FMM: July 4th Weekend

If you’ve taken part in Friend Makin’ Monday (FMM) then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s questions on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: http://losingweightandhavingfun.com/ this way everyone over at Losing Weight and Having Fun can check out your responses. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to create your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts, too. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

1.       Did you grill food this weekend? If so, what?

Personally, no. I cooked some veggie burgers inside, on the stovetop. But the people I spent the holiday with did grill up hot dogs and hamburgers.

2.       Did you go to a parade?

Nope. No parade. Not sure if there was one where I was. I am guessing there probably was.

3.       Fireworks? Did you go to a display or have your own fireworks?

We did both and it was awesome! We lit some sparklers and threw some of those popper things and then had our own display at home for all the kids ( and me, the biggest kid) and took a break about halfway through to go catch the local display (which was amazing) before wrapping up the night with more fireworks at home. It was AWESOME!

4.       Did you have a special 4^th of July outfit?

Not really but I did try to be somewhat patriotic with a navy and white skirt, blue/white scarf and a white shirt. I was going to wear my red chucks but it was warm so I stuck with my sandals. No, I did not wear any funky hats or flag pins or anything like that. I’m boring, I know.

5.       Who did you spend the 4^th of July with?

I spent the 4^th with E, his mom, both his sisters, his two BILs, his nieces and nephews and his BIL’s sister, her husband and their two boys.  There were 14 of us in total. It was a ton of fun!

6.       Did you stay home for the holiday weekend of did you go away?

A little of both. On Thursday after work we left Pensacola and drove about an hour east to where E’s mom lives. We spent Thursday night, Friday and most of Saturday there- with family. Then we headed back to P’cola Saturday evening and spent the rest of the weekend home relaxing and running errand and tackling house chores. Oh, and watching many episodes of House of Cards.

7.       What is your favorite part of the 4^th of July holiday?

I love 4^th of July, it has always been one of my favorite holidays. There is something about summer time holidays that are just so relaxing. I think it is the lack of formality. I love just sitting outside, drinking a beer, eating BBQ foods, playing games, and just having a great time. But I think my most favorite part of this holiday is the fireworks. I LOVE fireworks! I am so happy that I was able to see the city display and have our own private display. Most years I miss out on fireworks and that always leaves me really sad. This year was perfect!

The beach was a close second...

8.       Which holiday are you most looking forward to next?

Hmmmm, maybe Labor Day because it is a long weekend. But I am also looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. My parents are flying in from Philly and we are going to have a big holiday dinner with my family and E’s family. I am super excited for that. Especially because both moms are so similar, I think they are going to be fast friends J

How was your 4^th of July? Are you still on holiday or are you back to the grind today?

Love and hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxox

FMM: Sports Talk

If you’ve taken part in Friend Makin’ Monday (FMM) then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s questions on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: http://losingweightandhavingfun.com/ this way everyone over at Losing Weight and Having Fun can check out your responses. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to create your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts, too. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

1.       Are you following the World Cup? If so, which team are you cheering for?

Yes, I am. Or at least trying to catch coverage whenever I can. I am rooting for Italy (sorry Sarah) and, of course, USA.

2.       What is your favorite sport to watch either on TV or in person?

I love to watch pretty much anything, especially if it’s live. But I would have to say my two favorites would be hockey and baseball.

3.       Which local team (regardless of sport) do you support?

Pensacola is a small town so we don’t have any major league teams but we do have a minor league (SPHL) hockey team, the Ice Flyers, and they are awesome. They just won back to back Presidents Cup (their version of the Stanley) and I was fortunate enough to be able to drive up to Columbus, GA with E to watch them win the cup. It was pretty awesome.

4.       What is your favorite sport to play?

Although it has been awhile, I would have to say tennis is my favorite sport to play.

5.       Were you ever in a sport team?

Yes, I did. I played tennis, basketball, softball and soccer (for a very short bit) and was also on the track and field team.

6.       Have you ever traveled a long distance to see your team play?

Yes. Just this year I flew to Nashville to go to a Preds game, drove to Sarasota and Clearwater to see the Phillies in spring training, drove to Tampa for a Lightning game. I also attended two Ducks games in Anaheim, a Phillies game in Philadelphia, and (as I stated above) drove to Columbus, GA for an Ice Flyers game.  I’ve also seen a Red Sox game in Toronto, a Phillies game at Dodger stadium and endured football games in Buffalo during the winter to name a few.  Yeah, I love to watch live sports.

