New Year, New Site

Blogger has been my home for many years. It is bittersweet that I will be leaping into WordPress with a new site. Please visit

www.jenbottom.com 

for everything you found here and MORE!

Wishing you a very Happy & Healthy 2015!

See you soon!

Beachy Red, White and Blue

I am back! 

Life over at Behind The Refrigerator Door and my business has been busy! But I am LOVING my life at the beach, while helping others get healthier and happier!

This morning on my run I saw this adorable cottage, right there on the beach. I paused my Garmin and HAD to snap pics to share with you!

Add caption

Cute, huh?

Mental~ Emotional ~ Cognitive Health and our Physical Health

Zig Ziglar

How do you keep yourself emotionally, mentally and cognitively engaged?

For me, this was HUGE to my physical transformation. I learned that whenever I felt down, verbally attacked, bad about myself I searched for food to comfort me. As a matter of fact it happened yesterday! Hubby and I got into a disagreement and all goals flew out of my head and wanted FAST FOOD FAST! But, knowing that about myself, I stayed strong...I redirected my uncomfortable feelings by crossing things off my to do list! I got engaged in progress and I felt better. By late last night when I saw hubby I had completely forgotten about our "tiff" and I hadn't gone down a path to lead me to more negative feelings! 

I don't always have success like that, but the key is to learn about ourselves so we CAN see progress in changing those mental and emotional obstacles.

Weekend Getaway to San Diego

We had the great opportunity to spend a night in San Diego, as a family. Here are some highlights.

E drove the whole way. This is the LDS temple in the background.

It was fun hanging out with my brother in his neck of the woods!

My brother and I. We didn't always look this happy together.
Now it is a HUGE blessing to see him often.

Since my dad couldn't make it, we toasted oysters on the half shell to him.

My honey!

 This big reason we wanted to hit San Diego was for going on the USS Midway aircraft carrier. SO COOL! Every person should do this once! I felt so much pride for our US military!

I cannot wait to see what this kid does!
He has always had flying and military in his blood.

Favorite pic of the weekend!

I have quite a few pics of him on various aircraft carriers at various ages, like this.

Why couldn't she be this fun at Beijing sites????

We stayed downtown in the Gas Lamp District. It was really neat and fun! We went to dinner and the boys went to a movie. We then woke up and said goodbye to Bro and headed to walk around Hotel Del Coronado for a few minutes. Then hubby had to fly out on a business trip! Such a fun time!

Bucket List: Stay here and spend a day in their spa!

 San Diego has so much to offer, we agreed we had to do this again! This city on the water is beautiful and reminded us a lot of Sydney, Australia. We feel lucky to have so many awesome destinations in So Cal!

Closet Redo On a Budget

Down sizing from a 3,400 sq ft home to a 1,700 sq ft one has many challenges! When I saw the house, this closet under the stairs excited me and I had so many ideas of how I could use it. However, when we moved in it became the "catch all" storing suitcases, cleaning supplies, BAGS, and any over sized item that couldn't fit anywhere else. This weekend was the time to make a system and organize!

I only spent $29.99 at Costco for the shelving unit. 

Here is what I did!

• Extended the pull light with a ribbon, I could never reach it before. 
• Emptied the closet and sorted by kitchen items, recipe boxes, cleaning supplies, and extras.
• Recycled 3/4 of the bags. I will never use them all!
• Put the shelving unit together. Super easy.
• Decided how the shelves would be used most efficiently.
• Put the over sized items in first (bread machine, Easter bunny- before you buy cutsie stuff, think of how you'll store it-, drink dispenser, punch bowls).
• Organize cleaning supplies.
• Cookie Sheets are stored in a file cubby unit turned on it's side.
• Place all items in with room for more.

STILL TO COME:

• Use vertical space.
• Hang broom, mop, Swiffer, etc on wall.
• KEEP IT ORGANIZED.

Do you have a closet that needs tackling? 

Comment or message me and I can help you make a plan!

Friday Faves ~ 1.17.14

1. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C Maxwell. Lot of a-ha moments!
2. Sticky Bumps scented candle. Although this was a Christmas gift for hubby, from me, I really love it and end up lighting it when he is not around. He surfed all throughout his teens and is loving reconnecting with it again.
3. Hermosa Beach. This past week you probably heard about California's amazingly warm weather. We went to the beach, after school, twice this week. I feel so lucky to live here!
4. Kale Chips. I am a little late to the game on this one. But every day after school my son asked for these! I spray them with coconut oil, sprinkle them with red wine vinegar and sea salt. Bake on 350 for 20-30 min. AMAZING!
5. Fresh flowers on my desk. I am working a lot now and I am proud to have my own desk. Hubby had an even this week and brought home a centerpiece. From now on I strive to always have fresh flowers at my desk!

Thanks for reading! 

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A Kid and His Camera

Today was one of those days where I said many prayers of gratitude for living in such a beautiful place.

 Dayton, 12, wanted to go to the beach after school. 

This is what he did.

~Not bad for an hour of after-school fun~

Dayton Bottom ~ Go Pro Hero Black 3+
Hermosa Beach, CA

Dayton Bottom ~ Go Pro Hero Black 3+
Hermosa Beach, CA

Dayton Bottom ~ Go Pro Hero Black 3+
Hermosa Beach, CA