Addicted

I am officially addicted to spin class. I went to my second class today, and though I wasn't planning to, now plan on going to the Wednesday class as well. It's sooo right up my alley. Anything that makes me feel like I can kick butt and sore in all the right places is something I'm going to continue. So yay to THAT!

Still making my way through Crazy Sexy Diet and loving every page.

I was going to post a picture of some sweet potato dal I made for dinner last night, but it looks like a plate of barf. I'll probably share it later this week and type up the recipe, but looks barftastic for sure. Glad it tastes awesome to make up for it.

This here is something I eat pretty regularly. Well, this or a similar combination.

It's a mix of a cup of quinoa, cup of broccoli, and some tofus all heated together in a tsp of olive oil in the good ol' cast iron. So filling, delicious, and VERY nutritious. Sometimes I'll swap garbanzo beans (I once knew a pug named garbanzo..perfect name!) for the tofu, or use a different grain, or add a dash of sirachi or a tbsp of nutritional yeast, but I like this combo a lot.

Back to studying and cuddling pooches. Mmm mmm good!

Love and Puppy Kisses,

Sarbear

Home Decorating

I'm so pumped about home decorating and styling right now. There's only so much I can do in my home right now since we plan on trying to move within the year, but I'm doing little things as I can. I DID get to spend the evening helping my best pal work on HER room though and that was a blast.

P.S. I LOVE these hooks from Anthropologie. Really pricey, but so so cute.

ALSO, guess what I did today?

That's RIGHT! Spin!

It was amazing and I'm really excited to keep going. I should be able to go twice a week (each time with a different instructor) and am very much looking forward to it. I feel so pumped and like I really pushed myself. It was great. The kind of workout that leaves me feeling awesome and so motivated, confident, and inspired. Plus, very energized.

Eventually though I guess I should sleep.

Love and Puppy Kisses,

Sarbear

Snow Day

I did in fact have a snow day today and have enjoyed my lazy lounging.

The two bigger dogs had other plans. They enjoyed some romps in the snow.

I've also dug into my new book a bit and am enjoying it greatly. The tiny asparagus on the cover is not helping to curb my craving though!

We have more snow here than we have had in years and it's a treat not to have to go out to travel in it, but I'll be slapping on my boots and trekking to spin class at the University tomorrow if it's not closed again. It will be my first time in a spin class. I'm a bit nervous, but excited. I'm invited just like everyone else and don't have to know what I'm doing. Gotta remember that.

Anyway, it feels good to have another week of healthy eating under my belt after a not so great few days on the road. Mmmhmmm! Yeah buddy! You betcha!

Love and Puppy Kisses,

Sarbear

P.S. My lovely E is running around yelling that "we can have hoses stuck up our butts!" (he's been reading bits of my new book too. Oh my.)

Love and Puppy Kisses,
Sarbear

New Book

Looks like it might be a snow day tomorrow, and while I have lots of studying to do, I plan on doing some personal reading as well.

This bad boy was waiting for me behind the snow shovel when I returned home tonight:

Very exciting. It's a new book by the amazing Kris Carr and I can't wait to dig in. I'll be doing so right after I finish this post yes I will. Mmhmm. You can find more awesomeness from Kris Carr over at Crazy Sexy Life, which I highly recommend.

Off to cozy up with my book and watch the snow fall.

Love and Puppy Kisses,

Sarbear

Not So Bad

The semester is underway and it's not so bad, actually it's been pretty good.

I have a little tinkering to do with my sleep schedule and wake-up time still, but looking forward to the structure that will bring and the better use of my time that comes with that.

The semester beginning also means YOGA!

The fitness center at school offers yoga every Tuesday and I plan on being there for each one. It was really crowded today, but I'm still glad to have gone. I was there early and made myself a nice little spot before the crowd flowed in. It's so good to be back on the mat!

Jasper likes to do a little of his own type of yoga:

He's pretty good at it, right?

So yeah, life is good!

Love and Puppy Kisses,

Sarbear

Here Goes Somethin'!

