Week In Review (April 29 – May 5, 2013)

May 6, 2013 by 19 Comments

Before I start writing my WIR posts, I like to look back over my Instagram photos from the past week and pick a few to share that will shape my post.  Apparently, I posted a lot of food pictures recently!  Nutrition and fitness have definitely been on my mind for this past week since I have fully immersed myself in the Tone It Up Bikini Series.  Spring is a great time to amp up your fitness, especially with the arrival of warmer weather.  Although I wish I could be running right now, I’m working hard in Physical Therapy and at home to get my knee healthy in time for summer training.  *Fingers crossed*

Healthy Eats + Some Treats

I’m the kind of person who likes to eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch for months at a time.  I’m even a fan of themed day-of-the-week style dinners (like Sushi Monday).  I think I have developed this inclination towards repeated meals due to my sensitive tummy and digestive system.  There are things I know I can eat and process well that I enjoy, so I keep coming back to them over and over again.  I tend to switch up my preferred breakfast and lunch meals seasonally.  Now that we’re fully immersed in spring, I’ve been craving protein smoothies and yogurt with berries and granola for breakfast.  I’ve also been trying to up my protein intake with one serving of my favorite Perfect Fit protein powder once a day since I have been training more and am not a huge meat eater.  I’ve always been able to process this particular protein powder easily.  I even made healthy donuts with it!  My lunchtime option still leans towards hummus with raw veggies.  I know that Don will start grilling more as summer approaches.  There’s nothing quite like a simple grilled chicken breast, shrimp, or fish and yummy grilled veggies as a healthy summer dinner option!  Of course, even with a lighter, cleaner diet, I still allow for the occasional treat or two.  Whole Foods cupcakes are too cute and too delectable to resist every once in awhile!

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FIERCE!

Did I mention I’ve been on a huge circuit training kick lately?  I sadly injured my left knee during the Disney Princess Half Marathon back in late February and have not been able to run since.  I am currently in Physical Therapy in my healing journey.  Fortunately, I’ve been able to do most every other kind of physical activity.  I’ve been diligently putting in 30-60 minutes of cardio on the elliptical in addition to 30-60 minutes of circuit training six times per week.  It’s hard for me to take a day off exercise, since I genuinely like it so much, but I’ve implemented a mandatory day of rest on Sundays (until the return of Sunday Run Day!).  My number one priority it to take care of my body and mind, number two is to be able to run again (sooner than later, I hope!), number three is to work every muscle group for overall toning, and number four is to maintain my aerobic activity with the safest cardio option readily available (hence all of the time spent on the elliptical machine).  I mention mental health in regards to exercise, because exercise is my drug of choice in combatting and keeping a lid on my anxiety.  There’s nothing quite like kicking your own butt to take your mind off your mind and focus on your body instead.  The endorphins are the icing on the cake.  I also just like feeling strong.  It makes me feel fierce, even though I definitely fail at making a fierce face, as evidenced below (#FierceFaceFail)!

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Warmer Weather = Wardrobe Changes

Another thing that happens come spring is a welcome change of wardrobe.  There’s something so refreshing about spring.  With everything in bloom and longer, warmer days, it’s hard not to want to match the weather, literally.  As much as I love the cozy sweaters and boots of winter, by May I am ready to rock some cropped jeans, lighter clothes, and brighter colors.  My new(ish) Sperry’s have been getting lots of attention from me in the past couple of weeks, as well.  I’ve also enjoyed jazzing up my makeup with brighter looks using purples and blues.  I wake up earlier and feel more energized , which is reflected in how I chose to present myself.  I always look forward to the change of seasons!

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This is such a great time of year to start fresh since nature is doing the same!  I thoroughly enjoy sharing my spring delights with you here and on YouTube.  I’d love to know what changes spring has brought for you this year, if you care to share.

* I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned in this post.  I am a Sigma Beauty affiliate, which I mention because you can see some Sigma Beauty products in the last photo set.  All opinions are my own.*

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Week In Review (April 15 – 21, 2013)

April 22, 2013 by 49 Comments

I took a week off writing blogs and filming for YouTube aside from editing a few vlogs for MHWL and videos for TBBB.  I know it doesn’t seem to many people that what I do as an OCC (Original Content Creator) is justifiably work, but in actuality it is quite time consuming and takes the kind of commitment a more “traditional” job requires.  I myself even hesitate to call it work, because I derive such great pleasure from the time I spend filming, editing, and writing.  Just as with anything, though, sometimes a little break now and then is a good thing.  So, that’s where I’ve been for the past week, on a break in Utah.  Although it was delightful to step back for a little bit,  I missed my work and I’m happy to be back, sharing as usual.

When Bad Things Happen

Last Monday was a terrible-horrible-no-good kind of day in the world.  Between the Boston Marathon Bombing and the earthquake in Iran there was a lot of tragedy and heavy hearts.  I’m the kind of person who is emotionally affected by tragedies like these even with no actual personal connection to the victims and aftermath.  After tweeting about these sad events, I received some criticism for being “selfish” in my actions.  I don’t think it’s selfish to feel compassion, sympathy, and empathy for those who are suffering in the world.  Whenever I chose to make some public statement about events like these, it is never my intention to bring attention to myself, but to spread love and healing to those in need.  I recognize that even those who aren’t directly impacted by tragic events can still be honestly affected by them, as I am someone who has that same experience.  I decided I should address this here, because I will from time to time comment on incidents such as the sad events from early last week.  We’re all connected on this planet in this life, even more so than we can see or ever truly know.  Every action you take affects everyone and we are all affected by everything.  That is why I place importance on and value in choosing kindness, encouragement, and patience.   You may not be able to choose what happens to you in this life, but you can decide how you feel about your circumstances and how you act in response to them.  It’s not always the easiest path to choose kindness, but it is the most rewarding, because as the famous saying goes, “You reap what you sow.”  Ain’t that the truth!  No one deserves to be a victim and bad things will happen every second of every day to someone somewhere.  There is no shame in feeling sympathy for others’ suffering and sending prayers of love and healing to those in need.  Share love and you will be rewarded with love.

