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A Weekend With the Blues.

August 5, 2013

Wouldn't it be amazing if every day of your life could be rainbows and butterflies? I think so, but unfortunately I live in the real world and that doesn't happen. Last Tuesday was my birthday so I took Monday and Tuesday off of work last week to celebrate. I had the best time, so coming back to work Wednesday was hard. It's the busiest time of the year at my job so playing catch up from being out was miserable. To top everything off, I had the worst cramps of my life. Good times, huh? By Friday afternoon when it was ready for the weekend to start, I was a wreck. I was drained, tired, emotionally all over the place, and my stomach was killing me. I took the evening off from the gym and went home. Marquis and I took the pups to the dog park then we came back and spent the evening on the couch, just the way I wanted it. I made chicken and we watched our new favorite show "The Bridge".  Marquis knew how bad I was feeling so he played with my hair all evening while I laid my head in his lap (my favorite) I slept like a baby. Oh - we bought a new couch set for the living room. It defines amazing! I never want to go to bed anymore.

I'm crazy about the new sectional!
 Saturday I was up at 7:30, much to my dismay. But I had daughterly duties to adhere to. I packed my suitcase and drove 2.5 hours to hometown of Eden, NC.
"Don't leave, mom!"
It is a tiny, tiny town with nothing to do. I have to admit, I hate it. My step mom had a knee replacement and was coming home so I drove up for the night to take care of her and my dad since my aunt could not make it until Sunday. My dad has incurable cancer in his left leg. It's in his bone so he is very weak and can't take care of my step mom while she is recovering. He can barely walk, but he sure tries. You guys, it was an exhausting day. I have no problem helping my parents, they are wonderful, but care taking is absolutely draining. I ran around the house and up and down stairs the entire day, and ran alot of errands. Finally around 9 I took a shower and settled on the couch with my book and a bowl of ice cream, oh - and my cramps of course. No guilt here, I deserved my darn ice cream.
Saturday night.
Yesterday I was up bright and early again. I slept bad on Saturday night. I have been off of my normal routine and I was ready to get back to it. If you are a good blog friend of mine, you know Sunday's are ALWAYS spin class, weights, grocery shopping, food prep, cleaning, and my Sunday night shows. It's repetitive and boring to some, but I love it and look forward to it. I knew I wouldn't make it to the gym, but I got all of my grocery shopping, food prep, and cleaning done! Marquis and I spent the afternoon together just relaxing after. Which we never do. It was much needed. Oh, we also bought front row tickets to the "America's Got Talent" tour in October. It's in Raleigh and I can't wait to go to the show and make a night of it!

Well, it's Monday and I feel ready to take on the week. Tackle work and the stress it's bringing, murder my work outs, stick to my clean eats, and make every day a success! There are some fun link up's going on today, be sure to check out my "Join the Party" page.

Food prep = done!
Sunday dinner: Zucchini and reduced fat feta burgers with a side of cherry almond spinach salad! Delicious.
Don't forget to enter my giveaway! Just be a follower and you're in, plus there are a lot of other ways to enter too. It's a $40 giftcard to Ulta Beauty! Enter here!

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This week's fitness and nutrition plan:

Meal 1: 3 egg whites with spinach and turkey bacon with a side of 2 slices of double-fiber whole wheat toast
Meal 2: Power Smoothie
Meal 3: Chicken and mixed vegetable stir-fry
Meal 4: 1/2 cup of oats with one tablespoon of sugar/fat free butterscotch pudding mix
Meal 5: Whole wheat cereal crusted chicken and mixed vegetables
Meal 6: Sugar free cherry Jello with a tablespoon of fat free whipped creme

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Monday: 20 minutes lateral cardio and 45 minute spin class 
Tuesday: 10 minutes of lateral cardio, full upper body weight circuit, 10 minutes on Elliptical
Wednesday: 20 minutes of lateral cardio and 45 minute spin class
Thursday: 15 minutes of lateral cardio, full upper body weight circuit, 10 minutes on Elliptical
Friday: 20 minutes of lateral cardio, full leg work out, 10 minutes on Elliptical
Saturday: OFF!
Sunday: 45 minute spin class/full upper-body weight circuit

27 comments

  1. Sorry last week was so stressful! Glad you got a chance to relax even if for just a few hours! Hope this week is better! Hugs!

