August Goal Recap

As you may remember I set a few goals for myself over the month of August with the hubbs being gone. Over all I didn't do to bad, however there were a few area's I didn't do great in at all. Dear running injury you really cramped my running this month. More on that in a bit. I'm a little late at getting my recap posted for August, so September's goals will be up with in the next day or two.
To jog your memory here are my August Goals.

*Running- Well I most certainly didn't meet my 75 mile goal. But for good reason, well not by my choice that is. I sadly ended up straining my hip flexor and that kinda cramped my running. I made it through about half the month and totaled 29 miles. Not were I wanted to be at all, but it happens. I've never had this problem before and let me tell you it absolutely sucked. It hurts, so bad to even walk sometimes. So the rest of the month consisted of lots of stretching and icing my leg / hip. I added in a couple different work out routines at home though to kinda of make up for not being able to run and I've got my plank time up to 2 minutes and 31 seconds. I'm quite proud of myself. :)

*Saving- I actually didn't do to bad on this goal at all. I kept track of everything I spent and made sure I didn't make any unnecessary purchases. As funny or silly as it might sound it felt so good coming home at the end of the day and marking $0 on my calendar for that day on not spending anything. I was able to put a little extra aside into our savings accounts like we had planned and make a few purchases for the hubbs Welcome home gift. Not to mention I put some fun money aside for when the In-Loves come in town next weekend.

*Classroom--Success!!! I completed my classroom updates and set up. Shelves & Cubbies are labeled, Pictures are put up on wall and my centers are relabeled and they look so much better. There are a few small things that I still need to do to get ready for our be yearly evaluation coming up in November. Classroom art project, a on going art project with the kiddos, print and hang pictures from last weeks events. I completed all of their evaluations to see were they stand and have started working with them one on one in the area's they are struggling in. Over all I'm pretty happy with were I stand in my classroom.

*Eating Out- This one was a complete SUCCESS, I am happy to say I didn't eat out not one time. I did stop and get a tea from Sonic a time or two which was much needed dealing with my kiddos sometimes. But aside from that I either ate at home or at work. (lunch is provided to teachers when the kids eat) I did have a girls night out for dinner one night but that fell through. Another night I went out with a group of people from our neighborhood to a local bar. A few people ordered food and offered me some and I so kindly declined. This past weekend T from the neighborhood invited me to meet up with her and her friend J at Dunkin Donuts for girl time and "coffee". I don't drink Coffee and wasn't going to eat so I took my lemonade in with me. That same evening T invited J and I to grab dinner and then over to her house to work on a little project. I went with them to dinner at Zaxby's but ate before hand so I wasn't tempted to eat while I was there. After about a month of no eating out it really wasn't as hard as I though it would be to. Will power I tell you, it WORKS!!!! 

*Sweet's & Baking- Another SUCCESSful goal in the books. This one was hard let me tell you!!! We / I don't eat a lot of sweets but goodness every now and then everyone needs a piece of chocolate or some Froyo. The weekends were harder than the weekdays. Being home working around the house or veggie out on the couch every so often I would get a sweet tooth itch. I pushed through and didn't give in. There was no baking done in that oven of ours either. Boy that was a hard one, with the Pinterest randomness searching I found a few…ok many new yummy sweet treats that were so tempting to try but I didn't.

*Puppies- I actually did even better than I had planned out for myself on this goal. I walked the pups every day through out the month of August with the exception of only 3 days. Another one I kept track of on my calendar and made me fill good about myself by marking it down each time I'd come home from our walk. Our 3 days we didn't walk were because 1) it was raining one evening, 2) my horrible hip injury, 3) a late night errand run. We ended out the month with a 5.2 mile walk this evening at a local park / walking trail here called the Greenway. It was our (the pups and I) first time there, it wasn't to bad at all. It was really pretty and the whole trail area that we took was shaded. Next time we'll have to check out the other side of the trail. There were a couple of days I took them on two walks which I know they loved. It def. made me feel a bit better considering I couldn't run.

August shaped up to be a pretty good month even with the hubbs gone. I am looking forward to September and what it has in store for us both. I've defiantly been focusing more on my health and fitness here lately and its been going great. Makes me feel so much better about myself.
Here's to SEPTEMBER, its my brothers birthday month so its bound to be a good one, oh and the IN-LOVES are coming in a week YAY!!!!!! 

August Goals

The hubbs is going away for a month (august) bummers (darn you army and your training schedule)!!! So I'm taking full advantage of it, well the best I can and setting some personal goals for myself. I came across the idea from one of my fabulous fellow bloggers Tamara who wrote a set of goals for herself for the month of August. I might start a monthly goal post's here, simply to help keep myself accountable. We'll see. I really can't believe this starts the 3rd month (4th month for the hubbs) that we've been living in Tennessee. Were has the time gone, we've settled in quite well and are enjoying our life here but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss living in the South!!! There's not a moment that goes by that I don't wish we were there still.

