Rant, Rant, Rant, Rant

Yep, that's right 4 rants. I guess I am catching up from never ranting! 

Rant #1:

Our base right now is currently in the middle of an exercise. For those of you that do not speak military, an exercise is where they play "deployment" right at their home station. We are doing that. The reasons it sucks is 1.) Mr. Man is on mids (nights). Since I am a stay-at-home wife (and full-time student), I try to keep up with his schedule. Mostly because he works in a shop that does not get lunches; therefore, I feel it is my responsibility (as a stay-at-home wife) to supply him with proper nutrition for his shifts. Of course, we all know when they deploy, they work 12 hour shifts. Mr. Man does not get a lunch, so I send him off with lots of food. He is working 6pm to 6am, which this is my first time experiencing it. I'm sure it will not be the last, but so far it sucks. It only sucks because I am making more than one change. 2.) What is the point of a pretend deployment when Mr. Man just got back off of a deployment (as many others). Seriously, like they do not know what to do when they deploy?! 3.) We can not work out together. He is now working out at about 7am. Sorry, but I am not a morning bird, especially when staying up until 3am or so. Oh, and I go to bed before he gets off so I can be awake for a few hours that stores and places are actually open on base.  But thankfully, there is a good side to this... it's only for 2 weeks as of right now. It will be for 2 weeks per month until October-ish, I think.

Rant #2:

Ok, I know I have reserved Friday's for the whole weekly fitness stuff, but I can not help but go ahead and rant about this. I hate when people go to the gym, sit on a machine, and watch TV. Seriously, this one dude today came in the gym got on the Lat Pulldown thingy and watched TV. It is the closest machine to one of the TV's. I needed that machine at one point in my workout. I swear this dude did 20 sets on this just so he could watch TV. His resting time between each set was about 10 minutes. No kidding. I can not stand when people do that! It is the most frustrating thing EVER!

Rant #3:

Ok, ok.. another fitness one, but it kind of goes with #1. I mentioned that there was more than one change happening this week. Another one is my diet and workouts. I am getting ready for pictures, and I am on a low carb, high protein diet. My diet strictly consists of veggies, boiled eggs (minus yolks), fish (like tuna, flounder, tilapia), flank steak, and boiled/baked chicken breasts. I have to eat every 2-3 hours in order to keep enough energy flowing through my body. It is hard when your schedule is changing as well. Quite frustrating actually.

Rant #4:

I really dislike when others try to pretend they know my life or my body just as much or more than I do. It seriously is annoying. It makes me want to slap someone in their face. Sorry for getting slightly violent here, and I would never slap someone in their face obviously. This is metaphorically speaking. It does make me really want to grab them, shake them, and open their eyes up to their own reality of life instead of focusing on mine. I just can not believe that some people really have the nerves to be all up in my grill like that. And I am not talking fitness, although that is another one that bothers me, which comes from the same people. I am talking about average everyday things about my life and body. This is how I feel about it 1.) My life is my life. 2.) The things that I do in my life or with my body is not for everyone, and that is ok. 3.) Do I run around bashing your dreams and thoughts on life? No, I respect them, so please do so for me, too. 4.) Get a hold of your own life and stop judging me for mine.

So as I go back and think of these little rants, I laugh. I laugh because Rant #1 means I am lucky. Why? Because Mr. Man is here "pretending" instead of actually being deployed. Rant #2, that is the way people are in the gym. I'll have to get over it. Rant #3, I do it to myself. I could stop at any point, so why in the world am I complaining? Rant #4, I have come to realize that some people wish upon stars.

Meet and Greet Monday is hosted by Southern Reflections.

I got the Avon giveaway in!

On Friday, I went to the Post Office to check my mail. And to my surprise I had a box waiting for me! The box was from Nicole at Flip Flops and Combat Boots. I recently won her Avon giveaway. 

In the box, there was:

1. Speed Enamel in Carnival

2. Moisture Therapy Hand Cream for dry, itchy skin

3. Eyeshadow Trio in Dreamy Reveur

4. Naturals Body Gel in Pomegrante and Mango

5. Chapstick

6. Color Trend Mini Eyeliner in Black

7. Glazewear Liquid Lip Color in Tickled Pink

8. Travel-sized disposable fingernail files

Most of these products are new to me except for the chapstick and the Glazewear lip gloss. I do use the Glazewear, but I have not tried this color. As I use these things, I will review them for you.

Interested in any of these items? Go visit Nicole at Flip Flops and Combat Boots or visit her online store at www.youravon.com/nsadie.

Fitness Friday: "My Story"

I know, I know. Before you say it, I realized I missed last week's Fitness Friday! It was a crazy busy, but fun weekend!

