SiscoVanilla Hits The Bricks

I love when you find a quote online that is attributed to someone like Socrates. How do any of us really know if it was uttered by Socrates. Regardless of who said it, it really is an awesome piece of advice. We can't change the past and the old. so why expend energy and emotions on what we can't change. Just realize that what is done is done and just say fuck it. Focus on what you want to build on now, for right now, for later, for tomorrow and for the future. That story hasn't been written. So go ahead and write it for yourself. Have a great Friday peeps. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

In this every changing, fast paced world we need to be creators. We need to find ways to better ourselves in terms of our profession, our family lives and our physical, mental and spiritual health. There's no one road that we have to travel to find what we are looking for. The proverbial yellow brick road doesn't exist. We need to lay our own bricks and create it for ourselves. Do it Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Just saw the commercial for Oprah Winfrey's new line of frozen pizzas called O, That’s Good! Frozen Pizza. To be honest, I hadn't heard about Oprah's move into healthier prepared foods. According to the article  Kraft Heinz, Oprah Winfrey launching frozen pizzas by Monica Watrous from Food Business News dates August 22, 2018: Featuring a crust made with cauliflower, frozen pizza varieties include pepperoni, five cheese, supreme and fire roasted vegetable. The brand also is expanding its refrigerated soups and sides offerings with four new products, including chicken with white and wild rice soup, roasted corn chowder, sour cream and chive mashed potatoes and broccoli cheddar rice. The products feature the addition of vegetables such as butternut squash or beans for added flavor and nutrition. I'm sure this venture coming from Oprah will be successful. I mean it is Oprah after all. I'll keep an eye our for her products and review them. Anyone have any yet? Le...

This is a perfect message for this Hump Day 🐫🐪🐫🐪. Often we question ourselves while we are on our journey. Whatever the journey is, is entirely up to you. But when you do get those feelings of self doubt: just stop, take a long deep cleansing breath and realize that whether you are moving at light speed or at a snail's pace you are still moving forward. So keep going peeps. You will get there at the right time. Once there, keep going. No need to just stand at the top of the mountain, you need to climb back down and focus on the next mountain. Have a great day!!!! Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Since I started walking in earnest in February 2017, I've lost between 20 and 25 pounds depending on when I weigh myself. I've been stuck between 254 and 257 now for a few months, and decided give this weight loss thing a review. As you see from my screenshot of my latest weigh in, A's t 256.6 I'm about a little less than 2 pounds heavier since my last weigh in two weeks ago. Now I know many experts say to not pay attention to the scale. That we shouldn't be stuck watching the scale. I dont really pay too much attention to it either way. Size has always been part of who I've been most of my adult life. As a Process Server and Bouncer, my size was advantageous, even when I hit my highest weight at nearly 350 pounds. Having nicknames like Big Sisco, Big Dog and and Heavy F, the size was more a badge of honor. Now obviously when I pissed some one off, they automatically threw out "Fat Fuck" or any other sayings to make me feel bad. It never worke...

This shouldn't be followed just today but everyday. This is an essential part of the Serenity Prayer. Whether or not you believe in a higher authority is your business, but following the mantra of the prayer can be quite liberating and stress relieving.  The prayer is attributed to American Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr (June 21, 1892 - June 01, 1971) To read more about Niebuhr, here is the Goodreads listing for his writings: Reinhold Niebuhr on Goodreads . Here is the text of the Serenity Prayer 📿🙏 📿🙏 : So don't sweat the small stuff. It'll help you keep your mental, spiritual and physical health in check.  Have a great day. Until Then Keep Stepping: #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

I wanted to take a different tact with today's post. I recently came across the article entitled 11 financial experts share the best money advice they've ever received by Natalia Lusinski from Business Insider.  Now for this post I wanted to highlight the 11 tips that the financial experts in the article are quoted as giving and how it relates to my goal of being debt free before the age of 50 and my life in general. So without further ado, here goes. 1. Live On Less Than You Make This is one that I embrace wholeheartedly. From bagging my lunch/dinner on an almost daily basis, to leaving my cards at home and only carrying a small amount of cash, I do my best to fallow this little piece of advice. The frugality lifestyle that I've been trying to live by since July of 2014 make this easier than when I wasn't frugal. The article says that many people who try to "keep up with the Joneses" have a hard time living this way. All I have to say is ...

