Love Visitors!

Two adorable kiddos stopped in the office last week to visit their dad (my boss) and got to spend some time in our conference room. They expressed their

artistic sides and left us a masterpeice, which is still hanging up in there. :)

They're both under 4 and look JUST like their daddy. So precious!



Presented by Darby and Tatum :)



Benelli

Well my parents have a new baby at their house. I can't wait to meet her! Her name is Benelli and she's a barrel of energy and precious! We know for sure that she's a mix of a few things but the Vet is really thinking she's got quite a bit of lab in her. I think lab and boxer, the older she gets - but who knows. The best part is that she was "free". She was found on someones doorstep and so through the power of God, she made it to the Cheadle house where she's loved so much! Presents like this are wonderful and sometimes a bit challenging.

This is Benelli when they got her...

 This is Benelli three weeks later (same pool!!) - who knows how big she is now!

This is Cash as a puppy(Michael's puppy)...I don't have a picture of him now - but he's HUGE and also a handful as well. Love him all the same!

Oh well...

Do you recall when I declared this month to be my "Work Out-Three-Times-A-Week" month? Well, after the toe trauma/drama - I haven't been able to go once. Luckily, the elliptical machine isn't the only way to stay fit. I've been parking at the back of the parking lot (mostly because I have to) and walking the stairs (11 flights) and taking walks in the evening Michael. I realize this isn't exactly cardio or anything, but it's at least empowered me to not gain 10 lbs.

Here are some useful tips if you can't make it to the gym as often as you'd like:

When you're at the grocery store, carry the baskets - don't push the carts. This way you're spending 15-20 working out your arms and back muscles. Also, you'll stop yourself from buying too much.

Use the stairs as much as possible. At the mall, opt for the stairs instead of the escalator. When you're at the office, always use the stairs. You'll thank yourself for this.

This summer, when you're at the pool, lounging around, try getting in the water and do some easy water aerobics. Hold your arms out above the water and then pull them straight down to your sides. The water provides the perfect resistance workout you need.



Enjoy your weekend and enjoy your daily workouts without a membership! It's better than not doing anything at all. :)

Awaiting Weekends...

This is not a new concept or surprising aspect of a day at the office - but - I can't wait until the weekend. This happens every week. It's not that I dislike my job or the people I work with, because I actually really like my coworkers! They're funny, smart, and different from me, but I can't help but spend at least half of the day thinking about what I'm going to do when I get home and on the weekends. I have decided that this is a common, although maybe not normal, thought in our generation today. I thought I would highlight a few of my favorite weekend activities:

I love to go craft shopping - this has turned into something more than just antique shopping, it's just crafts! I loving seeing what other people have made and how creative they are with their time. The only craft shows I've gotten to go to up here are the "Dallas Flea Market", that Etsy premiere (there's one coming up in the fall) and a Sunday event down in the Bishop's Arts District. If you know of any coming up, please let me know. You can always look to the Dallas Events Calendar too!

I also really like to pool it up, or go to the lake, or when there's water - go to the River! There is just something about relaxing by/in the pool when it's so so hot and sunny outside!

I can always do some cleaning, reading, or napping too.

I hope you enjoy your upcoming weekend!

I've done it again!

Another successful Campbell's Recipe kind of night! It's called Ham & Cheese Broccoli Pasta.

So easy, and it was only another 15 minutes of preperation and cook time. You'll have to believe me when I say that putting fresh broccoli to broccoli cheese soup is the greatest addition ever. Tonight I think I'm going to make breakfast for dinner. I plan to use some corn tortillas, eggs, ham and some hot sause. Sounds like it's going to be a migas kind of night! If you have any great recipes, please share. I'm really getting into this whole domestic transformation. I love cooking for myself and for other people!  



I've done some cooking!

Well, I went to the grocery store tonight after work and was getting the usual items, when I found a delicious recipe on one of the Campbell's Soup labels. It was called Creamy Chicken Pesto & Bowtie Pasta. So I thought I'd give it a whirl and it was delicious! The recipe called for a LOT of chicken, but I'm glad I listened.

The only thing I would do differently is cook the chicken a little less and let the pasta boil for a few more minutes. But, that's the joy of cooking - figuring out what you'd do differently the next time. 

The best part is that I have lunch for tomorrow!!

You will need:

1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup

4 chicken breast halves

1/2 cup of milk

1/2 cup of pesto sauce

2 tbsp of butter

3 cups of bowtie pasta

10" Skillet

 

On medium-high heat, use the butter to brown the chicken which is cut up in cubes. (Meanwhile, be boiling the pasta!)Then, once the chicken is browned, you add in the soup (with no water) and the milk and pesto sauce. Bring that to a 'boil'. Then turn the heat down to low and add in the drained pasta. Let it cook on low for 5 minutes and you're ready!!

Thoughtful Thursdays

Sometimes they'll just surprise you! After my toe incident, my sweet boyfriend brought me some beautiful roses. Just beautiful! Then my wonderful roommate, Lindsay, put them in a vase for me! Last night we sat/jumped around while watching the Mavericks defeat the Miami Heat, and I couldn't be more excited! It's almost like those laid back nights at home can be some of the greatest evenings.

Hallux Trama/Drama

Warning: This is gross and unfortunate, so I'll warn you...but I had to get my toenail removed. Sick, right? I won't share any details because my poor friend Kim was literally on the verge of passing out last night when I was sharing. I've learned my lesson in open-honesty...





I'm on antibiotics, pain killers, and flip flops for about a week or so. Just in time for summer sandal season too...what a bummer! It could take about 3 months for my toenail to return.

So with that on my mind all day, here are some important tips to consider for your feet:

1. If you don't have the luxury of getting regular pedicures, be sure to keep your nails trimmed, filed, and clean.

2. If you paint your nails, be sure to remove the toenail polish every two-three weeks and replace with a fresh coat. You want to avoid any staining of the toenails from old paint. 

3. If you have any really old nail polish - be sure to replace it. You want to avoid any paint that may have become toxic, which could lead nail decomposing.

4. Moisturize your feet well, especially in the summer and winter. It's good for your skin to be moisturized. Plus you won't be embarrassed by flaky heels, rough patches, or chalky toes. (Yikes!)

5. http://www.essie.com/ is a great website for colors, also http://www.opi.com/

Let's. Go. Mavs!

New Month, New Challenge

For every month that creeps into existance, which seems to be happening more rapidly, I like to focus on a new challenge. I've recently experienced the no-alcohol-month, no-eating out-month, no-shopping-month, and now I introduce "Work Out-three times a week-month"!

That's right, I'll be back at the gym three times a week. When I was a member of 24 Hour Fitness, this wasn't a battle at all. I was paying for a membership and so naturally I was more inclined to use it. Now that I live in an apartment, and I'm not "paying" for the membership, I've only been three times. In a month and a half! I just miss the 45 minute cardio and arm workout. SO - as we're six days into June - I'm heading back to the gym!

Also - new website to check out...if you're into home decor...

http://www.onekinglane.com/

Let's Go Mavericks of Dallas TX Dunk City, USA 2011 Y'all

HooHooHooHooHoo!

Great night at the Nottingham House - watching the Mavs play the Heat. Lauren and I took the liberty of abusing Photo Booth time 

via @thejessegable's computer!