Friday's Letters

Linking up again with Ashley over @ Adventures of Newlyweds...

Dear Andrea, so excited that you signed up for the triathlon. I know I've told you this a MILLION times, but I know you will do great and you will have the best feeling when you cross the finish line!

Dear Kelly, wish the triathlon would have worked out for you to do it with us...we could have made a MN blogger triathlon :) I hope you find one to do a different weekend this fall! I know you will do great also!!!

Dear Body, Please hold up during these next 12 weeks of training for the triathlon. I really want to be able to do my best. Specifically my knee...don't give out and be strong. I will ice you after every run and treat you very nice if you could hold up until after September 23rd.

My fellow MN Bloggers, I can't wait to meet you all at our HH next month. A date has been set!! I will be showing up late, but better late than never, right?!?!

Dear house, I am ready to finally start major transformations. I thought the kitchen would be first in line, but looks like we need to pick everything out first...so bathroom #2, you have been picked first! Can't wait to share and post this fun adventure!

Dear weekend, so happy you have showed up. Even though we are not leaving town or have major plans...I filled you up pretty fast when we decided to start our DIY projects. Inbetween dog sitting, church and cleaning...we will be hitting up a few home improvement stores! I have a feeling they will be my new best friend :)

I hope you all have a GREAT weekend!!!

Kitchen Remodel Ideas

Tate and I love our home that we bought 3 years ago. We just feel like there are things that are dated and could use some updating. I am all about DIY projects and feel like with the right tools and knowledge, many people can do it.

We have been throwing around ideas for sometime on updating our kitchen. One of Tate's clients is actually a kitchen designer and we had her come over to give us some ideas on what we could do. We have gone back and forth on keeping the cabinets golden oak or painting them white. She nixed the white idea right away...but suggested possible going darker. She said we have really nice custom cabinets so there is not need to replace...just update. I love the dark cabinet look, but wasn't sure if I wanted to put in the time effort that I thought was needed to transform them.

THANK YOU pinterest and fellow bloggers out there for your ideas. I found a blog where she transformed her golden oak vanity to dark espresso and gave the step by step guide on how to do it! The minute I read it..I knew that was it. It also helped that the stain she used (that she ordered off Amazon) can be bought less than a mile from my work...SCORE.

I had been going through my head on what to do and how to transorm our kitchen into our 'own'...and I found it and am SOOO EXCITED!

Source: monicawantsit.com via Bridget on Pinterest

I love it! I love the sophistication of it! It makes me smile!

We have a list of things that we would like to change in our kitchen. We understand that this can get expensive and very time consuming. But I feel like the best time for us to do this is when we are young and kid free. I have lots of extra time on my hands right now so I figure the best time is now if any.

I didn't take any pictures of our house before this post, so I can't share with what we currently have (I will eventually) but the street level of our home is what I like to call a 'golden oak shrine'. Everything is golden oak from the banister, trim, cabinets, floor, closet door, etc. I feel like it's never ending.

Source: monicawantsit.com via Bridget on Pinterest

I really like the above picture with the dark cabinets and lighter floor. We don't plan on transforming EVERY piece of golden oak...that I know of. I mean...we might get the itch to eventually, but the one thing I think that will stay golden oak is the banister and closet door.

We have stairs that go down from the floor that our kitchen, dining and entry way are one and in order for it to 'flow'...we would like to keep the floor somewhat of a lighter color. Those stairs connect with our basement entertainment area which is all knotty pine and flows really nice with that.

Source: houzz.com via Bridget on Pinterest

I really like the look of the espresso cabinets with the backsplash tile. Once again, like the lighter floor with little hints of dark in there.

We are so serious about this that I may be starting it this weekend! Tate is asking his client today (the kitchen designer) which order we should do everything that we want to do it in. The list of things we want to remodel in our kitchen are:

- Transform cabinets from golden oak to dark espresso

- New Laminate wood flooring

- New counter tops

- Under mounted kitchen sink

- Backsplash

- Floor trim (from golden oak to white)

- Painting the walls

- New dishwasher (oldest appliance in the house and it's having minor problems)

- Patio door (can wait until next year if need be)

Of course I will be blogging the process as we get started and sharing our experience with out things go. I am scared that it doesn't turn out but hopeful. I mean...you never know unless you try!

