Room Reveal: My Outdoor Space

This is my little piece of outdoor paradise, which didn't exist until today. Day after day I would come home to nothing in this space just screaming to be filled with something. I really really wanted a wicker loveseat to put out here but I didn't really feel like shelling out $200+ for just something to sit on.

This morning the weather was so nice (65° and a lot windy, with a high of 72°) and though there is a community area with picnic tables and such, I just needed something a little more 'my space' that was all it took to get me out of my pajamas and headed to Target (you know Target is my weakness) 

There has been an adorable little bistro set at Target that I have been eyeing for awhile but at $210 I still wasn't convinced. I really did want a loveseat but decided against it. Then I noticed these plastic Adirondack chairs for $20 and a little glass side table for $16. No they aren't the fanciest, but they sure are comfy, I tried them out! So for $56 I have a little outdoor oasis right outside my front door. 

I plan to add more little touches as I run across things to add some color. I found some really cute red outdoor pillows for $14 each, so maybe next time. I would like to find a little footstool or something to put my feet up while I'm out there enjoying my iced tea. Maybe some planted pots to spruce it up too, but let me tell you it looks a lot better than it did! Maybe a nice outdoor rug to put over the turf look?

While I was at Target I may have discovered that the watermelon Oreo's are back for summer! I really shouldn't have even got them considering the whole lets get in shape thing, but I couldn't resist. I'll have to limit my intake and not have the whole bag all at once, but they are yummy! 

I even got some mail back home! Mom sent me a text that gma had told her I got a new postcard. I was really confused because I should not be getting my postcards back home and I have even gotten one here already, which confirmed I got everything updated. So I told her to send me a picture of the front and back so I could get it registered so the person who sent it could get a postcard of their own. Well when I went to register it the mystery was solved!

This postcard had been sent from Russia way back on November 13th, it's been traveling for 165 days! That's why it went there, it was supposed to have arrived a long time ago! It traveled 4,712 miles from St. Petersburg, Russia. I imagine it had got lost somewhere along the way, which happens from time to time. I have 2 postcards that never got registered so they must have got lost somewhere along the way too. I'm glad this one finally made it! 

Flashback Friday: Illinois Marathon Weekend 2013

Remember last year when October 2012 Heather thought it would be a good idea so sign up for the Mini I-Challenge and do a 5k and a 10k back to back nights? Yeah.... that was fun wasn't it? I still have blisters... ok not really but the marks are there still! 

This weekend is the Illinois Marathon weekend back home and all the Facebook posts about it make me kinda sad I didn't get to do it again, would I have been ready for it? H-no, but it's the thought that counts.... so take a walk down memory lane with me to last years' 5k and 10k Runs walks. Read the whole post here for the play-by-play.

Which brings us back to present day, and Houston we have a problem. It's called pizza... pizza is a problem. Since beginning the whole moving to Arizona adventure back in November (applying for the job, waiting, waiting some more, getting the job, relocation, moving, packing, driving, settling etc etc) I kinda started packing on the pounds again (you know after I had been doing so good working out with a trainer like 6 days a week and eating good and lost a good amount of weight) and it sucks. 

My new job requires me to be up in front of a classroom and out from the hidden comfort of my desk. It's amazing how being up in front of a group of people makes you suddenly very self aware, weird right? 

So what do I do now? Obviously it's time to get started, no more pizza for sure (even though it's soooo easy) I've been on Pinterest trying to pin healthy recipes, it's weird that when you pin them, they don't make themselves. 

Yet again here I am, finding myself on the starting end of getting the whole weight thing under control. Being lazy is so hard to change, but we've all got to start somewhere (again) right? If you know of any good single serving easy healthy meals send em my way! You can add to the comments or use the handy link at the top of the page to 'Email North of 10th' Wish me luck! 

10 Things: Arizona Life

I'm still settling into life here in Arizona but I have a few observations: 

* The ice cubes I make myself (from my filtered water) taste like garbage and smell like it too, can't figure that one out.

* I eat too much pizza, Jacks, Papa Johns and Pizza Hut, is there an AA for that or do they just call it Weight Watchers? For real, I need help.

* Afternoon traffic on the exact same roads takes twice as long as morning traffic.

* When signs warn of your lane ending and to merge, Arizonians take that to mean stay in the lane as long as possible then cut over right as the lane actually ends.

* It's been consistently in the upper 80's (sorry Illinois folks) but the air conditioning is set on polar in the office, so I've been wearing my cardigan sweaters.

* 90° really doesn't feel like Illinois 90° I'll let you know what 120° in the shade feels like.

* I haven't been to the pool yet, because well... I'm scared of the sun. Not like heliophobia style, I just don't want a sunburn. Then someone said that the higher the SPF after 15 the more chemicals there are. Damned if you do, damned if you don't I guess, so I'll stay inside.

* I'm thankful my job has a parking garage that keeps my car cool during the day.

