Monday Motivation

I love this quote as it reminds me of chocolate...

I can: Eat all the Chocolate
I will: Eat all the Chocolate
Watch Me: Eat all the Chocolate

But in all seriousness, this is a fantastic quote as it proves there is no try, only do. 
Happy Monday Folks! Go out there and create a wonderful life!

Photo Phrump #12- Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the most wonderful Dad a girl could ask for! Papa Bear taught me how to swim, how to fish, to shovel snow, to hang Christmas lights, algebra (still working on that one), how to drive, how to wrestle, how to sing silly songs, how to cook, how to eat Kit Kats, how to hunt (or sit to sit quietly), and many many more. 

Most importantly though, my Dad taught me love. He is patient (see algebra), kind with his words and deeds, thoughtful and giving, and funny. Very very funny. This love has guided me through the years. This unwavering force of gentle love. 

Thanks for always being my Dad, Papa. I love you. <3
love your Fart Blossom

Photo Phrump #11- "We Have To Go Back"

Making plans to go back! Getting excited. 

Disneyland, CA

Frumpty Dumpty's Friday Fun Fact

Today's Friday Fun Fact- Friday the 13th!!!


Did You Know:

• Fear of Friday the 13th dates back to Nordic Mythology.  Many of their thirteenth Gods met with violent deaths, such as Loki, the trickster. 
• Triskaidekaphobia is the technical name for fear of Friday the 13th
• Today, Friday June 13th we will also see a full moon. A "Strawberry Moon" in fact. The June full moon is nicknamed the "Strawberry Moon" due to the strawberry season that the full moon would have traditionally coincided with (according to the Farmer's Almanac). 
• My husband and his father where both born on a Friday the 13th but in different months; my husband's in April and his father's in August. 

I don't know about you all, but I find this stuff fascinating!!! 

Have a Happy & Safe Friday the 13th. 

Frumpty Dumpty and Commitment

A little knowledge nugget to help get you focused. 
Happy Thursday folks!

Frumpty Dumpty Is Waist-ing Away!

When someone says, "Wow! You're wasting away!" are they saying you're losing weight or that your "waist" is widening away at an uncontrollable rate...?  Hmm....

Does my hippo-ness make my butt look fat?

Well, a little while ago, I came to the realization that I myself was "waisting away".  That's right, folks: Frumps Got Fat! Okay, maybe fat is too harsh... maybe I wasn't all "roll-me-down-the-aisles", but I definitely felt super unhealthy and uncomfortable in my own body.  I became, how shall we say, "unskinny".  You see, as a professional dancer, I had no choice but to always be in shape and, given the nature of my job, I never really had to focus too much on working out in order to get results.  Since I was always dancing, staying fit without trying to stay fit just sort of came with the territory... an occupational hazard, if you will.  Ah, such was the life of a Showgirl... (BTW: when you hear Showgirl think the Rat Pack in the 60s, not B-movies in the 90s...) 

After this humbling realization, I had to take a serious look at myself in the mirror (if I could find one big enough...ba dum ching!) and figure out how I had gotten into this dumpy-mess-of-frumpyness! If I wanted to, I could probably blame part of it on fertility drugs and another part on crazy estrogen fueled food feasts... but, honestly, that's the easy way out.  And I think the "easy way" is how I got here in the first place... 

"That's Way Harsh Ty"

The truth is: I've been unskinny for a while now, long before fertility drugs.  I needed to figure out what the heck was going on.  Enough was enough... and believe me, I had more than enough! 

It was a hefty task, but I had to be honest with myself and get to the big bottom of whatever issues had led me down Frump Avenue.  Like an old fashioned detective, I was going to have to search the crime scene.  I was going to have to find out who was responsible for this!  I was going to have to find out who to blame!  I was going to have to interrogate Ms. Frumpty Dumpty herself... and, man, was that upsetting:

Are you making the best food choices?  No. 
Are you working out?  No. 
Are you expecting pounds to fall off by themselves?  Yes...? 

