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Friday, March 29, 2013

oh me oh my

a Friday and a mid-50 degree day is upon us in Michigan!
I am in a fantastic mood and I couldn't be happier to share.
ifonlymydogwouldseriouslyjustshutherdamnmouthhhhh
yesterday was a great day so I am totally ready for another.
so Breanna was high [cocktail of cough syrup, Benedryl, and too much Motrin] 
that was already an amazing start, but then we shopped all day!
and actually, I only bought some cheap ass stuff and was still happy.

then I am sitting at home, relaxing on the couch, when I get an email.
I check the email and it is from Delta Air Lines!!
it is for a trip that I thought was cancelled!
Aaron booked our flights, our hotel, and planned the whole thing.
I am so excited and cannot wait to see Washington DC next month. 

today I weighed myself and I was totally overwhelmed with joy!
I cannot remember the last time that I weighed this... probably middle school.
I guess I am feeling pretty motivated now.  it helps that Aaron rode his bike to work.
leaving me at home feeling like a real bum.  I am not even dressed yet...
so I found another great workout from Blonde Ponytail called The Dirty 30
it is happening today. plus I'm going to go for a run. must take advantage of this weather.  

XXO Amanda
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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

quit being a bitch

I just wrote almost an entire post that was just far too offensive to publish.
never post drunk, angry, or annoyed. those are rules to live by.
unless you don't mind embarrassing yourself or losing family/friends.

I think I probably need to finally stop being so darn lazy.
it has really turned me into a super moody bitch.
I have been getting very easily annoyed and that is never good.
there is really no filter between my head and my mouth,
so annoyed Amanda is not someone anybody likes.

other than an extremely lazy JOG on Saturday I haven't worked out in over 2 weeks.
I actually think my body needed the break because I ended up losing a good amount.
but I am finished being a bitch and I am ready to get back at it. hopefully...
lately I have not been the biggest fan of hitting the gym by myself.
I'm not really sure why, I used to go alone all the time.  I'm a freak.
I want to go, I hope I go... let's all cross our fingers shall we?

you know what else? I hope I come up with a recipe to make for dinner.
if I don't you are all going to starve tomorrow! I should say sorry now.

XXO Amanda
[Bloglovin] [instagram] [twitter] [vine: thisismyrealhair]

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

crappy chi hair straightner

guys... I only have one thing to talk about. one thing that is totally ticking me off.
and that one thing totally ticking me off is my shitty hair straightener.
and by the way, this shitty hair straightener is the second one in two dang years.
how long should ones hair straightener work for? like a couple of years?
I feel like this amount of time is not long enough!!
I look like a damn hot mess. why oh why is my life so hard!?
wow, been dramatic much?
so I legit have to take a 5 minute break in between all sections of my hair.
and! these sections of my hair could not be any smaller. I am so serious!
can you imagine how long this is going to take when I grow my hair completely back out?

also, here is a great question, how can the thing not straighten my hair, 
but burn my hand, my ear and forehead? I think I don't understand life.

so obviously I should get a new straightener... which I clearly cannot afford.
UGHHHHHHH does anybody recommend a particular brand?
I have heard that Misikko's are really good...

I honestly am just angry.  I spent a ton on the Chi that I have and it sucks.
of course everyone was all, Chi's are so good. well I guess not!
I am pissed. I do not want this to happen again! I can't afford it..
like my bank account can't afford it and neither can my appearance.

help meeeeeeee

XXO Amanda
[Bloglovin] [instagram] [twitter] [vine: thisismyrealhair]

this IS my real hair

Monday, March 25, 2013

you are such a lazy fool


this was yet another weekend where I ate shit and didn't do shit.
I have a lot of stomach issues and when I choose to fall of the wagon...
I fall off really hard and am sick for days afterwards!
all this to say, I feel like absolute crap today. 
head ache, stomach ache and other things you don't want to know about.

can I be completely honest here? without judgement?
I am about to share something so embarrassing....
Aaron and I watched two complete seasons of a television show...
not like a 30 minute [really 20 minute] Modern Family show.
a legit, one hour long, showtime series...
13 episodes in season one, 12 in season two. wtf is wrong with me.
I probably gained 32 pounds this weekend.

on Saturday I went for a run? yeah... 30 minutes.
talk about being lazy, even while you are being active. 
I am so ashamed that I have to stop talking about it right now.

tonight I start Revolt and I can't wait!!
I really hope I don't die or pass out.
see you tomorrow