* It sprinkled once since I've been here, like just enough to make my car ridiculously dirty. In Illinois I would wait it out for the next rain to wash it off, might have to pay up and go through the wash.

* There is an overwhelming amount of things to enjoy 'round these parts. Trying to get my AZ Bucket list together, I thought about doing something every weekend but that seems like a lot. Outside things are kind of out of the question during the summer, even the Zoo closes early (obvs, don't want the animals to melt) So I'll have to find indoor things to do and keep cool.

AZ Easy Rider Status... Achieved!

Thursday was my one month anniversary as an Arizonian. The bike has been sitting in the garage since then, and how can I continue to be called 'Easy Rider' on the blogs when the poor bike hasn't even seen light of day since the end of Illinois Fall many many months ago?! Well today that changed. Go big or go home right? Well if you look at the map above of today's ride, I'd hope you'll agree that I went big for my first Arizona outing on the bike, and solo! 80 miles round trip today, the bank sign said 86° when I was coming back home and it felt every bit of it at the stop lights! 

Today's destination was Tortilla Flat, 17 miles of winding road through the mountains. The road started off easy enough, pretty smooth with a speed limit of 45. The further up and up you go however was a different story. The road is a two lane highway and like I said the further up you go the less ideal the road condition gets. It was pretty much a giant rumble strip most of the way. My speed up the mountain was about 25/30mph for the most part but some of those hairpin turns required less speed down to 10/15 in some places, hello clutch control! There were also two one lane bridges as you cross over the lake, one of which was an open grate steel bridge (that was a first!) the other was a concrete bridge. 

If you stopped to think about it, the road was totally sketchy, no guardrails and sheer drop offs, but keep focused on the road and you're golden. Luckily everyone else followed the speed limits too otherwise it would have been very intimidating. For the most part though I was the quicker one because I have a bit more mobility when it comes to the corners, lots of vehicles were towing boats. While there was a fair bit of traffic on the road, there was lots of space in between and no one was riding your arse. 

The views were so amAZing! These pictures don't even do it justice. A few miles after Tortilla Flat, the road turns into a gravel road, which I did not care to see. If you follow the dirt road on up the mountain you'll reach Roosevelt Lake. 

Canyon Lake lookout

When I stopped at the pull off for the Canyon lake lookout, a car of old folks parked and got out right beside me, I said hello and we commented on the bumpy road, then off I went. I thought it was cute that I saw them again up at Tortilla Flat (I had arrived before them) one of the little old ladies said "Well hello again!" She was cute! 

Arrived at my destination! 

Tortilla Flat Saloon

Uh oh, a gun fight! 

If you look close, there is a lady bathing in the water tower that he was shooting at, she was not happy, she shot the deputy! 

The walls are covered with money from all over the world!

My prickly pear cactus gelato! Yum! (bucket list item check!)

While I sat on the bench to enjoy my cactus gelato and take in the view, an elderly man from Canada inquired about my bike "Is that a Sportster you're on?" Then we talked about how the winter lasted forever for us both (I had told him I just moved out here from Illinois a month ago), it was his third time out here, he told me about the bikes he previously had and that his riding days are behind him. He then wished me safe travels and off he went, very nice fella.

A look at the winding road I just came up! 

Seriously... these views right? 

Saw lots of bikers on my way up and down, all giving the official motorcycle wave ;) Before I left, I made sure to check out the gift shop, and you know I was looking for postcards. Ka-ching! 5 for $2, boom! 

Easy Rider selfie

I always stop when I see a 'scenic view' sign

Yep, that was worth the stop! 

another winding road view

Not always a fan of an uphill start on the bike, but down and down we go! 

Did I mention the road begins with incredible views of the Superstition Mountains? That view alone would cause you to run off the road from staring. I had to stop to get a picture and seriously, this doesn't even compare to the real thing.

So there you have it, my Saturday 'Tales from the Road' Az adventure. The longest part was getting through town and all the stoplights! Ugh! I'm so used to long stretches of country road back home and never really had to deal with traffic, so that will take some getting used to. And let me tell you, stoplights = sweaty Heather. While all black looks cool, temperature wise it is very not cool. Glad I went with the mesh jacket option today, I thought about the leather jacket but I would have roasted! That mesh jacket was a very good investment! I was pooped when I got home and a little saddle sore, it's been awhile since I've rode and the rumble strip road was not comfy on the bum, I took a nice long nap with Oliver when I got back home. Tomorrow will be cleaning/grocery day, booooo! Hope everyone else had a great Saturday too, I hear it's finally warming up back home, yay!! 

Mail Time & Bike Week

Have I mentioned that I love getting mail! Especially when I open the mailbox and there is a key!! That means a package has arrived! Thanks USPS for making my mailbox happy! 

TWO packages in the package door! Bonus! 

