February Sum Up

Snow, Cold, Snow, Cold.....Repeat

As most of you know we have been DUMPED on the year with TONS of SNOW and BITTER cold temperatures. We don't have kids in school yet where they have to make up days, but these poor kids in our area are not going to have much of a summer. They have so many days to make up! One day alone we got 13.5 inches CRAZY!!

Always helping our neighbors

Dewey asked for an igloo. Perfect we have plenty of snow for that. But my husband took it to the extreme and mowed the back yard with the snow blower to give a huge igloo + slide...

Then the bitter cold temps set in just in time to harden the snow and get it ready to dig.

Dewey had two requests though...1) dig it high enough to stand up 2) smooth out the floor.  Not asking for too much....Definitely a workout for dad. 

Valentines Day fell on a Friday, which made it possible for me to help out his class with their party. He has 24 kids in his class and I was very impressed how they were very organized and the kids listened very well. They had their regular morning routine then we played a couple games and enjoyed sweet snacks and each student sat and looked through all their little Valentine cards that they received from each other.

Next year kindergarten!

My boys spoiled me for the big day...

We tried a new bbq place, Aaron added a Willow Tree to my collection and ended up with some new kick to start out the running season.

My wonderful mother and father in law celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary also that same weekend. We were blessed with a full day visiting at their place with my brother in law and sister in law. Always a great time, playing games, laughing, catching up. 

Aunt Kim loving on her nephews and Dewey could't wait to get a snack.

SPOONS!

G'ma and Dewey adding graffiti to the snow.

Dewey had a field trip to the Community Vet Hospital.... it was very interesting looking behind the scenes. They were very patient with the large group we had. They had name tags ready for each student.....Dr. Dewey ready to assist.

And we are STILL working on the kitchen.... we are making progress and it is looking SO GOOD!!

So hopefully the weather will shape up and we can think Spring... I have my first race 5K next weekend and hoping for decent temps. But, here is this weekends forecast..

Really! Come on March,

PLEASE BE KIND

Mini Remodel Update

Sand… Prime... Prime… Paint…Paint… Clear…Clear…Clear….Clear…

What better time of year when it is negative temps outside, than to repaint the kitchen and cabinets.

I love my Spanish Red kitchen, but with adding two very well amish made pantry's (Thanks Wilbur in Emma, IN) it was very hard to match the color of stain. So what better time to update and give a much needed facelift. 

We started by taking out the cabinets out above the  counter and making it more useful, prep space and breakfast bar

Really opened things up.

We then took those cabinets and moved then over above others for extra storage. You can never have to much storage. Especially in a small house.

This shows the "snack pantry".

This is the larger pantry "AHHHHH"!!

Eventually a new microwave will be above the stove.  

Now to sand, prime, paint and clear coat 34 cabinet doors.

We have chosen the middle gray for walls and bottom right for the blue/grey for cabinets.

So far…..

Slowly, but surly, we are getting there.

I'll be so happy when I am able to share the before and after pictures.

It is very time consuming, but, it is going to be so worth it. (at least that is what I keep saying)….

HAPPY MONDAY FOLKS!! It still may be cold outside, (3 degrees) but, at least the SUN is SHINING!!!

Thanks for checking in…

Libby

Follow up...AdvoCare Cleanse

I am not one to post pictures of my bare stomach. Maybe one of these days. (Big maybe). 

Once again the AdvoCare cleanse is a 10 day program. Along with that comes clean eating and my results were once again GREAT! I dropped 3 pounds, I lost that bloating feel and regained some engery back. It is very gentle and gets your regularity back and can be done every 90 days. 

The meal prep helped out so much that week. I was able to pack Aaron's lunch and mine without thinking, rushing or packing crap to get by. I really need to find and take the time to do that each week.

Meal prep didn't happen this last week. 

This week was way off... Weather, snow, more snow, negative temps, sick husband and Dewey's first time being REALLY sick.  Luckily Aaron took Thurs night off so he stayed with Dew. I sent Declan to the sitter and I had a short work day. So we have been cleaning, laundry and napping. All the while the kitchen is disorganized and still being painted. 

Which leads me to my next post...

The Kitchen...as it's coming along.

First Meal Prep Monday

Today I started the Advocare 10 day cleanse. 

I prefer citrus flavor but, it also comes in peaches n cream.

I'm ready to get rid of the Christmas slug. For the best results you should not eat anything processed and limit dairy, no alcohol, drink plenty of water and eat as "clean" as possible. If you would like to try the cleanse, comment or shoot me an e mail, runningscissors508@gmail.com. I can have it shipped right to your door.  www.advocare.com/13049739...here is a link to the cleanse:
https://www.advocare.com/13049739/Store/ItemDetail.aspx?itemCode=W3171&id=D&flavor=C

With starting the cleanse, that threw me in to meal prepping for the week. Makes things easier to grab and go, and less tempting to grab "junk".

