Wanna Be A Mermaid?

Wanna Be A Mermaid?

Phoenix in June....yup...not a surprise to anyone but it's hot here. Yeah it's a dry heat...but so is my oven. I kid you not, this past Sunday it was 120 degrees at my house. For real. I'm not exaggerating for dramatic effect (although I've been known to do that). 

Day 30 of the 30 Day Blog Challenge-My Hopes For My Blog

My Hopes For My Blog

Photo Via suburbanoutlaw.com/

What are my hopes for this blog? Pretty much what they've always been...but you know I never met a list I didn't like so here goes...

1) To give me an outlet to express my feelings
2) To hopefully have someone read that and relate to the crazy
3) To inspire
4) To support my business by showing my painting and my diy projects
5) I'd love to support my words by video blogging as well. I have no problem with appearing on video but I'm not terrific at the technology
6) To grow
7) To keep in touch with people I love and respect through this medium

I'll stick with lucky 7. If I can do any, most, or all of those things than I can count this as a raving success. Today...I'll start with where it all begins...#1

Day 29 of the 30 Day Blog Challenge-A Confession

A Confession

Gosh I have such a boring life...I'm not sure I have anything juicy to confess. Pretty much anything that would come out as a confession to me, you would probably already know....

Example: I confess that I may have some control issues and you would reply "Duh". 

Example: I confess that I may be a hoarder to some degree and you would reply "Have you looked in your garage"?

Example: I confess that I can't stay out of the ice cream and that a 1200 calorie smoothie seems like a healthy snack and you would reply "Have you looked in a mirror"?

Get the idea? 

I'm not very good at hiding anything. Secrets included by the way. I'm just an open book. I wear my emotions on my face, my heart on my sleeve, and my caloric intake on my a$$!

But here is what I'll give you...access to the crazy...and the inside...of my office. And I realize it's a little scary, but there it is. They say that a messy office is the sign of a creative mind, right? 

Photo via weeks and weeks of not organizing my office or painting enough furniture

They say that admitting you have a problem is the first step towards recovery. 

I, Jenifer Robb, confess that I am a furniture hoarder and a train wreck when it comes to organizational skills in my office. The fact that I have roughly 10 pieces of furniture to be painted and an entire closet full of glass stock to be sold is only a justification and I need to get off my aforementioned big a$$ and clean this place up!

Photo via denial

Maybe someday I'll post a photo of my office all cute and functional like the other blog girls....dang it....hold your breath....Don't judge...this could be you.

Day 28 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-My Most Embarrassing Moment

My Most Embarrassing Moment

How do I even pick? I'm so good at embarrassing myself on a regular basis! But none of mine are particularly wonderful....probably one of my best was when I was at the ripe old age of 10 years old. This may fall into the category of PG-13 but I can't imagine I have anyone reading about DIY and old lady stuff that is underage anyways. 

I was always a very advanced reader. I read at a college level by the time I was out of 3rd grade. My parents were always quite good at keeping me interested with appropriate literature that would challenge me, but sometimes I would get a hold of something that's content was a bit over my head. My father is an English professor and always liked to push me a bit but I think he learned his lesson in my most embarrassing moment. 

Photo Via lushome.com

One time when I was 10 we were sitting around the breakfast table in Fallbrook, CA eating blueberry pancakes (why can we remember the most minute details of some things but not where we put our car keys?) on a beautiful spring morning. I remember talking about our upcoming visit to a farmers market/festival that we were going to when I loudly and proudly announced that I was a nymphomaniac. 

Crickets......

Nothing....for a full minute. 

Then my dad said in his most professor-ly voice. "Perhaps, dear Jenifer, you have not chosen the correct word" To which (because I'm also a Taurus) I replied "Yes I have! I'm a nymphomaniac" Luckily my dear dad simply suggested that I look the word up in the dictionary to be certain and changed the subject, but even now my face gets hot thinking about the sideways glances and barely contained giggles between my step-mother and my dad. Hilarious!