7.       Do you have a favorite stadium/sport venue you have been to?

I really liked Fenway and the Tampa Bay Times Forum but my favorite stadium hands down is Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

8.       What is your favorite food you associate with sporting events?

Soft pretzels. Nom! And before I was a vegan, hot dogs.

9.       Do you have a favorite sporting song?

The Ice Flyers play Chelsea Dagger as their goal song (same as the Blackhawks) which I liked long before it became a hockey song. Also, my high school fight song. It will always be my favorite. It was so funny.  I still remember it to this day.

10.   Is there a sporting event you would like to go to in another country?

Sure, I would love to go to any sporting event abroad but if I had to pick one- the Tour. Even after all the bs with Lance and all the others, the drugs, the doping, all the scandal, I would still want to go and watch the Tour de France.

 

Happy Monday!

Love and hugs,

Dacia

Xoxoxoxo

 

 

FMM: Randomly Getting to Know You

If you’ve taken part in Friend Makin’ Monday (FMM) then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s questions on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: http://losingweightandhavingfun.com/ this way everyone over at Losing Weight and Having Fun can check out your responses. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to create your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts, too. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Randomly Getting to Know You


1) Introduce yourself in under 10 words.

Beer drinking, tree hugging, slow running, cupcake loving, vegan :)

2) How did you find Friend Makin' Mondays?

When I first started blogging three years ago I was looking for support. I scoured the interwebs for other bloggers writing about weight loss and Kenlie's blog was one of, if not the, first one I found. I have been reading ever since. I don't always participate in FMM but I certainly enjoy reading the questions and responses every week!

3) Have you ever met any of your blog readers?

 

Yes! First of all my parents, bf, and close friends all read it so obviously I have met them. But in addition to them, I have met a bunch of fellow bloggers in my travels and at Fitbloggin'. It's pretty awesome!

 

4) How many states have you visited?

 

This is a tough one. Let's see; Maine, NH, VT, Mass, Conn, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE, WV, VA, MD, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS (that's Mississippi, right?), LA, TX, AZ, CA, OR, WA, MN, IL, OH, TN, AR (Arkansas?), NV, CO, and KY. So, 33 states. Sorry middle U.S., I am more of a coastal girl ;)

 

5) What did you have for lunch yesterday?

 

E and I went out to lunch yesterday with his sister and 3 year old niece. We went to Ruby Tuesday. I had salad from the salad bar alongside my trio of side dishes; green beans, zucchini and a plain baked potato. It was pretty good. I ate it all :)

 

6) How many different places have you lived in?

 

I have lived in 9 states- PA, NJ, DE, MD, OH, FL, TX, WA, and CA- and in those 9 states I have lived in a bunch of different places/cities. I'll spare you the details. I have moved around quite a bit.

7) What's your favorite color?

I am not sure I have one true favorite. I really like red, blue and green. And yellow ;)

8) Do you have any pets?

 

I used to have two of the most amazing doggies; Ruby and Maggie. I was truly lucky to have had them for as long as I did. They were the best and I miss them every day :(

 

 

 

9) What would your ideal job be?

 

If I could swing it I would love to run an animal sanctuary for both pets and farm animals. Or possibly just become an organic farmer that also raises farm animals. Or I would want to own a bar in Philly. Any of those would work ;)

 

 

10) Do you have any tattoos?

 

 

Yes, I do. Nine of them, actually. This one is my favorite. It's not a great picture because you can't see the whole thing. The tattoo is a tree and it appears at a distance that the leaves are being blown off the branches but really they are birds, not leaves, flying away. The birds go all the way back towards my spine. I love it. It's very symbolic. 

 

 

Trying my best to look tough...LOL!      

 

 

Love and hugs,

 

Dacia

 

P.S. I have no idea what is up with the formatting of this post. I tried to fix it to no avail. Hopefully it is not too hard to read. Sorry.

FMM: the First One for 2014

I have a lot on my mind I that plan on writing about. Nothing bad or serious, just some thoughts I have from questions I have been receiving lately regarding weight loss and some of my own changes I will be making in the new year. Unfortunately, I probably won’t be tackling either topic today so instead I give you a Friend Makin’ Monday Q&A post instead J

If you’ve taken part in Friend Makin’ Monday (FMM) then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s questions on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: http://alltheweigh.com this way everyone over at All the Weigh can check out your responses. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to create your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts, too. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Friend Makin’ Mondays

1. What has been your happiest moment in 2014 so far? Only 6 days into the new year and there are already so many to pick from. I would have to say my happiest moment was the first moment of the year. How I rung in 2014 was absolutely perfect and if it is any indication of how the rest of the year will go well then I am in store for something amazing!