Like the Disney theme song of old says "Dreams come true, it can happen to you" and they can, but they don't happen without hard work, sacrifice and effort. And don't quit when you hit an obstacle or adversity. Work through it. Work past it. Conquer it. It's best to have tried and fail than not to have tried at all. Have a great day. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Yes, we are here. Now make the best of the time that we have been given and excel. Kick ass folks and get ready for tomorrow. Hopefully we're chosen to see the next day. Have a great day. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

I know many of you Monday to Friday 9-5ers see Friday approaching on your desk calendar and just lose your minds. I vaguely remember what that felt like. Working the bar business and retail, there's no such thing as a Saturday-Sunday weekend every week. What I do suggest that you so is to finish the week strong. Don't half ass Friday even if you end up having a three martini liquid lunch 🍸🍸🍸. Don't leave unfinished work sitting on your desk. Finish that shit. Get it done so you can focus on new things when you return to your desk miserable and pouting that its Monday. There's nothing worse than returning to your desk to find the work you should have finished and the work you have to start. Know what that means right? You have more work to catch up on that let's be honest, you never will without bitching and moaning. So why not just do the right thing for yourself and just finish the workweek strong and productive. Be like Loki, conquer Friday so you can...

My one positive thought today is that after an eight day stretch at my two jobs, I finally have a day off on Friday. That's the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. I so need that day off. I'm tired peeps. Working two jobs ain't easy folks. Neither is the struggle. But to be able to see the results that I want, to be debt free by the age of 50, I need to push hard. Those bills  aren't just going to pay themselves off on their own. Just wanted to leave off with this little video of Dave Ramsey. He is so right when it comes to feeling awesome as you see your debt start to fall. Have a great day. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Short, sweet and to the point. Have a great day. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Hey peeps. Sorry for the delay in posting my steps from August 6-August 12. Work has been very busy as of late training new people in one job and working my second job. Currently I'm in the middle of an eight straight work clip and sitting on day six, I am wiped. But enough about today. Here's the breakdown of the steps via the Fitbit App: As you can see from the metrics, I had quite an improved week from the week prior. Aside from Wednesday, which was a rest day, I hit the step goal for the other six days of that week. Miles and average daily calories burned also increased from the week before while floors and active minutes went down. Here's the breakdown for the daily steps: August 6 16,373 steps August 7 16,097 steps August 8 8,821 steps August 9 20,524 steps August 10 18,080 steps August 11 15,538 steps August 12 20,644 steps Two 20K step days highlight the week. It feels good to finally get back to having consistent step days. Now if I can only get...

It starts with your POV. If you are mopey, down on yourself and are a regular negative Nelly, then that's what you are going to attract. Change how you see not only the things around you but how you see yourself from negative to positive and you'll see how everything around you changes in the same ways. Positivity > Negativity all the way. What are some ways that you all try to maintain a positive focus in your daily lives. Let me know in the comment box. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaisStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

I love this. So many people love to hate on Monday. They love to expend so much energy on that hate when they could use that energy on positivity and self improvement. Instead of hating on Monday...become an agent of #Monslay. Kick ass and take names not only on Monday but on each and every day. Stop bitching and get your shit done!!! Until Then Keep Stepping #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Good Morning and Happy Sunday. Just going to let this one speak for itself. Have a great day. Until The Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla  #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks 

Many of us spend our lives chasing the proverbial Joneses, trying to keep up with their lifestyles and shenanigans. What we don't realize is that we dont HAVE keep up and chase anyone. All we need to do realize and admit to ourselves that we know that we have all we need. Once we can do that, we can truly find happiness and fulfillment...and it doesn't come attached to an item or a multitude of items. We really do have it all in life. We just need to realize that we do. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

I like to start my day when possible with a good 1-2 mile walk. I find that it helps me to gather my thoughts and clear my mind after a night of sleep. I also find that it is easier to do since I have energy. Often times it's hard to get that kind of walk in in the evening, after spending an entire day on my feet at work. For other benefits attributed to taking in an early morning walk, check out the article What Are the Benefits of Morning Walking? By Emma Cale from Livestrong.com  dated September 11, 2017 If you don't walk in the mornings, I highly recommend doing so. Let me know what you think. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Take it day by day people. Even take it step by step. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Here's a quartet of Wednesday wisdom quotes to get you over the hump on this Wednesday August 16, 2018. Don't let the hump hold you back. Climb over that hump and keep moving forward. Don't quit. Don't give up. Tomorrow is a new day. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Since I posted something earlier today for Transformation Tuesday, this post seems to be apropos. It seems as if everywhere I go, people are recommending audiobooks to me. At the café and at the bar, people are telling me how listening to audio books have changed their lives in terms of being able to "read" books that they normally would not have been able to physically read.  In the past I tried to listen to audio books and found that it wasn't my "cup of tea." But not to be closeminded, I downloaded the Libby app to my phone and downloaded the following book: 101 Ways to Transform Your Life by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer has been very easy to listen to and to follow. Now I am still currently digesting all 101 affirmations and I promise to post on all of them in future posts. But for this post, I wanted to talk about one of the things that stood out to me from almost the beginning. Dr. Dyer, who passed away in 2015, stated that we aren't a body with a so...

