Birchbox Favorites

I've seen Birchbox on a couple of blogs but I hadn't really investigated it until recently. I've received two boxes so far and I like it. It is fun because it is a box of samples it's kind of like going to Sephora with a personal shopper. My most recent box had two big time favorites for me. I've actually ordered the full size package of both. The first on is Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+. I have sensitive skin and sometimes foundation/moisturizers irritate it. But this product is great! It gives nice coverage without being heavy or irritating and it seems to brighten things a bit.

Loving this

The other one is Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator. Again with sensitive skin it is tricky to find a gentle enough scrub. This is it.

And this!!

I highly recommend Birchbox. It is very reasonable at $10 a month and it can be set for just a few months.

Paws for the Cause 5K - Follow-Up

Me and the SPCA Dog

Saturday morning I woke up around 7:00 am and took care of the dogs. Then I headed down the road to the start of the Paws for the Cause 5K. I liked this one because it was close to me and it didn't start until 9:00 am. I got there, got signed in, got my bib and my goody bag. I was going to change into the shirt but they only had a port-a-potty and I just didn't feel like that was something I wanted to deal with so I put the goody bag in the car. We stood around for a bit waiting for it to start. It wasn't too big a crowd. Then they told us to get to the start line. I got to the back since I walk and the runners took off. 98% of the group ran only 3 or 4 of walked. I ended up at the back but I was cool with it, I had a beautiful day, my iPhone, and I could go at my own pace. The path was a bit hilly and it had a LOT of potholes since it was a dirt road which was a bit of a challenge. I was doing good until a little after the turn around point where a couple in front of me decided that I shouldn't finish alone so they waited for me and talked to me. It was fine except I was kinda in a zone. But I will admit it got a bit strange when the husband suggested the wife and I hold hands and cross the finish line. I politely declined. It was my first race of the season and I enjoyed it.

Paws for a Cause 5K & 10k

source

On Saturday I'm doing my first 5K of the season. I'm excited because I enjoy the camaraderie of it but I'm nervous because I haven't been training as much as I should and I'm feeling out of practice. I know I'll be fine and it will all work out but there are always nerves for me on the first one back. 

And I'm supposed to have done fundraising but with the weeks I've had recently I haven't so here is what my fundraising page looks like goal=$100...raised=$0...not too good. But I plan to make a donation on site so I'll be fine.

The really good news is the weather should be nice 83 degrees is the high but I'm guessing it will be more in the 70s in the morning. No rain is predicted...knock on wood!

If you want to see more about my races...check out My Race List

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

My hubby is the one in the black shirt

In honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Arrgh!!

I Will Thrive: Taking Ballet

Source

Early on in the deployment I made a Deployment Bucket List and as I've gone through this deployment I've added a few (and removed a few) well next week I'm taking on one I've added. Ballet Classes. Now I should say I've NEVER taken ballet classes a day in my life but it has always been something I've wanted to do. So when I heard that the local dance studio was offering an adult ballet class and my friend was taking it I decided to jump and take the class. I admit I'm nervous and excited all in one. I'm excited because I've wanted to take a class like this for years but I'm nervous because I've never taken one. Also I know some of the people in the class are very experienced so that is a bit intimidating. But I think the draw of the fun outweighed the fear. So here we go...

Journey with Jenny: 2nd weigh in

On Saturday I went back to Jenny to get my food and to weigh in. I weigh in every two weeks. I've decided to not count any weight except for the weight at the center. I went in hoping to remain the same but completely braced for a gain. I'd had a rough week...Labor Day weekend brought some not so good things. Friday I was in a minor car accident, Saturday a good friend of mine's husband died and I had to do a funeral at work for a Navy gentleman who received full military rites (a tad close to home), and the week following Labor Day I lived at my friend's house being there for her. So needless to say I didn't exactly eat Jenny food very often for about 7-8 days. I shared this with my Jenny counselor and we bit the bullet and I hopped up on the scale. Turns out I did better than I thought.


8/11/2012: Starting Weight: 246.6
9/8/2012: 238.8 = 1.4 (7.8 loss total)

So I guess I did better at portion size and movement than I thought. Whoo hoo!!

Deployment Murphy Style

My "Guard" Dogs...

