Five on Friday

Things have been a little crazy and I consequently took a brief hiatus. I am back, darlings. The timing couldn't be better, either, because it's FRIDAY and you what that means--yep, Five on Friday time! Since I missed a couple of weeks, I am going to catch you up on some of the good things that I have been loving over the last couple of weeks. 

1. Another Class Down

I finished my SEVENTH graduate school class a couple of weeks ago and am now down to five more classes, including the class I am nearing the halfway mark in. Every class completed is like a whack at the piñata of school. I can't wait until the candy--graduation--comes spilling out in all its bright and delicious colors!

2. Back To Work

I returned to work last week and am fully back in the swing of things. I'd be a liar if I said I was sad about returning to work. I wasn't. I was sad to leave my little buddy, but I was not sad about being back to work. This is an important distinction. I'm a career woman, the daughter of a single mother who is a career woman. It's just in my DNA to be busy and on the move outside of the home. I might reflect on my experience of being a temporary SAHM (that's stay-at-home mom for you novices) sometime.

3. Jackson's Daycare

Our buddy is the first grandbaby on my mom's side who has had to attend a daycare. This part of returning to work was not easy for me--leaving my baby in the hands of strangers. Danger! Loss of control for this OCD mom! Ahhh! Not to worry, friends. We were able to secure a spot for our buddy at one of the best daycares in town. (Thank goodness for that little baby who decided to get walking early, which opened up a spot for us. Yeah!) 

We were impressed with the methodologies and passion of the daycare. Plus, too many amazing parents that we know have kids who have attended the daycare in the past or are currently attending the daycare. Jackson's pediatrician has heard a great deal about his daycare from her patients' parents. I've heard nothing but glowing remarks about his "school", so this helped alleviate all the initial fears I had. 

His teacher absolutely loves him and feels he is an old soul that loves to people watch. She can't believe how intently he studies people and listens to the music man who comes to the daycare once a week to play live music. I know I'm biased, but I think our little guy is her favorite. (Shh, don't tell any of the other parents!) Our buddy is clicking along with his routine and adjusting so well to his new daytime hangout. 

*NERD ALERT* I looooove getting his daily reports to see what interesting things he has done while at school with his friends. 

4. Spring AT LAST

Ata girl, Lansing. I knew you could do it!! Although the first official day of spring was March 20th, we all know it did NOT feel like anything close to spring. However, a look at the weather forecast shows good things lie ahead. After the winter we've had, we Michiganders are seriously DESPERATE for spring. 

5. First Training Session

I should have called this "Thank God I Made It Out Alive Session"! I didn't think my personal training session would be easy, but I didn't think it would nearly kill me. If it would have been more socially acceptable for me to cry and close my eyes like the girl in this picture during my session, I totally would have done it.

To start out, I was running on about four hours of sleep because I was anxious about my first day back to work. Additionally, because I was bopping all around at work that day, I didn't drink nearly enough water to sustain a proper hydration level during such an excruciating workout. 

We started out taking my measurements, getting my BMI and then headed right into the workouts. I always internally roll my eyes at those guys at the gym that make all those loud grunting noises. I think "if the weight makes you do all that, it must be too much for you". Well, I became that gym grunter! This woman is good, but at one point I thought "I cannot do this". My legs were shaking and after I finished, my legs were like noodles as I walked down the stairs. Four days after the workout, I could finally walk again.

Cheers,

Samara

Interior Design Updates

Since I have had the pleasure of being indoors SO MUCH this winter (thanks a lot, Mother Nature!) I have noticed the bajillion mini projects that need attention in our home and the items that needed hanging  and have been sitting for months. 

Last week, our handyman was kind enough to drop by and help us knock a couple of things off of this list. 

ONE--In our dining room, we finally hung the shelves underneath our mirror. 

I always envisioned a row of tea lights illuminating the mirror for a very artsy, contemporary look. I absolutely love how it looks!

TWO--Since before I was married, I wanted my bedroom a shade of green (my favorite color). When I got married and our wedding colors had an earthy shade of green in it, I thought having the room painted green was not only a perfect and calming color for our bedroom, but also a subtle nod to our wedding colors. 

