If you’re new, welcome aboard. I’m glad you decided to check out my crazy today. I hope you check it out again tomorrow too because you never know what I’m going to do next. Well unless it’s Monday because on Mondays I like to do a little thing I call my “Week In Review,” where I list (because I love lists way too much, and I’m not even kidding) all the major things I actually accomplished in the past week. It’s an ode to myself and a pat on the back with my ultra flexible limbs (go go gadget arms). I have to say, the Week in Review List is becoming one of my new favorites; which is hardly shocking, since I happen to think I’m pretty badass. You won’t get any self esteem issues here.
Before we get listing, I have to share some very exciting news, and I do mean edge of your seat, riveting news. It’s exciting for me anyway. Sorry if you were expecting something else.
My baby brother is coming to stay with me this week, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s the first time, probably since I’ve been an adult (and calling me an adult is really quite a stretch), where just the two of us have been able to spend a fair bit of time together.
Awwww, look how young and innocent. That didn’t last long.
Growing up, we were kind of inseparable, but then I went to school, moved out-of-state, ran away and joined the circus, and the rest is history. Did I also mention he might be the male version of me….a little OCD, moments of introversion, a deep found love of shoes, just a click vain and by click, I mean a whole ton, oozes charm (this one is all him), and he just so happens to be a health and fitness freak. Oh yeah, I’m also doing the Tough Mudder with him, and let me just say, his training supersedes mine. I’m still struggling with my solo pull-up, although my chin is definitely getting much closer to that bar. There’s even a second there where I almost think I’m going to make it, before I flop back to my dangling fish-like status.
This is ridiculous, right? Even the person in the background is like, “Are you kidding me?”
In any event, my baby bro is a home improvement guru. He paints, does carpentry, woodwork, floors, electrical, you name it, he does it for a living. Best of all, he’s honest and reliable. Something you rarely see in your average handyman, so if you’re in the Buffalo area and need some work done (not in a lipo kind of way), shoot me an email, and I’ll hook you up. Not this week though, because this week he’s here to get my house in tip-top shape and maybe get a workout in, Mudder style.
Onto to today’s main course: My Week In Review.
- First up is my greatest accomplishment, and one I’m really proud of (look at me being all vain again; hubris is going to get me). I set up a Clean Eats Fast Feets facebook page. I have finally joined the twenty-first century, and sweet baby jesus, please don’t let it be the end of me. I can practically picture myself getting sucked into the technology vortex, which is when hubris will come along and smack me upside the head. Technology and prayers aside, it’d rock my world if you’d do me the honors of liking my page. You can spot the little facebook icon on my home screen; the upper right hand side and all you have to do is click it and then Like it. Go ahead and click it. You know you want to. I’ll make it worth your while…although I’m not sure how. Suggestions are welcome; the funnier the better.
- I finally finished spring cleaning the hallway linen closet. I’m gonna go out a limb and guess you don’t remember, but I started this little job like three weeks ago, and I’m definitely glad it’s done, although I realize it looks very Sleeping with the Enemy-esque. It might be super structured now, but in a few weeks it’ll be a total mess again. And by total mess, I mean the towels won’t be folded perfectly and there’ll be some dental floss and bar of soap out-of-place. I can’t help myself.
- I wrote and published four blog posts, including a super special romantic edition. Yes, I did get lucky. Sorry Dad, just disregard that last statement.
- In honor of my baby brother’s visit, I scrubbed the kitchen, and I do mean scrubbed. I greased up the stainless steel so the appliances gleam, changed the towel liners in the fridge and even moved around the furniture so I could wash the floor. Before you get really impressed, we only have two chairs and a little bitty table in the kitchen, so this sounds way more impressive than it really was. Although it you really want to be impressed by my cleaning skills, who am I to dissuade you?
- I made a really romantic three course dinner for the Hubby and I on Valentine’s Day. French peasant bread, toasted and smothered in raspberry jam, along with fingerling potatoes, and the freshest of fresh scrambled eggs with finely diced green onions. If you look closely at the picture, that is most definitely an entire clove of roasted garlic piggy backing on the potatoes because nothing says, “let’s make out” more than garlic. We’re so high-brow over here; I’m not sure you can hang.
- I did a handful of fitness classes: Spinning, Mixed Martial Arts and a Bootcamp class, which pretty much focused solely on our shoulders. I could barely shrug my shoulders the next day, which works out fine for me since I’m pretty decisive, and I think shoulder shrugging is for sissies.
- I also got the guest room ready for my youngest sibling. He has his choice of sleeping on flowers or more flowers. Lucky man; I think I even gave him some floral scented lotion.
- I made a triple batch of granola and bought a ridiculous amount of fruit at the grocery store. I suspect we’re gonna go through a crapton of both this week.
- Oscar and I did a five-minute meditation. I took this photo when we were all done…obviously. By the way, I think he’s better at it than me. He could have sat there for hours, whereas I got bored and started taking pictures.
- I finally caught up on my People magazines. Two more down and only the most recent edition to go. Who knew Kelly Clarkson was in love or that Rihanna is back with Chris Brown (really, I hate to be blunt, but he beat the shit out of you). I know we’re suppose to forgive and forget, but I’m having trouble with this one.
