You’ve gotta break a couple eggs…
Hi friends! The weekend is in sight! Thank goodness 🙂
Class was a blast last night. We had 7 people (wahoo!!) and when I told the Pilot we made a grand profit of $5 for the night (after studio costs), he said:
“Well Gina, you’ve gotta break a couple eggs to make an omelet”
I laughed for about 5 minutes. The Pilot and I always say random proverbs to each other, whether or not they’re applicable to the situation (Example: The Pilot says “Work was lame today” and I say “Well, Tommy, a rolling stone gathers no moss”. We’re weird like that.. and get a kick out of it)
After I got home, it was Indian food time:
A massaged kale salad (using dinosaur kale to switch things up), topped with a container of Trader Joe’s channa masala. I still don’t know how I lived without a Trader Joe’s for 3 years. I made it happen, but it was rough- I love it so much.
Then, Bella drowned her bird:
I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this on the blog yet, but Bella eats ALL the time. Whenever someone watches her for the weekend, I have to make sure she has a fresh bag of food, because she’ll probably eat most of it. She’ll clank her bowl around, walk over to you with a defiant look on her face and repeat until you feed her. Well last night, I was eating dinner and Bella had just finished a bowl of food and started clanking it around for more. She walked over to me with the bird in her mouth, over to the bowl and dropped the bird in the water. She walked back over to me as if to say “see what I did to the bird? Feed me, or you’re next”
Goofer.
Last night, I also packed up my lunch so that it would be ready to take to work this morning:
Salad beast with arugula, chickpeas, tomato, bell pepper, balsamic dressing, oregano, Garlic Gold
+ blackberries and an amazeball
This morning, all I have to do is make a quick smoothie and grab an apple for snacks.
I’m off to make b-fast and then walk Bella on base before work.
Hope you have an amazing day <3
xoxo
Gina
Something to talk about: What are your tips for tackling a daunting project? I do pretty well with daily to-do lists and getting my ish done, but when it comes to something huge, it takes a lot more to get the ball rolling. I plan to start my new book proposal this weekend (I’ve done one before that didn’t sell, started another one and didn’t finish and now have a third idea, which I would ROCK but just need to get it out there), but have been avoiding it. I’m excited about this one because it’s really not cookbook/fitness-related, but is more geared towards women who are married to military men or have to move constantly with their family. How do you tackle huge projects?
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I really love your book idea 🙂 Your posts about dealing with deployments and long distance are always so inspiring… an entire book would be more than helpful for those in the same boat!
Well Gina if you are good at to-do lists, why not break it up? First make an outlien of what you need to do and just chip it off, bit by bit. Start with the intro and just start writing — I think you’ll get going soon enough.
Thats what I do with big projects – break them down into small, teeny, tiny projects. It feels good to cross a ton of stuff of my list instead of just one big one.
So have you announced already? Did you buy a Dance Trance franchise (or something like that)?
ohh Bella is adorable!
hmm tackling a big project needs lots of small goals, i think, within manageable time frames. i could never do a big project by just jumping into it, but then everyone is different!
Break your big project into small tasks and focus on each task one at a time. 🙂
I really think you should do a book based on your lifestyle one day (meaning workout, eating & life habits/manifesto-type stuff!) 🙂
I hope your book gets purchased and published! My (live-in) boyfriend is gone for about 2 weeks of the month (add a few days each time for readjusting) and it’s really tough. I’m not comparing it to your situation AT ALL because I know mine sounds like a cake walk compared but hey! if your book can help people from all walks of life as well as military families and nomads then you’ve hit it big! Good luck, Gina!!
Did you ever do a post about your new business? It sounds so awesome and I’d love to hear more about it 🙂
not yet- waiting until the pilot gets home 🙂
I love reading about peoples’ dogs 🙂 Bella cracks me up. My dog doesn’t like to eat (which is sooo weird) and glares at me like I’m trying to poison him every time I feed him.
I agree with others…breaking the work into small steps works. Also, just like you schedule working out time, maybe you should schedule small blocks to time to work on it. Getting a small start will make it easier as you go along. I used to do that in grad school and I wouldn’t really feel overwhelmed like my classmates. Those are my 2 cents 🙂
Your doggy is so adorable!! We just got a puppy almost 2 months ago and she likes to graze on her food all day long. She leaves little food trails where ever she goes. Its very annoying. She’s lucky her cuteness saves her 😉
I agree with the first comment, that your posts about deployments, TDYs, etc. are very helpful. I’ve yet to find a really great book about life as a military wife (or girlfriend, etc.) that seem to offer good advice. Good luck with this, I will definitely read it! 🙂
Given how your writing is always so entertaining to read, I’m sure you’ll write something fabulous no matter what topic you pick! I say keep them all in mind because they all sound great!
