Glow Sticks and Pokemon

Where did this week/weekend go?
Nearly facing May.  Crazy.
Before we know it we'll be all pumped in our mesh tank tops setting off fireworks like true Americans do in ungodly temperatures for the sake of summer.

After the complete hectic chaos which was this weekend, I'm amazed I was actually able to sit down and spend 3 hours on a golf article.  (Focus is always questionable on a Sunday afternoon).  However, yours truly was able to get in a nap, so cognitive function was not a total disaster.
After my panic attack spells and basically inability to think clearly for more than a 2 minute span, I was truly thankful to crank out that article.  I'll post a link tomorrow.
Its about golfers' butts.
Seriously.

What a weekend.
One minute I'm catching up on my reading, and the next I'm rocking a glow stick fist pumping myself into a shoulder injury on the dance floor.
Its fine,...I judge myself.  I can hardly take myself seriously mid-fist pump.  Add in a glow stick and I might as well throw in a scrunchie and completely relive the 1994 dream.
You would think after a late night and hip-hop revival that occurred in my lower extremities, I'd automatically sleep in.
uhh...and 6am here I am....
Unbelievable.
I blame a select few,...you know who you are,...and yes it was great ;)

In other alarming news, a family group text went flying around this morning with a picture of Miss Bella.  Dad was included, which is ironic because the man stopped checking email in 2006 and just retired his flip-phone a week ago.  He's never sent a text a day in his life.
Nonetheless, he was included.
I throw in my response text and a few seconds later my phone vibrates and "Dad" pops on the screen.
What. The. Hell.
Not only had the man successfully navigated a touch screen, he included an emoji.
Who is this guy and where is my dad?
No doubt he texted that entire response with his pointer finger, but whatever.  If it was anything like I saw last week as he was showing me pictures, the screen will have a dent by June.
He literally pokes it.  Not a touch, not a tap.  He pokes it like a dead animal.
If anything, its comical to watch.
All that to say, dad officially texts now, and I'm not sure the world is ready.  If he takes notes from mom it will be the oddest combo of hieroglyphics and urban slang you've ever seen.
The second he uses YOLO I'm flushing my phone.

Last but certainly not least, Happy Easter everyone.
It was a quiet holiday for me with church, workout, and a few errands...AND the official reentry of gum back into my life.  Thank. God.
After 40 days, I was ready to give myself arthritis of the jaw with some bubblemint deliciousness.  By 3pm I was fairly close to my goal.
Its the little things... :)

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!,
...I am off to call Sparkles and see what her and Pokemon are up to...

Meatball Hump Day

 These are definitely a regular go-to for yours truly.  Quick, easy, and loaded with protein.  I personally like to make them as lean as possible because I enjoy other fats elsewhere in my diet (avocado, nuts, etc), so I go with the leanest ground turkey I can buy.  If you truly want to use ground beef and make it healthier, simply buy the 96% lean and continue the recipe accordingly.


1 pound lean ground turkey (96% or 99% lean are optimal)
2 egg whites
heaping 1/2 cup regular oatmeal (not the old fashion rolled oats)
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp garlic/parsley mix
1/2 tsp sea salt

1. Line a 9 x 13 pan with aluminum foil and preheat oven to 350*
2. Mix all ingredients together by hand until well blended.
3. Form 1 1/2 inch meat balls and place in pan about 2" apart.  Makes 12 servings.
4. Cover with foil and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes (*every oven is a little different)

Each meatball is approximately 55 calories, 8g protein, 1g fat, 3g carbohydrates 

Whole Foods' 365 brand has a great line of pasta sauces with all natural ingredients and no added sugar or preservatives.  There are certainly a lot of options, but a good rule of thumb is make sure you can picture every ingredient in its natural state (eliminates chemicals etc..), and opt for one with no or very little sugar
(< 5g) per serving.

Top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and add a side of steamed veggies and dinner is served.  Enjoy.

Abaracadabara!!!

What's better than a 30 minute nap on a Sunday?
An hour nap on a Sunday.  Duh.
I got to a point I could hardly think straight because I was so tired, so naturally that was my cue to lay my butt on the couch, put the phone on silent, and meet Bradley Cooper somewhere in paradise...
I wish it worked like that.  Instead, I get midway through my REM cycle and wake up in a panic....what day is it?...am I late?....why is my cat trying to spoon me?...
Needless to say, far from Paradise with Bradley.

