Welcome to our temporary home!
Ryan’s new company booked us a room at a nearby extended stay hotel where we’ve set up camp until we find a home to rent in the area.
The hotel is very nice and roomy. I think we’ll be just fine!
The downside?
They don’t allow this little girl…
Sadie is currently staying at my parents’ house where my mom, dad and sister are keeping a loving eye on her.
Ryan and I also decided it would be best for me to go back and forth from Ocala to St. Pete in the upcoming weeks to do my part as a doggy mama since we don’t feel like it’s fair to just dump Sadie on my family (even though they LOVE her), so I’ll be doing a lot of traveling.
This will be a good chance for me to spend some quality time with my family and Ryan and I plan to be responsible dog parents and spend most of the upcoming weekends with Sadie somehow, whether it be in St. Pete with my family, Sarasota with his family, etc.
Workout
When we received our 6 a.m. wakeup call, Ryan and I quickly changed into our gym apparel and walked a few feet to the hotel’s fitness center.
Talk about convenient!
We scoped out the gym last night, so we knew it had adequate cardio machines and a wrack of free weights. I figured I could do a total-body weights workout of some sort without much trouble.
I began my workout with five minutes of incline walking before hopping on the elliptical for 20 minutes.
I then completed this strength-training workout:
Exercise | Weights | Reps | Sets |
Bicep curls | 15 lbs. | 15 | 3 |
Side shoulder raises | 10 lbs. | 15 | 3 |
Deadlifts | 30 lbs. | 15 | 3 |
Tricep extensions | 20 lbs. (total) | 15 | 3 |
Alternating lunges | 15 lbs. | 15 | 1 |
Hamstring ball curls | Bodyweight | 20 | 3 |
Pushups (on my knees) | Bodyweight | 15 | 3 |
Wall sits | Bodyweight | 30 sec. | 3 |
Various crunches on exercise ball | Bodyweight | 50 | 3 |
I missed some of the machines I use to do some leg exercises, but this workout got the job done!
Breakfast
Breakfast today was awfully convenient as well thanks to a complimentary buffet at the hotel.
I filled my plate with a hardboiled egg white (hardboiled egg yolks are dry and nasty!), whole wheat toast, a banana, scrambled eggs with Swiss cheese and a container of peanut butter that I used as a dip for my toast. (And my finger. Let’s be real.)
The Swiss cheese scrambled eggs were my favorite! They were ridiculously cheesy. I refilled my plate with another small serving before heading back to the room with Ryan.
Now I am seriously PUMPED to get back into work mode. I felt so frazzled with the move last week and stressed out over the chaos occurring in my inbox. Time to tackle the beast!
The Great Fundraising Act
If you are active in the blog community, you’ve likely heard Susan’s story. Susan is the amazing healthy living blogger behind the blog The Great Balancing Act, a personal trainer and a phenomenal woman. She was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and has incurred monthly medical bills of $5,000.
The amazing Janetha organized a fundraising auction to raise money to help Susan with these expenses. Companies and bloggers have donated goods to the auction which you may check out here.
I am donating a batch of homemade peanut butter granola (which I plan to send along with some other goodies!), which you may see here. All you have to do to place a bid is comment in the comment box with the amount of your bid. A detailed explanation of the rules and logistics of the auction may be seen on The Great Fundraising Act page.
If you don’t want to bid on anything, you may also simply make a monetary donation.
I hope you all win something awesome and I thank you in advance for contributing to this phenomenal auction, which is live from 8 a.m. (EST) to 11 p.m. (EST). Of course all proceeds will go directly to Susan.
I’m off to get mah bid on!
Julia says
The thing I love about hotel gyms? The TV’s on the cardio machines. Yes, the convenience of them too, but TV, Im like a 4 year old watching a cartoon, the rest of the world is non existent.
Victoria (District Chocoholic) says
Hardboiled egg yolks are vile, dry, disgusting and inedible.
peanutbutterfingers says
100% agree. i’ve never liked them. nasty.
mel says
I hate them too but I love scrambled and fried eggs…so weird!
Julie, will you be working from your hotel room or coffee shops? I can imagine it must feel cramped!
peanutbutterfingers says
both, most likely! right now i’m in our hotel room, but think i may go into the lobby soon just to get out!
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life says
As messy as the temporary housing situation is, I’d say that a workout room within a few feet + complimentary buffet breakfasts are pretty exciting! 🙂
Shady says
So sad about Sadie. I struggle when I go on vacation for a week being away from my furkids. Thank goodness for families who love ’em as much as we do. Best of luck with the continuing house hunt. Even though the temporary digs are pretty posh, you both must be anxious to find a permanent place.
Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) says
If only I lived closer, I’d dog-sit Sadie for you! Actually it would be doing me a favor so Koda would have someone to run around and burn off energy with. She’s been looking for a minnow-chasing partner!
peanutbutterfingers says
sadie would LOVE that!!
Yolie @ Practising Wellness says
That is so awesome that Ryan’s company has hooked you up with a hotel room…and how cool to have a gym within a few feet AND a complimentary breakfast buffet. 🙂
I’m sorry that Sadie can’t stay with you for the time being, but it seems like everything is working out pretty well considering – how awesome of your parents to puppy-sit for a bit! You two are very very responsible doggy parents.
Wishing you a wonderful day, Julie! Best of luck tackling your inbox…from the comfort of a cosy hotel room!
Don’t stress…keep calm and carry on 😉 xyx
Yolie @ Practising Wellness says
PS: I love how retro and 70s your TV room is, its funny! 🙂 xyx
Lisa @ Sunny Seed Stories says
Yay free breakfast! But I am sure there will be an even bigger yay for your first breakfast in your new house! Crossing my fingers it happens soon. 🙂
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
That’s gotta be so hard to not have Sadie around! The place looks nice and the gym/breakfast are great perks, though.
LizAshlee says
I bet you guys miss Sadie so much!! It’s great she is able to stay with your parents!! Hope you find a fantastic house very SOON!! 🙂
Have a great day!!!
Bethany @ More Fruit Please says
I know it’s stressful trying to plan everything and make arrangements during a move, but it looks like you and Ryan are doing great! I recently made a big move and had to do temporary housing for a little while. It was upsetting since I missed my belongings and I just wanted to get settled into what would be my new home. So I know the temporary housing thing can suck. But I know you and Ryan will find an awesome place to live after all of this (hopefully the one with pool)!
Jordan @ food, sweat, and beers says
Well, at least for the first short bit of your time in Ocala you won’t have to worry about a long trek to the gym, it’s right downstairs!
Enjoy your stay, the digs actually look pretty nice (gotta love dramatic horse prints, right?) and at least you’re not in storage with your stuff!!
Those eggs…. look eggs-cellent.
Diana says
As terrible as basically having to move twice is, how nice that you are set up with free brekkie and an in-home gym on your mini stay-cation??
I had a similar situation last year, with two weeks between apt leases. My roommate and I shared a bedroom in a 3 bedroom apartment, the other 2 bedrooms being inhabited by guy friends of ours. One of whom she dated our freshman year of college. SOooo it could be worse.
Molly says
wow! the hotel life is very convenient! That’s just too nice. 🙂
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Sometimes I wish we lived in a condo (or extended stay hotel!) for the workout rooms — I would love to walk down the hall to go to the gym!
I think it is nice of you to go take care of Sadie — and it will be nice to spend extra time with your family!
Jihane @Sinful Sundays says
You’re living my dream—I have always wanted to live in a hotel temporarily! It’s my Eloise complex.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
I’m glad the move went smoothly (well, so far!) and it looks like you’ve got everything you need for now. It’ll also be nice for you to see your family too. Have a great day Julie! 🙂
Erika @ The Teenage Taste says
I judge hotels by their gym, pool, and complimentary breakfasts. Forget about the room, I deem a hotel a “good hotel” if it has peanut butter at the breakfast buffet! Haha! I guess yours passed the test! 😉
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
Aww terribly sorry that you will be spending time away from Sadie. Hopefully it won’t be too much longer til something pops up on the renter’s market for ya!
Jessica @ Sushi and Sit-Ups says
Awww that’s so sad that Sadie couldn’t come along, but I’m glad you’ll still be seeing her and spending time with your family. Looks like a pretty nice temporary set up you have going!
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite says
At least you are staying in style until you have a more permanent situation! And YES to PB packets!!
Gen says
Wow the hotel is pretty cosy! And you’ve got a fitness center that’s a must! What I prefer in hotels is the breakfast buffet, jus love it ^^
FitSugar says
Great workout! I am sure you miss Sadie so much; I feel for you and your K9 love. Good luck finding new digs!
Laura (Cookies vs. Carrots) says
Your temporary place seems pretty sweet! Hopefully you’ll have a full-time home soon!
