Whole30 = Whole New McCamley's

About a year ago, Ryan calls me on his ride home from work. The conversation goes a little something like this:

Ry: So, I think I want to try a new diet called Paleo
Me: Called what?!?!?!
Ry: Paleo. It's where you only eat meat, fruits and vegetables. You leave out grains, sugars, dairy and most processed food.
Me: Wait, what?!?!?!
Ry: No pasta, bread, cheese, candy... stuff like that.
Me: That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

Months and months go by and I still think it is the worst idea known to man. Ry tried it a couple times but, it was pretty tough to do it by yourself and without a plan. Then, one random Saturday in November, I went to see Ry compete at "The Hopper". The Hopper is a Crossfit competition where you don't know what the workout is until right before the event. They literally pull the workout from a hopper... kinda like bingo.

Now, Ry has told me over and over again that I would LOVE Crossfit but, do I listen to him? No way! He is my husband! Why would I listen to him???

Watching Ry compete in that atmosphere was something I had missed for years. Since I quite swimming I have tried a few different activities/sports but nothing got me excited the way The Hopper did.

Right when we got home I signed up for the next foundation class so I could join Crossfit Annapolis. Needless to say, it was the best idea ever (and no, it wasn't Ry's idea at this point, it was mine!)

A few nights had gone by of the foundations class. We learned some new crazy stuff (at least for me) like how to deadlift, clean, do a PROPER squat and handstands. I learned some new terms like thruster, burpee, and F2I. Then, at the very end of class, that word came up again. PALEO!! The first night it came up, I slipped out of the gym quietly. The next night it came up again but, I listened a little bit longer. I still wasn't that impressed. I mean, I like sugar and cream in my coffee, thank you! Then the thrid night it came up some of the stuff they said made a little bit of sense. My mom did always make me eat my vegetables before I could leave the dinner table.

Then there was the one statement that changed everything. "Try it for 30 days. If you like it great, live your life that way. But, if you don't, go back to your old eating habits".

30 days wasn't forever. I can do that. Do you really have more energy? Do you really sleep better? Will I really feel THAT much better?

Ry and I talked about it for a few weeks but, it was at Christmas time. It's not really the best time to change your eating style. Who can say no to the Christmas shapped cookies, candy canes and hot chocolate (or, in our case, soda, Ben and Jerry's or candy bars)?

A few days after the new year we decided to try the whole "Paleo thing". We rented the movie Food Inc. (which we had heard from a few people that it was a "must watch"), bought our last soda, candy bar and pint of Ben and Jerry's and sat on the couch one Saturday night to watch it.

To make a long(er) story short, we did not finish our treats, we emptied out our pantry and refrigerator the next day and started the Whole30 challenge a day early. Ever since then, our life has been totally different and for the better!

Staycation 2010 (Part I)

The first two months of the summer, Ry and I barely saw each other. I would leave the house around 5 am and wouldn't come home until 8 or 9 at night. I would leave for work and he was sleeping, and when he came home from work, I was passed out. I was exhausted. The two things that kept me going were:

1. I actually liked my jobs... most of the time
2. Ry and I were headed to LA at the end of Aug

I have never been to the west coast and I was so excited! I couldn't wait to see the Hollywood sign, go shopping, eat at great restaurants, ride on those tour busses that show famous people's houses... I could go on forever. I also knew that Lauren Conrad and I are destined to be BFFs... we just need the chance to meet.

Unfortunately, a huge change of events occurred and Ry couldn't go out there for training anymore (that is what started the whole trip). My dreams where shattered. No big bus tours, no Hollywood sign, no shopping on Rodeo Dr, no new BFFs. But, I wasn't going to let that stop me from having a vacation. I worked way too hard and didn't see my husband for 2 months! So, I started planning "Staycation 2010". We agreed that we wouldn't travel anywhere too far away but we would take little day trips over 2-3 weeks.

The first day trip we planned was to head down to southern Maryland. First, we visited with Ry's parents and met their new puppy Marley Mae. She is a beautiful black lab but, she will only weigh about 35-40 lbs (perfect size if you ask me). We brought Foxxy over and they instantly became BFFs. They played for HOURS together wrestling with eachother. Eventually, the two dogs tired themselves out so Ry and I headed out to Solomans Island.

We had a great time walking around Solomans Island even though it was rainy and nasty outside. We walked down the boardwalk, went into little shops and walked around looking at beautiful houses right on the water. Solomans Island is pretty small so we decided at the last minute to drive down to St Mary's College and walk around there.

Ry hates these pictures but, we need proof that we were both there together. Once we train Foxxy to take the pics we will be good to go

I kind of love them <3

A few pictures of Solomans Island

As we drove down, the skies parted (for real this time) and it was BEAUTIFUL out. We brought the dog's Frisbee out and all played together as the sun set over the water. No, it wasn't LA but, it was a great trip for the three of us to be together again. We got to catch up on the last two months and have fun together.

Playing with the Bambushka

Goofing around

An end to a perfect day

So, I don't want this post to go on forever so, I will update in a day or two with the rest of Staycation 2010. Other trips that are included in Staycation 2010 are: Kings Dominion, White Water Rafting in Harper's Ferry and a weekend trip to Ocean City Md. (not the Jersey Shore).