Other Kinds Of Healing

I am thankful for my life and all that it is filled with and grateful for the comforts provided to me, by me, and for me.  I know I am lucky to enjoy the things I do and share love with the ones I am close with.  I am content in my life, but I am also human, just like everyone else, and susceptible to certain stresses and pressures.  I don’t think anyone is exempt from those feelings at least at one point or another in their life.  For all that I share online, I do not share my entire life and all that it entails.  Ok, that was my big disclaimer, because I seem to get in trouble every time I refer to needing a little getaway.  Yes, I know how lucky I am in this life and trust me when I say I do not take that for granted.  On the contrary  I embrace my good fortune, because, as I touched on in my last WIR, opportunity is fleeting, so scoop it up while you can!  The truth is, sometimes I do need a little getaway.  I’m pretty sure this is a common experience at least once in awhile for everyone at some point.  It doesn’t mean I think my life is hard or bad.  I don’t think we can honestly judge anyone else’s experience in life other than our own, because we can only truthfully be ourselves and live our own lives.  That being said, here are some of the things I enjoyed most about my getaway at the family abode in Utah…

Sleeping In

For some reason I can really sleep in whenever I’m at the Utah house.  At home and even other places I’ve traveled to I tend to wake up with the sun every morning regardless of what time I went to sleep the night before or how tired I might be.  I slept until 8 or 9 almost every day last week.  It was glorious!  Another thing I seem to only be able to do consistently in Utah is linger in bed in the mornings.  At home I always hop right out of bed the second I am awake, wash my face, brush my teeth, and start my day.  Oftentimes in Utah I will linger in bed snuggling with Winnie and Don long after I am officially awake.

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Relishing The Scenery

I am a sucker for a beautiful view.  There’s a beautiful view practically everywhere you turn at house in Utah.  You can see mountains from the kitchen, the bedroom, and even the bathtub.  For me, views like these are deeply healing on a spiritual level.  There’s nothing like being smack dab in the middle of a gorgeous landscape to feel so connected to everything and everyone on this planet.

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Snuggling Galore!

I know I already mentioned snuggling while lingering in bed, but really, snuggling ought to have its own category.  I am extremely fortunate to live with and travel most frequently with two of the best snugglers I’ve ever known.  Between my husband Don and my dog Winnie I always feel very physically secure in love.  Is there anything more healing than a good cuddle with the ones you love dearest?  I can’t imagine anything better!  I benefited from much snuggling over the past week.

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Books On Healing

I keep a small selection of duplicate copies of some of my favorite spiritual and emotionally healing books, most notably including the Tao of Pooh, one of my most favorite and cherished books, which I tend to read once a year in Utah.  I also have a copy of Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.  I decided to revisit this book this past trip and it turned out to be a very good decision in terms of my needs for healing at the moment.  I’ve actually only read this book once before more than five years ago, but the lasting effect it had on me then motivated me to add it to my small collection in Utah.  I’ll probably film a Book Nook (book review video) on this one for TBBB soon with my thoughts on it, if you’re curious.  In the meantime, let’s just say it suited my needs very well while in Utah and was a great addition to my getaway.  There are many truths to which I personally prescribe to that are laid out in this book.  Revisiting it was a true joy.

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And that concludes my thoughts on last week.  I hope you are all well, safe, and happy on this beautiful spring day.  Sending love and hugs to you all!

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Week In Review (April 8 – 14, 2013)

April 16, 2013 by 52 Comments

Hello, friends!  I decided to officially move the posting of my WIR’s to Mondays from now on (but still will be reporting on the previous Monday through Sunday).  So, you’re probably thinking, “But Jen, it’s Tuesday!”  Yes, I know.  I was planning on posting this yesterday but then all of these terrible things in the world happened and it just didn’t seem appropriate.  I’m not going to cover said terrible things in this post since they didn’t technically take place last week.  I do want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the Boston Marathon tragedy as well as the earthquake in Iran.

I See Stars

I’ve been back in Utah since last Monday.  This apparently caused a bit of a stir in the comments of my MHWL vlogs from early last week with some wondering why on earth I need yet another vacation after returning home from an incredible week in WDW just over a month ago.  I’d like to reply to this inquiry with another question: If you had the opportunity to travel to somewhere as beautiful as Utah and stay in a family home where you have all of your belongings you need already as well as access to a car while only having to pay for your airfare, gas, and food expenses, wouldn’t you go, too?  I love Utah and am extremely fortunate to have the chance right now to enjoy it as frequently as I do.  Opportunity is fleeting.  I think it’s important to take advantage of good things while you can.  My being here certainly isn’t hurting anyone.  Plus, I can see the stars at night out here.  I really don’t feel the need to explain myself beyond that.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

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I unfortunately cannot find the original source for this image. Here is where I discovered it.

Fresh Air Seems Fresher In The Mountains

The air actually probably is fresher up here at 6,000 feet and higher, which is yet another reason on the long list of things I absolutely love about Utah.  There’s nothing quite like living in the prairie midwest at a mere 500 feet above sea level where people call the slightest incline a “hill” to make you appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the more fierce mountain landscape.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Chicago and all it has to offer culturally.  Plus, the lake is beautiful.  Most importantly, the majority of my family lives there, which is my most favorite part about the area.  I’ve only started traveling to Utah without the entire Ross clan in the past couple of years and as much as I absolutely love being with the family, there’s something deeply rejuvenating about some solo time out here.  Of course, I have my constant companion, Winnie (she IS my co-pilot, after all).  I enjoy taking my little furball on hikes where I can safely bring her along to explore the local beauty.  I know I’m going to get questions about how I can take my pretty little princess with all that hair on hikes in the mountains.  In the past I’ve found little paved trails that I can easily take her on and I just don’t let her go off trail.  You wouldn’t imagine the kinds of things that can get ensnarled in that girl’s hair!  I also have a sling-style backpack I keep out here that Winnie fits in quite comfortably for the less paved sorts of paths.  That girl loves to be in any bag so long as it means she’s coming along for the ride!  I’m considering investing in a proper hiking backback and rigging it out so I can harness her into it securely while allowing her head and upper body to be out for air.  I’ll let you know if I figure that one out over the summer.  It’s critically important to always be sure to bring plenty of water, food, and an emergency first aid kit for your pets as well as yourself when hiking and to check everyone thoroughly for ticks, bugs, and other irritants when home.

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The Desire For Adventure

Even after coming out to the Park City area for so many years, I still find something new to experience each time.  I am definitely a creature of habit, cozy comforts, and a complete and utter homebody, but nothing gets me out the door quite as fast as the promise of a beautiful view and time spent in nature.  As I’ve grown more comfortable with getting around on my own out here, Winnie and I have been going on more mini adventures of sorts to different places within a short driving distance (an hour or less).  I have big hopes to venture out much further for the first time this summer.   On my Utah to-visit list: St. George and Zion National Park, Moab and Arches National Park, and the Canyonlands National Park.  I’d love to visit even just one of those amazing places this summer.  Closer to home is the Uinta National Forest, which Winnie and I drove up to this weekend for a look around.  It was still too snowy to be able to take her on a walk, but we enjoyed the sights we could see very much.  We will most definitely return again in the summer for a proper adventure.  Utah is so beautiful!