*Running- I've been doing really good with my running, adding miles and dropping my pace. It's still a work in progress and that's ok with me. It'll always be a work in progress. I took some time off so right now I'm just working on getting back to were I was. Over July I ran a total of 60 miles, for August my goal is to run 75 miles. I've calculated it out and its completely doable, staying with the same routine I've been doing. I also have a time goal set for for my 5k time. I'd like to get it down below my fastest 5k time which is 31 minutes. I'm not a fast runner by any means but Its something I love to do and gives me a since of accomplishment and pride. I've got 3 minutes to drop and I'll be at my first goal time. I'm determined to get there by the end of the month.

*Saving- I'm (we're) always about saving, this is a on going goal. We have 4 different savings accounts set up. I'm kinda OCD about our finances (as I'm sure a lot of people are). #1- savings account that we put money in each month from BAH to pay our Mortgage. #2- savings account for our home, the long term goal with purchasing a home is/was to build a nest egg for our future. We pull money from BAH to go into this account as well. #3- savings account for the hubbs, we call it the Gun Fund. Each pay period we put a certain amount in it and he uses that for what ever wants for his gun / reloading hobby. #4- our main savings account that we put the majority of our funds into. The one we don't touch, we've worked so hard to build it up. So while the hubbs is gone, we will be spending less on gas, food, going out, and shopping etc. So my plan is to divide that up evenly into our savings and buckle down even more on what we put aside. In hopes to help us reach our end of the year savings goals even sooner.

*Classroom- Its going on the 3rd month at my new job, in my new classroom and it still seems to be a work in progress. When I started I took a week and worked with it the way it was. This way it allowed me to see what worked and what didn't and what I wanted to change. Once I figured it out I made the changes and adjustments needed. It worked well but there was always something that I still needed to finish up, last minute touches on this or that. Last week was our transition week, with school starting up this week. Meaning I have 15 NEW kids in my class. Just as I was getting settled, a routine, a groove, art work up, window theme's done…..I have to take it all DOWN. AAAAHHHH, of course I knew this was coming but seriously come on. I've gotten a lot done but of course there are still a few things that have been put on the back burner, for one reason or another. I'm determined to get my classroom completely set up and finished by the end of August. Sure there's always going to be art work to put on our art boards, monthly window themes to do. However the basics cubbie labels, birthday boards, napping charts, child portfolios' etc are done. One big project I keep putting on the back burner is relabeling all the shelves / toys / centers with pictures and labels. Its a big job and its going to be time consuming but I want / need to get it done. It will free up so much more time for me with the kids.

*Eating Out- Simple as that, I'm NOT doing it!!!! The only exception to this one will be if I'm invited out on the weekends to dinner with friends. Although the chances of that happening are slim to none. (more on that later) I went to the commissary this past weekend and picked up plenty to hold me over and cook through out the next few weeks. There really shouldn't be any reason to eat out. This one will be a struggle at times I'm sure. Cooking for one isn't always easy but by not eating out it will help with my Savings goal!!!

*Sweet's & Baking- NOT happening!!!! I think that's pretty self explanatory. I love love love baking but I'm not going to while the hubbs is gone. No particular reason here, just a goal for myself. Will Power People! On top of that…...NO sweets eating at all. Cookies, Cake, Cupcakes, Candy, Ice Cream, anything that could be consider a "dessert". We don't eat a whole lot of sweets to begin with but I'd be lying if I said we didn't at all. Really anyone that says they don't eat sweets is crazy. So cutting it all out for this month (on top of no eating out) while he's gone will help with keeping off a few extra pounds.

*Puppies- Oh those sweet, furry, four legged no good for nothing, hair shedding, barking dogs are our babies even when they do annoy the living crap out of me sometimes. I'll always love them. Truth be told we slack in the "dog walking" department a good bit. Partly because we both get home from work after 5pm, I do dinner, dishes, get ready for the next day, watch a bit of tv, sometimes end up falling asleep on the couch and then the next thing you know its 8pm or later and to dark outside to take them on a walk. So while the hubbs is gone my goal / plan is to walk the pups every evening after I get home from work. I'll give myself the weekends off, if I choose to. ;) Our neighborhood is a small circle, similar to a "U". The total distance starting from the entrance and back around is a mile. Of course I'll have to wait till closer to 7:30-45pm-ish when the sun starts to set and its not blazing hot outside. It will help me from being completely lazy and seeings they'll be home all day by themselves it will get them outta the house. They still have so much energy, it never seems to end. A mile power walk around the neighborhood every evening will be a good addition to staying in shape and building my strength.

