Ginger Snapped

Getting Back in the Swing

2011-07-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a really long time since I've had anything to say in my blog. Not that nothing is going on in my life, or that I've run out of things to talk about, but that I just haven't been very interested in sharing my feelings with all of the internet. I guess though, since I'm here, that now is as good a time as any.

Where to begin?

Well, we're planning to bring another little one into the world. I am 17 weeks preggers, we just found out it's a boy and we're thrilled because that's exactly what we hoped for. Well, I'm excited, my husband is not so excited and so it's a little off balance in that department. I think the prospect of a boy is bringing him around to the idea, but it's still going to take some convincing that this is a good thing in spite of the terrible timing. We were hoping to wait a while before we had more, but as it is life happened and so here we are. And here I am looking forward to a new little one.

Life with Scentsy is also progressing quite nicely...I still love what I do, enjoy the people, product and company I work with so all is still good on that front. Pregnancy has slowed me down a bit, but not enough to make a real difference in the success or drive of my business. I am VERY excited to attend our annual convention in Ft Worth, TX in August!!!! It will be a very very very much needed break!

That's it for now. Time for a nap!

The Work Week

2011-01-03T13:35:00.000-08:00

We're on vacation visiting my family in Illinois right now, and I decided not to work while I was here. I rarely get to see my family, and I didn't want to make it all about work work work. I also told myself that I would not start working again until we were officially back in California and I could sit in my office and actually think straight.

However, that hasn't exactly worked out. It's the first Monday of 2011 and I did not want to waste a single solitary second of that time! How lazy would I feel if I decided to skip it? So I got down to business and crossed a few things off of my checklist, and I feel great! It's good to feel accomplished, and I think I'm setting a great tone for the rest of this year. Helloooo, 2011!

Also on my agenda for today was to make a few phone calls and see about getting licensed as a daycare provider. I've been tossing the idea around in my head for a few weeks, and after realizing that daycare is a suitable solution for my employment issue, I'm going for it! My reasoning? Well, I'll get to stay home with Emma, set my own hours, watch as many or as few kids as I need to, and I can still work my Scentsy business at the same time. Not to mention, it would expose me to more moms and families from my area, and I love meeting new people! I need to get out more, but heck, why not have people come to me with their little ones? We don't have a super huge house, so lots of kids is definitely not happening, but at least I'll be able to watch a few kids and bring in some extra money for the household. I'm actually really excited about the whole idea and can't wait to get started. I'm hoping to hear back about the next orientation for this year, and when I hear back I'll let you all know!

Stay tuned!

<3 the ginger

A New Year

2011-01-02T07:40:00.000-08:00

So it's been several months since I've had anything to say, and I think the New Year is a good reason to start blogging again.

We've been busy as a family, I've been busy as a mom, wife, businesswoman and friend. Kevin is officially out of the Marine Corps and is home with the family which, if I'm being honest, is really a double edged sword. I love having him home, it's nice to see him everyday and know he doesn't have to leave. It's really wonderful to be able to go to bed and know he's sleeping in the same bed as me. On the flip side, it's been difficult to adjust to a new routine with him home. All in all, it's a wonderful thing and I am so thankful NOT to have to say hello and goodbye to my husband constantly. Thank god!

Emma is growing growing growing...she knows so many things and is getting so smart. She knows her animal sounds, can count to three, knows her ABC's up to "E" and can understand almost everything I say to or ask her to do. It's pretty cute, and I kind of love it.

My Scentsy business is thriving...I've been working my tail off and it has definitely paid off! I'm glad to see that happening and am really looking forward to a new year and a new adventure!

That's all I really have to say, to be honest. It's early, I'm tired, and I'm going to go play Just Dance 2 and work off some of this holiday ick.

Tata!

<3 the ginger

A Slump

2010-09-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

It's official...I am in a slump. A funk, if you will. I went to bed at 3 am this morning, no thanks to my insomnia, and woke up around 9 am. Since I tossed and turned in my sleep all night thanks to my wonderful cough, I maybe got 3 solid hours of sleep and I want to claw everyone's eyes out today. I am the opposite of cheerful, the complete and utter antithesis of a normal, sane, happy human being. I am a total grouch today, and it's starting to wear thin on my nerves.

I don't WANT to be grouchy, I'm trying to be a new, more positive and happy me. But I can't HELP that my already sick body is worn down to the nubs and that I just cannot take it anymore. I'm pissed off at the world...at the dog for being an annoyingly major pain in my ass every single day that we've had him, at my husband for being in San Diego by himself not having to run a household complete with mini child and annoying furball. I'm irritated with myself for not taking more initiative with my business right now (I'm slacking, though I've been calling it "taking a break because I've worked so hard") and it's only serving to darken my already foul mood.
:
I need happy pills. Or cake. Speaking of cake, that's another thing I am completely pissed at myself for: my eating habits. I have been eating terribly (again) and not exercising like I was just a few short months ago. I am too tired, too bored, too everything to even bother. I'm wearing sweatpants everyday, I'm not bothering to brush my hair or put on makeup...I'm showering and brushing my teeth, but that's the extent of it. I've stopped caring, and it's making me angry with myself but for some reason, not angry enough to DO something about it.

So this slump needs to stop. I'm spiraling a little bit into a dark place where I don't do anything but read books and ignore my annoying dog and cross my fingers and pray it's almost naptime, and then when naptime comes around I hope that Emma will sleep for at least three hours so that I can have three full hours of uninterrupted bliss, but you know what? It always FLIES by. The rest of the day? It drags...but my alone time zips right on by. It's cruel and unusual punishment.

<3 the ginger

Feeling...Normal?

2010-08-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

The past week has been full of ups and downs for me, both as an individual and in my family as well. We've run into money issues for the first time in our life as a family, we've had to say goodbye to Kevin while he spends the rest of his time in the Marine Corps down in San Diego, and I've dealt with some personal reflection and serious thought about who I want (and need) to be.

Ever since my husband came home, things have been great, really wonderful between the three of us. However, I started slacking on my diet more and more until finally I just wasn't living as healthily as I used to. I wasn't paying it much attention until I pulled on a pair of my skinny jeans the other day and noticed they were a little tighter than usual. Eeek! They're usually tight and then begin to stretch out as the day goes by, but these were tight all day and well into the night when I finally changed for bed. I knew this was not a good sign!

So I've recommitted myself to following a healthier lifestyle. I'm eating right again, watching what and when I eat, and getting more exercise. And I have to admit that it has drastically changed my mood and my attitude towards life. The little things that bothered me just a week or two ago? Done. Over with and gone. The stress I was feeling over silly things? I really feel like it's just melted away (although that could be the ridiculous heat wave we're having here just melting ME away!) and I'm feeling a lot lighter in more ways than one.

Anyway, I started taking a yoga class on Mondays and I have got to say that I LOVE it! The teacher is really great and very detailed in her instructions, as well as patient and understanding with a yoga newbie like myself. An hour and a half of yoga has made me sore for two days now! It's kind of ridiculous, but it's a really great achy kind of sore that make me realize just how many muscles I have NOT been using in the past few months (or really, years!). I've taken up running/walking again and have started taking the puppy and Emma with me and am really enjoying it. It's not so much fun in this hot summer weather, but usually if we go early enough we avoid the scorching sun and the sunburn and sweat and stuff that usually come with it. Ick. I'm not sure what I'm going to do for exercise in the winter (aside from yoga) and I may just have to redo the 30 Day Shred program. It worked really well for me and I think if I just do it a few days a week it will keep me from gaining those 10 pounds that I can never seem to keep off right around the holidays. Darned food and family and stuff.

So, that's about it for today. I'm sitting in a dark office with the fan full blast hoping and praying that it doesn't get any hotter than 102 today (and really, how could it?) and waiting for Emma to sweat herself out of her nap. This heat sucks, but I'm really going to miss it when winter rolls around and I have to deal with SNOW again! Living in San Diego for two years can really throw a Midwest girl off!

Tata for now.

<3 the ginger

Going, going...

2010-08-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling a little upside down lately. I'm aware that a big move like the one we've made is apt to create some confusion in our lives, but I never thought I would be sitting on this side of it. I'm scratching my head and wondering how it is that my life has ended up where it is at.

I have to count my blessings here and say that I have an amazing family. My husband and I have our issues, some days we're just not kind to each other at all, and we make each other crazy almost every minute of the day, but at the end of the days he's the one beside me and it balances out. I have a beautiful daughter who, let's face it, is the prettiest girl on the planet (although I AM a little biased!). She is so incredibly funny and smart and wonderful that I just can't get enough of her during the day, even when she's making me nuts and getting into everything.

I have a nice home. It's not ours and it's only on loan to us for now, but it's still a roof over our heads and for that I cannot be any more grateful. I work hard to make it a beautiful and presentable home, but at the end of the day it is ours and it houses our small and growing family, and what more can I ask?

I have a business that has not only grown in the last year and a half, it has TRIPLED. I am amazed every day when I look at our numbers and see how much my group has grown, how much Scentsy love they are spreading, and how incredibly happy and excited they are to be doing so. I like to hope that I have had a hand in some of that growth! I try so hard to be a good and inspiring leader because that is exactly what my team needs and although I make mistakes along the way, I know that I am trying my best, and who could fault me for it?

I have a small and select group of very close friends who I could not appreciate more. A very good friend of mine recently put my relationships into perspective and really made me consider the people I know and choose to surround myself with. I am in a wonderful position to meet new people and create new and lasting friendships, and I consider this a gift. I have good friends in all of the places I have been - Illinois, New York, Southern California - and I will only make more of them as our life stretches out here in NorCal. It's a little scary, I won't lie. I feel myself sinking my hooks into the friendships I have already established because I am just so lonely without friends HERE, but I know that if I just venture out and share myself with the world, I'll find what I'm looking for and be able to add to my list of people I love and care about.

I'm considering this a real spring cleaning. And yes, I know it's not spring. But I am ready to clear the clutter and move beyond all of the BS and find the life I know I am meant to live. It's time to grow up and move on somewhere beyond the people who don't believe in me and what I can do. I am a force to be reckoned with and for once, I am not afraid to show my true colors.

Bring it on, life.

<3 the ginger

Growing Pains

2010-08-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

So, it's well and widely known that I am 22 years old. It is also well and widely known that my age gives me a headache - partly because of the way I respond and react to things, and partly because most people don't take me seriously, especially people who are older than me. Although most of my friends are older than I am (and it's always been that way, even since middle school) and I tend to consider myself light years more mature than most my age, it's difficult to get complete strangers to not look at me as if I were a kid.

So tell me please how I am supposed to respond when things bug me. I used to be the kind of person who let everything get to me. As of late, I've been growing up in a big big way. Some things still bug the snot out of me, but my bounce back time is much faster and I find myself saying "Eh, move on. Not worth it." THANKFULLY, this is a sign of maturity and I am just bouncing in my seat with excitement about it. However, in some aspects of life it's just not kicking in.

