Bad days….

​continued from my FB post

👑🌻💛

Here I go with my bullshit, again…..

So depression. I’m not gonna deny nor hide the fact that I got it. Shit, I AM NOT, the only fckn one. 

I think too many people misunderstand how this works. So for me, I’m not always down, tired, emotional, blah….I mean, obvi - you’ve seen my TikToks?! 🙄🤦🏼‍♀️ it’s come and go…mind you, I am not medicated, currently. I’m researching that. Pretty much all I’m using at the moment is literal sunshine and time outside along with some ashwagandha gummies….and flower. 💚 

I have days where I start out crying but it ends up being the best day - sometimes I just wanna sleep and or cry…sometimes, it’s all of those things. I practice gratitude CONSTANTLY! And that honestly, is the biggest thing for me..well, gratitude, music and my people.

My people being the ones who send me random texts, who video call and just love on me whether I think I need it or not….

So, moral of the story…..it’s totally ok. You are totally ok. Think about it this way….if you didn’t have the bad days, how would you know what was good and be able to truly appreciate that?!? 

Be good to you. 💛✨

What Doesnt Kill You.....

 oh, man, I havent written a blog post in for-ev-errrr! 

I need somewhere other than TikTok or Facebook, though, where I can journal and make long ass posts lol mostly this is for me to heal and awaken and all that fun stuff but it would be cool as shit if my story or my journey helped someone else through their storm.

 

Lets make this the "first" of many to come. Let me just tell you what happened....

Ok so lets go back to the beginning of my chaos...June 2020 my hubby's sister was killed in a motorcycle accident...that was devastating...Next month in July I go into ER for kidney stones, because, ya know, thats my thing. I find out I also have CHF. I guess my BP skyrocketed and my EF was only 25%! I go on meds for that....January comes, Im back in hospital because I think im having a heart attack - nope - false alarm, but CT showed I had more kidney stones and fibroids......March back in hospital for kidney stones and surgery....Now, April 26th - I have my gyno appt for fibroids, my uterus looks like a loofah and she doesnt know what it is so shes sending me to the oncologist....not even an hour later, Im heading home and am in a near head on collision. The guy ran the stop sign and hit me as im going 60+mph smashes the passenger side into me....Cuts and bruises and my tibia is broke all the way through.....Its July 12th and Im still not walking...Oh, did i mention that June 2 I had another kidney surgery then June 9th, a hysterectomy...yeah, thats important to mention lol Anyway, thats the stuff above that awakening me and Im sharing as I heal and unbecome.

Feel free to find me on tiktok - @hotmomvibes I have little vids of the car from the accident...

Baby's First Painting Class

Join us for Baby's First Art Class!
Ages 3 & under
We have small and large canvases available. (Lrg is shown in pic)
Fees include all supplies - Just bring you and baby!
Sm. Canvas: $25
Lg. Canvas: $45
We will be painting in the grass with edible non-toxic fingerpaints.

Class will be from 1-3pm at the Mineola Nature Preserve - We will meet by the pavillion.

All supplies will be provided. Bring clothes baby can get dirty or let them paint in their diaper!

Weather looks to be nice and sunny!

Sign up now to reserve your spot in class!

Deadline to sign up 10/12/17

Canvas Size

Large $45.00 USD Small $25.00 USD Extra Canvas - lg $15.00 USD Extra Canvas - Sm $10.00 USD

Pumpkin Spice Latte Shake

I literally count the days to Fall every year...I...love...everything...about Fall! I get up earlier (even though its still dark out) I have energy (weird, right?!) and I actually get up and workout without bitching! (imagine that?!? lol)  

One of the other things that motivates me in the morning is my Shakeology! Not like I need a reason to eat or drink seasonal stuff, but here's one of my fave recipes! I hope you enjoy! What's your fave!?

www.facebook.com/coachniki

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Hey ghouls! Well, its been a few days since Ive heard about any of the clown madness, but still, we are getting home before dark and gonna Netflix & chill!

Wishing you all the happiest halloween! Be careful out there and always have fun!

