SYTYCD

It's Wednesday, which means time for my SYTYCD favorites from last week's show.  They had former stars come back to perform with the current contestants.  Some I remembered, some I didn't.  Of course, my favorite Twitch was back.  I didn't love the dance, but I still enjoy watching him dance!



Cyrus finally drew the contemporary card last week.  I've been waiting to see how he would do.  Was he great?  No, but impressive for a guy with no training.



And my favorite dance of the week was Lindsay's Broadway routine.

Preparing for Hurricane Isaac

I'm sure everyone is aware of Hurricane Isaac making his way toward the Gulf coast.  Mobile is hunkering down for the next couple of days.  While most people prepare for a storm by stocking up on water, batteries, and non-perishable foods, we chose to prepare by cutting down a tree.  Yep, you read that right.

When we purchased our first home in May 2010, I fell in love with the curb appeal with the two trees flanking the sidewalk.



Well, in the last year, we noticed the tree on the right was starting to die.  About six months ago, during a particularly windy day, a large limb from the tree fell on the house. The damage was minimal - just a bent gutter.  Every time a storm blows through, we have a large number of branches in the yard.  Then, about a month ago, during a a rainstorm, another large section fell on the sidewalk - just as I was running from my car to the house!  Cameron has been trying to convince me for a while to cut it down rather than have in fall on the house during a hurricane, but I was stalling.  I love my trees!  Well, I finally agreed so Cameron & Lance set out to take it down Sunday afternoon.

Part of the tree was still green, but you can see all the dead limbs where it has broken off

It started out well...

first limb down.  I almost cried

this picture reinforced to me why we were cutting down the tree

Lance has done this before

Then came the last section - the dead part that leaned over the house.  We tied the rope around the tree and hooked it to the truck.  I was to drive the truck slowly while Lance cut a wedge out.  I hit a point where I couldn't "ease" forward anymore, the boys were telling me to go, so I gave it some gas.  The rope broke.  And the tree fell on my house!  Isn't that what we were trying to avoid???

Thankfully, the damage was minimal - yet again.  We lost a few shingles.  The job then required someone to climb on our very steep roof with a chainsaw.  I sat on the ground, biting my nails, ready to call 911.

No injuries!  The tree is successfully cut down.  I have to admit I almost cried when the chainsaw first started up.  I just can't get used to the way our yard looks now.  We still need to cut the trunk off at the ground and call a stump grinder.  If we can get that done soon, I hope to plant another tree this fall.  Something that turns vibrant red in the fall...
 

I'm ready for the storm.  A couple stormy days to be lazy around the house.  Hope we don't lose power!  To everyone on the Gulf Coast - stay safe & dry!

SYTYCD

Sharing my favorite dances from the last episode of So You Think You Can Dance.  Last week, was a tribute to Mia Michaels, an amazing contemporary choreographer that has been with the show for a long time.  All the dances were repeats of previous routines she choreographed, many are iconic to the show and have won awards.  I don't think it was a good idea because no two dancers will dance a routine the same way, and viewers who have been watching the show for a while will subconsciously feel that the original routine was the best.  Definitely a challenge for this season's contestants.

For the first dance, I had to show the original because it was danced by Twitch, my all-time-favorite.



But I have to say my favorite couple this season did it justice!



The next one is so beautiful and classic Mia Michaels.  I mean, how can you not be an emotional dancer when you are dancing to Adele??



Up tonight - dances with the allstars.  Twitch???

30 days

Today officially starts 30 days of eating right and working out.  I have never been a dieter and my friends know that.  I was blessed with a high metabolism and have been able to eat what I want without much concern about calories. I know, I know, I'm one of the lucky ones. Granted my mom majored in nutrition so I did grow up knowing how to make healthier choices, which has helped me along the way, but if I want a bowl of ice cream - I eat it.

I managed to stay the same weight throughout college and vet school.  I noticed the clothes didn't quite fit the same, but I wasn't too worried since the number on the scale was still the same. Well, in the last 2 years since being out of school, that number has crept up 10 lbs, and I was starting to buy bigger sizes. When the shorts I wore last summer no longer fit this summer, reality hit home.  It was time for a serious wake up call!  I realize that I'm still "skinny" by mainstream standards, but I'd really like to lose that 10 lbs, but more importantly, I want to be happier with my size and know that I'm healthy.  Skinny does NOT equal healthy!

