Stretchie To Six Pack Guest Post!!

Remember how I said fitness blogger Mark Salinas, MN would drop by Squirrelly-Ville for some tips and tricks to help with my Stretchie-To-Six-Pack goal as a part of the Derfward Manor 5K Ass project???? Yeah so he TOTALLY rocks and pulled this together for myself and you nutty readers. To read and be inspired by his incredible fitness journey go here. Don't forget to stop by his blog and add him to your reader to get a daily dose of fitness inspiration!!



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Core Burn: Mark Salinas

As a parent I know how difficult it is to find time to get a work out in. Let’s do some core work while watching TV!

The core exercises consist of three exercises with 4 timed sets. The first set starts at 60 seconds for each exercise, 2nd set decreases to 45 seconds, 3rd set to 30 seconds and finally 4th set to 15 seconds each.

The three exercises performed one after the other are:

Plank on Elbows and Toes

1- Lie face down resting on the forearms, palms flat on the floor.

2- Push off the floor, raising up onto toes and resting on the elbows.

3- Keep your back flat, in a straight line from head to heels.

4- Tilt your pelvis and contract your abdominal to prevent your rear end from sticking up in the air holding form.

Left Side Plank

1-Lie on your left side.

2- Place your forearm in front of you onto the floor/mat. Position yourself so that only the forearm of your left hand plus the left side of your hips and legs are in contact with the floor.

3- Position your other hand either palm down onto the mat in front of you or on your hip. Maintain good core body posture and balance by first using your right hand as leverage on the mat.

4- Set your left leg directly atop the other or place the top (left) leg in front of the bottom (right) one. If you place them atop one another then the inside curvatures of your feet should touch in a way that they mirror each other.

5-Inhale and contract your abdominal muscles, pulling them inward.

6- Exhale as you lift slightly upwards using your left forearm and left foot.

Right Side Plank

1- Lie on your right side.

2-Place your forearm in front of you onto the floor/mat. Position yourself so that only the forearm of your right hand plus the right side of your hips and legs are in contact with the floor. 3- Position your other hand either palm down onto the mat in front of you or on your hip. Maintain good core body posture and balance by first using your left hand as leverage on the floor.

4- Set your right leg directly atop the other or place the top (right) leg in front of the bottom (left) one. If you place them atop one another then the inside curvatures of your feet should touch in a way that they mirror each other.

5- Inhale and contract your abdominal muscles, pulling them inward.

6- Exhale as you lift slightly upwards using your right forearm and right foot.

Take a 30 second break in between each set of three exercises.( Modify if necessary.)

You should feel the burn primarily in your chest, back and core abdominal muscles.

Stop over and take a look at some other “fun exercise” at Mark Salinas, MN

Stay active and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up on your journey!

Cap'n Underpants Has Something to Say

Happy birthday Cap'n. We love you big three year old boy!

(Bardolf is sporting a new red thermal as a cape and Hot Wheels undies that he got for his birthday from my grandma, thus deeming himself Cap'n Underpants. He's so awesome.)

Parade Princess

While at the In-laws this weekend Muirne was asked to ride with Papa J in the local parade with his car group! She of course was the perfect little red-headed royalty and made sure her elbow-elbow-wrist-wrist was perfect!

Thankful Thursday with Mister Linky!

I am so excited to officially start A Bit Squirrelly's Thankful Thursday gratitude carnival! This week instead of having a theme I chose random things that really brought me joy. Next week we can have a theme if you would like, or just leave it up to you to chose your own! Please leave a comment after linking to let me know if you would like a theme, to suggest a theme, or to leave Thankful Thursdays theme free!

I am so thankful and grateful:

• for celebrating the SIXTH birthday of my miss Muirne!
• for Fall. I love the leaves and colors.
• for halloween candy, though my thighs aren't going to like it!
• for all the movement in Caspian's company. Big changes are coming!
• that we are all healthy, happy and loved.
• that the laundry is done, the house is clean, and my family is home.
  
