Random Thoughts(and, pictures) Thursday

Is it me or is the week just 'creeping' by?

At least we have a long weekend.

Here's my random thoughts for this Thursday along with pictures.

Don't get too excited.

* Believe it or not we have no big plans this weekend.

We're staying home and my goal is to get some shopping and cleaning done.

* Tonight is date night for Brad and I. Trying to think up something 'original' to do. Maybe visit a new restaurant or something. We run out of ideas.

* I'm loving the new season of 'Dance Moms'.  Those little girls are amazing! I love to watch them dance even though their teacher is a biatch.  I do think she's preparing them for life as a professional dancer, if that's what they choose, because from what I hear it's cut-throat.

Now for random pictures from this week.

Buddy and I watching the Tigers lose to Bama Monday night.

He was more into snoozing after the first quarter.

I made chicken divan 'lightened up', from Gina's Skinny Taste this week.

Pretty good for a low-cal version.

I've been visiting our Public Market a lot lately to buy fresh veggies.

Spotted these gorgeous sunflowers on display.

They were fake but I still thought they were amazing.

One of the things I picked up at the market this week were fresh beets.

I've heard a lot about roasting them lately so I gave it a try last night.

I scrubbed clean, cut off their top and bottom and wrapped in foil and popped in the oven.

Didn't keep them in there long enough but next time I'll know.

Dr. Oz says they're one of the best things for you!!

It's keeping with my New Year's goal of eating 'clean' foods.

We're also still eating our share of brussels sprouts, even though Brad told me yesterday that he's about tired of them.
I put them in a casserole last night so it wasn't as bad as him eating them roasted.

And, that's about all I have.

How's your Thursday?

Thoughts on Thursday

Time for Thoughts on Thursday.

I don't do this every week but I probably should.

Here's my brain dump.

*Last night's brussels sprouts recipe was a huge hit! Brad said it was one of the best things I've cooked in a while.  I personally thought it was tasty too but I think he liked it more because it was something out of our normal rotation of chicken, turkey burgers, grilled shrimp and an occasional casserole.

*We're taking niece and nephew, Reed and Paige, on their very first trip to the zoo!

We're trekking down to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC this weekend!

I can't wait!

The weather is suppose to be in the 60's and I love zoos!

*I'm counting down the days until next weekend when I travel up to Williamsburg, Virginia to spend the weekend with blog bestie, I Do Declare!

Who says you can't make friends from blogging?  I'm hoping to see some Fall color!

After that, I drive up to DC to spend the rest of the weekend with my parents as my Dad has won a big award and is being honored by the Secretary of the Army. 

More on that, in another post.

*Our renters are moving out of my condo near Uptown, so back to Craigslist we go.  Sure hope people aren't opposed to moving during the holidays.

*I'm presenting in front of a large group tonight for the Junior League of Charlotte and need to make notes for myself.

I'm sort of nervous but then I'm not.

I keep reminding myself that I was a Speech minor in college and think back to my days doing pageants and speech competitions.

I'll be fine! Right?

Well, that's all I have for today!

New Week and New Routines!

It's a new week and I'm excited because I've added a few new things into my routine.

One of them is something I heard about a few months ago. 

Making an affirmation list.

Do any of you do this and/or have done it?

It's basically a list of positive thoughts that you repeat to yourself on a daily basis.

Read about it here.

I started today and have written my list on index cards that I am going to keep in my purse and at my desk to look at throughout the day.

Not to sound corny, but just writing them down made me feel more positive!

YAY!

For being POSITIVE!

The other big addition to my weekly routine is strength training!

I've been on a 2-year hiatus on lifting weights but started back yesterday.

Our gym, Planet Fitness, has circuit training.

It's a full body work-out in 30-minutes done by rotating weight machines when signaled by a stoplight on the wall.

In between you use these steps that you see above to keep your heart rate up.

This is my first try with circuit training so I'm interested to see the results!

I'm a big walker, so this is just an addition to my regular exercise routine.

I just feel better and stronger when I exercise more.

I'm hoping this helps create a better Dee as well!

Have you added anything new to your routine latley to help you feel better mentally and physically?