Couldn't have said it better myself. Until Then Keep Stepping: #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Happy Monday Folks. Yes, I said Happy Monday. For those of you complaining that it is Monday and your weekend is over...TOUGH!!! At least you had a weekend. I worked and still have two days left of this six day week. And you know what? For as tired as I am, I'm grateful for it. I know what the alternative feels like. I know what it is to not have a job and be broke after blowing through savings. So I'm happy this Monday morning August 13, 2018. I woke up, I'm breathing, I'm upright and I'm alive. And that means I'm in the game. Have a great day!!! Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Many of you out there have Sundays off (not me 🤨) so spend your day doing exactly what the message says. Refuel your soul for the upcoming work week. Be ready for whatever life throws at you and meet it head on. Also give thanks and be grateful for everything you have in life. Everyday we spend alive is indeed something that we've been blessed with. Not everyone got a chance today to see a new day. Make the best of it folks. Have a great day. See you soon. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

It's that time of the week folks, here are my steps for July 30th to August 5th on the Fitbit App tracked by my trusty Fitbit Blaze. If you remember, last week was a slow week. I had post my first under 100K step week in a long time. It was looking as if this week was on the same path until I finished strong with four straight step goal days. With the exception of total floors, I raised my weekly totals in measurable metrics from the week before. Here are my steps per day: July 30 15,076 July 31 10,422 August 1 10,288 August 2 17,474 August 3 17,057 August 4 20,822 August 5 19,033 This week's steps are soon coming to an end  looks like its a strong week as well. Look forward to posting about it soon.  Have a great day. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla  #SiscoVanillaIsStepping  #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks 

This is a perfect statement attributed to Audrey Hepburn for this Saturday August 11, 2018. Even if you are off, take the day to do the shit you've always wanted to do. Don't rest on your laurels because it is the weekend. As the image says, Nothing is Impossible. You want to do something, put the time and effort in getting it done. Have a great day folks. Rock on!!!! Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaisStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

I was recently flipping through my wife's copy of the September 2018 issue of Women's Health Magazine and came across the following tips for utilizing vegetables when they are no longer in optimal shape. Another tip that I adhere to is to take all the veggie scraps that you might have and use them to make a vegetable stock for soups and other recipes. For example, I take the ends of carrots, onions, celery, peppers and other vegetables and freeze them until I have enough to make a stock. A way that I feed into my frugal side while buying veggies is that I go to my local market and purchase those veggies that are marked either "Manager's Special" or something else similar. Why those? Those veggies probably got close to or went past their sell by date and the store wants to sell them off instead of tossing them. You can still get relatively fresh vegetables this way at a fraction of the price. Just cut off the pieces that might be bruised or damages and use...

For any of us who have seriously competed in any of the Fitbit walking challenges, you know you've had both of the these looks on your faces. Especially if you've put up record numbers. Nothing better than leading the pack and nothing worse than kicking ass and still get knocked down off the top. Grrrr…. Have a great weekend folks. Stay cool and hydrated out there in this heat while you take your steps. See you all soon. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaisStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Always remember this. We never reach perfection nor does the road to success lead to perfection. That road, as we are, is always under construction. As our lives are in flux and ever changing, the road to success is pock marked, bumpy and at some point never been built. The only thing that is set on the road is the road that we've left behind, the road in front of us is wide open and waiting for us to walk it. So get to it. Just watch out for the big pothole. 😏 Have a great day. See you all soon. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Opening my email this morning, I came across an email from the Success Team entitled 5 Ways to Be More Confident in Your Decisions 💪. Since I liked the message they were sending me, I wanted to relay it to you fine folks. Here is the email in its entirety.  "Overanalyzing every decision you make is a terrible habit to fall into that we’re all guilty of. If you feel uncertain about choosing, guess what? You’ll just keep thinking about it. The first step is taking control. This week, take advantage of your ability to make better decisions. Instead of overthinking every detail, possibility and outcome, learn when to trust your gut. Don’t Sweat It. This week, cut the small, time-sucking decisions from your routine. Plan your meals and outfits the night before and allow yourself to focus on more important tasks. Read: What I Learned From Wearing the Same Outfit for 2 Weeks Decompress Struggling with a particularly difficult problem? Step away from it and try so...

