The perfect water bottle

I have been trying to get myself to drink more water for years with no such luck. I hate leaving a cup around. . all the dust that gets in there and plastic bottles leave that plastic taste to your water. . .big yuck. Over the years I had purchased many plastic bottles . .all different brands and levels of BPA free. . .still that taste!

Until I discovered life factory water bottles. . .now I drink plenty of water . . my running has improved, my skin, my hair. . . water really makes a difference!

I discovered lifefactory bottles http://www.lifefactory.com/ when I was pregnant with Brooke and I was looking for an alternative to plastic baby bottles. A friend recommended the brand and right away I fell in love with them.

Not only are they stylish but the water tastes soooo much better! Everything is dishwasher safe, they have a silicone sleeve to protect the glass if you drop it. And the best part is they now have a sports tops for runners!

The first one I purchased had a screw off wide top which I learned to get use to while sitting but trying to run on the treadmill and drink was impossible. I have a hard enough time sitting in a chair not spilling it all over me (apparently there is a hole in my lip somewhere that I am still searching for). So now at least I have a smaller top to work with. . .this I can actually work with without getting all over me.

Note: I only use this at the gym, I never run with water . ..it slows me down and running with glass would be heavy and not recommended.

They have several differnt colors and even though pink is really not my typical color. . it reminds me of my daughter so I had to have pink. Pink is just her color and every time I look at it I think of her.

So if you haven't tried lifefactory water bottles . . .please do! They are a great company and sell a great product! I have enjoyed my first bottle for over a year now and my second one is even better. And it you are looking for an alternative to plastic baby bottle . . .I loved them as well and they now even have sippy tops to convert your old bottle to sippy cups. Now my daughter has her own water bottle to match mommy's:)

Back in the old routine and checking off the list!

While anxiously awaiting my last test score (hopefully by February 3rd) I dusted off my running shoes once again. I sadly put these away a few months ago when I got to the peak of my running season last year. In October I was running at least 6 miles twice a week . . .which may not seem like a lot to some but from a girl that use to hate gym class. . .it was awesome! I felt amazing! But with the cold weather and my study & work schedule it just became impossible to get to the gym. We have no room for a treadmill in our house so I just gave it up until the exam was over.

So I broke out my sneaks and worked out a schedule so that even during tax season I am still getting to the gym 3 times a week. And boy what a great feeling. . .you grumble all the way there the first time or two but by the third time you start to feel like you need it as much as sleep.

10.5 miles for my first week . . .3, 3.5, & 4. Not bad at all. I was worried since it took me forever last year to get past 3 miles. . .but I finally learned to slow down if you want to go the distance and to not worry about the speed. . .speed will come later. So for now a 10 1/2 or 11 mile is good enough! I will get back to my 8 1/2 or 9 later.



And my noro blanket is coming together. . .one more square! How exciting! I love it already. I never would have thought I could get through an entire blanket and not hate it by the end. It must be the noro. . .you can’t hate noro!

Having time again

What a wonderful thing time is:) My test is over and I am just waiting for my final results. The test itself felt really great. . I wasn't caught off guard by anything and I put a lot of study time in so hopefully all of my hard work this past year will pay off and I will finally have my CPA license.

And I am so thankful that I finally invested in Becker's CPA review. . .it really made the difference. Information was well organized and their study tips and tricks were just what I needed along with the lecture. I comprehend so much more in a lecture than by reading it myself. . .I need the stories and the funny jokes to really have it sink in. My hats off to them. They really put together a good quality product.




And although it is tax season, I have rearranged my schedule to allow for three days at the gym. . .two long work days and a Saturday work day. Other than that my time is my own. No bringing home work on the other days . . .those are for rest and Brookie time.


And I woke up this morning at 8! Oh how nice that felt. I feel like a new person. I haven't slept past 6 in years!




