Friday Five: Dog Days of Summer

Happy Friday!  Today is my last Friday of summer vacation!  I wish I could tell you I was typing this from some amazing location, like  the beach, but alas, I’m sitting on my couch in the living room.  I did want to make sure to make today really count, since it’s the last Friday I’ll have off in quite some time.

1.  I started out today with a Zumba class. My first time taking Zumba since surgery, and it was fantastic! The teacher was super energetic, and really fun.  I noticed that I was able to really increase my intensity with the moves like never before.  For example, in the past when the class was doing jumping kicks, I’d just keep my feet on the ground and kick.  Not today!  I was jumping and kicking right along with them.  My cha-cha-cha and my meringue probably looked a bit rusty, but I was keeping pace with the rest of the class, which just shows me another NSV – my fitness level is so much stronger than I was before surgery, and it’s only going to get better from here.  I decided today in class that once I’m able to fit into the sizes, I’m buying myself some Zumba pants to wear.

2. Speaking of buying clothes, this week I hit another fun milestone – I’ve lost enough weight that I’m able to justify buying bras from Victoria’s Secret. For so long my band size was too large to find anything nice at VS, but now that I’m measuring a 38, there’s so much more within reach.  I treated myself to a couple of fun, sexy bras, and I can’t wait for them to arrive.

3. Wednesday evening headed to Italian Heritage Night at the SF Giants, and had a great time.  But what is sort of amazing to me is that when my friend snapped this photo of me while we were waiting for the train, I didn’t immediately feel the need to crop the photo so that it only showed my body from the waist up.  In fact, when I looked at it again yesterday, I realized just how much smaller my hips/thighs are now. Those are still (and always will be) my biggest problem area, but my body is really transforming.  It was really cool to notice it from this photo.

4. School is about to begin, and next week I have two teacher professional development days that I’m attending, which isn’t something worth writing about, except for the fact that this year, the district bought every teacher an iPad!  I’m so excited to get mine and try it out.  I’m a huge Mac fanatic, but couldn’t see spending that much money on an iPad, when I have a  MacBookPro and an iPhone.   But since the district is giving us one, hey, I’m all for it.  The PD day is supposed to show us some interesting uses of the iPad in the classroom.  Yay for free Apple gadgets!

5. Since today is my last Friday, I want to do something fun, so I think I’m going to head to the beach with Sofi so we can both enjoy this beautiful day.

I hope you have a great day!

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

Friday Five: Rainy Day

Happy Friday!!!

1. Today began rainy and misty outside, but now that’s around noon, the sun is out and the weather is beautiful.  I appreciate winter’s cooler temps, but I have to say, I’m much more motivated when it’s sunny outside.

2. This afternoon I’m looking forward to taking Sofi on a nice, long walk. It’s been pouring rain for the past two days, and that little doggie is in need of a sunny jaunt outside.  She seems to really love our post-rain walks because of all the fresh smells in the air and on the ground.  Our walks are definitely bonding time, and I love seeing her so happy.  Plus, it helps me burn a few calories, so win win.

3. This Sunday, since there’s no football, I’m determined to do a major closet cleanup.   I’d planned to do this after Christmas, but never got around to it.  I know I have a ton of clothes and shoes to donate, and I’m overdue for organizing. I’ve been trying hard not to buy any new clothes, since I’m losing weight and even more rapid weight loss is imminent post-surgery, but I think I’m going to reward myself with a new top or accessory. It will be just the “carrot” I need to complete this loathsome task.

4. I movie tickets that I haven’t used yet, and might find some time on Saturday to head to the movies.  Any suggestions?  Is Django worth it?  Should I see Les Mis instead?  Or is there an indie that I should see? Let me know in the comments.

5. I found this recently on Pinterest, and I’m proud to say that this is how I’ve been living for the past month:

source

Read Full Post »

Friday Five: 3-Day Weekend

Happy Friday!!! On the heels of a long weekend, today’s bound to be a fantastic day.

1. I completed my project revamping the school website, and everyone is really pleased.  It always feels good to be recognized for a job well done, especially with something that was so time consuming.

2. Tuesday evening my sister had asked me to watch my 5-year-old niece for a couple of hours, and my first thought was, let’s play Just Dance 4! I’d given it to my nieces for Christmas, but none of us had a chance to check it out yet.  So we popped it into the player and we boogied for 45 minutes!  My niece’s favorite songs were Call Me Maybe (hey, she’s five) and You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful (One Direction). She was jumping around so much that my sister said her feet hurt for two days afterward.  Poor baby!  That just shows how much we were getting into it.  I liked the new songs, and I can’t wait to try it again.