Welp... this is awkward...  Turns out, as you probably already guessed, my problem was me.  I'm a smart lady and, though I'm no fitness expert, my understanding of the human body was enough to know this: calories ingested can't triple the amount of calories burned.  Challenge Accepted!  

Only problem was, I had accepted this challenge before.  Like a whole buttload of times before:  
Carbs vs. No Carbs... Well, maybe some carbs, right?
Cayenne Pepper & Lemons... That can't be right?
All Chocolate, No Worries... Success! Oh, that's not real? Ok then...  

In the wake of my fad diets, my friend Serina told me about AdvoCare.  After hearing about what it had done for her (... and I'll get to that), I decided to give it a shot and started myself on the product.  To no surprise, my hubby was gonna take a bit of convincing; to a big surprise, it didn't take long to convince him.  In the first 24 days (as part of a "24 Day Challenge") I lost a whopping 10lbs. and 6 inches (3 in my waist!) and he lost 13lbs. and 9 inches (4 in his chest)!   On top of that we've been coffee and soda-free since starting...  So, yeah!  Go us!  Everyday now I'm working toward something, and that something is feeling a bit more like the old me... but with a waaaaay better attitude. 

Thanks for dropping by FrumptyDumptyLife.com and -- Don't Worry -- I don't want to this blog to be just a platform to promote AdvoCare products, but they have been fundamental to my success so don't be surprised if AdvoCare makes an appearance or two!  If you are interested in giving Advocare a try, hit me up by sending me a message right here and, either way, cheers to new beginnings and rocking that yellow polka dot bikini...  That hippo ain't got nothing on me!

Monday Motivation

I love this quote as it reminds me of chocolate...

Do you ever get sad after you eat some chocolate because it's gone now and you don't have any more?  I do... But just as this quote proclaims, every day is like a new beginning which brings forth the possibility of a new chocolate bar!  Stay away from the sadness of what might have been, and look to what can be: a future with better chocolate bars. Huzzah!

Photo Phrump #10- Cozy Kitty

My morning AdvoCare buddy all tuckered out. Ahhh...

Photo Phrump #9- Fun!

Sometimes you just gotta go out there and have fun!! 

Universal Studios, Hollywood

Photo Phrump #8- Well Hello There

I just love the simplicity of this beautiful statue and her bird. It was tucked away in a quite corner of the estate. I wonder what they talk about. It looks like a very interesting and engaging conversation. 

Hearst Castle, San Simeon CA

Photo Phrump #7- Heaven

San Simeon, CA

So beautiful and peaceful. Heaven. 

Photo Phrump #6- It's Good to Have Goals!

Here he is folks, Oscar. 

Universal Studios, Hollywood

Frumpty Dumpty & the Rotten Eggs

Have you ever heard the saying, "God doesn't give you more than you can handle"?  Ya know, I gotta say, I don't think that's true.  I think we are sometimes given more than we can handle.  At least a little more.  Or maybe a lot more.  Or like a whole stinkin' buttload more.  However... the process of persevering, learning, reaching, and growing is what builds character and strength and blah blah blah "we become better people in spite of real crappy situations" and yada yada yada!  It might sound like I'm being negative, but the problem is:  I positively agree with all of that stuff I just said!  It's all part of the healing process, y'all.  The catch is that sometimes it takes a lot of talking out loud (or via blog for that matter...) to let that healing process begin.  You don't leave the band-aid on when the cut has healed, right?  No!  You tear it off (even when it hurts!) and you show the world your scars...


::DEEP BREATH:: ... And GO!

If only they were as delicious as they look...

About a year ago, I put my bandaid on.  And Friends, it was a deep, deep cut.  So deep, in fact, for a while I thought about never taking that band-aid off.  Instead, I chose to pose a question that has proven to be impossible to answer:  Why?  And it wasn't just that question, I also asked a few of "Why's" best friends like:  "Why do I have to suffer?"  "Why did this happen?"  And, of course, "Why me?"


