Home of the brave...and slightly illiterate...

I've been reading for the past 5 hours...time for a little break.  And no I don't read fast,...I blame the gene pool.  Didn't exactly come from a long line of speed readers.
Dad's improving.
Way to go Pops,...star for the day.

This weekend was such a stark contrast from last week's birthday mayhem.  When I wasn't at work, I was working.  I think I bled on the keyboard.  Kidding,...unless I was typing with my toes.  Then, you never know.
Other than that I was reading, writing, and celebrating my American freedom by going to bed at 9pm and cursing the fireworks going off. 
At a baseball game they sound amazing.
In bed, they sound like gun shots and I'm one cherry bomb from hitting the floor and leaving Oscar to fend for himself.  My goal on the 4th was to not leave my house.  Check.  Oh and take a couple of naps.  Check check.
I feel so productive.  But my God I was still catching up on sleep from last weekend.  My mind says 25 but my body says 55 with a good chance of premature hot flashes.
Unbelievable.

Saturday was much the same with the exception of the Hallmark channel.  I admit it, I was glued...I have no shame.  I should, and yet I don't.
Why?  Because God smiled on me yesterday.  They were showing a Christmas movie that just happened to have a beautiful male specimen as the lead role.  Tinsel and a man,...2 things Julie Andrews forgot to mention on her list of favorite things.  Figure it out Jules. 
Nonetheless, I couldn't even tell you the plot, but whatever it was I wanted to cry at the end.  Not because it was an award winning, emotionally moving performance, but because I watched a solid hour of it and he never took his shirt off.  I want that hour back.
Hallmark channel, you little tease...

Well, I practically wrote my next article on the treadmill this morning.  Yeah, I don't know...after 3 cups of coffee and a solid 8 hours of sleep my mind was operating on a new level.  The next one is for the ladies...sorry guys, but I encourage you to read as well...mainly to further understand the one you label "crazy" half the time.  Be careful...she holds more influence than you think... ;)

Its about that time...Monday awaits and for the sake of everyone tomorrow my butt needs to get in bed...
Make it a great one.

Sally Hansen and Kelly Parker

Yes, I have been ridiculously slack about posting lately.
I have no excuse except for life.
Long days, emails when I get home, and before I know it I'm looking at 9pm on the clock and contemplating practicing my curve with the to-do list.  Some weeks are like that...first full week into my 30's and I'm already on the verge of a breakdown.
Fantastic.

Today's been great.
Went for a long run after my coffee fix,...proceeded to sweat like I ran in the amazon,...

...then the morning was capped off with a couple hours spent with good friends and what they made...
A human.
Like arts and crafts, minus the glitter.....unless you're a little cra-cra.
I hate that saying by the way.
Finish the word.
Its "crazy."  Adding the z-y won't give you arthritis of the jaw.  Try it.
Nonetheless, it was a solid start to the day.

 Hard to believe July 4th came and went.
No, I didn't set off fireworks or watch them.  The closest I came to any pyrotechnic activity was lighting my over-sized yankee candle.  I live life on the edge.  Not worth $22, but by God if it smells like a walk in the sand I'll take 2.
Autumn/pumpkin flavors are my favorite.  Little factoid for your day.

The highlight of the weekend was an accidental near death experience in the bathroom yesterday.
I kid you not.
I was distracted:...throwing on my war paint,...straightening my hair,...cursing Pandora for 15 second commercials,...there was a lot going on.  In the midst of this vanity session, I reach for the mouth wash under the sink, twist the cap and take a swig.
Dear.  Lord.
I definitely grabbed nail polish remover and my mouth was literally on fire.  Forget washing your mouth out with soap, mom should have used some 'ol Sally Hansen and I would have never muttered a four letter word again.
Pretty sure that's illegal.
But seriously, it was a horrible experience and I could still taste it hours later.  Not my greatest moment.
I quickly moved the bottle.

Well, I want to end with a birthday wish to my lovely sister-in-law, Kelly.

 She is an amazing woman who has taught me a great deal about life, relationships, and what it means to live genuinely.
One thing I admire about her is her conscious use of words.  She does not waste them.  She does not take them lightly.  She uses them wisely and speaks from a place of honesty and true concern. 
She is a true blessing to my life and pushes me to improve daily.
Here's to another year of her life and influence, and to many more!!  Happy Birthday to a beautiful woman...