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www.facebook.com/jazijills

First Time Homebuyers: Avoid these 5 things

Buying your first home? Exciting and scary, right?! I know that once you get pre approval from your lender to start house shopping its easy to go full force and jump into what you might feel in your heart to be "the one", so here are 5 mistakes to avoid that will save you money, tears an regret:
1. Separate Your Emotions - I know this is hard - buying your first home is an all around emotional event. Keep your cool, stay level headed, ask questions and research! Don't buy it just because you love the pool or the color of the kitchen....Remind yourself that this is the biggest financial decision you have had to make in your life....Its an investment - so be sure you are getting the most for your $ and will get a good return on investment when/if you decided to sell in the future.
2. Get a good realtor. Period. Having a good realtor will be your best resource in everything you do related to your new home and future homes. A good realtor will know the market, programs available for first time  homebuyers and anything else about your potentially new neighborhood that you need to know. Another thing to know is that you do not have to go through the listing agent to see or buy a house. Just about any realtor can show you any home....Find a good realtor and let them make this a great experience.
3. Skipping your home inspection. Again, this is a huge financial investment, you wouldn't want to buy and be locked into a loan for a house you thought was perfect but not until you moved in did you realize the walls were filled with termites and the electrical was from the 1800's. lol Seriously, this will help you determine if its the best investment for you and it allows you to know what is wrong or needs attention. Do.Not.Skip.Inspection.
4. Money. Yup, money. You need to know how much you can afford, first off, but you need to also ask yourself: does your loan payment include taxes & insurance? How much down do I need. Is my rate fixed or adjustable....Ask these questions, research. Be confident you can afford your new home. Also, don't go spending money either, like new cars or big ticket items....Wait until after you close on your home if you need to make a big purchase.
5. Rushing. Take your time. Have questions? Get answers. Research. Research. Research...then research some more. It is so important to not rush into the first house you fall in love with...Make a list of what you want in your first home like size, community, schools, shopping, taxes...so many things...Don't rush into this...Its like a marriage, long term...you have to be happy with this decision and it be the best for your and your family.

Hope you find those tips helpful. Please subscribe for future posts!

5 Simple, Quick & Healthy Meals

Next week I will be doing the 21 Day Fix again and so Im preparing my meal plan for the first week. I found that Pinterest is my favorite source of inspiration. So, below, find my 5 meals for next week and shout out to the bloggers linked!


  Since, I have a pretty large family and cooking separate meals for my family and then me just doesn't make sense. So, here are 5 Dinners I will be shopping for and preparing this weekend for the whole family! You can imitate my meals or customize for yourself. if you are following along! If you click on the link it will take you the recipe.

Now - some of these will be freezer meals so I can just get them out and either pop them in the crockpot before work or toss in a pan when I get home.

Lemon Garlic Chicken from @Simplyanchoredblog

1. Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos
2. Mexican Lasagna
3. Crock pot stuffed enchilada peppers
4. Sauce for spaghetti or whatever pasta you want to use & Sloppy Joes
5. Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

Italian Sausage & Roasted Tomato Pasta

Let me just start out by saying that this turned out ahhh.mazing! I had some cherry tomatoes that the neighbor gave us from their garden and knew I couldn't eat enough salads before they went bad, so I perused on Pinterest and tweeked this a bit to come up with this yummy concoction!
First, you'll need your ingredients:
1 whole yellow onion, quartered and sliced
2-3 cups of cherry tomatoes or roma tomatoes cubed

1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon of crushed garlic (in jar)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
basil - for spinkling over top
-Toss above ingredients in a bowl to coat the veggies.
-Prepare a baking sheet with foil (or not - I do it to reduce on the cleaning)
-Pour the uncooked ingredients from the bowl that you coated, onto the baking sheet...let the oil drip until its about gone. :)
-Slow roast on 250 for about 3 hours.I didn't pre-heat, I just threw it in there about 5 minutes or so after turning on the oven.

Next:
When the veggies have about 30 minutes left to roast - you will want to cook 1 pkg of spaghetti or linguini as per package instructions.
Brown 1lb of mild Italian sausage with a sprinkle of brown sugar. (brown sugar optional)
When the sausage was done I added alfredo sauce (just plain classic alfredo - I used the sauce in a jar but feel free to make from scratch with flour, parmesan and milk) and let it simmer on the stove - by this time your veggies should be roasted - add them to the alfredo/sausage sauce. Let simmer covered while you waited for the noodles to finish cooking.
Once the noodles are cooked and drained. Return noodles to pot or large serving bowl. Stir in the roasted veggies alfredo sauce and toss with noodles. I added some more red pepper flakes.
Maybe top with some fresh parmesan cheese or bacon!