I think I'm going to take a few days to sit back, remove myself from the "public eye" and just think about who I am, who I want to be, and what it's going to take for me to get there. I need some serious personal reflection in every aspect of my life, both business and personal, and I'm just not able to do it when my mind is full of interference from every day life.

Thanks for listening to me ramble...see you all in a few days when (hopefully) I've got a fresher mind and heart.

<3 the ginger

Busy Bee

2010-08-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it's certainly been a while hasn't it?

It seems like it's been months since I've posted a new blog, but I have to say that I've just been so busy I haven't had a second to think, much less write. I also find that I'm short on topics to rant/rave/blabber about as of late, but I'm starting to move on from that phase.

Enter phase EXCITED! My family and I have recently moved from SoCal to NorCal and we are loving iiiit! It's so nice up here (although it's so incredibly hot...ew) and the people are incredibly friendly. On the first day we were here, our neighbors came over and introduced themselves. My neighbor just gave me cookies last night! How sweet is that? You just don't find that kind of hospitality and kindness in bigger areas like San Diego, and it's certainly nice to see.

So to return my neighbors' kindness, I have invited all of them to my fabulous Scentsy Open House that I am hosting in my home next Friday. I know that I usually don't discuss my business on here, but I want to take this opportunity to plug/brag/relish the wonderful things that have been happening for me lately where my business is concerned! My team is growing, my customer base is also growing, I am finding it easier to approach people and introduce them to the amazing product and opportunity that Scentsy provides, and I am having more fun than I have ever had doing anything! I am also working myself exhausted, but it's the kind of exhausted that wears you out and makes you sleep hard at night. I'm making myself work hard so that I can enjoy the benefits of all of that hard work in the future. Scentsy is truly incredible, and I love knowing that my actions have a direct effect on my future. It's a great thing!

And now, I am off to pass out. I am so incredibly tired!

Night all :)

<3 the ginger

A Turning Tide

2010-07-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

Well, things are definitely changing around this household. I am sad and nervous and excited to say that this will be my last Sunday as a resident of San Diego County. In just six short days, I will be moving up North to my husband's hometown and leaving behind friends, familiarity, and part of the business that I have built.

I try not to worry about either of these three things. My friends are nothing more than a phone call and an eleven hour drive or one hour flight away. Keeping in contact has never been one of my stronger points, but I am not worried about still being close to those who matter. I have friends in Illinois who I don't speak to on a daily basis who still love me, and I still love them, so I know that I AM capable of keeping up friendships from many miles away. As far as the familiarity, this is something I'm not too worried about either. I have a basic knowledge of the town I am about to move to from our trips and visits up there. I know a lot of people there already, and they know my husband and his family and therefore, they know me. The place is beautiful and honestly, the only thing I am worried about is the shopping. It's all so far away, and I LOVE to shop!!!! And the business...well, this is the part I am EXCITED for. I have met some amazing people doing what I do, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have incredible customers, an even more incredible team supporting me, and I have formed some friendships that I am positive will be lifelong. I am so excited to start my business in a place that is fresh and new, where I am known but am still a little bit of an outsider. I can't wait to expand and grow and meet even more people than I already have. I also can't wait to have a Scentsy office! Yaaay! :D

Moving is emotional for me. I saw "the end" coming about in a different way than it seems to be playing out right now, but I think that life never really works out the way you think it will. I am learning a lot of important life lessons every day of my life, and I'm glad for every second of it.

Now, time to go make some pancakes...it's pancake Sunday!

<3 the ginger

Word Vomit

2010-07-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

Today is one of those days where I just can't seem to stop talking, voicing my opinion, or writing what I'm feeling. I'm not sure why, but I think it might be that things are changing and change makes me uncomfortable, and when I am uncomfortable, I talk a lot. There is change all around my world right now, some of it wonderful, some of it not so much. I am learning some interesting things about myself and others, and discovering just how much tolerance I have for the tougher things in my life.

That being said, I want to talk about my husband today. He's been home for about three weeks, and for those three weeks we have been all about each other and family. We've had some strange things happening, a lot of stress going through our lives, and many many opportunities to fight or argue. The strange thing though (and it is strange, for us) is that we haven't truly argued or treated each other the way we used to. Not to say that we haven't annoyed the crud out of each other, but I think it is safe to say that we have both matured, and I witnessed this in a really big way yesterday afternoon. I was having a little bit of a rough day, and it was all coming to a head around the time that Kevin got home. We had bickered about something silly in the morning, but he had sent me a text message apologizing and agreeing to just not argue about it anymore. So when he got home and I was laying in bed upset, he assumed I was still upset with HIM. Rather than give me a hard time about it, he sat with me and comforted me and let me tell him what was really wrong with me. I was able to put everything I was dealing with that day out on the table. Instead of hearing "I told you so", I heard words of comfort. My husband isn't the most emotional man on the planet, and he certainly likes everyone to think that he's a macho dude, but I'm here to bust through that and tell all of you: that's not always the case. He sat and listened and then gave me a hug and let me cry a little bit and then I was over it, and he didn't really even say much of anything. In fact he mostly made me laugh, which made me feel better than anything he could have done or said.

Now, we aren't perfect. We've never been, we never will be. But yesterday was just one of those moments that brings you closer in a marriage, that makes you think "Yes, THAT is why I love this person". All it takes is just a few minutes to let someone open up and be really vulnerable, and that can make all the difference. I don't always know what to do with my life, with myself, with my marriage or family, or anything for that matter. I talk too much, I open my mouth about more than I should and, too often, to the wrong people. I let my guard down a lot and have dealt with some rocky things and learned lessons I wish I hadn't, but am ultimately glad for. I'm not sure why I have so much to say about this all of a sudden, or why I'm writing more often now than I have in quite a while. I feel like I did when I was 16, when everything is fresh and changing and different and all-consuming.

I feel vulnerable and naked about everything that is going on in my life. To be honest, I've felt myself slipping into a very uncomfortable and almost depressed state. For me, my circumstances determine how I feel about who I am, and right now my circumstances aren't ones I am really too happy about. But I think that change and growth all depend on how much you let those circumstances truly affect your perception of yourself, the world, and everything in between. I'm really hoping to grow.

<3 the ginger

A Hard Day's Night

2010-07-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's days like today that make me more than thankful for my blog. It's a place to get out what I'm feeling, what pisses me off, what upsets me, what makes me happy, and a place to just blab about random crap that nobody else cares about, but that I find extremely compelling. It's 6:45 in the morning as I write this, and I am so tired I can barely imagine starting the day, much less putting together enough coherent thoughts to form a blog post, but I will do my best.

It's been an interesting couple of weeks here at the Stepps household. My husband came home, we traveled for a funeral, had family down to visit, spent some very very very much needed time together, and then got ready to move our entire household and family at the end of this month. Naturally, this keeps me very busy and very much out of the loop with everything else. I've been finding it difficult to balance all of this with work and friends. This is the beautiful thing about my job: I can slow down with it whenever I need to. I can take a break and focus on what I need to get done, and then jump right in as if I never left. I love the flexibility of what I do, and I wouldn't want to do anything else. What other industry allows you that option to just take a few days off and then come right back like nothing happened? Hell, what situation anywhere is like that?

Of course, I have still been keeping on top of my Scentsy business as best I can. I'm going to Convention next Wednesday. Convention is basically three whole days of Scentsy spirit and workshops designed to help you grow your business, along with lots of free giveaways and awards ceremonies. Very exciting stuff!!! I am SO excited to go, I missed my first Convention last year and was so bummed out. Having been a consultant for over a year now and not gone to a Convention? Unacceptable! So I'm going. Did I mention that Wednesday is only three days before we move? Yikes!

This whole moving thing has definitely taken a toll on everything going on around here. Like I said, I'm finding it hard to balance everything all at once. Obviously, my first priority is to my daughter and husband and family, then the move, then my business, then friends, then everything else. But balance and priorities all fall together with a little more age and wisdom, so I think I might just enjoy being 22 years old and young and silly for a little while longer.

<3 the ginger

Perception and Reality

2010-07-21T23:49:00.000-07:00

This is my first blog post in quite a while, huh?

I've been insanely busy lately, and yet not so busy all at the same time. My husband came home a few short weeks ago, we've been preparing for a move and dealing with and juggling funerals, work, family, each other, and friends. Okay, maybe not friends so much.

It seems like lately, I've been out of the loop with my friends. I've talked with a couple of them about it almost as soon as I started to feel it, because I am a ginger and I say what I'm feeling almost as soon as I feel it. Of course, I am also a Gemini and that feeling usually goes away as soon as I've voiced it, leaving me to feel stupid, but there you go. It seems like the timing with my husband coming home and moving and all of this and that has just created the beginnings of a rift in some of my closer friendships. This has only been made WORSE by my most recent status updates on my Facebook about how excited I am to leave, and yada yada. It is very eye opening to see just how the things I say off-handedly can be perceived, and I have got to give my friends a really big thank you for being cool enough to admit straight up that I'm sucking lately. THANKFULLY after talking about it with some, everything (for the most part) has been patched up and all misunderstandings have been brushed aside. While there are some very important and close friends that I have not reconnected with, I have no doubts that it will happen soon. I am just ready to get back to being friends and enjoying this very short amount of time I have left in Southern California.

That being said, I'm ready. I can't tell you what I am ready for exactly, but I AM ready. I can feel a huge change coming, and not just in the monumental distance I am about to transport my family and belongings across. I feel a change in myself, a "growing up", a coming of age moment if you will. I feel like things that used to make me STRESS and worry and over analyze have become only minor slights and annoyances. Things that used to take me DAYS to stress about and then get over are rolling off of my back, or only taking me about a day to be upset about before I move on. I am not arguing with my husband quite as much (although he's still a pain in my rear most days, I'm learning to love it. Sorta.) and I am finding it much easier to tolerate those once MAJOR CATASTROPHES. I am learning to compartmentalize. My social and professional psyches are growing. I'm turning into a big girl, all grown up.

It's been a very emotional past few weeks for me, and I have a feeling it's only going to progress from here. I'm hoping this is the time where I can move past the little girl annoyances and major drama fests and just relax and feel a bit more comfortable in my skin.

Please?

<3 the ginger

Back to Normal

2010-07-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

So it has been a week and one day since my husband came home. The day after he came home, we traveled to NorCal to visit his family and attend his grandmother's funeral. On Sunday, we started the long drive back down to SoCal with his parents for a little break and vacation for them. Of course when we got here it was gray and rainy and disgusting. It has been this way all week...hell, all summer. So much for a vacation, right?