Of course I had read the word in something they had given me and made my own assessment of what the word actually meant. I decided it meant boy-crazy. And it does...sort of. And I was....sort of. But not in the same way of course....at 10 years old.

So the moment wasn't really embarrassing in the moment...but when I learned what the word actually meant in later years....I think back on that moment and blush. Thank heavens dear old dad didn't decide in that moment to teach me a lesson. I may have been scarred for life!!

Day 27 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-What's In My Closet?

What's In My Closet?

The better questions would be "What's NOT in my closet"? The answer to that would be doors....my closet lacks doors. Not just ONE door...but any doors...anywhere..in the whole dang house! Aghast?!? Shocked? Filled with self-righteous indignation? ME TOO!!! Imagine the horror! 

Now that I've used my weeks allotment of exclamation points, I will explain WHY I have no closet doors. It's simple really, the house didn't come with them. 3 years ago. Yes for 3 years I've lived without closet doors. But first we must examine what kind of hippie pinko freak takes ALL the closet doors and tracks out of an entire house!?!? Sorry....was that rude? But seriously, who does that? Were they trying to gain square footage? Did they like flaunting their wardrobe? Was she a Chanel collector? Did she have 3548 pairs of shoes and fully 1/4 of them had red soles? Did she foster 12 orphan children and they used them as bedrooms? Those are pretty much the only excuses one could offer that I would deem reasonable. 

Why have I lived here for 3 years and STILL have no closets? Shut your mouth! Casting aspersions!! It's clearly because I cannot settle for just ANY closet door that you can pick up at Home Depot. Ohhhh nooooo sister I have to have SPECIAL closet doors.....and they are all $1000+ per door...and I have how many closets in this dang house? I have 7 closets...that's right....7 naked closets! 

Now here is my dilemma. 

Photo Via Pinterest

I can't help but love the clean lines of a shoji screen look. I like the way they operate and I can have them on small and large closets alike. I like that you can't really see through them...but you feel like you might be able to. All the way around I do love these. 

Photo via Etsy

Barn doors...need I say more? Don't we all want one? Or seven? Now although it may not be practical for all my closet doors it would definitely work for 3 of them, but of course then I would need to decide what to do with the others? Stalemate! Impass!! Do not pass Go...do not collect $200! 

And that explains perfectly reasonable why I have no closet doors. End of story. 

Day 26 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-My Hidden Talent

My Hidden Talent

I'm not sure I have any hidden talents...I pretty much make sure all that I do well is out there on display. I never had any popular "weird" talents like fashioning the cherry stem into a knot, or whistling the star spangled banner, or doing cartwheels. 

Any talents I had seemed to be deeply hidden by good reason and judgement. For example, when I was drinking I was an EXCELLENT dancer. I mean FANTASTIC! EPIC! STUNNING! I could have danced professionally. No, really! It's been a real disappointment that such a hidden talent is kept hidden when reason, judgement and lack of alcohol is applied. Seriously...I can't keep rhythm with a metronome without it! So that talent will have to lay undiscovered by anyone that didn't know me in my days of youth and indiscretion.  

My sense of comedic timing is another hidden talent. Unless you are my family. In which case you know ALL ABOUT IT! I'm rather well known for treating my family with one of my zingers...pretty much a fast ball wrapped in quick wit and dorkiness. Then I throw my head back and cackle like there is no tomorrow and then say "I crack myself up". That's when they start laughing....they say it's AT me...but I know it's truly WITH me...Right? I am after all supremely funny. Right?

I also believe that I have a hidden talent for cooking. I'm obsessed with food blogs and finding new and different recipes. My Pinterest board is Food Porn and I think I'm Paula Deen all planning meals and such. I am, however, a very poor direction-follower and don't care much for salt. So although I am certain that I am a great chef in the making, my family and victims may disagree. 

If you know of any hidden talents I have....could you let me know? I'd love to hear them!

Day 25 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-What Is My Biggest Regret?

What is my biggest regret?