After Tate talks to his client today regarding what we should do first (and I am hoping she says cabinets so I can start that ASAP)...I will be busy prepping it all on Friday after work and starting Saturday morning! Let the construction and fun begin :)

I signed up for another TRIATHLON

A year ago this past weekend, I did my first ever sprint triathlon...and blogged about it HERE.

Well...I've decided to do another one that is a bit more challenging and I am so excited!

Source

This is the race I will be doing! I start doing my 12 week training this Sunday. My husband will be making my training schedule for me and I will share on here for anybody else that would like to train for a triathlon.

I really liked doing the triathlon last year because I like having a goal and schedule for the gym. If I know I am training for a 'goal' I am more likely to go to the gym and not put it off. I also like triathlons because of the variety of cardio. I am not a long distance runner...so marathons don't appeal to me.

One thing on the list before I do the race is to buy a bike...we are on the lookout for a nice bike that is a good deal. If you know of anything, let a fellow blogger know :)

Anybody what to do the race with me?!? It will be SUPER fun...I promise :)



Weekend Recap: Family

Tate's little brother left on Friday to head back home so it was back to just Tate and I, which I was really excited about. Don't get me wrong, I loved having Luke stay with us...but it felt great to have my husband back!

We planned to head back to my parents home on Saturday for the evening since my brother is home visiting. He has spend the last 4 months over seas on deployment for the Air Force. He is stationed in California and decided to take 2 weeks to come visit us.

We all met up at my parents for some yummy dinner and socialize.

After we had fun with my parents, us siblings (minus one of my brothers...he works nights) went out downtown Rochester for some drinks. I actually only had one drink because I was driving Tate and I back home after a night out. Yeah..I was crazy and decided to drive back after midnight...but I have this thing with sleeping in my own bed and we didn't bring Mya...so we had to get back to her.

Bloddy Mary's were involved

Pool was played

Bar signs were seen

Family was enjoyed

We had a great time and I love when we all get together. Really with my other brother didn't have to work so he could have hung out with us too!

Look forward to our next adventure!

Mya also enjoyed her first ever ice cream! Probably a  bad idea, considering she doesn't really get human food...but she loved it and probably will never have it again :)

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend also!!!

Friday's Letters

Dear Golf Game, Get better...please! My score is not good and it's very embarrassing playing when one sucks so bad. I am playing weekly to try to get better, but that doesn't seem to be working. Any help would be appreciated!

Dear Self, Why can't you get out of bed anymore when your alarm goes off. Stop pushing snooze, stop playing on your phone and just get up and get to it...not that difficult!

Dear Family (including Bestie), Looking forward to seeing you this weekend! Love our time together!

Dear Mya, You are doing so good in your dog obedience class. We have learned so much and I am really happy that you are becoming an even better dog.

Dear Weekend, Happy you are here...now don't go by too fast! I love relaxing and spending time with the husband, so slow down...STAT!

Dear Bullies, Why do you think it's ok to put others down? Why do you think it's ok to treat other people horrible? What you did to that Grandmother was so sickening. You should be ashamed of yourselves! Treat others like you would want to be treated...plain and SIMPLE!

Linking up again with Ashley for Friday's Letters

My latest Pinterest Lovin'

I feel like it has been FOREVER since I have logged on Pinterest on my computer. I've been so busy that I actually kind of forgot about it. Found a couple things while exploring blogs a few weeks back...had to pin those...but I definitely miss some Pinterest action.

Source: thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com via Bridget on Pinterest

What I love is that I have these mirrors...6 of them to be exact. I got them from Ikea when I lived alone right after college. I've been holding onto them knowing that I wanted to do something fantastic with them. Glad I found this a few weeks ago...can't wait to put a few in our downstairs entertainment area and also our someday nursery.