My husband got an AMAZING deal on the picture (now finally hung!) above our bed. The painting is a picture of our wedding rings--hung on the branches of the trees that were on our wedding reception tables--turned into a canvas painting. 

We still have several projects left, but it feels good to get ANY of them done. 

Cheers,

Samara

Five on Friday

Welcome to another Friday, friends! The sun is shining brightly in Michigan today and we are slowly inching our way into warmer weather. This gives me hope and has me all amped up for today's Five on Friday. 

Here we gooooo!!!

1. Paying It Forward

This little cutie is Gabriel, the nearly-three-month-old son of a friend of mine. She's a single mom and is unfortunately caught in the double-edged sword of not making enough to make ends meet, but making "too much" to qualify for daycare assistance. She has set up a GoFundMe account in a pride-swallowing effort to raise enough to pay for six months of daycare for her baby boy until she can figure something else out. 

If it's in your heart to donate a few dollars, it'd be a great way to pay it forward. You can donate here. Maybe some kind soul out there will return the favor to you someday when you are in need.

2. New Hair

My hair color of choice has been "natural" for nearly ten years, and in an effort to shake it up a bit more than my normal "bangs, no bangs, bangs, no bangs" routine, I thought I'd get some caramel highlights put in.

The highlights are subtle (but after ten years of not touching your hair in the color department, the color feels "wild" to me and I'm still adjusting), but I'm glad I've shaken things up a bit. I also had a few inches cut off and feel like a million bucks. I feel like a kid after summer break getting ready to head back to school (work). 

3. "Southern Charm" on Bravo

I know. You're shocked. I've been roped into another Bravo series. I'm sorry, but Andy Cohen just has my heart and knows the exact kind of fabulous mindlessness I need to let my brain zone out sometimes. That and some of my favorite bloggers are from down south, so I've been kind of into the southern culture lately. 

This is a fun show. Nothing more, nothing less. You may feel like watching a game of polo and having a splash of whiskey afterwards. Maybe. Just sayin'. 

4. Art for Baby Book

Thanks to this amazing Facebook group I joined back last summer that is comprised of a small group of women--all were due in December of 2013--I've had the opportunity to discover neat things for my son I may have never found otherwise. This is one of them.

This book--"Art for Baby"--is made up of black and white, high-contrast drawings by contemporary artists that helps your baby discover new things. My son absolutely loves it and smiles and laughs at his favorite paintings. Highly, highly recommend it! 

5. Personal Trainer

After posting a Facebook status message a little while back and receiving many recommendations (thank you all!), I've secured the services of a personal trainer who works out of the gym I already attend. She has so many exciting and creative ways to help her clientele maintain healthy lifestyles and I'm looking forward to working with her. We are scheduled to start on March 20th and I couldn't be more excited. (And scared! Haha)

Have a beautiful weekend, everyone!!

Cheers,

Samara

Ash Wednesday

While I've attended a non-denominational church here in my hometown for the last 15(ish) years (Jeez, time flies!), I was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic church. I also graduated from an all-girl Catholic boarding school where I was the church choir leader. 

A picture of Marian Heights Academy

I don't think you can get much more Catholic than that. So while I may not attend a Catholic church, I do participate in Lent. I can't lie, I haven't always participated in Lent and sometimes when I have, it's been a last-minute, hurried decision as to what I'd abstain from during this time. This year was different.

I actually gave some thought to what I'd give up. I wanted something physical to give up to really feel the sacrifice of the season, but also wanted to give up something that would improve my soul.

This year for Lent, I am giving up the following:

1. Bread

That ooey, gooey deliciousness that comes with or without cheese and fruit. Served cold or hot, sliced perfectly or in messy chunks, spread with margarine or eaten plain with a cup of tea or some other hot, delicious drink. My comfort in the middle of what is one of our worst winters ever. Goodbye for a time, friend. Parting is such sweet sorrow.

2. Negativity

This is something I'm sure we could all stand to work on year round. Too many beautiful and simple, yet thought-provoking quotes exist about abstaining from negativity, but here are a couple I really liked.

 

Taking a period of time and abstaining from something is an act we can all benefit from whatever your denomination, or even if you follow no religion. Working on bettering yourself as a person and sacrificing to relate to those who go without (and to be appreciative of the things you have) never hurts anyone.  In fact, it heals.

Cheers,

Samara