XXO Amanda

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Friday, March 22, 2013

"feels like 27 degrees"

spring is not doing very well here in my home town.
I was looking forward to a nice 37 degree day today,
and that meant finally another outdoor run.
but I checked the weather this morning and was disappointed.
the high of today is 35 but it is only going to feel like 27.
justpleaseletthishellofawinterbeoveralreadybecauseicannotstandit

I am finally getting my hair done this morning.
it really is about time, I've been looking rough.
I am still undecided when it comes to high or low lights...
really, anything will be better than what I have now.
I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens.










so I am excited to let you guys know about something new that I am going to be doing.
it is a workout program called Revolt and it is designed by Nichole Hutsman.
the program is all online and consists of three basic elements:
  1. a meal plan- the stuff all looks really easy to make and you get 1 cheat day every single week
  2. 30-60 minute workouts- you get a workout video everyday and it's not like normal.  Nichole does the entire workout all the way through with you.  it is so nice to see the instructor sweating, not looking all beautiful while you are dying.
  3. facebook and other social media groups- just like blogging supports success, this program offers you a place to meet and talk to people all doing the same workouts and eating the same meals.  giving you the opportunity to ask questions and gain support.
I just received the kick start program, which is a week long, and I will be starting on Monday.
I am excited to do it, lose weight, and tell you all about it. this is a great opportunity to break this plateau.
and definitely email me if you are interested in joining along, I would love to have even more motivation.

XXO Amanda

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Thursday, March 21, 2013

who doesn't love a pie?

turkey pot pie



what you need:

 

      1  box premade crusts
   
   1/3  cup butter or margarine

   1/3  cup chopped onions

   1/3  cup all-purpose flour

   1/2  teaspoon garlic salt

   1/4  teaspoon pepper

1 3/4  cup organic chicken broth [buy the 32oz box]

   1/2  cup milk

2 1/2  cups shredded turkey

      2  cups of veggies


how you make it:

 

1.  heat oven to 425*F.  make pie crust per directions [use a 9-inch glass pie plate]

2.  in a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. add onion.
    [stirring often, until onions are slightly tender, 1 to 2 minutes]

3.  stir in flour, garlic salt and pepper, until well blended.

4.  gradually add in broth and milk
     [cook and stir until bubbly and thickened]

5.  in a large bowl, mix turkey, veggies, and gravy.

6. using a measuring cup, scoop ingredients into pie crust.
    top with second crust; seal edges and cut slits in top crust.


7.  bake 30 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
     let stand 5 minutes before serving.


and that is that people.  you've got yourself a pot pie.
this is by far my favorite food. last meal will be a pot pie!
I should probably note that this is probably not a healthy recipe,
but it sure as hell is delicious.  don't miss out!

XXO Amanda

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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

I can't even believe it!

don't we all love a good link up? ha I know.
I think link ups are great when done in moderation,
and this one seems very fun!

so let's get to it!

I can't believe...

....that my best friend Breanna is still having a hard time understanding that Bob Harper is gay.

....I am participating in the March Fitfluential Dietbet and I am still being so lazy! 

....I am going on my first girls trip [in like 10 years] in only 25 more days

....my dog legit sleeps until 4:30PM every single day

....I speak more frequently and share more with my blogging girls than almost anybody 
[Kayla, Chris, love you ladies!!]

....I am so lucky to have a guy like Aaron in my life.   
there are not many guys that will let you remain unemployed because you worked at the job for one day and it made you sad! 
I love him so much.


okay, that is enough mush for one day, am I right?

XXO Amanda

[Bloglovin] [instagram] [twitter] [vine: thisismyrealhair]

voom voom shebang

so here's the thing, today is supposed to be all about my healthy lifestyle,
and what I did since last Wednesday to be a healthier thinner person.
yet I have done nothing. I feel like complete crap and have been so lazy.
it feels like something is squeezing my head and it's about to pop.

did you know that it is the first day of Spring?
yeah I didn't realize either, given it is 23 degrees outside.
whatthefuckkkkkkk!!! please warm up already.
honestly, I will take a high 30 degree day just so I can run.

I think I am going to go shopping for shorts and a bathing suit.
that should warm up my mind right?
JCP has the cutest patterned shorts right now.
like absolutely to die for and only $25? I am on it.

anyhoo, since I'm lazy I am going to introduce you to one of my sponsors, Sue.
you can find her button over there ->  enjoy yourselves!!

 

XXO Amanda

[Bloglovin] [instagram] [twitter] [vine: thisismyrealhair]

****************************************************




Hi I’m Sue known as the Crochet Addict




I would like to say a huge thank you to Amanda for letting me post on her beautiful blog!