The most important item from the homeland was this! Monical's dressing! My cheese Jack's pizza tasted amAZing tonight with this added bonus for flavor! For those of you who don't know about this delicacy, Monicals is a pizza place back in the Central Illinois area with a few other locations into Indiana and Wisconsin, but the thing that makes them special besides their delish pizza is the french dressing! It's not just any french dressing but sweet and tart, and it's perfect to dip your pizza in. Yes this sounds weird, but don't knock it til you've tried it! Make it a bucket list item if you are ever around the Illinois area! 

Here's an Olliebutt picture, he likes to watch TV, he's watching the ACM's here

I'm sure you all stopped by today to hear about my awesome weekend though didn't you!?! Well it just happened to be Arizona Bike week here so I decided to check it out! Check out the pictures from the amAZing stunt bike show. Sure you've seen some of these stunts before, but the big difference is these are Harley's! They are not the lightweight sport bikes that you usually see doing these tricks, it's something to see! These bikes are heavy!

One of the other big draws of the event was Chibs and Tig from Sons of Anarchy were there, I did see them... from a distance. I'm sorry but I wasn't about to wait several hours in the blazing sun for an autograph, just knowing that we walked the same ground was enough for me this day. I might have forgotten where I live now and well... the good news is I'm no longer blinding white shoulders, they are a little red. This was my first adventure out into the sunshine, lesson is learned, don't fret. Next time I will double SPF up. So are you mad that I didn't wait in line, would you have?

Tons of bikes! 

Here's the shirt I picked up to commemorate the event.

As a parting thought, would you take a look at these temps?!?! I haven't even been here quite a month and it's going to be 99° I'm going to melt! I'm not ready for this and neither is my poor electric bill!?! :( Ok haters, before you get to hatin' please remember that I too survived the never ending Illinois winter from h-e-double hockey sticks! I paid my dues as well. You back home will get to have a gradual warm up (albeit a slow one) but you'll have a Spring to enjoy. I came from walk outside and your face will fall off because it's so cold to now, don't go outside because your face will melt off because it's so hot! Feel sorry for me! (I'll post pics poolside) Don't hate haters, life's too short to be jelly! 

Happy Monday! 

Cold Pizza & Spoiled Milk

So I may be a little rusty in the domestic goddess part of life. On the one hand I have determined that Pizza Hut pizza tastes better cold than Papa Johns does, but PJ's wins with their garlic breadsticks.

I haven't quite got myself into a schedule where I actually plan a dinner or have a legitimate list when I go to the grocery store. Today my grocery cart was filled with bologna, milk, hamburger buns, Jacks pizza, baby wipes (good for removing my makeup) the most adorable mini Ben & Jerry's, cat litter, a sunshade (still not quite what I'm looking for) toilet paper and dishwasher soap... I'm pretty much Martha Stewart.

I did get around to cleaning out the fridge today, there were a few things left over from when mom and dad were here, yeah.... threw that out. Including the spoiled milk. I get on little cereal kicks but I think I had better just stick to the 1/2 gallon size, even better that they were on sale for $0.99! 

Clearly I have some Pinteresting to do or need to open a cookbook but I'm just lazy and not ready to have to legit cook. And who could blame me when that Papa John gives me 50% off coupons in my inbox?! 

Speaking of inbox, I have a care package en route from Illinois, the most important cargo (besides the printer cable I left at home) is some Monical's pizza dressing! It will be the perfect thing for my 3/$9 Jacks pizza, I've also been told by a friend that the secret to really fancying up a plain ol' Jacks pizza is to add basil, so I might have to give that a whirl. Mom is also including some clothes I left behind.. oopsie! (Thanks mom!)

Check back tomorrow and I'll fill ya in on my first Az adventure. 

Room Reveal: Living Room

Welcome to my home sweet home! This is my living room. There is the infamous IKEA couch in all it's glory, with my Target found accent pillows. Please note the vacuum lines, I cleaned up for you good folks!

I can't decide if a coffee table would look right with the chaise lounge, right now I'm using the TV tray there to hold my bev. You'll also see my amazing Barnes and Noble find that I got for Christmas, my cable knit throw! Love it! 

In the background you'll see the kitchen, my two bar stools that I found at Bed Bath and Beyond on clearance! Next to that you can kind of see that my green bag chair is still in use (that was my living room furniture until the IKEA adventure) I can't put it away because Oliver enjoys sitting in it. You've got the DVD rack in the back and that about sums up this view. The walls are a bit bare, so I need to work on getting something up there. 

Here is the money shot, look at all that natural light! Here you can see that I have no curtains yet, except for the random too-long-for-the-door sheer curtain on the door. It just happened to be in something I packed and we put it up to see if it would work and well.... it's still there. You can also see in this picture the lovely fireplace with my awesome picture collection that I received as a going away gift (and my febreeze can)

So there it is, a little snapshot of my humble abode. Stay tuned for more looks around. If you have any decorating advice for me, by all means please speak up! I'd love to hear your thoughts!