More Gifts and Post-Firework-Bloat

Today felt like Monday #2.
I pretty much woke up in a fog, and remained there until about 11am.  Client after client walked in today complaining of being bloated and hungover from July 4th festivities.  I have little sympathy and find it very ironic that we celebrate our freedom by stuffing our face and bonging beer like we're still 21 and stupid. 
I'm probably just a little bitter because my July 4th was uneventful.
Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed getting things done around the house and then running errands, however, it was certainly not the typical July 4th.  Usually I'm at the beach or pool, but neither of those were an option...first, because I didn't feel like driving to the coast, and second, our pool was closed because some kid thought the 2ft was also a toilet. 
He probably lost a few friends yesterday.  Sat in timeout.  Contemplated what he did.  And then plotted to do it again before summer is over.
And I confidently say "he" because there's a 99.99% chance it was a boy. 
Crappy timing.
Literally.
On a different note, today was my last weight workout before my shoot Saturday.  I've got a little cardio tomorrow, but nothing major.  My body is tired,...very tired.  And honestly, I was having big cravings today.  I know some of it has to do with the fact that I just need sleep, but the other is the fact that its hot as hell outside and fro-yo sounds amazing right now.  1 more day...

The highlight of my day came when Kelly and the girls stopped by.  They weren't even there 2 minutes before I was assisting Payton on pull-ups in the squat rack.  She was repping them out like a champ....looks like we've got another meathead in the fam ;)

They came by to give me my official birthday gift from Payton and Haven.  Honestly, those girls could have farted in the bag and I would have loved it.

First, was a travel mug with their pictures on it (in outfits I gave them)...

And second was a personalized to-do list...unbelievable.  It was an OCDgasm.  Love it.

What an awesome day.
Now its time for some shut-eye and ready to roll tomorrow.  Have a great night folks!

Stars, Stripes, and Sweat

I started my freedom-celebration this morning by sleeping in til 6.  I'm clearly living life on the edge.

4th of July is usually family vacation time, but this year its coming a month later.  August on the beach will feel like a sauna.  No need for me to swim in the ocean, no, I will be swimming in my own pool of sweat.  That's pretty much how that week will go down.  Either way, I can't wait.  My entire family in one house...the stories to follow will be epic....and I will need more therapy...

Yesterday was a great day in the gym.  Long day, but good day.  I had a couple of breakdowns, but those are honest moments and true wake-up calls, and thus good.  It is definitely hard for me to hear a woman get emotional about hating to look in the mirror.  That is tough to hear.  While I can encourage them until I'm blue in the face, at the end of the day THEY come face to face with their own perspective and that ultimately becomes their reality. 
The ultimate goal is not for them to wake up one day and never deal with insecurities again.  That's unrealistic.  Instead, its to cultivated a desire for health in every aspect of their life that sparks habit-change and gives them skills to manage those insecure moments.  I use the word "health" because this struggle is not limited to overweight/obese individuals.  I've worked with numerous ladies battling eating disorders who face the exact same self-destructing demon just in a different form.  Truth is, whether you're 30 pounds overweight or 30 pounds underweight, looking in the mirror with disdain is an unhealthy place to be.
We're always going to be hard on ourselves.  However, there is a difference in the internal push or drive we muster up in tough moments, and the downward spiral of negative self-talk. 
We were not made to be our own adversaries. 

* * *

I've already checked off 4 things from the to-do list today.  I'm on a roll.  OCD in 5th gear today folks...happy 4th to me.  The plan is to finish a few things around the house and then hit the gym for some legs/abs.  My hamstrings just recovered from Friday's workout, so this will be interesting.  Tomorrow will be my last lifting day before the shoot on Saturday.  Friday I'll do a little bit of cardio and then hunt down my mom to paint the tan on my back.  I can pretty much reach everything else...then she gets the honors of painting my backside.  Saved the best for you mom.  Love you.
I am looking forward to Saturday, but it will be exhausting.  And yes, I will have a glass of wine that night.  Its been 5 weeks....it might only take 1.

So here's to July 4th!  Enjoy your day with family, friends, or by yourself if that's how you want to celebrate your independence.  I get it.
Have a great hump day :)