I have been crocheting since Feb 2011. I suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome among other things. One of the symptoms I suffer from is pins and needles in my hands.  Doctors wanted to increase my medication but I decided to do a bit of research first. That’s when I found out about crocheting. Crocheting helps me in so many ways. The pins and needles are reduced as the nerves are being stimulated. You get such a buzz when you finish a project and when someone compliments you it makes your day 100% better.

I learned to crochet from a video on You Tube. I decided to make my son a teddy bear:



Now he isn’t perfect but my son loves him lots!

I bounced about a bit and made lots of different things but nothing really fixated me. Then my son saw a picture of a dinosaur hat and asked if I could make him one. I decided to jump in feet first and design my first hat and scarf set.  Now this is when I became an addict.



Since then I have designed lots of patterns and love coming up with new ideas.



I don’t just crochet and try and share my journey, crafting, reading, family, loves and life as well as any giveaways I find.  I also try and promote handmade things as much as possible.



On Thursdays I show off different items and patterns that follow a theme and have an open thump linky for other people to share



On Wednesday’s I show you what I am making, reading and what is going on in my life. On Friday I show you what I’ve finished and on both days people can link what they are doing.  I don’t restrict any of my linkies to crochet.



On Saturdays I open my blog to guest bloggers. This is a special day that is purely about the guest blogger.

On Sundays I search the web and find giveaways for you to enter. This is the day I try to host my giveaways and give you the opportunity to link to your giveaways.

The other days of the week I give myself some flexibility. I often post my free patterns on these days and any updates with anything that’s different from the norm.




I hope you’ll come & visit:


Crochet Addict UK Blog G+ Twitter Pinterest Ravelry








Tuesday, March 19, 2013

have you ever heard the saying...

"run into an asshole in the morning, he's an asshole.
run into assholes all day, you're an asshole." ??
dude, I think... I think I might just be an asshole.

I just ate a full can of Spaghetti-O's...
now I just feel so full that I could die.
how is it that those cans are for children??
it's either way too much food or...
there is something seriously wrong with me.
I would think there is a good chance the problem is me.

wow. so anyway, did you realize that it's Tuesday?
thus it is time again for Ticked Off Tuesday

this IS my real hair

so here are some things that I think we can all agree suck it big time:

  • rain on cold days. as if this winter b.s. wasn't bad enough, she [obvi mother nature] has to throw rain into the mix?  I hate getting wet, my hair freaks out with any moisture, and the dog is a huge pain in the ass [more than typically I mean]. sure, she has to go to the bathroom, but when you try to let her out she's all, "oh shit, it's raining... eff that." then three minutes go by and she has forgotten that it is raining and she's asking to go out again

  • long red lights combined with very short green lights.  I hate sitting for 25 years at a red light only to have it turn red again before I can get through the intersection.  I am 100% in favor of lights that are all based on a camera.  if there is a busy road, I understand they need the green longer. but the damn thing should know that I am sitting there and just gimme a go.
  • when smoke detectors randomly go off.  all night long, felt like every five minutes, the damn smoke alarm would beep crazy loud. I guess this is what happens the battery is dying? only, our smoke alarms are wired and all of them are connected. ya know, so if one goes off they all do. so I don't see the need for it to have a little bitchfest because the backup battery is dying!
  • dogs that are afraid of noises. please read the above note. yeah, somebody else had a bitchfest when the beeping was happening. the dog has been a wreck all damn day.
  • when you go to get an Icee or Slurpee and the red light is turned on, and of course, only on the flavor that you went for. I hate that damn red light! once I even tried to wait the light out.. guess what? you can't. shit is on for a super long time. such a depressing moment.
  • DVRed something and then everybody posts what happened. I pretty much almost always watch t.v. the next day. I cannot stand commercials. I am not a patient person. so I DVR the shit and watch it a day later. but everybody tries to ruin it for me. just shut the hell up!! no spoiler alerts please!!

and that is all. have a merry Tuesday bitches!

XXO Amanda

[Bloglovin] [instagram] [twitter] [vine: thisismyrealhair]

Monday, March 18, 2013

is it really house hunting...

...if you leave the house with no idea where you are going,
and then return having found not a single house, but an area?
oh the things that Aaron and I do! always interesting.

can you believe another weekend has come and gone?
I feel so close to spring, but when I look out the window...
all I see is snow! why must mother nature torture us??

