Top 10 + lately

Top 10 ways to get your life back on track

1. Get back to your old routine- if you didn’t have one, make one. I absolutely thrive on organization and routine. I’ll be honest, I’m a complete wacko..I am very particular about certain things in my life.. I need control what can I say? When shit hits the fan, those things are the first thing to fall away which makes me even more crazy. Finding my way back to the “sweet spot” of my routine allows me to focus my energy on the things that really need my attention. 

2. Friends/Family… Even when you feel like your 100% alone, these people are there for you no matter what.. use them. Talk, don’t talk, cry, yell and scream or burn some shit.. they will still love you anyway. 

3. Workout. Again.. this one of the first things that fell off the radar. Even though a good sweat session gets your “feel good” hormones pumping.. I had a really hard time motivating myself to actually workout. Now that I’ve been getting my sweat on, I can feel good knowing I did something awesome for my body and my mind- so if the rest of the day sucks.. it’s ok.. But honestly, most of the time it changes your piss poor attitude for the better!  

4. Eat well. I know you think I’m going to say to focus on good  healthy food.. but no.. I’m telling you to eat JUNK.. Ben and Jerry’s, Smartfood popcorn, Bacon Cheese Fries, Candy and Chocolate.. basically whatever your fancy.. It’s ok- it’s only temporary- It might not be productive… but it will make you happy for now- Go with it. 

5. Eat well. OK.. so now that you’ve eaten your weight in fake cheesy popcorn and ice cream you need to balance that shit out with some veggies, fruit and protein. At least then your body is getting the right nutrients so your strong enough to face your bullshit head on. 

5. Puppy Snuggles. I can’t tell you how many times I cried on Tuna-moose, or how many times I was sad and depressed and he crawled up on me and laid down. He is a silly little freak of a bright spot in my life and I’m extremely thankful for him.. Except when he pee’s or poops in the house- both of which happened today. Thanks T-M- your kind of a douche sometimes, but I love you anyway.  

6. Burn stuff. Having a fire is therapeutic, and if anything allowing the flames to mesmerize you, is a good break from the circus of thoughts going through your head. And bonus.. you can get rid of some crap you no longer need. 

7. Get sleep… life is much easier with rest. 

8. Dream big.. it doesn’t matter what your dreaming about.. traveling, a new car, a new job… whatever..  The point is, you have to find stuff to look forward to or work towards. 

9. Be impulsive.  

10. Be you… because no one else can be. 

 I have gotten back into my routine.. at least a little bit. I went to the gym, worked out at home- including a little bit of yoga and ran a bunch of times and even ate pretty damn good. 

 The running wasn’t exactly the best- My shin splint in back in full force and my legs almost always feel like lead. 

 Funny thing is, I’m never sore from running.. or even really tired at all. But man.. shin splints are no joke.. I mean, who doesn’t like the feeling of their muscles pulling away from bone? 

I do get sore from workouts I make up on the spot.. always..  but the best part is that I have my BFF to make me laugh my way through them! 

What would I do with out YOU? 

Tuna-Moose selfies ;)

One way to motivate the mutt to sit still for these..  or at least make him incredibly happy..  Letting him lick the yogurt container after its empty (the same goes for my bowl after breakfast each day)  

 And until you give in to his pathetic little face… 

He makes funny faces pressed up against the screen.. He’s such a clown!

FOOD!

-Burrito bowls-

 -Fishies!-

 -Homemade gluten free paleo-ish pizza-

(This came out os much better than I expected and it was simple and cheap too!)

AND I finally get a fresh haircut! 

Simple- Thankful

Appreciate the little simple things

*Puppy play-date* 

Sure, things have been tough on James and I, but the boys miss each other too. This week we got them together for a few hours and they loved every minute of it. They went right back to looking after the house as a two man team. 

*Pasta*

Sometimes an Italian kid just needs a big bowl of comfort- in the form of a carb coma- even if it’s gluten-free.. it still has the same affect.. Just add too much butter and cheese (can there really ever be too much of these things?) with a little salt and pepper… simple and delicious.

*Play-time*

I love living with Erin and Lola… it has made this whole process quite a bit easier for sure. And Lola is adorable and hilarious 

 So many laughs.. and seriously.. Laughter is the best medicine 

*Snuggles*

I’m so very glad Tuna-moose was sent to me. I honestly believe Hydro hand (paw?) selected him to watch over me.. Just when I’m feeling low, he curls right next to or on me.. and I instantly feel better. He really knows how to make his Mama feel loved :)

*Mustaches*

Need I say more?

*Drinks with Friends*

Because sometimes everything makes more sense with some girl time

*Stuff that Sparkles*

The last thing I “needed” was another piercing.. but I’m a chick.. and I wanted something new and sparkly. So I dropped a stupid amount of money to get a forward helix.

