Holy moly people! I posted A Day in the Life of Shay last Wednesday about my boring old life and you girls had so many questions! Just imagine if I would have actually had an interesting day :)?!?!
I read through all of the comments and am answering questions today...I didn't realize there was anything left you didn't know about me (because I feel like an open book!) but apparently, there is. Don't forget, you can find so much more info about me on my Shades of Shay posts! Just click here and scroll through the topics.
How do you get up so early? Do you nap during the day? Are you a morning person? Aren't you tired?
The clock right there says 4:36 am....which is why I'm standing at the coffee pot (no normal person ever wakes up at this hour without caffeine!).
I am a morning person because I made myself one. I have always realized the value in being productive first thing in the morning. Growing up, my dad would do more before 6:00 am than most people do all day...and I really respected that. I would love to sleep 8 hours...wake up at 8:00 am and start my day then...but I have too much to do in life and I really relish those extra quiet hours to do things before my house wakes up. It's amazing how productive one can be that early in the morning. No one is texting you, calling you, emailing you, it's quiet, it's just a really good time to get things done. I am a morning person because I chose to be. Yes, I get tired. I get tired because I'm a busy mama of two small kiddos and if I'm ever really exhausted, I will sleep in or rest. But I've learned that for me personally, I prefer less sleep to a more peaceful and organized day...and for me, that starts with waking up early and getting things done. I am going to make this a Shade of Shay in February and go into a lot of ideas/details/suggestions. I even wake up early on the weekends. I'm telling you...once you realize how nice it is to be up early, it's hard to sleep in.
And no...I don't nap. :)
Do I work?
Yes. I own a travel agency, write recipes for other websites and publications, blog and assist Andrew in our business. My plate is full...but my favorite job is taking care of my kiddos!
I love this job!
Where do I find Kensington's scarves?
Gap Kids has great scarves for kiddos!
Do I shower twice a day?
I was surprised how many times I was asked this question! The answer is...sometimes. If I go to the gym (about 3 days a week), I shower after I workout but almost never wash my hair, just shower and get cleaned up. I also shower every night before bed because I just love getting into my pjs and bed all nice and clean! Plus, I don't have time to shower in the morning, so if I do it at night, that saves me time. I wash my hair every 2 or 3 days depending on what's been going on. I never wash it two days in a row (unless I've been swimming!). So on gym days, I take two showers.
How do I stay so thin?
Geez Louise, this question gets asked a lot! First of all, thank you. Second of all, I have good genetics. Third of all, I always eat everything in moderation.
I don't eat fast food, I don't drink sodas (diet or regular), I don't drink alcohol, I never eat anything fried and I really try not to eat anything processed or out of a box (chips, boxed cookies, crackers, etc). That being said, I do enjoy baking and using cake mixes and such (because who doesn't love pre-measured ingredients?!?) but I really just have one piece of what I make.
I do workout several days a week but like my husband always says, you can't out work a bad diet. It doesn't matter how much you workout, if you're eating junk, you'll never see real results. I really try and eat a lot during the day...just real food. And whenever I want a treat, I have a small piece. I'm never hungry and never deprived. This works for me and keeps my engine running.
I snack on boring stuff like this (almonds and dates) every day so that occasionally, I can have stuff like this...
...my Nutella Whoopie Pies.
When do I blog?
I blog in the mornings before the kiddos wake up and then during Smith's nap time (along with doing other stuff). I also blog when the kids are in school two days a week. I never blog at night because that's our family time.
Does Andrew eat what I make for dinner?
Of course he does! The man loves to come home and see what this mama has been cooking! He eats a really clean diet so you'll notice that I never really cook with pork or fatty beefs, I substitute a lot of ground turkey for ground beef, when I do use ground beef, we use 96/4, we only eat whole wheat pasta, there is always at least one (if not two) veggies served, we don't eat bread with our dinner, and if it's something carb heavy (like a pasta), we eat it in moderation. I don't fry, don't use butter, certainly don't use shortening...and we use portion control.
What time do my kids go to bed at night?
8:00
What do I do with my desserts on the blog?
I make 2 to 3 desserts a week and it's amazing how quickly people take them off my hands! Just Friday, Sheaffer came and picked one up for a friend who was sick and needed a meal. Every Sunday, I take some to church (that's where my prime taste-testers are!), neighbors want them, social events, the kids' schools...if you pay attention, you will find a lot of people/places needing or wanting food for something. I never have a hard time giving them away. I always sample and then happily give them to someone who needs them. And for my family's parties...I'm always the one that brings dessert :).
Do I have a cleaning service?
Yes. Two years ago, I told Andrew that I couldn't both clean, work from home and be an engaged mom at the same time without going crazy. When my kids were resting, I was trying to run a business and clean at the same time...which is impossible. So, that meant I was spending my kids awake time doing something besides engaging with them. We found a nice lady to help us out and it's been a real blessing to my family.
Am I going to start posting my Vitamix recipes?
Yes! I will start posting them this Friday on my foodie blog!
Am I not a dog person?
I love dogs! I love my dog! I just have two kids that take a priority to this new dog of ours, so she gets the backseat. Besides...she loves Andrew waaaaaaaaay more. We're very happy in our little Poppy/Shay relationship :).
Where do we store all of Andrew's eggs?
The garage refrigerator. We keep two dozen at a time in our inside fridge but he keeps the other 14 dozen a week (that's right) in the outside fridge.
How do I get my kids to nap?
Ahhh...you have to wait until my Shades of Shay post for that! Coming up!!
I hope this helps shed some more light on me and my day. Trust me...boring, old, normal mom here. And I love that :).
And speaking of loving...I am totally blessed, humbled beyond belief and absolutely thrilled that I was asked to review books by two of my very favorite authors ever. Not just authors...two of my very favorite women. Beth Moore has had such a tremendous impact on my life and I've never met her, spoken to her or communicated with her in any way. Just by reading her books and doing her Bible studies, I have learned so much from her about how to be a Godly woman, a better wife and a great mom. She is amazing. And one of my heroes.
Another one of my heroes is Priscilla Shirer. I love Priscilla because she is just so real. She is a real woman with real problems and best of all, real faith. She is encouraging, funny, and engaging all at once. I could sit and read her books all day long. They will resonate with your soul.
Beth's new devotional Whispers of Hope is a 10 week journey to really build you up and reaffirm your faith. You will be blessed every time you crack open the book. And Priscilla's new book God is Able will remind you over and over again how able He is. And how able He can make you.
I am giving away one copy of each book below. You will be blessed by both.
I get so many emails from women about where to start, what to read, and how to deepen their faith...ladies, start with Beth and Priscilla. Their books will deepen, strengthen and build your relationship with Christ.
Something else I love...
...Sheaffer's new collaboration with Goodnight Macaroon! Both vests came from them!
Sheaffer has the new HUGE collaboration launching today with a great boutique called Goodnight Macaroon. Just look at this puffer vest! And the faux fur vest too! I have tried on several of the pieces she's highlighting today and love them all! You need to hurry over to Sheaffer's blog and check her out! She has a discount code for you today!
And the winner of The Workout Mama's online boot camp is...
Allison Miles!
Congratulations!
Please email me Allison at mixandmatchmama@yahoo.com to claim your prize!
Don't forget, today is Meal Planning Monday! I have your meals planned out for the week!
Wow! That's a lot for a Monday! I hope you all have a blessed day!!
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