Anyway, they are leaving to go home today and my husband is back at work. It's been a good week (aside from my mother in law breaking her toe) and it's been great to have him home and have them here to enjoy it. But now it's time to get back to normal...back to full workdays instead of half days, back to doctor's appointments and Scentsy parties and moving and packing duties, errands and grocery shopping and house cleaning. It's all slowly starting to go back to normal and I have to say that I wouldn't have it any other way. I have the reassurance that my husband will be home and with us every day, and that in 3 short weeks we will be moving up North to be closer to his family.

I can't say I'm too upset about that last part. While I have my friends here and my business is expanding here, I am ready for something new. The weather here has been awful, which doesn't seem to help my feelings toward San Diego much. Our apartment is cramped and small and - after seeing our new place in person last weekend - I am ready to go and it is time to move on. I'm excited to have a house, to have my husband out of the military in just a few short months, to be close to family and friends. I can't wait to live normal lives again.

Speaking of normal, it's time to go and pack up a Scentsy order for delivery and snuggle with my girl on the couch. Life is good.

<3 the ginger

Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies

2010-07-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

Found these AMAZING "Healthified" PB Cookies on www.eatbetteramerica.com! Enjoy :)

prep time:45 min

start to finish:1 hr

makes:2 1/2 dozen cookies

1/3	cup Splenda
1/3	cup packed Splenda brown sugar blend
1/2	cup natural peanut butter
1/4	cup no-trans-fat 68% vegetable oil spread stick, softened
1	egg
1	tablespoon honey
1	cup Gold Medal® whole wheat flour
3/4	teaspoon baking soda
1/2	teaspoon baking powder
1/4	teaspoon salt

	1. Heat oven to 375ºF. In large bowl, beat Splenda, the brown sugar, peanut butter and vegetable oil spread with electric mixer on low speed until well mixed. Beat in honey and egg until well blended. Beat in remaining ingredients until dough forms.
	2. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place balls about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten in crisscross pattern with fork dipped in additional granulated sugar.
	3. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

<3 the ginger

Home At Last

2010-07-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a good long while since I've posted anything here. Alright, maybe it's only been about a week, but that's a long time! Obviously, my husband is home now. He came home on Wednesday morning, and it was AMAZING! Let me start from the beginning of the day here.

Tuesday night was a busy night for me...I did a Scentsy party and then attended the Twilight Sage: Eclipse premiere in Oceanside. I don't know WHAT I was thinking going to the midnight showing, but it was totally worth it! The movie was fantastic, ten times better than the first two (and if you know me, you know that I am quite obsessed with the first two) and very well made. So after the movie, I picked Emma up from the sitter and brought her home. We got home around three am, I stuck her back in bed and finished up some stuff around the house. I FINALLY got to bed around four am, and woke up at six. Uggggh.

Emma and I got ready and then got the call around ten am...they were on their way! It was definitely an interesting feeling...we got to their shop around 10:30ish and I was nervous and almost a little sick feeling. Thennnn the buses pulled up, they got off, and I found my husband. It's weird, but I had forgotten how tall he is, and apparently he didn't recognize me either because he glanced at me and had to glance back. Hugging him was the most amazing feeling...and now having him home has been great as well. I missed him so much, and now that he is home everything has gone back to normal and we have segued back into our old routines almost seamlessly.

Now, I am off to spend some time with my husband and family and curse this Southern California weather. What's with the cold and no sun?

<3 the ginger

Almond Crusted Chicken Breasts

2010-06-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share another recipe with all of you...I found this recipe on the Eating Well website as a chicken tender recipe, but since I didn't have the pre-cut chicken tenders it called for, I just made chicken breasts instead. Here is the recipe for all of you to try:

INGREDIENTS

Canola oil cooking spray
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 large egg whites
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast fillets

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 475°F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Set a wire rack on the baking sheet and coat it with cooking spray.
Place almonds, flour, paprika, garlic powder, dry mustard, salt and pepper in a food processor; process until the almonds are finely chopped and the paprika is mixed throughout, about 1 minute. With the motor running, drizzle in oil; process until combined. Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish.
Whisk egg whites in a second shallow dish. Add chicken tenders and turn to coat. Transfer each tender to the almond mixture; turn to coat evenly. (Discard any remaining egg white and almond mixture.) Place the tenders on the prepared rack and coat with cooking spray; turn and spray the other side.
Bake the chicken fingers until golden brown, crispy and no longer pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 174 calories; 4 g fat (1 g sat, 2 g mono); 66 mg cholesterol; 4 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 27 g protein; 1 g fiber; 254 mg sodium; 76 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Selenium (31% daily value).

Exchanges: 3 very lean meat, 1/2 fat

These are fantastic with a little honey mustard or even just straight honey as a dip or drizzled over top. I ate mine with Italian Pasta Salad and ooooh man, it was a great lunch! Definitely satisfies the craving for fried foods. I'd definitely recommend making these to replace fried chicken fingers or chicken parm. Yum!

Enjoy everyone!

<3 the ginger

Reality Check

2010-06-20T12:49:00.000-07:00

I know that for the last few posts, all I've had to do was bitch and complain and whine about how looooong it's going to be before my husband comes home, and poor pitiful me, and yada yada. But not today!

Today's post is about how LITTLE time I really have left! Dear lord...I'm not going to tell you exactly how much, but it's less than a month and that is SO not enough time. I have about three million things I need to get done before he comes home, and I've been putting a lot of them off until last minute. In a way, this is a good thing. I know that if I don't push all of the stuff I need to do until last minute, I will spend all of this time getting it done and then...have nothing to do. I don't want to be left sitting around twiddling my thumbs when I still have two days before he gets back or something like that. So I'm procrastinating.

Of course, this only means that I am going to be STRESSING big time about the things I need to do, things I no longer have time to do, and so on. My list...it's a long one. Okay it's not that long, but most of it is time consuming and important. I've got to clean the house top to bottom, sort through old clothing and get rid of the things we don't need - toss the junk, sort the donate pile out, etc - and get ready to move, clean out my car, wash my car, clean the carpets, do some DMV stuff, make his homecoming sign(s), get my haircut and do all of my pretty appointments, yada yada.

SO MUCH TO DO! And how am I spending my days? Laying by the pool and taking Emma to the park haha. I wasn't kidding when I said I was procrastinating ;)

<3 the ginger

Apple Pie Oatmeal Recipe

2010-06-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

So, I know that usually when I post recipes, it's on Sundays...but I have been making a lot of super yummy oatmeal recipes lately. I wanted to share the one I have been using for the past few days with all of you!

1 cup water
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 packet Truvia sweetener (or any artificial sweetener of your choice)
1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
2 tablespoons Cary's Sugar Free Maple Syrup

Makes 1 serving (it's a lot of oatmeal and it's only about 180 calories!)

1. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add oats and reduce to medium heat.

2. Add vanilla, cinnamon, and sweetener to the oats while they cook. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes, making sure to stir and check to see that your oatmeal isn't burning.

3. Once the oats are fully cooked, remove from heat and add applesauce. I use my applesauce directly out of the fridge, and this helps cool down the oatmeal but also allows the applesauce to warm up.

4. Pour oatmeal into a bowl and add maple syrup. Allow to cool until you can eat it without burning yourself. Enjoy!

I made this recipe to be healthy, but if you're interested in adding more ingredients to make it your own, feel free! Walnuts, brown sugar, honey (instead of the Truvia), even bits of chopped or dried apple if you want more apple flavor than just the applesauce.

Enjoy it, guys :)

<3 the ginger

Big Disappointment

2010-06-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

It is only nine in the morning, and I can already tell you that today is not going to be a good day.

For starters, I was up until three this morning because I could not fall asleep. I was watching movies and lost track of time, so by the time midnight rolled around I was wide awake. Even though I laid down at three, I think I must have tossed and turned for a while. Then my husband gets online around seven am....he sent me a message which went straight to my phone and woke me up. That was fine, I didn't mind because I am glad to hear from him, but I was wiped out. We chatted for about 5 minutes and I told him I was going to pass out since (thankfully) Emma was not awake yet and I wanted to sneak in a bit more sleep while I could.

When I fell asleep, I immediately started dreaming. I had a dream that I fell asleep on my living room floor, and when I woke up my husband had just walked in the door and was home. I was thrilled, obv, and ran and gave him a hug and all that welcome home business. I remember telling myself "This is real, he's really home, I'm not dreaming! I should go post on Facebook!" I am an idiot when I dream.

I had myself so convinced that my husband was home, because this dream was so normal that I couldn't tell the difference. I'm sure you can guess what happened next...I woke up. And was immediately devastated by the fact that my husband was not actually there. Of course at this point Emma is in her room screaming her head off. And she is now the grumpiest kid with the grumpiest mother. Running on 5 hours of sleep does not work for me.

Lord help me today. I need my husband home...I miss him so much it is killing me.

Busy Busy Busy

2010-06-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

There is something to be said for using time wisely at the end of a deployment and keeping yourself busy. That something? It bites!

I have been planning and scheduling and scheming up ways to keep myself busy every second of every minute of every hour of every day for the next few weeks or so. I've scheduled doctor's appointments, Scentsy parties, hair appointments, etc etc. I've planned out every second, so I should be way too busy to even consider the fact that Kevin will be home soon. Right? Yeah, wrong. I have completely ignored everything on that list and sat around the house every day that I don't have something scheduled. It was NOT making matters better when it came to keeping my mind off of homecoming, so I decided to fix that today.

Emma and I went to Target to return and exchange some stuff, then we went to the pool and laid around like like lazy bums. Okay, so I did some laps while holding onto her little floatie thing. SHE was the lazy bum...but she loves the pool! Then we got out and went to the park, which was a terrible idea because SOMEONE missed her nap and was a cranky little tyrant.

It's hard to watch her turn into a little kid, because she's not my sweet baby anymore. She's start growling at me when she doesn't get her way, or shrieking in protest when I do something she is NOT okay with. She kept trying to run away from me at the park, and every time I went after her and tried to grab her hand, she would yell at me. YELL. My baby yelled at me...the little shit. After a while, she didn't want to swing, or climb on the jungle gym, or run around. The only thing she was interested in was a German Shepard puppy some moron family brought to the park only to tie to a tree. The puppy was cute, but it only want to knock Emma over and, well, I wasn't letting that happen. But she tried her hardest to get away from me. After getting sick of that nonsense, I strapped her into her stroller. This only served to piss her off more and, well, let's just say we left after that. Now she's fine, of course. But I'll be damned if I let her miss another nap ever again.

Annnd now it's time for a bath and early bedtime. Thank God.

<3 the ginger

Self Sabotage

2010-06-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

So, for the past 6 months I have been working on losing weight and getting into shape. I started and quit Jenny Craig, trained for and ran a 5k, watched what I ate, started running regularly, started the 30 Day Shred, and altogether lost about 45 pounds.