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Everyday To-Do’s

I realize all I’ve talked about in this WIR is the beauty of Utah, which I could rhapsodize about endlessly.  While not outside or dreamily ogling the mountains, I’ve been up to my usual antics.  One of the benefits of coming to Utah is that I can quite comfortably carry on with my day-to-day tasks, including filming and editing videos for YouTube, blogging here and on my two tumblrs (see side bar for links), and hopping around social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook as I do when I am home.  One of the other benefits of coming to Utah is that there seems to be much less house-related work for me to do (especially when it’s just me and Winnie out here), which opens up some time for journaling, watching favorite movies, and just plain vegging out.  I also manage to eat better, workout more, and sleep longer and deeper.  Let’s not forget the all important return to my absolute favorite ice cream I’ve ever tried.  My new obsession is the vanilla and heath bar shake.  YUM!

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Distance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

As you can see, I am having a grand old time.  Don flies in tomorrow to spend the last four nights here with me, which is how much work he felt comfortable taking off.  Some people were surprised I’d chose to spend so much time away from Don.  Of course I love my husband more than anything on this planet and miss him very much when we’re apart, but I think a little distance now and then isn’t a terrible thing in a marriage.  At least it isn’t in mine.  You know the saying, “Distance makes the heart grow fonder?”  Maybe it doesn’t work in everyone’s relationship, but a week or so apart a few times a year helps keep things fresh for us right now.  That being said, I am like a schoolgirl giggling with excitement at the prospect of jumping into his arms tomorrow!

I hope you are all safe and well.  Even though a tragedy might not directly affect us, it can still take its toll.  We’re all connected, whether we like to admit it or not.  I know I am certainly shaken up by the events of the last two days.  I take comfort in knowing that there are so many people in the world sending prayers and thoughts for recovery and healing to those directly affected by the tragedies.  I’d like to send a BIG HUG and LOVE & COMFORT out to each and everyone of you.

((HUG))

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Week In Review (April 1 – 7, 2013)

April 8, 2013 by 38 Comments

Well, hello there, friends!  Long time no WIR (Week In Review), right?  I’m sorry I haven’t posted one of these in a couple of weeks.  I did say from the beginning that I wasn’t planning on posting every single week, but I did not intend for two in a row to pass with no post.  Time sometimes can get away from you, you know?  If you’ve been keeping up with me on Twitter and my MHWL vlogs, you probably haven’t missed out on too much.   It’s recently occurred to me that I share a whole lot of my day-to-day life with you.  I’m not sure why I didn’t really consider if before.  It’s a good thing I like sharing, as you well know by now!

Leftover Easter Treats

Last weekend revolved entirely around Easter with lots of food preparations and time spent with family.  I am the baker of the family and supplied the family favorite baked goods as I usually do for the Easter feast.  My personal favorite Easter specialty is Paska Bread.   It’s so much fun to bake bread!  It’s even more fun to eat bread fresh out of the oven!  I plan on sharing this recipe at some point due to all of the interest in it.  It’s a tasty treat and makes for beyond excellent morning toast smothered in butter.

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Spring Has Sprung

It’s official.  Spring is here at long last in the Midwest!   Sunny days mean longer walks with Winnie and daffodil shoots peeking up in the flowerbeds.  Not to mention longer days in general, which I absolutely love and appreciate.  Spring always puts a certain pep in my step.  The weather’s still on the chilly side, but warm enough for the lighter of my winter coats and even some fleece-only days.  I’ve been enjoying wearing my new favorite American Eagle Skinny Jeans with my J. Crew boots.  I also noticed I tend to wear more grey in the spring and lots of purple and green eye shadow.  I hope to have a few new spring current looks up soon on TBBB [link] featuring my favorite spring makeup!

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Spring also means tons of new releases and lineups in the beauty world.  I lucked out and cashed in on some pretty sweet sales at Walgreens this week and stocked up on Maybelline mascaras and Wet ‘N Wild eye shadow palettes in pretty spring colors.

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I Work Out

After taking a full month off running after the Disney’s Princess Half Marathon (see this post for more info) when I injured my left knee, I decided to give running a try again about a couple weeks ago.  Sadly, the knee injury popped up again about a mile in.  After a discouraging walk home, I decided to finally make a doctor’s appointment.  Unfortunately, I can’t get in until late April, which means at least another month off running.  I miss it, but I am really quite lucky that my knee only seems to hurt when running.  I’ve been able to do other types of exercise, including HIIT workouts on the elliptical, yoga, and cross and strength training with my favorite Jillian Michaels and Tone It Up workout DVDs.  I’m on a real exercise kick right now, which tends to grab me every spring.  I’ve been aiming for a minimum of 60 minutes of exercise six days a week, including a 30+ minute cardio session first thing in the morning (otherwise known as a Tone It Up Booty Call) with an additional 30+ minute cross/strength training workout or yoga session later in the day.  I’ve designated Friday as my rest day, but I still go to a 75-minute yin yoga class to stretch my body and my brain out after a long week.  I don’t know how I’d get through any of my workouts without my beloved VS Pro sports bras.

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I  ❤ Harry Potter

I’ve been on a huge Harry Potter kick since we visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter At Universal’s Islands of Adventure on our most recent trip to Orlando.  Don & I have watched an HP movie every weekend since, finishing up with the fifth (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) just last night.  All of this HP goodness really makes me want to read the books again.  I have way too many new reads on my bookshelf to do so at the moment, but I feel like I will probably venture back to the HP series sometime this year.  I decided to take a Sorting Hat type of quiz online a few days ago to see what Hogwarts House I would be placed in if I were ever to attend.  I’m a Hufflepuff!  Fun times!  You can take the quiz too (here) if you’re interested.  I’d love to know what your results are if you care to share!

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Cake Is Good

We celebrated Don’s sister Emily’s birthday this past weekend.  Our family loves to get together, celebrate life, and eat delicious food together.  Does it get any better than that?  If you watched my vlog from party day, you’ll see that Emily has really popped even just since Easter.  Baby Girl’s arrival is only one month away!  I’m incredibly excited to be an Auntie again and even more excited for Emily and her husband Dave to begin their new roles as parents.  That is one lucky Baby Girl!  I’ll definitely keep you posted when she does make an entrance.  In the meantime, I’ve already started daydreaming about all of the cute outfits I can buy her and tea parties we can have in a few short years.  Auntie’s are meant to be spoilers in the best way possible.