This week I have decided to go ahead and tell you my story. In the beginning I told you it would be my first post for Fitness Friday, but I guess something was on my mind and I never got around to the original post. Well, here it is finally!

How I got Started:

It all started when we lived in Texas. Mr. Man obviously had his regular PT. I would miss him like crazy, so I began joining him doing his sessions since he would get off work early for it. Then, not long after we had been married, he deployed for what was suppose to be 6 months. We know what military men want to do when they are deployed-- Get their fitness on! That is exactly what Mr. Man did. He dieted like crazy, and hit the gym like a mad man. While he was deployed, I worked full time for the most of it. I continued to go to the gym and do my cardio. I even went on the weekends because it helped time go by quicker and it gave me something to do. Next thing I know, Mr. Man tells me what his goals are. I just kind of accepted and respected them, and said I would do it with him. 

And this is where it all begun. He got home in February of 2008. He taught me a few tricks of the trade, worked out with me, and helped me get going. In the beginning, I was afraid of the 'veins and big muscles' just like any other female when they see other females in the magazines. But I did it, just low key.  After a while, I got bored with it. I just felt I was too busy and I was not getting much more out of it than I was before. This is where I went wrong. Mr. Man tells me that if that is the case, then I am not pushing myself hard enough. I kept working out. I never stopped, but I hated the long hours in the gym because we were both having to work out.

My reason for starting in the first place was because I did not want to gain any weight. I was happy with where I was and who I was, but I was afraid of my metabolism catching up with me and gaining weight all because I was not in school anymore doing the extra activities I was doing before.

Mr. Man and I both grew in our fitness. He worked with me, and I kept pushing myself. Once I saw the results, I was hooked. Straight up addicted! Now don't get me wrong, I had my moments. I would cry (in the gym like a baby) over being sore and having a bad day and feeling like crap. I was constantly sore. It was honestly the worst feeling ever at the time, but I pushed passed it. Mr. Man and I continued what we were doing, and later on through this, we decided we need to clean up our foods. We began doing our research and studies to find what was right for us. We found it shortly after all of this. 

I began lifting weights with Mr. Man spotting me. This coming from a girl that could not even bench press the bar. I was a straight up weeny! As soon as I started seeing results, I craved more. I pushed and pushed and pushed myself just to have some muscle. All I wanted was some muscle. Then I started losing weight. I realized how happy I was with the results and thought how easy it was so I decided to go for more. 

We PSC'd to England 2 years ago, and I have been going since. This makes almost 3 years of working out for the both of us. Mr. Man has a dream of lifting like a bodybuilder. He's into the bulking during the winter and cutting in the summer. For me, I am into the getting stronger but staying lean, pretty much all year round. 

My goals have been discussed before in another post, so sorry for the repeat. But this is something that I get asked a lot. In the beginning, it was all about weight. Now it is about being lean, having definition, and lifting to make me happy. Lifting heavier weights for me is like an adrenaline rush for you. Instead of skydiving or bungee jumping, I'm in the gym lifting however much weight I can possibly lift. I have dreams of doing professional fitness type photos. I actually have some scheduled for the end of the summer. Fitness will not be my career, but it is something that I have mad passion for.

I do want this to be known, though. A lot of people look at me and think I do not have to work hard to be where I am, but that is wrong! I grew up in my family as the largest child. I am now the smallest. It takes hard work. It takes dedication. It takes self-motivation and determination. For me, I need that extra push from someone that won't let me settle, which is Mr. Man. It is never easy, and it does not happen over night. Many women wish they could dream their bodies into losing weight, but you can't. And when you get sore, you work through that soreness. Soreness to me now is how I know I am getting results. That is how you have to look at it.

This is probably the worst "How I got started" story ever! Now I know why the bodybuilders, fitness models, etc in interviews have a hard time telling how they got started. It's just something that happens when you see results. You crave more. It's something that is hard to explain.

All I have to say to anyone that just wants to lose a few pounds or become the next Ms. Olympia, whatever your goal, don't be afraid. Don't be intimidated, and always tell yourself you can... because in reality, you can do it! Anyone can. If I can, you can!

Random Rambles:

This past week I have had a lot on my mind. Because of this, I decided to do a "Random Rambles" post. To be honest, the last couple of days I haven't felt altogether. So here are my thoughts 'rambles.'

1. They say that when you are a full time student your brain goes to mush. I am living proof of this! I hate that I am so busy that I forget about everything else that must be done or I have committed to.