But seriously, your post made me laugh so much, from the random proverbs between you and the Pilot to Bella’s threats. Thanks for being so hilarious and awesome 🙂
Oh my gosh, if you like the channa marsala idea then you should def try the punjab eggplant (it’s my favorite). I also think it’s great for lunches on the run. I split a pack in 1/2 and add tofu, frozen veggies, beans, and sometimes quinoa or brown rice. So good 🙂
Love your book idea and hope it works out for you.
LOL on Bella and her hungry tactics..she is too cute and funny
Ha Bella is the bomb-diggiest dog! I may need to look into getting my own bird to perform such tricks.
When I have a large project to tackle I find the only way to keep me from being overwhelmed it to break it up into pieces. Oh and celebrate the milestone accomplishments! BTW – your book idea sounds great!
Bella sounds completely hilarious.
For huge projects, I start off SO strong with my type-a personality lists and craziness…an then I procrastinate until like a week before a due date & buckle down, haha.
I like making smaller, short term goals. I’m a big procrastinator and like having the sense of achievement from hitting smaller goals (instead of feeling like I”m treading water working towards the big one). I also like whiteboards a lot for brainstorming and list making. For to do lists I love the franklin covey planners – I’m a big office supply nerd.
Love the book idea, as a soon to be milspouse there is a lack of literature dedicated to that audience (I’ve read Lily Burana’s book and one other than I can’t remember.) It’s hard to relate to books that are written for another generation (it seems like) of milspouses.
I love that for how little she is, she can eat so much. I have a little puppy like her, and shes like a vacuum! I don’t know where she puts it. I wouldn’t be the best to give advice for finishing a project…I am a major procrastinator. haha I think sometimes I have to lock myself in a room to finish something…It’s a problem =]
Bella is quite the little diva, isn’t she?!
she is a sassafras, for sure
Break the big goal into teeny, tiny manageable steps, and give yourself rewards for getting pieces, even little ones, done!
Bella cracks me up!
Hahaha you’d better heed those threats. Bird drowning is not to be taken lightly. My dog likes to pick up her (empty) Kong/treat ball and dramatically toss it in the air, and when nothing falls out, she gives me that same look 🙂
Bella’s eating reminds me of my cats. I have one skinny cat who has very little interest in eating and another fat cat who eats all her food and then most of her sister’s bowl. It is hard to put one cat on a diet and not the other! My boyfriend thinks its hilarious and says the chunky one is “fat and happy” so I should leave her alone. 🙂
When I am feeling overwhelmed, I break the project down into smaller goals. By taking 1 small step each day, you will feel less stressed and start chipping away at the overall project! Enjoy your weekend! 🙂
My parents have a black little poodle that looks like Bella and she has weird eating habits too! She will go to her bowl and move it around, take the food out, and growl before she eats it. Maybe they have aggression issues? 🙂
Good luck on your project!
you and the pilot are adorable!
How did you live without TJoe’s for 3 years! Glad you have it back in your life. 🙂
i’m sending you good luck vibes on getting your book proposal started! 🙂 your amazaballs look so yummy!
I’m at my prime in the AM so I like to get the tough things out of the way. And I’m big on making lists and breaking them up in manageable tasks so I feel the success 😉
Bella is such a silly pup! 🙂 I can’t wait to hear more about your business you started up. 😀
I’m no good with big projects either. I usually have to start out small and ease into it with a nonchalant attitude– otherwise I get super stressed. You have to walk before you can run. << Haha, how about that for a proverb? Super cheeeez– I know.
I just get into the groove. Some days I mope and wine and say I don’t want to do something but when I really start working on it I can’t stop. Bella’s such a cutie
Haha, that is DEFINITELY the poodle personality coming out in your dog.
I love your inside jokes with the Pilot. The couple who makes goofy jokes together stays together, I always say.
I tackled projects with having people impose deadlines on me. Ie, you need a new blog post by x date. Or I’ll text a friend and say, “If I don’t finish my legs and back workout before bed tonight, I am paypaling you $5.”
I wanna keep my $5! haha
that’s an amazing idea!
haha, i love the story about bella & the bird! YOU’RE NEXT!!! : )
I also start with one of my favorite quotes… from an amazing movie…
Rose: Don’t feel overwhelmed, just do one thing at a time.
Yup – Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead.
A big project is the same thing as a bunch of little tasks.. just all related.
