Tired Tuesday

Yesterday was one of those days.  One of those days that it was obvious that I was tired and trying to do too much all at once.

Dropped my daughter off at day camp.  Went to physical therapy.  Came home in a rush and dropped my purse and keys on the floor so I could feed my hungry boy.  He went straight down for a nap.

My thoughts were:  Yay, I can get some stuff done!

Made a phone call about a bill, which took longer than expected as usual. Started working on a guest blog post, which was due today...I know I was procrastinating...life happened! Decided to cook meat for dinner to have a break from writing.  Looked at the clock and it was time to go get my little missy!

And guess what??!!  I couldn't find my keys and my boy was waking up from his nap.  It took me 10 minutes till I finally sent a text to my hubby knowing I'd find them as soon as I sent the text.  Sure enough, I decided to dig through the bag by the couch where I sat down to feed my son.  And guess what?!!  Apparently I had dropped my keys into that backpack instead of on the floor like I thought and I found them at the bottom of the bag!

I was late picking up little missy, which bothered me more than it bothered anyone else.  I was only 5 minutes late. I got over it quickly!

Then, it continued from there.  Blogger was acting up so it took longer to finish my guest post. My daughter was missing her friend we visited last week and my baby was fussy.

Thankfully, all I had to do was put dinner in the oven.  Once dinner was over I went to the gym.  It's amazing what a workout will do.  I didn't feel so aggravated anymore!!

This was me before my workout ;-)

OH, and I finished the guest blog post.  I'll let you know when you can see it on: Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

What is your coping mechanism when you are having a frustrating day?

Mammie's Chewy Choclate Chip Cookies

For the 4th of July I was asked to bring cookies. My daughter loves to cook which makes this the perfect combination!

Little Missy calls my mom Mammie.  I've adapted her recipe and added my own touch, but the credit needs to go to her...she did teach me to cook after all!

1 1/4 cup butter (softened)
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 cup flour
1 cup Quaker Oats old fashioned oatmeal
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips

In a medium bowl combine flour, oatmeal, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a medium bowl combine butter, sugar, and vanilla. Beat until creamy.

Gradually add the flour mixture.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop on nonstick cookie sheet by small spoonfuls

Bake at 375 degrees for 8-11 minutes.  

**I cooked mine for about 9 minutes, but cooking times will vary depending on weather, oven, and how much cookie dough you dropped on your cookie sheet.  For chewy cookies, see note below:

The best way to get chewy cookies is to bring them out of the oven a little undercooked.  Golden brown on the edges only.  If they are golden brown all over they will be more on the crunchy side, it all depends on your preferences.

I'm still enjoying my good cookie spatula and I highly recommend using one.  Good Cookie Spatula Link is below the picture: 

Good Cookie Spatula Anyone

Monday Makeover: Postpartum PT

After having a baby it is a challenge to get workouts in.  And, even more of a challenge with back issues.  My body just doesn't do well recovering from a pregnancy and it takes time. I'm hoping tomorrow to add in some bike riding, but I've barely had time to get my pt exercises done.

I have almost been in physical therapy for 1 month.  I'm starting to feel like I'm gaining some strength!  Although, I'm pretty sure I did too much this week because my back has been sore, and not necessarily a good sore. I see my physical therapist tomorrow.

My pt exercises consist of:

bridges...lots and lots of bridges (I've decided this is a form of torture ;-)

planks and more planks (double ugh, this is tough after having a baby!!)

Those are the main exercises, which means there's always a way for it to be modified as I get stronger.  None of the above exercises have ever been used in my physical therapy in the past, which makes me hopeful that they might just work.  It also means I'm destined to be doing all those exercises for the REST. OF. MY. LIFE.  But, hey, if it works it will be worth all the pain and hard work.  I'm ready to be able to function without back pain.

The above video shows you how to do a bridge(if the video isn't loading or showing click HERE) .  I don't do mine that slow, but at least you will get the proper technique.  That is the basic bridge, which is what I started with.  I have now graduated to crossing my arms while doing the bridge which does make it more challenging.  There are many ways to torture modify, but for now that's what I'm focusing on.

I'll update you when I have more time this month...the next few weeks are a bit busy!

Friday Faves

1. Headed to the beach, don't forget your baby powder!

Have you seen that pin on pinterest telling you that baby powder helps remove sand. 

It's true.  We went to the beach not too long ago and I put baby powder on my feet and put my flip flops on while we were walking around shopping.  Yup, sand was gone!

**note:  the sand has to be dry.  We tried this on my 5 year old along with using a sheet to get the sand off...that was a no go because she was soaked, but when the sand was dry it came off with the baby powder!

