I did it!

Day 30 of Jillian Michaels' 30-Day Shred has been COMPLETED!! Yea, me!! This is the first time I have *ever* stuck with an exercise program for longer than a week. I started this program with my co-worker, but I think she stopped the program about 10 days ago. The poundage didn't come off as easily as it did after my first kid so I decided to do something about it. This program kicked my butt! I was SO sore after the first day and even MORE sore the second day, but I worked through it. It has three levels that last 10 days each. I skipped maybe 4 days total, but I made them up with each level (so, instead of ending on the actual day 30, I ended on day 34). I'm sure I could've spread out the 30 days even more, but I chose to dive right in - I do this every day. It's ONLY 20 minutes. Who doesn't have 20 minutes to spend on themselves? In addition, weather permitting, I go for a very brisk (about 4 mph) walk at lunch for about 25 minutes. It lets me get out of the office, clear my mind and I get some fresh air. Even though the work outs made me sore (some of them even made me nauseous), it has been worth it. I haven't lost much in the way of pounds on the scale, but I know I have toned things up. I feel better. I sleep better. My clothes fit better. What now? The Biggest Loser Workout: Power Sculpt. I just have to wait for it to be delivered via Netflix. In the meantime, I'm going to keep up my workouts with 30-Day Shred. The payout: I get compliments from friends and family (and even some patients) AND I feel like I've accomplished something. Alas, no pictures today...I'm not *quite* ready for that.

Listening to Strangelove by Depeche Mode
Mood PROUD

It's a Fantasea

This is the one that started it all - again. Once upon a time, I used to have a ton of nail polishes...all sorts of colors. I kept them all very neatly contained in a clamp-top plastic tote. Somehow, it's one of the few things that has followed me through moves in California and countless locations in New Mexico. Anyway, my BFF, Wendi, decided we were going to have a girl's day. And...she mentioned that Sally's was having a sale on nail polish (buy 2, get 1 free). So, we went. We spent at least 20 minutes oohing and aahing over the polishes - too many to chose from. I ended up with three beauties: Orly Fantasea, Nina Ultimate Pro Caribbean Blue and China Glaze Vertical Rush. We went back to Wendi's apartment and the beautification commenced. We drooled over her many, many eye shadows (can you say: intervention?). We both did our nails for the first time in a very long time without the "assistance" of wandering, not-so-helpful little fingers. This is the outcome of the first of MANY self-administered manicures.

Orly Fantasea with 2 coats, no top coat

This is a beautiful purple with rose shimmer, *almost* a duochrome, but not quite. I love that the Orly bottles come with rubberized handles. One of my (many) pet peeves is when I ask the hubbs to open a bottle and it's returned to me mangled because he had to use pliers to get the dang thing open! I think this polish would've worn very well, but I used a rather old, thick clear coat and it caused it to chip and crack. I have since gotten new top coat (in one of my other two subsequent visits to Sally's) and all the other polishes I've used have done very well with it. Oh, and did I mention that Wendi did my makeup? Check it out on her blog here: Makeup Zombie. Coincidentally, the makeup look pretty much matched my polish color. She did such a good job - it was kinda disappointing to not go out after she did such a beautiful look for me.

So, there's my first NOTD (nail of the day). You're right, Loretta. I didn't have a blog post about nail polish...yet!

Listening to Stay by Dave Matthews Band
Mood: meh

Dessert first?

Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces. Judith Viorst


I had grand ideas for my second post, but having just completed a butt-kicking 25-minute circuit workout, my brain is pretty much mush. I've made this horribly delicious chocolate Bundt cake more than a couple times and every time, without fail, it gets rave reviews. The only down part? There's never any left over to bring home. So...here ya go! And be sure to see the glaze recipe that follows. I've found that it makes WAY more than enough for the cake, but it can be saved to be used for dipping fruit, etc. (Pardon all the junk in the background of the picture. What can I say? Baking usually takes place in the middle of about a million other projects.)


Chocolate Lovers' Favorite Cake

1 (18.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix (not with added pudding)

1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix

2 cups sour cream
1 cup melted butter

5 eggs

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350*. Grease a 10-inch Bundt pan.

In a large bowl, stir together cake mix and pudding mix. Make a well in the center and pour in sour cream, melted butter, eggs and almond extract. Beat on low speed until blended. Scrape sides of bowl and beat on medium for 4 minutes. Blend in chocolate chips. Pour batter in to prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 50 - 55 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out to a wire rack and cool completely.

Once cooled, glaze with chocolate glaze (see below).

Easy Chocolate Bundt Cake Glaze

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips. Cook, stirring constantly, until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Do not allow it to bubble. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla. Cool slightly before drizzling over a cake. If you want to make this ahead, it can be cooled and reheated in the microwave.

Listening to: Breakdown by Breaking Bejamin
Mood: Wiped OUT!

Maiden Voyage

OK. So. After much insistence from a friend who shall remain namless *cough*Wendi*cough*, I have finally decided to start a blog. What is it about, you ask? Well...a lot of stuffs and a lot of nothing. LOL I'll be using this forum to keep every one updated on myself, family and goings on around my part of the world.

For starters, I am a 30-something mom, wife, and all-around crazy person (not necessarily in that order). I am married to a wonderful man, friend, and provider: Neil. We'll have been married for six years in June. Speaking of June...my youngest son, Mason, will turn one (I don't want to think about *that* yet). And in the following month, Nate, my oldest son, will turn four (and if he doesn't get out of the "terrible twos" by then, we're gonna have some problems. LOL). I'm a California Native, but I live in New Mexico - the Land of Entrapment, I mean, Enchantment. I've been here for 10 years and it's home now. I work full-time at a multi-specialty medical clinic where I primarily work with two awesome chiropractors and I also kinda do whatever it is that every one else needs. I've been with the clinic for seven (!) years and I really like my job. Some days are better than others, but isn't that usually the case? *sigh* What else? Between trying to balance all of THAT, I've been on an exercise kick as of late (more on that later), have been reintroduced to my love affair with nail polish and am on a quest to fill my house with a ton of cookbooks. Oh, and in the middle of all that, squeeze in some TV time: Big Bang Theory (we have a lot in common with the show - married a certified comic geek), Lost (kinda glad it's the LAST season), Parenthood (gotta watch my man, Peter Krause), Breaking Bad (Bryan Cranston is THE best actor on TV) and the Fox Sunday lineup. And you can't forget my BFF and her hubby, Wendi and Ben, and their gaggle of kiddos. :)

I think that's enough for my very first post. Stay tuned for some updates on the kidlets, anniversary plans, nail polish swatches, maybe a makeup look or two and some recipes here and there. In the meantime, here are a couple pics to complete my introduction.



Me & my first born, Nathaniel (Nate) - taken at Easter this year



My hubby, Neil, and my beautiful boys Mason (in the pack) and Nate - taken on a little hike today.


Me and my little boy, Mason - taken at Easter this year