Before and After: Day 1 - Sanding and Filling Holes

This nightstand has been following us every time we move.  I know it's not mine, and Mr. Moore, Please doesn't remember where it came from.  We both agree that it needs a little work.

At our New York apartment, H was using this as a sewing table.  Before I let her bring it upstairs at our new house, I wanted to give it a makeover.  

 I gathered sanding blocks, wood filler, a putty knife, spray primer (not pictured), spray paint, and new knobs.  I also used a screwdriver to remove the hinge.

 Always put your hardware and screws in a bowl - a tip from my dad.  Next, I sanded the piece.  It took both sandpaper blocks to remove the finish from the nightstand.

 Then I filled the holes using wood filler and a putty knife.  I will let the putty dry before continuing tomorrow.  See you then.

Brick Pad for Doggies

This was the exit for the doggie door.  With two dogs, I was spending a lot of time sweeping up dirt they had tracked in.  So, husband and I headed to Lowe's, armed with a $10 off a $50 purchase coupon we received in the mail.  Lowe's loves us!  Not really.  We got the coupon because we moved.  That's what the mailer said. 

While there, we almost got lazy and bought rubberized mats to place on top of the dirt.  They're sold right next to the paving stones, so you know they would work great!  Plus, buying rubberized mats required no thinking at all - just put them in the buggy and check out.  Instead, we did math on the fly.

Twenty-four paving stones, sand, a level, and two salvia plants later (the plants are to attract hummingbirds - nothing to do with a brick pad), we got to work.  

 Keep in mind, we are not professionals.  All my knowledge on laying bricks for a walkway comes from watching and listening to my mom and dad when they bricked a patio long ago.  First we put down sand and leveled it.  

 Next came the pavers. 

Sand is heavy, so I watched while Mr. Moore, Please poured the sand, and we both worked it in between the pavers.

 Penelope was the first to try it out.  She needed a little coaxing.

 This was a small area, so it didn't take long at all.  We have wild ideas about paving a walkway from our back gate to the patio, so I'm glad we tried this small space first.  Plus, it looks lots better than rubberized mats.  Another plus - the dogs aren't tracking in as much dirt anymore.  (I hate sweeping.)

Need Some [Paleo] Inspiration?

I'm always on the lookout for someone or something to light a fire under me...especially when it comes to staying healthy and fit.  Here are some links that do just that:

Read about Paleo Parents and appreciate their honesty, which includes underwear pictures!

1.  Stacy's Story

2.  Matthew's Story

Tackle a few posts from Gnolls.org.  

1.  The Paleo Identity Crisis:  What is the Paleo Diet Anyway?

2.  Eat Like a Predator, Not Like Prey:  Paleo in Six Easy Steps, a Motivational Guide

Now, I'm off to share more almond-raisin-coconut flake trail mix with P!

source:  National Geographic

Favorite Things: Suave Dry Shampoo

There are many things I can thank you for, sister.  Some of those countless things include: letting scared little me crawl into your twin-sized bed at night when I was just a wee lass, introducing me to potato leek soup and chocolate espresso fudge cake [neither of which I've had in ages...ahem], explaining the ins-and-outs of the somewhat intimidating coupon system, and - drum roll - sending me a free sample of Suave dry shampoo spray!

Woohoo!  I love this stuff.  So, yeah, there are instances when this sometimes-frazzled mother of two delightful and energy-requiring children goes more than 24 hours without getting her head under a faucet.  [Sharp intake of breath.]  The horror!  For some women with enviable locks, this would be no big deal.  For me, however, over the course of the day, my hair can sometimes look like the Exxon Valdez let loose on top of my noggin.  When that happens, I'll be reaching for this nifty product.  Not only does it de-oil your hair, but it also adds a little oomph.

Send more stuff!  Send more stuff!  

source:  Suave

At the Shooting Range

Rule #1 at the Shooting Range:  Don't lift up one side of your shooting ear muffs because you can't hear what your husband is saying.  Someone is likely to be shooting a big gun that makes a big noise that temporarily deafens you.

Rule #2 at the Shooting Range:  Don't stand too close to someone firing a weapon because the spent casing can hit you in the side of the head, get trapped in your sunglasses, and burn your temple. 

So Happy!

P enjoying paleo cake!

Sorry for the lapse in posting.  I've got a good reason - we've moved closer to home!  I am so happy to be back in the south.  The only downside of moving to Alabama from New York is that it's not Louisiana.  To solve this little dilemma, I'm getting my whole family to move here!  Ya hear me Cormiers, Moores (both brothers), and McGregors?

Lauren and Baby O at the Botanical Gardens

Lauren and her family came to visit!  I got to meet Baby O and spend some time with P as well.  I haven't seen Lauren and her family in a year, so their visit was a welcome one.  I didn't want them to leave! 

P and Penelope (L-O-P)

Me and O

Come back any time.  I miss you already!

I Feel Good...Neh Neh Neh Neh Neh Neh Neh.

Yes.  I'm evoking James Brown for this post.  Read more to find out why the Godfather of Soul could sing no truer words for me.

