Cake Cookies

 

Cake Cookies

 

1 box cake mix

(this recipe here I used a yellow cake mix, but I made it again and I used white, it was better)

2 eggs

1/2 cup shortening

1 tbsp water

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp baking bowder

add chocolate chips, MnMs, sprinkles...whatever you want!

Roll in powder sugar

 

Bake at 350 for 10-12minutes. 

 

This batch here in the picure I just used MnMs and the second batch I made I used sprinkles and chocolate chips and I actually liked it better the second time (maybe it was more the white cake mix rather than the yellow...but  love anything with sprinkles!)

 

This is a cheap way to make a great cookie when your in a pinch.  Only down fall, it doesn't make a ton of cookies, so you'd definitely have to double it. 

 

Enjoy! 

Photo Dump

Things have been crazy busy lately and I'm feeling mentally drained and thinking about writing something on the blog is the last thing on my mind right now.  So in true laziness...here's some pictures to show what we've been up to! 

That's my awesome craftyness right there people....now go pin THAT to pinterest!  Puffy paint at it's best!

Been riding escaltors to entertain this girl....we cool like that. 

Been to two bridal shows....thought this was cool

Finally found a good Cake Cookie recipe thanks to my BFF...I should share the recipe huh?

It only took the 5th tooth loose for her to finally let me pull it out....she didn't even know I got it out until she saw it in the paper towel...and THEN the water works came.  She's labeled me the new "Tooth Puller Expert" 
I rock...I know. 



Best of all...I got my taxes DONE!  It only took a Friday night and a big glass of wine but I did it! 
Yes I have an accounting degree and yes I do my own taxes...nerd alert?!?!



Have I become a morning person??? 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Now that's funny!

Nope! 

I got a cold and suddenly 10 hours of sleep isn't enough right now.  UGH! 

Can I Be.....a Morning Person???

Hi I'm Sarah....I am a Snooze-aholic, I have slept in ALL week and skipped every single one of my workouts.

All together now.... Welcome Sarah!

I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON!!!!!  

Never have been...I wait until the last second I need to get up and then rush around to get us ready and out the door.  

And I hate it!  

I would LOVE to be one of those mom's that rises before her children and has had breakfast and has time to sit down on the couch and drink some coffee and watch the news in the morning.  

Seriously you women who can do this....even though I don't understand you...I'm jealous you can do that!  

I'm kind of weird about it too...because I CAN get up early if I have to.  Remember this summer I was getting up at 4:30am! to run with my BFF or sister...I did it.  It's like knowing that someone was going to be at my door soon had me jump out of bed.  

Not sure how feasible that is to have someone come show up at my door every morning at 5am.  

Even on the weekends...I rarely sleep in.  Honestly!  The sun is up and I'm up even if I went to bed at after midnight I'm up for the day.  But why during the week can't I do it??  

 

 For example...last night I was in bed at 8pm.  Honestly, I was exhausted after Miss H went to bed, and I put a movie on in bed (I know bad habit there) and I only remember seeing the first 15 minutes of the movie and then I was out....so I'd say I was for sure out by 8:30pm...so one would think it would be no problem to get up at 5am to go to the gym.  

ERRR!  WRONG!  

I hit the snooze button all the way until 6:15am.  

wow did I just admit that...that's kind of embarrassing

And I'm being honest here...I really want to be a morning person.  I know that when I get up earlier it just makes  my day feel so much better.  I'm in control of the day and setting my family up for the best way possible for them to also have a great day.  At least that's what I envision instead of me yelling for Miss H to hurry up and get dressed cause we GOTTA GO SISTA!  

I mean I honestly would LOVE to be able to make my daughter a hot breakfast in the morning....there are so many reasons why I should get up out of bed in the morning!  

This morning I got to work and opened my good friend...Mr Google.  And this is the article I found...

  How to Become a Morning Person  

According to this article, I need to find my normal internal clock and I need to reset my internal clock.  

1. I need to plan to get 8 hours of sleep a night, so if I want up at 4:30-5am to run in the morning, that means bedtime at 8:30-9pm.  WOW, that's a lot different than I do now, going to bed at 10pm was doing good I thought.  

2. Need to have a regular schedule, no sleeping in on the weekends, it's gotta be consistent every day...ok I'd agree with that.  

3. Create a relaxing sleeping atmosphere:  Start preparing for bed 30 minutes before hand. 

           1. Take a hot bath (won't argue there!)

           2. Jot down things on mind in a diary/journal

           3. Meditate on relaxing your body (if you say so)

4. Put your alarm clock away from your bedside so you actually have to get up out of bed to turn it off.  hmmm...I've been known to climb right back bed...