So, now that I am only a few weeks away from my husband being home, this is starting to get harder. I am still motivated to workout and I exercise every day. However, my eating habits have slipped. It all started when I made some super yum Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies for some guests. Well, those cookies turned out SO good that I ate one to taste test...and then another. And then 24 hours go by and all sixteen cookies? Gone. So much for feeding my guests. Emma had two...the rest was all me. Then came my birthday...my aaaamazing friends threw a mini party for me, complete with healthy foods and veggies. And what did I eat? The BOMB ass chicken wings Julie's husband made. They were amazing. So amazing, in fact, that I ate about fifteen of them. Mmmmmm.

Then last night happened. I made a pan of Chewy Granola Bars and, of course, HAD to taste test them. I taste tested them so much I ate six. Uuuugh. I think this is a major sign that I should no longer bake. Even if they are healthy recipes, it's just not in my nature to have a lot of willpower when it comes to baked goods. They are healthy if you eat one or two...not six.

So I need to buckle down and be really vigilant about what I eat. I have got to start running again...I stopped doing all forms of exercise except for my 30 Day Shred. It's a great workout, and I burn about 250 calories every day doing it, but I need to add some more cardio. I feel like I'm not doing enough to really stay in shape and at this rate, I'm going to gain back all of my weight.

Wish me luck! Only a few weeks left of buckling down and just DOING IT! I can have willpower for three weeks...right?

<3 the ginger

The Final Countdown

2010-06-11T07:50:00.000-07:00

We're coming into the homestretch of Kevin's deployment this month, and I am starting to go insane. It's happening slowly...bit by bit, I am losing my mind while I sit here and wait for the next few weeks to roll on by.

Everybody told me this would happen. I would start getting anxious and nervous, excited and happy, bitchy and emotional. But nobody mentioned the bitterness I am feeling. I'm starting to wonder if it's just me...if I am the ONLY one who sees women who have their husbands home and hate them just a little tiny bit. Okay, I don't really hate. I am thrilled that they are able to spend time with their loved ones, that their husbands are home safe and that their worlds are complete. But I'm still just a little bitter. Is this normal? I really hope so...I don't want to be the only one who sucks at life here.

Anyway, I've been keeping myself as busy as I possibly can for the past few weeks and it's helping, but only marginally. I'm doing as much as possible...scheduling appointments, working fairs, doing parties, taking Emma to the pool, running errands, cleaning the house. Yeah, nothing is working. I am exhausted by the end of the day, and the day DOES go by faster than, say, if I just sat and looked at the clock all day. But at the end of the day, when I come home and it's dark out and it's late and time for bed, I'm still alone. It's the nighttime and the weekends that really get to me.

Maybe I am just feeling pitiful because tomorrow is my birthday and my husband is missing it...yet another thing he's missing this deployment. He is so excited to come home, every time we talk that is all we can talk about, missing each other, homecoming, and Emma. I just want her Daddy to come home NOW, so he can see how big she's gotten, how smart she is, how damned cute she is! She needs her Daddy, whether she's aware of it or not. It's killing me. These last few weeks are going to kill me.

And god help everyone around me if his homecoming is delayed. Which I'm assuming it will be.

<3 the ginger

Age Ain't Nothin But a Number

2010-06-04T23:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it can be so frustrating to look at the date on my birth certificate.

According to that very important piece of paper, I am 21 years old and about to turn 22. I was born on June 12th, 1988 and have lived one heck of a life so far. My adventures are nowhere near being over, and I've already experienced more than I ever could have imagined I would.

So why am I so frustrated with dates? Because I am still only 21 years old. In 8 days, I'll still only be 22 years old. It may not seem so big a thing, and really it's not, but I am so tired of not being taken seriously. Time after time, I am told "You are such a 21 year old." I know this...I am well aware of my age and, sometimes, my maturity level. But I am much, much more than that. I am smart beyond my years, wise beyond my years, and certainly mature beyond my years. I have much to learn in this life - controlling my temper being one of them - and I am not in any hurry to learn all of it. But at the same time, I am. I want to know when to let things go...I want to be like my Mom and not give any thought to what anyone says about me because, well, they don't matter.

But right now, at this point in my life, it does matter. And I absolutely cannot wait to be over that.

I am so ready to leave Southern California. I will miss my friends so much I can't imagine, and I have a feeling that I'm going to be keeping to myself for a while after I move, but I still can't wait to go. I can't wait to get out of this place where so many people are so YOUNG, and so immature, and so incapable of handling the life they are living. There are so many young couples with children living like they are still single. 21 year old mothers going out more often than they should, getting drunk, and posting pictures of themselves and their friends online. I used to be like that too, you know. The only difference? I was 18 years old and in college with no children.

I'm not saying there is an issue with getting out of your house and spending some time with girlfriends, maybe getting a little more drunk than you meant to and just doing something outrageously stupid. Hell, I plan to do that for my girl's night out right before I leave. But there is a difference between a once in a blue moon thing and a once a week thing.

Not. Classy.

But I guess, in all of my 21 year old wisdom, I am just being judgemental. I guess it's time to stop fighting my age and start living it as best I can...which does not include drunken parties, but does include time spent with my daughter and my husband and the rest of my family, while still being young and silly and just a slight bit immature.

<3 the ginger

Healthy Oatmeal Recipe

2010-06-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

So I have been slacking on my weekly healthy recipe post...but I wanted to share an incredibly delicious oatmeal recipe with all of you today. I made this oatmeal today and was absolutely blown away by just how yummy and filling it was! I found the recipe here :)

1 cup water
1/2 cup (40g) Old Fashioned (Rolled) Oats
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4-1/2 tsp stevia based on taste (equivalent in sweetener of your choice)
1/2 cup frozen blueberries (about 75g)

Bring water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Add the oats, cinnamon and stevia. Reduce to medium heat and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the frozen blueberries. Raise the heat back to high and bring to a boil (about another minute cooking time) while stirring to defrost the blueberries.
Remove from heat and serve!

You don't have to use frozen blueberries...I used fresh and didn't turn the heat up on the burner, but I still left them in there to cook for just a minute or two while I cleaned up from prep. I also added just a splash of vanilla and it made all the difference :)

Here is the nutritional info:

Approx Nutritional Information per serving
Servings	Amt per Serving
1	about 1 1/2 cups
Calories	Fat	Fiber	WWPs
195	3g	7g	3
Sugar	Sat Fat	Carbs	Protein
7g	0g	38g	6g

Enjoy all!

<3 the ginger

Time Time Time

2010-05-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

Is it just me, or is time just flying by lately?

I say this, but time is going by so SLOWLY that I can't seem to find enough stuff to do to fill that time. At this rate, my husband is going to be home in July, and I am so incredibly excited. I'm looking around this house and realizing that I have SO MUCH to do before he comes home. I have to clean this house and make it somewhat presentable all while making myself look pretty AND packing up this house to get ready to move.

Move, you ask? Why yes! Kevin is getting out, as I've said before, and we got the house we wanted! We'll be renting this house, not buying, but I am so damned excited I can barely contain myself! I've been looking online at decor ideas, patio furniture, lawncare items. You know, house stuff/

I know my blog is all over the place tonight and not really very interesting, but I am feeling somewhat disconnected from reality and can't seem to keep my thoughts on one subject for long. The point of this post? My husband will be home soon, I've got a lot to do, and I am really frickin excited about the next few months coming up :D

<3 the ginger

Losing It.

2010-05-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

So weight has been a really huge deal around this house lately. I am trying to lose weight, Emma is trying to pack on the pounds, and I am lugging around 50lb boxes of Kevin's crap that he's been sending home. This last part is INCREDIBLY EXCITING because it means that he will be home SOON!!! I am beyond excited and I can't wait to see him, or for him to see Emma and then check out my new killer bod!

Speaking of killer bods, that's what I wanted to talk about today. I have noticed an incredible change in myself that isn't just the size of my waist. I have turned from an unhealthy, unconscious eater to a mindful and discerning eater. I have stopped just shoveling food in my face (with the exception of my cheat nights at Army Wives Night!) and have started reading labels, paying attention to portion sizes and nutrition information. I have learned to cue into my hunger and have discovered the difference between real hunger and boredom. I have started drinking more water...heck, I've started drinking water PERIOD. I never used to drink water and now it is all that I drink...no more juice, no more pop (not even diet), no more junk. And I'm drinking almost a gallon a day...sheesh!

All in all, I'd say I've completely changed my lifestyle. Which brings me to my real point of this blog: my life has changed. I walk by the mirror, and I don't hardly recognize myself anymore. Not that this is a bad thing, but it's definitely different. I have lost 45lbs since mid-January and I am just shocked at what I see. Of course, I still don't notice ALL of the changes yet because I am not exactly where I want to be. I still see that flab in all the wrong places - like my arms - and I shake my head and tell myself I'm just not done yet. My original plan was to get down to 130lbs by the time Kevin gets home. This is still the plan, but a few months ago it was my ultimate goal. I think that now I'm going to change all of that. I want to be 125lbs and toned up when it comes time to hit maintenance mode. I'm going to really have to work hard to get at least part of the way there before he comes home, but I can do it!

I was GOING to take the whole month of June to find childcare for Emma and hit the gym with a personal trainer to really tone up, but I have a much better idea! I ordered a Polar F6 Heart Rate Monitor to see what my average HR is and see how many calories I am REALLY burning off during my workouts, and I also ordered....Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred on DVD!!! I am so excited to start this program...I've read a lot about it and have seen the before and after pictures of many people and they look incredible! I want that to be me! I want my husband to come home and be absolutely speechless - though I'm almost certain he's already going to be, I'd like at least 5 minutes of silence - and I want him to be proud of me. That is my biggest thing. He already is, but I'm not donnnne! :D

Okay, enough about weight loss! Let's talk relocating.

So it has been decided 100% that Kevin is getting out of the Marine Corps. This having been decided, we are moving at the end of July (soon!!!) and have already found a house we want to move into. His parents are going to check it out for us today and let us know what they think, and we're going to put the deposit down on the house as soon as they give us their approval! Eeeek! Now, we're only renting NOT buying, but still! I am so thrilled beyond belief because this house is cute, the town is cute, and we'll be close to family which will be wonderful! I cannot waaait!

That being said, I am really going to miss my friends here. I'm not sure what I would do without those ladies, so this transition is going to be a very difficult one indeed.

Good thing Mia is planning on totally ruining me at a Girl's Night Out before I go. Ha!

<3 the ginger

What a Waste

2010-05-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Sorry that I have been MIA for the past week and a half...it's been a busy busy busy time and I was enjoying my time with my family!

