When is enough finally enough?

I can't seem to stop feeling down on my self. 

I still haven't finished my Harry Potter french book (eventhough I gave today as my deadline), I'm losing fitness motivation (stuck at a plateau), I'm breaking out all over my face, I've given up on trying to look nice or trendy (no makeup, no hair do, no stylish clothes, no nothing), I can't find a pair of friggin glasses that suit me, I got notification today that I'm losing my temp job (back to casual I go), I keep struggling with understanding our benefits coverage, I'm still sick, we're far off from buying a house, we stilllllll have some debt, our budget is waivering, I cried three times today, and amongst a million other various small to large degree stresses (forgotten grocery items to family emergencies), worst of all, I can't seem to explain or justify any of my feelings. 

I have no idea what kind of path I am making and I seem to have abandoned all optimism. The longer this negativity goes on, the more petty I get about anything and everything, as your can see fron my rant above. 

My current plan: abandon all focus and hope that life will gently guide me where I'm supposed to end up, instead of me struggling to figure it out and therefore forcing something that is not so natural. 
-Linds

Feeling Unwell

We've all been feeling pretty under the weather the last few days in this household. We're spending our days lounging on the couch, stuck in our pjs, basically lifeless. But, we're still keeping smiles on our faces because, although we feel crummy, we have excellent company! :)

(Spending sick days with my two favorite boys)

How do you guys survive when you're under the weather? 
-Linds 

Lately

I've been feeling a vast variety of emotions, concerns, wistful, as well as will-less thinking. I've decided it's about time for a rant to help me get out of this rut, because really, what better way to get out of my own head, then putting myself out in the world. 

Here is what is running through my mind lately:

-I'm anticipating getting knocked out of my temporary job within the next month, which means I go back to casual, which means I lose my start date, and I build seniority slower, so really...what was the point of the last two years? Ugh, what to do with myself now...am I really on the right career path? 

-Even though we will potentially get approved for an almost $600,000.00 mortgage, the pursuit of house purchasing reminds me how terrible we were with our money over the years, how far away we are from actually obtaining a home, and how choosing what/where to purchase means a lot of long term decision making. How do we decide what kind of future we want?

-I've hit a bit of a plateau fitness wise. I'm really struggling stepping up the amount of weight I'm lifting (which I desperately need in order to maintain my fitness goals), and I'm slowly starting to lose motivation maintaining my healthier eating habits. I've just been feeling so discouraged lately that it makes me want to give up on all the progress I've made. 

Do I love what I do for work? 
Do I have enough fun on my days off? 
Should we up & leave and build a life somewhere new?
Should I try some drastic dietary adjustment? 
Where do I see myself in 20 to 30 years? 
What should I do with myself?  

What's running through your mind on repeat lately? 
-Linds 

Proper Form Is Priority: Squat

Last month I critiqued my plank. This week I decided to check out my squat form:

(Squat - 40lbs)

What do you think? 

I'm giving myself a 4.5/5! 
I've got all good things going on, chest up, head up, shoulders back, weight in heels, abs tight, shins parallel with chest, knees in line with toes. 

However, I didn't give myself a perfect score because 1) there is always room for improvement, and 2) my fitness trainer sister pointed out that my arm position is a little...well, lets just say undecided! My elbows aren't forward enough to be in "front position", nor are they far enough back for "back position." Now I had no idea there was even different strategic positions for arms during a squat until my sister told me. I used to only do body weight squats with my hands clasped together in front of my chest (apparently that's totally fine), but now that I use weight, it looks like I've got some new technique to work on for arm positioning. 

Wish me luck! 
-Linds

Mount Thom Hike

Mark and I did the Mount Thom Hike in Chilliwack,  B.C. on Saturday, February 13, 2016. We did it as a little adventure to celebrate my birthday last week and Valentines Day on the weekend. I really didn't want to do the typical dinner out for either event so I decided this year to do something active and outdoorsy! We did approx. 6.5km (round trip) in 1hr 35 mins,  with an elevation gain of about 350m. 

