What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm loving...

That I've stuck to working out multiple times every week so far this year. I've mentioned it before but I really like the app FitOn. It's free and has so many workout videos by different trainers (that way you don't get bored doing the same video over and over). 

Stats from last week

I'm loving...

That I've been able to see more friends lately. And even though I've been able to hang out with friends over the last two years (despite the pandemic), it seems more and more people are comfortable going out and doing things again. And pretty much everyone is hugging again!! NATURE IS HEALING!

I'm loving...

My new bobblehead. My friend Moose bought it for me months ago, but due to the high demand for it, it was just mailed last week. I love it so much! Oh, and side note, Norma's Cafe redid their menu, and I'm shook. Lol.

I'm loving...

This company- 1836 Farms. It's a local company near Dallas and in my opinion, their milk tastes better than any milk I've ever had. I found it at my local Kroger but per their website, they even deliver. I love the glass bottles. And I love that you can give the empty bottles back and get $2 off your next purchase. Although I have kept some of the bottles because they are super cute, and hello- they are TEXAS related. :) I will find a way to use them for decoration. Or maybe a flower vase. And yes, I, the chocolate milk snob who has NEVER liked pre-made chocolate milk, LOVES their chocolate milk. It's like drinking a milkshake. It's just amazing.

I'm loving...

That I found out that the Dollar Tree sells books. And yes, they are only $1.25 (because the Dollar Tree should now be called the Dollar Twenty-Five Tree). Lol. 

What are YOU loving today?

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Well, 2022 hasn't been that great so far, but I want to try and focus on positive things, so I decided to try and get back into my habit of blogging more than once a year. I'm falling back on my old favorite, What I'm Loving Wednesday.

I'm loving...

That I've stayed on track with my workouts so far this year. Yes, I know, we are only three weeks in, but still, it's a start. I know I've mentioned it on here before, but I LOVE the app FitOn. It's free, and you get so many workout videos by different trainers (that way you don't get bored doing the same workouts over and over). You can select what type of videos you want: the area you want to target (abs, legs, arms) how long you want the video to be, the trainer you want, etc. I HIGHLY recommend them. All of the trainers are great, but my favorite is Kenta. He's amazing and he's so encouraging. 

I'm loving...

This Etsy shop: Crafty Crutch Stuff. I discovered them last year when I was on Etsy searching for Atlanta Braves stuff. I found a Braves gnome they had made and decided I needed it. I loved the quality so much I reached out to the owners to special order a Rangers gnome (which they made and sent to me in less than two weeks). The owners are super nice. I recently purchased some of their kitchen towels and another gnome. In one of my purchases, they threw in a free bar of their homemade soap, which smelled AMAZING. I highly recommend this shop. If you know me, you know I'm all about supporting small businesses. If you want a gnome with a specific sports team or design, you can reach out and ask for it. If you order anything from them, let them know that Rachel sent you! :)

I'm loving...

Mr. Ballen's YouTube Channel. My neighbor introduced me to Mr. Ballen last year and I binged watched all of his videos in like a week. If you are a fan of the strange, dark, and mysterious delivered in storytelling format, Mr. Ballen is for you! Here is a sample of his videos. And yes, he really is a former Navy Seal (the second video will explain that).

 
      

I dressed up as Mr. Ballen for Halloween at work last year. Lol.

I'm loving...

The Jurassic World Exhibit-I went last week and had a lot of fun. The last day for the Dallas exhibit was this past Monday, but if you ever see it near you, I recommend going. It is something that is enjoyable for people of all ages.

I'm loving...

That I'm finally working on all the scrapbooks that I've been talking about completing for the last 100 years (okay, maybe not that long). I've had stuff in a box for twenty years from middle school and high school and am excited to get it cleared out and in an album. 2022 is the year of organization for me!

8th grade Pep Squad Officer Rachel

What are YOU loving today?

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Sorry for the lack of posts last week. I was still recovering from being sick and I didn't have the energy to blog when I got home from work. 

I know the last few days have been full of sadness and mourning. I felt today would be a good day to focus on positive and happy things, so I'm going with my usual What I'm Loving Wednesday post.