3. Goal #9 for my 13 in 13 is to do fun things with other people (i.e. get more social).  So far, I’ve been doing really well on this goal.  Last Sunday, I went over Tinkerbell and her hubby’s house to watch the Patriots’ game.  It was fun meeting new people, and getting out of the house for a couple of hours. This weekend I have plans to go on a bike ride with Tink and have dinner with my sister and parents (I’m bringing my food to eat so that I can stay on track) on Saturday, and then on Sunday after the 49ers game, go to coffee with Di, one of my best friends since high school.  I’ve made plans with Ani, too.  We’re going yoga at Lululemon on Sunday morning and then a combo puppy play date/ bike ride on Monday. I am loving getting back to my extroverted, social self.

4. I’ve been reading The Paris Wife, and I really enjoy it.  So far this year I haven’t followed my plan of carving out an hour each Saturday and Sunday to read, so this weekend I’m going to rectify that.  The weather is supposed to warm up this weekend, so I’m heading to my backyard to read in the fresh air.

5. I found this right before the new year on Pinterest, and so far, it has been completely true:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Since I didn’t officially finish this post until Saturday morning, I figured I’d throw in one more to make it a Saturday Six, or should I say, a Quest for Six:

Who’s got it better than us? NO ONE!!!

Read Full Post »

Friday Five: Working from Home

Happy Friday!!! It’s been so long since I’ve done a “Five Things Friday” post, so let’s remedy that.

1. I’ve been working at home since Wednesday, and will continue through next Tuesday.  As a teacher, I never get to work from home, so this has been a unique experience.  I have worked from home before, while I had a summer job, but it’s somehow different this time.  I enjoy the fact that I can get up at 6:45 and be ready to work by 7:30 (I’m never ready that quickly on a normal day, since I have to shower, dress, and commute).  I also love that I can “take a break” and go workout in the morning.   The hardest part of working from home is the balance.  It’s very easy to get lost online doing things other than working, but it’s also very easy to work well past the normal work hours.  I’m not sure I’d do well with it on a regular basis, though.  I need the distinction between work and home that comes with going in to work, even though I hate having to wake up so early.  Most of all, I miss the human interaction that comes with teaching.  But, it’s definitely been a great way to begin the new year, because I’ve gotten workouts in every day, and I’m starting habits that will last all winter (and year, but let’s start with one thing at a time).

2. I joined and started using Instagram.  I’m still getting used to it, and have only posted one photo (my dinner last night), but I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it quickly and start posting tons of photos.  If you’d like to follow me, I’m bellablogger.  Leave me any tips and tricks for getting the most out of Instagram in the comments.

3. While I was really disappointed that Ben Affleck wasn’t nominated for an Oscar as best director for Argo, I am thrilled that Silver Linings Playbook has been.  I loved that movie, and I think both Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence showed strong acting chops in the movie.  If you haven’t seen it yet, go see it.   On the Oscars note, I love that I’ve seen so many of the nominated films this year.  Have you seen any of them?  Which one was your favorite?

4.  Tomorrow I’m going to my first Zumba class in months, and I’m really excited!  My plantar fasciitis has gotten much better, and I’m hoping it lasts through the class.  To continue my buddy workouts, I’m going with my friend Ani, which will make it even more fun.  Plus, I can’t wait to wear my Zumba shoes!

5. Goal #8 for my 13 in 13 is to keep up with my Google Reader/blogs I read.  I’ve done fantastic on it this week, and I’m proud to say that I’ve commented on nearly every post I’ve read. To me, commenting is as important as reading them, because that way I’m offering the blogger my support, encouragement, or advice.  I’d much rather read fewer blogs but comment on most of them than the reverse.  I know how much I appreciate it when people leave me comments (thanks, guys!), and I hope my comments mean as much when I write them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have one addition to the Friday 5, and since it’s been so long since I’ve done one, I think it’s ok to sneak in a 6th.

Yesterday, this arrived in the mail:

Meghann @ LifeAfterSleeve (aka ScaleWarfare) sent me this card, and it completely made my day.  Not only is Thoreau one of my favorite philosophers/writers, but that quote is also one of my favorites.  It fits everything that’s going on with my life right now so perfectly, too.  Does this girl know me, or what?  Thanks so much, Meghann, that card absolutely made my day, and it’s got a prominent place on my fridge to remind me of my dreams, and of our friendship.

On a side note, Meghann sent me the card as one of her 52 in 2013.  The basic ideas is to write down 52 ideas of things to do, some easy, some more challenging, and put them on different slips of paper and in some sort of container.  Then, each week, she pulls out one of the sheets and completes that week’s task.  I absolutely adore this idea, and I may do it next year.  As it is, I may join in on some of her challenges this year.