Photo Credit: Daily Mail

None. Zip. Nada. I don't regret things I've done or been through. My belief system tells me that everything happens in the universe exactly as it should in that moment. That doesn't mean that I haven't learned from mistakes that I've made and hopefully won't repeat them in the next situation. That's growth. That's humility. That's being teachable. But I don't regret that they happened, because they are all a part of who make me into the woman I'm becoming. 

We are all human and as part of the human experience we are born malleable and open to new experiences. I feel like many things in my life that I could "regret" have shaped me and molded me. If you don't risk...you don't grow and the emotional growth I've experienced in my life has been significant. If I was never willing to risk my heart, sure...it never would have been broken, but I also wouldn't have ever loved fully. If I hadn't tried new things and failed, I never would have learned what I liked and what I didn't. 

Today I am evolving into someone who lives with more balance. I don't jump right into things without investigation but once I've done my due diligence I do take risks. At the same time, I have more acceptance about people and things in my life than I once did. People aren't perfect and I'm a people! If I can't be perfect myself, how can I expect perfection from others? All part of lessons that I've learned by making "mistakes". 

So just for today, my goal is to live my life in a way that won't cause anyone else or myself any undue harm and to grow from all that's given to me today. To love without expectations and to be open to all possibilities. And to love myself just as I am!

Day 24 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-What Attracts Me In Love

What Attracts Me In Love?

Can I just skip this one? Pretty please? No one REALLY wants to know anyways....Can I just say "Please see photo of Mr. Jezebel"? After all...I'm pretty sure I'm done with the love nonsense after him anyways and who the heck wants to drudge up the attraction question?

Damn...ok...no getting around it I guess. So here goes nothing.

I have no type.

Zero.

Ziltch. 

You literally can track nothing from one relationship or even crush to the next. There is nothing in common between the men in my life except quite possibly a touch of mental instability. There you go! A common thread! I'm attracted to just a smidge of crazy! Shocker!

But all joking aside (that wasn't really a joke), It clearly isn't physical since there is virtually no resemblance...

1) Sense of humor-All dark, all twisted, all inappropriate
2) Charismatic-Most but not all
3) Hard workers-Most but not all
4) Readers-Not a single one
5) Sports fans-Most but not all
6) Music lovers-Every single one...that appears to be a big draw for me

7) Speak the same language-fluent sarcasm

8) Tattoos-All

So it comes down to Tattooed-Smart ass-Sarcastic-Music Lovers....there you go...a recipe for my heart! 

Day 23 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-If I Won The Lottery

If I Won The Lottery

Hmmmm....If I won the lottery....well first I'd have to PLAY the lottery. Which will launch us into a whole other discussion about gambling. Which essentially the lottery is. I'm not a gambler. I've never been a gambler. Which as prone to addictive tendencies in EVERYTHING I've always been surprised that I'm not. I think it's because I've never won big. And I'm too tentative. And I like getting something for my money. Like shopping. I hand you money...you hand me cool stuff. Gambling doesn't work that way and therefore upsets the natural order of things. Tips the scales so to speak. It doesn't work for me....but I digress. 

So let's suspend our disbelief for just a minute and pretend that indeed I had played the lottery and won. What would I do first? Would my life change? Or would I stay exactly the same humble, generous, kind.......bullshit. Nope...not a chance. My life would change and here's how. 


1) Travel: I would travel 6 months a year....everywhere. There isn't one corner of the globe that I wouldn't want to see. And not all 5 star hotels either...I'd like to backpack in places and ride scooters in other. Camp on the beach in Tahiti and stay in a treehouse in Costa Rica. Float down the river in Yangtze river....you get the idea. I'd also like an RV that I can explore our country in. Somewhere I can stash my vintage finds along the way! Or pull a trailer.

2) Family: I would make sure no one in my family were suffering or doing without. My little one would have a new car...my older one would have a new laptop....and I'm sure there would be a few shopping sprees. 

3) Hubs: That 1 1/2 commute each way to work would have to stop. I'm not sure what that means....but that stuff is nonsense. 