I'm loving...
That I'm feeling well enough to work out again. I went almost three weeks without working out due to being sick. I managed to get in a virtual 5K on Sunday after church and yesterday I got in 3.5 miles after work, as well as a few FitOn App workout videos. T-minus 5.5 weeks until my half-marathon. I'm starting to think I jumped the gun signing up for a half-marathon, but I'm committed to it, so I have some time to make up on my training. EEK! Oh, for those not familiar with a virtual 5K, you sign up online and they send you the running bib, shirt, and medal. You are on the honor system to actually follow through and complete it, but honestly, if you are going to pay for a 5K, why WOULDN'T you complete it? I want to feel that I've earned that finisher's medal. I don't even take the medal out of the packaging until I've done it. This virtual 5K was supposed to be done in December, but December was like, three days long for me, and I ran out of time. But I got it done on Sunday and finished in 45:11. Boom.

This was after running 3.5 miles and doing two workout videos yesterday. I was beyond exhausted.

I'm loving...
That I got all my Christmas decorations put away two weekends ago. My living room seems so empty without all of them.

I'm loving...

The newest additions to my Damsel Den (AKA sports room). I found these panoramic framed photos at a sports memorabilia shop a few weeks ago, and with the help of a friend, they are now on display (I had to rearrange my wall layouts some). The top photo was taken at Game 3 of the 2010 World Series and the bottom one was taken at the Winter Classic on New Year's Day. I felt I needed both of them since I was actually at both of those games. :)

I'm loving...
That I got to spend time with friends last weekend (after staying home for three weekends in a row). On Friday night some friends and I went to Texas Live for food, fun, and an 80s metal cover band (the band was an added bonus, we had no clue they were playing). Lol. I was out until after 11pm for the first time in I don't know how long. You would have thought I was back in my 20s. On Saturday I went to the Rangers Peek at the Park (which took the place of Fan Fest this year). I didn't feel like waiting in line for autographs (because we all know I would rather have a photo with the player than an autograph) but I did check out the foundation booth sale and got a Mike Minor framed photo. After the other photo purchases earlier this month, there is no wall space in my Damsel Den, so he's in the hallway for now. One day I'll have a bigger house with a bigger Damsel Den. ONE DAY. Lol.

Our new ballpark, Globe Life Field. It's not as pretty as our old Ballpark, at least from the outside. I keep telling myself when it's 112, I will appreciate the roof and the AC though.

I'm loving...
My new running shoes. I figured if I'm going to run (mostly walk) 13.1 miles on March 8th, I needed good shoes and I needed time to break them in. I went to Run On! Coppell and a nice kid named Carter helped me get the right shoes for my feet. Evidently I've been wearing the wrong size shoe for years (who knew?) He found the perfect shoes for me and also hooked me up with a 20% discount. Yes, I have big feet and these look like clown shoes, leave me alone. :)

What are YOU loving today?

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm loving...

That I got my craft closet organized last weekend. It was a DISASTER. After working on Trunk or Treat decorations throughout October, I let it get so disorganized. I bought a cube shelf from Target and spent about four hours getting it all organized last Saturday. Here's hoping I can keep it this way from now on.  My goal is to declutter and stay better organized in 2020.

Before photos:

After photos:

I'm loving...

The workout app FitOn. It's amazing. I've been using it for 24 straight weeks. I absolutely love it. It's free to download and all the videos are free- no hidden cost. They did just add a FitOn Pro option where you can pay to have a meal plan customized for you, but I'm just using it for the videos. And there are so many (and they keep adding new ones). They range from super easy to "OMG I want to die" hard- and there are 18 different trainers so you can workout for weeks and not get bored with the same trainer. In the past I've become bored with workout videos because it was the same person every day (and a lot of times the same workouts). They also added a section called Before Bed where it has 2-3 minutes videos of stretches to do before you go to sleep. I HIGHLY recommend this app.

After each workout, it gives you the option to take a photo (it saves it in the app, it only shares it if you want it shared). It can help show the progress you are making. Or just remind you that you did the workout and didn't die. Lol

I'm loving...

That I saw my first musical of the year last night. My friend Rob had an extra ticket to the production of The Color Purple at the Winspear Opera House. This was my first time seeing it and the cast was AMAZING. I can't image another cast topping their performance. If you are in Dallas, go see it. I think it's here through early next week.

I'm loving...

That I completed my GoodReads book challenge last year. In years past, I've fallen short (way short). I actually started my 2019 challenge at 30 books, and I met that in early October, so I bumped it up to 40 books. I finished book number 40 on Dec. 31, but I got it done. This year my goal is to read/listen to 45 books. I just started book 5 yesterday. Speaking of books, I know I'm behind on my book reviews on here. I'll try to start doing those for this year (I won't go back the last few years and post any older ones though). I DO keep my reviews up to date on GoodReads if you would like to add me there. Click here for my link.

What are YOU loving today?

XOXO!