo's enjoyed lots of yummy green treats I held my head high and ate my yogurt and granola. Day 2- clean eating in the books.

                  Wednesday was a little bit more of a struggle to get up at 5am but I managed and made it through my 50 minute work out and headed out the door for our morning walk at 6am with the pups. I used to get up work out get ready for work and then walk the dogs. But now I work out, and right after I walk the them. It makes so much more sense. I can't tell you how many times I'd get ready for work go our for a walk and come back feeling all sweaty. Ewh. This morning I though I'd run the back side of our street coming back around the neighborhood and although I did good and it felt fabulous my Fat girl Bailey though other wise. I just don't think she's got it in her any more. She can only manage running about a mile and she's done. She stops dead were she's at and doesn't move. It's so frustrating because I could be knocking two things out at once, my run and their walk. But I don't want her passing out either so I guess we'll stick to walking when I take them. 

I had a Tropical Oatmeal smoothie for breakfast that morning, took the pups on a 40 minute walk and added in a 15 minute work out from Tone and Tighten before dinner that night. Day 3- clean eat success. 

          Thursday morning up again on time, I'm quite impressed with myself for getting my booty up and moving. I really look forward to starting my mornings off with a good sweat. It's amazing what a workout will do to your attitude and out look for the day. 60 minutes done. That's been my goal, to get my morning work outs up to 60 minutes and I finally did it. No going back now. Morning walk with a 1.25 mile run with the pups before mixing up a Berry and Kale Smoothie and off to work. Another school night so I took my Chicken Salad with me to work for dinner. It's so nice not getting home and 8:45 almost 9pm and still having to eat and get ready for the next day. I wasn't able to take the pups out that evening because it was already late and I was exhausted but I did get my evening work out in. Day 4- Clean eating done!

             Friday morning, oh how glorious it is to see you. I've only got 9 hours till the weekend. I briefly though about skipping my work out this morning but that just wouldn't have worked out. I can't tell you the last time I skipped a morning work out even on the weekends so why start with today. After my 60 minute work out and morning run with the pups I was ready to tackle the day. I have loads of home work to do this weekend but no plans other wise, so I was looking forward to finally being able to sleep in. That evening when I got home the pups and I took our walk around the neighborhood and I did this killer full body work out when we got back. Day 5- of 16 clean eating is complete. 

You start off doing 5 of each set then you go up to 10, 15, 20, 25 of each and then you work your way back down 20, 15, 10 and then 5. The lunges got the best of my and my legs are so sore. But I did it and treated myself to a fabulous salad and some not so yummy blueberry greek yogurt. I got a single serving of the Chobani Greek Yogurt and I was not a fan. It may have simply been that I don't like blueberries but either way, I'll be stick with my Yoplait Greek Yogurt.

      I'm sure I wont recap each week in as much detail so I'm not even going to commit and say that I am. I do keep try of my day's on a calendar on our frig. Here's to next week and finishing out the month strong!!!

Clean Eat's

Here we are half way through March already. I can't believe how quickly time is going by. In way's I'm loving it and then in way's I'm not as crazy as that sounds. I want time to fly by because I'm over this deployment and I want my hubbs home but I'm not ready for winter again. We've just barely started spring. 

I've set a goal for myself for the next two months and I'm determined to reach it. It's totally realistic and maintainable but I need a little strong will to get me there. So I'm planning on finishing out the next 15 day's strong which includes a completely clean eating plan. If I would have though about it at the time I would have taken pictures of my meals as I prepared them and made them up this weekend but I didn't. Blogger fail. Next time for sure though. But here's the run down at what my next two weeks looks like meal wise. 

Post Morning Workout- Homemade Smoothie w/ protein. Already prepped into single servings ready to toss in the mixer with the extras. I made up over a dozen and still have plenty left that I can make. 

Breakfast- Oatmeal. Which I'll have after I get to work and settled with my kiddos. 

Morning Snack- 1 1/2 cups Green Grapes & 1 cup Strawberry. 

Lunch- Meal Replacement Shake and 10 baby carrots. 

Afternoon Snack- Greek Yogurt w/ Granola or Green Apple 

Dinner- Southwestern Chicken on-top of a fully loaded salad & half a baked potato. (week-1) Made!

             Ground Turkey Taco Meat on-top of a fully loaded Salad w/ Avocado. (week-2) 

             Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken (week-3) Already made in single servings in the freeze!

That's it,  no processed foods or extras. It's 15 day's I can do anything for 15 day's. I've been doing really well at watching what I eat and my portion control so this should (wink wink) be a breeze. Fingers crossed. Tuesday we are having a St. Patrick's day party in our class at work. I will NOT eat a Cupcake, I repeat: I will NOT eat a Cupcake. 

