Powers Thriftin!

Our little Greens would like to be a particular creature for Halloween. So, while Mike and I were driving around today we decided to stop in a local thrift store to see what they had in their costume section. Well, we didn't find a costume but I found two fabulous accessories under 10$ and Mike found a child's dream toy!
My first score was a jade color,open-claw bracelet. $4.99 :-)
Second score pony hair,animal print Steve Madden peep-toe flats. $6.99:-)
Annnnnd then Mike found... A talking,scanning,credit card reading... Cash Register!!! Haha $4.99 :-)
Not really sure who's more likely to have more fun playing with it mike or greens, but either way it was a total score!!!

Mahalo!
Dina

Zoo day!

Amazing LA weather today encouraged an outing outside,of course!!
We have a house guest with us,mikes sister,sherry. So, we decided to go up to LA and visit the Los Angeles Zoo. We arrived at the zoo and much to our surprise the parking lot was empty and we parked close going right on in.
Our first stop was the meerkats, alligator and flamingos. As we viewed these animals we were met by so many people saying "let's go, I wanna see the real animals!" this was so funny it was like I'm pretty sure these are "real animals!"
We moved along and found those animals as well and ended up having a lovely day! Greenlee loved everything and was excited to see them all. It's so fun to see her face when they would roam towards the front of the exhibit.
Such a fun time and another fun adventure!

Mahalo!

Check that off!

So, yesterday I ran in the Long Beach Marathon...what?!?!?
Crazy!!!! :-) I still can't believe it! As I approached the day I knew I would complete it but I had no idea how the race would go!!
I started the race with a smile and my husband! Seriously it was a great morning we were a little tired but determined to take on the race!
The sight was absolutely beautiful as the sun rose over the city. It was a perfect morning to run and it stayed that way right up until about 30 mins before I finished.
I started out in the back and I mean the back of the 2nd wave of starts... I paced myself at that point because I knew I had 13.1 miles ahead of me.
The amount of people,port-a-potties and energy was a little overwhelming to say the least! As soon as i started going I found a great steady pace and it felt awesome. I found myself smiling the entire time which felt very odd I couldn't comprehend how I was actually doing this! Lol that feeling carried me through the whole way.
As we headed over the bridge the first of my little inspirational sights caught my eye. There was a man wheeling his heart out in a wheelchair going up the bridge to the other side of the harbor. Here was a man who was enduring the same discomfort as others were but in very different way. At this point I said wow I'm given the ability to run this race in great health using my legs,it was what I needed at mile 3.
I looped around The Queen Mary an came upon a man who had to be in his 70's just chugging along he had a shirt that said "why be nrml" in this crazy font it was sooo funny and again another boost.
Throughout the next 6 miles I came across people wearing inspirational quotes and bible verses. I came across a lady wearing a shirt that said "my body was tired but my heart was not." I love that these little messages where so great and really allowed me to be thankful and maintain excitement through the whole thing.
I got to the 10 mile point and I got a little overwhelmed first that I was a part of this and second that this was the furthest I had ever run. I thought of where I had come from and that never in a million years did I think I would do something like this. I started to get a little emotional and I had to pull myself together because I wasn't quite done yet!
The last 3 miles oh sorry 3.1 miles I saw people at the aide stations getting help,1 lady on a stretcher, 1 lady Hooked up to EKG on a grass beltway and a lot of people walking,talking, 1 lady stopped to by a big gulp...lol so much going on.
At this point you also rejoin the people who were doing the full marathon... Here I realized and said I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to ever do a full marathon but it was encouraging to say to myself I can surely go 3.1miles further if these people have run so many miles more than I have!
It was awesome to run down Ocean blvd and approach shoreline dr where the turn was for the finish line!!! I was almost there and as I was about to cross I looked up and saw mikes smiling face waiting for me!!! Ahh I love him and it was so cool to do this with him and have him there at the end to tell me how proud he was of me and how well I did! It was awesome!!
I can now check off my list doing a half marathon and find the next race to be a part of and look forward to!! It was one of the most fulfilling things that I have ever done by setting a goal and actually completing it!

Mahalo!

Up the mountain!

So, we woke up this morning and of course in true Adina fashion we needed a lil adventure for the day!
So we went up the mountain to Lake Arrowhead!
Such a nice little drive up 40ish minutes from our house...
I'm a total breakfast gal so we headed to Belgium Waffle Works, right on the lake. I had the waffle and eggs and mike had fish and chips! So yummy! Greenlee had the brunch combo consisting of my Bfast and mikes lunch!

A wonderful time feeding the ducks on the dock and walking around in the village...and of course a milk and cookie break to top of the morning!

Just Because

I love that we do so many things in life for certain reasons but there are somethings I love doing just because. I love not having any intention or expectation of response or something in return but the pure joy that comes from the journey or the end result. The Lord is working always but more so in myself then I have allowed him to it seems or may be the simple fact that I am just being still long enough to feel it.

The last month I have lost an additional two pounds and am so beyond content with that at this point which makes me smile. I have eight additional that I would like to loose but could really take it or leave it :-). Spending more time at home and being able to do more things with Mike and the girls is so where my heart is. Time is sooooooo (really not enough O's,haha) much more important to me and precious at this point. Which is really answering my question of fulfillment and where it comes from and to me the way I live my life as a whole is my fulfillment.

and then there was Pinterest.... haha! My job allows for a lot of downtime and therefore I am a full fledged addict. Alas, this has lead to inspiration beyond belief and I have started a couple projects just because. Because Greens wanted a cake at her pretend party where the guests of honor are Mickey, Thomas, Toby, Queen and Mater and the rest of her car/tractor/big rig/transportation vehicle collection. I also just felt like making a cake because I had not done one in far too long....

First layer carrot cake with cream cheese butter cream

rolled out some fondant flowers in orange, my fav color of the moment, and my all time fav green!

Yay Greens cute little party cake!

I also decided Greenlee needed a new little dress so I proceeded with craft time after the girls were asleep and had maybe 2 ok 3 glasses of wine...haha!

of course "choo choo" dress

I saw this fabric and knew that we needed a dress outta this stat!

So that was my night super fun and Just because my only intention was a smile on Greenlees face. I guess I lied when I said I didn't expect anything because I knew she would love both and be smiling and that's all I ever really want for her always!

xoxo