 It’s tiny and adorable.. I kind of love it.

*Running on a beautiful afternoon*

Right after I got my piercing, I changed in the car and went for a 7 mile run. It was crazy sunny and just warm enough. Nothing like endorphins to put things into perspective and make you feel like yourself again ;)

*Kick ass circuits*

Paula and I went to the gym together once this week… but we made it count

3 rounds through of 50 seconds AMRAP and 10 seconds rest.. 30 minutes- Done and Done.. 

*Being Silly*

Paula, Erin and I went on a hunt for Lola’s Halloween costume.. We have the sense of humor of 12 year old boys

*Fires*

Because burning shit is awesome

*FOOD*

Lola requested kabobs for dinner.. Got to make the kid happy, no?

 They turned out so amazing.. But next time we decided to just skip the veggies.. 

Beef sticks please

*Sunday Pancake Breakfasts*

Paleo and Gluten free punks

Cooked in coconut oil, topped with an annoying amount of butter, almond butter and syrup- Enjoyed in the sun ;)

Life Lately.

Root beer floats.. with homemade root beer.. A really awesome post volleyball snack

 I got my tattoo worked on, which is both miserable and awesome all at once.

 Oh hey there Larry! 

 When Larry suggested we only work on the flowers for this session, I’ll admit I was disappointed.. But once we got started and I almost passed out.. twice.. (I probably should have eaten a bit more….) well I was happy we decided to do that. Haha..

 So pretty! 

Until the next day.. I had to work a double… and lets just say, that was a really bad idea.  But first, the puppies trying to steal my lunch

 I wanted you to see a cute picture before I scare you with this one...

 Yes, foot tattoos are painful to get.. but EXTREMELY painful to heal- especially when you don't keep  them up for a day or two afterwards.. Yeah that was a really bad idea. It felt like my foot was going to burst apart with every step.. 

That swelling lasted for over a week.. and even after it went down, healing is taking forever.. workouts were nonexistent… But thankfully this past week I got back to the gym

 Four times! 

 Yes I do heart you bacon.. Why are French fries so delicious?! Most specifically bacon cheese fries with ranch dressing..

 Oh and hey...

 There was a girls night in there too.. but since I’m taking this crazy medicine right now, I can’t drink.. like at all. Apparently 1 drop of alcohol will make me projectile vomit- and I’m all set with testing my limits on that one. The girls sipped on wine, I drank water and we chatted it up for a few hours.. I love those girls! I have to say the best part of the night was the “jello shots” that Melinda made.. I don’t know how you can mess up jello.. but it was more like jello jerky.. 

 A spoon couldn’t even cut the surface.. needless to say we had quite a few laughs! 

Randomness.. Did you know they sometimes ship lobsters like bottles of beer? I don’t know about you, but it seems pretty cruel.. and kind of funny.

Tuna-moose and I are all moved into my new space. I’m living with my friend Erin, her daughter Lola and their dog Bella. Tuna has been loving all of the play time but still has been keeping guard over things

Haha.. look at that vicious pit bull over there.. 

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Moving on to a few more serious things of “life lately”… 

1. I was “served” my divorce papers. 

You know, I didn’t think it was going to be a big deal. I knew they were coming.. I even made the appointment for the constable to deliver them to me while I was at work.. But as it turns out, it is. Even when you know something is coming… it sucks just the same. Seeing it in black & white- I dunno.. just does something to you. 

So many emotions run through… and even though there are friends/family around to support me.. its hard not to feel completely alone. Especially when some people are a little less supportive and read what I write (a very edited version) and make judgements/assessments… and then bring those to James. 

I completely understand that I write about some very personal things in a public space. However, I have been very careful about what I write. Never have I written that everything is James’ fault or my fault. I have kept important details to myself.. and in fact I have emphasized the fact that I think James is an amazing person and a great guy. 

So please, if you have concerns about the content here.. come to me- I’m not as bad as your making me out to be… and it’s just hurtful. 

2. I’m officially unemployed, by choice. 

I’m still teaching a couple of classes here and there, but the restaurant gig is gone.  I guess these days I’m all about living my life on the edge- tapping into my impulsive nature that I have ignored for far too long.  Plus when you give everything up and hit bottom… the only place you can go is up right? 

Since quitting, I have pulled a resume out of the air and applied to a bunch of jobs. I’m searching for a breakfast/lunch gig- but in the meantime I don’t care what I do.. I already have an interview for Thursday! 

3. I’ve also re-enrolled in school.. I’m attempting to get into classes this semester- but since classes are starting this week and are all full, the chances are pretty slim that I’m going to get into a class I need. (There is a small chance that I will be able to ask a professor to let me into a class, and fingers are crossed for this to happen. I want to get going while the momentum is there.) But if that doesn’t happen, the back-up plan is to start in January for sure.