Hi!
So sorry about being MIA last night. We didn’t get home from fishing until 1 am! We had very good reason to stay out though, which I will get to a little later. Stay tuned!
First of all, redecorating was a success! Well, this was the beginning stages but I think I did pretty good for only spending $150 and hitting the closet, the living room AND the kitchen. Little stuff, I have found out, makes a BIG difference! Check out me modeling the couch with new pillows and throw!
New closet organizer:
New kitchen rug (this was only $2.99 and has Dexter’s stamp of approval!!!):
Spice organizer 🙂
And, finally, the new stove made all the difference in the world!!
We also cleaned like mad-women. Cleaning actually isn’t such a bad thing right now because it keeps my mom and I busy! Midway through the frenzy, I snacked on a slice of Ezekiel bread with raw almond butter and preserves—
And to open a package I got in the mail! This one was from my cousin, Lauren, who works for…..get ready for this……America’s Next Top Model out in LA. She was so sweet to send me a care package with extra makeup from the set!
Since I haven’t bought new eye shadow since like 1999, this is awesome! Thank you, Lauren!! 🙂
Around 4:00 my mom and I passed out on the couch to have a glass of red wine. Hey, it was 10 pm in Paris so we didn’t mind 😉
And then the stove arrived! Can you guess what my first meal was??!
Glorious poached eggs on an Ezekiel english muffin with a bell pepper and carrots on the side. I thought it best to keep it simple the first night!
After an early dinner, I packed up and met Erin to drive to St. Pete and meet Ryan and Preston (Ryan’s 18 year old cousin). The boys had already gotten the boat, so they picked us up and we were off. I had my dessert on board 🙂
Look at these beautiful pictures from our trip—
To be honest, I had a bit of a mini-breakdown. The water was my brother’s passion and being back out on it so soon was very, very hard. I think it was a bit too soon since I only yesterday was able to turn the car radio back on in my car. I’m taking baby steps and last night thoughts of John consumed me and, at times, it hurt to breathe.
However, all was not lost because Preston actually caught a 100 lb tarpon! It happened around 10:15 and he fought that beast for about 45 minutes until we finally got it up on the boat for a quick picture!
It was my first tarpon experience and I was shocked at how HUGE these fish are! It was more like a sea monster! After it swam away back to its home, we took off for our home since it was almost midnight. I was STARVING though since it had been about five hours since I last ate and even though it was late, I knew I had to eat or else I would be starving laying in bed. Thank goodness I had this emergency bar with me!
To be honest, it wasn’t very good and it wasn’t filling at all. I still went to bed starving! Oh well.
And then this morning I woke up bright and early at 7:30 because I had some work to do before my big Team in Training kick-off event at 10:00! Basically, today is the day when I meet my coaches and teammates and get my training supplies and schedule. I’m very excited and Ryan is going with me and I think we are going to the beach after (we originally planned on the boat again but its just too hard for me) since its only 10 minutes away from my event.
I made quite the breakfast of champions to fuel me…
Now tell me that doesn’t look amazing.
I used 1/2 cup of Kodiak Pancake Mix (my favorite!) and topped my waffles with 1/2 cup Fage, maple syrup, a huge sliced banana and a few toasted almond slices. I’m stuffed right now but it was worth it!
I’m off to hop in the shower, wake Ryan and head back to St.Pete for my event! See you all this afternoon!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
May 9, 2009 at 6:27 amGlad you and Mom stayed busy. The place looks great! Enjoy your Team in Training today! That’s very exciting!!
Oh and those waffles look AMAZING!
Rachel
May 9, 2009 at 6:29 amThe condo looks sooo nice! I’m glad you and your mom were able to stay busy and spend time together.
Have fun at TNT and the beach today!! 🙂
weight and meditate
May 9, 2009 at 6:57 amI love the shot of Dexter! I bet he loves sniffing all the new goods.
Jen
May 9, 2009 at 7:07 amAw, dear. Don’t rush getting back out near water. It’ll take time. That fish is insanely enormous though. How do you pull something that big out of water?! And what kind of bait could possibly interest it?! A toddler???
You did a great job redecorating too. I love it so much when tons of shoes are neatly organized. I’m not too sure why. Haha.
