Building up Our Memory Banks

June 30, 2013 Kim 20 Comments

Today’s 43 was inspired by one of my Turbo Fire workouts from the past week. I did a speed bag move on the right and then kicked with my left leg. Of course, after finishing 43, I had to switch sides and do another set with the speed bag on my left and a right kick. (imaginary speed bag!!)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SrYWJ1pm3E’]

I wore my weighted gloves to add a little to the speed bag challenge – I think they only weight a pound each but at least it was something! This was a fun 43!!!

I feel like I haven’t done much weight training lately so I decided to do Les Mills Pump. I did Pump and Burn which is one of the shorter workouts (just over 30 minutes). Probably a good choice since I finished about 30 minutes ago and my arms are still shaking!!! I think there’s a good chance that I will be sore tomorrow!!

The past week, the boys and I have spent almost every minute together during our trip to TX while Chris was on his own trip for work. I started thinking about all the things we have done and how much we have laughed together – a lot!!! Knowing that my boys are having fun and that we can all laugh together makes me HAPPY!!!

I watch the boys and know that when they are grown and no longer live with us they will have 1000s of happy memories from the time spent at home and with their family!!!

Whether we are spending hours together in a car, playing one of the 100s of games that we have played over the years (Monopoly, Life, Uno, Skip-Bo, Head Bandz……..), sharing a meal together

or just hanging out – I want the boys to keep storing up these fun/happy memories!!!

Last night we added more memories!! A week of firework fun has begun!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_Rp7azuDgs’]

So, even though sometimes I have to give up things that I would like to do – FitBloggin’ conference – in the big picture, the things that matter are these everyday fun times that I get to be part of with my boys!!!

There are huge chunks of my growing up years that I have completely blocked from my memory and I want to make sure that my boys have full memory banks of awesome family times!!!

And, the bonus of building up the boys happy memory banks is that I’m also building up my own memory bank with lots of incredible experiences!!!

I can’t wait to see what we add to our “banks” today!!! Probably some time at the swim beachDefinitely more fireworks tonight!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj0lJGqTs2U’]

And above all – laughter, happiness and LOVE!!!

What are you putting in your memory bank today?

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Seafood, Side Dish

Orange and Avocado Salsa with Shrimp Tacos

June 29, 2013 Kim 12 Comments

Tonight I wanted a light and healthy dinner after a week of travel and more junk than I normally eat.

I made shrimp tacos with a fruit salsa – orange and avocado salsa. It was a super easy meal to prep and very delicious!!!!

Orange and Avocado Salsa

1 can mandarin oranges, drained
about 1/4 c red onion, chopped
3 avocados, chopped (mine were on the small side – if you have bigger avocados you might not want 3)
cilantro to taste, chopped

Mix all ingredients.

We ate ours with shrimp tacos and cilantro rice.

The picture is sort of a mess to show all of the ingredients!

This is a great summer meal – less than 20 minutes to the table, no oven required!!!

Butt, Core, Fitness, Quad, Shoulders

A Driving Rant

June 29, 2013 Kim 25 Comments

Today’s 43 was HARD!!! I got the move from Tamara at Fitknitchick. She demoed a workout that included 5 favorite ab moves so I used one of the moves – the Surrender Squat.

Start standing with a dumbbell held in both hands overhead (I used a 10 pound DB). Kneel down – left knee, right knee – then stand – left leg, right leg – repeat leading with your right leg = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1AYVR2p4ak’]

43 of these were no joke!!! And, I agree that these work your abs/core but you will also feel the move in your shoulders (from holding the DB overhead), your quads and your butt. Try it – just a few will have you shaking!!

I decided to take another day off since I start Boot Camp up again on Monday – gotta be ready with some great workouts!!!

After 2 long days of driving in the past week, I have a few issues to vent about!!! These signs are posted for a reason!!! I’m rarely the slow driver – and when I have to pass someone that is just putting along in the left lane it drives me crazy!!!In fact, I think I will make my own sign for our next road trip!!! Maybe we could start a system where all idiot drivers have one lane and the rest of us can have the other lane to ourselves!!! So, clearly I have a huge issue with people who just take up space in the left lane – especially when it means I have to hit my break and take off my cruise control because of them!And, don’t even get me started on people who think that driving is a game!!! It’s not a game and I don’t want to play with you on the highway!!!It’s called cruise control – try it – I promise it will make your driving life (and mine!) so much better!!! I hate it when the same car and I go back and forth 20 times!! I know that I’m driving the same speed because I love cruise control – please don’t pass me then slow down and let me pass you over and over!! And the person who thinks they can zip up to the front of the line waiting to merge – I’m pretty much never going to let them in front of me. If I had to wait in line because of the no passing sign then they should have waited, also!!!Really?! Yesterday, on more than one occasion, I ended up behind 2 trucks – both going the same speed but taking up the whole road. WHY???? People who leave their turn signals on forever don’t annoy me as much as drivers who NEVER use their turn signal! Turn signals are a great driving device – they should get lots of use!!! Especially if you feel the need to change lanes and cut right in front of me!!!