And finally my project for the past few weeks when I had 10 to 15 minutes to relax has been the paintbox log cabin blanket by Katherine Keyes. It has been so much fun. . .really! And even though it is a long and large project. . .I am not even fed up with it yet! 20 blocks, each a different skein of noro. . .what could be more fun! And it's just knitting. . .couldn't be more perfect to start when you just want to make something but don't have the brain power to handle something complicated. Hence why I started this during my final leg of the CPA exam. I really needed to have just a little knit time to release some tension but didn't want something complicated to frustrate me. And so here I am . . . on block 16 with 4 more to go before I put them together. . . .so exciting!

Happy New Year!

I decided to actually make a few resolutions this year. . .

1. Pass my final CPA exam and obtain my license.

2. Get back to my running and actually run some races this year. I ran quite a bit last year but never ran an actual race . . . .this year I am shooting for a half-marathon. (as long as resolution 1 above is complete) :)

3. Actually do something with the craft stashes I have (knitting, spinning, sewing, & scrapbooking). I have stopped accumulating more stuff but I have not had any time in the past two years to actually put a dent in them. I would really like a more healthy crafting environment . . .not one that makes me feel guilty every time I open the door! (as long as resolution 1 above is complete . . .I should be good :)

4. Cook more from scratch. I actually do quite a bit of this now (especially baking) but I really want to expand this for my health and the health of my family. Like most things cooking from scratch takes time. . .something I have not had a lot of in the past few years.

So, with that in writing. . .let the new year begin! Officially only 8 days until exam day. . . .I can almost see those three letters at the end of my name . . .bring it on. I have worked hard and I am so ready for the challenge!

Off for my final review. . .until post exam day. . ttfn :)

Time flys. . .

When you are having fun. . .December has come and gone in a blur . . .but boy was it fun. Passed number 3 of the CPA exam. . .almost ready to take number 4 . . . and the final exam (yahoo!). Had a blast baking cookies, breads, scones, and all sorts of goodies for Christmas gifts. I have really missed baking. . .so glad I picked it up again. I really look forward to the days of having time to REALLY bake. Especially with Brooke. She loves baking so much that we got her a kitchen set for Christmas so that she can bake with Mommy with her OWN pots and pans. The past few days have been filled with "baking" and "taste it". . . .baking does really come from the heart:)

In the middle of all this I was able to finish Brooke's Owlet sweater and take a photo shoot a few weeks ago. I really love this sweater. . .pattern was easy and its just so adorable on her. I highly recommend!

In the mist of all the studying and baking I was some how able to put together 50 Christmas cards this year. . .it was like a card production line and by the time it was over . . .I was carded out! Its was another "Dear Santa" on the outside. . .and on the inside it read. . ."Got Milk?"

I really hope that every Christmas card is this much fun. . . .so far its been such a blast. Now to come up with an idea for next year. . . . .oh boy!

Today is the day. . .

the beginning of the Christmas season. That's right . . .I am at home in my woolies knitting, baking and listening to my Christmas play list. . . .oh so happy!! It's still hunting season . . .and I am actually not in a bad mood!

I absolutely love Christmas music! And I would have to say my all time favorite is the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack. Being a big lover of jazz it is just the perfect mix of jazz and Christmas music.

So my bread is in the kitchen rising, Brookie is playing, and I am cozy knitting away on her owlet sweater while songs of cheer and chestnuts roasting are in the air :)

Completed Cowl

A finished project! In all this craziness that is my life I am surprised I can finish anything these days. Hunting season is in full force which makes my life a living nightmare not to mention making me as ugly as a bear woken in the middle of hibernation. Especially this year with all the added work stress, CPA exam stress, and Brooke being at the age where she is into everything and pushing my every button. Oh how I can't wait for the new year. . .even though it will be the start of tax season . . .the exam will hopefully be over, I will not be doing any bookkeeping duties and more . ..and hunting season will be OVER!

Sorry, . . . .back to the happy place. The Chickadee Cowl really came out nice I think. Really bummed I have to give it away but it was a fun knit so I can make one for myself. Love this colors. . .especially the white alpaca which has a nice fuzzy softness that adds a nice elegance to the piece.

And the stitch . . .looks almost woven doesn't it. An enjoyable and recommended knit.