WEEKEND RECAP

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? I have to say that here, almost a year later, this weekend was the first one in a LONG time where I felt a little bit of normalcy. Outdoor dining is allowed finally here in CA, so we went…dare I say it…to a restaurant?! I know. I was pretty excited!

SUNSET IN SAN CLEMENTE

We have been SUPER strict with all restrictions and measures to keep us healthy over the last year. We haven’t seen friends in their homes or ours, we haven’t gathered in groups, we haven’t eaten out (other than take-out) and we have just generally steered clear of people. That’s just what has made us feel comfortable, so we went with that. With cases very low here now and transmission rates slowing, we decided that we would get together to watch a beautiful sunset at the beach with some friends on Friday night. It was SO nice!

DATE NIGHT

Saturday John and I snuck?…sneaked? (I know sneaked is correct, but it never sounds right to me! lol!) out for a much needed date night to a real live restaurant. I am so grateful for pretty weather and heaters that made sitting outside in March easy and comfortable. 

I love a beet salad! If you are ever looking for a divine pizza stop in LA, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is our absolute favorite pizza anywhere! It’s straight from Naples and we go there whenever we get the chance. SO yummy! 

20,000 STEPS

I’ve taken up a new hobby this past few months…it’s called trying to lose the extra person I’ve been carrying around for the last 10 years. 😉 I admittedly have not been in the best health for a number of reasons for the last several years, due in large part to the fact that I just don’t take care of myself very well…can any other moms and women out there relate? Well, throughout this past year I’ve been feeling like I really needed to do a better job of making my health a priority. I started by putting one foot in front of the other, cutting out my beloved Diet Coke (actually ALL drinks except for water and an occasional sip of OJ), added sugar and watching my calories like a hawk. I love My Fitness Pal…do you guys every use it? It makes keeping track of my calories so easy! 

I try to log 6.5-10 miles a day. I am so grateful for my dear friend Jill who faithfully walks EVERY day rain or shine to help me get to my 6.5 mile goal each morning. In the afternoon I try to do another more leisurely 3-4 miles somewhere fun like the beach or an outdoor mall with John and Ash. We change it up and walk all over OC to keep things fun and interesting. It was REALLY hard to walk that far in late January when I started. My body hurt and I had blisters and all kinds of things that were making it difficult. But I stuck with it. I tried different walking shoes and as someone that has never paid much attention to the shoes I wear, these sneakers have been a life saver. I read so many reviews and did so much research in running magazines and they have lived up to every thing I read. 

Now, 6 weeks later I am down 18 lbs and can’t get enough walking in!! 20,000 steps feels so good everyday! It makes me want to eat better, I’m sleeping better and I’m getting some much needed vitamin D. I’m not usually super vocal about this kind of personal stuff, but I want to encourage anyone reading to put one foot in front of the other and just start. I still have a lot of goals I want to hit in this department, but I can’t remember feeling this good in a LONG time. For me, it’s not so much about the number on the scale, but how I feel and if I know I’m being healthy. Take good care of yourself and make it a priority. I promise…if I can do it…so can you! 🙂 

HOME PROJECTS

There are still so many things on the to-do list at the OC Ranch Reno. Every time I’m in town I feel like I need to check a bunch of things off my list. This week we worked on simple things like organizing closets, door stops, bathroom fixtures and hanging artwork. There are a few things I’ve learned that I can’t live without. 

COMMAND STRIPS: If you haven’t used these amazing things to hang your pictures…put down the hammer and nails and run to the store to get some now! They are SO awesome!! I use them to hang all of my pictures. They are super easy to use and don’t leave any marks on your walls when you decided to change things up or move a piece of art to a different wall. They are amazing.

POWER DRILL: John borrowed a drill from friends and neighbors for weeks so much that it became embarrassing so I finally broke down and bought one for him. I thought we could make it without one at this house…nope. It is a must have! 

POP TOP CANISTERS: I LOVE these canisters! They are great for storing everything from flour and sugar to cereal and chips. I love that they keep the pantry organized and extend the shelf life of so many foods. 

We’re installing this towel ring and TP holder in the powder bath to match the faucet. These towel rings and TP holders are going in the other bathrooms to match these faucets.  I can’t wait to finally share these bathrooms with you!

Are you ready for the week? I have a lot to knock out this week…but first up, is a walk this morning! I hope you have a great start to your week! Thanks so much for sharing a minute of your day with me! 🙂

Tammy