Haikus for you!

Haikus for you today:

Spring color in ground.
I like watching our fish eat.
I don't like cleaning.

I hope you liked it.
You know, the poem I mean.
It was fun to write.

Oh!  So don't forget!
Free make-up may come your way--
Enter the drawing.

(we'll pick winners tuesday.)

We All Live for the Yellow Trampoline

Bee waiting for the coveted yellow trampoline!

Friday we decided to take the girls to a local gymnastics open gym.  They have all kinds of mats and trampolines.  Really, it's a cesspool for germs, but the kids love it!   

Justin spent most of his time with Bee, who insisted on waiting for her turn to jump on the yellow trampoline.  Sadly, there is only 1 yellow trampoline, which is far superior to the black trampolines for at least 1 obvious reason: 

It is yellow.  

Admittedly, it also is bouncier, and therefore, much more desirable.  

So, while many black trampolines gathered dust, Justin systematically helped about 7 kids learn to take their turns on the yellow trampoline.  Since her big sister is such a great influence on all important matters in life, Bug also became obsessed with this.  Alas . . . our time at Bounce documented here (but slightly late since I left my camera there over the weekend.  Oops.)

 She finally got her chance!

 

She bounced . . . 

 

. . . and bounced.

 

Then Bee got her chance!

 After luring them away from the yellow trampoline, they got to swing!

Like Free Stuff? Here's a Giveaway!

I know moms shouldn't do this to their kids, but I did it.  I asked Bee (who is 3), "If you had only one friend to be with for your entire life, who would it be?"  Without skipping a beat, she said, "Bug!" (well, actually, she said her sister's name, not what I call her on my blog!).  I smiled big and went and hugged her and talked to her about the importance of sisters. 

I have a sister, Jenny.  She is beautiful, a great conversationalist, an avid dancer, a cool computer geek, and Mary Kay consultant extraordinaire.

[She is offering a fantastic giveaway for 6 lucky winners!]

Obviously, there are some parts of the package that will really only be beneficial for those who live in Oregon.  

1 winner will receive:

one ultimate mascara, one foundation primer, one lip primer, one lip gloss

and (if local) free facial and custom color makeover.

5 winners will receive:

free lip gloss

and (if local) free facial and a custom color makeover

How can you win?  Let me count the ways . . .

  

Leave a comment on this post.

Register on Jenny's website to receive The Look, Mary Kay's quarterly magazine (click here) 

Watch a short video about beauty leave a comment here with your definition of beauty.

(or, if you would rather email you definition, send to 1uponawhim@gmail.com)   

Click HERE to watch the video.

 Become a follower of this blog (or if you are already a follower, comment that you are!)

Share this post on Twitter or Facebook & leave a comment saying you did.

A messy kitchen is a happy kitchen.

 My mom bought me this letter art (upon MY request!).  I absolutely believe it and live by it!!  :)  

By the way, as I was putting it up, I hopped up on the counter and did something strange to the my calf/back of my knee area.  I have no idea what's wrong with it, but it hurt when I did it and it still hurts. 

I'm pretty sure this is a sign of getting old:  getting hurt when you aren't doing anything dangerous. (sigh)

Here's another photo of where it hangs, but it's pretty dark, so you can't see very well.  

[Side note:  I want a newer, better camera.  Mine was given to me and was leaps and bounds better than what I had before, so I feel guilty wanting something more, but I still do.]

In our messy kitchen, we make smoothies!!!  Here are some amazing smoothie mustaches:

 And that's it for today.  

 Tomorrow:  Chance for a give-away, so check back!  :)

Spring!

 

 Late February, when the daffodils start pushing through the ground, I know Spring is on it's way.  Early March, my smile widens as I begin to see the cherry blossoms lining Patterson Street on my way to the Y.  Then, life is exceptionally good when I look outside my living room window and see the Camellia blossoms.  

While I see more and more beautiful trees and flowers blossoming, it's still cold and rainy here.  Thus, I made my Americano this afternoon, infusing cinnamon in the espresso.  mmmmmmmm . . . delicious.

The Wedding.

Justin officiated a wedding for friends last night.  Here are the few snippets I picked up (of my girls, of course!)  Too bad I don't have a photo-editing ability to wipe the dinner off my girls' faces.  Guess I should have done that before taking pics.  (sigh)  Ah well.

 Before the ceremony, hanging out.

 Organic chocolate chip animal cookies:  good for you?  Hmmm . . .

 Bee & friend "E"

 Aren't they cute!?

 Our little family.

 We got the best seats in the place:  the back counter.  

(The wedding was at a restaurant that has been converted from a tiny church,

thus we were technically on the wine bar counter!)

 Sisterly love.

 "Either obey me & smile for the camera or else . . . !!!!"

 Bring on the CHEESE!

 Finally, Me.  In the dress I haven't been able to fit in for over 4 years.  Hooray!

Tutu Onesie

Preview of coming attractions:

I did it!!

FINALLY.

After 8 weeks of nutritious eating, hard work-outs, and a lot of determination, I met my weight goal!

I stepped on the scale for my final weigh-in (for Lighten the Load contest), and I saw these beautiful numbers:

129.9

I haven't been in the 120's in a very, very long time.  In fact, 9 weeks ago, I hadn't seen the 130's in a very, very long time. 

You know what's awesome?  I fulfilled New Year's Resolution # 1:  lose 15 lbs., which--at that point--was to get to 130. 

I will post a pic as soon as I can, but suffice to say, I feel so good.  Do you?

Oh, by the way, as I ate a salad I had made with green leaf lettuce, roasted chicken, avocado, strawberries, apples, and balsamic vinaigrette spray, I thought, "If you get to eat this kind of delicious goodness, why wouldn't you want to diet?"  The key has been finding things I love to eat and balancing my diet and portions.  There's nothing I can't have; I just choose what I really want!

Delicious Salmon

Dinner Menu:

Salmon:  

grilled with a brown sugar and cajun spice rub

Salad:  

plain & simple with a balsamic spritz dressing

Asparagus: 

marinaded in soy, ginger, and balsamic vinegarette

So stinkin' good and easy (especially since Justin made it.) 

Bug has PIGGIES!!

Okay, I know.  it's a bit forced and only lasted for about 4 minutes, but I HAD to do it.  She wanted it.