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I’m actually on a plane as I write this, heading out to the family abode in Utah for a couple weeks of R&R and catching up on projects, correspondence, and quality time with Winnie.  I hope to check in again next week with another WIR.  In the meantime, you can find me all over the place, links always on the right sidebar here on OrganizedJen.com.  I hope you all are having a great day!  Thanks for stopping by :)

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New Vlogging Camera Decisions

March 19, 2013 by 37 Comments

It’s time for me to buy a new vlogging camera and as usual I am stuck on my decision.  I don’t like to commit to a big purchase unless I am 100% certain about my choice.  I’ve been using a Canon PowerShot ELPH 300HS for a couple of years now with great success.  Unfortunately, it’s gotten pretty banged up lately and needs to be replaced.  I like to buy my cameras from Best Buy, because of their great extended warranty options.  Luckily, my current camera is still covered under the 2-year protection plan I originally purchased for it.  The problem is that it needs to be sent in to the servicing center and I would be without a vlogging camera for 2-3 weeks.  That might not sound like a very long time to most people, but in the life of an almost daily vlogger it might as well be an eternity.  My parents really need a new camera, so I decided I would go ahead and purchase myself a new one and then give them whatever replacement or refurbished camera Best Buy sends back to me under my 300HS warranty.  The issue now is what new vlogging camera should I purchase?

OJ|MHWL 3:19:2013I am a Canon camera girl through and through, which makes picking a brand easy enough.  I love the convenience of the PowerShot line, which features small-sized point and shoots with big features.  Of course, I need a camera that shoots in HD for high quality videos.  I narrowed it down to two of Canon’s newer releases.  The first option is the latest version of the camera I’m currently using, the Canon PowerShot ELPH 330HS (photo source, listed at $229.99).  This is so new that there aren’t many reviews on it yet, which I tend to rely on quite a bit when making big ticket purchases like this.  The second option is the Canon PowerShot S110 (photo source, listed at $449.99), which packs a lot more punch into what settings it offers and capabilities it has.  Initially, I wasn’t really considering the S110, because it’s quite a bit more expensive than the 330HS .  The reason it is a split decision now is that the S110 is currently on sale for $329 at Best Buy where I can purchase the extended warranty I like so much for it.  The 330HS isn’t offered at Best Buy yet.  Plus, I know many other YouTube vloggers use and love the Canon Powershot S100, which is the S110′s predecessor.  The S110 also gets rave reviews, whereas the 330HS has none as of yet.

Any thoughts from my fellow camera enthusiasts out there would be greatly appreciated!

** Camera Decision UPDATE **

After further research as well as considering your input (thanks for that, btw!) I decided to go with the Canon PowerShot ELPH 330HS.  I’ve been watching videos from some of the YouTube vloggers that I know who use the S100 and S110 in the past few days and noticed a bit of audio interference due to the autofocus.  I also read several reviews that commented on this, which helped me decide to stick with the ELPH line, since I haven’t had that particular issue with my 300HS.  The 330HS isn’t available for shipping yet on Best Buy, so I decided to purchase it through Amazon.  Not only did I get the camera for a slightly reduced price ($218 as opposed to the $229 list price), I get free 2-day shipping as an Amazon Prime member.  I also decided to try out the 2-year accidental warranty from SquareTrade offered through Amazon for $39.40.  A similar warranty from Best Buy costs $49.99.  All in all, I saved a bit of money ordering from Amazon and decided it was worth trying out a new accidental warranty provider as well.  I should be vlogging with the new camera this weekend!  I’ll let you know my thoughts :)

*I am not affiliated with Canon.  All opinions are my own.*

 

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Week In Review (March 11 – 17, 2013)

March 18, 2013 by 40 Comments

This past week kind of went by in a blur.  Being back to almost daily vlogging really fills out my days to the max.  I don’t think many people realize the time that goes into editing videos.  I know I certainly didn’t before I started making them.  Editing vlogs is particularly time consuming because there are so many clips to pull together, cuts to make, and transitions to smooth out.  I’m not trying to complain here.  I actually genuinely enjoy the editing process and being able to share my “Day In The Life/Follow Me Around” videos on MHWL with you.  I hope I’m not coming off as a Mrs. Whiny Pants, because that’s not my point at all!  It’s just that you don’t really know how much time goes into making something until you make it yourself or someone shares that information with you.  Anyway, back to vlogging means back to jam-packed days.  I have to chuckle when someone who clearly doesn’t know me calls me “lazy” and assumes I just sit on my bum all day twiddling my thumbs.  Just ask Don and he’ll tell you straight up – I basically do not stop working on things and buzzing around like the busy bee that I am from the time I wake up in the morning until I lay down to go to sleep at night.  That’s how I function at my best in all honesty.

Starting New Organizational Projects

This week marked the start of my foray back into the land of organization.  I am excited but also a bit nervous about my latest endeavor – office organization.  I used to refer to my office as my craft room, but lately, I use it primarily for work-related reasons, so it’s officially now my office.  It’s actually quite a large room (lucky me, I know!) that is a great multi-purpose space.  Not only does it serve as my office in terms of my desk/computer and filing area, but I also have a dedicated grooming station for Winnie, a sewing desk, bins galore, and more shelves and cabinets than you’ve probably ever seen in one space.  Let’s just say that the total organizational overhaul of this room is quite a daunting task, hence the nervousness.  There’s also this strange stigma that somehow got attached to this room where I feel like I have to put all other spaces of the house before it.  I think this is because it is the only space that is truly 100% my own and as a housewife I feel like I should prioritize the common areas of the house in terms of my time and organizational efforts.  Plus, sometimes it’s just hard to do something that you know is just for yourself.  I feel like many women struggle with making time for themselves.  It’s something I have to work on every single day.  Even though I’m finally at a place where I’m ready to take on my office organization (it only took me over five years to get here!), I still struggle with feelings of guilt and anxiety surrounding this use of time.  I know that ultimately it will not only benefit me directly, because as Don likes to say, “Happy Wife, Happy Life!” and having a functional, organized, and clean space to work in and call my own will make me one very happy wife.

IMG_9149Stay tuned to OLJ for new videos tracking my office organization adventure.  I hope to post the first one in the next few days.

 Back To Books

Whenever I get home from vacation I usually prefer to spend my (almost) nightly tub time catching up on my YouTube subscriptions instead of reading, which is what I usually do in the bath.  I don’t spend a lot of time watching videos on any given day, but I allow myself this luxury when I’ve been away from the internet for a trip or during a particularly busy time.  This past week I’ve been back to books.  I finished two, Neferet’s Curse: A House of Night Novella by P.C. & Kristin Cast, and Beneath The Glitter by Elle & Blair Fowler.  I enjoy reading a wide variety of literary genres, mostly fictional with plot lines and character developments that really bring you in as a reader.  I just posted my first book nook review in a long time on TBBB.  For some reason these types of videos make me a bit nervous.  I hope to become more comfortable in filming them with time.

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New Spring Goodies

I’ve done some shopping in the past week, adding new clothes and accessories to my spring collection and restocking my bath and body product stash for the change in season.  (I posted hauls from each category on TBBB – you can watch Clothes & Accessories here and Bath & Body Products here if you’re interested!)  I’m especially excited about my recent discovery of ModCloth.  I stumbled across this website during a search for a blush colored dress for an upcoming wedding I’m standing up in.  I ended up buying five new dresses altogether.  I love the vintage style of the clothes with what I consider to be reasonable prices for the quality.  I know I’ll be returning to ModCloth for more fun additions to my wardrobe in the future!

