Sunday, July 31, 2011

365 {7.31.11}

I LOVE watermelon!! It is my favorite fruit! Last year I read a blog post on how to cut up a whole watermelon quick and easily~I was all over that!! Cause the way I used to do it took forever and made a mess. So I figured since I had this bad boy on my counter ready to cut up for the week...I would use it as my 365 photo.

I start out by cutting the ends off the watermelon, then cut it in half.

july 31 rs1

Then using a sharp knife, cut along the outside, getting all the rind off (I put a plastic grocery bag in the sink to keep the rind in, then just throw it out).

Then cut strips.

july 31 rs 2

Then bite size pieces (we have big mouths here, LOL!!).

july 31 rs 3

It takes me about 10 min from start to finish!!
Finished product...Big bowl for the week, snack for our lunches tomorrow, and of course what I couldn't fit in the bowls is a little snack for me *wink*

july 31 rs 4

Saturday, July 30, 2011

365 {7.30.11}

I have been chomping at the bit to participate in Ali Edwards, Week in the Life, project, but I have so many irons in the fire right now, I know I would be biting off more than I could chew. But after seeing all the participants photos, I decided to do a DAY in the life project. That way I could play along for one day and not get overwhelmed in the process. I decided to use my iPhone, just because I wanted to make it as easy as possible.

Here is what my day looked like:
part one...
wake up, shower, make bed, get ready, coffee, WW meeting, another trip to Costco (to pick up snacks suggested at WW meeting, LOL!), check FB and email, Clean bathrooms and vacuum, quick lunch (greek Chobani yogurt with 1/2 cup Honey Bunches of Oats cereal), some Kodi petting time.

july 30 a rs

Part Two...
lots of laundry, snack, taking Kodi for a walk, Mike fixing his car while I grilled our dinner, working on my Adobe Illustrator class, contacts out, face washed, nighty nite!

july 30 rs

it was a lot of fun!! Maybe I will attemp an entire week once my life slows down a bit!!

Friday, July 29, 2011

365 {7.29.11}

*lots of photos today*
I had a to-do list a mile long today!! But I only got one thing done... but sometimes that is Okay :)

I started off the day getting a gel manicure, which was really AWESOME!! Supposedly the polish stays on and does not chip for 3 weeks~SWEET (pardon my short stubby fingers, LOL!!). I didn't get too crazy with the polish color this time!!

july 29 a rs

And since Ashley and Nate both had the day off, and my hubby gets out early on Friday's, we went out for lunch at the BBQ Company, which is not the best choice for dieters!! Ashley and I are starting back up at WW tomorrow morning~so hopefully we didn't do too much damage, LOL!!

july 29 f rs

This was my lunch..

july 29 d rs

Nate wasn't in the mood for a photo, LOL!! (I warned you it was going online NATE!!!).

july 29 g rs

It was funny how we ended up being seated, but it was nice to get Ash and Mike together!!

july 29 e rs

Then Mike and I went to Costco (which was on my list), I love that place!! It took me a while to get everything put away and organized, but once it was done it felt AWESOME!!

july 29 b rs

And I cannot wait to eat one of those nectarines!!! YUM!!

july 29 c rs

Thursday, July 28, 2011

365 {7.28.11}

Just some randomness for today...
Josh has Thursday's off from work, so I usually leave him a little to-do list (which I am sure he loves, LOL!!), since I leave for work at 7am and he is still sleeping.

july 28 a rs

Here are his jobs for today~and if you notice number one~we found out that Kodi still has valley fever :( so he is back on another round of meds to hopefully clear it up!!

july 28 b rs

He did most of the jobs, but the pile of stuff is still on the counter at 10 pm!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

365 {7.27.11}

I have been procrastinating about my ironing pile!!! So today I had the goal in mind to TACKLE it!! I am happy to report that I got all the clothing items ironed *woot woot* (still have a few place mats, cloth napkins, etc, but those will be a breeze!!). Luckily I send all Mike's stuff out to the dry cleaners, cause he would probably run out of clothes, LOL!!

july 28 1 rs

On the upside, it is like having a new mini wardrobe *smile* Some of those shirts I have not worn for months, HA!

