How to nag your husband less

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group®, Litter Genie® and Fancy Feast®, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #Catparents http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

I've shared before that I am probably one of the most easily annoyed people in the world, and Chris does a good amount of annoying things.  Proof in the picture of him picking his teeth.  That along with chewing louding, biting his nails, constantly bouncing.  I really do love him.  I just find myself nagging him a lot, which is annoying.  To both of us I'm sure.  So while I save my energy to tell him to stop his annoying little habits, here's some ways to nag your husband less in other areas: 

1.  Say it at the right time.  I learned that there's about a 5% chance Chris and I can have successful discussions about anything important first thing in the morning.  Chris is the opposite of a morning person, and it just never goes well.  Same for the middle of the night.  That one goes to about a 0% chance.  If I want Chris to do something before he leaves for work, I'll save it until he's been up for a little while.  Or better yet, right before he leaves because he often forgets anyway, so it's better to just say it once right when he can do it.  (Like taking out the garbage.) 
2. It's not on purpose.  Chris is incredibly forgetful and I really do think a big part of it is not his fault.  I have to remind myself that he is never purposely forgetting things to make me mad.  He wants to make me happy and has good intentions.  When I remember that, it helps me not be nearly as mad about him forgetting to do something I asked.  
3.  Do it yourself.   There's many times I'm annoyed that Chris left his cup on the endtable or a wrapper on the counter when it doesn't take much time to put in in the dishwasher or garbage.  But I realize it takes me just about the same time to ask him to move it, as to move it myself.  Those little things really don't take much time and I'd rather save my "nagging" for things that I really don't want to or can't do.  Plus he's pretty appreciative when he realizes all the things I do around the house, which makes a world of difference. 
4.  Divide it up.  Speaking of saving your nagging, pick a few things that are always each other's jobs.  For example Chris is in charge garbage.  I rarely take the garbage out and he knows that's always his job.  The same goes for the car litter.  Not that this comes without nagging, but it's his job.  Ever since I got pregnant and the best news ever came that pregnant women aren't supposed to change litter boxes, he took over every time.  
5.  Get a litter genie. Speaking of litter boxes, I hate changing the litter box and thankfully have maybe done it once or twice in the last two years.  I was super excited to try out the Litter Genie system in hopes of it solving my problem of constantly nagging Chris to change it.  Both because maybe he'd be able to do it faster and maybe I wouldn't hate it as much and just do it myself. It's only been a week, but so far so good.   Doesn't he look thrilled? 
(Our laundry room isn't fancy one bit.  Maybe some day.)

Litter boxes are disgusting.  The smell is by far the worst part and our litter box is in the laundry room, in our basement, right next to the playroom where we spend a lot of time.  Often is just smells like cat pee no matter when we've changed it last.  The Litter Genie makes it easy to keep up with changing the litter box and takes care of the nasty odor.  There's a lid, and then a funnel at the top.  You open it up, pull out the handle, dump the clumps of litter inside and close it so it seals in the smells. 

This way you can just quickly clean out the litter box then empty the bag once it's full, which can last up to 14 days.  Our laundry room is quite small so this works perfect for little spaces.  
We spend a lot of time in our basement and now I can just go in our laundry room take a few scoops out, put them in the Litter Genie and done.
Now I just have to teach Addilyn how to do it!  

I was checking out the Litter Genie website and found a $5 off coupon for the Litter Genie, and when you buy any two Litter Genie or Fancy Feast products at Target, you get a free Cat Toy or Friskies party mix cat treat. (Offer available 2/15/15 - 4/11/15 while supplies last.) I purchased the Litter Genie itself (for only $10 after the coupon) and then a refill pack.  I got a toy with Catnip in it for free and Biscuits loved it and Addilyn thought it was hilarious watching her play with it! 

Fall into Fashion

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group®, InStyle, Vogue and Elle, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #inspirefallfashion  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

 

top: old navy   pants: tjmaxx  shoes: target 

Now I know I mentioned last week that I'm still appreciating the ease of summer clothes and am in no rush for cold weather.  But I am getting more exciting for Fall.  I just wish Fall would last many months and not rush right to winter.  I read this article on buzzfeed the other day and it made me laugh, as I am guilty of well over half of those things.  