Source: gypsypurplehome.tumblr.com via Bridget on Pinterest

I think this is soooo cool! I would love to do this with our marriage license!

Source: shanty-2-chic.com via Bridget on Pinterest

I actually have a date to make these with my Mom. I plan to make a few of these for the office that we are currently updating. I love the dark wood and recycled wine bottles. I'm also pretty excited to drink a few bottles to get a few :)

Source: timkamerer.tumblr.com via Bridget on Pinterest

I found this awhile back. I feel like there are many people out there that do this and all these seem to think about is 'keeping up with the Joneses'.

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Bridget on Pinterest

Counting my blessings...every single day!

Source: fandangodots.blogspot.com via Bridget on Pinterest

This outfit just screams...CUTE! I love the yellow skirt and flats! Now if I only could find the skirt!

Source: Uploaded by user via Bridget on Pinterest

I have this pinned under my 'photography' board...or titled 'Picture This'. How adorable is this? I just love it! I would love love love to get a picture like this of our some day kids!

Picky Eater

This month, I started doing the 'Photo a Day' with fellow bloggers through my instagram app. It looked fun and it makes me take a picture everyday. Yesterdays photo was 'something we don't know about you'. I posted a photo of my lunch and wrote items I don't eat and told everyone that I am a picky eater.

I honestly don't know why I am...it may be that I think about it way too much (when it comes to eating animals) or that I am so freaked out on trying knew things.  Whatever it is...I feel like it's not getting any better...if anything, it's getting worse the older I get.

I could list the items that I do eat...it would be a lot shorter than the items I don't eat, but that wouldn't be fun now would it :)

Items I don't...in no particular order:

Beef, Pork, Lamb, Duck, Bison, etc

The only meat I eat is Chicken & Turkey. I actually now no longer eat whole chicken breasts. I cut them up into small pieces and cook them that way. I can't have any veins or fatty pieces in them. I also like my meat dry...then I know it was cooked all the way. I also don't eat any type of deli sandwich meat. That also grosses me out. When it comes to bison, duck & lamb, never tried it and probably never will. No desire too...just grosses me out thinking about it. I stopped eating pork & beef back in 2003. Beef was the first to go...then eventually pork was added. I ate A LOT of these meats growing up, but when I got older and actually knew what I was eating and thought about it I couldn't do it anymore. Now I am not a PETA person and think that everyone should stop eating certain meats, this is just my decision. Will I feed our kids these types of meat, I am not sure. Tate is super healthy and really doesn't eat any of these either. Only gets it when he goes home to visit my parents or his. I guess we will cross that bridge when we get there

Cooked Veggies

This is one thing that I have NEVER liked. Growing up, I hated it when my mom MADE me eat my beans, peas, carrots, squash, etc. I have tried soo many different ways to cook them to see if I will like them and I don't. I've tried just 'lightly' steaming them and still can't do it. I wish so much that I liked them...because I know how good they are for you, but I gag when I eat them. On a brighter note, I do like most of them raw. Now I can't say I ever 'crave' raw veggies, but I at least force myself to eat them so I am getting some nutrients and trying to eat healthy.

Cooked Fruits

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I love raw fruit...most of them, but do not like cooked fruits. So that means...yes...I don't eat any type of pies that contain fruit. If you think about it, when you cook the veggies and fruit, it makes them 'mushy' and I eat them raw which still has the crisp to them...which is what I love.

And for the cinnamon I see on those apples...don't like that either. I only like my cinnamon on toast or in a cinnamon roll (that doesn't contain raisins).

Some other items that I don't like...muffins (unless it's a chocolate chocolate chip one), yogurt, cottage cheese, triscuits, any type of nutty, grain, shredded wheat cereal (My fav cereal is Reese Puffs...but to try to be healthy, I eat Multi Grain Cheerios), guacamole, shrimp, lobster, crab, sushi that contains raw fish...I eat California rolls, all fish except salmon, walleye & many other fresh water fresh (I'm venturing into more types fish...it's just taking some time).

