Mmm, Meatballs

Yes, my loyal readers, it is true... I am still alive!!

I know it's been a little while since I've posted anything, but that's just because I've been trying to avoid posting something about nothing. The purpose of this blog is not to bore you!

But today, I have something for you! Boy do I ever...

Wins & Losses

I have a confession to make...

I skipped the gym today *gasp!*

I know, I know... I'm a terrible person. Especially since it was not a scheduled rest day according to my 30 Day Squat Challenge. But after a full day of training at work, my head was pounding something fierce and I just couldn't fathom spending one minute at the gym, never mind the minimum of an hour it takes me to get all of my stuff done. I will absolutely HAVE to go tomorrow!

Progress!

Exciting news, loyal readers... my projects have finally found their permanent home upstairs in the last of the spare bedrooms to be renovated!!!

The third and smallest bedroom upstairs has been our pantry for the last 6 months while we were renovating our kitchen. Now that our kitchen has finally been done for a few weeks, the SO and I got around to putting the rest of the food/tools/etc. away, which left the bedroom empty and ready for furniture!

I am excited to show you the pictures!

Still Alive, Still Walking

Today marks Day 7 of my 30 Day Squat Challenge and I am still alive and kicking! Most important is the kicking part, which means I must also be at least still capable of walking...

I'm obviously a terrible blogger for not previously sharing what it is that I'm doing exactly. So without further ado here is the schedule:

30 Day Squat Challenge

Well folks... I am just over one month away from my tropical vacation!! Feels like it has been a pretty slow start to the countdown, I must say.

But ahh, vacation! I am still beyond excited. I can picture it now... me, lounging on the beach, a cold drink in my hand (ideally with a little umbrella in it like they always have in the commercials), a thick layer of SPF 1000 coating my pale and delicate skin... and beside me, my SO, who will be virtually black from the hours spent in the sun, sitting there laughing at me and my unfortunate complexion. Surprisingly the thought does not rain on my parade in the slightest!

Countdown Begins...

A couple of blog posts ago I announced that I had officially booked my very first tropical vacation! In the weeks since, I have made a couple of decisions:

1) I need new bathing suits! I don't know what your thoughts are, but I feel that an exciting event such as this warrants a bit of shopping. I would say it's similar to what people say when they have some big fancy event to go to - "I must buy a new dress!". So, I have hit up Victoria's Secret and should have 3 new swimsuits arriving within the next week or two :). Which led me to decision number 2...

It's a Miracle!

My loyal readers... this is the moment we've all been waiting for. The moment when I am finally ready to reveal the finished product that is my second attempt at a furniture rehab project!

This one has been a LONG time coming! I mean, to be honest, this could have been done quite a while ago, pictures and all. But it just seemed like things kept coming up; I was waiting on this, I was waiting on that. But it has all been worthwhile.

SOOO Excited!!

Big news folks!!

And no, it's not that I finally have the dresser done (sad face).

The Never Ending Project

This desk... I tell ya! I'm not sure how many of my readers will remember, but in a much earlier post (we are talking before the night stands were even finished) I had said that I would probably have the desk and the night stands done at the same time. Boy was I wrong!!

2 Years!

A belated Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians! I hope your long weekend was as enjoyable as mine and that you also totally pigged out on food (come on now, I know I can't be the only one!).

I am going to take full advantage of the holiday as my excuse for having nothing to post about over the last number of days :).

Another New Recipe

Well folks, I experimented with yet another new recipe for supper last night! I have to say, my adventurous attitude in the kitchen is even starting to surprise me... I remember the days when I first started dating my SO and he did all of the cooking because my repertoire consisted of scrambled eggs and toast! I've always loved to bake, but cooking has only recently become a new hobby of mine.

New Additions

D. and her SO are pleased to announce the arrival of a few new additions to their family...

My Next Project

So typical for me... I haven't yet finished my previous project, but I'm already on to planning the next!