You're ready to serve!

Make sense? I'm not the expert on recipe writing - I'm better just showing you - :P so please forgive me if something sounds confusing but please let me know so I can edit it!




Voila!

 

This turned out so good! Let me know how it turned out for you and if you made any adjustments! Bon Apetit!

Until next time!

I always love hearing from y'all!

USDA - Rural Housing Loans

Whenever I tell people that our mortgage is through the USDA they automatically think "beef".....LOL Not the case. If you are a rural resident, USDA offers an amazing opportunity for funding where you may otherwise not be qualified through FHA, your bank or other lenders.  Here are the two types of residential loans, and my two cents on the one we got for our first home.

First off, let me just tell you that people love to say no. They love to tell you you aren't ready or do this first or you need this....I wasn't having it....If there is a will there is a way, damnit! :P Seriously, I had already tried 2 times to get buy our first house, each time being turned down, but learning some valuable things. We had even gone to our banker about a car loan, but also talked to him about buying our first home. He looked at our credit report and of course told us that we would  need to save 20% and pay off some of the debt and increase our score well over 650, etc., etc....This was the Summer of 2009...In August 2010 we closed on our first house. I'll tell you how.....

Our situation was something like this:

#1. We had lots of old debt - so here's what I did over the course of several months: I went through our credit reports, you can get a free copy from all 3 bureaus once a year. I used annualcreditreport.com , wrote letters to creditors listed in my reports (be sure to check for misinformation or duplicates)  either disputing or asking for proof that it was even my/hubs debt. This takes a month or two to start hearing back, but because some were so old, they were not verifiable from being sold off so many times, they were deleted from our reports. The debt that was verified, I went through and offered settlements. I found some letters/templates online and just customized them. Because some were so old like over 3 years, I offered ridiculously low settlements and was accepted on all but just a few. For example, Hubs owed an old Verizon phone bill that had been sold off to a debt management company several times over, the bill was over $1,000, I settled it for $25. No lie.  You just need to be diligent, write the letters disputing and then offering settlements, you do not have to be a lawyer or know one, just find the right letter to imitate online for free and make your offers. (that you can afford to pay promptly upon their acceptance).
Other debt we made payment arrangements for and within about 6-8 months, our credit score went from being in the 400's to 580, which awesomely is acceptable for a USDA loan. Also, USDA will somewhat dismiss or forgive debt that is over 3 years old, medical or school related.

#2. We had no $ saved for a down payment (I had just spent anything we had on resolving our debt) but I was determined to buy a house, I was sick of renting from slumlords and I went ahead and applied for a loan, provided all the information they required to make a decision and waiting on a pre-approval letter so I could start house hunting (although, I was already house hunting - but to let the sellers and Realtor know we were serious and qualified buyers, you need this letter)...Seriously, the loans can be up to 100% including closing fees, so don't freak out thinking you need 20% down, because you don't always need a down payment.

#3. Realtor or Not - We had a realtor that we had working with us, and I say "with" not "for" because I did about  95% of the work. She pretty much just printed MLS sheets for us and opened doors. I found all of the houses and did the research for the area, vendors, etc. We are a family of 6..She was wanting to show us 2 bedroom houses...Grrr!
We eventually found our new home - for sale by owner and she did not want to use a Realtor. This was fine. Her and I both did what we could to get things done for the title company, USDA and whatever else needed to be done. We learned a lot along that way, too! Especially, trying to understand the inspections report! :P I wish I had a better realtor, but hey, she inspired me to know what is expected from a home buyer, especially a first time rural homebuyer.  She had no idea the programs available to me. I was actually telling her. This is a huge investment and you will need to do a lot of reading and asking and comparing....Its worth it, you should not go into this assuming other people will let you know what you should or trusting that everyone is working in your best interest. Always prepare and educate yourself.