Back when I started this little blog at the beginning of the year, I mentioned that I was taking up running, and even completed my first race, but lately I have not been diligent with running or any other exercise for that matter.  I've been more calorie conscious lately, but still not 100% on board.  Throw in our crazy schedule lately and it's been really hard to stay on track.  So now that we are back at home for a while, I marked today as the start of my 30 day "boot camp."

Part one – THE DIET

This will actually be the harder part for me. I love to cook and I love to eat. Now, I'm not going all crazy with the paleo/gluten free/insert fad diet here.  Just eating healthier and counting calories.  I'm not eliminating my ice cream all together, but I will substitute Skinny Cow or No Sugar Added Klondikes. :)  I also will probably still have the occasional glass of wine, but limited to the weekends and only if I have the available calories.
 
My Fitness Pal is a great website to use to keep tract of calories.  They already have tons of nutritional information stored in their database so it's easy to use.  They also have a handy smart-phone app for tracking calories on the go.  It includes a barcode scanner that instantly searches for the info on a product.  Definitely simplifies old school calorie counting.

I plan on incorporating all those "healthy eating" recipes I've found on Pinterest, my Cooking Light cookbook, as well as these great websites:

Part two – EXERCISE

• Running - I've been running off and on all year, but this is something that I really want to become a part of my routine.  I plan to run 3 times a week.  I'm starting back on my couch to 5k program at week 5 (about halfway through) and once I catch up I'm moving to this 10k program (available on Itunes).
•  
• Crosstraining - 3 days a week, likely not on the same days as I run (because I know my limits!).  I have tons of exercises & workout routines pinned on Pinterest, mainly focusing on butt, hips, and thighs - my problem areas.  I also have the Jilian Michaels 30 day shred video.  It kicks my butt!  
• I'm planning on 1 rest day because everybody needs one.  Six days may sound like a lot, but for me personally, it needs to become a daily thing or I will forget to do it.  I'm not talking about hours every day - just 30 minutes.

I did have a bit of a binge day yesterday and enjoyed this delicious meal.  See you in 30 days Five Guys!

Wish me luck!

Family Vaca!

I'm back from a week at Orange Beach with the family.  The summer I graduated from vet school, my parents decided to rent a condo in Orange Beach for a week of family time.  Cameron and I had just moved to Mobile, my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew were out in Austin, and my parents were in Baltimore for a while (they recently moved to Memphis so they're at least driving distance now!)  Needless to say, we did not all get together very often.  So the beach trip was born.  This is the third year in a row we have continued the tradition.  It was so good to spend time with them, especially my precious 3-year-old nephew, Elijah!

 The beautiful view from the 11th floor of Phoenix West

 the most peaceful place on earth

We played on the beach....

Elijah's own chair...

...unfortunately, turned into the time out chair later :(

Elijah showing us how to play air guitar

it's fun to bury Uncle Cameron's feet in sand

Nana & Gramps are always willing to play

I actually have a very similar picture of Elijah chasing the sea gulls from every other year!

And of course we enjoyed the lazy river & water slide...

Cameron & I ventured off to Bon Secour to pick up some shrimp for dinner.  If you are ever in the area, don't pay a fortune for seafood at the touristy stops.  Head a few miles down Hwy. 10 and you will see tons of signs for local shrimpers.

We've been to "Joe" before, but he was closed today

 This sign was on the other side of the road.  Notice the "Do Not Turn 

Here" - Something tells me Joe & Billy don't get along...

when you drive down a dirt road that looks like this...

with old shrimp boats...

and one of these guys to greet you...

you know the seafood is fresh!

 There was plenty of hanging out in the condo, because anyone who has hung out with a 3-year-old knows their attention span doesn't last very long...

what are you doing, Uncle Cameron??

typical TV trance

pretending to be a "mac truck driver"

 after about 30 pictures, this is the best I got of my mom with a 3-year-old who was not interested in having his picture taken...

We did venture out for dinner a few times...

Elijah & Gramps & Wintzells

Our one family pic at Grazie's

how did parents entertain kids in restaurants before technology???

amazing Italian seafood!

playing in the sandbox @ Tacky Jack's

We had a wonderful trip.  I wish we were able to see Elijah as much as our nephews from Cameron's side, but it just makes these times that much more special.  Can't wait to see everyone again for Christmas!