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Spring Treats

I look forward to the return of McDonald’s Shamrock Shake every March.  Even with my hyped up expectations, it never disappoints.  A vanilla shake that’s dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day with a hint of mint?  Sign me up!  One a year and I’m happy as a leprechaun with a pot of gold!  Another treat reappearance this week was the return of Donut Saturday.  I always instagram my #DonutSaturday pics and actually went back through my feed to see when my last donut was.  Nine weeks ago!  I knew it had been awhile, but that’s just too long for this donut fiend!  I think they’re back to stay for a while now.

OJ|MHWL 3:18:2013

I can’t wait for spring to officially arrive this upcoming week.  I know the Chicago weather won’t comply (does it ever?), but it will be nice to know that we’re officially in the season.  As much as I love winter, by the time March rolls around I am more than ready for spring.  I’m considering signing up for the Self Drop 10 spring challenge this year in an attempt to amp up my workout routine now that I’m not worried about my knee anymore and find new, healthy recipes.  I’ll keep you posted!

*I am not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned in this post.  All opinions are my own.*

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Dealing with IBS

March 11, 2013 by 75 Comments

I’ve mentioned in videos before that I suffer from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).  While this can mean different things to different people with the same diagnosis, the general similarities include abdominal issues ranging from mild discomfort to debilitating pain, possible bloating, and issues with digestive functioning (that last bit was my best attempt at not getting overly graphic, if you get my drift).  There’s no known cause for this condition and it’s certainly not a one size fits all diagnosis.  I’ve always referred to my IBS symptoms as my “stummy,” which evolved as an abbreviation of “sick tummy.”  Whenever my IBS kicks up, I refer to it as the return of the “stummy.”  I guess I like having my own names for things.   I’ve received many questions about my experience with IBS and how I deal with it, so I thought I would address it properly in a blog post.

I saw a nutritionist and integrative medicine doctor team a few years ago before my official diagnosis to try to find possible triggers for my stummy problems as well as my anxiety issues.  I’ve always known that these two go hand in hand and I spent a good year and a half working diligently with the nutritionist/doctor team through bloodwork results and other tests, different supplemental regimens, and every kind of nutrition restriction diet under the sun in an attempt to sort my body out.  There was even one three month period where I could basically only eat about five different kinds of food!  I tried gluten free, dairy free, nut free, and sugar free diets, some more than once and many at the same time.  They all yielded the same results; not only did my stummy problems persist, but I was very unhappy about the whole thing.  You don’t realize how much enjoyment and satisfaction food can give you until you have to do without some of your personal staples, especially the healthy ones you rely on every day.  Some of the supplements the team had me on made me feel like I was on an emotional rollercoaster and not in the good way!  I cannot emphasize enough the importance of seeing a doctor before starting a supplement regimen.  They can be just as powerful as prescription medicine in some cases, so it’s a good idea to be under a physician’s care when trying out new supplements.

I’ve never been a big fan of going to the doctor (which is an anxiety trigger for me) and I generally have to be feeling pretty miserable to take that leap.  At the end of my rope, I caved and finally went to see a gastrointerologist about three years ago after a good eight years or so of increasingly bad stummy problems.  That’s when I was diagnosed with IBS.  The doctor didn’t prescibe me anything for it or give me much real advice in terms of what to or not to eat since I had already thoroughly exhausted that route.  Somehow, just having the actual diagnosis did a lot all on its own in setting me on the right path towards a happier day-to-day life in my body.  I left the nutritionist/doctor team, cut down my supplements to the basic daily vitamins and minerals I thought were most important, and decided not to focus so much on the whole thing for a little while.  This mindset took the pressure off and helped me feel a bit better right away.  Sometimes it helps just to take a step back.

Tone It Up Nutrition Plan (photo source)

Tone It Up Nutrition Plan (photo source)

It was also around this time that I discovered the Tone It Up girls on YouTube when looking for some new at home workout routines.  This led me to purchase their Nutrition Plan, which I read and followed closely.  Within a few months I was feeling leaps and bounds better and had learned some valuable nutritional information that helped with my stummy issues.  In terms of food, I seem to be able to process most kinds just fine if I pay particular attention to the timing of when I eat what during the day as well as food type combinations.  This is a trial and error process, even after a couple of years, but it’s definitely worked much better for me than anything I tried previously.

It’s become increasingly clear especially over the last year that stress is the number one trigger for my stummy.  Sometimes it seems like it doesn’t really matter at all what or when I eat; if I am stressed enough I will experience stummy problems regardless.  My particular symptoms tend to settle on major bloating and mild to extreme discomfort or pain.  Sometimes they can last for days on end without reprieve.  I’ve been taking extra care in the past couple of years to focus more on my anxiety and stress and identify triggers for those.  Seeing a therapist on a weekly basis is helping me learn how to better communicate with myself and with others.  I’m learning what I need to feel my best emotionally, which in turn helps me to feel my best physically.  I know I need to be active, both physically and mentally, every day to be happy.  It’s important to honor the busy bee in me as idleness feeds my anxiety.  I also know, however, that it’s important for me to carve out some time every day to relax and chill out for anywhere from thirty to sixty minutes.  My favorite way to do this is to take a long bath with a nice cup of tea, a good book, or catching up on my YouTube subscriptions.

Being on YouTube and other social media platforms where I can interact with others has created a unique opportunity for me to be myself without the anxiety of being in a person-to-person type setting (another big anxiety trigger for me).  The fact that so many of you accept me just as I am is slowly but surely making me more confident to be comfortable in my own skin in my personal life.  Your continued support and encouragement is an incredible gift to me and I am truly grateful for all of you.

My experience with IBS is an ongoing one and something I will probably have to deal with or at least be very aware of for my entire life.  If you too suffer from stummy problems, I would encourage you to seek advice from a medical professional.  I do believe that western medicine can only get us so far and much of the process of finding relief is to learn about your own body.  No one knows you and your body better than you do.  Getting advice from many sources is helpful in forging your own path.  Ultimately, you must learn for yourself what works and what doesn’t work for you.  Be patient with and kind to yourself.  There’s no better medicine out there!

Filed Under: Health & Fitness, My Housewife Life Tagged With: , , , , ,

Week In Review (March 4 – 10, 2013)

March 10, 2013 by 39 Comments

I’m not sure if this is just my experience or a more common one, but the week after I’m back from a vacation (and especially a long one) feels kind of like a lost week to me.  It’s not that I don’t get things done, because I most certainly do being the busy bee that I am.  It just feels like the first week post-vacation is a real transitionary time in which it’s a bit challenging to find the motivation to get back in the swing of things.  That being said, I did get so much done this week and am back in the swing of things.  It just feels like I could use a little more help than usual in feeling up to the task in my daily routines.  Does anyone else have a similar experience?