Here are the Single Family Housing Programs offered through the USDA.  Click on links to be directed to the USDA's website on the topic with the details you need to find out if you qualify and how to apply.  These loans are directed to low income families in rural areas (now, don't assume you are or aren't low income, Click here for Income Eligibility. )

Direct Home Loans: 

Guaranteed Home Loans: (this is what we have)

Housing Repair Loans & Grants:

USDA offers hope where you think there may be none anytime soon. Spend some time on their website for details on eligibility and where/how to apply and answers to other questions you may not realize you have.  I encourage you to at least talk to someone about your options and as always, message me with questions! I'd love to help you!

Was this post helpful? Have your own tips or resources? Comment below or ask me about being a guest blogger!
 Until next time! 

Realtor: Journey of a Gonna-Be, Pt. 1

Since I was a little girl I have been fascinated with real estate as a whole.  From abandoned houses, historic and modern architecture, home decor, cultural living, investing, people, I just find passion in it..... My grandfather was in Real Estate and so is my mother, and my Dad was a contractor....So, I'm no stranger, yet there's always something to learn and improve on.
Sparing you the major event in which finally inspired me to just do this, its time. 2016 is my year for big change - after all, if your goals don't scare you, they aren't big enough, right?! Besides...how else will I reach millionaire status by the time I'm 40?! LOL

Since both my father and grandfather are passed and my mother lives in another state, I've had to do a lot of my own research and footwork, thus, I'm sharing with you what I think will be helpful if you too, are thinking of or already started your journey.

First, I'm in Texas and most states have their own requirements and things for becoming a licensed real estate agent, so I'll mostly be writing about what to do, how and where to get it done and how much it's going to cost you...in Texas....Here's to you and a kick ass journey of your own!

1. Education
Yeah, well, you have to do this part. There's no way around it.  You will see that when you search "how to become a real estate agent" or "Real Estate Schools" you will find a wide array of choices and pricing. If you are like me, I'm looking for the least expensive accredited school!
I attend the MLM360Training.com use my link below to get up to 35% off of your courses. The discount will leave you to pay less than $400 for the complete set of courses required in Texas.  I did a 2 payment plan of $179 each to complete mine. The courses are very easy to follow, you can chose to receive your text books in the mail or PDF copy digitally, work at your own pace, great study guides & support - and when you are ready for the course exam...Its open book! Seriously, you shouldn't fail.
MLM360Training Course discount link  
(this link has an expiration date, so if you find this and it has lapsed, just message me! Ill getcha a new code)

2. License Application & Fingerprinting, TREC
In Texas, once you have finished up and passed all your courses, you will need to visit the TREC website (or your local real estate commission)and put in your license application. This is around a $250 fee that includes your required fingerprinting fee. You will need to send in copies of proof of all your completed courses when you submit your payment and application, just attach in your email (trust me, this will save you time by just sending it all now rather than waiting for them to tell you to do it.) You will then need to schedule a test time to take your final license exam and have your fingerprints recorded, this too, needs to be done through the TREC or your state's real estate commission.

3. Realtor Association and other fees
There's a difference between a Real Estate Agent and a Realtor, you know this, right?! An agent is a licensed sales person and a Realtor is a licensed sales person whom belongs to the Board of Realtors and pays their dues quarterly ($150 per quarter here in TX). Here's a list of fees to consider:

Real Estate office: You will want to spend some time deciding what agency is the best fit for you. Plus you will need a broker tp sponsor you as a new agent, as well.  Each one has their own office/desk fees, etc. For example, Keller Williams in Tyler, TX. Fees are $130 initial then $55 month thereafter, this includes, training classes offered by KW & associates (not including paid special guests, of course), use of office software, computers and other machines, Omissions & Errors insurance.

MLS: $150 per quarter.

GTAR, NAR & TAR: Greater Tyler Area Realtors - you will pay your national, state and local dues through GTAR. (Including your MLS) Visit here to find the application and pricing - including a prorated list. Expect to pay around $860-$900 for the year just in fees/dues....You will have other costs, too...Like your business cards, marketing costs, signs & sign riders, the list goes on, but that is with any business.

These are just some basics, yet some of the most important things to consider when deciding to become a real estate agent/Realtor....
If you have anything to add, please comment below or ask me about being a guest blogger.
I wish you much success in your endeavors!