Lots of love <3
Leah @ Simply Fabulous Now
May 9, 2009 at 7:12 amGreat post Jenna, as always….
Love the redecorating!
Hang in there with healing…. you are doing so well considering everything you’ve been through. Try not to put so much pressure on yourself to be “ok.”
Enjoy your weekend hun!
Chris
May 9, 2009 at 7:13 amWOW! That fish is incredible. I’m hesitant to show it to my South Florida fishermen, though, because they have NEVER been so lucky. Total envy coming on!
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats
May 9, 2009 at 7:17 amBeautiful pictures Jenna – that FISH! Oh my gosh, I think I would have been scared to go near it!!! Have fun in your new home, with your new stove!! 😀
K
May 9, 2009 at 7:26 amFUN package!! Your decorating looks fantastic – glad it was a success! That fish is HUGE!!
brittany meenach
May 9, 2009 at 7:32 amLOVE THE PINK AND BLACK ANIMAL KICKS, CHUCKS? Ikea is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy you guys have a stove, I was really thinking of starting a “Get Jenna a stove foundation.”
Dextar is totally a ham, and great model. Scary huge bignormous fish, wow. Have a great sat. Brit
Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday
May 9, 2009 at 7:41 amSorry being on the water was so hard for you 🙁
I did want to tell you that the orange tube mascara is AWESOME. The only makeup I wear is mascara and I am very picky about it. I just switched to this brand and totally love it!
Katrina (gluten free gidget)
May 9, 2009 at 7:46 amThat fist was HUGE!!!!!!!!!!! And don’t worry about your reaction to the boat, baby steps. You’ll get there.
Decorating on a budget is such a fun challenge! I love finding random pieces and reusing them in new unusual and unexpected ways!
Moran (The Running Addict)
May 9, 2009 at 7:55 amWOW that fish is MASSIVE!!!
Kiersten
May 9, 2009 at 7:55 amIndeed, your breakfast looks amazing. I love your closet organizer! I really need to get myself one (or two) of those.
Erin
May 9, 2009 at 7:59 amI need that closet organizer real bad, a trip to ikea soon for me!
That fish is insanely huge!!
Have fun at TNT & the Beach!
Jennifer @ His N' Her Health
May 9, 2009 at 8:00 amThe redecorating looks amazing! Dexter is too cute! Good luck with TNT today!
Brittany
May 9, 2009 at 8:04 amI love all your new redecorating items, especially the spice rack!
So cool that your cousin works for America’s next top model and sent you a care package of makeup. V. sweet.
What a HUGE fish!! I don’t think I’ve seen a fish that big in person.
Don’t worry about getting emotional on the boat, that’s perfectly normal and maybe it was too soon to be on the water. Only you know when it will be comfortable for you and I think it’s good that you are holding off on going back out today. Have a lovely weekend Jenna and hang in there!
Shannon @ TheDailyBalance
May 9, 2009 at 8:05 amcondo looks great — it just needed a woman’s touch 😉
your morning waffles are to die for!
Greta
May 9, 2009 at 8:07 amHappy Saturday Jenna! That fish is a monstrosity. I don’t know what I would do if I saw that while swimming! I have a bunch of rugs from IKEA too, including the same little $2.99 one. They’re great, even machine washable – cleaned mine for the first time a couple nights ago. Have a great day 🙂
Mara @ What's For Dinner?
May 9, 2009 at 8:12 amI haven’t been fishing since i was about 11, in the mountains of Colorado…and now I want to go!! The photos are beautiful, and I’m going to have to go to IKEA for one of those shoe things. I have 2 smaller ones already, but nowhere to put my workout shoes!
Kailey (SnackFace)
May 9, 2009 at 8:15 amCute redecorating pieces! I was totally scoping out your shoes in that organizer–killer wedges with spots 😉 I love all Ikea rugs too! They have such great colorful, affordable ones that can perk up a room in no time. And Dexter looks sooo adorable.
You were incredibly courageous to go ahead and try to go out on the water. Even if it was too soon to go out, at least you gave it a try and learned. And perhaps catching that huge sea monster was a sign of some sort.