5.  Get outside of the house within 10 minutes of waking up....I agree this works because by the time I get to the gym I feel great already.  

Sounds like a good plan...and I WANT to be a morning person.  Just going to take some adjusting to but I can do it right???  

Any suggestions to give me from you awesome morning people???  

Wish me luck!!

 

Loving Yourself Enough

If you have been reading my blog for a long period of time now or have read back far enough you will know that I am a survivor of domestic violence.  Some may say I'm a victim but I refuse to call myself that....it almost sounds like a dirty word to me.  Almost like being a victim means that the abuse is still going on...and it's not...because I survived to make a change.  A HUGE change that I pray every day will positively impact my daughter's life so that she knows better to even put up with the signs up initial abuse. 

I think my story probably starts like a lot of young girls....you find a guy...you think he's the world...you have so much fun together....you fall in love....and then he calls you a bitch. 

And then the excuses come...

Oh he was just drunk...he didn't mean it. 

The next day he says he's sorry and he loves me. 

It's all ok. 

Fast forward and next thing you know that little thing of him being ok calling you such a bad name...turns into grabbing your neck when you won't shut up. 

And when you finally have had enough and can't take it anymore and decide to stand up for yourself and his behavior...that's when reality hits.  Some times literally...your being thrown to the floor, phones are being broken so you can't call for help, etc etc. 

I know my story isn't as bad as many women's stories are of those who have experienced domestic violence and I can't even imagine what it must be like to go through something worse. 

I walked away with just bruises on my arms and a few scratches and was physically sore for a few days....but what happened to me emotionally took a toll that will forever be with me.  Some may say that it's a bad thing...but I look at it as something that woke me up, woke up a fire inside of me to stand up for myself. 

Something inside said I am worth it!  Being called names and not being respected....are NEVER ok. 

And you know what...the abusers know what they are doing.  My abuser once admitted to me "I know you aren't as weak as you once were and I can't get to you anymore" 

Whaaa?? 

WOW! 

The person I was just over 6 years ago...I honestly don't really know who that Sarah was.  I think if I saw that Sarah across the street or even in the mirror I wouldn't recognize her.  It makes me sad for who that Sarah was and how she didn't view herself being worth everything in this world and deserving the best that can be offered to her.  It makes me sad that, that Sarah didn't fight to deserve the best....somehow abusive behavior was....normal or ok to her.  Some how she was desensitized to abusive behavior to where it isn't a big deal. 

If you know me personally or if I've ever talked about any of this....you probably have heard me say....Miss H was my guardian angel sent down from heaven to wake me up. 

Yes I got pregnant out of wedlock.  Am I proud of that...no.  But would I take it back?  Absolutely not. 

It was the thing that I needed to happen to prevent me from marrying an abusive man and one day waking up and realizing it and being stuck in an abusive marriage.   I may have been too weak to stand up for myself...but what I wasn't weak about was my family, my daughter and the life I wanted her to have. 

I put up with her dad for 22 months...but once she was born, I only put up with him for 5 1/2 months.  

She is my guardian angel. 

Somehow my daughter, taught me to love myself.  Somehow it finally made sense that if I didn't take care of myself, I would never be able to take care of her. 

Slowly over the years...I've healed and become a much stronger woman that I ever thought I could be.  I know I'm worth it! 

I told myself I would never NEED a man ever again.  If I would ever let a man in my life again...it would be because I WANT him there...not because I NEED him. 

I told myself after I left, that I wouldn't date anyone until I knew I was ok being by myself, and I didn't, it took me well over a year until I was secure enough in myself to be ok being alone. 

All I need in life is God and my daughter and I have all I could ever imagine. 

Sometimes I think that's where us women get into trouble is when we are not confident to be on our own and know that we CAN DO IT!  It won't be easy...I'll tell ya that...but man, is it worth it! 

NOTHING is worth taking the emotional, mental and physical abuse.  N-O-T-H-I-N-G! 

Funny thing about abusive people....they don't just come out and BAM smack you around...it always starts small...and grows from there.  

So love yourself enough to stand up to someone calling you names, making derogatory hand motions and not being respected the way you should be.  Teach your children that those things are NEVER ok.  Sometimes in today's society somethings start to become normal and ok...but they really aren't. 

Somethings should NEVER be a joke....because sometimes a joke can lead to a serious abusive behavior. 