Although they probably should've included something about going to Target on the list.  Like going to Target and buying Fall fashion magazines and looking through them for outfit inspirations.  I bought Elle and Instyle's September issues last week and when I did I got a $5 Target gift card.  (You can also grab Vogue's September issue or any combination of the three and get a giftcard too now until September 13th.)  
Whenever Addilyn goes down for a nap I am usually quick to turn on the tv while cleaning up the kitchen or while working on a project or my blog.  This day I instead just sat on my couch reading these magazines, drinking a cup of coffee and enjoyed the quiet.  I should really do that more often.    Last Fall I didn't fit comfortably in a lot of my jeans, and wearing leggings and dresses was hard with nursing.  While I look forward to wearing some pants I haven't worn in well over a year and half, I'll happily try out any trend that allows you to wear pajama like pants and feel stylish.  
So I was happy to see that these loungewear pants are in style for Fall.  There was a full page in Elle with all kinds of cute, trendy looking pajama like pants.  However all of them were over $50, which is so far out of my budget for clothes, even ones that are as comfortable as yoga pants.  A few months ago I bought these pants at TJMaxx for $12.  Much more my price range.  I haven't worn them once, as I couldn't figure out what to wear them with.  I am glad I had some extra motivation to figure it out because now I can't wait to wear them more.  

Let's hope wrinkles are in style to this year because clearly I'm sporting just a few.  
I was a little unsure of what shoes to wear with them, or how to make them not look sloppy.  The magazine gave some tips like wearing a more fitted shirt or heeled shoes.  Now heels are pretty impractical for me on a daily basis, but cute leopard flats are much more fitting for me. 
I was happy for a little inspiration and push to try out my new pants.  Sometimes I forget to look through magazines for inspiration with pinterest, instagram and blogs being a more used source for me.  But it was nice to sit and read a magazine instead.  Especially when it means I have $5 to spend at Target.  

Marathon Update

 This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Slimfast, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #14daystoslim  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

favorite workout clothes:  kohls tank top & old navy running capris 

About a month ago I wrote a post with an update on marathon training.  It's crazy that it's been another month.  Time really is going fast these days! (Hello one year daughter?)  
The other day on my training app it said 85 days until race day.  That no longer seems that far away.  I still have moments of being nervous and questioning signing up to run.  But the longer distances I complete, the more confidence I have that I can do it. 

Speaking of the app, I am still loving it.  There is something really satisfying about seeing your miles rack up. When I passed 100 miles for under two months I felt really proud. 
I find myself here and there getting frustrated with my speed, when I think about how fast others are running. I think the struggle of comparison creeps into many areas of my life.  I need to remind myself that this race is about me and that's it.  
That being said, I'm actually doing pretty good with my goal.  I'd love to run ten minute miles on race day, as that has always been my goal but I did not reach it the first two times.  Really my main goal is to finish, but I'd be extra happy with close to a ten minute mile.  So far I'm on track but there are so many factors that go into race day, so we'll see.  
Healthy eating.  I wrote before that I don't want my running and all my calorie burning to be cancelled out by eating more junk.  Don't get me wrong though, I definitely indulge a little extra on long run days.  Ten mile runs definitely deserves a little (or big) cup of soft serve ice cream.  
But overall, I'm trying to eat healthier.  My biggest weaknesses are sweets and snacking.  I've done really well not eating desserts during the day.  And really the only way this is possible is to not have them in my house.  Hence the after dinner ice cream runs.  
The other issue is snacking.  I'd rather eat snacks all day long then three real meals a day, but I realize that isn't the healthiest option.  One of my favorite snacks is granola bars.  Remember when I gave up sweets for a month?  I would just eat chocolate covered granola bars as a "snack."  Hello cheating? Maybe.  
So I needed to find a better option for a snack that has protein and is more filling than a chocolate covered granola bar.  Plus I also need something that is easy to grab and eat with a baby at my legs. (Someone please tell me how you get pictures like this that aren't blurry thanks to a moving certain somebody.) 

Hello new snack bar.  These Greek Yogurt & Honey bars are delicious and only 110 calories.  I ate one each day for six days straight and was sad when they were gone.  

I remember when I was little my mom drinking Slimfast shakes.  I did not realize there were so many options besides shakes, meal bars and lots of snack options.  Peanut butter chocolate covered bars? Yum. 
Since I'm still nursing and running quite a bit of miles a week, I know it's important to keep up my calories and while I'd love to lose weight training, I want to be careful how I do so.  I think the most important thing is to have healthy, long term habits.  And part of that is finding easy, healthy snacks to eat along the way.  
And speaking of nursing, that is somewhat a concern.  Still nursing away at least four times a day.  I'm not really quite sure how to go about this whole weaning thing and while the marathon seemed far away at the time, it'd be real helpful to not to need nursing "relief" on race day as I'll be away from Addilyn for a good part of the day.   Advice? Tips? Moms? 
So I'm still plugging along.  Mile by mile.  Working on moderation with trying not be crazy and follow the training schedule to a T, indulge a little here are there (and there) and do my best to eat healthy.  And take it day by day.  
If you're looking to jump start a new fitness journey you can be part of the Slimfast 14-Day Slimdown and lose up to 6 pounds in two weeks.  Swap two meals daily with their protein shakes or meal bars, enjoy three low calorie snacks a day, along with 30 minutes of cardio and lots of water!  You can sign up here for Slim Coaching and find daily motivation, expert tips and fun videos.   Plus follow along on facebook and pinterest!