Happy Labor Day to those of you celebrating! Today goes on like any other day for me. I still woke up by 5:30 am to get some things done and still had plenty to occupy myself throughout the day. I call it a labor of love – for little M, my husband, baby B, the blog, and writing. Luckily, these things don’t feel so much like work and I don’t dread what goes into cultivating those important areas of my life. So, even though I won’t celebrate Labor Day in the traditional way, my labor of love still satisfies. It also helps I already had a fabulous weekend too, though!

Friday night, Peter and I chilled with a movie night. We had rented The Back-Up Plan with Jennifer Lopez, even after hearing some not so great reviews. Overall it was pretty cheesy, but some parts that we could relate to with pregnancy made us laugh.

Saturday, I started the day off on the right foot by taking a 3.5 mile walk on a local walking trail. It freed my mind and I enjoyed the chance to get in a good workout as well as quality time with M. We discussed colors, sang our ABCs, talked about running/walking/biking, and more. It all added up to quality mother-daughter time.

We continued that fun with lunch at home while watching the first UGA football game of the season. Yay for a win! M seems to like football…or mostly she likes the mascot Uga and saying “Gooooo Dawgs! Sic em!” so she can bark. 😉

Things relating to my friend’s wedding filled the rest of the weekend. Saturday night her aunt threw a BBQ night for family and close friends. We spent the night relaxing and laughing with friends outdoors.

I can’t forget the delicious food as well. Oh my! I had a pulled pork sandwich, a crazy sounding but delicious egg/potato/artichoke heart combo, pickle spear, deviled egg, tiny slice of pound cake, strawberry, and mini apple tart.

After church on Sunday, I attended the Bridesmaid’s Luncheon in the afternoon. My friend gifted us all with the jewelry for the wedding, a little makeup case, and some flip-flops to wear at the reception. My feet thank her for that idea!

We also dined on the most delicious Southern girl food. Her mom can somehow make the most traditional and heavy Southern items into light, healthy, and tasty creations. Chicken salad croissant, potato salad, broccoli salad, and a peanut slaw. With fresh fruit and a spinach salad. Well, minus the croissant, mini brownie and petit-four. Nothing light about those!

Even after all of that, we still had more festivities to attend. That night I picked up Peter and Makenzie to head back up to my friend’s parents’ house for her mom’s surprise birthday party. Yet again I ate well (a plate of veggies and one of the wings + a slice of bday cake) and spent time with people I don’t get to see nearly enough.

All that fun did leave me pretty drained today though. I anxiously await Peter to come home from helping work on his sister’s car. This momma needs a break. And a backrub. Braedon has been putting my body through a lot of extra discomfort!

• What was the highlight of your weekend? I don’t think I can pick one thing this weekend. I already know next weekend’s though! I have a prenatal massage scheduled for Saturday.
• Did you watch any college football? Or any good movies (even old ones!) if football isn’t your thing?

I had SUCH a great day! Nothing too amazing, but nice nonetheless. Thank you so much for the comments on my last post. Once again, please visit Faces of Beauty to support such a fabulous movement. I also couldn’t stop smiling from knowing September awaits just around the corner. All of you showing interest and looking forward to it as well puts me in a great mood as well. Thank you for that! 🙂

Another good part of the day involved restocking the kitchen and figuring out a new schedule that suits me much better. I thrive on routines and schedules. I don’t tie myself to them, but I do like having some sort of go-to plan to guide my week – with workouts, errands, blog/writing/tutoring/lesson planning/etc work. It helps me be more productive because I don’t have to take time deciding what to do each day. However, if my plan has to alter for some reason, I adjust accordingly because I keep things flexible. The set-up works well for me.

Today I switched things up by not going to the gym for spin in the morning and hitting up the grocery store instead. I avoided Monday morning spin, along with its bike thieves and overcrowdedness, and filled up our fridge and pantry.

I picked up the inevitable haul of produce, cage-free eggs, milk + almond milk, Kashi Honey Sunshine cereal, NEW! Hot & Spicy veggie sausages,  yogurts and cheeses, deli meat, a few canned goods, etc for our meals this week.

I also admit to picking up a couple guilty pleasures. Caffeine free Diet Coke, Skinny Cows, and a Lean Cuisine. I don’t feel bad having these on occasion. I have nothing to hide and I’ve already told you before how some days just call for a frozen pizza or some carbonation. Not every day but some days, yes!

I also did some restocking outside of the kitchen. I restocked my body with nutrients after a bunch of snacking on Oreo Balls and Veggie Bars Saturday and then having NO appetite whatsoever yesterday. I made a great lunch of a Cracked Pepper Turkey sandwich (with guac, baby bella mushrooms, tomato slices, turkey, and cheese) alongside a plum and some raspberries. And okay…one leftover Oreo truffle! 😀

The restocking theme continued by restocking my energy with a great Turbo Kick workout DVD. I was only able to workout 2 times last week, so it felt amazing to move my body. Now, time to restock my pockets! I have the first tutoring session of the school year tonight. Such easy money and I can do something I enjoy. Teaching without all the bureaucracy. Have a good night all!

• Do you enjoy schedules? I’m guessing most of you will say yes based on your comments about getting stressed when behind on thing. 😉 I feel you!
• What is something you love to do but working in it ruins it (or you fear could ruin it)? I really did love teaching Spanish, but the actual job killed it for me. It felt like I was being paid to go to meetings and keep up with paperwork, NOT teach.