Goodbye Exploder... Hello Tiguan

A little sad to see it go, it was in the family for 13 years

About half way through the summer Ry and I had to put one of our Explorers to rest. It had almost 200,000 miles on it when the engine took its last breath. Luckily, we had another Explorer for Ry to drive around for a few weeks so "we" could shop around for a new car (and when I say "we" I mean Ry b/c I was working about 15 hours a day, Mon-Sun.)

Unfortunately for Ry, the other Explorer was closing in on 250,000 miles, had no AC, no heat, and made funny noises we didn't even want to know about. It wouldn't have been so bad if this happened at the end of Sept or the beginning of May but, it was the middle of the hottest July I can remember.

You would think since we are in the middle of a recession, any car dealership would bend over backwards to sell a car to someone with pretty good credit right? Wrong... Ry and I went to a few different dealerships (I won't name any names here) and they were HORRIBLE!! The first dealership let him test drive a disgustingly dirty car. The second salesman damaged the paint on a car we were looking at and didn't care. "Oh well, not a big deal". And the third salesman couldn't even be bothered by coming outside. He expected us to go inside to see him! Aren't the cars OUTSIDE?!?!

Then, the skies parted and we drove into Fitzgerald Auto Mall in Annapolis. First, the salesman came outside (GASP), asked us how we were doing (WHOAH!!!) and was extremely friendly (I almost fainted at this point). He then talked to us, rather than down to us, and helped us buy a brand spankin new Volkswagen Tiguan in cherry red. Ry and I had never even heard of the Tiguan but as soon as we got into it we fell in love. It was perfect for us, a sporty SUV that isn't too big but not too small, plus it is a manual! Ry has been looking for a manual car this whole time. I don't know how to drive it yet but all that means to me is an extra daquari or margarita at dinner time :)

MIA

I confess, I have been HORRIBLE at blogging the last two or three months however, I feel I have a good excuse. Or 111 of them. I just finished up my second season coaching a summer swim team, along with coaching my club swim team and teaching about 2387492983 swim lessons a week. Well, maybe not that many swim lessons but, a whole lot!!! It was an extremely busy summer but a very rewarding one!

"WCSC Seadogs"
One of the swimmers came up with this idea and it worked out really well!

A few weeks ago I had to make one of the hardest decisions ever... I quit coaching my club team. I have been talking about going back to school for a while but, with Ryan, my family and my friend's support I am really doing it! I am going to miss my kids more than they will ever know! Luckily, we are all BFF's on Facebook so we can keep in touch :)

Most of my group

I I just registered for two classes and I am really excited! I know what you are all thinking... NERD! But, I am ready to go back and learn. I am also excited to have a career, whether it is as a swim coach or as a mechanical engineer. So, the next year and a half or so will be pretty crazy but, it will definitely be worth it!

Top Gun

So, yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year. No, it wasn't a holiday and yes, I had to go to work. Why was it so special? It was Navy's graduation... so I got to see the Blue Angels fly over our condo for about an hour.

Every year since Ry and I moved into our condo we have gone downtown to watch the show they put on. This year, Ry couldn't take off work so I decided to watch them from the picnic table outside our condo with Foxxy.

When I told Foxxy she would be able to hear them before she saw them, she got ready

It really is amazing to watch them fly so close and a couple times I could actually see the pilot flying the plane. I didn't get too many photos but I did get a pretty cool (but short) video.

B/c I didn't get any cool pictures, here are some photos from last year...







Remember when an American cargo ship Captain was held hostage by 3 pirates and our Navy went in to rescue him? Yea, this is what Naptown does to show how kick ass our Navy is!

What's a Pirate's Favorite Letter?

A few weeks ago Ry, Foxxy and I took our first Sunday stroll around Naptown in the spring time. During our walk we stopped in a little dog and cat boutique, Paws, to look around. They have the coolest stuff in there! In the back there is a wall that is only collars and leashes (there are so many it's border line overwhelming!). After looking for a few minutes we found the perfect collar... skulls and crossbones. But, it's not JUST skulls and crossbones, it has a pink border so it is very clear that she is a she :)

Living the life of a pirate

The bandanna is pink too!

After we found the perfect collar, we found a new new name tag. Now, this is a serious skull and crossbone... no pink, no fru-fru, nothing feminine what so ever. The name tag makes a statement: "I'm a bad ass", the collar lets everyone know she is a bad ass girl, and the under-bite lets everyone know she is ridiculous.

Watch out!

We tried...

Oh, a pirates favorite letter? Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Is this really the same dog?

Ryan and I love to take pictures of our beautiful Vizsla, Foxxy. I think we take so many pictures of her b/c we don't have any children yet... at least that is what I tell myself. Enjoy!

When she was just a little pup

She loves the park!

It looks like she wants to eat them but, really she just wants to snuggle


She can beg

She likes the Redskins... sometimes


She likes to run really fast


She plays cards


She sleeps under the covers


She watches the snow


She loves the beach!


She is kinda cute right?

WOAH! What is that?!?!