Thrifty Thursday: Kimono

I'm drawn to the Bohemian look - whether it be scarf plants, maxi dresses, crochet anything - so, when kimono jackets became readily available I scooped up three: hot pink with fringe, subtle floral and black solid. And I kinda want more in my closet...yelp!

Check out some inexpensive kimono tops from Forever21 and PacSun. (I also recommend shopping at the local Pink Zone as they have several at less than $10!)

F21 $15.80

F21 $19.80

PacSun $49.50

What's New Wednesday: Blinds

With Matilda's affinity for our blinds, we were motivated to purchase plantation blinds despite the expense. But I have to admit, they are worth every penny! With the addition of these wooden blinds, our space seems more complete and rich. Check it out!

Motivation Monday: Trifecta

What's motivating me on this Monday? The trifecta: health, fitness and soul. Check it out!

For my health: focusing on...

• eating slowly, enjoying my food
• trying new meals, like quinoa and kale
• enjoying smaller yet more frequent meals a day

For my fitness: focusing on...

• sprints and intervals
• getting up early to enjoy a morning jog
• stretching

For my soul: focusing on...

• embracing the moment
• taking time to reflect and digest before I react
• appreciating the good as opposed to lamenting the negative

 And that's just a little something that has increased my motivation. What keeps you going?

What's New Wednesday: Summer Goals

Summer is just around the corner, and it's time to set some goals to enjoy as much fun in the sun as possible.

Here are my goals!

• Read MORE books! On my queue..

• Go to opening day at the Del Mar Race Track
• Hike Potato Chip Rock in San Diego County
• Get back into photography and sign up for photography classes
• Attend 4 o'clock Fridays at the Del Mar race track. Here are the concerts I want to see: Magic!, Weezer, Steel Pulse, Counting Crows and Ziggy Marley
• Set-up remembrance dinner for Leroy's birthday (July 22, 2014). More details to come!
• Cook more and enjoy our backyard...more
• Check out Big Bear
• Host a summer gathering

What are your summer goals?

Tasty, Tasty

Eating healthy can actually be yummy! Case in point: check out our dinners from Tuesday and today!

Meal 1 - Ingredients:

• Ground turkey
• Quinoa
• White onion
• Bell peppers
• Spinach
• Salt and pepper

 Meal 2 - Ingredients:

• Chicken breast with spices (grilled)
• Cucumbers and tomatoes from garden
• Leafy greens

 Simple, nutritious and good!

Motivation Monday...on Tuesday

We are turning 33!

Back from Vegas and ready to get motivated to turn into a lean, fit, healthy 33-year old machine. But this time I got smart and used my dollar bills to hire a meal coach. Starting today, I'm accountable to Erica, a spunky, fun fitness enthusiast who designed a month-long meal, cardio and torture plan. Each day I report in my weight, run 30-minutes packed with six two-minute sprints and eat six no-carb meals. If that's not motivation, I don't know what is! I'll be sure to report in and provide some tips, suggestions and resources along the way.

In the meantime, I recommend looking into these sites to get yourself motivated! Eat up and get fit.

• The Truth About 6 Meals a Day
• Small Meals (Pinterest)
• Get Lean Diet

A year later...

June 8, 2013

Last June 8, we excitedly had Leroy over for a BBQ - just the three of us. We had such a lovely time, talking about life, his upcoming adventures across the states and fond memories with one another. Despite our good time, I had a strange feeling...even stating to Nick as we watched Leroy leave in his white Mustang, "what if that was the last time I see him?" It's interesting how intuitive we can be, as long as we are willing to listen.

Well, that was the last time I saw Leroy as he passed away a month later on his cross-country trip to see his 'grand-daughter' marry.

But a year later, I'm not sad. In fact, when I think of Leroy I smile. In my life for a short nine-years, he taught me more than I could ever imagine. And as part of this post I was going to list out those said lessons (as you know I love lists!) but that just seems to cheapen the wisdom he bestowed. If you were lucky enough to know Leroy, you would understand.

So, instead I employ each of you to raise a glass of Johnny Walker, look up to the sky and thank those that have left imprints in our hearts and minds.

Love you, Leroy! Hope you are still skydiving up in the heavens...and throwing potatoes at anyone disrespecting your wife. =)

Vow to date

Weekly dates are important to maintain even after tying the knot - it's an opportunity to celebrate your relationship, communicate and remain present with your partner. Despite not having children...well human children, the hubby and I often find ourselves in too much of a routine. Work, chores, exercise, food, television, sleep. BORING!! Enter: weekly dates.

To honor this commitment to one another we make certain to pencil each other in for either a dinner out, a movie in or a walk around the neighborhood. The weekly dates do not need to be extravagant, romantic or even creative; they just need to provide an outlet to spend time together. Below are some inexpensive - sometimes FREE - weekly date ideas.