2. Share the last compliment you received. “No one is as awesome as you!” Yeah, my friends are the best! Love you Monica!!!

3. What is one thing that you plan to accomplish in the next week? Hmmm…due to my recovery post op my to-do list is pretty small. I feel very accomplished just by being able to drive myself around and take an unsupervised shower. This week I am hoping to just continue to progress in my healing, listen to what my body needs, and have a great follow up appointment with the surgeon come next Monday.

4. What is your favorite TV show currently on air? I really try to not watch much TV. Even while I was recuperating I still barely watched much as far as TV shows go. I kept it to football and movies. However, I do really love Big Bang Theory and Parks and Rec even though I haven’t seen a single new episode yet this season. I catch BBT on repeats on TBS and watch old episodes of Parks and Rec on Netflix.

5. If you could go anywhere in the world free for the next two weeks, where you go? For my birthday, my friend is taking me to both New Orleans and Nashville and I am really excited for both trips. My reality is already taking me on two amazing adventures over the next two weeks so I don’t think I need to dream up anything else.

6. Describe a significant event in your life that caused you to change your values system. That’s a tough one. I mean you would think that divorce would be my obvious answer but it really hasn’t changed my values or what I believe in. I guess maybe I would have to say that becoming a vegan (which at first was purely for health reasons) has changed my values significantly. Not just in terms of animal rights but also in terms of the environment and of course trying to live a life in the best manner I can in order to ‘do no harm’.

7. What made you decide to live where you currently live? Most of you know how I ended up in Pensacola but for those of you newer to R.R.R. I moved here with my husband (at the time) who is in the military and moved here for training. I love Pensacola. I have lived in every region of the country, in nine different states, and even lived in Florida previously too, and this is by far (aside from my home in Philly) my favorite place. I could grow old here I love it that much.

8. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about GOD? Do unto others … Yes, this is the first thing I think of. Yes, I am well aware of the fact that like every religion has some form of this principle. I think it is an important way to live life, regardless if you consider yourself a religious person or not.

9. If you could have a long conversation with someone famous (and alive now) who would you choose? I would be torn between ultra-runner/vegan Scott Jurek or IronMan/vegan Brendan Brazier. I have heard them both speak and have read their books and still there is so much more I would love to know about them. Oh, and I should probably add Matt Frazier (the No Meat Athlete) to that list too. Yeah, there is a definite pattern in my interests; super athletes that are vegans. Yep, they really do exist J

10. List three things that you’re thankful for today. Just three???

            Life- waking up every day is a blessing in and of itself

            Love- the acts of giving and receiving love is definitely the most amazing gift. I am honored to have so many lovable (and loving) people in my life.

            Craft beer- tonight is the national championship game. I am neither an FSU nor an Auburn fan (and will probably just cheer for both since I have friends that like each team) but I am a craft beer fan, and will be enjoying the game while having a beer or two. I am very thankful for that.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are adjusting smoothly back into the reality of everyday life. That’s what I am working on. I think it will take a few days before I am fully back into the swing of things again.

What has been your happiest moment in 2014 so far? I would love to hear yours if you wouldn't mind sharing in the comments.

Happy Monday!

Love and hugs,

Dacia

FMM: the Holidays- Parts One and Two

If you’ve taken part in Friend Makin’ Monday (FMM) then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Make sure you share your link over at All theWeigh so everyone can see your responses. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s (and last week’s too) topic!

The Holidays: Part 1

1. What are you plans for Thanksgiving this year? I am quite fortunate that a number of my friends and co-workers invited me to spend the holiday with them this year. My plans are to go with a friend of mine and spend Thanksgiving with his family. It will be nice. It’s been 5 years since I spent Thanksgiving with my family so it will be a welcome change to spend it this way.

2. At what point do you being celebrating the Christmas season? Typically I try to wait until after Thanksgiving before I start celebrating Christmas however, there are Christmas songs already on the radio 24/7 and decorations already up around town so it is hard not to get sucked in.