Friday was really lazy for me [with working a full day]
if you read my post from Saturday you will understand.
because of this laziness, I had planned a run for Saturday.
only, I woke up and there was snow blowing everywhere.
it was not a good feeling, I had really been planning on that run.

Saturday we went to dinner for Aaron's Grandmother's birthday.
we all went to Olive Garden [where the calories are OUT OF CONTROL]
I definitely had to plan ahead to stay successfully in my calorie count.
I ended up doing the same kettle bell work that I have done before.
I was a little lazier with it than normal though, but I still burned 300 calories.
which was not really enough for dinner, but I still felt a lot better about it.

on Saturday we also picked up my littlest sister Samantha.
she is four and not very used to doing things on her own.
she actually did very well and only cried a little at bed time.
we will have to try a few more trial runs before taking her on vacation.
which by the way, I am taking many vacations coming up...
I am going to need some guest posters. let me know if you are interested.

yesterday, Sunday, was a great day.
I worked out with Breanna for about an hour,
while I was doing that Aaron and Samantha had breakfast.
then we took her home and went "house hunting"
we basically just ended up taking a long drive, on dirt roads... 
it was actually really fun, I was surprised by it really.
we got home around 5PM and were lazy the rest of the night.

and that was my weekend!
what happened to you?

XXO Amanda

[instagram] [twitter] [vine: thisismyrealhair]


Saturday, March 16, 2013

please accept my apology

this week I have 100% sucked at blogging and I totally apologize.
as it turns out, I actually got offered the job that I interviewed for.
it also so happens that I worked a full day there on Friday.
I will be honest with you, it was terrible! I don't plan on returning.
the job wasn't really what [I feel] was explained to me.
it was extremely boring, and they weren't going to pay me enough.
they also do work for my old employer.. which is just awkward.
basically, I sat in a conference room for 6.5 hours, transferring red lines to the computer.
pretty much spoke to nobody the entire time I was there. [the other girl had on headphones]
so it was sitting in a silent office, staring at a computer screen all damn day. can't do it.
certainly not for $11/hour, contract position so I have to save almost all of it anyway for taxes.
I am just going to continue working on Aaron's business and keep looking.
if anybody knows of any Marketing related positions anywhere let me know.

other than that I have just been busy working out and focusing on losing weight.
I am already getting so much better at running.. better than I have ever been.
I know a lot of people can just start out and go and then breath a little heavy but be fine.
it is not the case when you are really heavy.  couch to 5k is hard. 5 minutes straight is hard.
but I am totally getting there and it is so rewarding! I can't wait to run real distances.
currently six miles is my maximum for one time and I would love for it to be way longer.
yeah, I was one of "those girls", I ran with my hair down.. seemed okay since it was 37* out.

I have also been doing some kettle bell workouts. these are a really great option for me.
you end up getting your heart rate up really high, and you are doing weights at the same time.
I hate spending a ton of time on this stuff.  if I can get a workout that is hard but fast, that's for me. 
in fact, I am going to go do a kettle bell work out right now.
have a great weekend and I will see you here on Monday.

XXO Amanda

[instagram] [twitter] [vine: thisismyrealhair]

in the mean time don't forget to enter this giveaway, okay!?

...

Up For Grabs:
**$70 worth of giftcards to Target, Amazon, & Your Choice!**
**13 different ad spots with your name on them!**
**Custom Post Signature**
**An Infinity Scarf!**
**Necklace & Bracelet combo!**
**Dream Big 8x10 Print**
**Travel Photography Print**


A Compass Rose / Mish Lovin' Life












Wednesday, March 13, 2013

insert title [here]

for some reason I keep wanting to say "riddle me this."
I have no idea why... I also have nothing to say afterward.
really strange I know! I think it's stress related or something.
another month has passed and we are here again...
time for me to explain myself and pretend to be all motivated.
I have honestly SUCKED at this list... let's take a look.

here's what I've done:

  1. New York City for New Years. it was a lot of fun and I am really glad that this was on my list.  I'm not sure I will do it again... but it was definitely worth the one time!
  2. run a 5k in under 45 minutes.  uh, it was 44 minutes... still counts but I am looking to improve it.
  3. be super shallow and grow my hair out. working on it. they barista at Starbucks just mentioned to me how long it is getting... a compliment and a low blow all at the same time.
  4. pay off my credit card debt. this one was hard and I am glad it is finished! now if only I could win the lotto to finish off all of these loans...
  5. blog consistently. this is going fairly well, I know for a lot of people they blog way more in the winter than the do in the summer. I am just not like that. it is cold out and all I want to do is be lazy.. I don't want to think or type. so bring on the warm weather!!
  6. work on having a more positive out look. of course some things that I put on my list are a process and this is one of them. but I think the process is underway and I am doing a fairly decent job.