Here's to a new month, goals, and finishing what I've starting and sticking with what I've got planned. I I (you) can do anything I put my mind to, and I plan on working hard to stick with and maintain the personal goals I've set for myself. I know its only going to better help me, my husband, and our future.
PS: Did I mention I start taking classes at Austin Peay State University at the end of the month, talk about a full plate. Again more on that to come later.

And just because everyone loves a good selfie!!

coming to you from the lone star state

after a few un-for scene events that started off my stay in Texas I was finally able to meet this guy. one of my very best friends had her baby in August and I've been itching to meet him.

 meet Kinsler. isn't he just a heart breaker, def. going to be a ladies man. 

his momma, big brother Aiden (who's just over a year old) went and did a bit of shopping after grabbing a quick bite to eat. then back home for some much needed catching up and baby playing.

almost 5 years ago now Ang. took in my sweet little puppy chloe. when I moved out to Hawaii I just wasn't to sure that she could make the flight, plus have to stay in corentien for the 120 days. the plan was to get her back when we moved back to the mainland. but after getting our two pups in Hawaii Ang. took over permanent guardianship. it was hard coming home the first time and her not remembering at all who I was but I've moved passed it now and know that everything happens for a reason. at least I still get to see her and spend time with her when I come to visit. 

later that evening I headed over to Plano, which is about 45minutes away from were I'm from. the army works in great ways sometimes. some of our really good friends are staying in Texas while her husband is deployed. we did so much with them when we lived in Hawaii and I missed them so much. there is just something about having a "army family" that will be with you no matter were life takes you. since V moved to the mainland she has had her 2nd baby girl and this was the first time I was getting to meet her. I saw Gigi back in December of last year when we went up to Tennessee to visit with our other friend B (who we were also stationed with in Hawaii). but boy has she grown up in the last 10 months. it really is crazy how fast they grow.

we've got a fun filled day planned for us tomorrow and then its back to Arlington for a yummy dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, BABES Chicken. Its a family style place and you just can't go wrong, the food and service is always fabulous. 

~DAY 355~

Quick to Judge....."maybe"

YEA YEA SUE ME, I CAN'T HELP IT!!!! lol 

You know that old saying don't judge a book by its cover, yea well does that go for restaurants as well?!?!? It totally does for me, I'm not a adventurer when it comes to trying new places or new foods. 

When we moved to the South I noticed a local Diner that I've never heard of before. The name seriously CREEPS me out and is so off. I've heard mixed reviews from people at work about it so I've been on the fence about trying it. Frankly I really just can't get over the name. I mean really when you hear the name LIZARD'S THICKET what goes through your head.  Country Cooking was not the first thing that passed through mine thats for sure. 

When I got off work this evening the hubbs was already home :) SWEET!!!!!!!!! We went to pick up some ammo because we were going to the range in the morning DOUBLE SWEET!!!!! On our way home I suggested to the hubbs grabbing dinner while we were out, something simple & different that we haven't tried out yet. I left the decision up to him and told him he could pick, then once he did he wouldn't tell me. I absolutely hate that aahhh I want / have to know were we are going. I need to prepare myself for what is ahead of me. Now don't get me wrong I love surprise this is just something different. 

By the direction we were going I started back tracking through my head trying to remember what was around us that we hadn't tried out. I just kept thing please don't let it be that one place please please. I asked him what kind of food they served and he replied with "country food I think". I said "Its not Lizards Thicket is it", of course I was right. My heart sank with fear I was hungry and wanted something good. He offered to go some were else but I sucked it up, telling him his choice was fine. 

When we were walking in he gave me a bit of hope.........that lasted all of 5 seconds. He pointed out the fact that they were voted Best Country Cooking.........IN 2002. Oh dear goodness, this place looked retched and OLD!!!!!!!! I don't even know how to describe it, it was just different. We went in seated ourself (the sign said to do so) and started looking through the menu. It didn't look to bad I suppose almost reminded me of Cracker Barrel, like I said almost. I ended up getting the baked chicken, mashtaters & fried okra it wasn't to bad. I wont say it was fabulous but it was pretty good. The hubbs got some kind of sandwich with fries that he seemed to like as well because he cleaned his plate.
We ended up having a nice little night out even if we were the youngest ones in the place. I'm pretty sure everyone there had some gray hair or used some form of a cane to walk with. I wonder if they though we got lost and just pulled in to the closest place we could find.
I admitted to the hubbs after we left that it wasn't as bad as I though but the name STILL creeps me out. Its just so weird I mean who the heck names their restaurant Lizard's Thicket.

~127~