Sunday Share... My Top Ten Apple Apps

10 Best Free Apps of 2011

There’s plenty of jammin’ iPhone apps that won’t cost you a cent. 2011 was another great year for Apple, despite the loss of its fearless leader, Steve Jobs. In honor of the media giant, or as I like to call it, the Big Apple, here’s my top 10 apps of 2011.

1.       Bible - Join over 35 million people who read, listen and share God’s Word using the Bible App, myself included. At press time (I always wanted to say that), I am 78% done reading the Holy book, which is much farther than I’d be without this app. There’s a huge selection of 200+ free Bible versions and 200+ plans to help you track your progress. My favorite part? Bible will read to you with its audio feature – complete with theme music, sound effects, and voices- oh my!

2.       Angry Birds Free – Unlike Facebook, which one could argue can also be used for the “research” and “educational” purposes, as well as sheer time-wasting; Angry Birds is a one trick time-wasting pony. But spend a couple Angry hours chasing pigs and you’ll discover what a gratifying waste of time it is.

3.       Facebook – Let’s not try to pretend youwaste spend far more time on this site than  an other. And why not when it’s just as easy to update your status strolling down the sidewalk as it is from the comfort of your bedroom. Notice: Facebooking while walking may result in running into doors, light posts, railings, and other pedestrians. For the students, warning...Facebook may also decrease your grade point.

4.       Redbox – Movie rentals for only $1.20 a pop? Major DUH… Download the free app to reserve your copy of the hottest new releases before your roommate can beat you down to Wal-Mart to pick it up. Winning!

5.        PandoraFree/Spotify (tie) – Gone is the age of illegal MP3 pirating, welcome to the largest free and legal music library you could ever want. Pandora makes it easy to discover new artists with a similar sound to musicians you already dig, and save your stations for later listening. Spotify’s coolest feature? You can link it to Facebook (#3), and swap playlists with friends, or tell all your friends what you’re listening to. You know, because they care.

7.       Groupon – In this economy you can’t afford to not be a savy shopper, Groupon is by far one of the best coupon apps out there, bringing deals up to 90% off straight to your phone. You’ll only see deals in your area (Billings/Bozeman is an option), so you won’t be left drooling over the 2 for one skydiving adventure in Houston, TX. Discover deals on dining, travel, excursions, goods, electronics, and more!

8.       SparkPeople – Keep your fitness spark alive with the iPhone Food & Fitness Tracker. This app is designed to help you track your weight loss progress or healthy lifestyle goals with a calorie tracker, access to meal plans, a log for your fitness and calories burned, and more. Detailed weight and calorie reports give you feedback on your progress, and the app will fully sync with your current SparkPeople.com online account.

9.        IWBNIN (I Was Broke Now I’m Not) – Budgeting is now easier than ever thanks to this app with built in categories for multiple income sources, various expenses, and common monthly costs such as gas, rent and groceries. Best feature? The app automatically calculates the percentage of your income that goes to each expense so you can track where most of your hard earned dollars are going.

10.   NFL Mobile – Summons the magical powers of knowing where the ball is, the score, quarter, and stats of your favorite football teams whenever they’re playing without interrupting your flourishing social commitments. Now that’s dedication.

I am seriously getting some playing time out of #9, #7, #3, and #1... Which ones would you use the most?



Bahaha... unfortunately, this can be all too true.

I hope your weekend was amazing and you're recharged to have other great week... I'm excited for my new Bombshell eating plan that starts tomorrow and reffing some more basketball this week. Good times!

Blessings,

Ruthie xoxo

Sunday Share ... Nationals-Worthy Playlist

~ Good evening!
Tonight I got all my travel arrangements double-checked for my flight to Miami on Thursday morning to go to Nationals... boy am I excited!! I still need to find someone to drive over to Bozeman with me from Butte to take my car back to Butte... any takers :) ? I got a much cheaper flight that comes back to Helena instead of Bozeman otherwise I'd just leave it there. So leaving bright and early at 6:45am from Butte to Bozeman it is!

I was sick last week and that really made me nervous about my contest prep, it's not exactly ideal when you can't even make it up the hill to school without being exhausted :/ Coach Momma Bombshell had me take Wednesday and Thursday off  of lifting and cardio to recover, which I definitely needed to do but oy I was NOT happy about it! After much prayer, sleep, and DayQuil I am feeling much better now though :)

I got to lift on Friday, Saturday, and today to catch up a bit on what I missed and the 5am wake up call tm will usher in another week of morning cardio! It'll be fun though because of my awesome "Nationals" playlist on my brand-spankin'-new iPhone. Here's today's share, My Nationals Ipod Playlist:

I'll be jammin' to that in t - 8 hours so it's time for bed! Sweet dreams :)

Blessings,
Ruthie

Purely Indulgent

Good evening all~
Lookie what I found in the comments on one of my long-time fave bloggies, Oh She Glows .... another like minded chicka! Angie started a discussion on our "favorite quotes" and this one caught my eye immediately:

Hmmmm, seems like a lot of girls struggle with this same issue: too much planning! My friend Leana told me she does it too, and she hates it! Why do we do it if we hate it? I hold that it's natural for women to be overly concerned and we have to actively fight the tendency to over-think and over-plan our lives.