*I love Kodi in the background :)

july 28 4 rs

Is it weird that I hang things by color??? My closet is also color coordinated too~a little OCD, maybe???

july 28 2 rs

Monday, July 25, 2011

365 {7.25.11}

Tonight I am TIRED!!! I think I am still trying to catch up from lack of sleep from my trip and a busy weekend!! So I am cheating a bit and using some pic's I took yesterday at Jess's Birthday Celebration :)

Of course these two cuties were invited to the party!!

Cutie 1

july 25 a rs

Cutie 2

july 25 b rs

They get along pretty good now, I think they are FRIENDS!!!

Okay, I am off to VEG OUT on the couch :)

Sunday, July 24, 2011

365 {7.24.11}

Today we celebrated Jess' Birthday, which was actually last week, but since Mike and I went out of town last week, we pushed it up to today!! It is always nice to keep on celebrating, IMO :)

Nate was the cake holder (so Jess could blow out the candles), while Josh played happy birthday on his guitar, we all sang HB 2 U, and I snapped the photo~quite a team effort if I do say so myself, LOL!!! I am so loving Mike in the background singing, LOL!! (I am sure he will hate this photo, but that is what happens when you sit next to the birthday girl~you get in the photo!!).

july 24 rs

And of course there is always presents involved in a Birthday celebration!!!

july 24 a rs

HaPpy BiRthdaY JeSs (a little late)!!!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

365 {7.23.11}

This morning Josh was hanging out in the living room with Kodi~so of course I asked if I could take their picture...(I was expecting a NO, since I usually have my camera in their faces most of the time, LOL!!. I was quite surprised when he said "ok"). I LOVE this photo :) two of the cutest boys IMO!!

july 23 rs

Friday, July 22, 2011

365 {7.22.11}

After work today I stopped at the grocery store to stock up on a few items~including my FAV Greek yogurt!!! I was never a fan of yogurt, but I LOVE this stuff!! I eat it for breakfast every morning with a half cup of Honey Bunches of Oats~So YUMMY and only 3 WW points!!

july 22 rs

*I am super excited about the new black cherry flavor that I found today!!!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

365 {7.21.11}

Mike and I took a quick trip to CT this week~it is always so nice to come back home!!!

july 21 rs

(taken with my iPhone)

Saturday, July 16, 2011

365 {7.16.11}

This week has been crazy busy for me!! I almost forgot about my weekly challenge photo~luckily I made it just in time, LOL!! This week's inspiration is:

"materials"

I am a big paper crafter!! I love scrapbooking, card making, anything to do with paper, (I even like office supplies, LOL!!). So of course my materials had to include paper!! Here are the flowers I made last week for Ashley's birthday party (that are still sitting on my dining room table). Very fun and easy to make, tutorial is HERE.

july 16 a rs

july 16 b rs

Friday, July 15, 2011

365 {7.15.11}

BUSTED!!
I wonder how many times this has happend and I didn't know about it??? CRAZY PETE!!

july 15

it has been an iPhone POTD (photo of the day) kind of week *smile*
(photo taken with my iPhone)

Thursday, July 14, 2011

365 {7.14.11}

This week has been a little (no, a lot)busy!! I have not had much time to play with my camera, but I am so glad I have my iPhone, so I can keep up with my POTD (photo of the day, in case your new around here)!!

I mustered up a little bit of energy to take Kodi on his walk tonight~this is what he looks like when we got back~POOPED!! I am sorta feeling the same way, LOL!!

july 14

photo taken with my iPhone
I think
Instagram is one of the best iphone camera apps!!! And the best part~it is FREE!! LOVE that!! I used 1977 filter for this one~which I am really liking!!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

365 {7.13.11}

Today Mike and I had a meeting to go to, and since we finished at 5:20 p.m. (and we were starving), we decided to go out for dinner at one of our favorite places~YUM!.

