Livin the Good Life

If there's one thing I have learned from my wonderful animals, it's to take advantage of life's little pleasures. Let this pic serve as a reminder :)

Summer Lovin

We had a delicious summer meal tonight. 

Threw some brats on the grill and I made garlic butter that we toasted on the whole grain buns. The veggie packets had squash, zucchini, onions, green beans and asparagus sprinkled with olive oil and Nature's Seasoning. And of course we can't grill with out baked beans! Needless to say, it hit the spot :D

One Awesome Day

Yesterday was just wonderful from beginning to end!

The night before I went to stay with a friend down in the city so I could be close to my conference first thing in the morning. We hadn't seen each other in months so it was great to spend time together. What was even better was the breakfast she made me first thing in the morning before I had to go be all professional and such.

Here's my eggs with spinach, fresh fruit, honey wheat english muffin with peach pecan butter and Dunkin Donuts coffee with carmel machiatto creamer!

After nourishing myself and fixing my new SHORT haircut, I fought through traffic to get to the Cox Convention Center. I spent the day meeting new people and learning all kinds of new things! I'm so glad that I got to take advantage of this opportunity.

My Vera Bradley was taking over the bathroom LOL

And the day didn't end there. Since I was already in Bricktown, I had Amber meet me for a wine tasting at Put A Cork In It. Ah-Maz-Ing!!! They are a local winery with serveral different wines and we tried just about all of them. We absolutely loved the wine and the conversation we had with the owners; check them out if you ever get the chance!

Then we walked down to the botanical gardens where there was a huge art show. I wish I had all kinds of money; I would have bought sooooo much beautiful art. As dinner time approached we decided to head over to the Bricktown Brewery. Yes, another tasting. We both got the sample set so we could try all six brews. I can't wait to take my husband. And I can't wait to try more of their scrumptious menu.

With our adventure coming to an end, I headed home to spend sometime with the hubby before calling the day complete. All-in-all it was a fantastic day!!

It's All Gone!

That's right! I cut it all off!! I realized I had enough hair to donate to Locks of Love so I went and took off 10 inches. This is one of the most dramatic changes I've done recently so it was very exciting. Loving it!!

Hooray

After a wonderful 24 hours with my parents and sisters, Austin and I came home to spend time with our boys and a couple of friends. And then I made scrumpcious pancake cups filled with strawberry topping!!  They were so very wonderful!

And then tomorrow, I'm back to being good about what I eat and getting to the gym. :)

Balance

I seem to be struggling with finding balance in my life. I want to be relaxed and carefree and enjoy life. But letting things slide does not seem to be the answer to happiness....

Energy has alot to do with it. I frequently find myself wanting to be lazy. So then the housework slides for a couple of days and then my mom makes a not-so-surprise visit and I'm not at all prepared for her to be in my house.

Diet and exercise are always 'solutions' for such an energy issue. And just as common as the solution is the issue that the solution itself requires too much energy to implement. I just need to kick myself in the ass and make it happen.

This struggle is nothing new to my life. My husband has spent the last 6 years trying to help me even out my stress and chill. So I've gotten to where when I'm with him I don't want to do anything but spend that moment with him. This is great except for when I let myself get completely distracted from my responsibilities. I am absolutely not trying to lay any blame on him; he has no idea it's even happening. This is my struggle that I must resolve for myself.

I have to get back to writing my list and scheduling my time so that I have my much needed couch time with my hubby while remaining productive and effecient in my wifely duties.
Here goes nothing!

Wonder in the Waves

Something beautiful has recently entered our lives. We are now the proud owners of an originally piece of art by a local artist.

This painting was done in the 1960's by Kay Stewart. She is very prominent in Stillwater; she was formerly a professor at the University and the owner of HomeCall, a home health service. Ms. Stewart is currently working to establish the Oakcreek Cohousing Community.

Austin and I have always wanted to display original, local art in our home and while I absolutely love the pieces he has created for us, it is really nice to have another artist's contributions hanging on the wall. So thank you Ms. Stewart for sharing your enchanting perspective with us.