  
  
  **On a personal side note, on Tuesday I lost my cousin tragically and unexpectedly. This Thankful Thursday post was written before that, but I have left it as is, because it is so important to me, especially while my family is dealing with our loss, to focus on the wonderful, joyful, loving and positive things in life. My cousin was a being full of love, joy and light, and I know now he is enveloped in Pure Bliss. Thank you for sharing your posts of gratitude this week, I really need them.
  
  

Thankful Thursdays: Simple Pleasures

This week I wanted to focus on the simple, little things that I am grateful for. My list is just ordinary, everyday things that I may take for granted so I felt it important to show my gratitude.

• My coffee-pot that reliably brews my cup of sanity for the day


• The bath and body wash, lotion and spray that my best friend gave to me. It reminds me of her every time I use it!


• The candles that I have in three rooms of my house. They all smell like laundry soap/white florals and it is the perfect scent to relax me. It also seems to be tolerated by many and doesn't seen to irritate allergies so it is ideal for company as well!


• My favorite pen--my Sharpie fine point. No matter what I write it looks nice! Be it a bill or a thank you note!


• My Swiffer duster. Seriously cuts down my dusting time by half.


• My SUV. I love that we always have room for extra people. That it is reliable and under warranty, and that it has a DVD player for road trips!

So Nutty Readers, what are some of your simple pleasures?

Getting in Touch With His GLAMOUR-ous Side

Caspian was especially quiet while I did the dinner dishes this evening. After I finished (the dishes and my glass of wine) I peeked out of the kitchen to see him like this:

Flabergasted that not only was he not watching SPEED, but that he was taking an interest in one of my more girly hobbies aka fashion mags, I HAD to see what had grabbed his attention:

You all can read that, right? Maybe you know best synthetic urine  Yeah....I totally got why he picked it up too....he thinks that since he brought me home wine he is getting lucky (that may be true, but he better not be getting any ideas...at least it isn't a COSMO article).

Reason Number 31 That Lizzard is Mental

So if you have been reading for a while, you know that Lizzard is not what we would call "normal". She has several issues that we have been dealing with since we got her from a local rescue group a year ago. These issues include:

• Relentless chasing of squirrels


• Garbage Day Anxiety


• Jumping fences (up to five foot tall) and running away


• Mental Grins


• Trying to End it All


• Burping, yes she Belches

Of course she does other things that most dogs do which doesn't really make her unique, but just adds more things to the every growing list. However, I have to say that her need of Prozac and Tranquilizers may be something that we have contributed to:

Bedtime with Bardolf and Muirne

Muirne: "Tell us a story Daddy."

Bardolf: "Yeah Da-ee, tell you, us ,me sor-ee Da-ee!"

Caspian: "Okay, once upon a time there was a dog named 'Lizzard'... ...and they all lived happily ever after."

Muirne: "Thanks daddy that was a good story. I need a drink of water. Mommy will you snuggle with me and rub my back?"

Bardolf: "I dink wa-er too Da-ee, Momma snugle me too, rub my back?"

KD: "Okay lemme snuggle sissy and daddy snuggles you."

Bardolf: "O K Momma, Da-ee you ge me wa-er and rub my back?"

Caspian: "Okay buddy."

KD: "okay ni-nite love you sissy love you brother, sleep big."

Caspian: "Ni-nite, love you."

Muirne: "Love you momma, love you daddy!"

Bardolf: "Momma! Cov-a up me Momma!"

KD: "Okay lay down--put your feet down."

Bardolf: "O K Momma cov-a up dis banket Momma--Cov-a up dis one?!"

KD: "Okay all covered up. Love you! Nite!"

Muirne: "Night Momma."

Bardolf: "Ni-ni Momma!"

......

Bardolf: "Momma! Cov-a up me Momma! ... Momma! Cov-a up me Momma ... Momma! Cov-a up me momma!"