2. I want these two things:

3. I read Dear John finally. I know I am way behind the time, but it is better later than never. Plus, when it became better known, Mr. Man was deployed. I was advised not to read it or watch the movie while he was gone. I still have not seen the movie, but I cried through the book. And I definitely could have handled it while Mr. Man was gone because it isn't even focused about his adventures through the war. Not to give it away in case other readers have not read it (even though I am almost sure I am the last).

4. I know I have chosen the right major when people always make comments like, "You must be a teacher." or "Are you a teacher?" When I ask what makes them ask that, they tell me that I look like one, have a personality like one, carry myself like one, and write fast while still maintaining a pretty and bubbly handwriting. Not sure how I act or look or whatever, not sure how teachers act or look or whatever, but it is uplifting (in a way)when people say those things.

5. I can't wait to receive my Avon things in the mail! I recently won a giveaway done by Nicole at Flip Flops and Combat Boots, and ordered more products for myself.

6. Last week I bought my sister these two things and had them shipped to her:

I can't wait for her to get them in the mail! I am super excited for her to get them actually. I keep catching myself wanting to tell her!

7. Speaking of my sister and her pregnancy, I have officially decided that I really want her to have a baby girl. Why? Because I had some time to waste while I was in the BX, so I decided to go to the baby clearance section and check out what they had to offer. I found the most adorable girl clothes EVER! I wanted to buy them so so bad, but (some how) I convinced myself to be patient.

8. Mr. Man is working mids for the upcoming exercise that starts next week. I am slightly bummed because I dislike when he has that schedule because I have to maintain a semi-normal schedule to catch things open in order to get things done. Not to mention, I planned us a trip to Bath this Saturday... and poor Mr. Man will have to return to work at midnight on Sunday. He's going to be exhausted. 

9. Long, exhausting math really does get boring and.. well just plain sucks. It gets me all worked up and flustered over absolutely nothing. Well, actually it is over the long and tiring moments of staring at numbers and weird signs only to repeat it with slightly different numbers about 10 more times.

10. Remember this post? What do you think about this set? I am way too wishy-washy. I really, really do like it. At least in the picture. I fear what it will look like in person. So what do you think? Be honest!

50 Adjectives: Honest

50 Adjectives to describe me and my life.

As I go through the weeks, I find more and more things that are positively impacting me and my life. Sometimes I feel that these things are negative things that are trying to wear me down, so I began to think long and hard about it. Majority of the time, I realize that it is actually positively impacting me. It's little life lessons that I begin to see as life lessons and see how much I am learning and taking away from them. It's when I realize that I am truly blessed and honored to be who I am and experiencing the things that I have. Even though they do not always seem to go 'as I planned', they are still there and in the right time, right moment. Almost like it is falling into place on it's own. Actually, that is exactly what it does. God watches over me and I know this. He takes care of me, he knows what my future holds, so he molds my present to fit the future experiences. 

This week I am going to discuss honesty. 

Honest (on-ist)

–adjective

1. honorable in principles, intentions, and actions; upright and fair: an honest person.

2. showing uprightness and fairness: honest dealings.

3. gained or obtained fairly: honest wealth.

4. sincere; frank: an honest face.

5. genuine or unadulterated: honest commodities.

6. respectable; having a good reputation: an honest name.

7. truthful or creditable: honest weights.

8. humble, plain, or unadorned.

9. Archaic . chaste; virtuous.

 

I am a very honest person. Only to a degree, though. I will tell you what I think if you are a positive and open-minded person.  For example, if someone was to ask me if the shirt looked good on them, chances are I would be honest with them unless they get easily offended. In other areas, such as speaking my mind on everyday things, I am honest. I am not into politics or discussing the war, but if you ask, I will answer. I believe if you ask me something, then you are opening yourself to my beliefs, which you should respect me just as I would respect you.

Honesty for me is really easy and simple. You tell the truth. You do it nicely. If someone disagrees, I respect them. 

However, there are some areas I could work on. For example, I am not honest to someone that hurts my feelings about something that I know should not hurt my feelings. I am talking about incidences like what happened with my sister. (Missed that story? Read it here.) I was upset, obviously. At first I did not tell her why, but later on I did. Because I knew it would pass. I knew it was not something that I should let get to me, but it was one of those things that did. The thing for me is that if I was honest with her in the first place, then chances are I would not have worried her near as much. In the beginning, she had no clue of why I reacted the way I did, so it caused her to worry and wonder. 

 

Now, do not mistake this with people doing immature things and upsetting me. I am definitely not talking about 'Mrs. Blank said this about me and it hurt my feelings' type stuff. I'm talking about life situations that disappoint me. 