Although the photos aren't the best quality, they still speak for themselves, because words definitely won't do the hike at Mount Thom justice!

I'd love to hear about some of your favorite hikes!
-Linds

Sunday Fashion Fun-Day: High Tea

Yesterday I had a girls afternoon at The Little White House in Fort Langley! Some co-workers and I got together for high tea and it was delicious! If you've never been before, I highly recommend it! It was such a treat and made me feel like I was some vintage high class lady! 

I wore my LBD from Victoria Secret and paired it with my knee high brown boots and my blue/grey heavy knit sweater! It was the perfect combo of classic chic with a modern comfort! All the gals looked so great tho - it was fun to see everyone out of their work scrubs and in real people clothes.

(My LBD from Victoria Secret)

(From left to right: Cassondra, Patricia, Jen L., Jenn C., Jody, & me)

We got these cute little trays loaded with an assortment of goodies. We got croissants, sausage pastry, roasted pecans, scones, macaroons, mini cupcake, etc. Although the portions weren't huge, it was still plenty of food and the way they had it layered in the trays made you take the time to appreciate every little item! 

(High Tea at The Little White House in Fort Langley)

What do you think of High Tea?
-Linds

Pinterest Project: Banana Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cakes

Here is my attempt at a "Pinterest Project" :

Ingredients (makes a dozen)
-5 or 6 Bananas
-1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips

Directions:
-cut bananas into small chunks and freeze for a couple hours 

-blend frozen bananas (you might have to give it a stir here n there to get it unstuck from the blade, I added a splash of milk to help mix it up)
-stir in half the dark chocolate chips with wooden spoon
-coat a muffin try so that they mixture won't stick 
-scoop the thick banana/chocolate chip mixture into the muffin tray 
-sprinkle the rest of the chocolate chips on top

-freeze for several hours
-remove from tray and place on parchment paper
-serve immediately or store in freezer 

Pinterest

Mine!

Although mine don't look quite as picture perfect as pinterest (I'm not surprised), these are a great little treat to help satisfy any sweet tooth while still keeping relatively healthy!

What new recipes have you tried lately?
-Linds

Couples That Sweat Together Stay Together

I finally convinced Mark to join me for a workout! 

Now reading this you might feel slightly confused because Mark and I have always been "active" together, but really, that mostly just consists of volleyball and walks with Captain. Now, don't get me wrong, I love that we are active together, but since my new found love of fitness, I've been secretly hoping that Mark would want to join me for workouts, and get fit with me as well. 

Mark used to work out tons when he was younger so he's always had a good physique, but I think since he's started seeing such positive changes in my body lately, that he was becoming more and more intrigued about the workout programs I am following.

Slowly I would notice that once in a while he would peak in on me during my workouts to see what I was doing. Then, he started making comments on how challenging some of the moves looked. Eventually I would convince him to just try a move or two, and a couple times I even convinced him to do a full set of push-ups or whatever move I was working on when he walked in. Finally, on February 1, 2016, he joined me for a full fledged upper body strength training workout!

He laced up shoes, and did the entire workout with me. He huffed and puffed quite a bit, but he lifted pretty heavy and seemed to enjoy himself! I asked him if he was interested in joining me for another one tomorrow. His answer: "Maybe." I asked him if he wanted to take "before" pictures (I had just taken mine a couple days before). His answer: "Yes."

(February 1, 2016) 

(January 24, 2016)

And there you have it folks! Mark has joined me for two workouts in the last four days (two days were rest days + we had volleyball), and he's going to join me again tonight for another one! I could not be more thrilled that he seems to genuinely be interested in my new fitness adventures! I absolutely love having his company while I work out, we check each others form, and I get slightly competitive so I find I push myself harder. We even try to challenge each other - we did a flexed arm hang last night and I was only 14 seconds behind Mark.

You see the saying all over the internet:

"Couples That Sweat Together Stay Together"

and I honestly believe it is so true!