3. Do you celebrate Christmas, or do you celebrate another holiday? Christmas

4. If you could have one present (you know, a material good, not love or world peace) what would you want? Wow….that’s a tough one. I feel like I already have everything I need and my list of wants is pretty small. I would say I would love some new earrings to replace the hummingbird ones I lost or even a new necklace to replace the one I broke (sorry James)

Oh and this pillow...it is completely ridiculous and far too expensive for a throw pillow but I love it so much. That would be the one present I would pick...

 

5. Share an idea or two that you can plan to do for someone who may need to feel loved throughout the holiday season. I have been on the hunt for really unique and meaningful gifts this year. This year I expect Christmas will be a lot different for me and instead of just getting hung up on me being alone I am trying to focus on showing those around me (and all over the country) how much their love and support means to me. This year I am going to try and make the holidays about giving thanks and spreading loving joy and celebrating life. You know- the real reasons for the holidays.

6. Would you rather spend the holiday season on the beach or in the snow? BEACH! Don’t get me wrong, I love the snow…for like a day or two…but I love the beach more. The beach feels like home to me…I think that’s why I love Pensacola so much.

7. What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? That’s a tough one…I would say either pumpkin pie or mashed potatoes. I did have some oyster mushroom cornbread stuffing a few weeks ago (which I will be preparing for this Thanksgiving) and it was so yummy….it may be my new favorite.

8. Will you participate in Black Friday shopping? Nope. I hate crowded malls/stores so BF is like a nightmare for me. If I shop at all it will be on Amazon…from the comfort of home.

9. Will you travel for the holidays or stay at home? If you’re traveling, are you flying or driving or making alternate plans? Like I said earlier, I am spending Thanksgiving with a friend and his family. We will be driving. It’s like an hour away from here- nothing too major. For Christmas I will be at home resting after surgery. The only travel plans I have for Christmas is spending what I am dubbing ‘Christmas weekend’ (the weekend before my surgery) traveling to Mobile (which is only an hour from here) to see the Nutcracker and a Christmas light show at Bellingrath Gardens.

10. List at least 5 things for which you are currently thankful. I have so much to be thankful for but I will keep this list short.

·         My family (which includes my furbabies, whom I miss oh so much)

 

 

·         My friends

·         My health

·         My job

·         Pensacola….my home

The Holidays and More: Part 2

1. What state/country do you live in? I live in Florida…the sunshine state :)

2. Where were you born? Were you raised there? I was born just outside of Philadelphia and grew up there until I was 8 (I think) when we moved across the bridge into Jersey...yep, I’m a Jersey girl…watch what you say ;)

3. How do you feel about stores like Wal-Mart opening on Thanksgiving Day for pre-Black Friday sales? Will you participate? Absolutely not! The whole idea is revolting. People (especially those who work in retail) deserve to spend Thanksgiving with their families (or at least not working) and I think being open that day is completely unnecessary and completely ridiculous.

4. Have you ever participated in a Turkey Trot? Yes! Last year; for the first time. It was a four-miler and it was awesome. Don’t think I will be doing one this year but hopefully I can get in a post-Thanksgiving feast walk to help the digestion ;)

5. What was your favorite toy as a child? I think you might need to ask my parents this one to know for sure but I feel like I had a giant doll that was the same size as me, maybe bigger, that I really loved. Oh and the doll house my great uncle Richard built for me.

6. Will you count points/calories on Thanksgiving Day? I don’t most days so no, I won’t be tracking on Thanksgiving. I will, however, try to not overeat or eat when I am already full just because I love ALL THE FOOD. I will try to treat it like a normal day and listen to my hunger cues. But, it is Thanksgiving and I’m not a robot…I will probably eat more than I would on a normal day. Lol!

7. Will you watch football Thursday? I am guessing we will. I definitely know I will be watching some football on Friday and Saturday. Oh and I get to go to two hockey games this week; Wednesday and Saturday. Yay!

8. Do you decorate inside/outside of your home for the holidays? Usually I do. This year, in my new apartment, I probably won’t do much though. I do have this little ceramic tree (that looks like the ones my grandmothers had/have when I was growing up) that makes me feel so happy every time I look at it. Definitely makes my little home super festive.

 

9. Do you have allergies that prevent you from eating traditional holiday meals? No allergies but as a vegan it is pretty difficult to eat most ‘traditional’ holiday food items. For my Thanksgiving dinner I am making baked tempeh with roasted veggies, cornbread stuffing, and probably some green beans or broccoli. I am also bringing cupcakes from a local bakery that sells both vegan and non-vegan cupcakes so I am going to bring a mix.

