My Version of Coming Full Circle(ish)

I've totally been slacking on this blog lately.

I've also been slacking on my diet. I may or may not have eaten a piece of ricotta cheesecake last night.

Anywho, I thought that today, along with my diet back in full effect, I would tell you about my version of (potentially) coming full circle since my miscarriage 2 months ago.

It doesn't really involve anything profound or philosophical. However, it does involve my wardrobe and the beach.

Huh?

Anyone reading this that does not know me must think I am incredibly shallow. But I can't help it! I don't want to blog about anything depressing! It's sunny outside + The Bachlorette's The Men Tell All is on tonight = pretty good mood for a Monday.

Baby steps, people.

So today I am wearing the top I wore to the doctor on the first day I found out I was pregnant. I remember purposely dressing cute that morning. I have not worn the top since, because it made me a little sad to even look at it hanging in my closet.

I have also stayed clear of a couple of other shirts that have similar sentimental value, i.e. an adorable top I wore this past Mother's Day, when my mom told me that she could see me starting to show. I think I was just extremely bloated at the time, but still...it was fun to pretend.

However, today is different. I don't feel sad wearing the shirt as I sit here and write to you. After all, the top does have a cuteness rating of 9 on a scale of 10. And that's nothing to be teary-eyed about.

This has to mean some sort of progress, right?

On my recent trip to FL, hubby, bro and I found ourselves at shore's edge, saying goodbye to an ill-fated memory as the waves carried it away. Man, it was rough. Remember my "Message in a Bottle" post?

This week, I will be headed back to the same spot in Florida with my hubby, to stay at an over-priced resort on the beach. I have no plans to partake in any sort of memorial tribute, other than to maybe pour some tanning lotion and champagne out in the sand for my homey Lindsey Lohan, who currently has no access to fake-baking or alcohol while incarcerated. This one's for you, LiLo.

I can't help but feel happy about the fact that as I sit ocean side in a couple of days and gorge myself on oysters, the only thing that I really have to say goodbye to will be my worries, and potentially my diet if I break under pressure and eat a hush puppy or two (or 5).

And as for my Mother's Day shirt? It's packed and ready to go in my suitcase.

xoxo
-K

Hog Heaven

I always find it funny how I stumble across new things to write about without even looking for it.

For instance, take this past Saturday.

The day started innocently enough. It's garage sale season, and as you know, I'm running full force ahead with my new antique/junk collecting obsession. I'm picking up little treasures here and there. You know, fun stuff...stuff that you don't need, but somehow, can't live without. Stuff like this:

I can't help myself. I'm drawn to the gaudy and impractical. This summer, I have learned the true meaning of One man's trash is another man's treasure! Not that there's anything at all whatsoever manly about this painting.

Anywho, one garage sale lead to the next, and before I knew it, I was buying a 3 dollar crystal bowl while my hubby talked to the seller about the Harley dealership down the road, and how they were open that day, and how, Hey! He knows the owner! We should stop in!

Huh?

I told my husband that I didn't want to turn this into an all day thing. Famous last words. I grabbed my checkbook on our way to the dealership. After we changed into appropriate clothes to test drive a few bikes. Just had a hunch. Plus, if I would have told hubby that I didn't think it was a good idea to go look at bikes, he prob would have looked at me like I kicked our diva cat, Roxy. And I'm no cat kicker!

This is what happened:

See, told ya I had a hunch. Good thing I brought the checkbook with me, eh?

My husband is in hog heaven. Fine, we both are. Did you know that the term "Nice hog!" came from the fact that Harley Davidson used to use a pig as it's logo, when the bikes first became available for purchase? What can I say. I learn a lot while watching American Pickers. It's my fave show!

I have a few points to this post, trust me.

1). You never know when a day of yard sale shopping will turn into an all-day experience at a Harley dealership.

2). Always carry your checkbook, just in case.

3). 90 degree day + tank top + no sunblock = sunburned shoulders.

Seriously though, there is something so pure and freeing about being on a bike. The smell of wildflowers floating through the country air. The way your skin cools when driving beneath a canopy of trees on a winding road. A thrill, an excitement that no one can touch because it's all your own.

Life can be hard. But feeling bad-ass on a Harley can certainly help.

xoxo

-K

Cutting Out the Fat: The Life Diet

As I mentioned in my previous post that featured a scrumptious, healthy recipe for frittata, I am currently on a diet. Although my initial intention of this health makeover was focused on eating more whole grains and cutting out the fat, it has now taken a new turn. An expansion of horizons, of sorts. Allow me to elaborate.

One of the best things about life, in my opinion, is that you often learn lessons in ways that you least expect it. A part of healthy living is not limited to the food you eat or how long you spend on the treadmill. It's also about the decisions you make. And who you surround yourself with. Birds of a feather flock together...both good birds and bad.

My husband and I hosted a family BBQ this weekend, to celebrate the 4th of July holiday. What began as a fun, summertime party suddenly turned...well...ugly. At my house. After I cooked and cleaned and prepped. For hours.

One thing you should know about me is that I LOVE to entertain and have people at my house. Nothing pleases me more than to have the grill going, the music up, and the sound of laughter floating in the air. I'm a summertime gal, always have been. And I SO prefer to have a patio party vs. a gift exchange around the Christmas tree when it's FREEZING outside! You get the point. I love to have parties. In the summer. It just puts me in a good mood.

The reason I mention this is because I was in a great mood the day of the BBQ. And then the storm broke. Really, the person that started this fight could have come in to my house and peed on my new carpet, because that's what it felt like.

I'm never a fighter unless I have a reason. And when someone pees on my carpet, whether literal or figuratively, I'm probably not gonna let it go.

The details of the argument aren't important. But what I can tell you is that the person yelling at me sounded like Linda Blair in The Exorcist. And ironically, didn't she pee on her mother's carpet at a party, when she first became possessed? Coincidence, I think not!

Admittedly, I'm no angel. I had been waiting for this fight for quite some time. The opportunity presented itself, and I pounced on it with all my best catlike reflexes. Meow!

Sometimes, arguments can leave you with the worst feeling in the world. Awkward. Confused, hurt, sad, stunned. But not this one. It was Independence Day, baby, and I was waving my flag. Let freedom ring! Finally this toxic person would be out of our life. For good. Blessings often come in disguise.

In reflecting over all the drama and chaos that so quickly entered and exited my home this weekend, I realized something.

It's about time that we cut out the bad things in life. I'm talking about that one person that might be driving you mad, might be weighing you down. You know who they are! You typically dread seeing them, and nothing good EVER comes from being around them. They are never there to join you in celebrating a victory, and no where to be found when you need a shoulder to cry on. And so ask yourself this question: What are they to you, really?

Remember that surrounding yourself with those you can count on, those that enjoy your company, home, laughter...those people are the sweetest fruit of your life. If you stick with them, you can't go wrong. And probably will never have to worry about cleaning pee stains on your carpet.

xoxo
-K