KD: "It's your turn and Lizzard and I are snuggling so I can't get up."

Caspian: "Just ignore him he will stop."

Bardolf: " Momma! Cov-a up me Momma!"

KD: " He won't stop until you cover him up with Blanket."

Bardolf: "Momm-Da-ee! Cov-a up me Da-ee!"

Caspain: "Okay buddy there ya go. That Blanket?"

Bardolf: "Tank-qu Da-ee."

Caspian: "Welcome Buddy, ni-night, Love you, Love you sissy."

Muirne: "Love you daddy."

Bardolf: "Lu you Da-ee."

Caspian: "Love you too buddy."

Bardolf: "Lu you Da-ee."

Caspian: "Okay love you too ni-night."

Bardolf: "LU YOU DA-EE!"

Muirne: "You already said that three times Brother."

Bardolf: "Oh."

Smoothalicious-ness

Okay so because of my recent 5lb (okay 10lb) weight gain I have been making an effort to make more nutritious snacks and meals, not only for me but the whole Squirrelly Gang. So in my genius I have rediscovered my frozen berries and started making Smoothies. Bardolf and Muirne *love* them and the best part is that they are so easy! We made some this morning while Loaner Baby napped.



Okay now for the real secret: There is an entire cup of fresh spinach in these smoothies. The juveniles have no idea. Though they do like veggies that much veggie in one sitting is a tough feat. So I pat myself on the back as they slurp each last bit from their cups.



I know. I rock out loud. Be impressed.

You May See "L" for Loser

But I see #1!

Hope you have a weekend full of #1's and no Losers!

xoxo,

Thankful Thursday: Week One

So not to get all mushy here, but I think that I would like to start taking time on Thursdays to write out what I am thankful for that has happened in the past week, or people I am thankful for, or projections of gratitude for the future. Feel free to join me and if you post something you are thankful for leave your link in the comments! Happy Thursday everyone!

For some time now I have kept a Gratitude Journal that I write in before bed each night. I have found that making a list right before bed sets me up for peaceful thoughts and I drift to sleep easily and contentedly. For this first Thankful Thursday I wanted to tell you the first three things I write in my journal every night.

I am Thankful and Grateful for:

• My children, their life, love and health


• My husband, his life, love and health


• MY life, love and health

Seems simple, right? That is the beauty of writing things that you may take for granted but really should be aware and thankful for daily! I surprise myself when I get butterflies EVERY TIME I write those three phrases at night. No matter what happens throughout my day those three things don't ever seem to change and I can always be thankful for my family.

So nutty readers! What are you thankful for today!?

Bowling is a Sport, Right?

I am so sore. I mean hurts to walk, sit stand, move period sore. I had an impromptu workout session Saturday evening. I wish I could say it was one of Mark's spectacular routines that has me downing the Ibuprofen and reaching for ice packs, but it is much more embarrassing then soreness from not working out in a while.

I went Bowling.

My hips, thighs, butt and forearm (right only) are so sore TWO DAYS after bowling three games Saturday. Caspian thinks it's the funniest thing ever and with each mumble and groan takes jabs at my all too apparent state of physical impairment.

I know that I need to work out. I know that I am a better place not just physically, but mentally when I do. I know that the two 24 oz beers I downed while at the bowling alley is not helping my cause. I know that the drive thru meal on the way also is to my detriment, yet I do it anyway.

What the Hell is wrong with me?

The sore, burning and annoying pain is a huge wake-up call. There are no more excuses. I need to make some changes and I need to do it now. I am diving in head first and not coming up for air.

• No longer will I be out of breath when I play tag with my kids.
  
• No longer will I groan when picking up my bulk food items to heave them into the cart.
  
• No longer will I ignore yard work because I just don't feel like putting forth the exertion.
• No longer will I order take out because I don't feel like throwing together a salad.
• No longer will I be sore for days after Bowling.