I've come this far, there's no turning back. 

It's not a diet, It's a life Style Change. 

On another note: I went on my first run of the season Yesterday at the local Green Way. It felt fabulous. It was only 3 miles, 2 miles ran then walked half a mile then ran the last miles. I would have ran the whole thing straight through but the pups couldn't handle it and I didn't want to push them. I've definitely missed it, I hated that I took some time off over the winter but I just couldn't hang in the cold temps. 

Catch Up and Photo Dump

I've had every intention over the last couple weeks to up date this here blog of mine but some how something also gets in the way or distracts me. So here you have it a typical Instagram photo dump to catch you all up to speed. Hopefully the weeks to come will be better than the last and I'll be more on top of things here on this ol' blog. 

(starting from the top left going over)

* I've been doing so good with my meal planning and working out. Taking it one day at a time, seeing small results and changes has definitely been my motivation to keep me going. It's not a diet, I'm on the road to a New Life Style. 

* The pups and I go walking every day, during the week we stay in the neighborhood but on the weekends we venture out to the side streets and made some friends along the way. I had no clue there were Cows right down the street from our house. 

* 13 year's ago I lost my first Grandparent. My PaPa, it was a hard day for sure. Not a day goes by that I don't miss him or think about him. I wish so badly that he could have met my husband and see the life we've built together. I know he's looking down at us and so proud, I just wish he was here to see it and experience it with us. 

*4 months, HOLLA!!!! 4 months down on deployment numero 3, with many many more to go. To many to count to be exact. Blah. I have my good days and bad days as any one does going through a deployment. Here lately I am happy to say that I have been having more good days vs. bad ones.

*We celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday at work with a movie and homemade Seuss Soup. It was the perfect way to end a crazy week! 

*Sunday Selfie, proud of the progress I've made. Almost to my goal but not quite there, so I'll be pushing and pushing till I reach it. "Slow Progress is better than no progress!"

*A few weeks back I went to a baby Shower / Sunday School Social at my dearest friend S's house. I made these fabulous Pumpkin Bread Muffins. They seemed to be a hit, there one of my favorite fall treats but really you enjoy them any time. Coming in at a whooping 145 calories each, so they must be enjoyed in moderation. 

*Dreaming of our future, Working hard to reach my Goals, Surrounding myself with positive role models and cutting out the negativity. Has done my body, soul and mind so much good. Pushing forward with a positive out look in everything I possibly can. 

*Missing my family and friends in the South. I know I just left there but I'm itching to go back. Oh how we though we had it so bad going through "Life on the Trail". Real Army / Trail Life Army they both have good and bad just has everything. Trying to see the good in Real Army again. 

Weekend Get Away

This weekend get away couldn't have come at a better time, although I almost didn't think it was going to happen with the horrible snow storm we had just got. But I was determined to get out and make it to South Carolina, one way or another. One of my dearest sweetest friends is preggers and I was helping host her baby shower. See my reasoning for HAVING to go. Sure the shower would have gone on with out me but I would have been crushed. I've been in a slump with the deployment, school and work and I needed to get away for a bit to relax and refresh. 

I already had scheduled Thursday and Friday off from work and Wednesday afternoon we closed early due to weather related problems coming in later that night. I contemplated all day on whether or not I wanted to leave that night or wait till Thursday morning, which was my original plan. But with the below freezing temperatures coming again I was worry about the street conditions for Thursday morning. So I chalked it up and headed home to pack the car and walk the dogs. I decided to I'd leave that night, take my time and if needed I'd stop in ATL to get a hotel. Not even gonna lie, it was ruff but I pushed through and made it in to Cola about 3am Thursday morning. My friend's M & C that I was staying with was so kind to get up and let me in, Bless her heart!! 

Thursday I spent the better part of my day at the school were I worked visiting and catching up with friends and the kiddos. I had a lunch date with my YaYa at our usual Mexican joint. Visited some of my favorite local stores, bakeries and caught up with some more friends. One of them being our old neighbors from when we lived on post. They are just the sweetest retired couple I'd ever met. That evening I had dinner with two of my favorite parents K & K and their little girls. Crazy how much they've grow in the short 5 months since I'd seen them. I finished off the evening at K's house catching up and playing with the kiddos.

Friday I headed to the gym for a spin class, it felt great to be back at my old gym having my booty handed to my by the lovely Khop. After M (also a host for the shower) and I met up with another one of our friends for bunch at the ever so yummy Diprato's. Seriously they have some of the best food ever. After brunch M and I ran last minute errands and did a bit of shopping in preparation for the shower, which was on Saturday. We spent the rest of the evening at home and ordered take out for dinner from Devine Food's, a yummy local Greek place. I had some home work to catch up on so while M & C got little miss Lilly to bed I was knee deep in my books. 