• Walk to the weekly farmer's market, purchase fresh ingredients and make a meal together
• Take a bike ride around the bay
• Explore downtown and use your photography skills. Take pictures of interesting buildings, objects and people.
• Go to your local comedy club
• Turn up the tunes and have a dance party...in your living room!
• Check out a new neighborhood
• Take a hike
• Go to the humane society and give some love to the dogs and cats
• Rent paddle boards 
• Host a bonfire by the bay...or front yard
• Enjoy a beach day
• Check out a local brewery
• Volunteer at a beach clean-up
• Have your own wine, cheese and cracker night
• Play board games
• Just enjoy each other!

What's New: The Purring Parrot

Going somewhere? Need a trusted facility to board your feline or parrot? Look no further as The Purring Parrot is your place!

With one wild, very curious kitten and one grumpy, particular senior cat, I was hesitant to ask my friends to take on the duty to cat sit. Frankly, I wanted them to still be my friend! Hehe! So, instead I followed-up with a friend raved about this service in the past and was not disappointed.

The boarding rooms were large, entertaining and most importantly safe. And with the 24/7 webcam option, I was able to tune in to watch my cats play and be pampered at any time - and did I ever take advantage of that benefit.

Moreover, my cats were brushed daily, massaged, played with, provided treats, entertained by the roaming parrots and relaxed with the soothing smells of Felliway.

It was such a peace of mind knowing our cats were well taken care of while we were away - so much so we are using it again next weekend when we travel to Vegas!

So, next time you are leaving for a vacation, check out The Purring Parrot!

RIP FIL

Last Tuesday our family lost another great man, John "Jack" Califf. While his health was declining, this tragedy was unexpected. And heartbreaking.

We can all relate to what it feels like to lose someone, but feeling the pain of losing a parent firsthand is different. It's almost earth-shattering. Life as you know it changes. And a little piece of you is gone.

I have experienced this - almost a lifetime ago - but watching my husband grieve has been a hundred times more difficult. Nick hardly shows emotion, and it was as if he was storing it in anticipation for 2014 with the loss of so many family members. But to learn of his father's passing - after just seeing him at Grandpa Jerry's funeral a month prior - was completely devastating. 

Jack was a complicated man in my eyes. Knowing the history of his relationships with my husband and BIL almost makes his passing harder. When I first met Nick, I remember driving with him and an Everclear song came on the radio: Father of Mine. Nick's attitude changed as he lamented how the lyrics remind him of his dad. At the time I knew Nick didn't have much of a relationship with Jack, but I didn't understand the extent of hurt and pain he felt - heck, they both felt.

Flash forward several years, Nick rekindled his relationship with Jack. It was as if a weight lifted from Nick's shoulders. And I started to notice more "dad" talk, phone calls, Facebook posts, cards and love. It was incredible to watch the transformation of their relationship. 

And then I, too, started to develop a relationship with Jack. He treated me like a princess - always complimenting me, commenting on my efforts and supporting me in all my endeavors. He excitedly commented on my posts about my cats, never questioning why I do not have children of my own. In fact, he would post funny quips, blogs and pictures about cats on my Facebook wall, which always made me smile and giggle. I grew to love this man and I'm incredibly sad that he is gone.

Jack was a kind-hearted person - I learned recently that he would stop by the local Dairy Queen to purchase 60 plus dilly bars for the neighborhood children. That's just Jack - always thinking of others.

And it wasn't unusual to receive a surprise in the mail from jack - from Brian Urlacher life-sized stand-up posters, Cubs grass seed, Chicago Blackhawks' 2013 Stanley Cup t-shirt (which I'm proudly sporting as I type this post), specially designed 'Califf' hats, anniversary cards to donations for Shelby and Hunter's college fund as well as Words Alive. And he never did any of these things for a thank you or something in return - he just wanted to see Nick, Sean and me happy.

Last year I received an email from Jack - "call me ASAP, please." My heart dropped, immediately thinking something was wrong. Nope, he just made the decision to give Nick all of his tools which equates to almost $40,000 of air tools, tool boxes and even a flame thrower. When I asked the need of a flame thrower, his response was to kill the weeds. Haha, that's Jack in a nut-shell.

Learning about Jack has been a privilege. He was an engineer, a 30-year employee at Quaker Oats, and a United States Air Force veteran. In his later years, he started working at Ace Hardware - just to fill the hours and pass the time. And while there, he inspired the younger generation, helping them develop their skills and build their confidence. I was briefly able to meet some of those Ace employees who attended his funeral in shifts. They had tears in their eyes as they described what a sweet, caring man Jack was to them. One even commented that Jack eagerly took on the challenge to catch the mice in the store with him. Again, that was Jack.

I will miss my father-in-law and wish that we had more years together. But I'm thankful he was in my life and that he gave me the best gift of all: my husband.

Love you, Jack.