My Friends Are Like Make-Up Brushes

I've never been the type of person who identifies with just one group of people.  Throughout life I have always  been friends with several different "groups".  I have always been the type of person with an awesome mixture of friends.  

Like my make-up brushes, each friend is unique in what they bring to my life.  No two people are exactly the same, and I love that.  Each one has a uniqueness about them that drew me to that person from the beginning.

Some of my friends, like my make-up brushes, I am in contact with on a daily basis while others I see just occasionally.  However, that doesn't mean I care less about those I don't see as often.  

I have some friends that have been with be for years, while others I have only had for a short while.  Regardless, like my make-up brushes, I have a hard time getting rid of friends.  I am the type of person that once I consider you a friend, I hold tight to our friendship.  Time may pass without seeing each other and being able to talk, but I will always be there for my friends. 

So, this is for all of you whom I have ever laughed with, cried with, ran with, reminisced with, hugged, or simply chatted with.  Thanks for being one of my make-up brushes.  Without all of my, my set wouldn't be complete.

Struggles

We all have them.

Whether they be body image, exercising, eating healthy, family, friends, yourself.... we all struggle with something or things.   The last few weeks have been difficult ones for me.  I have struggled with a lot of things.  Things that for a brief period of time, changed who I was, and I didn't like it.  Over the last couple weeks, I have been taking time to work on me.

I know I am not perfect.  I make mistakes.  But I am working to better myself.

I've had long talks with my best friend about everything.  She keeps me in check when I fall out of line.   She has seen me at my best and she has seen me at my worst. She has seen the good in me when I have struggled to see it in myself. I can honestly say she was put in my life to make me a better person.

R and I made this past weekend a date weekend.  Laundry and cleaning the house was put on hold for the weekend.  We spend Friday night at the hockey game in town and Saturday by a bonfire in our back yard.  Nothing extravagant, just the two of us spending quality time together. No friends, no outside distractions.   It was great.  Sometimes after 12 years together we tend to overlook the small things we love about each other.

All in all, things are looking up.  I can choose to be optimistic or pessimistic.

My glass is half full.

Five On Friday

Today I'm linking up with Darci for my Five on Friday.   

My five this week are things I am thankful for.

ONE: Prospective

No matter what I'm going though, things could always be worse.  I'm learning to focus on what I have and not what I don't have.


TWO:  My students

They make me smile even on those days when it seems like there isn't anything to smile about.


THREE:  Music

Music speaks when words cannot be found.  My days would be boring without music.


FOUR:  Family

Those God has blessed me with and those friends that have become my family - they are my constant number one fans.


FIVE:  Midwest Sunrises

They are breath taking this time of year.

 

Happy Friday, everyone!

10 Day Cleanse - Day 1 (Take 3)

Good morning!

Today started my third round of the AdvoCare 10 Day Cleanse.  I was actually really excited to start this round.  I love the way I feel after I'm done! 

R had already left for work when I got up this morning, so he wasn't there to take my "before" photo.   That's on the agenda for tonight after I survive a long night of parent, teacher conferences.  I can tell you when I stepped on the scale to get my starting weight, I wasn't mad about it.

The scale read 137 (I am 5'5").  Yesterday morning I was 135, but ate everything in sight since I knew the next 10 days wouldn't allow anything good fun. 

My morning started with my fiber drink and Omega Plex vitamin.

For breakfast I whipped up my very first green smoothie.  I was a little nervous, but it turned out DELICIOUS!  This will definitely be a breakfast staple during, and after, my cleanse.  It was so filling! 

Source

I didn't add the banana, mostly because we didn't have any and partly because I'm not a big fan of the texture of bananas when they are blended.  I did add some chia seeds for extra fiber (as if I need that right now, but I put then in/on just about everything).  The picture above makes it look more yellow than green, which wasn't the case at all.  

The rest of my menu at school this...

Like I said, we have parent-teacher conferences tonight so I packed a few extra snacks.  They feed us at school on these nights, but I don't know what they will be providing, so I was sure to pack enough to tide me over until I get home tonight.  

And finally, one last picture of my view this morning.

Nothing beats a midwest sunrise.

Cleanse day 1 - OUT!

Perfection, and a Reminder

At 7:33 yesterday morning my best friend delivered a 19 inch, 9 pound, baby boy.  He's 9 pounds of awesomeness.  This little guy has the best cheeks, the cutest little nose, and the most precious fingers and toes I've ever seen.  I can't wait to watch him grow into an incredible kid.  He has blessed so many lives already.


**Don't forget, some of us are starting the AdvoCare 10 Day Cleanse on Tuesday.  It is very gentle and will leave you feeling amazing when the 10 days are over.  You eat real food - but it must be clean (lean meats, veggies, etc).  If you want to order a cleanse you can do that HERE.  I am giving 100% of my profits from now until he comes home to Lora and Baby Harper.  So, not only will you be helping yourself feel better, but you'll be helping this little guy as well.  So far the total Baby Harper will be getting is $191!!  
THANK YOU!!  **

Thoughts... "Remember That Time" Style

So I know I promised pictures of my Sugar Love Boutique finds, and I will do them, it's been a crazy busy week and I feel like I'm hardly treading water right now, so please be patient with me.  

Today I'm giving my thoughts Kimmy-style.  She is notorious for her "remember that time" stories.  

Remember that time I had two friends, both named Jennifer Miller programed into my phone and one of them texted me about getting free tickets to Snickerz (a comdey club here) and I didn't look closely to see which Jennifer Miller it was.  So I assumed it was Fatchick2fitchick, Jennifer Miller and text her back saying I was in for the show and we should get Holly, Melanie and their husbands to come up and go too.  To which she replied, "Who??"  Yea, that was Tuesday.

Remember that time I was Face Timing with Megan and Twilight Sparkle and Megan said, "Look at Ashley's hair!  Doesn't it look like Rapunzel?"  To which Twilight Sparkle replied, "No, only pretty girls have hair like Rapunzel."  Of course we died laughing.... but I got burned by a 4 year old.   Yea, that was also Tuesday.

Remember that time two teachers at school were in charge of our United Way Campaign, but I (and another teacher) did all the work.  Then when I had had enough and got a little snippy, one of the teachers "in charge" stopped me later and asked if I was feeling better.  I gave her a funny look and she replied with, "Well, I thought maybe you were PMSing with the way you crapped at me earlier."  Really?!?!?  Yep, also Tuesday.

Just a reminder:  If you would like and AdvoCare products, I have decided to donate 100% of my profits from now until he leaves the NICU to Lora and Baby Harper.   Several of us are starting the 10 Day Cleanse next Tuesday.   If you would like to join the fun, you can order HERE.

A Little Sugar Love With Some Brady Bands On Top

Happy Friday Eve!!!

Last night I had the privilege of going over to Jill, from Sugar Love Boutique's, house to do some shopping!!  I absolutely love her boutique and I'm all about supporting local businesses.   Jill is hands down one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met!  It's obvious she, and her daughters, are very passionate about what they do.  

I left their gorgeous home with two sweaters and a necklace.  Blogger fail, I didn't take any pictures.  Count on those tonight and added to the post tomorrow.  

I also received my first Brady Bands order yesterday!!!  It was a great day! I was gifted a Brady Band which I wore during the half marathon.  I am sold!  These are the first bands I've ever worn that did not slip. at. all.  

The sequin Brady Band is a much brighter pink that what it's showing in the picture.  Can't wait to break these in at the gym and on my runs!!  

Check back tomorrow for pictures of my Sugar Love Boutique finds!!  

Happy Friday Eve!