You see... I have a secret. One that very few people know about, yet it's one that many women I have met share.  My secret is that I, Frumpty Dumpty, am "fertility challenged".  Boom.  Band-Aid ripped.

Yep... Pretty much...

My hubby and I have been trying hard to "start a family" for several years now, but we've had no luck.  This surprised me since I thought I started a family when I got married, but as society tells me, "You're wrong... you're wrong and you're stupid." And, in a way, I have been stupid.  See, I've been pretty silent about our situation.  Actually, this is probably the most public I've been about it at all.  After the initial overwhelming sadness and utter futility that beat me into the ground, I rose from the ashes to a brand new emotion!  The bright, shining, inescapable feeling of... Shame!  Just what I needed, right?  It was weird, guys....  I didn't get it at first, but I felt ashamed that I didn't work like "normal women".  I mean, I guess it makes sense.  At our most basic animalistic level we are made to procreate.  Reproduce.  Continue on the species.  Basic animalistic need, folks.  That's the norm and the norm is normal.   Grow up, Screw up, Shape up, Have a career (Have two in my case...), Have a wedding, Have some fun, and then... Have some kids.  That's what happens, right?  Well... not exactly.

Don't worry, I'm not going to go into all of the details about my fertility challenges at the moment, but it was time for me to show my scars to the world.  I've wanted to share my story for a while, but to what end, I didn't know.  After all, the last thing the world needs is another sob story being told by another sobber, right?  But then, a couple of Sundays ago, something kind of interesting happened.  The Sunday in question: Mother's Day.  It's tough when a hard day for you is an amazing day of celebration for so many.  Don't worry, I still sent the cards and posted the posts to my 'Mazing Mama and my Matriarchal Mates.  After all, you moms deserve a special day, and I'm not advocating the end of holidays due to personal plights, but... Why lie?  That one's a major bummer.  Yet somehow, through the bummer-ness, I found a silver lining.  After a simple, benign Facebook comment gently poked the fertility challenged bear, a girl friend I hadn't talked to in years confided in me that she too has dealt with fertility challenges as well. 

Good plan!  Let me know how it works out!

My need to speak openly about these issues doesn't come from a longing for fame or attention.  No.  It comes from the fact that there are too many fertility challenged women and men (otherwise known as people) struggling silently.  For some inane, inexplicable reason, it's a kind of a taboo, sensitive topic that most don't even know how to approach let alone talk about.  And, oddly, all I needed during my dark days was someone to talk real to.  Someone who understood my personal pain and someone who I didn't have to qualify my hurt to.

That's why I say "fertility challenged".  I am not infertile.  Not because I'm not able to have kids naturally right now and not cause we haven't tried other options, but because I won't be defined by that one shameful word anymore.  "Infertility" is something I deal with, NOT something I am.  It's just another part of life now.  Just another problem.  And if the first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one:  You're screwed, Infertility.

Photo Phrump #5- Love Locked

This last April, the hubby and I took the leap and went on our dream vacation. We both have been drawn to Ireland and England and wanted desperately get out of the Vegas heat and a chance to visit some incredible places. 

Along our journey, we came across a bridge in Dublin, Ireland that had many locks along the arches. We did some snooping and realized that lovers had put their names on these locks to signify their love and staying power. We loved this idea and wanted to leave a piece of us in that beautiful city. So we locked up our love as a promise to revisit one day. The lock also signifies our staying power. No matter how difficult life can get, we are solid and can withstand all weather. Much like that lock. 

Dublin, Ireland

Photo Phrump #4- These Guys

So this interesting couple, they live at Harrah's Hotel and Casino. I laugh every time I walk by. Mainly because it is an example of exactly of what I don't want for my future. 

A great reminder that the world is a whole lot bigger than Las Vegas. We gotta get outta here baby- before we turn into these guys!