So last night was fairly typical. I went out with a girl friend of mine to see Expendables 2 and was home before 11:00 pm. My cat got out when I got home but I was able to get him back in before I went to bed. All was normal when the dogs and I went to bed. I set the alarm and we went to sleep. Around 1:00 am my alarm started going off like the system had been breached. I go downstairs to check things out because the front door hadn't made noise but the system was saying it was the front door. The sensor is off the door I clip it back on. So I call the company and tell them it is a false alarm. We go back up to bed. We get settled and about 15 minutes later it goes off again. So I go down and the sensor is off the door again. Now I'm getting paranoid that someone is messing with the door causing it to come off. So I call the non-emergency line for the police. They come out and check around the outside of the house and see nothing. So we go back to bed. The alarm goes off again. This one was my fault because I forgot to set the motion detector part right. So needless to say it was a bit of a rough night in our household. Then when I let the dogs out this morning the cat snuck out again and as off the time I had to come to work he was still out.

The second kicker...the alarm company wants to come check the system because although it's working it seems to be having issues. I need to schedule an appointment for them to come out. However, I can't because I'm not on the account so J needs to call. I explain he can't call but I have a POA. They have to have me fax it to them and it will take 7-10 business days to get me in the system and then I can schedule it. I'm going to see if there is a chance that J can call them or email them but it's looking like a long process to me.

The picture above is my dogs after we went back to bed after the third time of the alarm going off. I couldn't sleep but they had no problem. Way to guard guys, way to guard.

MilSpouse (First) Friday Fill-In #74

1. What’s one thing in the past month you would have changed?It's been a rough month at work. We've had a co-worker die, a co-worker's spouse die, and a co-worker with lots of health issues. I would definitely change all of that. It's caused a lot of stress for all of us emotionally and physically.

2. What was your favorite thing that happened in August? 
The fence was completed enough that we could use it in the backyard for the puppies. They love it. Lots of freedom for them to run around. It still needs to be stained and finished but we're close.

3. What did you do to celebrate Labor Day?Not too much I had to work Saturday and Labor Day was spent running some errands I needed to take care of including looking at a new fridge.

4. What do you HAVE to have handy by your bedside?
My cell phone, a bottle of water, a flashlight, and my Kindle

5. What are you looking forward to in September?
A slightly calmer time at work although we're getting ready to start a building project so it will probably be hectic but exciting.

Now head over to Wife of a Sailor and link up!

Getting Creative with Vegetables

On Jenny Craig in the beginning at least you have your breakfast, lunch, dinner, an anytime bar, and a snack provided. I've been very pleased with most of the food. I've only found a few that I didn't like which is nice. Then they ask you to add a couple fruits, a salad, a milk and a vegetable throughout the day. Well I confess it has encouraged me to get creative with vegetables. So today I'm going to share some of my favorite recipes for green beans.

One of my all time favorite ways to eat green beans is also the easiest. I love basic canned green beans. I could literally eat multiple cans of them a day. And although that wouldn't be the worst possible thing because they are green beans and they are healthy, canned green are a bit high in sodium so I have to limit my consumption of these gems.

But frozen and fresh green beans only have what you add to them so I can eat those to my heart's content. I have two recipes that I use often for my green beans. I thought I'd share them with you.

Roasted Green Beans (there are many variations on this but this is the one I use)
Large bag of green beans (I buy the ones that are with the bagged salad in the produce department because they are already cleaned)
1-2 T of olive oil depending on the number of beans
Crushed Garlic or garlic powder (or rosemary, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, etc depending on taste)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Spread foil or parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
Spread a single layer of green beans on the cookie sheet.
Drizzle oil over top and toss to coat completely.
Sprinkle seasoning of choice on the beans.
Put in the oven for about 15-20 minutes. Remove and stir to allow all sides to get roasted.
Cook for another 15-20 minutes until nice and brown but not burned.
Serve and enjoy!

Balsamic Glazed Green Beans
Large bag of green beans (I buy the ones that are with the bagged salad in the produce department because they are already cleaned)
3-4 T of balsamic vinegar
3-4 T of butter

Cook the green beans either in the microwave or on the stove until crisp tender. (I use my Pampered Chef steamer with a bit of water in the bottom and steam them)
While beans are cooking melt butter in a sauce pan of medium heat and stir in the vinegar.
Let this mixture cook until it reduces slightly. Stir occasionally. (Usually takes about 8-10 minutes)
Put green beans in a bowl. Cover with sauce and stir to coat.
Serve and enjoy!