here's what I need to do:

  1. get my ass to California
  2. visit 5 more states to achieve visiting 20/50 
  3. finish my portfolio
  4. be accepted into my Masters program - which for the record I am one step closer!
  5. lose 40 more pounds.  I joined a dietbet [dietbet.com] so I will be nearly 10lbs closer next time I update!
  6. pay off at least one student loan
  7. work on the house... sigh.
  8. work on my photography [warm weather please!!]
  9. stop swearing.  I already swear a lot less... this has been quite a challenge!
  10. EARN 500 followers on this here blog
  11. find a job that I enjoy
  12. go sky diving
  13. start a 401K
  14. do something helpful or kind of someone with no recognition. I tried.. but they wouldn't accept. long story.
  15. donate plasma
  16. read and finish 4.5 more books
  17. start and complete a scrapbook [top secret]
  18. have my fortune read
so really... if you look back, 
I have done one thing since last time.
I am a sad unmotivated individual.. sighhhhhhh 
to change this I have decided to pick a few,
break the list down a little.
so, by April 13th I vow to have:

finished 1.5 books
lost 7-10lbs, and
finished my portfolio

that seems like a pretty good amount to tackle in a month.

XXO Amanda

[instagram] [twitter] [vine: thisismyrealhair]

Monday, March 11, 2013

it's going to be a long one


so guys... remember when I complained early last week,
about how I hadn't left my office or my computer?
how I had been working on my theory/philosophy exam for a week...
guess what I am doing right now? yep! this damn exam.
here, lemme give you a little taste of it:

Humanism is the shift of society’s mentality away from faith-based ideals and redirecting towards independent thought and individual expression. As attention on medieval Christian faith began to fade, the significance on genuine human interest became more prominent.  Humanism spread from Northern Italy and France to the Netherlands, then Germany and England.This shift of new ideas helped to create a progressive environment, which many felt opened the door for The Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. Humanism is a movement focused on centralized human values, a big change from the religious beliefs of movements of the past.  This focus gradually gave way to a break from the Christian doctrine and the church.  As interest in the church continued to decline, society became more focused on itself and the present world.
did you learn a lot? I should hope so.  
my first sentence is worth 2 out of 10 points!
ugh. I'm probably going to fail..

in other news, I started my dietbet yesterday
and I have a job interview today.  wish me luck?
I am submitting this exam this morning, 
so you will get a real post tomorrow, 
and it is bound to be long. I'm looking forward to it.

XXO Amanda

[instagram] [twitter] [vine: thisismyrealhair]

Thursday, March 7, 2013

all in one pot... it's actually 2

I have been sitting at my desk working on the same exam for three days.
it would not be an exaggeration to say that that I have considered dropping.
theory and philosophy are not for me. I am not by any means a deep thinker.
at least not about topics that have nothing whatsoever to do with me and my life.
I don't think that this is a bad thing. we can't all be deep thinkers, can we?
we can't all be dreaming up the next big philosophical theory or architectural movement.

alright, enough of this. I have to take my break away from all this talk while I can.

today is Thursday, therefore I am going to bless you with a recipe! this weeks recipe is:

cheesy one pot hash

what you need:

 

1 1/2  pounds red potatoes, 
          cut into 1-inch chunks

      1  tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

    12  ounces ham steak,
          precooked and diced

      2  bunches green onions, diced
          green and white parts divided

      1  teaspoon paprika

   1/2  teaspoon garlic powder

   1/2 teaspoon salt

   1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 1/2 ounces baby spinach

      2 tablespoons water

   3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

how you make it:

 

1. place potatoes in a saucepan fitted with a steamer basket and cook
    [covered, over simmering water until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes]
2. heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
    add ham and whites of green onion and cook, 
    [stirring often, until onions are slightly tender, 1 to 2 minutes]
3. add potatoes to skillet and saute'
    [stirring occasionally, until browned, 5 to 7 minutes]
4. sprinkle paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper over the potato-and-ham mixture; stir to coat
5. stir in spinach and green part of green onion
6. drizzle water into skillet, sprinkle cheddar over mixture
    [cover and cook until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes]

this is a great recipe for breakfast or dinner so be sure to try it out.

XXO Amanda

[instagram] [twitter] [vine: thisismyrealhair]