And no matter what....YOU are worth it!  Your children are worth it and they deserve to see a mom who can stand up for what is right.  And if you can't stand up for yourself, stand up for your children and that you NEVER want them to see abusive behavior as "normal." 

Remembering Why I started

I'll be honest...I've slept in the last two mornings and have no gotten to the gym.  It's my fault because I went to bed too late and I can't get up that early if I go to bed at 11pm!  Duh Sarah! 

This morning I saw it some where, not sure if it was on facebook or pinterest but it said

"Remember why you started" 

And I've kind of forgotten and lost my drive and I think that's exactly why. 

When I would start out on my runs I'd push myself harder by constantly thinking to myself

"I want to set a good example to Miss H"

"I don't want to be the fat mom amongst all of Miss H's friend's mom"

"I want to be in pictures with Miss H and like them and want them all over my house!" 

I honestly can't remember the last time I thought about those things. 

When I want a cookie or something sweet that isn't healthy....I need to put Miss H in front of that and make myself pick between her and those empty calories. 

Of course I'm going to pick my child over anything else but I've stopped putting that visual in my head. 

I just have to remember my WHY and WHY I want to lose the weight.  WHY I want to be healthy! 

My Why begins and ends with my daughter.  She's the most important thing to me.  Ever since she's been born I've made some HUGE decisions based on what is best for her.  It is best for you to have a mom who is healthy and happy with herself! 

I owe that to my daughter.  

Snuck of picture of Miss H playing "beauty shop" with my hair

Being mad...makes a great workout!

This week, since Monday I have been to the gym 3 times so far.  I've been battling a cold and it just seems like I can't get enough sleep.  Going to bed at 8:30-9pm it should be easy for me to get up at 5am but it has not been.  I've still been going though and I've never regretted it yet or gotten home and wished I would have just stayed in bed.  

Last night I went there while Miss H was at her dad's for a couple of hours.  I really don't like going at night, it's packed right now and it's just full of men lifting crazy amounts of weight and I get all kinds of stares when I walk in, but last night I was mad.  Just a frustrating day all around and I wanted to punch something.  If they had a punching bag I probably would have went crazy on it!  

They don't so I started out on the treadmill....did 15 minutes (little over a mile) and then lifted weights for 15 minutes (legs and arms).  Man lifting weight is a great way to handle energy when your mad!  My muscles were shaking after just 15 minutes.  

Decided to try on the bike last night for the first time ever.  It was boring and resulted in me taking pictures.  

Bike...blurry cause I was pedaling as I was doing this...rode 5 miles

the men behind me working out..so serious

After I finished the bike I did another round of lifting weights and called it a night.  I was still mad and frustrated so what do you do in an instance like that???

You stop at your BFF's house and vent to her.  Works like a charm every time!!!  

Have a great weekend everyone!!

New Finds!

The Green Monster

 This new baby is pretty amazing and great for recovery after a great workout.  I found this on pinterest, which there is a lot of great protein shake/smooth ideas on that addicting website.  

The Green Monster

1 large handful of spinach

1/2 frozen banana

1/2 cup frozen mango

1 scoop Whey Protein vanilla flavor

1 cup Almond Vanilla milk

1 tsp sugar

3-4 ice cubes

So yummy and very filling!  

Another new thing I've heard about is Super Feet insoles for your shoes. 

Last Thursday night I went to my local running store, Up and Running for you local peeps, and asked about them.  They definitely recommended them and had me try on the green and berry ones to see which was better.  The green ones were exactly what I needed.  They fit them perfectly to fit in my shoes and off I went.  

Another reason to find a local running store to check out.  Yes they tend to be more expensive but just getting to know the people that work there can be so beneficial for you!  They are there not just to sell you something but they actually are runners themselves and can help answer any of your questions.  

These have made a huge difference with my feet and helping with my PF.  I can tell I have support right where I need it!  Heavenly I tell ya!!  

Nothings better than finding new running gear to help you out or food to help you recover so you can do it all over again tomorrow!  

The Gym - What are we afraid of??

As I mentioned last week, I joined a gym.  And it honestly feels great to being back to working out.  Not only am I running on the treadmill but I'm also lifting weights...my arms are crying right now from this mornings work out.  

This gym is what I used to think as a such an intimidating place to go.  I live in a smaller city so there are not a lot of options and I didn't want to spend a bunch of money so my options were even less.  This isn't a "Girls Only Gym", it's more of a guys gym with a few females I've seen.  I've gone there four times now and of those times I've only seen only 2 other girls working out there.  Most of the time I walk in and it's all guys...ugh right??  I mean I am not the most in-shape looking person, so I can only imagine what these guys must be thinking when I walk in the gym.  This is where I realize that things have changed for me. 