- I restocked my wood pile, which I’m counting as a workout. You can disagree, but it’ll do you little good.
- Last but certainly not least, I spent forty-five hours at my real job.
I have to say, I impressed even myself this past week (once again forgetting about hubris). I was one hell of a productive maniac. It’s amazing what having company does for kicking things into high gear around the house. I need to invite family over more often.
By the way, I recognize today’s post is short on food. It’s coming tomorrow along with a moral and a message. Be afraid, be very afraid. Alright I confess, it’s not scary at all.
What inspires you to kick things into high gear? What did you do in the last week? Do you have a facebook page too? Will you please Like my Page. It’d mean the world to me. For reals.
Kathy @ FoodWineThyme says
I love this post. What a great idea to look back at your accomplishments.
Meghan says
it’s so much more rewarding than those lists of things to do.
Lance Powers says
Will you come and clean my kitchen please.
Meghan says
What’s in it for me?
Kaitlin says
Wow, good for you and all your accomplishments! I certainly get kicked into gear if something big is coming up (holiday, family get together, parents are arriving soon, etc) or I just get in this mode of things must change. Now. 🙂
Meghan says
That’s always the way for me. House guests help me get all the little things done.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
OMG – your productivity is making me tired. Have fun with your bro – he sounds like a really cool guy!
Meghan says
Says the woman who travels across the country every week and brings her own food. He is a cool guy, but then again I’m partial to him.
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear says
I always feel so good after cleaning everything. That’s awesome about your bro too! Exciting :). Oh and your valentine’s day dinner looks fabulous!
Meghan says
I know. I’m not a huge fan of cleaning, but I love how it feels when I’m done.
Nicole @ Fruit 'N' Fitness says
I’m impressed with your productivity! That whole clove of garlic looks good, I love roasted garlic!
Meghan says
Roasted garlic is one of my favorites. So good.
luv what you do says
How fun to spend so much time with your brother! And a tough mudder sounds awesome. I would love to be able to do a pull up too. That’s a great goal!
Meghan says
Pull ups are tough and so are marathons. I’m way impressed you’ve signed up to do another one.
Jessie says
This is an odd question… but do you live in an older cottage like home? Just wondering bc the spare room looks like one, and I absolutely love the “feel” it gives (you know bc I can “feel” it the whole way in Kuwait)
Meghan says
It’s an older home, but it’s not cottage type except for the third floor which is the room you saw. It makes it very homey, and you’d always be welcome to stay there.
Brittany says
KITTTYYYY! Omg that pole balance thing or whatever is amazing!
Meghan says
You’re going to love tomorrow’s kitty bit. He calls it the human flag. Whatever it is, it’s crazy.
Fran@BCDC says
Busy Girl! How exciting that you’ll be having your brother for a visit. He can come to get me in shape, fix up my house, then you can organize and pretty it up. Deal? 😉
Meghan says
Deal, but I want a pie plate of veggies in return, and I know you can deliver.
kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
My spouse coming home after a deployment, or his mom coming for a visit, or moving to a new home, are the only things that kick me into gear cleaning-wise.
I wish I was one of those ‘clean when stressed’ types. I cook instead.
Meghan says
Cooking when stressed isn’t a bad way to go either. I tend to overdo everything when I’m stressed.
Allie says
Whuuut–your brother is a fitness superstar, human-flag style! And my office is trying to get everyone to sign up for a Tough Mudder in a few weeks. But I’m only going if there’s a “stay dry” option. Like a path around the mud? I’d totally jog (mostly walk) that.
Thank you for defining “complete mess” much like I do. I apologized for having a messy car, and then my coworkers got in for a lunch and made fun of me for considering some gum wrappers in the cup-holder “messy.”
And meals featuring garlic are perhaps the most romantic–because as long as you both eat it, you can live happily and obliviously in a garlic-breath-cloud that will deter all outsiders from entering your garlic-zone-for-two.
Someday I’ll get all hip and join this Facebook business. (Okay, I have a personal one, but that’s mostly for extended family–who really don’t need to know the ins and outs of my brain as they appear on my blog).
Meghan says
I’ve had a couple friends riding me (not literally because then I’d be the super human fitness freak) about getting up a Facebook page. We’ll see how it goes; I’m a little nervous because it’s more open to those not in the “blog world,” so who knows what will happen. Speaking of which, you should go like that shit. 🙂
I’m so glad you can understand my kind of “complete mess” or “total disaster.” I only have one friend who shares my “complete mess” philosophy, and I love going to her houses because it feels just like home.
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
Nothing like company coming over to get a house nice and sparkly and clutter-free…or in my case, shoved into closets and under beds! 😉 …”So here’s the grand tour of the house….OH NO granny, don’t open THAT doorrrrrrrr!” 😉
That pic of your bro is totally insane! Might want to save some laundry to do…save some electricity…just use his abs! 😉
Meghan says
Yeah he’s in ridiculous shape. He sent me a picture yesterday of him at the gym with two 45 pound plate weights strapped to his body so he could do pull ups. The best part, he’s self taught.
I have a couple of those closets….alright, not really, but I never make my bed unless we have company. Does that count?
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
Ha, toooooootally counts! I knew you had a messy gene in you somewhere! 😉