Things I Love (a poem)

I love Pinterest, I love rain,

I love funfetti birthday cake.

Ipads, makeup, money, clothes,

Halloween costumes, painting my toes.

Cake Boss, chocolate, shoes, jelly beans,

Watching Scrubs when the apartment is clean.

Britney, Gaga, Friday nights,

Weekends, holidays, Christmas lights.

I love when Mike and I both work on cars,

Seeing a dream on our poster and making it ours.

Taking a shower after a run,

Laughing with Mike when we’re just having fun.

I love having Mike lay his head on my lap

And tickling his head while he’s taking a nap.

 

It’s hard to fight when the fight ain’t fair…

It’s been hard to sit down and write lately…we were away all weekend and the lazy bug really hit me. Until today that is. The sad truth is that I *hate* waking up early but I am much, much more productive on the days I do. I went to school, got the apartment clean, got a helmet all ready to paint, we got the turbo back on the Eclipse (finally!), unpacked from the weekend, made dinner, did my workout…

Oh, and made popsicles.

School is a joke. My classes are good, but Mike’s automotive classes seem like slave torture. First of all, the students are, of course, paying hundreds of dollars to take the class. The class is basically like a mechanic shop where real people bring their cars in to be worked on by the students for a lower price than a regular shop. The school makes each customer sign a waiver releasing the school from liability in case something happens to the car. So the students take full responsibility and the school gets off free. Oh, and this whole time the customers are paying for their cars to be worked on…so how much goes to the people actually doing the work? Yeah, nothing. It all goes to the school.

I hate BYU. The eternal disappointment.

 

 

 

 

Magneto Helmets

This is what we do.

Mike and I make these custom-ordered. We sell them based on best offers – typically people offer between $250-$300. They’re perfect for Comic-Con!

You can see a video here.

You can also email us at gallacmic@yahoo.com.

See you at Comic-Con!

7 Things I Can’t Live Without

1. My iPad. 

I cancelled my phone plan and downloaded the free app, Text Plus, for free texting and calls. The downside is it only works with an active wifi connection, but my husband still has his phone and we always have that when we’re on the road. Our circumstances are such that really the only time we’re apart is at the school when we both have classes, and I get full wifi connectivity at the school so we’re really always connected. This works great and saves us around $450 a year. (Plus, I got mine for free by winning it. there are TONS of contests to win iPads. I won one a couple of years ago through a company affiliated with my old job. I ended up selling it, but  won another one by entering a local radio station’s contest via Facebook. They’re out there, I promise!)

2. Moisturizer.

I recently started using this at night as well as during the day. What a difference it makes for nice, glowy skin (especially in such an arid environment like Utah and Idaho). The stuff I use is Pond’s Dry Skin Cream (about $4-$6 from Wal-mart) but try out different products, look up reviews, find which one works best for you.

3. Acidophilus.

This is a probiotic (a live microorganism that benefits its host organism) that is primarily used to treat yeast infections, but has several other benefits that you can learn about here. I started taking it for acne and I’ve noticed a significant difference for the better.

4. The “cold” setting on my hair dryer.

It takes some extra time, but it’s worth it. I’ve never had my hair so smooth and shiny since after I started drying it with cold air only. Hot air opens the hair shaft and causes it to look dull and dry. Cold air closes the shaft, sealing moisture in. You can learn more about that here.

5. My goal book.

I bought a small, spiral notebook for less than a dollar to keep a list of goals. Crossing one off is one of the best feelings in the world. The little book can hold thousands of goals, so go crazy! I’ve got goals ranging from crocheting a rug for the kitchen to understanding my fears. If you’ve written more goals than you know you could ever accomplish in your lifetime, you’re on the right track. No goal is too small or too large!

6. The library.

Read The Hunger Games for free? Yes please! And yes, it’s totally legal! Most libraries have an assortment of new release DVDs and CDs as well. It might cost a dollar or two at the most to take out a card, but after that it’s totally free. Take advantage!

7. Pinterest.

Because it has everything. Find recipes, craft ideas, architectural designs, have a laugh, find spiritual inspiration. If you need an invite, send me a message. I’ll invite you.

Weightless Matters

I’ve been asked lately how I lost so much weight after my mission.

Before:

Before

Before

Before

After:

After

After

After

After

After

As you may be able to tell from the pictures, I was something like 190 pounds in the pictures and I’m about 118 right now, so I’ve lost a little over 70 pounds since I’ve been back. My “secret” is really no secret at all – I don’t use Weight Watchers (although I strongly support their principles and if money wasn’t an issue I probably would have joined) or low-carb diets, and I certainly haven’t starved myself.

Of course, everyone’s mileage varies, but here’s what worked so well for me:

Exercise – I try to run at least 3 miles a day. This works for me because I honestly love…LOVE…to run. I do it not only to lose weight but because it’s my happy place. If you really don’t like running, walking works too, but I’d suggest walking on a steep incline or speed walking for an effective workout. A casual stroll really won’t bring lasting change. You can learn more about that here.