I used to care what those thoughts were what other people had of me when I walked into a gym or when I would attempt to run outside years ago.  Now...I honestly don't care.  That doesn't mean that there isn't a split second where my mind makes me want to turn around and wait until there is no one else there...ha!...but instead I just walk in and do my thing.  I may not be body building like 90% of the guys in there...but I belong there.  

It's kinda like the question I'm constantly asking myself....is this what's best for me to be the best mom for Miss H?  This questions keeps me from making bad food choices, it's what makes me walk into those gym doors...my pride isn't going to get in the way!

This past Saturday I walked into the gym full of men already working out at 9am.  WTH???  Don't these people sleep in??  I stretched and jumped on a treadmill and busted out 2 miles, did some weights and then did another mile.  I couldn't believe how good I felt running.  It hasn't felt good in a long time and I was so excited to see myself being able to run further than 1.5 miles!  

Not that fast, but it's better than nothing...and I'll take that anytime!

And dang it felt amazing being able to do that in front of all those guys at the gym Saturday morning.  I'm sure they probably weren't paying attention at all or could have cared less about what I was doing, but it was a confidence booster to be able to walk into a gym and do my thing and show them that I'm not just a girl who is on a new year high and will die out after a few weeks...I've been doing this!!! 

Getting up at 5am sucks...it's hard but I've been doing it.  Maybe this will make me a morning person???  ha!  Let's not get carried away now!

Wishful thinking never hurt anyone right??

Thank you!!!

Wanted to give a shout out to the new followers I've noticed! 

Thank you so much for following me...I hope you keep coming back! 

New post coming soon...as soon as I can get pictures to load.  Errr...who likes a post with no pictures?! 

Boring! 

Couponing??

One of the things that I am going to try to get back at doing is couponing. 

Do you go "couponing"? 

I know almost a year ago when I started doing it, it seemed to be really popular and now it seems like it's died down some in popularity. 

That picture above is my first trip back at couponing this past weekend.  Spent $60 but I saved $80!  Not too bad when I purchased 28 items, that's just $2.14/item!  Not bad, if I do say so myself for my first trip back at it in a year! 

I'm no pro but I'm gonna try. 

Do you have any tips on being one awesome couponing mom?? 



Holiday Break Photo Dump

Finally back to our normal routine this week and it's been rough getting used to getting up before the sun is up again.  I was off work between Christmas and New Years and couldn't have enjoyed it anymore.  We were lazy, we played games and ate too much, played outside in the snow, built snowmen and opened way too many presents.  It was a great Christmas this year.  It was different having another whole side of the family to go to and celebrate with but each time I get together with Tony's family, I love them more and more each time.  They just fit perfectly into our lives and we seem to fit pretty well into theirs as well.  It kind of feels like they've always been there, as cliche as that sounds. 

I also realized over break that I have to bite the bullet and just join a freaking gym already.  Can I afford it, not really, but should I?  Yeah!  I have gained the holiday 5lbs and it makes me sick and mad at myself. 

I have not only fallen off the bandwagon but I can't even see the dust of the waggon leaving me behind.  I am disappointed in myself.  I went back to my old ways and they clearly don't work.  I stopped looking at food as fuel for my body and as an emotional way for numerous reasons.  That is not me or who I want to be.  It just isn't.  Plus I'm getting married in a 11 months and I don't want that day to come and for me to regret how I look.  I want to look and feel amazing on that day and so I need to join a gym to get myself back on track. 

Working out makes me think better about my food choices.  It makes me happier.  It makes me feel strong and good about myself.  And I miss feeling physically tired from a good work out. 

Hardest part is going to be getting up at 5am through the week so I can be at the gym between 5:15-5:30am and back home by 6:30.  I am not a morning person....this is going to be a challenge but I am going to do it even if I have to set 10 alarms all around my house to get me up! 

More on the gym later...but for now...here's a massive photo dump from pictures I took over Christmas Break. 

Attempt #1 at getting a cousins picture....Miss H has to control these boys somehow...

About as good as it gets peeps! 

My crazy godchild....love that crazy kid

And then we got dumped on...and I realized how weak I really am in my arms by shoveling this junk!

it just kept coming! 

Miss H got her first American Girl Doll

Lots of games played!

playing in the endless amounts of snow

Miss H "helping" me one day at work for a few hours

Overall it was a great break and I'm sad to see it go. 

Come back tomorrow for more on the gym experience!