10. Is it snowing where you live? Ha! Nope…and I certainly hope it doesn’t. This Florida girl is not prepared for snow.

What about you? How will you be spending the holidays this year?

Happy Thanksgiving loves!

XOXO- Dacia

FMM: All About the Blog

It’s been awhile since I have participated in Friend Makin’ Mondays- I’m not even sure I have since I started this new blog- but I loved these questions and wanted to share with you my responses. Plus I just spent most of my weekend in NOLA with Kenlie (more on that later, so stay tuned) so I am definitely feeling quite inclined to participate in something that is important to her.

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Make sure you share your link over at All the Weigh so everyone can see your responses. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

All about the Blog

1.       How long have you been blogging? I started blogging in February of 2011- so about 32 months, give or take. This blog, however, is relatively new still. I have only been Run. Ride. Repeat. since August of 2012.

 

2.       What is the overwhelming theme of your blog? At first I think the idea behind this blog was for me to share my adventures in running, cycling and any other type of fun active stuff- you know, kind of moving away from the weight loss theme of my previous blog. I was changing my focus and my life and I wanted a blog that better reflected that. Now though, I think the theme of my blog is just all things Dacia. I pretty much write about anything/everything in my life and so far no one has really complained about the lack of dedicated running/riding posts lately so that’s good.

 

 

3.       Have you connected with people in person after meeting them through blogging? YES! And I love it! I attended Fitbloggin’ this past June and I met so many wonderful people there that I had ‘known’ for so long (and met a ton that I hadn’t known, too, which was equally awesome) and it was the best thing. I have been lucky to have met other bloggers here in town as well as through my travels back home and when I was in Boston and even this weekend in NOLA and have been able to share alot of one on one time, which is great. Being able to meet people that I have connected with on so many levels, people that inspire me and motivate me, people that have been my light at the end of the tunnel is pretty freaking amazing!

 

Feed Me I'm Cranky, Brooke: Not on a Diet and me at Fitbloggin' 2013  

Bein' E-Rizzy, me and Feed Me I'm Cranky also from FB 13!

13.1 Miles to Disney and me just before Color Me Rad in Mobile

 



With the beautiful All the Weigh in New Orleans

 

4.       What do you enjoy most about blogging?  Most- that’s a tough one. I would say I really love blogging because it’s a place for me to be myself, an outlet for all the random crap inside my head, for the support and for this wonderful community of friends blogging has led me too. It’s awesome!

5.       How often do you blog? Probably not enough. Not nearly as much as most other bloggers. I aim for a few times a week. Sometimes I only get in one post, sometimes I can squeeze in 4 or 5. It really depends on how busy I am and the fact that I rarely post on the weekends doesn’t help. I know I should write more frequently, and I want to, but it really isn’t my first priority- you know?

 

6.       Share one thing that you don’t like about blogging. Personally, sometimes it is hard for people who don’t know me (and sometimes even those who do) in real life to sense the tone I am writing in. That’s true for everything though right? Texts, emails, etc. it is hard to gauge the writers tone. So sometimes I worry people misconstrue what I am meaning. But that is life and unless I want to do all video blogs I really can’t change that.

 

 

7.       Do you talk about your blog in everyday life? Yes and no. I mean, it isn’t a secret but I don’t really talk about it with everyone. All of my friends know about it and some even read it but a lot of my coworkers and probably most of my family don’t.

 

8.       What is the coolest and most unexpected thing that has happened to you as a result of blogging? I lost 125 pounds and made some of the most amazing friends along the way. I have found self-love and acceptance. I am the happiest I have ever been. I am strong, adventurous and willing to take risks. I am living an active and healthy life. And all of these things happened because I started blogging.

 

 

9.       Are there topics that are off-limits on your blog? If so, name a few… I will openly discuss pretty much anything on the blog that pertains to me. I try to not talk about anyone else though. With permission I have talked about my family and my mom’s cancer. I will probably never discuss private details of my marriage, or any relationships for that matter, since those are not mine to share. You can ask me anything Dacia related and more than likely I will tell you. :)

 

10.   If you could accomplish one thing through your blog before the end of this year, what would you want to accomplish?  This is a tough one. I would like to be able to help people the way others have helped me so that is always an underlying goal of pretty much everything I do.  Other than that, I have some ideas but nothing I have set in stone.