To tone, I really like Cassey Ho’s pilates videos. You can find her on Youtube and Facebook as “Blogilates,” or visit her website at www.blogilates.com. She has nearly every level of workout, so you’ll find something that works for you there. I usually do a workout every day, but alternate between target areas. So on Mondays I do arms and legs, and on Tuesdays I do abs and butt, Wednesdays back to arms and legs, etc.

Consistent exercise will affect your appetite for the better. Over time you’ll find you just don’t care to eat as often and you’ll crave junk food much less. After a workout, be sure to eat complex carbs like oatmeal, brown rice, or any vegetable or fruit.

Eating is the hardest part of losing weight, I think. It’s about finding balance. You definitely don’t want to starve yourself, but obviously you want to take in less calories than you expend. I’ve heard losing weight depends 90% on what you do in the kitchen and 10% what you do in the gym.  But the mistake I think I’ve made the most often is obsessing over what I eat. It seems contradictory, but it’s true; the more you think about eating, the more you eat. Stop obsessing. Try to get in touch with yourself enough that you really know when you’re hungry, and eat then. Train yourself not to nosh on the bowl of potato chips on the table just because they’re there. In fact, just get rid of the chips altogether! If you have any control over the groceries in your home, here’s a good rule to remember: If you buy it, you’ll eat it. Make a list of healthy foods you want to buy and adhere to that list while you’re at the store. If you do this with enough consistency you’ll be amazed at how after a while you actually stop craving the junk food you used to not be able to live without!

One last thing I recommend is to have somebody you’re accountable to. If you don’t have anyone you know that you feel comfortable going to, find a message board on the internet. Try sparkpeople.com – they even have a free app.

“Fun is good” – Dr. Seuss

6 Paradoxes I’ve Found to be True

1. The more words a person feels they need to prove a point, the less valid their point probably is.
2. A humble man doesn’t see himself as a victim.
3. “Woman, without her, man is nothing,” and “woman, without her man, is nothing” are both true.
4. The wisest men never admit that they are.
5. Fun is to success what vitamins are to the body.
6. Respectable people don’t demand respect. They own it.

© Robyne Gallacher

10 Ways to Better Self-worth

It’s funny how we let what other people say about us effect how we view ourselves, even if we believe we held little regard for that person’s opinion. When someone challenges my sense of self-worth, it  shakes and cracks my entire foundation, making it easier and easier to break each time.

When we’re so sensitive to jolts and bumps of the negative surmises of others, it becomes necessary to learn how to build back up a strong foundation. Like a broken bone, a damaged self-worth can grow back stronger than it was to start with.

Here are 10 things I’ve learned help build back up a strong foundation.

1. Music and Art – music has a profound effect on the soul. If you don’t believe this, listen to this playlist for 20 minutes and tell me if you don’t feel so much better. Make your own playlist that has songs with personal meaning to you that build up your mood. Better yet, get to a piano or guitar and play your heart out. Art can take many forms. Watch an uplifting movie, read good poetry, go to an art museum, paint a picture. This is food for the soul.
2. Keep a journal – “I always say, keep a diary and someday it’ll keep  you” – Mae West
3. Read scriptures and pray – Does this need more explanation?
4. Go to the temple – This brings miracles. I’ve never gone to the temple and not come out feeling incredible peace and love.
5. Heed the advice of those who know – Make a book of inspiring quotes. There are so many on the internet. Memorize them. Take them into your heart.
6. Hit the gym – consistently. It’s incredible the effect a healthy body can have on your emotions and mind. This cannot be overstated. Yoga is especially great for maintaining spiritual balance. If you can’t afford a class, there are plenty of videos on Youtube or you can check out a book from the library for free.
7. Set goals – “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them” – Walt Disney. It’s true – you can do anything you set your mind to. Make a list of your goals and find pictures that correspond. Glue them to a poster, inside your journal, on a piece of paper that fits in your wallet, anything you know you’ll look at every day. Make a plan. Just go for it! Nothing is impossible.  
8.  Do something for someone else – get your mind off of your own problems and help someone else with theirs. Listen to a friend, tend somebody’s kids, deliver a special treat to a neighbor…you’ll find that you’re really the one who benefits.
9. Visit mother nature –  pack a picnic and go for a hike or a walk where you can be alone, surrounded by nature. Focus on the beauty and enjoy the solitude. Think about your problems and try to put them in perspective.
10. Talk to a friend – If there’s someone you trust and you know cares about you, ask if they don’t mind listening. Of course, be the kind of friend who will be there for others when they need someone to listen as well.

© Robyne Gallacher

Mike and Robyne

This is me and my husband, Mike. We’re college students right now and just trying to get through life.