I only drink Diet Coke when I go out for dinner, cause it is kinda bad for you, LOL!! I am hoping it doesn't keep me up tonight!

july 13
(taken with my iPhone)

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

365 {7.12.11}

I have something going on every night this week~CRAZY!!!

july 12

(taken with my iphone)

Tonight Mike and I were meeting with a couple from church. We decided at the last minute to meet in the church office, instead of a public place. We had been talking for an hour or so, when I was distracted by a women who walked by the office (we are not really in a high pedestrian-walking area). She opened the door and started talking kind of sarcastically. Mike invited her in, which kind of made me a little nervous (I was thinking...where is my phone??? does she have a gun in her purse, can I take her, should I call 911!!!). What can I say, I live a sheltered life, LOL!!!

Her name is Marnie, she is 40 years old, and has a masters degree in teaching. She definitely has some mental health issues, but after listening to her, (which was VERY hard to follow most of the time, but I think was very therapeutic for her), Mike told her that we would try to get her some help. She did not ask us for money, we gave her a ride to her friends house, Mike got her phone number and hopefully we can get her the care she needs.

If you are the praying type, please say a prayer for Marnie!! And that we can find her the help she needs to get better!!

Oh yeah, and since we got home waaaayyy later than anticipated, the photo above is what I am snacking on at the moment ;)

Monday, July 11, 2011

365 {7.11.11}

You may remember my Warby Parker try on post (HERE). Well, can you believe I didn't choose any of them??? I actually ordered 5 more designs for another home try on, and found the ones I really liked (after consulting with my young and hip kiddo's, LOL!!). So I am finally sporting some new spec's!! And I must say, it is nice to see!!! My other glasses were 2 years old (since I usually use my vision benefit allowance for contacts), so my prescription had changed a bit.

My hubby thinks I look like a geek~well I kinda am a girlie computer geek!!!

And the best part~when you buy a pair of WP glasses, they give a pair to someone in need~kinda makes me feel good!!! You can find out more about their program HERE.

july 11 rs a
(photo taken with my iphone~Instagram App)

And for inquiring minds the lenses I chose are Webb 220.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

365 {7.10.11}

Here is coffee maker take 2!!!

Last week you may remember my post about the new Keurig I purchased (post is HERE), well lets just say my hubby thought it was a big fat FAIL!! His biggest complaints...his coffee tasted like plastic, was not strong enough and didn't fill up his cup. He is a SERIOUS coffee drinker (he told me I could keep it if I wanted to, but knowing he wasn't enjoying his morning coffee kinda made me feel BAD!!).

I wrapped up the quirky (as he called it) coffee maker and returned it to Walmart (so glad they take most everything back, LOL!). Then headed to Bed Bath and Beyond and purchased this baby!! We have already tried it out and the coffee is strong, non-plastic tasting and fills his cup to the brim~HOORAY!! He is now Happy coffee drinker :)

july 10 rs

Saturday, July 9, 2011

365 {7.9.11}

Party's are a big deal at the Clark house!! I always make the "birthday peep" whatever they want for dinner and of course I always have to do some sort of theme or party idea to make them feel celebrated!! And it is fun for me, LOL!!

We celebrated Ashley's birthday this afternoon with Lasagna, salad, and french bread (she chooses that every year, LOL!). I had a little "pink" cupcake type theme going on.

I have been wanting to make these cupcake jars for a while, and Ashley's birthday party seemed like the perfect time!! These were the "favors" for everyone to take home, since we had ice cream cake and cupcakes for the birthday girl!! I was really happy with the end result and they are super easy to make!!

july 9 a rs

And here is the Birthday Girl, with Hershey, getting ready to open her presents. Two cuties if I do say so myself!!

july 9 b rs
Ok I am off to bed~I am partied out!!

Friday, July 8, 2011

365 {7.8.11}

Today is my favorite daughters birthday!! I can hardly believe that she is 25 today!! Where did the time go? I am so glad I am not aging though, LOL!!

I am putting the finishing touches on Ashley's party tomorrow~and just pulled these babies out of the oven~I am going to do something really fun with them~it will probably be included in a POTD post tomorrow, or the next day, LOL!!

july 8 b rs

I thought I would look through my scanned photos for a picture of Ashley celebrating her first birthday and I was disappointed that I only had about 4 photos, and they were grainy and blurry!! Such a bummer, since I LOVE photographs so much! Well, I guess I am all set for grand kids, LOL!!