On June 22 I decided to wholeheartedly throw myself into a 30-day challenge.  I had just eaten a philly cheesesteak for lunch.  I was sitting at my desk.  My belly was tied in knots, which is something that had become par for the course.  Thank heavens to Betsy, something caused me to type www.whole9life.com into my browser.  It's a site that I browsed about a year ago.  At the time I was definitely intrigued, but something between skepticism and laziness stopped me from taking it any further.  On this day, however, after reading about the Whole 30 and immersing myself in all the testimonies from people who had much more enjoyable lives as a result, I texted to my sweet friend, D: "My next snack is going to be Paleo."

We cannot possibly put enough emphasis on this simple fact – the next 30 days will change your life. It will change the way you think about food, it will change your tastes, it will change your habits and your cravings. It could, quite possibly, change the emotional relationship you have with food, and with your body. - Melissa and Doug Hartwig, founders of www.whole9life.com and creators of the Whole 30 challenge

Fueled by the idea that this new way of eating could change my relationship with food [!!!!], stop my stomach pains [!!!], and help me to lose some pregnancy weight [!!], I was ecstatic and teary-eyed.  Using the Whole 30 as a guide, I cut grains, dairy, legumes, and sugar from my diet...and I went cold turkey.  One minute I was Philly McCheesesteak, and the next minute I was Broccoli McSteamerson.  I can happily say that it was only occasionally that I found my new lifestyle limiting.  I will definitely concede that I  could have been more strict during my Whole 30.  For example, try getting grass-fed beef and pastured chicken on a whim in SWLA.  And I may have relied a little too much on bacon and almond butter [separately, natch].  Nevertheless, I feel like I was still able to benefit from my complete dietary overhaul.  Now, being a working mother, I didn't want to spend too much time devoted to scouring recipes and experimenting with ingredients.  So, I just cooked the ingredients and put them on a plate!  Steamed broccoli and grilled chicken?  Check.  Roasted asparagus and hamburger steak?  Check.  Bacon and Eggs?  Check...and check and check.  

 How do I love my new lifestyle?  Let me count the ways...
1.  I have not experienced stomach pains since beginning the Whole 30.  This one fact alone sells me on the benefits of eating clean.  Just prior to beginning the challenge, I was experiencing intense stomach pains up to 2 times a week, stomach pains that would leave me curled up in a ball on the couch, grouchy, and not a whole lotta fun for my family.

2.  I lost 10 pounds in 30 days.  While I'm aware that the purpose of the challenge goes way beyond the numbers on a scale, I do have 40 - 50 pounds to lose before becoming my most healthy self.  So, I do appreciate the nice little jump start.

3.  What?  I don't have to count calories?!  This still amazes me.  Every other time I've tried to lose weight and be more healthy, it involved logging every. single. bite. I put in my mouth.  What a downer!  Not only does counting calories cause me to become a bit obsessed with food, but it takes a matter of days before I start resenting the whole process.  It is so freeing to know that as long as I eat whole foods, including healthy fats, there's no need to have a pen and paper handy at all times.

4.  I have not felt bloated since beginning the challenge.  Yea for being able to suck my stomach in!  And woohoo for not feeling 8 months pregnant...3 months after giving birth.    

5.  Grocery shopping is a breeze.  I shop around the perimeter of the store, hitting the veggies, fruits, nuts, and meats.  I zoom down the coffee aisle for my Community Dark Roast.  I shoot over to the frozen section for a few more vegetable selections.  Thanks to Subscribe and Save on Amazon, I've got my Justin's Nut Butter and a variety of coconut products coming to me automatically, every six months.

5.  I have more energy.  I stayed up until midnight last night!  Do you know how long it's been since I've done that?!  Well, I'll tell ya, it's been a really, really long time; just ask my husband...and all my friends.  And I have yet to have one of those days where you don't feel like you could possibly pick your head up off the pillow, even if it's just to click "Next Episode" so your Cheers-a-thon can continue.

6.  I'm not hungry all the time.  I eat three tasty meals a day, with a couple of snacks thrown in for good measure, and I stay satisfied throughout the entire day.  I've also noticed that I don't watch the clock, anticipating when I can eat next.  ["Hmm.  Is 10AM too early for lunch?"]  Instead, my stomach tells me when I'm hungry and that's when I feed it.  

7.  My relationship with food has changed.  This can not be taken lightly.  And of all the good things that have come from my dietary changes, I hope it's this one that is around for the long-haul.  I no longer see food as a reward or a comforter.  Instead, food is fuel!  And it can be incredibly tasty fuel!  I still enjoy eating and I savor flavors and different textures, but it's different now.  Thank goodness it's different.  Of course, there will be times when a piece of cake will be completely worth every single bite, and I'm looking forward to my next ice cold brewski.  But, man, that beer better be damned good and so cold it hurts my throat when I swallow it.  And that cake?  It won't be from Jo's Party House or the Wal-Mart bakery.  It will be special and rare and...somebody make me a cake!  

8.  I sleep more soundly.  It may have something to do with drinking less coffee [since black coffee doesn't exactly make my heart all a-twitter] and it probably has a teensy bit to do with cranking up with CrossFit again, but I don't wake up 3 or 4 times a night anymore.  Yee Haw.

Here's hoping I've made a life-long change.