Part 2, coming soon  - Helpful forums, websites, tools....

Be sure to follow me! You'll find my social links to your right :)

3 Ways to Stay Focused

Oh lawd, can I tell you a thing or two about staying focused errr better yet, how NOT to stay focused.......Squirrel!
I'm definitely a creative mind - I go from one thing to the next being inspired and motivated to losing that mojo and vegging in front of the TV in defeat from lack of whatever it is you need to stay focused or rather because the new season of New Girl is out...... lol Either way, I have vowed to do it....I have so many big goals that in order to get them done and not look back in a year at how far I could be...I'm putting these three things into strict practice:

1.  Write it down and make an inspiration board
I have always written my goals and I usually do it over and over, several times...with revisions almost every time...and that ok. Except, I'd lose sight of that list and forget about some great things I wrote down that I wanted to accomplish but didnt....So, to fix that - I have a composition book labeled "2016" . In here I have daily, weekly, monthly up to 5 years goals jotted down along with my weekly/monthly budget planned out for 6 months. This helps me know what I need to save and what to expect ahead. Again, this list changes and gets edited, but for the most part, I know what I can and cannot spend and how long before I get to where I'm going.
The inspiration board - this is an old hack but I jacked it while watching Happy Endings on Hulu. All those newspaper, magazine, photos, menus, etc. that Ive hoarded through the years and for those to come, Im putting on the board. This board is a trifold (You can find them at Dollar Tree) - so I have it broken down to  1 year, 3 year and 5 year goals for now.....


2.  Get off your phone! (and other devices)
Seriously, I don't have my phone anywhere near me when Im working on a project. I turn the ringer up so I can hear if anyone calls, but I have turned off all notifications so Im not tempted to read an email, text or see what my neighbor posted on Facebook. Then my laptop is super slow, so having social media tabs open just slows it down even more.  I have up my necessary sites and work offline whenever possible while Im needing to focus on whats in front of me. I promise you - all the distractions can wait and you will be so proud to discover what you can accomplish without all that temptation.

3.  Get Comfy
Take off your shoes, put on your favorite music or none at all, get yourself some hot tea or whatever you like and a snack to much on.  I have found that when I need to focus, I need to be comfortable, too. Even if Im not at home, I take my shoes off, pull one leg under my thigh, and get comfy! It allows you to relax, therefore enabling you to focus on whats in front of you.

I could go on to about 50 things for this list, but for now, I think these 3 should help you get focused at any time of day.  

Do you have a ritual or certain things you do to get and stay focused on whatever you're working on? Please leave me a comment or send me a message! And as always, follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest! 

Be sure to subscribe, so you can get my posts right to your email.

Talk soon!

Antiques and Good Food - Mineola, TX

So, when you are in Mineola it is just about impossible not stop in one of the little antique shops or malls...You'll find all kinds of inspiration and goodies and of course, the best places to eat! Mmmm! Its fun to enjoy while visiting or just something to do if you live nearby..... Its every flea market lovers dream...

Here are a few of the booths and shops I enjoy when shopping Downtown Mineola!

Be sure to stop in next time and tell them you saw my blog post!

P.S. I Love you,

This is a newly opened shop that is perfect for the Shabby Chic lover in you.  The atmosphere is so cozy and sweet. Not to mention the shop owners are the friendliest. The girls have some beautiful furniture, that they actually antique/age themselves - you will find many treasures in this shop - so be sure to stop in a visit, I promise you'll love this sweet little shop. You can find them on Facebook, too!

Becky & Terri @ PS I Love You

Karen's Korner, at the corner of Broad and Johnson St.

This shop is soooooo cool! Its actually an antique mall - two stories with several little booths inside that have things from jewelry, candles, vintage linens and memorabilia and so much more to mention. Be sure you follow all staircases and peek into all the little hidden corners. Be sure to "Like" them on Facebook!