Let's be honest, I was (am) having quite the boat load of anxiety about the semester starting again. Part of this was the syllabus sent to my classmates and I by our Spanish professor. Whole thing was in Spanish and way beyond my current comprehension. Tonight? Well tonight she sends us a new one in English and that makes a lot more since. Whew!

Plus, I had peeks at another class syllabus and I just feel a lot better about things now and like it's more manageable.

I have to remember too that I will not be working this semester and will have plenty of time for studying/reading/homework and so on. Last semester I did very well as far as grades go, but I was left struggling to keep on top of things and feeling very overwhelmed by it all. It'll be nice to focus on school and to continue focusing on my health in a bigger way.

There are some pretty great fitness classes at school I will be taking advantage of. I'm writing them in my calendar right there with my classes and will treat them as such. Two spin classes a week and one yoga. I might try a zumba sometime, but that's on Saturday mornings and I'm just not so sure 'bout that yet! I'll play zumba on my wii until then and get a feel for the moves at least.

Back to school and back to structure. I'm looking forward to it all and must remember I'm invited to be there just like everyone else and not feel intimidated by things or unwelcome as I sometimes do. This'll be a good semester. Looking forward to seeing my Spanish dudes too. Knowing a few guys in class already helps with not feeling intimidated there, cause let's be honest again...it's Spanish and I speak English and well...those classes can cause some brain pain at times. It's a good thing and I love learning another language, but having buds there helps!

I'm also going to start planning for another trip to Kansas City and to see my sister and my little niece.

Love and Puppy Kisses,

Sarbear

p.s. Progress not perfection!

Home Again

Back in St. Louis with my critters and fella, but missing these three as well:

Kansas City was full of love and a whirlwind of emotions. I am so thankful for having been a part of it all.

Now it's back to home and back to school starting Tuesday. Time to crack upon book spines and sharpen my pencils. I'm actually quite looking forward to it!

Love and Puppy Kisses,

Sarbear

Visits and Travels

It's great being here with my new niece and having time with my family. Soon we will travel back toward St. Louis and leave them to fall into their own rhythm. No worries though, I will be returning as soon as time allows and I'll be absolutely thrilled to see my E and my furry loves tomorrow evening.

Love and Puppy Kisses,

Sarbear

New Joy

I became an aunt again today and I am in love times a million. She makes my heart flutter and causes a smile to spread across my face. A beautiful little five pound soul and I am so thankful to have her as a part of my life already.

I'm sitting in a hotel in Kansas City enjoying microwaved frozen food way more than should be possible and looking at her pictures over and over again. What a perfect day.

Love and Puppy (and baby!) Kisses,

Sarbear

Whew!

I am safe and sound and shaking the stress outta my bones!
A normally 4 hour drive to KC took closer to 7-8 because of wild wintery weather, but we are here, we've made it!

It's one in the morning and I'm about to crawl into a pile of blankets on the floor for a little snooze before an early rise.

Hope everyone is well and staying safe and warm.

Love and Puppy Kisses,
Sarbear

A Birthday Cake

I have an amazing little nephew who was my best bud from the get-go. He's funny and sweet and loves to goof around with his Aunt. Plus, like a typical three year old, he loves Thomas the Train. So, when given the task of creating his birthday cake again this year, Thomas it was!

The cake turned out cute as I desired, and just as importantly, TASTY! It was enjoyed by the kids and adults alike and left me wanting to make all sorts of cakes and goodies.

Once I finish a little project like that I just want to keep going.

What will he want next year? Dinos? Barbies? Pirates? Sheep?

Guess we'll wait and see, and Aunt S will be there eager to make it happen!

Love and Puppy Kisses,

Sarbear

p.s. This was in the summer. I only wish it were warm enough for park picnics and parties right now. Soon!

Ho Ho Ho

I didn't sleep a wink last night due to anxiety and maybe a bit too much caffeine. Our regularly programed blogging will be postponed until clearer thinking can be found and I'll dedicate this little space to Jasper and Leroy's Santa photos.

They are so silly, but it was fun to go see shelter friends and the money went to a good cause.

Now I'll be sleeping like a bear and waking up tomorrow to take over the world!

Love and Puppy Kisses,

Sarbear