Tea & Honey = Comfort

I was looking back at my Instagram photos from the past week and was a bit surprised to find that I had posted four tea related pics.  To me, there’s few things more simple and comforting than a nice cup of tea with honey.  Add in a bath, a good book, or some YouTube watching and I am one happy camper.  It’s been a bit of a dreary kind of week weather-wise as well, with that winter-is-lasting-FOREVER feel.  That kind of grey, gloomy day is perfect tea weather!  I think I’ll post an updated Tea Time with Jen video on TBBB soon sharing what teas I’ve been loving lately, especially since I’ve been drinking so much of it!

“I don’t feel very much like Pooh today,” said Pooh.
“There there,” said Piglet.  ”I’ll bring you tea and honey until you do.”
- A.A. Milne, Winnie The Pooh

OJ|MHWL 3:10:2013

Decorating for Spring

Speaking of winter dragging on, I always look forward to early March when I pull out my spring decorations.  These cheery additions to our home can make even the most grey of days a little brighter.  Spring decorating for me also includes refilling our candy bowls with Easter candies.  I have a tendency to buy more than I need when I find them on sale (usually at Target).  To avoid waste, I’ve discovered that I can successfully freeze candy for up to a year.  Now I only buy seasonal candy every other year.  I use freezer style Ziplocks and always double bag to ensure freshness and ward away freezer burn.  In my experience the candy tastes just as good after a year in the freezer.  I thaw the candy still sealed up in the bags on my counter before distributing to candy dishes and jars.

I find that I don’t munch on our display candy often.  We mainly keep it out for guests and because I like the way it looks as decoration.  I feel like candy dishes give a warm and inviting type of feel to our home.  However, there are particular types of candy that I just can’t resist.  The white chocolate M&M’s for spring are one of those temptations!  To solve my problem of overreaching into that candy bowl, I like to portion the M&M’s out into 100 calorie treat packs using small ziptop baggies you can find at Michaels.  Simple math and a kitchen scale are the only tools you need to create your own special treat packs.

Speaking of white chocolate M&Ms, I searched the internet for a link to them, but could only find them on Amazon.  I wonder if they’re not available this year?  If so, then I’m really glad I had a stash frozen from last year.

OJ|MHWL 3:10:2013_2

Losing Vacation Weight

Even though I like to be as active as I can on a trip, I usually gain upwards of four pounds on a week or longer vacation simply from all of the tasty food I indulge in while away.  I think this is a pretty common experience.  I find that I can lose that weight easily enough within a week of returning home if I follow the simplest and healthiest version of my usual everyday diet.  I cut out my special treat allowances to accomodate this cleaner eating week post-vacation, including Tuesday Treat Day and Sweet Saturday.  I followed this approach to eating for the past week and have already trimmed off my vacation weight.  I even had to refrain from any rigorous exercise this week as I am resting my knee until it’s all better to avoid further injury.  I turned to a basic at home yoga practice instead, using my favorite Tara Stiles This Is Yoga DVD set to keep my body loose and my blood flowing every day.  I was pleasantly surprised that I could still lose the weight in the same amount of time without working up a serious sweat each day.

I tend to eat the same kinds of food on a daily basis for awhile before switching things up.  My typical diet this past week consisted of Don’s special open-faced egg sammies on english muffins and tea for breakfast, homemade chicken soup with a side of Pirate’s Booty for lunch, a snack of hummus and veggies with a few mixed nuts in the afternoon, and quinoa with chicken, broccoli, & mushrooms for dinner.  To satisfy my sweet tooth I brew a double cup of herbal tea with honey for dessert.  This diet is effective and I don’t feel like I’m suffering while on it.  That being said, I’ll be happy for the return of my Tuesday Treat Day and Sweet Saturday indulgences next week. ;)

I’ve recieved so many questions and comments about my IBS that I decided to write a blog post dedicated to the subject, which will be up in the next couple of days if you’re interested.

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In summary, it’s been a bit of an iffy week, perfectly reflected by this iffy end of winter weather.  Luckily I have a cuddly hubby and sweet pup to cuddle up with when the grey weather starts to get me down.  I hope that all of you are having a restful and rejuvenating Sunday evening!

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Week In Review (February 25 – March 3, 2013)

March 4, 2013 by 33 Comments

I’m sorry that this post is up a bit late, but I wanted to take some time to make a special trip recap edition.  Don and I had such a wonderful time at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida last week and I thought some of you might be interested to hear a bit about how we spent our vacation days post race.

My knee was feeling better after a good rest, lots of ice, and some Advil on Sunday after the race (see my last Week In Review post for more about that if you missed it), so we decided to proceed with our usual Disney plan of visiting a park in the morning the next day.  We like to go to whichever park is having Extra Magic Hours that morning.  This means that the park opens to resort guests one hour before the general public.  It’s a great way to enjoy the parks before they get crazy crowded and allows you to get on your favorite rides without waiting in super long lines.

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We went to Animal Kingdom Monday morning.  Following our usual AK protocol, we booked it over to the Kilimanjaro Safaris to get fastpasses for later in the morning, then trekked all the way over to the other side of the park to get on Expedition Everest, a pretty awesome roller coaster in my opinion.  We were able to ride it twice in a row, which ended up not being the best decision for me as I got a little dizzy afterwards.  We slowly made our way around the rest of the park while I recovered, visiting another of our AK favorites, the DINOSAUR ride and stopping for a delicious Mickey pretzel.

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We ended our time at AK with the Safari, which is by far the best ride in the park.  You are guided on an open air bus through a real animal reserve, which offers up close views of African savanna wildlife.  My personal favorite is the giraffes, and we’ve always been fortunate to get great up close views of them.  We were lucky to see a lot of the reserve’s population out and about feeding on this particular morning, which made for a memorable experience.  Don and I usually walk through the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail afterwards to see gorillas, monkeys, and other animals.  AK never disappoints!

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As much as we love Animal Kingdom, we usually choose to finish our time there before lunch and head somewhere else to eat.  We decided to go to one of our favorite Downtown Disney restaurants, Raglan Road, which is an Irish pub and restaurant.  We make a point of having lunch here every time we visit Disney World.  Don loves beer and decided to branch out and try Arrogant Bastard Ale while we were there.  He loves their Fish and Chips as well!  I had the Prosciutto and Chicken sambo with Parmesan Garlic Truffle fries.  Super YUM!  We ended the day at Victoria & Albert’s for dinner, which entails a lovely prix fixe dinner.  This is fine dining at its best at Disney World!  It is a special celebratory treat we like to indulge in during our Disney vacations.