Shabby Chic-ness at Karen's Korner

East Texas Burger Co., & La Waffalata  & Antique mall attached

Ruben @ La Waffalata

The La Waffalata is a cute bakery and tea room style restaurant nestled between its brother East Texas Burger Company and the ----- antique mall. The Burger side is run by Ken Davis and La Waffalata by Debbi Davis. Debbi has had per hand in TV shows, a morning segment at the local news station, cookbooks and more. This company is very family oriented. They have great food, great atmosphere and is a must visit when you are in town.  You can order a burger from ETBC while sitting at the La Waffalata, that by the way, offers many gluten free menu options. My favorites are the Philly Steak and the Rueben. And as always, I love seeing Angela - she's the sweetest hugger you will ever meet.....PS. my hubs will probably be the guy on the grill when you order a burger. ;) So be sure to say hi and tell them you read this post!
Check them out on Facebook and their Website

These are only a couple of many many shops and restaurants to see and indulge in while in Mineola. If you have a favorite spot you want to share please comment below? Would you like to be a guest blogger?! Just message me!
Be sure to follow me on here, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. See you soon!

Try Before you Buy

Moving out of state or the area you know can be scary and mysterious, especially, if you aren't sure of where you want to move or you want to "feel" out the area before you buy. Finding jobs, new schools, community events etc, are things you can research online, but actually visiting and staying with your family for a few days or even weeks, in your area of interest, can help you learn about the area and help you decide if its the right place for you and your family.

     After accidentally finding this awesome site, I highly recommend you consider browsing through for a rental in your desired area rather than renting a hotel......just put in your area, number of guests and the date range to find available homes... On Airbnb, you can browse and rent local homes that are usually furnished and the owners rent seasonally or daily. You have the amenities of home and can ask the owner questions they would know the answers to about the area, economy, schools, entertainment and more....a resident is better than Google. :) (but, I still love Google for everything else)
       Be sure, of course, to check the reviews and make sure you are clear on terms and whats included before you book your stay.

So, next time you need a place to stay or are interested in an area before you move, try Airbnb.com 

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and Instagram

Recycling Day at Caldwell Zoo

Every year, the first weekend of October, the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, hosts Phone Book Recycling Day where you bring in your old phone books and get a free admission for an adult or child per phone book. For the last 6 or 7 years we have made this a tradition. Not only are we recycling and getting to see the animals in the zoo, but we meet with family and friends and make a day of it.  We never miss it. I'd say, if you are
Enjoy our photos from this year's trip!

 

Find me on Facebook & Instagram! @agentnikibell

5 Things NOT TO Do Before Buying A Home

 Yes, that's right! The home buying and mortgage process is already pretty precise so to prevent denials or delays, here are 5 things you should not do before buying a home.

Follow me on Facebook for listing and tips. 

3 Ways to Sell Your Home Faster

Here are 3 super beneficial tips in helping make your home more appealing to buyers, therefore, selling it quicker!

1. Declutter - Less is more. Potential buyers want to envision their things in your home. You may love your photo collage on the wall, but buyers may not, and since you will be moving soon, (hopefully after your next showing) minimize everything in your home, stash those old newspapers or bills piled up on the counter and make sure there are clear walkways.

2. Landscaping - You don't have to hire a master gardener, but walking up to a home with a fresh cut lawn and swept porch or doorway, makes all the difference.

3. Find a great realtor. You can have success selling your own home, but a realtor has resources you don't have access to, like the MLS and more.  They have several advertising venues with a network of buyers and investors, and they have the expertise to help with the whole sale process including negotiating for the highest sale price.

Think of it this way, if you were going on a date, you want to look good for the other person, right?! Same goes with your home. Make it to where they choose your home over any other. Make it appealing to drive up to and walk into.
Hope that was helpful!

Find me on Facebook for listings and tips!

 

The road driving into the Mineola Nature Preserve.

