Apparently this week I have been on a group fitness class kick. I woke up this morning and all I wanted to do for my workout was spin. So, I did. The class was KILLER. I have two favorite spin instructors. One is highly goofy, tells crazy stories, and gets you pumped up to sing and “dance” along to the music. The other is hard-core, tells it like its, and screams at you like a drill sergeant. Spin instructor #2 whooped my butt today. And I loved every hard core minute.

Afterwards, I had some organizing to do. I needed to go ahead and store all the clothes I found for B + M at consignment sales.

I always buy more than enough because then each item gets less overall wear so I can re-sell it down the line in nicer condition. I got all of those clothes for around $200 and will easily be able to make close to that back when I consign them later. Win-win.

While organizing, I also had to find a place to put some things my mom brought over for me this week. So weird to look back on these things. I didn’t even know I still had them! Then again, it doesn’t surprise me. My mom keeps everything.

Old cheerleading uniforms…

Old painted t-shirts to wear to football games for spirit…

My first homecoming/prom dress…

I loved that dress! And still do. I know I won’t be able to bring myself to sell it or donate it. Although I had fun at the numerous dances I went to, I don’t keep it for any sentimental value. Heck no! It’s just so pretty! Maybe M can wear it one day? She does love dresses!

Lastly, a quick question. Has my blog been giving you problems? My site’s server has been giving me a headache with my blog not loading properly a lot of the time. Sometimes only half the page loads. Comments get cut off. Pictures, ads, subscription options, etc don’t show up on the sidebars. It takes forever to open the dang thing. Annoying. I apologize if you have noticed the same.

Question of the Evening – What style of gym instructor do you like? And do you have anything from your high school days?

I didn’t go to bed until 2 am Monday night. Tuesday morning? Whatever it was, it was a time way too late for me. I had to pick up Peter from the airport and due to some inclement weather…

…his flight got in 3 hours late.Then, just as I was climbing into bed at 1 am, Braedon woke up to eat. Ain’t that just dandy? I should have been a very, very sleepy girl all day Tuesday. Yet, somehow, the day turned out better than expected. I got through quite the workout and a fun play date.

Yesterday morning I hit up the gym for some upper body weights and a run. I did the following upper body workout:

[how I create my strength training plans]

I felt okay but dragged butt the entire time. Soooo slooooow. I figured I wouldn’t have enough energy to do much with my run. Couch to 5K called for alternating 5 minutes of running with 3 minutes of walking. I started off slowly but then kept managing to increase my speed over the course of the workout. I still banged out 2.8 miles in 30 minutes, which makes this beginner runner very happy. I love when a workout turns out better than expected. Such a fabulous feeling!

After my workout and a short stopover at home, we visited a park with some friends for a walk and lunch. We walked for about 40 minutes, then settled in for a picnic. I love picnics. Fresh air. Fresh food. Totally works with my beliefs on making life better.

I had to make due with what we had for transportable food, so I went with a Morningstar Farms Garden Veggie Burger on a sandwich thing with some roasted pine nut hummus, spinach, and tomato.

It turned out better than expected! I coupled it with some snackage in the form of baby carrots, grape tomatoes, and sliced strawberries.

My friend & I had some cutesy dates.

Aren’t they adorable?! Perhaps even cuter…

Every time we come to this park and feed the ducks, I always get a flashback to doing the same with my mom at our local park when I was growing up. I love my mom! For those of you wondering, she is doing very well. The diagnosis seems better than expected as the doctors believe they diagnosed her very early. She feels great, remains positive, and continues to learn as much as she can to face her MS head-on. If I can be even half the woman and mother she is, I will have grown into someone better than I ever expected.

Question of the Day – What has turned out better than expected for you lately?