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We rose bright and early Tuesday morning to make our way to Epcot to enjoy the Extra Magic Hour there.  We spent most of the morning in Future World.  Don and I procured fastpasses for the newly updated Test Track before making our way over to Soarin’.  This ride is exactly the same at both Disneyland and Epcot, but we still went on it again even though we just enjoyed it in late January in Anaheim.  It never fails to thrill us!  I am particularly fond of the The Seas with Nemo and Friends, which is one of those classic Disney slow moving rides where you are transported through a story line.  The ride actually ends at SeaBase, which houses an aquarium.  I love visiting the manatees whenever we are there.  We also managed to fit in Spaceship Earth, an Epcot vintage classic, as well as Ellen’s Energy Adventure, a longer show-type ride (perfect for giving tired legs a rest), before our fastpass time at Test Track.  This one has been recently updated to a new design, although it still uses the basic structure and layout of the original ride.  Don loves it!

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We headed over to World Showcase and made our way to Japan for lunch at Teppan Edo, a traditional Teppan style restaurant.  So delicious!  I was super excited to find green tea soft serve ice cream on their dessert menu as well.  We had hoped to spend more time at World Showcase after lunch, but the afternoon turned rainy, so we headed back to the hotel to rest.  We actually returned to Epcot that evening for dinner at Le Cellier Steakhouse, a Canadian restaurant (and one of our Epoct must-go’s!) for a delicious meal and stayed to watch Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, a fire and laser show that you can catch nightly at World Showcase.

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We were in Orlando for such a long stay that we decided to make time to visit the Universal Orlando Resort.  It’s only our second time visiting these parks!  We went to Islands of Adventure first thing Wednesday morning and made a beeline to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to jump in line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.  This is possibly the most awesome ride Don and I have ever been on.  We went on it last year for the first time and were blown away!  I don’t know how they engineered the ride to be so spectacular, but it literally feels like you are flying around Hogwarts in a mad dash to get to a Quidditch game.  I recommend checking out the Wikipedia link for more information.

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We decided to ride the other big attractions before heading back to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for shopping, Butter Beer, and riding the other, more traditional roller coaster, the Dragon Challenge.  In the interim, we rode The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman and The Incredible Hulk Coaster, both of which I refer to as “big boy” rides.  They make the Disney rides look so tame in comparison!  That was about all of the crazy rides I had left in me, so Don went on Doctor Doom’s Fearfall without me.  He was pretty disappointed with that one, but the rest of the rides certainly made up for it!  We had lunch at Mythos before heading to The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad Stunt Show.  Don and I both agreed that the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is far superior.  Universal may have more “big boy” rides, but Disney’s got the show arena down pat!

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We ended our day at Islands of Adventure with a whirl on the Caro-Seuss-el.  I have loved carousels ever since I was a little girl and would ride the one in Central Park with my grandfather when we visited my grandparents in NYC.  Whenever I see a carousel now, I cannot resist!  I don’t think there’s an age limit to being able to enjoy the kind of simple, nostalgic pleasure that a carousel provides.  The added bonus of being Dr. Seuss themed was the icing on the cake!  Check out those happy faces! :D

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We ventured back to the Magic Kingdom later that afternoon to try out the new Be Our Guest Restaurant in Fantasyland.  I must admit that Don and I haven’t been huge fans of the character dining type park restaurants in the past.  We decided we couldn’t pass up trying out the newest place, especially since it’s Beauty and the Beast themed, which I love.  We did not have high expectations, but we were really impressed!  The food is much better than other comparable park restaurants we have tried before.  The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and, as with all things Disney, there is so much attention to detail that you are continually entertained just by looking around.  Another fun element was being able to meet the Beast after dinner and have photos taken.  The menu has some nice selections and an added bonus is that you can actually order wine and beer there, which is different from all other Magic Kingdom restaurants.  What’s not to like?  We were able to watch Wishes again (we had gone on the first night of our trip the previous week) after dinner, but this time from the back of the castle in Fantasyland, giving us a different vantage point than ever before.  Fun times!

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We actually returned to the Magic Kingdom the next morning for the Extra Magic Hour to enjoy our favorite rides and explore the new Fantasyland section further.  We bit the bullet and waited in line for almost an hour for the new Enchanted Tales with Belle, which turned out to just be a glorified Belle meet and greet for children only.  Anyone older than 10 was really just a spectator.  I would’ve loved to have had my photo taken with her, especially after such a long wait, but it was truly geared just towards children.  That being said, I think it is a must-do for young Beauty and The Beast fans out there.  It was a cute interactive experience where the kids play parts and help act out the story of when Belle and the Beast fell in love with Belle herself.  The design was incredible and we were really impressed with the cast members involved.  Afterwards we headed to Gaston’s Tavern to split one of the infamous warm cinnamon rolls.  We also checked out the new Storybook Circus in Fantasyland and rode the family friendly Barnstormer, which would be great for kids new to roller coasters.  We spent more time than usual in Tomorrowland and enjoyed the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and Space Mountain (we NEVER miss this ride!).  The only other ride we did at the MK was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  We missed out on some of our usual favorites, including Mickey’s PhilharMagic, the Haunted Mansion, and the Pirates of the Caribbean.  We decided it was worth spending our time at the park trying new things this time around.

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The reason we had to leave the MK by lunchtime was to make a special dining package reservation at The Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood Studios for a lunch that would qualify us for special passes to see Fantasmic that evening.  We saw this water and light show for the first time last year and decided it was definitely worth seeing again.  Plus, any excuse to have lunch at the Hollywood Brown Derby is fine by us!  We always enjoy that meal!  The dining package is a set price three course meal with a nonalcoholic beverage of your choice.  I recommend the famous Cobb salad!  We actually spent the previous Saturday morning at Hollywood Studios to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour and go on our favorite rides there, so we didn’t stay after lunch.  We returned later that evening to enjoy Fantasmic with a pint of beer and fresh popcorn.  Yum!  Afterwards we went to Todd English’s bluezoo for a tasty late dinner.

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On Friday morning we returned to Universal Orlando to spend some time at the Universal Studios Florida theme park.  It was our second time ever at this park, as well.  We thoroughly enjoyed the new Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride (I can’t believe we haven’t seen that movie yet!) as well as the Shrek 4-D show.  Don was excited to go on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster again, which I remembered feeling not so well after last year.  I braved it all the same.  It’s definitely the biggest of all the “big boy” rides I’ve ever experienced!  We enjoyed a leisurely pace around the rest of the park, hitting up Revenge of the Mummy, MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack, The Simpsons Ride, and the E.T. Adventure.  I can’t believe it took us so many years to finally try out the Universal Orlando theme parks, but I’m happy we’ve made them a part of our WDW experience now!