4) Cars: Well I'm pretty sure hubs wouldn't get anything other than a Toyota so that would probably mean a new 4Runner for him and Hi-Lux for me. Have you seen that thing? I don't even know if you can get it in US but it's awesome!

5) Puppers: He'd probably get a new collar....maybe a new dish. And probably some fancy stairs to get him up on the bed. He is a simple dog. 

6) Real Estate: There would be some moving I must admit. As much as I love Arizona...part of the reason is the economy. Don't worry Zonies....See #1...I'd get an RV to come visit between residences. California is high on the list. Also somewhere in the south....Tennessee, Kentucky or North Carolina. 

7) World Peace: I'm not crazy enough to think a lottery winner can bring about world peace, but if financial security were not at the forefront of my mind....maybe I'd have some more time to be of service to others. That would probably be the best part. Oh and shoes....alot of shoes...


Stay tuned for tomorrow's post about What attracts me (in love) Oh my!

Day 22 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-My Worst Habits

My Worst Habits

I feel like I've already revealed most of these but as long as we are lingering on my crazy...we might as well do it again! Caveat: These are what habits I consider my worst....I did not consult anyone who might dispute them like...say...my husband...or my kids....or of course my co-workers. Puppers might want to weigh in as well but I deliberately kept them all out of the research part of this process! 

1) Finishing other peoples Sentences

This may actually be an offshoot of another milder annoying habit I have which is impatience. Rarely do I have a conversation with someone that I'm chomping at the bit to finish their sentence and try to hurry it all along. Especially if they are boring...or droning on...or it's already information that I know....Or just about anything else. I prefer conversations with people that require few words to get to the point. Transitions, adjectives, pronouns....mostly unnecessary. 

2) Procrastination

I am simultaneously a procrastinator and an "early-bird-gets-the-worm" person. There are certain things I will push off and off and off just because "I don't wanna" which I think should be a valid excuse for anything. Just for me though....no one else gets that pass. 

3) Bitchy Resting Face

Not to be confused in any way with Bitch at Rest which is another annoying habit of mine. Unless you are me...in which case it is perfectly reasonable and warranted. I definitely have one of those faces that always looks like I'm judging you and finding you wanting.....which is in many cases true, but I always have the face whether I adore you and think you walk on water or if you are a complete doofus and a waste of my time. Same Face....Sorry

4) Empty Gas Tank Syndrome

We've already discussed this. I recognize all the reasons why I shouldn't do this and I do it anyways. Just a few days ago I said that I was working on it and yet this week I still went 34 miles past Empty. I'm not sure that this is a habit I will every break. 

5) Singing In The Car

I do...I have to admit it. I passed it on to my children and I feel mildly guilty. I sing...loudly...in the car. I don't care who sees....and if I'm on a roadtrip all bets are off because the entire agenda of the trip is singing...loudly...badly....only the words I know...and most definitely off key. And I do NOT sound like Adele. Except in my head...

Day 21 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-What Makes Me Sad?

What makes me sad?

1. Animal abuse
2. The physical effects of aging
3. Missing my "people"
4. Calories
5. Decaf coffee
6. Homelessness
7. Marley and Me
8. Natural Disasters
9. School shootings
10. When either of my daughters cry

Not too much more....I tend to be from the "accepting God's will" school of thought and don't get emotionally sad about very much. There are tragedies all around us but there are also miracles every day and I tend to think the two balance each other out. So I'd rather be happy than sad. 

Day 20 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-What Makes Me Happy

What Makes Me Happy?