After a long visit, we got in the car around 9am and hit the road for what was SUPPOSED to be a 9-10 hour trip home. It usually goes pretty quickly, and I know the route pretty well so I almost always know how much farther we've got to go. Howeverrrr, we took a new route this time. Apparently, this new route was supposed to be all amazing and fantastical and fast and traffic free. It was all of those things and more! It was a great route, really pretty and all that...and also 100 miles LONGER than the route we usually take. Not to mention our "chauffeur" (I'm sure he just loves being called that :D) was going about 5-10 miles under the speed limit the whole way. Needless to say, the extra 100 miles and the slow speeds probably added a good hour or two to our trip. In his defense though, we were driving in the pickup truck and it's seen better days. I'd probably have driven slower for fear it might explode or something.

Anyway, the whole point of my title (and this post) is to talk about what a WASTE of a day a road trip like that is. We left at 9am...we didn't get home until roughly 8:45pm. That is almost 12 hours in the car and a whole day gone. Not only is the day wasted, but I feel "car-lagged". Annoying! I'm never going to be able to sleep, I feel dirty and I need a shower. I think I'm going to go do that now. I will talk at all of you later.

It's good to be home :)

<3 the ginger

Ouchie

2010-05-15T07:05:00.000-07:00

My body hurts.

I can't just say my back, or my legs, or my head hurts. No. My entire body has some sort of ache going on right now. My feet hurt, my calves hurt, my thighs hurt. My voice is going away, my head is pounding, and my arms...well, okay my arms are fine. So it's not my entire body, but it certainly feels like it!

Working a fair is an extremely difficult job...I just want to say kudos to the people who do it more often and for longer than I do. I am only working 12 hour days, and now here at day 3 I can hardly stand! Phew.

Don't get me wrong though - this hurts, but it's a good hurt. It's the hurt of a long day's work...it tells me I've spent 12 hours that day doing something that I LOVE. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Okay, so I would. I would totally have my husband here anyday.

<3 the ginger

The Meaning of Busy

2010-05-13T06:10:00.000-07:00

I used to think that I had some semblance of an idea of the meaning of the word "busy". It turns out that I have had no IDEA what that word really means.

It is 6am and I am awake. This should have tipped you off right away as to how much I have to get done today. The Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee starts today...yesterday was setup day and we got almost everything done and ready to go. After two trips to Walmart and a few hours of work, I think we did pretty well! There's still some stuff to get done this morning before the buildings open at 10, but I am SO thrilled about my Scentsy booth....it looks great!

Before I say anything else though, I want to say CONGRATS JULIE AND FAMILY! Julie had her baby boy yesterday morning, and apparently everyone texted me to tell me the good news but I didn't get a single one of them. I am none too happy with AT&T right now, considering other people have also been trying to text me for at LEAST a week now and nobody has been able to reach me. Greeeeat.

Okay so back on track. Setup day...where do I begin. I was up at 6am (again) and went for a run around 7am. After our run AJ and I just laid around and took care of a few random things that needed to get done. We made our first trip to Walmart and bought some necessities, and headed over to the fairgrounds. We parked, carried in all of our boxes and tables and bags and random paraphernalia, and got to work. Then we made our SECOND trip to Walmart. Now, normally this doesn't sound like such a big deal, but in this county it is. The nearest Walmart is 30 minutes from the house, so a trip to Wally World is a JOURNEY. It's ridiculous. After Walmart we went home for dinner, and then stayed up until about 10 working on some MORE stuff that needed to be done.

All in all, it was busy. I know I'm rambling and telling you boring things about my day yesterday, and it doesn't SOUND all that busy, but oh my. I had no idea how much work went into putting together a booth for a fair. The silver lining in all this? I get to tell people all about Scentsy for FOUR WHOLE DAYS!!! I am so incredibly frickin excited to be able to call this my job, you guys have no idea.

Alright, I'm off to go get some last minute things done...wish me luck!

<3 the ginger

Out of Towners

2010-05-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning marks the end of the world.

Okay, I am kidding...it really marks the beginning of a very long car trip up North to my husband's hometown. Emma, a girlfriend of mine and I are headed up there for the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee. Yeah, I know, longest name ever. But it is a 4 day event and like, um, the biggest event up there and I have a Scentsy booth!!! Woohoo!

To say that I am nervous is the understatement of the year. This is my first big solo event and I am so excited/scared/happy/terrified to be doing it. Four long days of Scentsy, but gosh do I love it!

Wish me luck everyone! Time to introduce the world to the greatness that is wickless candles :D

<3 the ginger

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

I thought about writing a post today and ticking off a list of why all mothers are amazing, why we're so strong and wonderful and important to our families and each other. I wanted to write all of these amazing things and give real insight to what being a mother is really about, but I have to say that I am somewhat lacking in that department. After all, I have only ever celebrated 2 Mother's Days as a Mommy myself...I'm not exactly supermom and I only have one kid. But I DO know the love a mother feels for her child...I love my sweet Emma more than anything. So THAT is what my post is going to be about today: the one thing that makes my Mother's Day so special, so POSSIBLE...my sweet baby girl.
Emma Lynne was born on Friday March 6th, 2009 at 1:34-ish in the afternoon. I spent nearly three days in labor with her until finally, mercifully, I had a c-section to remove the stubborn little occupant from my uterus. All I really remember of that hospital before Emma was pain, lack of sleep, and begging for a barf bag on the operating table because I was CONVINCED that I was about to vomit. And then my husband showed me my little girl.

I fell in LOVE...what a little peanut! She was so beautiful, she still is, but I was so thrilled to have her there with us.

She was weighed and measured...8lbs 6oz and 21 inches long. What a chunk! And look at those feet...oye.

We brought her home, and she loved it. And we loved her.

She started growing, of course. I tried to discourage this, but it didn't work. She still grew up and learned to roll over, crawl...and finally walk.

Of course, now she is 14 months old and walking around, talking her jibberish and saying "Mama" "Hi!" and "Bye Bye".

This little girl is the light of my world, and I love her more than I could ever say or tell her. Today is not about me as her mother, today is about the fact that she is the reason that I am a mother. I cannot thank her enough.

<3 the ginger

Achievement

2010-05-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

I have to say that today is the proudest day of my life (aside from my wedding day and the birth of my child, of course).

Today was the Aflac Iron Girl 5k in Del Mar...Sarah and I got there around 6:30-ish and signed in, got our packets, shirts, bags, bibs, free stuff and running chips and settled down to stretch and pin everything in it's proper place. To say we were nervous is an understatement. I was jumpy and jittery, and Sarah just kept saying "I'm going to vomit" over and over again. Yeah, we were a bit freaked out, and considering that this was our first 5k ever I suppose it was to be expected.

So we wandered around a bit, poking fun at some of the hardcore runners in their spandex shorts (though I can't talk since I was wearing knee-length spandex) and collecting some of the awesome free stuff. If you live in the San Diego area and like to run, I HIGHLY suggest doing the 5k/10k next year...the freebies were amazing, the people were amazing and encouraging, and it was only 25 dollars to register for the 5k. Here is just SOME of the free stuff we got:

- A black Iron Girl recycled bag
- A little AFLAC duck (Sarah was most excited about this one)
- A super nice free shirt
- Running bibs WITH our names on them
- A rubber bracelet (like the LiveStrong ones, only pink and way cooler)
- A SUPER nice pink and tan canvas tote from Bodycology
- Race snacks
- Breakfast packed inside a super cute recycled and reusable lunch tote
- Custom medals for everyone who finished, along with flowers

That's not even all of it...there were free samples galore. They really took care of us, and I loved every minute of it!

So back to the important part...the running! Sarah and I take our final pee before the race (very important) and they call us out to the track to line up. Let me tell you, there were HUNDREDS of women and children (the mother/daughter teams) on that track. The 10k ladies had already taken off several minutes before, and it was only a matter of time before it was our turn to torture ourselves. Hooray. It was so cool to see the crowd that showed up to race, the young, old, skinny, not so skinny, tall, short, runners, walkers, everyone! There was even a 3 year old who, even though she finished last (with her Mommy, of course) was the youngest Iron Girl contestant in history! She was too cute...we had a chance to chat with her and her mom and she kept saying "We won! Everyone was clapping for us!" I loved it.

Okay, back to my story. So we're lined up, nobody is moving and we're all WAY too close for comfort when suddenly...off we go! We crossed the finish line barely jogging...you couldn't even call it that, more of a hopping sort of walk. People were going slow. We manuevered our way through the walking crowd, jogging at a good little clip until about the mile marker...and that's where I lost Sarah. She wanted to walk a bit and I didn't, so after making SURE she wasn't going to hate me for ditching her, I took off on my own (this turned out to be a not so brilliant idea at the end of the race...you'll see why.)

When I was reading up on this race, I had read in the rules that headphones and music were NOT allowed for the safety of the runners, yada yada. So even though I am a major music girl and LOVE to run to music, I ditched my headphones and music for the rules. Yeah, that was stupid. Most of the people there ignored said rule and decided to just bring em and wear em anyway. I was a little ticked, but I have to say that I think I did okay without the music. I told myself that I was going to run the whole race and not walk once, and guess what? I did! Every person I passed was a small victory for me...old people, young kids, you name it, I passed em. I even passed people who looked to be in shape who were walking when I was running...RUNNING! Okay jogging, but whatever. The route was pretty flat most of the way, though the 2 mile mark was right smack in the middle of a hill. It's a pretty gentle hill, but still, oye. It was hot and I am soooo not in shape and I was running and it was early...hello! There were a few water stations and I visited every one of them, always afraid that the next one would be the last and if I passed it up, that's when I'd get thirsty. That was THE only time I slowed down, was to grab water and spill most of it down my front and throw the cup on the ground and keep going.

The finish line was pretty incredible...music, people on either sides cheering us on, it was great! I felt so awesome that I had run the whole thing and not walked once (which was my goal) and hell, just glad that I had finished! After crossing the finish line, I got my medal and my flower and my requisite cup of Gatorade and waited for Sarah. Of course, I didn't stop to think that um, HELLO, there are hundreds of people running this race and how in the heck am I supposed to spot Sarah in this crowd???? Either way, I got ushered away from the finish line and back to get my running tag cut off. Sarah and I met up at this point, thank God...she did AMAZING. I am so proud of her...her first 5k and she did it in 50 minutes, I am so thrilled and glad for her. She worked so hard to get this far!!!

We went to get breakfast and opted to skip the awards ceremony (since we both knew neither of us were getting anything for our accomplishments...food was enough) and head home. All in all, it was a wonderful day and I am so proud of us for sticking to the training, doing the Couch to 5k program, and running like the wind!

Oh! I forgot to tell you my time...I ran 5k in 34 minutes at a pace of 11:08!!! Did I mention that I was NOT in any way shape or form a runner before this? Living proof here that the Couch to 5k program WORKS. And adrenaline doesn't hurt either.

As my mom said when I told her my time, NOW I'm a runner.

<3 the ginger

Tomorrow Morning

2010-05-07T18:28:00.000-07:00

I will be waking up tomorrow morning at 5am...I'll be eating a light breakfast, getting ready to leave the house, and waiting for Sarah to come over. We'll leave and bring Emma to her sitter, and then we will be on our way to the 5k in Del Mar.