We spent out last evening back at the Epcot World Showcase and ate our way around the world, enjoying the sites we had missed when we were rained out earlier that week.  We indulged in nachos and margaritas in Mexico, potstickers and eggrolls in China, and crepes and champagne in France.  It was the perfect last night to spend together hand in hand exploring “the world.”

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After packing up all of our belongings and new acquisitions Saturday morning, we made one last stop at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop for a burger, hot dog, and ice cream.  What a sendoff!  We never miss this favorite stop of ours when we’re at WDW.  I like that we saved it for last this trip.

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Now that is the face of one happy camper!  What an amazing vacation!  The best part of all is that I was able to spend it with my favorite person and the love of my life.  We love visiting Walt Disney World, because we can just be kids together, have some good old fashioned fun (and some new high tech fun with some of those crazy rides!), eat great food, and just enjoy each other’s company.  If that isn’t the perfect vacation, I don’t know what is!

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Of course, I was more than a little happy to come home and be reunited with my favorite furry critter on the planet.  I sure had a great time on our vacation, but that didn’t stop me from missing my Winnie terribly!  I am fortunate to never have to worry about her while I’m away, because she is in the capable care of her beloved Aunt Julie.

We’re happy to be home now, having thoroughly enjoyed our trip and all it entailed.  Hopefully there will be more WDW adventures in our future together!  Check out MHWL for my WDW Travel Vlogs, which I am posting every day at the moment, if you’re interested in a more in-the-moment look at our trip.

*I am not affiliated with Disney, Universal Orlando, or any of the places mentioned in this post.  All opinions are my own.*

Filed Under: My Housewife Life, Trip Recap, Week In Review Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Week In Review (February 18 – 24, 2013)

February 24, 2013 by 122 Comments

Hello, friends!  I’m writing this as I rest post race at Walt Disney World with an ice pack on my left knee and two new shiny metals glittering on the nightstand next to me.  It’s been one heck of a busy week for this busy bee, but also one filled with many accomplishments (or personal triumphs, as I like to call them).  I’m so happy to be able to share my thoughts on the past week with you.  Your continuous support never ceases to amaze me!

Cramming It All In Before WDW

I mentioned I’ve been even busier this week than usual.  That’s because I did a whole lot of filming, editing, uploading, and scheduling to cover my three YouTube channels while I’m away.  I knew I didn’t want to leave a ten day gap with no content whatsoever and it turned out to be quite the feat to get all I had planned ready before my departure.  I am proud to say I managed to complete seven videos in advance to publish on YouTube while I’m away – one on OLJ, one on MHWL, and five on TBBB.   Doing this while keeping up with my regular content posting made for a week’s worth of early wake up calls, but it was worth it.  I actually met all of my deadlines before we left on Thursday for our trip.  That’s always such a good feeling!

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Growing Braver in New Social Situations

As some if you may know, I suffer from social anxiety, which makes personal encounters challenging for me, especially when I’m meeting people I don’t know.  I’ve been doing a lot of growing and changing in this area for the past couple of years.  I receive frequent requests to host meet-ups where you guys can come meet me.  Just the thought of it completely terrified me up until recently.  After a botched attempt at piecing together a meet-up at the Tinker Bell Half Marathon last month, I decided I was ready to actually give it a real chance.  I committed to a bonafide meet-up at the race expo on Saturday with an exact time and location.  No backing out of that one (which was the point)!

I actually met one nice family at the Magic Kingdom on our first night here and was shocked that someone recognized me in the crowd!  (They actually were able to identify us due to Don’s “distinguishable head.” ;) ) A couple of people found me at the race expo on Friday (which was an absolute zoo!), too.  I was a complete ball of nerves for the latter half of the week leading up to the meet-up, but luckily I had Don’s hand to hold, which is always helpful.  I really didn’t have anything to worry about, because everyone I’ve met so far has been incredibly sweet.  I met ten people at the meet-up, which far exceeded my expectations.  Thanks to all who came to visit me!  I also met about five more people who recognized me during the race this morning.  All in all I had an extremely positive experience this weekend meeting new people.  It was such a pleasure to meet you all!  Please feel free to come up and introduce yourself if you ever see me somewhere in the future.

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When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going

This crazy week culminated in the Princess Half Marathon, which took place this morning.  O.M.G.  It did not go quite as I had hoped, but proved to be one of those real life learning moments.  Sometimes life throws you curveballs and you just have to deal with them, no matter how big or small.  I was coasting for the first four miles, feeling really solid and strong. Suddenly the outside of my left knee started to twinge.  By mile six I could barely keep up a steady run.  I resorted to a strange walk/run/shuffle combination until mile eight when the pain was so great I had to stop running altogether. Fortunately I was able to walk pretty fast without too much pain.

I had to really battle with myself and my expectations to come to terms with the situation.  First I was upset that I couldn’t run the way I wanted to.  My lower legs felt solid and my lungs and heart were strong, but my left knee just couldn’t deal with the impact, even at a shuffle.  I managed to let go of my disappointment and moved on to sheer determination to will myself through the last five miles of walking.  By mile eleven I had started to really hurt again, but gritted through it because I was just so darn close.  Once mile twelve rolled around, I had entered Epcot for the final leg of the race.  At this point I was filled with a sense of euphoria and walked the whole last mile with a huge grin from ear to ear.  I managed to hobble over the finish line, finishing in just under three hours.  Not only did I earn my beautiful Princess bling, I also picked up the Coast To Coast medal, an honor awarded to those who complete a Disney half or full marathon on both coasts in the same calendar year.

I can’t bend my left knee right now and I’m uncertain how serious this injury is just yet, but I am ecstatic nonetheless.   I think the race means even more to me since I had to overcome this unexpected hurdle.  I know it’s not the worst thing to happen to a person in the grand scheme of things.  I am just so grateful that I was able to deal with the loss of my race expectations and set new goals on the spot.  This is definitely a personal triumph for me in itself.  Finishing the race with two new medals to add to my growing collection is just the icing on the cake.  What a way to celebrate turning thirty!  What can I do at thirty-one to top this? ;)

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This week was all about personal triumphs for me.  The thing is, it’s not easy to get there, but once you do it is more than worth the effort in my experience.  It’s all about the journey, friends, and I’m so happy to be able to share it with you.  What a week!  I hope you all had a great one.  If you’ve had any personal triumphs lately that you’d like to share, please do! ((HUGS))

** Knee Update – I started recovering very soon after ice, Advil, and a restful afternoon post race.  I am already able to bend the knee  and walk normally just one day later.  I can tell it will need a longer break from running, perhaps a couple of weeks.  I wanted to thank you guys for your kind words, congratulations, and well wishes for a speedy recovery.**

(FYI – the Internet situation at the hotel has been spotty at best, so please forgive me if it takes me some time to approve your comments and get posts up on WTZ for the next week.)

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