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  2. I love hearing about your weekends!! Im so sorry about your parents being so sick and your cramps, I have bad cramps pretty much every month :( us women have it rough! Anyways I hope you have a super week!!

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  3. Weeks like that, that are just draining, are horrible...but they definitely help you to remember and cherish the days when life is rainbows and butterflies! The help you give to your parents is also invaluable, you are a remarkable woman for doing so...some children wouldn't.

    PS. The hair thing, my favorite too...sometimes I just want to drive down to Georgia and lie on the couch with my sisters and play with each others hair. (my boyfriend hasn't mastered the technique yet :))

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  4. I had cramps ALL weekend! :( No fun at all! Hope you're feeling better today!

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  5. Sorry to hear about your stressful week! But here's a fun fact! My hometown is about 45 minutes from Eden!!! :) I hope this week is a thousand times better for you.

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  6. Sorry to hear about your stressful week! But here's a fun fact! My hometown is about 45 minutes from Eden!!! :) I hope this week is a thousand times better for you.

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  7. Sorry you had a stressful weekend - I hope this week is a good one! And wow, those zucchini and feta burgers look SO good!!

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  8. Thinking of you, friend! xo

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  9. Sorry you had such a stressful week! Sounds like there has been a lot going on all at once, and cramps to top it off really sucks. Hope this week is better for you!
    I absolutely adore your new couch!!

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  10. Happy (belated) birthday, honey!! You're amazing, let's be best friends. What?!

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  11. So sorry to hear about your stressful weekend! :(
    Happy belated birthday also!
    I know how hard it is to take care of sick parents. My dad is really sick and can't do much for himself...so I totally understand it!
    I totally love your new couch! We have one similar and when we first got it we slept on it ALOT!! So comfy!
    Your kitty is just too adorable for words!! He just didn't want you to go! Love it!!!
    Happy Monday girl!

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  12. Love your new couch!

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  13. i know that you mean! i just got back to work today and literally wanted to cry!!

    but life goes on, and im just happy to have a job :)

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  14. What is it with cats and suitcases? Mine loves them, too! That couch is great - that is the same shape I have been looking for. I hope your week gets better and is stress-free!

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  15. The zucchini and feta burger looks amazing! So does the salad...yum! Alos, love the new couch! We have a brown micro-suede sectional in our living room too and it is awesome!

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  16. Oh my gosh your cat is so cute!! I have two Himalayan cats at home :)

    xo Ash,
    Sincerely Miss Ash

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  17. You are such a sweet daughter! I know how you feel about getting out of a routine. I live for routine and working out in the evenings. I'm loosening up though lately and trying to enjoy some weekday fun!

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  18. My husband and I love taking weekend drives, so I've been through Eden. :) I always ask him to play with my hair and rub my head when I rest my head on him, so I get where you're coming from with that one! We've been loving AGT for the past few summers (How gorgeous is Nick?), so that tour sounds great. Have fun! :)

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  19. I am not a nice person when I'm off of my routine, especially if I can't get my food prep and all done on Sunday!

    Being a care taker is EXHAUSTING. My husband could not bear weight on his broken leg for 12 freaking weeks, I had to do EVERYTHING.

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  20. happy late birthday and what a stressful week! you're so sweet to go help your parents out and yes - being a caregiver is so much work. hope you're having a fabulous week!
    -- jackie @ jade and oak

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  21. So sweet that you went to help your parents out - I am sure they appreciated it. Sounds like you got some much deserved rest too, which is always good. And I, like you, love my Sunday routine. It is relaxing and makes me ready to start the week!

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  22. that's an awesome couch! we have one similar and i claim the chaise part every time.

    care-taking is exhausting; for sure your parents were so glad you were there to help.

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  23. Hope your week gets better lady! Just reading that sounded exhausting lucky that new couch was calling your name!! Glad you found me so I could find you!

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  24. 4 things:

    1. happy belated birthday!!!
    2. that couch is amazing
    3. your cat is adorbz
    4. i just started watching the bridge & i'm hooked!

    LittleBirdBlogs

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  25. Love your new couch! Happy Belated Birthday!
    You totally deserved your ice cream! Reward for being a good daughter!

    Hope you're having a great week! xo

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  26. You are such an amazing daughter, your father and stepmother are so incredibly fortunate to have you :)

    p.s. Thanks for the inspiration re: foodies. I try to mix things up but it can be a bit tough. Your page is definitely one I always head to when I need a little extra kick in the butt xo

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