This is the first 5k that I have ever done and I have to say, I'm a little nervous! Please...pray for me. I'm going to need it!

<3 the ginger

Tick tock

2010-05-06T22:17:00.000-07:00

Time has this funny way of going so slow and yet so fast at the same time.

It seems like just the other day I was thinking...man it's only May 2nd, this month is going to pass so slowly. And now it's already almost the 7th and Mother's Day is almost here. Before I know it the month is going to be half over and then completely over and then it will be June, my birthday month! I know that I packed my schedule full of appointments and goals and events and such on purpose, as a way to pass the last bit of time before my husband comes home, but I'm starting to feel overwhelmed! Oh well...I can handle and deal.

One thing that I'm not sure I can handle is this impending sense of doom regarding the end of this year. My husband's EAS comes up in mid-December and he is convinced that he will be getting out, which is all fine and dandy but I am sitting here wondering what in God's name we are going to do "on the outside". I have nothing but faith in him, but I cannot help but worry about the what if's and the who knows in life. I need to have more faith. I need to...it's either that, or sit and worry.

Worrying is the easier option, but certainly not the most effective.

<3 the ginger

Maturity...

2010-05-05T21:58:00.000-07:00

Maturity comes in many forms, but so does immaturity.

As a young mother and military wife, I am constantly exposed to women my own age or younger who find themselves dealing with marriage and motherhood at an age when most are still finding their way in the world. Most of the women I know in this position are incredibly mature and wonderful women. They may be young, but in their minds and hearts they are grown and the just get what life is really about. On the other hand, I know so many girls who claim to be grown women that do some incredibly young and immature things. This post is to those of you (and if you're wondering if this might apply to you: you said it, not me) who need to grow up and realize some things about life.

My biggest pet peeve (and I notice this a lot) is that younger women tend to be extremely touchy about their friendships. Friendships are amazing. They can be fulfilling and incredible and wonderful. HOWEVER, not everyone has to be your best friend. Not every single person that you have met or spent time with, no matter how much or how little, has to be your closest friend ever. Sometimes, people just don't click. Sometimes you meet someone who is super! They are great, you have fun, you get along famously...but you only hang out every so often. This is not a BAD thing! I have plenty of girlfriends who live close to me that I do not see on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis - yet when we do get together we have one hell of a time. There is no love lost...life gets busy. There are children, husbands, careers and family life eating up the time of every woman I know. As far as I am concerned you should consider yourself very, very lucky if a busy mom and wife contacts you more than once a week to catch up. Some of my closest friends are women who I chat with every day...but if I were to not hear from them for a few days, my biggest worry would be "Hmm...I hope the kids are okay!" not "That bitch, she didn't call me for three days. I must not mean too much to them as a friend because they are not up my butt!" Learn this lesson. Own your independence...nobody likes a clinger.

This is all I have to say...hopefully I have taught all of you something you can apply to your own lives :)

<3 the ginger

Size 6???

2010-05-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

I want to start this post by saying that I have been working my ass off (literally) to look hot for my husband when he comes home from deployment. Starting in January with Jenny Craig and no exercise to speak of, I lost about 10-13 pounds. Then when I got off Jenny Craig in February, I started working out and doing my own thing as far as meals go...basically counting calories and eating more veggies and salads...yum! I am now down to 139 pounds....that's almost 40 pounds lost!!! I am amazed, but I haven't really been able to see the difference until now. That is, until my shopping trip today...

Thanks to Mia and her bullying me into trying them on, I am now the proud new owner of a pair of size 6 Gap skinny jeans and some shirts, all in size Medium and Small!!!! Sure the 6's are just a little tight, but I still have 10 pounds or so to go so I'm not too worried. Not to mention...I was a size 12 in January! I am so stoked, you can't even imagine. I can see now why everyone was yelling at me to get rid of the size 12 jeans I was struggling to keep on my body...they were my security blanket! I wanted so desperately to continue to wear them because they were just so cute when I bought them (40 pounds ago) and I just didn't want to move on. Not to mention they too are Gap jeans, and those things ain't cheap! I was too terrified to try on a 6 because I was afraid they wouldn't fit at all, and that would destroy all of this self esteem I have from having lost all of the weight. But they did fit, and I have to say that I am more confident than ever...

Watch out Gap, when I lose all of my weight I will be swooping in with a boatload of cash for a whole new wardrobe ;)

<3 the ginger

Crisis Averted

2010-05-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

So in my last post I made you all aware of my absolute stupidity and blonde-ness...I thought I lost my phone, and I was just absolutely devestated!

Well, it turns out that I had left it on top of the mailboxes in my apartment complex, and the manager found it. I walked into her office to tell her I'd lost my phone and to keep an eye out for it, and she held it up when she saw me. I screamed!!! I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I was and am...this phone is my life. Ha!

Anyway, I am now off to fix a ticket I got on base last week. Oy. Will update later!

<3 the ginger

Panic!

2010-05-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

I have always been an extremely forgetful person by nature. As a teenager, I was notorious for setting things down and promptly "losing" them five seconds later, which started me blaming everyone in the house for stealing my stuff. It seems that the thing I lost the most was always my cell phone. I was, am, and always will be a cell phone junkie. I love my cell phone - it is an extension of me and you will rarely find me without it, much less without it ON. So imagine me setting down my cell phone, turning around and forgetting where I put it, and then going on a crazy panicky rage throughout the house accusing everyone of stealing it. Yyyeaah, you get the picture.

Well, I went to the track yesterday to get some running in. I did my W7D1 of C25k (and failed miserably), sat down with Emma to eat some apples and peanut butter, and then we left. As we were leaving, I removed my brand spanking new iPhone from the cell phone console in the stroller and set it on the back of the trunk. I put the stroller away, got in the car, and drove off. I'm sure you can see there is a very important step missing in this sequence of events....

I have lost my iPhone. I realized this last night HOURS after I got home and noticed that I hadn't heard the damn thing ring, or beep at me over an e-mail, or anything. I go to look for it in my purse...and it's not there. Now I didn't remember taking it out of my purse when we got home, but this is nothing new so I grabbed the house phone to call it. I didn't hear it ringing. At this point, I am starting to get nervous. I flew downstairs with the house phone and start calling it again. Still hear nothing. Craaaap. I tear my car apart for a few minutes looking for it, and then resigned myself to the inevitable: it's gone.

Of course, when I called AT&T they tell me there IS no insurance for iPhone's so I would have to buy a new one straight out, no discounts no nothing. That puts a 3G 8gig iPhone at 499 DOLLARS. Oh dear. I'm glad I kept my old phone,

I am so bummed...I've only had the thing for 2 weeks and already LOVED it...and now I have to go back to my old piece of crap phone that I hate hate hate hate. This is a silly thing to complain about, I know...but I am depressed over it! That was my Mother's Day/birthday/weight loss congrats to myself and now it's gone and I can't afford to get another one. Why can't I just have one thing that I want without it going wrong?

Okay, whining over. Time to go save money so I can get another one :D

Vote for Emma!

2010-05-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

I received an e-mail today from Parents.com in regards to the photo of Emma that I submitted to the 2010 Parents Magazine Cover Model Contest, and apparently she is in the running to become one of the weekly Reader's Choice Finalists!!! PLEASE vote for my sweet girl (and her cupcake) by clicking on the link below! Thank you so much all!!!

Parents Photo Faves

Thanks all!!!

<3 the ginger

Frustration

2010-05-03T09:14:00.000-07:00

I love my daughter, and I do not know what I'd do without her, but sometimes I wish that I had a built in babysitter (like, I dunno, my husband?) to watch her when I want to get something done quickly.

I know, I know, I only have one child and it's so much easier and blah blah blah...but singleton mommies need breaks, too! I have to run W7D1 of the Couch to 5k program today...which on any other day would not be a big deal. Usually I pack Emma up in her stroller and take her to the gym on our housing grounds and she sits and watches me run. But today I am running OUTSIDE...on the track, actually running, actually propelling myself. Oh boy. The only way I can do this is to push Emma in her stroller as I run, which under normal circumstances is fine. She weighs all of 20lbs and we do have a jogging stroller. But W7D1 is 25 minutes straight of just running, not to mention this is my first time running outside in a very, very, very long time and I just don't know if pushing an extra 35lbs around is going to be much fun. Oye.

On a more positive note, today is supposed to be yet another beautiful day in SoCal! Sunny and 71 is the forecast...thank goodness! It has been so rainy and poopy and gross for the past month and I've been dying to remember what my skin looks like WITHOUT goosebumps. Warmer weather means sunshine and summer, and summer means husband coming home soon! Woo!

So I added a fun little widget to the side of my blog that I want you all to pay attention to. It's the Weight Loss Progress widget from MyFitnessPal.com, and it's pretty awesome! I joined this website a week ago today and have already lost 2lbs! The site doesn't do anything magical, but it DOES tell you how many calories you should be eating every day and how much exercise you should be doing in order to lose the amount of weight you've told it you'd like to lose. I luuurve it. Go! Join! Start tracking your calorie intake and cardio/strength training, and you will notice a difference! There is also an iPhone/iTouch app for those of you always on the go, which is so incredibly convenient because it keeps me from having to remember what I ate while I was out - thus eliminating the possibility of "forgetting" everything I ate while I was out.

Enjoy! I'm off to feed the kiddo breakfast, get her dressed and then go run for my life! Woo!

<3 the ginger

Sunday Dessert Recipe

2010-05-02T23:29:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm posting it a bit late, but I've been busy editing and creating some things on here to get it just the way I want it! I'm still not quite done, but I hope you all love what I've done with the place ;)

Anyway, I made a super yummy dessert for a get together at Sarah @ Adventures in Life's house. We were doing dinner and watching Army Wives, and since I'm on a diet and have been trying and reviewing recipes here, I figured I'd let the lovely ladies there be my guinea pigs! It seemed like they loved them, so I am going to post this recipe and tell you all to try them because they are superb!

Healthified Cream Cheese Brownies:

Prep Time: 15 min

Start to Finish: 1 hr 55 min

makes: 40 brownies

Filling:

1 package (8 oz) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened

1/3 cup Splenda

2 egg whites

1 teaspoon vanilla

Brownies:

1 box (1 lb 2.3 oz) Betty Crocker® fudge brownie mix

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup water

4 egg whites

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in remaining filling ingredients until well blended.

2. In large bowl, stir brownie mix, applesauce, water, 4 egg whites and 1 teaspoon vanilla with spoon until well blended. Spread in pan.

3. Spoon filling mixture over brownie batter in pan. Cut through filling mixture and batter with knife several times for marbled design. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

4. Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until toothpick inserted in brownie 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour. For 40 brownies, cut into 8 rows by 5 rows (this will make brownie bites). Store covered in refrigerator.