1. 80 degree days in Phoenix
2. Puppies
3. Globes
4. Growing things
5. Chopped salad (that I didn't have to chop)
6. Planning vacations
7. Freshly washed sheets
8. A dip in the pool
9. Freshly washed car
10. Salon hair
11. Chalk paint
12. Getting a deal
13. Snorkeling
14. Chocolate
15. The smell of freshly cut wood
16. Haboobs
17. Fitting in the next size down
18. Tortilla chips and guacamole
19. The smell of rain in the air
20. Fireflies
21. When my hubs gets "that grin" and I see the 8 yr old boy in him
22. When the Puppers snuggles with me instead of dad
23. Photos of my daughters
24. The smile on a client's face when their home makes them happy
25. When "my song" comes on the radio at the perfect moment

Day 19 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-My Favorite Movie

My Favorite Movie

Ooooh...!!!! So hard! I can't do it! That's impossible! One movie? Just one? Not a list sorted alphabetically, by genre, and year released? Not divided into phases of my life? That's not even fair! You might as well ask for my favorite child. That would be easier and less heart-wrenching! Just one? Are you sure? In the words of Bill the Cat from Bloom County Aaacccckkk!!!

Before I narrow all my movie loves into just one I must make some official notifications:

1. I am not a cinema critic
2. I don't call movies "the cinema" or "films"
3. I don't even really have good taste in movies
4. I thoroughly enjoy the occasional episode of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" and/or "The Bachelorette" 
5. I have a strange sense of humor
6. I'm a little "dark" but I don't like "Film Noir" (see #2-I don't call movies "films")
7. I have a very short attention span
8. I prefer movies that I can get up and do the dishes or dust the sideboard when the plot gets a little slow 

So here goes nothing....

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Drum roll please....

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My favorite movie is "The Nightmare Before Christmas" by Tim Burton

Why? 

I love Tim Burton and his quirky sense of humor

**My daughter (the one that says she's the favorite) calls me out that I almost forgot the brilliant Danny Elfman score) It also stands up to a 2008 remake called Nightmare Revisited. Excellent score. 

It's dark and funny at the same time

I love me some Jack Skellington 

I've you've never seen the movie...you must you must you must...here is the trailer!

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post "What Makes Me Happy"

Day 18 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge- A Photograph of Me

A Photograph of Me

I normally hate photos of myself. I would way rather be on the other side of the camera. I always pick it apart...how did my nose get so big? I should have put on undereye concealer that morning. Do I really have that many necks? But you asked for it so here goes nothing....

Here is a recent photo of me. It was taken in April at Highpoint Furniture Market by my friend and partner-in-furniture, Nancy. We were going through one of our favorite areas and ran across a woman selling some beautiful jewelry and then also these lovely tiaras. Now I've never met a tiara that I didn't like...I'm certain that it has nothing to do with the fact that I view myself as royalty. 

Nancy took this photo and I took one of her....here she is.

How can you possibly resist trying on a tiara? You can't. That is all. 

Day 17 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-My Favorite Blogs

My Favorite Blogs

I read so many blogs these days....trying to keep up....trying to be inspired....and just because I get on random tangents and keep clicking. But I do have a few that I always go back to again and again. I still get excited when I see their posts in my feed. They inspire me because of different reasons but they all keep me coming back for more. 

• Victoria Elizabeth Barnes- This was the first blog that I truly followed every single post. And read EVERY SINGLE POST that she had written. When I was in Philly I briefly thought about stalking her until hubs reminded me of stalking laws. I love her writing style, her subject matter and the fact that, well, she's a little crazy. You simply must go read and follow her because she is simply pee-your-pants funny and because I said so!!!
• The Shabby Creek Cottage- Gina's blog is everything to eat, make and decorate. In addition to the best tips and ideas, she reaches out and helps other bloggers to find success. She is a master collaborator and an all around great gal. While her writing is more straightforward, her videos are the best. She does regular videos and is so real and approachable. If you like recipes or shortcuts or aqua...make sure you follow her! 
• 
   

• Redoux Interiors- Karen is one of my favorites! She is a nutty redhead and probably my most favorite dumpster diver ever! Her garage looks pretty much like mine and she is so real and approachable! She has the cutest ideas to "re-doux" her trashy finds and they always turn out looking darling. This girl has vision! And she is super funny! Love her!