I would like to think that people are honest with me. I have had a few occasions where people did not feel I was approachable enough to talk to when I said or did something that offended them or upset them. I try to be an open person and show that I do care and will try and change if it is something that needs to be changed. But the only way for that to happen is if they bring it to my attention. I am a very open-minded person. I listen to people. I care about people. Therefore, if someone tells me that I said or did something to hurt them, I will fix it. 

I believe that being honest will get you somewhere in life, farther in life. Mostly because you will be respected for being honest and you will have a great foundation since you are honest with yourself. Sometimes I feel I may be a little too honest with myself, but in the end, it makes me stronger, more motivated, and self determined to push farther and do more in life. 

Then there are the moments where you just should not be 'too honest' with the world. Like when you hear that someone you know's husband is cheating on her or her husband is going to deploy when she is due, etc. My rule of thumb for that one is their personality. If they ask you if you know anything, tell them unless they are psychotic and will call their husband's supervisors and chew them out. (That has not happened to me personally, just for the reference!)

How do you feel about honesty? Do you think it is an important quality to have?

Don't forget to enter my giveaway here! You could be the lucky one to win a £50 (or $50) gift voucher to any CSN Store of your choice!

Did this post strike a question that you would like to ask me? Go here and submit your questions for me to answer! I need at least 50 questions to make a blog post from it!

Rome- Day 4

So I just realized that I am posting our Italy pictures all out of order. I haven't even finished Rome! Not sure what I was thinking, but now I am trying to fix it. Please forgive me!

The last day in Rome we saw the Pope and visited the last few piazzas and churches that we wanted to see before heading out the next day. We even made it on the Italian TV (the camera guy in the picture). We had an amazing time in Rome, and it was our favorite busy area. It had so much to see and do. Never a dull or "What can we do today?" moment!

UPDATE: I wanted to add that I am hosting my very first giveaway. It is a voucher for CSN Stores. You can find more information about it here!

And ask me questions, any questions! I need enough questions to be able to actually do a post on it. Give me your best shot here!
 

Holiday Weekend:

Sorry that I have been slacking on this whole blogging thing, but this weekend was crazy busy! We watched some of our friends kids while they went on a romantic weekend getaway to Paris. They have a 5 year old girl and 7 year old boy. (Oh, and a pug and something mix puppy!) We got them on Friday morning and kept them until Monday afternoon, so that explains why I have been short and sweet (if even that!).

On Friday, we laid around the house. We meaning me and the kids because Mr. Man had to work. On Saturday, we slept in since Mr. Man works swings and normally sleeps in on Saturday's until about 9am or so. By the afternoon, we were all rejuvenated and ready to hit something fun. That something fun was a carnival.

Every year, the base we live on hosts the annual Fourth of July Carnival/Festival. They have rides, food, games, etc. Just like any other fair, festival, or carnival. This year they decided to open it up a day early for 3 hours for the military personnel and their families to ride the rides for free. We took the kids. They rode every ride that they wanted to ride and played a couple of games. The kids also got a couple of snacks. After that we were exhausted. We still finished the afternoon outside. Mr. Man BBQ'd us some hamburgers and hot dogs while the kids played with the dogs and some random sticks in the yard.

On Sunday, we skipped church and took the kids to a safari park. It has a road safari adventure and a foot safari adventure. We did both. We did the road one first, and it was pretty darn cool. We drove through huge cages that housed many lions, tigers, bears, kangaroos, wolves, camels, monkeys, zebras, addax, etc. The monkey area actually had monkeys jumping and swinging from car to car. It was way cool!

Then the foot safari was pretty interactive. You could actually walk in with the ostriches, monkeys, lemurs, birds, etc. It was pretty awesome, too. We saw some baby ostriches, which I have never seen before. They had rules of course. There was no touching or stroking the animals even if they jump or land on you. It was quite interesting, but definitely pretty cool. The kids loved it. They walked away with a couple of stuffed animals. An alligator named Seaweed, and a sea lion named Clarissa. These kids name these things all by themselves!

Later that night, we put the kids to bed and Mr. Man and I stayed up playing Zelda on the Wii. While we were playing Zelda, the fireworks started going off. I ran to the window to see if I could see them and to see if they woke the kids, but they didn't. And I couldn't see them, so back to Zelda I went.

On Monday we took them to the park near the house. It is a new one with a Spiderman netting to climb up and in. It goes up very high. I was actually scared of it :) Later on, their parents came and picked them up.

All in all it was an awesome weekend. We had such a good time and felt so calm and peaceful even with kids in the house. They behaved well, listened to us, and did some fighting. Lessons learned for us!

UPDATE: I wanted to add that I am hosting my very first giveaway. It is a voucher for CSN Stores. You can find more information about it here!

And ask me questions, any questions! I need enough questions to be able to actually do a post on it. Give me your best shot here!