Whether we are going for a neighbourhood walk with the dog, a hike on a mountain, playing volleyball together, trying a new sport, or doing a workout together, we are at our best and our worst when we are sweating and if you can still find the love between each other at those times, I think it's pretty safe to say that it's a relationship that will last!

(A sweaty mess after finishing our workout)

Are you a couple that sweats together?
-Linds 

Monthly Mayhem: January 2016

Travel:
-none

Volleyball:
-Play For a Cause Fundraiser Tournament - January 16/16

-Started winter season of my Women's 6s Volleyball League

Events/Activities:
-Grandparents anniversary dinner - January 1/16
-Niece's 1st Birthday dinner - January 10/16 (actual bday January 13/16)
-Vance Joy Concert - Wednesday January 13, 2016
-Captain's 2nd Birthday - January 15/16

-Sunday Volleyball League wind-up dinner - January 17/16


Fitness:
-Completed FB reach (PFT)

-Started working on handstand and chin-up goal
-Completed FB30 (1 week early! - I doubled up on some workouts)
-Started FBFit

Food:
-Still making smoothies and shakes everyday!

Ink:
-Finished We Are Pirates by Daniel Handler
-Still working on the French version of the 1st Harry Potter novel (about 100 pages left).

How was your January?
-Linds

We Are Pirates by Daniel Handler

Book #1 completed in 2016: We Are Pirates by Daniel Handler

This is the 3rd under this name of his that I have read (he also goes by Lemony Snicket - and, of course, years ago I read all 13 books from his Series of Unfortunate Events). I do find myself slightly biased when it comes to choosing to read his novels, but that is simply because his writing never fails! There is something so subtle, yet so unique about his style of writing that I can't help but fall in love with it.

Anyway, enough of me blabbering on about how much I love Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket), here is my assessment of my most recent read:

Summary:
This novel is about 14 year old Gwen, who is struggling to feel like she belongs, even in her own home. After meeting a new friend, or two, together they rally a crew of odd-balls and mis-fits and hit the "high-seas" on a unique endeavor to leave it all behind. All the while, Gwen's father, Phil Needle, while pursuing a job prospect, struggles in his relationship with his wife as well as trying to make it home to find his daughter.   

Review:
I found this novel tough to follow/get in to at first (which was thoroughly disappointing for me since I have a fondness for Daniel Handler's writing), however, within a chapter or two, I was hooked by not only the abrupt, vulgar imagery and language, as well as the unique style that the modern day Pirate theme carried with it. Although this book is mostly based on a 14 year old girl, I definitely would not consider this a youth or teen novel. There is a varying range of harsh curse words, and blatant, as well as subtle, sexual references.
Overall I thought the novel was well written and carried a unique premise. Daniel Handler has a very special way of writing exactly how you would expect different ages/genders think, so this is definitely worth a read (as long as you are not easily offended)!

Quotable Moments:
"Where does trouble come from? How do you get into it? It was no trouble to steal any of these things, and the thief was untroubled during the entire easy adventure, her immune system and her skin flushed and glowing." pg. 9

"If people were sorry before-hand, they wouldn't do things." pg. 21

"It went down the drain to stain the ocean." pg. 27

"His teasing her was so many things at once: Gwen's desire for him, her shame at her desire, her embarrassment at her shame." pg. 35

"And we have the spirit of rebellion." pg. 102

"If nobody knew then, they wouldn't know now." pg. 107

"'We want to forge a social order,' she said, 'beyond the realm of traditional authority.'" pg. 109

"Blow jobs weren't out of the ordinary." pg. 142

"They would leave her, Gwen decided, let her howls, like a ghost, warn other sailors away." pg. 171

"Nobody, nobody, nobody should have children." pg. 229

"She wanted them to go wrong better." pg. 243

"Look for your breath to save your life, or the lives of those you love." pg. 267


I hope you take the time to check out any of Daniel Handler's novels!
-Linds