Saturday started early, the shower was at 11am. We were doing a brunch style so we had to head over to C's house early to get everything set up and food prepared. OMG, everything was so good and there was so so much food. It was perfect and she loved it!!! I was so honored and happy to be apart of such a beautiful shower. We wanted to make sure it was perfect because this was the only shower that B was going to have. A few co-workers from our school came so I was able to visit with them a bit more. Later that evening I said my goodbyes to M & C and headed on post to meet up with the last of our Army friends that are still at Jackson. 

My YaYa & I 

Bobbie the Momma to be 

Pit stop to finally meet sweet little L and get some love in. And much needed catching up with her momma!! 

Becky works at Victory bingo on post and C was on CQ duty so we met up with him when she got off work to visit. Becky and I then headed to play bingo at a place in W. Cola. I'd never played bingo before EVER (sidenote: she can't play at V. Bingo since she works there, who woulda thought) and I had no clue what I was getting myself into. Did you know there are a lot of rules and do's and don't's that go into the game. And let me tell you these people really get into it. I went with $20 and when it was gone it was gone. I can def. see how people can go through and blow money not even knowing it. I had so much fun though and we played till the last game which was 2am Sunday morning. It was a long day, I'd been up since about 7am the morning before and was heading home Sunday morning. Becky and I headed back to the house. They've moved since I'd been back last time and of course I had to get the full tour before calling it a night. 

That morning when we woke up C was home from CQ and he made us a yummy breakfast omelet before we headed out to get my car so I could get on the road. I hated having to say goodbye knowing I was having to head back to TN. It feels so much like home being back in SC, everything is so normal as if I'd never left. I found myself going through the day without ever thinking to get on FB or Instagram to check in on the world. I left the stress and worry of life in TN and didn't look back. I was headed back a newly refreshed girl with a new out look on life and ready to tackle the rest of this deployment and school we have to go. 

I can't wait to go back and visit again, there's possibly a trip in the horizon for the end of April. Seriously I wish we could just pick up and move permanently back already. Soon, in due time though. 

See You Soon Cola, Until we Meet again!

I'm a Texas Girl...

            ...and we typically don't ever get more than a inch of snow collectively through the winter season. (although this year I think they've got a little bit more) But back to the reason behind this post. I'm still living in the South here in Tennessee but this is as far North that I've ever lived. Over the last month or so we've gotten some snow flurries here and there we even had a pretty good snow back in January (you can read about it here!) But it was melted away before mid-afternoon. So when the forecast kept calling for this crazy winter storm we were suppose to be getting I didn't so much shrug it off but I didn't believe all the hype. Sunday night a got a text that my work was closing for Monday, shorty after that my Monday night class got cancelled. One- work never closes like ever!!! So this had to mean something, they were calling for several inches of snow over the next two days.

I have to admit I was pretty bummed about work closing, when we close for for weather related reason's we don't get paid. (please, don't even get me started on that one) If it was any other week I wouldn't have really cared but I already had take Thursday and Friday off which were going to be unpaid. (I don't get paid vacation till I've been at my school a year, blah!!)

            I woke up Monday morning to a snow white covered neighborhood. I let the dogs out back and poor Bailey wouldn't even go off the deck. I had to bundle up and go out there with her. Mean while it was still snowing pretty good. Thank Goodness work was closed, I wouldn't have been able to get out of my garage. I had laid out some ground turkey the day before (just in case things did get bad) and spent the morning cooking up some yummy chili in the crock pot and taco stew on the stove. Nothing like having some quick frozen homemade meals ready to heat up on a cold winter day. There aren't many young kiddos in our neighborhood (its mainly young married kid-less couples, or couples with little babies) but the few kids that are were out enjoying the cold white fluffy stuff. Along with quite a few big kiddos as well. There are several people in our neighborhood that have 4-wheelers and even a few that have snowmobiles. I spent the better part of the morning into the afternoon lounging around watching Netflix and listening to them ride up and down the streets. The pups would bark at the door every time they heard them go by. It got so annoying. I finally decided to bundle up and venture out into the coldness with the pups. We walked out and several of our neighbors were out enjoying the snow. The couple to the left of us had shoveled their whole drive-way. No thanks, I'll just take a stroll around the block and let the pups run around at the bottom of the hill.