If you cut them small and make them exactly as above, they will average around 85-90 calories apiece! They are super yum and healthier than regular brownies. I suggest checking them after 28 minutes, as I baked mine for 32 and the cream cheese topping was just a tad overcooked.

This recipe is from http://www.eatbetteramerica.com/ and I love it! I cannot recommend this website enough, there are tons of "healthified" recipes for everything that you may already be eating! Enjoy the brownies, I am off to bed now :)

<3 the ginger

The Cruelest Moment...

2010-05-02T15:57:00.001-07:00

I wish that there were some way to control what I dream about at night.

Last night I went to bed at the usual time of 1am. Exhausted, I passed out and immediately started dreaming. This particular dream was wonderful! My husband came home, we...um...caught up...and he played with our daughter and fit right back into our family mold just as if he'd never left. It was great, and it felt so real that I could feel his arms around me as he hugged me.

And then I woke up. What a cruel, cruel moment for me. This dream felt so real and so VIVID that waking up to an empty bed and no hugs from my honey was a major blow to my heart. It was one of the hardest mornings I have had since my honey left 6 months ago.

The time between now and homecoming is going to be a very long stretch. Someone please put me to sleep until then....at least I know my dreams will be great.

<3 the ginger

Naptime Is the New Happy Hour

2010-05-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

I wanted to tell you Mommy's about a great book that I just finished reading on Kindle...it's called "Naptime Is the New Happy Hour" by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor, and it is HYSTERICAL!

In "Naptime", Stefanie takes you through her life as a mother to a toddler, injecting hilarious wit and snarkiness throughout each chapter. Her sense of humor and ideas about motherhood practically mirror my own, so I really connected to everything she said in this book. I want all of you to run out and buy this book right away! It was relatively cheap on Amazon for the Kindle version (iPhone and iTouch owners, there is a Kindle app available for you for free, it is the most amazing thing in the world for reading fanatics!)

You can find and purchase the book here, and you may thank me later :)

<3 the ginger

Dear (or not so dear) Deployment...

2010-05-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of May...it's a Saturday, the sun is out and shining, the baby is still asleep (yes!) and I am lounging on the couch debating the wisdom of making myself breakfast before she gets up, and thus avoiding a power struggle over the Cheerios.

This morning sounds great, right? Or at least pretty average. There's one thing missing...my husband. As of mid-April, he's been gone for 6 months. 6 long, mind-numbingly boring and agonizingly slow months. I cannot WAIT until homecoming - the date for that is a secret, but we'll just say I'm over the hump ;) - to see him again and have him home. I miss him more than I have ever missed anybody in my life.

Emma woke up in the middle of the night last night and, rather than just popping her binky back in her mouth and letting her drift off again, I took her out of her crib and rocked her. It was 1:30 in the morning and I was tired, but I think both she and I needed that moment to relax. Looking at her beautiful little face while she slept (and fought sleep) brought tears to my eyes. My sweet girl is growing up so fast, and Daddy has to be gone for so much. Her first year was full of amazing milestones - standing up, walking, saying "Mama" AND "Dada" (as well as "Hi!" and "Bye bye!"), and growing a mouthful of pumpkin teeth. There are so many more things she has done, I can't even write all of them...and he's been robbed of all of them.

Yeah, it's his job, but it still sucks. It's cruel and unusual punishment to seperate a family for this long, so let me say this: American government, if they don't accomplish anything of any significance over there during this deployment, I am going to be REALLY ticked off at you for taking him away from us for so long and having him just sit in a tent all day. Just sayin.

I am trying to be grateful for all that we DO have rather than focusing on what we don't, but weekends are so lonely and I just feel like bitching. I know you'll read this babe...so I love you, I miss you, and I can't wait for you to just come home. It's almost time to start being a little family again, because it's just not the same with you gone. Stay safe, baby.

<3 the ginger

Self Reflection

2010-04-30T14:30:00.001-07:00

For some reason, I decided that yesterday was my blog day-off. I didn't have a whole lot to write/bitch/ruminate about, so I took some time to myself. Yesterday was about business and health...well, sorta.

I did W6D2 of the C25k program, and I swear it is getting easier. Tomorrow is W6D3 which is 25 straight minutes of running, but I am excited! I am slowly but surely becoming a runner, and I feel cranky and annoyed on the days I DON'T run. I cannot wait for this program to be over so that I can run on my own, as fast and as far and as often as I want. Who knows where my feet might take me?

I worked a market with my super awesome Scentsy Star Director Cindi last night. It was cold, but a lot of fun and a great chance to pick Cindi's brain, as always. The woman is a rock star, and a great motivation! I owe her a lot of love (and coffee) for helping me find the easiest and most effective way to get my business where I want it...okay, and for the kick in the pants she gives me when I'm slacking and she knows it. Haha. Miss Emma stayed with a friend while Mommy worked her butt off (thanks Mia!) and was a good girl, as per usual. I am so lucky to have such an amazing kid and even more amazing friends willing to watch her for me! Can you tell that I am full of love today?

Okay, so this post is about self reflection and I suppose I should just get down to what I've got to say - I am finding some things out about myself that I just do not like. I've been doing a lot of reading and soul-searching and reflecting lately, and I am ashamed at the ways in which I've been keeping a lot of my life. It's time to change, time to grow up, time to move on and time to be the best person that I know I can be. I have been focusing a LOT on the physical changes I'm going through. While losing 38 pounds is great, it doesn't do me any good if I'm ugly on the inside when it matters most.

I had this long introspective, insightful, witty and charming post to write today, but I've suddenly lost all of the words for it. I just have one thing to say: I love my husband, I love my daughter, I love my family (ALL of them!) and I love my friends! Most importantly, I love myself. I say most importantly because if I don't love myself, how in the world can I love anyone else? All mommy's must remember this, and keep it close to your heart. Love yourself, and if you don't, then find reasons to! Get healthy, play with your babies, look at your husband, be glad for what you have and forget about what you don't.

I am feeling emo today. Bite me!

<3 the ginger

Calm and centered...sorta.

2010-04-28T20:13:00.000-07:00

After my epic Mommy fit that I threw today, I have to say that I am feeling much better. It took a morning shower (thank God), some laundry-washing and straightening up to make me feel better, but it certainly worked. There is still a lot to do, but now it's just Emma's toy mess I need to clean up! I swear, she is a mini-tornado. It is so frustrating to clean up a room - vacuum, dust, and make it pretty and shiny - only to turn around and see her throwing all of her toys around and pitching half of her lunch on my freshly cleaned/vacuumed floor. Oye.

I am just glad to be feeling better and while tomorrow is a busy busy day indeed, Friday will resume the deep cleaning! Hooray!

Time to dig my comforter out of the dryer, snuggle up with my pillow and read a few chapters of a new book (it's a good one, I'll tell you guys more about it later). Night all, and thanks for bearing with my whiny (and stinky) self today :)

<3 the ginger

A Nanny, a Maid, a Vacation, and a Drink.

2010-04-28T13:24:00.001-07:00

These are the things I am jonesing for the most in my life right now.

I went to bed last night at 9pm...bed, of course, meaning I laid down in my bed at 9pm and watched my DVRed DWTS and Castle episodes and didn't actually fall asleep until 11:30. Great. So much for an early bedtime and early wake-up.

Now, of course, I am grumpy and pissed off. It's only Wednesday, this week is DRAGGING by, and I am pissy. My house is a mess, my child is requiring entirely too much attention from a frazzled and sleep deprived Mommy who only JUST took a shower for the first time since Friday. Gross.

So tell me...how have I managed to become so frazzled with only one child and no husband present at the moment to bitch at me about an unmade bed? Well. I don't exactly know. I have zero motivation to do much of anything productive. My carpets need to be cleaned...but the last time I cleaned them was a month and a half ago and they are now dirtier than they were before I cleaned them! My steam cleaner is a pain in the ass that I am CONVINCED does not even put the cleaning solution into the water. Basically, it's just spitting on my dirty carpets and laughing at me for all of my wasted effort.

On top of dirty carpets, there are week old bits of food littered all around Emma's highchair that I have yet to vacuum/pick up/convince her to eat. This only complicates the dirty carpet situation, of course, making my mood even more foul than the state of my home. I have laundry that requires my attention, of course. It's not much, but it's made worse by the fact that Emma decided to pee through her diaper YET AGAIN and I have to wash her bedding for the 3rd time in 2 weeks. Fantastic. Then there's the smell.

Sure, it could be the loads of dehydrated old peas hiding in Emma's highchair making my house reek, but I know for a fact that it is not. It's the smell of dirty diapers. Regardless of how tightly I wrap them or how quickly they are disposed of, it smells like poop in my house. This is a scent that not even Scentsy can overpower, as I have found out the hard way.

So why am I telling all of you complete strangers what a complete and utter piggy mess I am? BECAUSE I AM FRUSTRATED! I am constantly tired, constantly busy (but not really busy at all, just disorganized) and constantly irritated with the situation. I really, really, really, really need a maid, carpet cleaner, nanny, and Hazmat team to come and sort out this situation.

If you need me, I'll be curled up in a ball on my couch ignoring my daughter and pretending I don't see her eating the dried up hotdogs on the floor from yesterday's lunch.

<3 the ginger

Adios April...almost.

2010-04-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

Today is Tuesday, April 27th, and I cannot wait for this month to end. The month of April seemed to drag on this year, but there were plenty of milestones to be celebrated! Emma turned 13 months old, I celebrated my 1 year anniversary as a Scentsy Consultant, and reached the 6 month "anniversary" of the day my husband left.

Okay, so the last one is not exactly one to be celebrated, but it was certainly a milestone for me in many ways: I have managed to survive 6 months without my best friend and the love of my life AND keep my beautiful girl alive for 6 months without anyone's help (thank goodness). I have managed to not burn down or destroy our home, deal with the finances, build my business, and lose 36lbs. I have to say, I know that I am tooting my own horn but I just can't help myself! I feel like I have accomplished so much in the past 6 months and there is so little time left before my husband comes home! Eeeek!

Okay, enough exclamation points. In all seriousness, the past 6 months have been a wonderful time for me to reflect and get to know myself, as well as get to know my daughter and learn to appreciate my husband and all of the wonderful things we have. I have grown so much as a person, mother and wife that I barely even recognize the girl I was before. Deployment is actually good in that one way, it seems. But that's it. Otherwise, eff you deployment. You suck.

So what is in store for us in May? May is a busy month, indeed! Let's take a look at all of the fun things on our list:

Iron Girl Del Mar 5k - this is my first 5k and I am so incredibly excited to be doing this!

Calaveras County Fair - I am doing a Scentsy booth at this four day event, and I am so excited! This is a huge step in growing my business and I could not be more thrilled! We will be staying with my in-laws for a bit and enjoying the time with them as well as introducing Scentsy to everyone we can meet up there :)

Gateway to 8k - This is the "graduate" program for C25k, which I will be starting come mid-May. It is a 10 week program aimed at getting me to be able to run 8k straight! Woot!