My week back from the beach was a little crazy, but good.  I honestly did not realize just how exhausted and mentally drained I was until I returned to the gym with a new found sense of sanity.  (I use that term loosely).
But truly, I felt 10x better than before I had grit in my swimsuit.  Works wonders...
I did, however, have that moment by Thursday morning when I realized that just when you think you have your mess together,...you don't.
That morning was a little crazy getting out of the house, and having to do an absolutely absurd pre-leaving ritual of hiding crap and taking Lysol wipes to every surface in case I have a showing.  Selling a house ranks up there with being repeatedly thumped in the back of the head.  At first its not so bad,...then annoying,...then suddenly you're 2 thumps from an assault charge and insanity plea.
I'm currently in phase 2.
So Thursday I was just running around like a mad woman, finally get to work and getting everything ready for the day.  By 6am clients are rolling in, and I'm still in a state of I-have-a-feeling-today-might-be-slightly-nuts...
Onward I roll,...setting everyone up and I get on the decline bench to demonstrate a sit-up when I feel something weird on the back of my knee.  I finish the demo, stand up, and realize I need to go take care of whatever is going on in there that caught me off guard.
I unzip the calf-zipper of my spandex, reach up there, and instead of pulling out a dove like a true magician, I manage to pull out a pair of underwear.
That trick impresses no one by the way.
...Just complete dressing negligence at 4am.  My God, how do you miss an extra article of clothing wedged in your spandex?  Yeah, I don't know either. 
And why not a dryer sheet?  So much easier to explain...
And sadly, that is literally the 5th or 6th time its happened.
Last time was at a party.
Don't want to talk about it, just look at it as a learning experience.  Clearly, I have not learned anything and thus life continues to mock me....with my own unmentionables....

Wonderful weekend.
Big shout out to my lovely friend Kathryn, who joined us 30 year olds on Friday!  Happy Birthday dear friend! xoxo
She's been an amazing friend for over 15 years, and perhaps deserves an award for the number of times she's been there for me, seen my rearend, and made me laugh until I cried.  Sometimes all of these at once.
I remember thinking in middle school how can I be such good friends with a cheerleader?!...Ha, life is ironic sometimes.  And thankful it is...

  

Tales From The Shoreline...

Back to reality.
I just got back from the beach a few hours ago, and honestly I could have hibernated there for another entire week.  Phone off.  Email disconnected.  Just me, some coffee, a few books, and some laughs with friends to break the silence. 
This was my view:

You can't possibly experience that on any given morning and be pissed off.
Impossible.
If so, you need to sit in the sand for a while, get some grit in there, and then resume life with some ocean residue in your shorts. 
...Because you can't take life too serious with a sand wad in your shorts.  Fact.
You're welcome.

No, I don't get completely lazy on vacation.  I managed to sleep past 4am, but was up and ready to roll with coffee by 7.  (Practically 10am on my body clock).  Then it was down to the beach for a morning jog.  There are very few times that I honestly get excited about running, but on the beach is a fave.  I get in a weird zone, music blasting in my ears, and then curse because its all fun and games until you realize its not a circle and you have to turn around.
Dammit.
The first mile is the worst.  I was moving like an injured spastic cat.  No rhythm, hips all jacked up,...it wasn't pretty.  By mile 3 I was finally settling into a pace that wasn't going to kill me, yet slightly uncomfortable.
Then I pass a couple doing yoga on the beach.
I suddenly realize their level of zen was much higher than mine.
Not that I longed to be in downward-facing-dog on a public beach, but it certainly sounded better than the potential thigh chaffing I'd experience by mile 6.
They had love...a breeze...tree-pose...
And I had a random sunburn spot by my arm pit that was giving me a rash like no other.
No, my daily jogs were not horrible.  Actually, once I got in the swing of things and embraced the fact that no dogs running freely on the beach were going to attack me or hump my leg mid-stride, I was fine.
 Post jog, my rear was in the sand..

Speaking of running, big shout out to my gals Liz and Ashley who joined me for some beach R&R...who also completed the Cooper Bridge Run on Saturday....along with 30,000+ people.  That's insane.  I can hardly stand it when 3 people run within 5 feet of me on a trail.  Personal-space-invaders.  So I can't imagine weaving in and out of that many human beings on a mission.  But they managed, dominated, and were happy to call it a day afterwards and join yours truly for some coffee, wine, and inappropriateness.
This is what we do...and make no apologies...

Way to go ladies :)

Well, it was quite the ride home.
Don't ask me how I managed a 4 1/2 hour ride in 3 hours and 45 minutes.  By the time I hit Wake County I caught myself singing a little to loud to a 1992 Boys II Men track, and shamelessly grateful for the station who would boldly play "I'll Make Love To You" on a Sunday afternoon like Saturday night never ended and the lights are still off.
Hats off to you, you fearless rebel of a DJ. 
Day complete.
The last leg of the ride was a bit of a blur, but I made it back and the entry back to life, laundry, and everything in between was nothing short of chaotic.
Back to the grind folks...

On that note, here's to a relaxing weekend of bonding time, sleeping in, and sandy shorts...