You just made my day. My sister and I quote that movie ALL the time! 🙂
I love love LOVE your idea about the military book.
Keep up the good work, Gina!
First time commenting but I love the idea of your book! Even though I was an Air Force brat I am newly married to an Air Force officer and am experiencing everything through a different lense. Last week was my first time going to the commissary and it was so packed I kept thinking…”this really is commiscary.” Good luck on your book!
thank you- and thanks so much for saying hi 🙂
<3 Bella. Dogs make life so much better don't they? (Pets in general actually. :))
I’m married to an Airman 🙂 And uhh…I tackle big projects badly. Like…tragically. When we first find out we’re moving I’ll get all excited and make spreadsheets and lists and call every apartment complex in the city…but then after that I get stressed out and just stop thinking about / dealing with it.
Result? Frantic, panicky last-minute packing, and always a week-long stay in the local Motel 6 (pet friendly!!!!! and cheap!! best ever!) while we sort out living arrangements.
I *need* to improve at this…. lol
Aw, Bella is so cute! I’m glad she’s always there to keep you company. Do you have a go-to balsamic dressing recipe? Also, how big are your salad beasts usually? I LOVE my veggies but always want to make sure to stay full, too. Maybe using dressing (since I”m not usually a fan but yours always looks delish!) and finding the right amount of beans would help.
Have a lovely day!
xox
OMG Bella is so stinkin cute! Im just starting to make to do lists for my little life tasks and chores.Then I forget to use it 🙁 Good luck with your book!
When I have a big paper or assignment due I try to set deadlines for myself. For example, I have a 20 page research paper due next month. By tomorrow I have to have at least 5 sources and by Tuesday i need to have at least 10 pages of notes. If you break it down into smaller tasks, it is a lot easier to handle. Keep a checklist somewhere so when you finish one of the small tasks, you can check it off and you’ll see your progress. For me, the deadlines are non-negotiable. I will pull an all nighter if I need to in order to finish by my personal deadlines.
I also try to reward myself after I finish a “chunk.” So after I have all of my research done, I’m going to go get a pedicure. After I have my first draft done, I’m going to go see a movie. Setting rewards like that, makes it more motivating to complete your deadlines on time. If you miss the deadline, no reward.
Just start. I put off doing my taxes, but now that I’ve started, I don’t want to stop – lol!
Wow, now I’m confused 🙂 So you have a new studio that you own? and you bought a new business that you haven’t really mentioned yet? Also, about this whole studio business- I know that in philly we have small studios, for instance I do lithe (lithemethod.com), and it has kind of a cult following. Girls from New York and San Fran make an effort to stop in philly to take classes when they travel. I know that you have a TON of readers, I’m sure the more we know about the studio, when/where you teach you might get some “special” guests. Just a thought
you guys are too cute. i can’t wait for the post that tells us he is back! which is hopefully soon 🙂 have a great day gina
I have a feeling your new book proposal will get some bites. 🙂
thank you! i hope so 🙂
Bella and I are very similar in that I also eat all the time! 🙂 When I need to tackle a big project, I try to break it down into smaller steps and think of treats/rewards that will spur me along. I’ve never written a book though, so I’m not sure how I’d tackle that.. probably with a comfy chair and venti coffee at Starbucks!
HAHAHA! love the proverbs you and your pilot say. my man and i say the funniest/bizzaro stuff also and noone else gets it but us.
For big projects I make “goal lists” with breaks and rewards sprinkled in. So, I break my break the project up into pieces. Like, from 11 – 11:45: do (project), 11:45 – 12: blog etc., etc. It makes things easier for me because a huge daunting task can seem intimidating!
Haha my cat is the same as Bella! She (wants to) eat ALL the time! When we first got her, she doubled her weight in 3 weeks because she was sneakishly eating out of the bag at night (and I thought well thats proof I’m a bad dietician haha)
As another military wife, who’s husband is deployed and enjoys your blog, I hope everything works out for the book, I’d love to read it.
As far as daunting tasks, I set myself up a reward system. After I complete this, I’ll do this- type of thing. It normally involves shopping or a trip to treat myself.
One of my cats likes me to walk him to his food dish. In the middle of the night. He’ll sit by my head and whack me on the forehead with his paw until I wake up and walk him out to his dish. Silly cat.
The things we do for pets. 🙂
I love that you two have sayings! Slash I love Channa masala, I can never get enough of it!:)
Cute on the random proverbs, how fun. My dad’s dog is just like Bella, I had to hide the cat food (and cat box, ew) when I was babysitting her for a month.
For a daunting project, I have to break it down into smaller projects and set aside distraction-free time to dive in.