I am still working on finishing my desk. So far I have filled the holes for the previous handles, sanded them down again, and primed them. All they need is a couple coats of the yellow paint and some poly. I figure by the time I get that all done the handles I ordered will be here!

But my attention has now turned to my next project idea!

Drum Roll Please!

Alright folks, here is the moment you've all been waiting for!

 Well... maybe not, as this was a late topic addition to the blog. But still!

The kitchen is finished and I have finally taken pictures.

Here We Go...

I feel like such a failure! In my last post I said that as of Ocobter 1st the gluten free challenge would begin again. But then... I found out that the cafeteria where I work was serving perogies for lunch on that same day. I'm sorry guys, but I am just not strong enough to resist the pull of perogies! And so, it is safe to say, I definitely did not go gluten free that day.

Shall We Try This Again?

Well, I think it is safe to say I have not been a 5 star blogger so far! It's a darn good thing this isn't my job. Although I suppose nobody can really fire you from your own blog...

Regardless, please do not fear, my loyal readers, as things are about to pick up again!

If It's Not One Thing...

...it's another!! Here I was thinking that my desk was oh-so-close to being finished and that I could very soon be posting the final pictures. And then I did something I probably should have done before I even started working on it... I measured the old handles.

Finished Product!

Well this post has been a LONG time coming... but I have finally finished Furniture Rehab Attempt #1!!!

Just as a quick refresher for those of you who may not remember, or who have not read my previous posts, I have recently developed an interest in rejuvenating old wood furniture. I have purchased several pieces of furniture via Kijiji that are tired, worn out, and in need of some definite TLC. The last purchase I made was two retro nightstands that had been painted by the owner at the time.

First Big Hurdle

Well folks, I have encountered by first big hurdle, which has resulted in a bit of a setback regarding my 30 day gluten free challenge...

Gluten Free - Day #2

Well day #2 of my 30 day gluten free challenge was much more successful!!

As I explained in yesterday's post, knowing that I couldn't have any of the bread or dessert we have in our house made me want it even more! So I held true to my goals and spent my afternoon making the following:

Furniture Rehab - Attempt #2

I know, I know - I haven't even posted the results from Furniture Rehab - Attempt #1 and here I am posting about #2!

Not to worry, attempt #2 caught up to attempt #1 so now they should be finished around the same time. That means lots of results all at once! I'm super excited (mostly to not be covered in paint anymore) and hope you are too! We are talking weeks and weeks of effort here.

But enough of that, on to the story of attempt #2...

Gluten Free - Day #1

Well folks, today marks day #1of my 30 day gluten free challenge! And let me tell you... challenge was definitely the right word for today!

Yesterday I went grocery shopping and was shocked at the amount of money I spent! However, I've been trying to make myself feel better by telling myself that going gluten free basically means starting over. I might as well not have any of that food in the pantry as most of it is now inedible.

I woke up this morning excited about trying new recipes and starting this new lifestyle. But I was also worried - what would I eat!? I experienced successes and failures in the kitchen today... doesn't help that I seem to be having one of those weekends where it doesn't really matter what I try to do in the kitchen, something will go wrong!

So what did I eat, you ask?

Gluten Binge

Well... we are down to only 3.5 days of "normal eating" left before the 30 Day Gluten Free Challenge begins! I find myself spending these last few days binging on all of my favorite foods that contain gluten, knowing that I will not be able to have them for the next month. There is also the possibility that I may have to go even longer if skipping out on gluten results in feeling much improved... that's almost a worrisome thought.

Furniture Rehab - Attempt #1

As I mentioned in my first ever blog post (which just happens to have been yesterday), I have recently developed an interest in giving new life to old pieces of wood furniture. It all started with the purchase of a piece I found that had been refinished by someone else -- an antique wash stand that now functions as our catch-all table in the entrance.

Blogging Virgin

Hello there, and welcome to my blog!

It is here that I hope to keep you semi entertained with posts about my life (I know, sounds dull already). Before you make your final judgement let me tell you a bit about why I decided to break my blogging virginity...