Mexico #2

This year we had the pleasure of visiting Mexico not only once, but twice! This second time around we went away for our 3 year wedding anniversary (November 27 to December 4) and we went to the Riviera Nayarit (near Puerto Vallarta). We stayed at the Riu Vallarta and we're spoiled with a lovely vacation once again! 

Overall we had an amazing experience and are so grateful that we were able to save our money and treat ourselves! 

Here are some photos to make you all a little jealous ;) 

(Sunset the day we arrived -November 27, 2016)

(Poolside)

(Dippin' in the pool)

(Beach volleyball every single day)

(Headstand in the centre of the resort)

(Walk along the beach)

(Champagne for our 3 year wedding anniversary -November 30, 2016)

(Pool bar at night)

(Mark loooves the exotic wildlife)

(Friends we made from England: Alex and Ang-Harad Young) 

(Poolside "Crazy" game)

(Sunset our last dinner out -December 3, 2016)

All-inclusive just makes us feel so spoiled and even better, carefree! It really is an effortless getaway! 
-Linds 

Bed Rest

I've been meaning to do a post-Mexico blog post (we went away for our 3 year wedding anniversary) but honestly I've been sick since we got back, and it's taken all my energy/motivation away! 

It's now past Christmas and I realize I still haven't posted but it also seems my sickness has escalated even worse compared to earlier this month. I've spent the last three days bed/couch ridden, drenched in sweat or smothered in blankets to avoid the chills, fighting off spine and leg muscle spasms, and barely keeping my eyes open from such severe headaches.  

I generally tend to catch a little cold around this time of the year (working in a hospital around flu season has its downfalls), but this year is by far the worst it's been in a while! 

That being said I am slowly starting to feel improvements in my overall state of being, so I hope to have my post mexico details up soon! 

(Captain keeping a watchful eye overy me as I suffered through sickness over this holiday season)

-Linds 

No Marriage Is All Sunshine

"No marriage is all sunshine, but two people can share one umbrella and survive the storms together."

If you don't already know, Mark and I got married November 30, 2013, outdoors in the absolute pouring rain, with nothing but umbrellas to help keep us dry. We had the above quote incorporated into the very minimal wedding decorations we had. 

(Our wedding ceremony at Redwood Park, Surrey - November 30, 2013)

I chose this quote because it is something that I think holds true for us, but I suspect just about every other relationship (marriage, friendship, etc.) as well.

Deciding to spend the rest of your life with someone, you have to expect that you are not going to get along with each other 100% of the time. As individuals, and as couples, we have bad and good days, and sometimes you can even go for a stretch where things just feel a bit off. Also, life's circumstances are so unpredictable and frequently stressful, that it's only natural for it to sometimes feel like you have a dark grey stormy cloud hanging over you. But, what is most important, is that you remember you are both hanging on under that umbrella together. 

Every storm is beautiful in good company...

Happy three year wedding anniversary to my most special man!

-Linds

Human

I found this song from watching a volleyball clip on instagram and I absolutely just love it so I have to share! Please please take a listen! 

http://www.letssingit.com/rag-n-bone-man-lyrics-human-84t4w59


It just makes me feel all the feels...

We're only human after all.
-Linds

Snippets

Some snippets of my Women's 6s Rec Volleyball League this past Thursday (I'm the setter in the grey t-shirt and white knee high socks):

(Langleyvolleyball.blogspot.com)

Big thanks to my hubby for capturing some great footage. I am also so grateful for the opportunity to help volleyball run strong in the community! It gives me such pride! If only I could do more! More courts, more players, more competition, more fun! 

-Linds 

Ordinary

"There's a lot of beauty in ordinary things."
-Pam Halpert (The Office) 

(Captain & I out for a walk)

Never underestimate the ordinary...

-Linds

My Best Tip To Ensure You Don't Skip Your Workout!

I have an incredibly unsteady work schedule (sometimes I work days, sometimes evenings, sometimes nights, sometimes twice a week, sometimes 6 times a week, etc....you get the point), and therefore I have a very unpredictable life schedule. 

I recently had a co-worker comment on my ability to always get my workout done considering the awkward/unpredictable hours of our career, and she was pleasantly surprised but what my "trick" is, so I thought I'd better share! 

Aside from over coming the mentality of "I don't have the time" vs. "I am not making this a priority," my best tip to ensure I get my workout done each day is: put on your workout clothes immediately. 

Regardless of what type of day I have planned (or not), this tip ensures I have one less excuse not to get my workout done. If I work in the morning, as soon as I come home I change in to my workout clothes. Even if I still have errands to run, dinner to cook, etc., when that spare moment arises I'm already ready. Same goes if I don't work until the evening. I wake up and immediately get dressed in my workout gear. I can still walk the dog, grocery shop, do laundry, etc., but again, I'm already ready for my workout! 

Thankfully we live in a time wear it's relatively trendy to wear fitness fashion on the go so it's not like I look like a major slob, however, if I do have somewhere "nicer" to be, where I can't get away with tights and a tshirt, sometimes I just only put on my sports bra instead underneath. For me it's easy enough to just want to sit on the couch and relax, but already having my gear on (or partially on) makes me feel silly if I don't make use of it! 

(I had an appointment in the middle of the day this day so I just wore my sports bra and spandex underneath my regular clothes)

So there you have it, my quick tip for how to help boost your motivation to get your workout done everyday! 
-Linds