I feel much better now that I got all of my driving frustration off of my chest!!!

What highway driving issues annoy you?

Here is a little clip with my least favorite part of the drive home from Abilene, TX. There is a huge bridge that looks like you are going to drive off of the edge of the earth and it pretty much freaks me out every time!!! (Jordan entertained himself filming this!)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sxpGKC7hGE’]

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Squats

On the Road Again

June 28, 2013 Kim 34 Comments

Today’s 43 is a move that I got from Taylor at Lifting Revolution. She did a great post showcasing 27 types of squats!! She even has a little video gif for each one so you can see how they should be done.

I decided to try the monkey squat – I’m pretty sure that my form isn’t as good as Taylor’s. I’ve never tried this move before – I need to do them more!!

Reach down, grab either the ankles or toes.
Keeping your upper body completely still, bend at the knees and lower your butt towards your ankles.
Return to starting position and repeat.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le33rST_ysY’]

I think I bent my arms too much and I know I don’t go very low (lack of flexibility). I liked this move for a 43 and definitely plan to start doing these more often!!!

And – I decided to take a little workout break today!!!

The other day when I talked about my drive to TX, Josie (@ Yum Yucky) left a little comment referencing Willie Nelson’s song – On the Road Again. I figured that all of y’all might want this catchy tune in your head today!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TD_pSeNelU’]

The boys and I are headed home today – in 8.5-9 hours we will be back in Topeka!! As nice as this week as been, I’m ready to be back home!!!

Good-Bye Texas!!!

rocking on the front portch — rocking on the front porch

Happy Fun Friday!! (I’m not sure that this is really going to be fun Friday – we are going to do our best to make it fun while driving!!)

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

The Gift of Time

June 27, 2013 Kim 44 Comments

For my 43 today, I made use of the hotel fitness center again. I used one of the stability balls and just did a crunch with my feet on it – pretty simple and basic!!

Since I worked out before the boys got up, we just went back in to take a couple of pictures. I’m sure the guy lifting weights at the time thought it was pretty self-indulgent or something – OH, Well!!!

I hopped on the treadmill again today. It wasn’t spectacular but it was SO MUCH BETTER THAN TUESDAY’S RUN!!! I ran 7 miles in 58:23 and then did an easy 0.4 to cool down. (I wanted to do a half mile cool down but the treadmill shut off after 65 minutes!!)

Yesterday we were back at the ranch!!

Jordan and Hunter ended up spending the day with my Aunt Jackie. They went to Abilene with a long list of errands (6 hours worth including driving time). I think all 3 of them, but especially my Aunt, enjoyed the day. The boys were big helpers – lifting the vacuum into the truck and out, schlepping 5 gallon drums of paint, moving wire….fun for all!

While they were out taking care of stuff in the heat (102), I stayed at the ranch with my Poppa. It was a great day!!! We talked about all kinds of stuff – I’ve always enjoyed hanging out with him (and my Mema when she was still alive). The stories that Poppa has are amazing.

Because he’s 98, he has very definite view on things and has no problem expressing his opinion. Even though we don’t always have the same view point on things – I love every second spent with him.

For our lunch, I made a pretty great tuna salad (gotta brag cause it was good!!!) – no pictures because blogging and technology are one of the differences we have so I decided to just enjoy lunch!! But….it was GOOD!!!

tuna
chopped dill pickle
chopped Kalamata olives
chopped grape tomatoes
chopped avocado
tiny bit of mayo to bind everything together

We both ate it with crackers and lettuce – perfect.

But the best part of lunch was the prayer that Poppa said before it. He prayed for me and about me and it was everything I could do to not cry. It was such a simple thing for him but meant a lot to me!!

We have one more day (today) to visit with my Poppa and Aunt and I’m excited to go back to the ranch. I have treasured every second of this TX trip!!!

Has anyone ever prayed specifically for you (while you were listening)? Did it affect you?

Happy Thursday!!

Kim

Day With KT

Monthly Archives: June 2013

Building up Our Memory Banks

Orange and Avocado Salsa with Shrimp Tacos

A Driving Rant

On the Road Again

The Gift of Time

Fitness – Food – Fun