Happy News!

I've got very happy news to share today! Yesterday I took (and passed!) the ACSM Personal Trainer Certification Exam! I knew that if I didn't take it before Thanksgiving it would get pushed back to January, but nevertheless it's done! I feel such a deep sense of relief having that over with! Now I just have to put it to use!

And in other exciting happenings, last night Chris got his first birthday present! I've decided that each day has a theme and yesterday was favorite edibles! I gave him a six pack of Guiness and Sierra Nevada to make a black and tan (well, a few black and tans) and a delicious piece of tiramisu that we shared for dessert! I think he enjoyed it very much!




And today we both have appointments to get our teeth cleaned so we are leaving work early together! Having my hubby home a few hours early is like a present in itself!

I hope your week has started off brilliantly!

Studying and Staying Healthy

I am very excited to share that I'm just about finished studying for the ACSM personal training exam! After falling a little behind schedule, I decided studying must be a priority, so I've been catching up hard core on the weekends. Originally I said I wanted to take the test next week, but now it's going to be right after we get back from Indiana. And thankfully, I am feeling so prepared!

And on that note, our trip to Indiana is a mere two weeks away! Well, actually a little less than that!

It is for this reason I have been avoiding getting sick at all cost! As is typical for this time of year, there is a nasty bug going around. One of my co-workers went home sick yesterday and I busted out my box of Emergen-C for everyone to take! Right now, I'm pretty much obsessed with vitamin C, exercise, sleep and hand sanitizer:) Hey, a girl's got to keep her immune system up!

And on a sad note for fellow foodies, it was anounced in the New York Times yesterday that Gourmet magazine is folding. I for one, am very sad to see such an incredible and well known food magazine go. After all, it has been one of my favorite "splurge" magazines!


Farewell, Gourmet!

And So It Begins!

I just finished my first study session and I feel great! Although my next six weeks or so will be very full, it is so nice to look forward to this at the end of the day! Who knew someone could get so excited about the acromium process or the anterosuperior iliac spine? Well actually, I did, but it's kind of my little secret:) Wow I'm excited to re-familiarize myself with this terminology again! The first few chapters were just basic review of anatomy and physiology, but Wednesday I get to read about Biomechanics:( Not exactly my strong point, but that's why I'm studying, right?! Just wanted to share as I begin this six week journey:)

Good night and pleasant dreams!

My Inner Nerd and a Quick Recap

Hi all! Merry Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are feeling completely rejuvenated for this upcoming week:)

For a little recap on the events I attended this weekend~

Mid Life the "Crisis" musical: Absolutely hilarious! Although I should tell you I was by far the youngest person there, and the show was my idea! It was held at a really small theatre and had a very local feel to it, but all in all, well worth my Friday night!

State Fair: What can I say? The fair always seems to meet my expectations and this year was definitely no exception! I don't know what it is: the food, the exhibits, the cute little animals, the new products for sale in the expo, the general merriment and crowds of people enjoying themself? It's probably a combination of it all for me. And this year, opening weekend had gorgeous weather! Some would still call it hot, but the low 90's is pretty good for mid-August and considering we have been in the 100's lately!

So I got some new workout clothes this weekend! Nothing too exciting, just some running shorts, yoga pants and some new socks, but it's amazing how just a few new pieces can invigorate you to get your bum in gear! Chris and I worked out both Saturday and Sunday. I love getting it in on the weekends because you feel ahead of the game come Monday! It satisfies my inner over-acheiver:)

And probably the most exciting news I've got today is that my ACSM study materials came this weekend! I know I'm gonna let my inner nerd come out here, but I don't care! I am ridiculously excited to start studying!! It feels like I'm starting school again. And depending on how you view that, you're either jealous or you think I'm completely crazy:) You see, the beginning of a new school year was always very exciting to me. Peeking through my new books before my first class and embarking on an adventure of learning new things, especially when I got to college and was learning things I was particularly interested in! Although the information isn't new to me, studying for this new certification means I am taking a step forward for my career! That gets a double yay! I have even set up a study schedule to keep myself on track. And I'm going to tell you all now so I can have some accountability, I am planning on taking the test the week of October 12th. And now that you know, I have no excuse for slacking!

Some pics from the fair:

As soon as we got to the fair, Me and Mom bought these hats! Cute and practical:)



My husband or a beaver?


Getting ready to watch Splash Dogs! Abby totally could have been in this show!


A baby calf only a day old:)


And newborn pigglets! Why are they so stinkin' cute?!


Awesome dress made out of animal feed sacks. Crazy!


And of course Arnold made out of Jelly Belly's...naturally!


Oh the crazy things we see! This is a replica of San Fransisco made out of hundreds of thousands of toothpicks!! Who does that?!


Have a wonderful day!

Since I've Been Gone

Hi friends! I'm back from a much needed and well, necessary blogging break. The truth is, I've missed it!

The last several days have been packed, mostly with work, and it doesn't feel like anything will be slowing down soon! This week I will be working some overtime, which is good and bad. But enough with the boring stuff!

I do have some very exciting news to share! I just paid for my ACSM personal training certification exam!! My current certification is not one I'm really impressed with and I finally decided to just get the one I really want! I am feeling so inspired to start training again:) It will definitely be a nice distraction from my current full time job! This will hopefully be the beginning of a very nice transition to doing something I am passionate about again:) Yay!

Last week was pretty much a blur of work, workouts, errands and just trying to get to the weekend. Not a feeling I am very fond of! Chris knew I had been feeling tired and just plain worn out so he surprised me with a really fun date Friday night to dinner at Bella Bru Cafe, where they had live music on the patio! It was exactly what the doctor ordered! We listened to Blues while we enjoyed a delicious meal:)

So here we are, it's Sunday night and I'm trying to prepare myself for another hectic week. Although, I am a little more ahead of the game than I was last week. Because my Aunt was here last week and we spent a lot of time with my family, I wasn't really home to catch up on laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning, which made this week feel a bit more chaotic. Not that I'm complaining, as we has such a great time with my Aunt!! But now that I've had a whole weekend to catch up, I say "Bring it on Monday!".

Okay, my hubby just brought in my hot tea and reminded me of the time, which means we should probably decide on the movie we're going to watch before I turn into a pumpkin:)

I'll leave you with some photos of the week...

Our delicious wild mushroom bruschetta appetizer at Bella Bru!


Relaxed as can be with his 'Down Town Brown' :)


Look at that Goodness of Tiramisu!


It deserves it's own picture:)


I was out shopping this afternoon and snagged these cute plum colored flats for only $4.90!! Oh how I love good sales:)


I also made a trip to Trader Joe's and picked up some favorite goodies of ours:) This Pesto Torta is oh so good!


And so are these scrumptious treats...dark chocolate covered espresso beans and almond coconut chocolates:)


And finally, their Vodka past sauce...mmm, mmm good!



Stay tuned, I've got some good posts for the week!