I hope you have an awesome Saturday after that delicious breakfast!
polly
May 9, 2009 at 8:23 amHOLY fish!
Loved the pictures and your decorating skills are top notch, sweetie! I want to come over and sit on that couch to watch Little House on the Prairie together. 🙂 hehe
I am sorry the water is so hard, it will get easier. Someday maybe the water will be like breathing in a piece of John each time you go on the boat. Love and hugs, Pol
LK- Healthy Delcious
May 9, 2009 at 8:26 amholy crud that fish is massive!!!! congrats on the new stove!
Alison
May 9, 2009 at 8:33 amWow…great organization. I’m horrible about organizing 🙁 I usually only organize when things are a disaster-area. But I always wish I did it more often.
That fish is definitely impressive.
Michelle
May 9, 2009 at 8:40 amYour redecorating looks great, and I bet that new stove is awesome! Oh my gosh, that fish is huuuuuuuge! I can’t believe he was able to get that up on the boat, it would have pulled me over! Hope your event goes well today!
Run Sarah
May 9, 2009 at 8:50 amAwesome job redecorating! That fish is SO huge, wow…I would have been scared~
Ali
May 9, 2009 at 9:03 amMy goodness that fish is huge! I probably would have been screaming with excitement lol. Beautiful pictures also.
Christina
May 9, 2009 at 9:23 amOmg that is the biggest fish I’ve ever seen!!
Congrats on your new stove 🙂 That’s definitely an exciting purchase!
Lauren
May 9, 2009 at 10:01 amThanks for the answer for the breakfast cookies! I do read fitnessista’s blog, but just wondered if you had a different recipe.
Dexter is so cute..I love cats! They have such personalities!
Great that you got all that makeup!! What a nice suprise!
make it a great day
Lauren
Jess
May 9, 2009 at 10:12 amawww, dexter looks just like my cat, lovie! Sounds like you had a really great day!
Laura (On the Threshold of Greatness)
May 9, 2009 at 10:57 amI love all your Ikea purchases! I have so many of those little rugs it’s embarrassing. 🙂
I’m so jealous you live near St. Pete! I used to go down there every year with my mom to one of her conferences, and I fell in love with it.
Lacey
May 9, 2009 at 11:01 amLucky girl you getting all that makeup.
I will be doing an interview with raw chef Ani Phyo next week and I am collecting questions people might have for her about herself or raw foods. If you have something you would like to ask stop by my blog and leave a comment with your question or you can shoot me an email.
Jocelyn
May 9, 2009 at 11:20 amhey! i have a question..hope it isn’t too silly..I’m in Canada (so anyone reading this also from canada) where can I get fage?? iv looked all over..but none of my grocerystores/health stores seem to carry it?
or greek yogurt..cant find any of this either.
Allie Katie
May 9, 2009 at 11:21 amOMG that is huge! And possibly the ugliest fish ever, haha! I am glad they had a successful trip!! Did they not keep it because you are not allowed to? Or because they personally don’t want to keep it?
xoxo
AK
Shelby
May 9, 2009 at 11:33 amWhoa, that fish is HUGE!!!
Ooo la la, I am such a makeup freak. That package would be like gold to me haha 😉
LOVE the waffle breakfast, now I’m craving some!
Melanie
May 9, 2009 at 12:38 pmHoly Cow that breakfast looks wonderful!!
jori
May 9, 2009 at 3:39 pmMyhusband qould be ao jealous. He was saying last night he wished he was in Boca Grande fishing for Tarpon. I guess it was a hill tide? Oh well, Glad you are keeping busy your training will definetly keep you busy.
Anna
May 11, 2009 at 12:17 pmoh my, that fish is ENORMOUS!
Enjoy your new stove and fabulous IKEA finds!
beerab
May 11, 2009 at 4:31 pmOMG I am so jealous about the makeup products! That’s so cool your cousin works for ANTM! Tell her to tell Tyra I said recycle some photo shoots! Like the zodiac sign one! lol jk! I couldn’t help myself 😉 That was one of my favorite shoots 😀
Raffi
May 11, 2009 at 8:46 pmThe same dumy who designed my St Pete bungalow kitchen designed yours – someone who didn’t believe in counter space!