Hold me accountable Nutty Readers. The dawn of Squirrelly Buffness has come. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Photo stolen from here

Friends, Freebies and Freedom! (WFMW)

With my Hair-do appointment coming up Friday, I was scrambling to get someone to watch the Juveniles for me. My Hair Goddess is very hard to get in to and doesn't have a lot of late afternoon appointments, nor does she work weekends. This of course makes it almost impossible to get a sitter for the kids unless it is planned out weeks in advance, usually ending up with one of my parents taking a half day off work. Granted I am super fortunate that I have such fantastic parents that would even consider doing it for me, but I feel guilty.

I could do this:

But I only do that for time-outs. Three hours would be a bit much I think. (Just so you all know this is not my child. I stole the pic from Photobucket.)

The other option is hiring a sitter. Well at $100 or more a pop to get my hair done (I know, I know, ridiculous-ness but it makes me happy and Caspian likes me Blonde) I just have a hard time spending the extra money on a sitter.

Lucky for me I have fabulous friends. Friends whose children I have watched when they were in a pinch or needed to get some things done sans juveniles. Friends who I TRUST. These friends and I swap childcare. Perfect option to get away guilt-free and not having to incur the cost of child-care.

This Friendly Freebie Works for me!

Slowly Back Away From the Crumbs

My mom has this annoying habit of wiping up any and all crumbs when she comes over. Its like she finds the ONLY crumbs I missed and starts obsessively wiping the entire counter space until all the crumb micro particles are gone. She also does this with the floor. She will even go so far as to get out my broom while we are visiting and start sweeping. What the Hell, Mom?

Now I am a pretty good housekeeper. This crumb catching that my mom is doing is seriously messing with my OCD and making me feel all sorts of inadequate. It is making me insane. It's to the point that if I don't sweep and wipe down the counters and vacuum before she comes over I start getting all twitchy and spazzy. It's like I need a Valium if the Dyson hasn't had a spin around the living room before her visits.

The worst part is that she is totally oblivious to the fact that a) she is doing it at b) that it makes me want to be all Heloise or I will totally lose my shit before the visit is over. You know what? I totally can't say ANYTHING about it either. Because she is my MOM, yo, and it will hurt her feelings.

So I will just have my beverage of choice at the ready and watch her clean the crumbs. I either have to drink or I will end up rocking in the corner, stroking my lover Dyson all the while chanting that the dust bunnies need the micro particle crumbs for dinner. See, I really have no choice, besides those little fluffy freeloaders never leave me a tip.

Distracted (Thankful Thursdays)

I am thankful today. Really. I am just completely distracted. Muirne has been out of school all week because of one of the biggest snow storms to hit the NW since I was a child. I have an extra almost three year old today because his daycare was closed but his mom had to work. Yeah, can you believe that? He is a doll though and it's good for the juveniles to have another friend. Plus I have had my mom here on and off as she waits for rides to and from work, because she can't get out of her drive/street in her car. Also we are once again waiting on news about a promotion for Caspian. That is the last time I am mentioning that until it actually happens. You're welcome.

So today with my distracted mind I want to still take the time to be grateful.

Today, I am grateful that we have a warm, dry, safe and happy home to keep not only us safe, but any who need to be here with us as well.

Lizzard Grins--She is So Mental. (MMLM)

Lizzard smiles.

I mean she will be doing normal dog stuff: Sleeping, playing, scratching. Then all of a sudden she will be still and quiet. Of course that makes you look at her and she is doing this:

So I walk around and look at her from another angle--all the while she stays eerily still:

So I get in a little closer and try and figure out what in the world she is doing:

As I come around one more time to get a good look at her she remains completely still, other then to bare her teeth in a larger nuttier grin:

Is there any doubt now that this Dog is not right and that the Prozac is completely warranted? No, I didn't think so.