Random things - Doctor's appointments for me and Emma, some Scentsy parties and meetings, fairs, gym time, and chasing my little girl around. The usual :)

Sure it doesn't seem like much, but it is just enough to keep me busy while I wait for H-Day (that's Homecoming Day) to arrive. Everyone always says that this is the point when the time seems to drag and drag and draaaaaag, and I'm praying they aren't right. Sure April dragged on by, but I am thinking that might only be because there wasn't much to do. May is so chocked full of activities and things to think about/worry about/enjoy that I don't think I'll have time to breathe, much less notice the time passing slowly.

I am off to ice my calves down and cook my little tyrant some food - I ran W6D1 today and my calves are NOT HAPPY. Oh well...mommyhood continues :)

<3 the ginger

Workout Plan

2010-04-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

Not much to say tonight, but I will leave you with this little bit of motivation...I heart this song and I listen to it on repeat when I am running. Best motivation EVER!

The Dreaded Plateau?

2010-04-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

So I have noticed that for the past few weeks my weight loss has been steadily decreasing, and rather than losing a pound or two a week, i'm losing about a 1/2 a pound per week or less. I have to say that, with only 10-12 pounds to go and only a few months to lose it in, that this is really frustrating! So, I've decided to refocus myself and get back on the track I was on.

I think honestly that I am getting lazy. I'm doing the C25k program 3 days a week, and still watching what I eat (sort of), but it isn't with the same determination and drive as I had before. I think that I have gotten myself into the mindset of already being in maintenance mode, so I am cheating on my diet a little bit more, slacking at the gym a LOT more, and generally just not being as vigil as I was before. This makes me wonder, then, if I've actually hit a plateau or if I'm just not doing what I should be doing? I AM glad that I haven't gained any of the weight back, and that I am indeed still losing, but I am a perfectionist and this simply isn't good enough for me! Not to mention, if I still had a good long while before my husband came home, then I'd be cool with losing 1/2 a pound/week. But at this rate, I'll only have lost 5-7 pounds or so more by the time he gets back and that will nooooot be my weight loss goal! 130 pounds by homecoming, and I'm 142!

Time to get back on track. Time to restart my food diary, go back to only ONE 100 Calorie Pack at snacktime (instead of the 4 I've been eating) and back to burning 300 calories at the gym instead of just getting the workout done and calling it a day! It's a Monday, and I know that with a little bit of determination that I can do this! Mondays are supposed to be a fresh start...right?

Wish me luck!

<3 the ginger

Sunday Night Recipe

2010-04-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

So I am sitting here watching DVRed Oprah's and craving something super yummy to eat, and I found the perfect treat! I wanted to share with all of you the super yumminess that I discovered: Cocoa Sprinkled Frozen Bananas! These babies are super decadent AND guilt-free! An entire medium-sized banana is less than 100 calories, and it tastes like absolute heaven.

Here are the instructions for these frozen goodies:

1. When you are buying bananas, try to get them when they are already yellow and ready to eat. Green bananas are not ripe enough to eat yet and you will have to wait a few days while they ripen, and TRUST me, you don't want to wait to eat these!

2. Peel as many bananas as you want to freeze and eat. You don't have to eat them all at once, so don't worry about eating them one at a time and letting the rest sit in the freezer :)

3. Place the peeled bananas in a large freezer bag and place in freezer for a minimum of 2 hours. Any less than that and they won't quite be frozen enough and they'll thaw out too quickly.

4. After 2 hours or more, remove as many bananas as you want to serve or eat and place on a plate. You can slice them if you'd like, but they thaw too quickly for my liking so I leave them whole. Sprinkle with cocoa powder (Hershey's Cocoa Powder is what I use) and eat! I have tried cinnamon, as well and it's equally as yummy!

These things are great, frozen bananas take on the consistency of ice cream, and the cocoa really makes them taste naughty! Enjoy, fellow calorie counters! I will share a new yummy diet recipe with all of you every Sunday. Let me know how your treats turn out!

<3 the ginger

Off of my chest...

2010-04-25T11:27:00.001-07:00

Today has been all about self-reflection for me. I am sitting here while Emma naps and thinking about past friendships: ones that disappeared, ones that just didn't work out, and the ones that ended badly.

I don't know if it's just me, but I am curious to know if I am the only one who dwells on those friendships that ended badly? Am I the only one who sits and stews, and gets angry everytime I hear something new about myself from ex-friends mouths?

It seems to me that women are so hard to deal with, especially catty ones. I have to say that I have met a great deal of women out here who I ADORE - smart, beautiful, hysterically funny ladies who have gotten me through the worst of times when I needed them the most. Ladies who have introduced me to the beauty of spending my husband's money when I'm ticked off at him (just kidding babe!), who have listened to me bitch and complain and whine about some of the most inconsequential things in the world, and still acted like they CARED. Good for you, my amazing friends, because we all know that I can talk and talk and talk...and talk. And then...there are the toxic friends.

Toxic friends make me want to tear my hair out. I have done my best to rid my life of every single "friend" who has made me feel like a lesser version of myself. It is so true what they say, that people can only make you feel lesser if you allow them to. It seems though that no matter what I do, where I go or who I avoid like the plague, those toxic friends continue to pop back up. It's never direct contact, always word of mouth and rumors. At first I'm a little intrigued...these toxic friends are always so DRAMATIC (which is really what made them toxic in the first place) so their life is like a soap opera...or a train wreck. You don't wanna watch, but you just can't help yourself...and then you're disgusted with yourself for even looking that way in the first place. I hate that I am so drawn into the drama-powered black hole that is these people's live, but at the end of the day...I am glad. I can only be grateful to them. They are making the mistakes that I NEVER want to make, and I am only learning how to be a better person by not being anything like them. Seems like even crappy people have a place in this world, huh?

All that being said, I have to say that I am happy where I am at. I am a proud mother of one beautiful little girl, wife to the hard-working, crazy, wonderful father of my child, a successful business owner, high school graduate, good friend and confidante. Which is more than can be said for many of my ex-friends...and they don't call em exes for no reason :)

<3 the ginger

Good morning?

2010-04-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

Morning all...I am just going to warn you now that I might ramble and make very little sense right now. I am EXHAUSTED! I went to sleep at 1am after talking to my husband and Emma chose to wake me up at 7:30...hooray.

So we went to visit Emma's doctor last week for a well baby check-up. Good ol Doc informed me that he is worried that Emma is not gaining weight properly, and that he wants to see her back in a month to check her weight. I was a little shocked...Emma is 30 inches tall and 19lbs or so...she is just a little skinny minnie, but she's not unhealthy or bony! I was a super skinny baby, so I am not sure if she is just taking after me or if she really might not be eating enough/gaining enough. Anyway, Doc gave me a list of foods he wants her to eat for the month up to her next appt. I am obliging, of course, and then some: I'm keeping a food diary. For my 13 month old. Yyyyeaaah. Can I just say, keeping a food diary for a baby is a lot harder than it sounds! I write down all of her meals, of course...but then I will give her a snack - like Cheerios - and forget to write it down. It's annoying having ADD. Anyway, I have been making this kid better meals than I make myself...Emma gets cheesy scrambled eggs in the morning, Mommy has cereal. Emma gets peanut butter and jelly with apple slices or banana, Mommy gets a Lean Pocket and salad. Oh well...if it's good for her, I don't care so much :)

Oh, and the adorable picture of my mini-ginger (as well as our title picture) was taken by Pepper Cherry Photo! Read her blog and see her work here!

Running!

2010-04-24T21:38:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, running. Running used to be the bane of my existence. 6 months ago, the only running I was doing was to the fridge for something to shove in my face. As of today, however, I am running 20 minutes straight! Say whaaat? Let's go back to the beginning...

When my husband left in October, I was 178lbs and the heaviest I have ever been. It took me a few months, but I finally got so fed up with gaining weight and hating myself that I made a change. I started looking around for a way to lose weight, when my friend Sarah told me about Jenny Craig. She had done it, she loved it, she lost weight AND the most exercise I had to do was 30 minutes of walking a day. This sounded like the way to go for me, so I went for it. After about a month on Jenny, I quit. Sure, it worked for me, but it was EXPENSIVE! After getting off, I decided to just stick to the same meal plan/calorie counting type of plan that Jenny provided me with. Let's just say, 6 months since my husband left, I am down to 140lbs! Here are some weight loss photos:

How have I lost so much weight and managed to get so smokin hot, you ask? I've been running! I started doing the Couch to 5k program. C25k is a great walking/jogging program that gets you running 5k in 30 minutes, all in 9 weeks. I run 3 days a week for 30 minutes a day, and I never feel overworked or worn down like I used to when I would try to start a running routine. It is a GREAT program, and I cannot recommend it more for those of you interested in running or losing weight. I was NOT a runner, and this program has brought out a real passion for running that I would never have found otherwise. You can check it out here!

So I did Week 5 Day 3 today...W5D3 consists of a 5 minute warm-up walk followed by 20 minutes of running with NO WALKING BREAKS. Now, prior to W5D3, there have always been walking breaks. ALLLLWAAAAYS. I had been dreading today for, well, 5 weeks and 2 days. I dragged myself (and my mini baby girl in her stroller) to the gym. The treadmill looked scary, I was totally dreading this. But I got on, turned it on, and turned on my awesome new C25k app on my iPhone, and got down to business! The 5 minute walk...great! Easy as pie. Then came the 20 minute run, which was...easy! I was amazed! This program has really pushed me to build my endurance! I am so thrilled and so happy with myself that I CANNOT wait to start running more often. Once this program is over, I think I might become a daily runner. I may even take Emma out for a JOG with her jogging stroller, instead of just making her sit in it while she watches me on the treadmill. Ha!

Night all.

Introductions, and all that...

2010-04-24T20:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I've done it. I created a blog. And while I'm guessing that most of the readers of this blog are either A) already friends of mine or B) people who Googled my name in an attempt to stalk me, I will introduce myself anyway! My name is Lexi, and I am an honest to goodness, full blown ginger. Red hair, pale skin, freckles and everything. Sure, right now my hair is a smokin shade of red acheived from hours in a salon chair. But I AM indeed a natural redhead, so the title still fits!

Anyway...I want to write about my life. I want to tell anyone and everyone who will listen what makes me happy, what pisses me off, what makes me cry...I want to bitch and complain about stupid people in an open forum, I want to laugh and share with all of you. I want to tell all of you about my sweet little 13 month old, Emma. I want to share pictures of her, and show all of you that she is a ginger, just like her momma. I want to tell all of you how much I hate that my husband is deployed to the middle of nowhere and won't be back in wayyyyy too long. I just want to tell my story. Enjoy it.