Griffith Observatory & Park Los Angeles

One of my favorite places to visit in Southern California is Griffith Park. The park is home of the Griffith Observatory and the best view of the world recognized Hollywood sign. The observatory houses many interesting astronomy exhibits which will keep all ages entertained. On the outside, the views of the city and surrounding area are pretty spectacular. Over 50 miles of well maintained trails utilized for running, hiking, and horseback riding surround the observatory. It's the perfect location for a full day of sightseeing and exercise for your family. If you manage to have a little extra time, then Hollywood is only 4 miles down the road. It's a perfect inexpensive day trip.

I can't recommend this day trip enough.

LA gets a pretty bad wrap but there are some cool hidden gems.

This is one!

Fitness Friday #2

Checking in on my current fitness and nutrition goals for Fitness Friday. As I shared last week, I am now devoting Fridays to accountability on my weight loss goal. I am half way there! I'm loving my new found energy and mental boost. Love endorphins! Plus, I'm sharing one fabulous food find from the week.

LAST WEEK'S GOALS (02/23-02/28):

Work out every day (Check)

50 crunches every day (Missed Wednesday)

Go to Combat Cycle (Check)

Attend one new fitness class at the gym (Fail)

No milkshakes or zucchini fries! (Fail, I was sharing with the kids)

EXERCISE:

Saturday- 60 min. Hiking/50 situps

Sunday- 20 min. Dance in Kitchen/ 50 situps

Monday- Combat Cycle/50 situps

Tuesday- Zumba/50 situps

Wednesday- 15 min Bicycling

Thursday- 40 min. Walk/ 50 situps

DINNERS:

Saturday: Southwestern Chicken Salad/ 2 Wasa Crackers

Monday: Cajun Seasoned Catfish/Couscous/ Cauliflower

Tuesday: Waffle

Thursday: Sea Scallops

I didn't do so great a recording meals this week.

GOALS (03/01-03/07):

Work out every day for 60 minutes

50 crunches every day

Go to Combat Cycle

Go for a 1 hour bike ride

No milkshakes or zucchini fries! (We are not going to our favorite burger joint this week. I have no self-control!)

My fabulous food find this week is greek yogurt. It is a fantastic replacement for sour cream. Greek yogurt tastes like sour cream and is only 1/3 the calories.I wish I had listened to all the "experts" sooner. I could have saved myself a few thousand calories!

Pinterest Party Stars

I did it! I hosted a Pinterest Party! I battled with a few nerves this morning before everyone got here. Thankfully my neighbor texted before the party offering to help set up. I surprisingly took her up on the offer without hesitation. Which is pretty big for me. It was nice to have the comfort and help of a friend to sooth those nerves.

Hosting the get together means I checked another thing off my Deployment Bucket List. Which makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something, checking things off the list, and moving forward. I'm kind of digging this bucket list. Call it coincidence but my mood has changed considerably since I've posted it.

I plan to post more details later but I wanted to share the stars of the show. The craft and recipe getting the most ohhs and ahhs from my group of gals. Please follow the SOURCE link to pin the two pictures below.

The Best Craft of the Day goes to:

SOURCE

This wreath was made out of cardboard and felt. I bought 15 paper size sheets of felt and free handed my heart. With some hot glue sticks, this wreath cost less than $4. And it actually turns out as adorable as the photograph! 

The Best Recipe of the Day:

SOURCE

More pics of our crafts today:

Paper Wrapped Candle

Ombre Card

Felt Heart Wreath

If you want to see more Valentine ideas, then click over to my Pinterest boards using the P icon on the right sidebar. My 'Be Mine' board is one of my favorites. You will find plenty of cute ideas you can totally pull off before next Thursday! 

Linking Up with: The Vintage Apple, Keep Calm & Carry On

San Clemente Beach Trail

The weather is beautiful here in Southern California. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my weekend than hiking a coastal trail. I use the term 'hiking' very loosely for the San Clemente Beach Trail. It's more of a nature walk. However, it was easy for kids and offered a great view of the ocean. Here are a few photos:

The train travels along the beach.

Another checked box on the Deployment Bucket List.

The Closet from Hell

I'm not sure why I thought being productive during deployment was a great idea. I was happily moping in my chair last night about this 'no communication' thing we've got going on. 10 days without any word from the husband. I'm entitled to a little 'woah is me' time. But in the back of my mind is this bucket list I've created. A deployment bucket list which is more of a "To-Do" list. I really should have filled it with pampering expensive treats. Not DIY kitchen table or clean the d@$# hall closet. A task I have been avoiding like the plague for months. I've made several feeble attempts but I just give up. Now it's on "The List" {with finger quotations} and I'm forced to deal with it.

I would like to believe we all have a place where we stuff crap. Please tell me you do too. Under the bed, in the drawer, the garage, somebody? Anyone willing to make me feel better? Maybe you're all neat freaks. Whatever. I am about to make a major social faux pas. I am showing you the closet. *gasp*  

Then you can truly understand why Organize the Hall Closet has to be put on a bucket list.

It is full of random crap no one touches. Yet we can not get rid of anything.

Let's start with this bag of screws. That's it. Random crap no one touches.     

How about my old college textbooks? 

In a box with a PCS sticker from our move 2 years ago. 

Am I the only person who believes I will A.) re-read my college textbooks or B.) get a job where the books will be good reference material *ha-ha-ha-ha-HA*

Time to go.

Empty boxes anyone? This one is hard because if boxes are helpful when you are moving, especially with military movers. OK, boxes stay.

Kids Art Work. 

I need a storage unit just for my children's art work.

I hate deciding what is worthy of keeping and what should go.

Hoarding....

What about VHS tapes and other outdated media?

Am I really suppose to throw away all those memories?

Hoarding...

Revisiting the closet reminds me to avoid sales.

Wouldn't these make cute little "Happy Day" gifts? 

I thought so too. Six months ago.

Hoarding...

Then I have uniforms to deal with.

Nuff said!

And books I've read.

Hoarding...

And you all know I'm going to have a Target bag or three in my closet.

Time for an intervention.

Linking up with Mommy Moments, Mom's Monday Mingle, Mom's Library