Read Full Post »

Friday Five

Five Totally Random Thoughts Swimming Around My Head Today…

1. The best pin I found on Pinterest this week:
2. This week I started watching Bunheads, a great new show by the creator of Gilmore Girls, Amy Sherman-Palladino. It has the same rapid-fire dialogue that I loved on GG, and many of the actors are from that show, as well. The premise is that a Vegas showgirl marries a longtime admirer on a whim, and moves to the small town of Paradise, CA with him. Two interesting things about this are that I found out about the show after a FB post from Jen Lancaster, whom I love AND that one of my former colleagues-turned-FB-buddy actually lives in Paradise, CA. It’s an unusual setting for a tv show, but then again, Stars Hollow wasn’t exactly a big town either.
3. I’m in the middle of reading the latest from another of my favorite authors, Jen Lancaster’s Jeneration X. If you want to follow my reading list, become my friend on Goodreads. What are you reading?
4. Today my dad and I are headed to see The Dark Knight Rises, which I’m really looking forward to. I love this Batman trilogy and the dark portrayal of the story that Christopher Nolan has taken. Many are saying it’s the best move of the three, and I can’t wait to see it. (My heart goes out to those in Colorado who fell victim to a deranged man).
5. And finally, I’ll end with a photo of Sofi, who just got groomed yesterday. Seriously, have you ever seen anything cuter?  Looking at this face instantly puts me in a good mood. I’m really lucky to have Sofi.

Happy Friday, and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!!

Read Full Post »

Friday Five

Friday the 13th, one of my favorite days ever, because as I’ve written before, I don’t believe that any Friday can ever be unlucky.  Do you believe in that superstition?

Five Totally Random Thoughts Swimming Around My Head Today…

1. The best pin I found on Pinterest this week was one I really needed to read:
2. This week I watched both seasons of The Riches on Amazon’s Instant Video, which because I have a Prime membership, entitles me to watch tons of free tv shows and movies. If you’ve never seen the show, I highly recommend it.  Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver are brilliant, as is the writing.  Unfortunately, it fell victim to the writers’ strike in 2008.  It’s a shame, too, because this show should have lasted for several more seasons.
3. I finished reading The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner, and it is her best novel in years.  I’m a huge fan, and this book captures the same spirit that Good in Bed had. I was captivated by the characters and the story, and I finished it really quickly.  Next I’ll be reading the latest from another of my favorite authors, Jen Lancaster’s Jeneration X. If you want to follow my reading list, become my friend on Goodreads.  What are you reading?
4. Yesterday when I was shopping at Trader Joe’s, I found a new coffee blend that I’m looking forward to enjoying after dinner, when the craving for “something sweet” strike: Trader Joe’s Vanilla Chai-Spiced Coffee.  I had it last night, and it offers a really nice blend of spice and sweetness.  I’m normally not a fan of flavored coffees, but this one is good.
5. And finally, I’m going to put in another plug for Bia, the GPS Sports Watch that I mentioned on Tuesday. Bia is getting a lot of buzz; they were written up on Wednesday in The Huffington Post.  They’re so close to their goal, but they only have until Saturday at 2:59AM Eastern to raise the funds.  How cool would it be to be a backer?  BTW, Bia is the Greek goddess of force and power – perfect name, right?! I really hope Bia Sports is able to get their funding.

I have some fun weekend plans that I’ll write more about next week.  Happy Friday, and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!!

Read Full Post »

Friday Five

I just read Sabrina’s post and decided to steal the idea.  BTW, if you haven’t checked out her blog yet, do it today.  She’s awesome!

Five Totally Random Thoughts Swimming Around My Head Today…

A little something I saw on Pinterest recently. Cool, right?

1. I am so addicted to Pinterest that I get disappointed when I’m on another site and they don’t have a “scroll to top” button.
2. Last week I started watching a new show on HBO called The Newsroom, and I am in love.  It is a smart, quick, funny show about the state of our news programs (and society as a whole).  I am personally so disgusted with major news network anchors reporting trashy celebrity gossip as news.  I can turn to E News if I want that.  When I’m watching the nightly news, I want REAL news.  The idealist in me hopes that this show takes off and people start demanding more from our news/media outlets.  Aaron Sorkin is back!
3. I am so thankful that several months ago a Groupon led me to the joys of threading.  I had an appointment today, and it is just so quick and easy.  It’s cleaner than wax (which used to break me out sometimes) and it’s cheaper, too, since all that’s used is cotton thread.  It’s slightly more painful than waxing, at first, but it also seems to last longer.  If you haven’t tried threading and they offer it in your area, I’d recommend giving it a try.
4. I’m just about to finish The Night Circus, and I seriously don’t want it to end.  I have loved reading it.  So much so that I’m going to offer it as a choice to my students as outside reading.  Next up is The Next Best Thing.  If you want to follow my reading list, become my friend on Goodreads.  What are you reading?
5. I’m cooking dinner for my sister tomorrow night, and we’re trying something new to both of us – grilled tofu.  After quite a search, I’ve found a marinade using Sriracha that isn’t going to turn our mouths to fire.  If it’s as good as I’m hoping, I’ll post a new Bella Cooks in a couple of days.

My weekend plans don’t extend past some workouts (Zumba, gentle yoga, a possible bike ride, yin yoga, and walking Sofi), so I’m hoping to connect with a couple of friends and go to a movie – any recommendations?

Have a fabulous weekend!!

Read Full Post »