For more Grins visit:

Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving Edition

Another year has passed and looking back I am blown away by the way my life and my families has changed. We have so much to be grateful for. When I reflect on all that has happened, the good outweighs the bad tenfold and I know that life will constantly get better. These are the top five reasons I am thankful and grateful for my life the past year:

1. My family is healthy, strong and unified.
   
2. The promotion we have been waiting for is just around the corner and will be better then we first imagined.
   
3. We are blessed with loving extended families who constantly rejoice with us and offer support when needed.
4. We celebrated seven years of marriage and are excited to share many more.
5. The knowledge that by keeping our hearts focused on love, joy, life and heath we can accomplish all our goals and dreams.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday. Remember to laugh, love and live in a way that brings you joy. Most of all, be Thankful.

xoxo,
KD

*I posted early because of Thanksgiving. Have a wonderful Holiday with your family and friends!

Remember to link directly to your Thankful Thursday post and to link back here. Feel free to take the Thankful Thursday picture to use! Thanks for joining in!!

Because I am tired but promised to post something

Here are some pictures that I took last Friday of the juveniles. Seriously I can not believe how fantastic they turned out. I have plans to print and frame several! Oh and a reunion update is coming once I get my hands on some pictures! That story will be interesting. Stay tuned!

Now without further ado, my photogenic angels!

How to torture your two and a half year old.

So we decided it was time to take Bardolf in for his first real haircut. Caspian was due for a cut as well so we headed out this morning to a local barber's shop geared for men. It was a neat place with several big TVs and sports plaques all over the walls. Of course the fact that there are adorable women doting on all the men probably doesn't hurt their bottom line.

Anyhoo, we had Bardolf all excited to be getting his hair cut like a big boy and that he also got to do it with Daddy. He was all smiles and giggles until it was actually his turn. Then our sweet little boy turned into this:

"This is NOT what I signed up for"

"Do you see what she is doing mommy?"

"How could you let her do this to me?"

"Wait, that's it?"

"Hey that lady is pretty! And I look handsome!"

As you can see we just did a trim. We just can't bring ourselves to actually really cut all his hair off (and the hairdresser didn't want to either). As we left we asked him if he thought he might want to do that again in a little while. He said "No, no tank-qoo".

"We can't go there! That place is for MEN."

Actual conversation in the car tonight on the way to dinner. We picked up Caspian from work because he wants to drive the Nova in tomorrow (he usually drives a service truck) and we decided to get some Mexican food at our *fav* hole-in-the-wall on the way home. This conversation insued I *crap* you not:

KD: "Let's go to Mexican food."

Caspian: "Do you want to go to Los volcanes or the other place on the way?"

KD: "Yeah lets go there. I like that place the best"

Caspian: "Me too."

Muirne: "Me too!"

Bardolf: "Mettttoooo!!!"

Caspian pointing to one of *many* strip clubs around Squirrelly-Ville (which is the strip club/porn capital of the US I *crap* you not): "Hey we could go there."

KD: "Oh sure that would be FAB, heard they have good chicken BREASTS."

Caspian: "Well it's not true Mexican, but the atmosphere is entertaining."

Muirne: "We can't go there! That place is for MEN."

Bardolf: "Dat for Meeennnsss!!"

Caspian and KD speechless...then bursting into laughter.

KD: "Where does she get this stuff? What are you teaching her when I am not around?"

Caspian: "That is all her. I swear."

KD: "Yeah RIIIIGHT."

Works For Me Wednesday-Free Water Fun!

"Mom, I'm Bored" Edition of WFMW

Fun, Free, and refreshing! What could be better then a visit to the local fountain or spray park with friends? We pack a picnic lunch, grab the towels, sunscreen and our lawn chairs and we are guaranteed to have a blast splashing around to cool off! Best part is that they are all free! We have several fountains and water parks in Squirrelly-ville so there is not boredom of venue. I have to say that we have not gotten bored yet and plan on spending many hot days there this summer!