        I really can't think of a time that I've seen this much snow in person before. Remember I'm from Texas, lived in Hawaii and then South Carolina. I haven't had many opportunities to experience snow and I've been ok with that. I strongly dislike the cold weather and having to venture out in it simply terrifies me. They were calling for more snow over night and icy freeze temps as over the next several days. Before I knew it work was canceled for Tuesday as well aaaaahhhh. All I could think about was my up-coming road trip for in two days. I was suppose to be leaving for SC on Thursday morning. I was helping host a Baby Shower for one of my good friends and I needed desperately to get away for a while. I was in a rut and needed to clear my head. So Tuesday after the pups and I walked around the neighborhood a couple times and up to the main road to check out the streets I though I'd try to clear my driveway. I needed to make sure I could get my car out in case we opened on Wednesday and so I could head to SC the following day. Well we don't have a shovel not even a small garden one. But we do have a large push broom so I figured if I swept out a path for the tired to lead down to the street I would be good. About half way through I pulled the car out and well got it stuck right in the middle in of the driveway. I couldn't get it back in the garage or out on the street. Hello water works, I lost it. I sat in our garage and cried my eyes out. I hadn't talked to the hubbs since Sunday night and I wasn't sure when he'd be able to get on-line again. It was a bad bad moment, I was melting and had officially reached my breaking point with in the deployment. I gave up for a while and a few hours later when out to give it another try after asking a neighbors to borrow a shovel. I guess the girl across the street from me, who I hadn't met yet felt sorry for me because shortly after she finished her drive way she came over and offered to help with mine. Bless her heart. (We're now friends and she's a pretty awesome chick!) Thankfully I was able to get the car outta the drive way on to the street to finish clearing my drive way and back in the garage. I was determined to get out of TN one way or another. I was kinda freaking out though because I had work Wednesday morning we were suppose to get another 3-inches over night.

And you guessed it Wednesday morning I woke up to a drive way and street full of snow. UGH!!! Thankfully it was soft as powder and I was able to sweep it away.

OK OK enough with the chatting here's some of the pictures I snapped through the past two days with all the snow.

After I shoveled it Tuesday afternoon.

And then again had to shovel it Wednesday morning. 

All Good Things Must Come to a End :(

That feeling when you and your best friend just parted ways, when you boyfriend of 5 years left you or when you run out of gas and its freezing cold and rainy outside. That heart wrenching feeling when you know something good has come to a end. Yup that's how I felt Saturday evening. I knew this day would come at some point or another but I was hoping it would be later. My hair straightener is completely shot. I've had it for YEARS!!! Its not fancy by any means at all. I'm pretty sure I got it from Walmart when I was still living at home. It looks awful, its been through so so much. I've had it since before the hubbs and I even met. It's been like my best friend, we've been through so much together. And the day has come were we have to part ways and say good bye. I wanted to cry, how could this be happening. Call me crazy its ok, but I've always dreaded the day when it crapped out on me because I knew I wouldn't be able to find another one like it. Its a straightener and curler in one. It works wonders on my hair. I have thick hair and it needs to be straightened after I blow dry it other wise its a hot mess, which lets face it isn't pretty at all. 

Saturday evening I was getting myself ready to head out for a girls night and I plugged my straightener in. At which point I felt this sharp pain run through my arm. It scared the living crap out of me. Now I've been shocked before but nothing like this. I looked around to see what could have happened there was nothing else plugged in or near me. That's when I picked up the straightener and notice the exposed wiring at the base of the wand. Over time with the way I wrap the cord up after each use it has bent the cord and cracked it allowing the inside copper wiring to completely expose. 

Stupidly I continued on with getting ready and letting it heat up. I mean I had to straighten my hair, and I was leaving in less than a hour. I didn't have much of a choice. I picked it up and was bending the cord back and forth at the base were the wires were exposed, why you ask I have NO idea. But it wasn't pretty, POP!!!! Sparks came flying out at me and I just knew the thing was going to catch on fire. It was far to gone for electrical tape. But still my hair had to be straightened. 

Quickly and Carefully I straightened my hair and made sure to turn it off before unplugging it. I was not looking forward to shopping for a new one. Sunday morning before church I quickly did the same  and made a quick effort to straighten my hair. I had told the hubbs Saturday night what had happened and he very sternly replied with "throw it away now and get a new one." Yes Sir Yes Sir, I will. Any reason to go shopping I guess. Although not really wanting to spend the money on one I was still hoping I could make my current one last a little longer. 

Then I remembered I had a gift card to Target from my dad that I had been holding on to since Christmas. Well this seemed like the perfect time to break it out and put it to use. After all I'm going out of town on Thursday and needed to replace it before then. 

I didn't go with the most fanciest / expensive straightener they had but I did get one that seems to work pretty darn good on my hair. I was so used to what I had I didn't think there would be anything out there that would compare. I am kinda bummed I no longer have a two in one curling iron. I guess that means I'll have to break down and buy one soon. I've been wanting to get one of the new Wand Sticks, to try out and change things up a bit. This might finally push my over the edge to break down and get one, their just so pricey and I'd worried my hair wont hold the curl.