This is my first attempt, with help from Instagram and Pinterest.

I started off by getting Monday's dinner in the crockpot, which I wanted to try my Dads recipe for swiss steak. Mine is never tender, always chewy. He says he can cut his swiss steak with a fork. I'm going to find out tonight.

Rick's Tender Swiss Steak 

First add 1/4 cup water and heat skillet or electric skillet, (depends on how many pieces you want to do).

Flour both sides of meat and brown on both sides. (won't take long)

Meanwhile in a medium bowl add:

can of Campbell's French Onion Soup

a can of water

Brown Gravy packet

Au Jus Gravy packet- whisk together

Put the browned meat in crockpot and pour mixture over meat and cook on low for about 5 hours.

Some of the other things I prepped today was:

Boiled 1 1/2 dz Eggs 

Browned 1 lb of Turkey Breakfast Sausage

Boiled & shredded chicken breast for chicken salad 

Measured/weighed out carrots and hummus and grapes

Made a tomato, cucumber & onion salad 

Baked Chicken Breast and paired them with green beans and broccoli

I hope to do this every week. It did not take very long and I don't have to worry about what's for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Now some evenings I still need to make dinner, but when I work late or pack hubby's lunch, it is easy.

Run For God

It's that time of year again. New year resolution's, some people make them and put in great effort, some people, just for a couple weeks. Here is a chance for at least 12 weeks to start changing your life. Improving spiritually and to improve yourself health wise too.  We are taking registrations for the next 3 weeks for the RUN FOR GOD class in North Webster running Feb 18-May 13…. 

Run for God totally changed my life. After having my two boys something had to be done. I did not want to be the mom that was over weight. When the announcement was made I knew God was speaking to me. Telling me to get your butt off the couch and do something for yourself and your family. 

So with this years class starting up, I was asked to speak out to the public with my story. I wish I had a link to the story but I do not. Amanda from the Mail Journal did a great job, (only miss quoting me on one in particle thing). But that is not what it is about. It is about getting the word out that God speaks to us in the most unexpected ways, and his timing is perfect. So don't wait, sign up tomorrow, leave a comment or email me with questions. I can help you do your workouts outside of class if need be, I usually run Mon,Wed, Fri, Sat or Sun. We can work out a schedule and get you moving. I'm not the fastest, I'll run/walk your pace. I just want to see a lot more people connecting, praying and getting healthier.

I have a goal, 140# by 40…. What are some of your goals?

Back on Track

2014 started out... NEW YEAR…. NEW ME…

Got back on track with eating healthier and cleaner. Got my running schedule printed and started. Ooooo and chopped my hair off!!! WHAT! Yes, it was long over due, even though I loved it long and it was easy, it just seemed like lazy mom hair. So without further a do…. here is my new look..

Training has begun for me as of Monday Jan 6th. I'll be running 3-4 days a week with short runs during the week and a long run on the weekend preferably Sat, (schedule permitting). Looks like Kris is trying to get a group together to run on Sunday afternoons. Yay!

 Most of you (my readers) are friends and family, so you know what the weather has been like. If you are not familiar let me show you!

BITTER COLD!!

We received about 10-12 inches of snow!

To much snow and to cold for me to run outside, so I am running in my warm garage with my little sidekick by my side.

Dewey wants to start running on the treadmill also, so we started him 3 mph for 3 mins. He did real good, he bit the dust once, and only once, before he got the hang of it. I also have been doing some exercises in the house (planks, weights, push up's etc) and both boys join (or try to) in…

RUN FOR GOD is getting ready to start up  February 18 and runs through May 17!

We are getting excited… Kris has some help this year to make the class even better. Come join us. Registration starts this Sun, Jan 12, classes will be held Tuesday's at the North Webster Community Center from 6:00-7:30. REMEMBER…. you DO NOT have to be a runner to come to this class. If you have love for Christ and you are wanting to get moving, this is for you.

Kitchen Remodel Update

It was nice spending time at home with the family, Aaron was off for 2 weeks, so he was able to keep working on our mini kitchen remodel. We removed some cabinets and added a large pantry.

Cabinets used to be above counter top, really opened it up 

Put those cabinets above these for extra storage

And added a pantry!

Now to paint both kitchen and cabinets to pull it all together. I love my Spanish Red kitchen but also looking to modernize and update. Loving the paint pallet from BM...

We'll see what the hubby says.

I will leave you with this...

Thank you for reading!