Here is one that cracked me up!! Man, we all look so young and my brother looks like he is 10 (he was 16 there)!! And I was really sporting the 80's permed/big hair too!! And I love Ashley's chubby legs and peach fuzz hair (she didn't have hair until she was 2).


july 8 a1 rs

And here we are today (well really last year), Me and Ash!! She is the BEST daughter in the world!! And I am so blessed to be her mom!! Love you Ash!!

july 8 a rs

Happy Quarter of a Century!!

{365} 7.7.11

I am a little late with my Thursday POTD (photo of the day) post!! Because I had a fun night out last night with some crazy gal's, LOL!!

You may remember in June I participated in a 30 Day Photography Challenge. Well everyone in the group loved it so much that the officiator decided to keep it going with a weekly challenge. Here is my photo for week one...

"what you eat"

july 8 rs

I made up this salad for lunch on Wednesday, and it was DELISH!!! I used my favorite TJ's salad dressing too!!! Spicy and Delicious :)

july 8 brs

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

365 {7.6.11}

Today Mr. UPS man delivered a much anticipated package!!!

3 years ago, when I first started getting serious about photography, I purchased my very first lens, a 50mm 1.8m, which I have LOVED and used a lot.

july 6 b 1 rs
50mm 1.8

Then after hearing several photographers rave over the 85mm 1.8...

I saved up and purchased it…well, I sort of had buyer’s remorse, but I thought I would grow to love the lens. Well, I hardly EVER put it on my camera. So I decided to sell it.

July 6 a rs
85mm 1.8

so I could upgrade to the 50mm 1.4 (I know it sounds similar to my 50mm 1.8, but it is WAY sharper and has a lower Aperture).


july 6 b rs


I also decided to sell my beloved 50mm 1.8, since I wouldn’t be using it anymore.

july 6 a1 rs
bye bye lens...

It was a little sad wrapping it up and mailing it off to it’s new owner. But this bad boy is on my camera and has already helped me get over the sadness~can you say LOVE?!

july 6 c rs
50mm 1.4

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

365 {7.5.11}

Today our coffee pot broke *sad face here* NOT a good day (on a Tuesday, which is really a Monday, after a LONG holiday weekend, with NO coffee~argh!!), for it to break!!!

So after work today I bought one of these *smile*. I have heard from several people who have them, how much they LOVE them!! My hubby is not as excited about it as I am, LOL!! I wanted to try some iced coffee tonight, but staying up until 2am (with caffeine rush) on a Tuesday night is not my idea of fun!!!

july 5 rs

I should have lots of energy tomorrow!!!

Monday, July 4, 2011

365 {7.4.11}

Today is just a relaxing day at the Clark house (sort of). I am finishing up things on my to-do list and Mike is working on a paper for school. We went to lunch at Jersey Mike's, YUM!! Then we ran a few errands...we picked up this stuff (see photo below), cause someone is going to be starting P90X tomorrow (hint, it is not me or Josh, LOL!!). My hubby even got me a Under Armor shirt for my daily walks with Kodi (he is sweet like that!!), mine is the purple one (just in case you were wondering).

And since his stuff was all stacked up nicely on the stairway, I thought...POTD (photo of the day). Notice Pete, one of our cats, being curious and posing with the goods, LOL!!

July 4 a rs

and for the record, Kodi and Dewey were curious about this stuff too *wink*

july 4 b rs

Sunday, July 3, 2011

365 {7.3.11}

It has been "stinkin" HOT here in AZ!! Today was 115 degrees, but Kodi still likes to go for a walk even in the heat~he is a CRAZY dog!! (don't worry I bring water for him). Can you say NO to this face??

july 3 a rs


Today we went for our daily walk at 5:30 pm, which was still a little too early (the sun was still up), and it was windy and dusty (possible thunderstorms tonight~it is monsoon season).


We even had a tumble weed fly right by us, LOL!!

july 3 b rs

(pictures taken with my iPhone)