2. Swim lessons: a sign it's truly summer!
3. My easy going boy!
4. Time with extended family
5. Air conditioning (it's gonna get HOT HOT HOT next week!)
6. I was able to do my make-up today(you have NO idea what a great accomplishment this is)!  It will probably melt off with the heat ;-)
7. I text bombed my brother(pretty sure it was close to 50). That's what he gets for not responding, it's not like he has a life or anything...bwahahaha(evil laugh). His loving name for me is Diphead.
Can you tell he's my baby brother!?!
8. Watching my girl interact with her brother.  She gets the best smile out of him!

I believe in Miracles...

I recently did a post about a family member who's cancer is back: Each Day Each Moment is a Gift. I'm still working through my emotions and I'm giving myself time to openly talk about it.  Also, I'm just letting myself feel the emotions so that I can move through them in a healthy manner.  For those of you that have walked the road of cancer with someone you love, how did you work through your emotions?

Harmony: http://harmlove.blogspot.com/ has been walking a tough road with her husband having cancer.  There have been some miracles happening though!  Read this specific post: http://harmlove.blogspot.com/2013/05/i-believe.html to get an update on the miracle and hope that is in her life!

I've also done a post about pediatric cancer: Good Cookie Spatula as cancer doesn't only affect adults.  It can show up in anyone at anytime.  I think that is what is so scary about cancer. It is silent and deadly.  Treatment is hard on the body with no guarantee of a positive outcome.

Heather Von St James contacted me about getting the word out about mesothelioma.  She is now cancer free even though her doctors gave her 15 months to live. Miracles do happen!

Click this link to watch her video: http://www.mesothelioma.com/heather/

Cancer affects many, many people.  At this point, most of us have someone in our lives who has cancer and many of you have or have had cancer.  Please join me in praying for those who are currently battling cancer and their families too!

And, an update about other family situations in my life:

For those of you that have read my blog before, you've read about Sweet Rachael.  Here's a quick update: Rachael is still on the transplant list for a heart and liver.  She's hoping to get on the transplant list in California because there just isn't enough donors in this area.  It is difficult to watch her health decline.  She's frail.  As I have told people, if any other organs fail she will no longer be able to get a transplant.  Please continue to pray for Rachael and her husband.  And, pray for us, as a family to know how to best support them.

I'm not sure if I've done a post about my brother who's lost limbs to tumors. I couldn't find a post so I'll give a short update:  Up to this point none of the tumors have been cancerous.  He's had a long road since elementary school. Tumors showed up in his left foot and would return shortly after being removed.  His leg was amputated his senior year of high school and he's had a long road of recovery to get to the point in which he's now walking with a new prosthetic leg!  His niece and nephew love to count his fingers and toes...he has 5 toes and 9 fingers.  Yes, the tumors have started showing up in his hand and so far he's lost a pinky.  Obviously, we hope he doesn't lose anymore but these tumors are quite aggressive.  He continues to have a positive attitude about his situation, which is one of the things I love dearly about him!

One of the many shirts I've made for my brother.  Although this picture doesn't do it justice, when he wears it  I think this is my favorite one.  These shirts are easy to make, but I can post about that another day.

Tired Tuesday

Life was so busy over the past few days, I didn't even have time to think about my Monday Makeover post.  This summer posts may be somewhat irregular! I'll post when I can.

Friday Faves

1. Quote from my daughter:  Why did you choose to disobey?  

She said:  I can't help it.  It's like on the ipad, it got unlocked inside of me and came out.

2. My smiley easy going boy

3.  Sleep...I've gotten more of it since my tuesday post!

4. Strawberries and freezer jam!  

My mom came over to help with it all!  Thank you Mom!

5. Snuggles with my daughter (I wasn't so fond of it being 4am but both of us went to sleep quickly, which means I also love her full size bed!)

6. Physical therapy seems to be improving my back

7. Coffee!

8. All the men in my life who fulfill the role of being a great dad: my hubby, my dad and my father in law.  Happy Father's Day!
9. Homemade butterfingers made with 3 simple ingredients:

Found the recipe here: http://www.plainchicken.com/2010/11/homemade-butterfingers.html
This was so easy to make:
1 pound candy corn
16 oz peanut butter
16 oz of chocolate  (I used milk chocolate chips, but the recipe called for chocolate coating)
*melt candy corn in microwave(do in increments and stir to see if it's melted), stir in peanut butter
*put in 8x8 container lined with parchment paper
*once set up coat with chocolate and let set on wax paper
Next time I think I'll just put the chocolate on top of the butterfingers once it's in the 8x8 container to take out a step and make it easier.

Have a great weekend everyone!