So your probably thinking...what the heck do I actually eat?!?

Let's just say...I have a LOVE relationship with carbs!!! I love pasta, pizza, bread, deep fried food, pretty much all unhealthy things. But having a Fitness Director of a husband and trying to be healthy really dampers me eating chocolate at every meal and having cheese curds everyday :)

When it comes to my eating, I am trying to work new things into my diet that are healthy and good for me. It's a slow process, but let's just say I have come a LONG since collage when I would mainly eat mac & cheese, rice and grilled cheese...oh yeah, and Malt-O-Meal. Still eat Malt-O-Meal once a week...so f'in good!!!

My husband has found different ways to substitute different items to make the meals that I do love, more healthy. For example, we only eat whole wheat bread and for our pasta meals, we cook with whole wheat pasta.

A couple things I hope for...I hope that my taste buds change as I get older or when I become pregnant so that I will eat veggies and actually like it. I hope our kids get my husbands taste buds...he loves EVERYTHING!

Anybody else out there in the same boat I am with weird taste buds? What are different recipes you guys cooks that I could possible 'change up' to my liking if need be?

Weekend Recap...all about the ZOO

We came into this weekend knowing that we really needed to find things to do to keep a 13 year old busy and keep him from getting bored! I think we were successful and this post is going to be FULL of pictures (which we all know everyone loves posts full of pictures)!

We started out Saturday by hitting up the Mall of America. Luke, (Tate's brother, my BIL) really loves malls and wanted to go. We pretty much hit up every athletic shoe store there was in that place. Luke has his eye on a pair of Nike's he really wants. He needs to save his money a bit longer to be able to afford them! We also hit up the amusement park so he could go on some rides. He really enjoyed himself. Good thing we hit up the mall first since it was raining all morning...perfect weather when your at the mall!

After the mall, we decided to have lunch at Leeann Chin...I love Leeann Chin. Once our tummy's were full...it was time for the ZOO!!! I absolutely love the zoo...could go every day. I'm like a little kid when I go. I want to see every animal and stare at them for hours...I'm just amazed and in love with them all!

If you can't tell here...I am super excited to be @ the zoo!!!

I took a load of pictures of all the animals. Gotta love having a nice camera with a separate lens to get close up pictures of the animals.

The Dad


The Mom

Their child...born in 2007

I so did not want to leave the zoo...taking these pictures make me love it even more because I can see their facial expressions up close.

After we left the zoo, we hit up the grocery store to grab items to make homemade pizza. Luke just loved making his own pizza! It was lots of fun!

Sunday was more mellow, but it wasn't planned to be. We had another day filled with showing Luke a good time. We went to church and then got everything ready to go to Stillwater for the day to watch the Nature Valley Grand Prix and then enjoy the rest of the day at the beach. As we were leaving to go to Stillwater, we noticed the clouds were coming and that rain was in the forecast. We were hopeful they would clear up so we could still enjoy the day outdoors.

Tate and I had gone to the race last year, so Tate was really looking forward to going again and showing Luke what it was all about. It started sprinkling while there, but nothing to bad to make us leave. When 7 laps were left, it was raining harder and I was ready to go sit in the car while the boys finished watching. We were kind of bummed because we knew the rain meant to beach that day.

Since we weren't going to the beach, we thought it was a perfect day to bake something. So I found a recipe to make sugar free oatmeal cookies. Luke and I changed it up and added  peanut butter...but I didn't like how they turned out, but Luke loves them...so that makes the bake session a success!

It was a very fun and eventful weekend. I think Tate and I did well on keeping his 13 year old brother busy. We are not sure how long he will be saying, but we definitely have enjoyed having him here. I think he has enjoyed himself also.

Don't worry...I didn't forget it was Father's Day! Even though Tate and I didn't get to spend the day with our Dad's, we definitely thought of them and thanked God for having such great Dad's.

I hope you all had a great weekend also!!!!