Day 16 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-My Thoughts On Education

My Thoughts on Education

Well that took a serious turn in topics! Education is such a broad topic and my opinions are so narrow. The funny thing is that I rarely think of formalized education anymore since my kiddos are out of school. It's amazing how it consumes your life for so many years: Teachers and books and fundraisers and childhood drama...and then all of a sudden it's all gone! In the blink of an eye really. But I guess I'll jot down my random thoughts on the subject and see what comes of it. 

Learning was always very easy for me. I was fortunate to go to a school district that a) had plenty of money to devote to individual education and b) was forward thinking enough to realize that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to education. I was an extremely fast reader and had comprehension far beyond my years. My teachers acknowledged that and took great care to make sure I was always challenged in class. Well maybe not challenged, but at least not bored. 

Little Jen (wasn't I cute?)

It probably helped that my mom was a bit of a ball-buster when it came to my education. It embarrassed me to no end when I was younger, but as an adult I appreciate that she always made the effort to advocate on my behalf. She also always made sure she was involved volunteering, etc at the school so she was in the loop of things going on. I definitely had every opportunity for learning and growth given to me growing up. 

This was in the days before Common Core and other bureaucracy-mandated educational systems that have overrun education today. I do believe that individual teachers still make a huge difference and caring, compassionate teachers are the rule rather than the exception. But I also believe that in many ways their hands are tied behind their backs. Underpaid, overworked and under appreciated seems to be at the top of the teacher list.  

I usually don't like to complain about things unless I have a valid solution. I don't. So I don't complain. But that's easy for me because I have no more children in school currently. And no grandchildren on the horizon. But it is my greatest hope that just like many other broken systems that we have in this country, that education continues to improve and grow and develop to go back to the tenants that I remember when I was in school. Not a national program that touts "No Child Left Behind"....just don't dismiss the needs of one child at a time. If that child is struggling or if that child is ahead of the curve. Keep class sizes small enough and administration nimble enough to put the needs of each child first. One kidlet at a time...

Those are my thoughts.....take them or leave them...

Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog on my favorite blogs (sung to the tune of My Favorite Things)

Day 15 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-Where Will I Be In 5 Years

Where Will I Be In 5 Years

Gosh, where will I be in one year? I've shaken everything up so much this year that I truly have no idea. I feel like anything I type here is either defeatist or pie in the sky thinking. But I've been guilty of both so here goes nothing.....

I think in 5 years I will still be living in Phoenix. Since that is probably inevitable I'm going to assume that I take one long and several short jaunts out of town every year. 1/2 with hubs and 1/2 with girlfriends or to visit Mom & Daddy-o. 

I will be self-employed. I will be doing what I love and something others love as well. I will employ and inspire other women. 

I will still be writing this blog. It may evolve...it may change.....but I will not stop writing even if it's only to hear myself type. 

My children will be self-sufficient and happy. They will be fulfilled and functioning but still need their Mom every now and again. Someday I will get one or both of them in the pool. How did I raise such land-lubbers? 

My hair will be a color. It will not be natural. It will not be my original. But it will be mine. And I will work it. And I will already be planning on the next color. 

I will be driving a truck. Yes a truck. I'm tired of trying to fit this square peg into a sedan-shaped hole. I'm not a sedan girl. I'm not the short skirt-long jacket girl anymore either. I live in my vehicle and I need it to function for me. Loading junk into a sedan sucks. And it's ridiculous. I need a truck. 

I will be healthy but probably still trying to lose weight and still bemoaning the fact that ice cream has calories. Of all the stupid plans for the universe...the whole cause and effect thing of eating just isn't fair! 

I will learn how to golf. I will never be good. I will never even be bad...I will be way worse than that. But I will try....and I will laugh at myself almost as much as others will laugh at me. But if you can't learn to golf in Arizona where can you?

I will have two doglets. One will be a German Shepard. Puppers will be dragging tail at the ripe old age of 13. He will still be a princess and prefer to be carried to bed. 

I will still be involved in service work. To a fault. At the expense of much....because I can. And because someone did it before me. 