Its one thing to say that we believe in ourselves. But if we don't repeat it to ourselves and create a mantra and an accompanying routine where we seriously task ourselves to not only believe in ourselves but to do for ourselves, then we will just be spinning our wheels in place. We have to believe in ourselves fully in order for success and abundance can come our way in a peaceful manner. Agree? Disagree? Let me know. Drop me a line in the comment box. Until The Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Today I'm throwing you folks a two-fer for this Tuesday morning. Yes, we are all going through shit in our lives. Sometimes its physical, spiritual, emotional even financial. And these events can be ongoing over a long period of time. I know, if fucking blows. But the key to dealing with these events is to do so while on the right footing. To be positive and try to change our circumstances requires not only the effort of ones actions, the proverbial and actual blood, sweat and tears, but also the power of positive thinking. If you start the day with negative thoughts, all you are going to do is carry that negativity around like a heavy anchor. Shit happens. Combat it with positivity. Start your day with a positive thought, a positive affirmation or a method of positive reinforcement. Give yourself the chance to tackle the day head on. Doing so in a negative fashion only dooms your to failure and further negativity. Give it a try. Let me know how it works for you. Have a gre...

Look at this picture closely folks. This working for the weekend rat race fucking blows. And that's that I don't even have a weekend to run the rat race for since I work at minimum six day work week. Regardless of your schedule, there has to be a better way...and there is. What is it? That depends on you. The key is that we just need to find what works for each and every one of us and fucking do it so we can stop being like Loverboy and Working for the weekend: Hey, I'm an 80's teen. Have to reach back and dig through the crates for inspiration everyone once in a while. Any ideas? Suggestions on avoiding the rat race? Let me know. Drop me a line in the comment box. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

I love this saying that is attributed to Osho (I say attributed since I can't definitively say that Osho said it.) Life isn't one sided, no matter how good or bad we feel. There is the good AND the bad. In order to become a full, well rounded and balanced individual, we need to experience both sides of the duality of life. The saying is absolutely accurate in that we do need to not only have experiences, but we can't fear having experiences. Its like it was when we were children. We took tentative first steps and we either fell on our faces or fell flat on our asses. What did we do? Maybe we cried, maybe we laughed but regardless of what we did, we got back up and tried again. That is how we learned to walk. It is that adversity and learning from said adversity that makes us who we are. If you are off on this Sunday, go out there, trip, fall, scrape your knee, get back up, do it again. I'll be here at work slinging coffee. Come on by and get yourself a cup. I...

Here are the steps for the week of July 23 to July 29 on the Fitbit App: Last week was a slow, rough and tiring week. As you can tell from the above graphic, each and every metric that the Fitbit app uses was down from the week before. Sometimes its hard to push at a high level for a long time. You just need to shift down and take a break. The body and minds needs rest.  Here's the breakdown of steps by day: July 23: 14,790 steps July 24: 17,752 steps July 25: 20,850 steps July 26: 15,131 steps July 27: 3,067 steps July 28: 13,872 steps July 29: 17,619 steps Friday was a day off from both of my jobs and I took complete advantage of it by limiting the amount of steps I took and the amount of activity I engaged in. That day made the difference in the steps. Having only one day off from both jobs per week takes a toll. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I'm working straight through until my next day off which is on Wednesday. For those of you who ar...

This should be your mantra for each and every day. Good Morning everyone. You woke up and were given another day on this planet. Make the best of it while being grateful for the opportunity. We are never guaranteed tomorrow. Have a great day. Keep Rocking!! Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

When you hit your daily step goal and you get yourself a big ole Woody...Sorry. Couldn't help that bad pun 😋🤣😏. For those of you who have a weekend, enjoy it folks!!! For those of you like me who don't have a traditional weekend, just keep on pushing forward. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Yes folks, as the picture above states I have gone Meatless since May 31st. I initially was going to give it a month but as we all know one month blends into two before you even realize it. So here I am entering a third month with no meat in my diet. Here are a couple of questions that I've had thrown my way as of late. How are you feeling? I'm actually feeling ok. Not as sluggish as I've felt before but also very tired from working 50+ hours a week plus 15+ hours in transportation. Miss eating meat ? Not particularly, though bacon is still the exception. That smell of bacon being cooked is bewitching 🥓🤪 Also eating out can be a bit more difficult since the options can limited. Any weight loss? No, but no weight gain either. Still hovering at the 255 mark (give or take a pound or two) but not really worrying about the scale. Ever going back to eating meat? Not sure if I can answer that question at this time. I'm just trying to take this non meat e...

This is so true. While it takes a while for someone to feel and believe that they are a winner, you're point of view, stance and life changes tremendously when you finally do.  Take a good look in your mirror and repeat after me: I'm a fucking winner. Smile and repeat.  Let me know how that works out for you. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaisStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks

Wow. August 2018 is here. Five more months and people will be gearing up for the " Its a New Year, Its a New Me " schtick. Since I'm not content with that particular way of thinking, nor am I content for waiting around for things to happen, here is my Wednesday Wisdom post for today. Enough said. Hasta Luego. Until Then Keep Stepping, #SiscoVanilla #SiscoVanillaIsStepping #SiscoVanillaHitsTheBricks