Las Vegas, NV

Photo Phrump #3- Angel Cards

I have had these Angel Cards since High School. The deck has around 60 cards each with a different word printed on it. Daily I shuffle these cards, put them in their holder, and select one. That is my word or focus for the day. Sometimes if a random card drops out during my selection, I'll keep that one too just in case my Angel's feel I need some extra love that day. 

These were our cards yesterday.  I picked Release and Balance fell on the floor. My husband picked Harmony. 

I think our Angel's are trying to tell us something. 

Harmony.

Balance.

Release. 

Home. Las Vegas, NV

Photo Phrump #2- Reflection

This last Tuesday we took a day trip to the Grand Canyon. 

I have been overwhelmed lately by the glorification of busy. Stop. Breathe. 

I've realized that it's too easy to let life's trials and tribulations get the best of you. Blessings are hidden in the small moments. I stop the hamster wheel of life to breathe, listen, and reflect. Ahhhhh....Namaste.   

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Photo Phrump #1- A Fresh Start

Sometimes you just gotta clean it out, physically and emotionally. Love this stuff! Be well my friends.

Home. Las Vegas, NV

Frumpty Dumpty Starts a Blog!

Late one night I got to thinking, "maybe I need to start a blog".  I don’t fancy myself as strong a writer as some other folks out there, but I do have a thing or two to say and share with my friends and family.  Now I know it takes a lot of insider knowledge (which I don’t have) to pound out articles about celebrities or politics before the whole world already knows about it.  And, sadly, I wasn’t born with the “Gift of the Riff” like some hilarious bloggers I’ve followed.  I’ll even admit it takes talent to tirelessly blog about “Disney Character’s with Beards” or “Photobombing Llamas” 365 days a year.  Alas, that’s just not me…. But like I said, I’ve got a few things to share and the last thing I want is to waste your time (and mine!) with just another blog.  In that case, I guess it’s best to write what you know….

So Ladies and Gentlemen Welcome to Frumpty Dumpty Life!!!  My goal is to put a smile on your face with some much needed motivation, help with your health, and lessons about life, love, and, of course, loss. (but more on that later…)

First things first, about that name… Yeah, well, I wanted something that truly encapsulated the essence of this blog and all at once captured life’s general… well… “frump”.  You heard me right: FRUMP.  Most of you know what I’m talking about.  Frump, from the French for blughhh, can manifest itself in two ways: internally and externally.   For me, I had been suffering from some severe internal frumpiness for about a year and that was when the external frumpiness saw a chance to attack!  That’s right.  I had me a case of the “Double Frumps”: feeling like a stranger on the inside and looking like a stranger to myself on the outside. But as you know, this isn’t “The Double Frump Blog”, so where did “Frumpty Dumpty” come from…?

"Phil, are you alright?"

We all know the story of that Unsteady Egg:

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall

All the King’s Horses and All the King’s MenCouldn’t put Humpty together again…

Hmmm…  He sits on a wall, falls, cracks, and, life basically says, “Yeah, you’re done.”  And that’s it!  Really?  Can that be all?  It’s such a well-known rhyme that adults and kids both know forewords and backwards yet it leaves you with two “important” messages:  1.  Don’t fall off walls (duh)  And 2.  Horses suck at puzzles.  Jeez, glad I learned that one early…

Regardless, I wanted to take lemons and make lemonade.  Or better yet, I wanted to take cracked eggs and make lemonade.  Wait, no.  Omelets.  I want to make omelets.  Maybe pancakes. Bacon? Yes, we need bacon. Where was I?  Oh yeah, the point is I want to take something that kind of ended chaotically and try to put things back in order.  Maybe help to put the pieces back together again.  So I give you, Frumpty Dumpty Life.

That’s all for today, but if you’ve been feelin’ the frump or just need a little pick me up from time to time, come back and join me at Frumpty Dumpty Life!