I will still over-commit. And struggle to say no. And be a good friend. I'm ok with that. 

Day 14 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-3 Healthy Habits

3 Healthy Habits

I love how vague this blog topic is. L-O-V-E. Because I don't really want to talk about 3 Healthy Habits that I have. I'd rather talk about 3 Healthy Habits that I'd LIKE to have! It's not that I don't have 3 Healthy Habits...I just don't think they are all that interesting. Or fun....or maybe not totally habits...maybe they are still options that I employ MOST of the time. And that isn't exactly a habit, is it?

1) Self-care- I'd like to make self-care more of a habit than an afterthought. There were many years where things like massages, pedicures, exercise were the last thing on my list after everyone else was taken care of. Then if I truly had no time to do anything else I would finally show up on the overwhelming list of things to do. And even then it would be EXHAUSTING to care for myself. Now I don't even have kids and it appears that I do the same thing! No excuses! My intent for 2016 is to practice self-care until it becomes a habit. This is the only body I have and I need to care for it!

2) Healthy Eating-I've made huge strides in this area and I'm going to continue doing this until it is my norm. I've started planning meals and using 
Yummly app to plan recipes and shop for them. I really love eating clean although I'm not interested or willing to eat Paleo...I really want to keep up the good work until it becomes my lifestyle. 

3) Car care- Are you sensing a trend here? I am the worst car parent ever! 

This meme popped up in my "on this day" memory on my Facebook page today. I've been long known for letting my gas gauge go to empty and then count the miles until I know I will REALLY run out until I fill it up. I tell myself that I'm conserving the energy to go to the gas station...but it is really pure laziness. I had someone tell me once that it was my last remaining "living on the edge" activity. Since I don't drink or smoke or party etc...that's my only "bad-girl" act of rebellion remaining. 

That's sad...oh so sad.

Now I feel depressed and want to act out with unhealthy food. See #2

But I digress. I want to add car care to my list of habits including such things like:

1) Washing car more than once a year

2) Getting oil changed more than once a year

3) Cleaning out the car more than once a year

4) Getting gas when I'm at 1/4 of a tank

5) Not leaving coffee cups in it until I have to purchase new dishware since I'm out of coffee cups

So there we go! If you know me IRL hold me accountable! 

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post about where I will be in 5 years! Hopefully not stranded by the side of the road out of gas !!

Day 13 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge-What's Inside My Fridge

What's Inside My Fridge?

This is a scary post....be afraid...be very afraid. Especially because this is right after a holiday weekend where we had friends over. My fridge holds some scary things!

To start with there is delicious Santa Cruz organic lemonade! I love this stuff. The Ginger Lemongrass flavor is da bomb! Please ignore the sugar in the lemonade because it IS organic which cancels the other out, right?

Now this darling bowl holds some cut celery sticks I swear! Nancy got me this on one of her trips. It is called "Intervention-ware" from a fab company called Fishs Eddie. Very hard to eat ice cream out of this bowl...just sayin. It sits on top of some delish Sabra hummus. My new go-to snack!

Pay no attention to the huge bucketful of pasta salad leftover from Memorial Day. My hubs makes this like there is an invading army coming to town. Latsa Pasta! The delish corn on the cob on top of that was made by my friend Raena. It's called Cotija Cheese and Chipotle Corn and is to die for! Click on the link for the recipe...you won't regret it!

Cottage Cheese is my jam! It's my every day breakfast. 1/2 a cup and my protein is set. Bam! Done! Below that is a batch of chili I whipped up. No recipe...just tons of yumminess with a healthy (or unhealthy depending on your tolerance) dose of jalapenos!

The day I discovered La Croix water will go down in my record books. I'm not a soda drinker, thank goodness, but sometimes a girl just wants a few bubbles. This is my go to! No artificial sweeteners, no sodium...just plain fussy water. Love it!

Dill vs. Sweet- What's your fave? Mine is dill. Hubs is sweet. So we get both. Problem solved!

What's in your fridge right now?

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post 3 Healthy Habits