Jodi says
It’s so convenient to have a gym and complimentary (already fixed!) breakfast every morning. Do you also have the housekeeping services? (that’s be so neat!) At least there are some positive aspects of this temporary housing! I know you will miss Sadie, though!
Amber @ Stop and Smell the Wildflowers says
Aawww, poor Sadie. That’s so sweet that you will be visiting her, though. It looks like your “temporary home” is pretty nice, but I’m sure you are more than ready to get moved into your more permanent location. Good luck with everything!
Hope says
The hotel looks nice! Good luck with everything! So sad that Sadie can’t stay with you. I hope Ryan has a great first day of work!
Aine @ Something to Chew Over says
That’s a lot of convenience! 🙂
Corrie Anne says
Boo! To having to leave Sadie! I might be in this situation where we have to stay at a hotel for a while when we move for my husband’s new job. Thanks for previewing it for me. Lol. 🙂 I would love to have a gym right there. So that’s a plus. 🙂
Gina @ running to the kitchen says
Homewood suites?? Actually looks kinda nice 🙂 I don’t envy all the travel though.
Ashley O. @ The Vegetable Life says
That was really nice of his company to put you up in the hotel until you find a new place to live!! Too bad for Sadie though… hopefully you will all be reunited soon!!
I just bid on 4 different items for The Great Fundraising Act! I hope I win some!
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food says
I love the plan that you two have come up with given a tough situation. Looks like you’ve taken everything into account! Best wishes! 🙂
Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy says
Oh I agree hard boiled egg yolks are gross!! That was very nice of Ryan’s company to put you up! Hopefully you will find the perfect house to rent soon!
Laura says
Your temporary abode is not too shabby!
Corey @ Learning Patience says
Not bad – nice digs, close gym & all the free banana’s you can eat–Win….except for the no doggies allowed part – fingers crossed you find a nice place to live soon! xoxo from Trinidad!
Bee Goes Bananas says
Continental breakfasts are so convenient, but they can be dangerous if you don’t pay attention to what you’re eating or how much you’re eating! I went a little out of control on the all-inclusive food on our recent honeymoon, but I won’t be doing that again for a while!
Jenny @ loveeatrun says
So nice having the gym RIGHT there!!
Good luck to Ryan today!! And good luck with the continuing house hunt 🙂
Holly says
GOOD LUCK to Ryan on his first day!!!
I hope you guys find a house soon, I’m sure the hotel is nice, but I know how much I would want to have an actual house. But, free maid service, right?! That kind of helps, I would think 🙂
Margo @ peanut butter trees says
Looks like the hotel will be pretty convenient for working out and breakfasts!
Savannah(Sweet and Savvy) says
Doesn’t look too bad for hotel housing!!:) Gotta love breakfast being cooked for you!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
I’m sure this transitional period is difficult, but it’s good that you’re seeing the positive aspects… a very handy gym, free breakfast, and you get housekeeping! Can’t beat that! 😉
Have a great day!
Cait's Plate says
Wow that seriously looks like a super nice hotel! I wouldn’t mind being put up there for a while.
Good luck to Ryan!! I hope his first day goes swimmingly 🙂
Brittany says
Thats sad about Sadie! I don’t know what I would do without my dog. We recently went on vacation, and we went a whole week without seeing him. By time we came back, he was the first person (yes, person. :P) we said hi to…and my aunt just kinda stood there like “uhm…hello? I’m here too!” lol.
Have a good day!
Brittany @ ittybitsofbalance says
I love staying at hotels because of how convenient the workout situation is!
I love only having to walk a few feet to the “gym’ 😉
Danielle C. says
OMG right there with y’all on the hardboiled egg yolks. So nasty! I always remove them (the only way I really like yolk is in a runny/dippy egg).
What a silly hotel, who wouldn’t want Sadie to stay with them?
Taylor @ Crumbs Don't Count says
Looks like you made out good with that gym…some hotel gyms are awful!
P.S. Complimentary breakfast = saving money on food…always a good thing!
Hillary says
Living at a hotel certainly has its perks, huh?! I wouldn’t want to do it for long, but I’d love a few days of meals made for me and a gym steps from my door!
Laura @ Unchartered 20s says
I was gonna say before you said it was a hotel that the furnishings really look like… a hotel! LOL
Lisa @ I'm an Okie says
More power to ya for living in the hotel and seeing all the bright sides!
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
Oooh, not a bad place to stay temporarily! Gym close by, free breakfast, and maid service…I’m jealous 😉 Sad that you had to leave Sadie, but you’ll be reunited in no time.