Before & After

Ok, so if you've ventured out to lose weight and have been successful, you know that most commonly you are asked: "How did you do it?"....
Well, growing up, I was always super skinny. I was a size 0 when I got pregnant with my first daughter. Of course, 4 daughters later, including a set of twins, my body probably isn't capable of size 0 again, but I don't exactly have a desire to be that little either. I am now a proud size 8, 155 lbs and am 5'9. I don't want to be skinny. I want to be healthy. That is why I did this.
Now, let me tell you how I did it.....
For a little over 2 years I have been on an up and down weight loss-get-in-to-shape-feel better journey. I started out with the LoseIt app that is like a weigh loss social media network. It helps you count calories, record your progress and share. I love it! In 2011, when I first started, I was at 183lbs. I changed my eating eating habits, first, by dropping the Pepsi. Then making conscience decisions to move it, llitterally. Like, I would park farther away in the parking lot so I'd have to walk, or take the stairs instead of the elevator..Seriously, you'll notice a difference with such small changes. I then opened a business and well, for the next 10 months, I wasn't as active in pursuing my weight loss-get-in-to-shape-feel better journey. Being overweight, too, I suffered from acid reflux. It seemed like every night I would struggle with sleep because of the crazy heart burn I was having...Guess what?! Since I have lost the belly weight, I haven't had any trouble with heart bun - at all! Pretty nice if you know what I mean!
Alright, aside from kicking my Pepsi addiction, I of course, calorie count, and am very cautious of what goes into my body. I also workout now and when I can't I just make sure Im moving...I did Insanity (by Beachbody) I do Hip Hop Abs (Beachbody) to throw in a mix, I have done Zumba, going to the gym, and am actually doing the 21 Day Fix right now (message me if you wanna know more about it). If you can tell, I like change and to mix up my routines. I get bored easily, but not only that, with having a family and a full time job, I can't always commit to one type of workout. Just keep in mind that as long as you are consistent and careful with what you put in your body, you can be successful.

Here's me: 2011 & 2014

Subscribe for tips, tricks, recipes, workouts and advice I have found helpful in my journey. Not everyone is the same, so we won't all have the same results, but I hope that with providing you with weekly meals, exercise plans, grocery lists and recipes, we can work together for a healthier more energetic and productive you!
I just started the 21 Day Fix - I will be posting my progress! And please, please ask me anything!

You with me!?
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The 10 Best Things in Life....

Every day you are reminded of how sweet life really is, whether you know it or not....
So, here's my list of the 10 best things life has to offer....You can't put price tags on these things! xoxo

1. Beating heart - this means you are alive and you have the capability of loving, being loved and making a difference in someone's life.
2. Smiles - these are contagious! Notice that when you smile at someone, you almost always get a smile back! See?! Do it!
3. Laughter - not only is it fantastic to laugh whether you be alone or with someone else - and its excellent excersize! Google it!
4. Driving with the windows down - If you can get over the worry of your hair getting messed up, stick you hand out the window or even lean your face out there. I love this feeling. I could care less if its 110 or 20 degrees outside, I always drive with my window down.
5. Toes in the sand - oooh....just try it!
6. Great conversation - notice how embracing it is to have a great conversation with someone. Its engaging, most times educational or enlightening. Its always entertaining in some way to have great conversation. Do it often if you can. Its easy to get busy and get stuck in routine, but if you have the chance to strike it up, you wont regret it.
7. Helping someone - you can hold a door open , offer to carry something for someone...It doesnt cost you a thing to do something kind for someone. Its win win. Kindness is rewarding.
8. Smell of the desert after the rain...Yeah, you might have to live in Arizona to get what I mean by this...But the smell of the dirt and mesquite after the rain is truly blissful.
9.  Handwritten notes - Isnt pretty awesome when rather than receiving an email or text someone leaves you a handwritten note? When was the last time you have a handwritten note or even received one? Why not? Just do it!
10. Nature - look around you. Take in a deep breath. Exhale slowly and indulge in the air you breath. Go to a park, a lake, a roadside stop and walk around look up. Look down. When was the last time you held a leaf and really looked at it. Its liberating to just observe stuff like that, that we take for granted. Live in the moment.

Bonus: Kissing - nothing is better than a kiss from someone you love, from a child, from anyone...Kisses are always good!

Way Too Long

Its been entirely too long since Ive written here....I used to love writing blog entries. I think its time I start again, huh?
To be inspired at home, especially during the holiday, then to stay inspired throughout the year and as life changes inside the home is a pretty humbling thing....
Value what you have.....

And for all my #GavinGirls.....Happy Holidays!
Niki XOXO

Gavin Degraw Memes

I just have too much fun making these!

Hope you All have the Merriest Christmas & Happiest of Holidays!

 Enjoy!