-- Shout out to Leana her because it's her birthday today!!!! Happy birthday beautiful!
I can't wait for our sleepover next week girl, we're gonna have a blasty :D --

Back to planning though: there's definitely a fine line between being spending enough time planning to be well prepared and being a frazzled wreck from excessive worrying, planning, re-planning, and then ending up no better off than when you started. Talk about a cruel curse of womanhood! Ooof.

So there's that little nugget... what I really got on to blog about are the things that I found truly irresistible, indulgent, and so enjoyable is utterly indescribable this week... Mmmm mmm!!

No matter what, there are 3 things that never fail to make me happy:

1. Clothes ...... Two words: Retail therapy, not so cheap sometimes $$ (ok so never)
2. Food .... I love cooking and food blogs! But sometimes it's not such a health comfort. Must resist the sweets!
3. Music .... Play on play on! This one has never gotten me into trouble :)

~ Clothes:
We will begin with clothes and the pleasures I've found on el Internet this week. Oooo yes my friends, I have bad case of cyber lust with some serious clothes cravings! Luckily such cravings rarely end in kitchen raids or ruining my contest diet so I see no reason not to INDULGE! (As long as it's window shopping)

Exhibit A: Sky Dresses (as seen on Jamie Eason)

Every since one of Sky's dresses. IN. EVERY. COLOR.

I love dresses <3 They make you look so good and people always compliment my "cute outfit" when I wear one, little do they know that 9 times out of 10 the reason I wore a dress is because I am terrible at making cute outfits and/or was running late and didn't want to put on more than one piece of clothing! Easy and stylish? Win Win.

Exhibit B:  More luuurrvely dresses. Courtesy of UrbanOg.com

I am also fascinated with 4 Ways to Wear Tom's Shoes. There's actually cute ways to wear them! Who knew.

~ Food:
Moving on to Numero Dos... FOOD. Warning, prepare to fend off instantly induced snack-attack from the following food porn. "Hi, my name is Ruthie, and I google 'peanut butter and chocolate'."

Peanut Butter Fluff Donuts

Read the recipe... You'll understand my obsession...

 Oreo Stuffed Peanut Butter Lattice Mini-Pies

So flipping adorable...
Oreos + PB = Perfection.

Magic Eight Bars 

Eight layers of bliss.

In my defense, I did have a good reason to google decadent deserts! I am putting together goodie bags to give to my friends and fellow Bikini competitors backstage after the show. TRUST me, they'll be ecstatic.

Now the rest of these recipes have no defense. They just looked awesome!

I've shared my love for pumpkin on my blog before, but in case you missed it: I have a huge thing for pumpkin, I just love it! It's good for you and tastes like heaven. What's not to love? I'm the crazy chick buying 10 cans of Libby's Pure Pumpkin as soon as it hits SALE at Safeway. Gotta stock up!

Naturally, I found this thread on the RxMuscle Recipe Forum: Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Pancakes

The classic: Pumpkin Pie

What you don't know is another of my weird food obsessions ... unless you've lived with me and witnessed my many oatmeal concoctions... but I have a slight obsession with making "gourmet oatmeal." I could eat oatmeal every morning for life and be as happy as a clam.

A Bazzillion Ways to Make Oatmeal

Butterfinger Banana Oats.
No words can describe my excitement :0

 

Okay enough food, I am making myself hungry! Moving on to Numero Tres:

~ Music:

I sometimes forget the power of music to change my mood, but luckily today I remembered just I was having a seriously tough time getting into my evening lifting sesh. I was doing that whole worrying about the future thing and totally zapping my energy... until I broke out my tune-age!

My energy went up about 500% as soon as I started jammin' out :)

I must have really been feelin' Adam Lavine today, because this song had me literally dancing up the stair stepper...

Another awesome jam:

Some real deep Derulo lyrics: "This girl is passin' out in my lap... She's a blond." Ha-ha because that explains it!? (Okay it kinda does.)


Bow-chicka- bow-wow, J-Lo you're one fierce woman! Diggin' her song with Wheezy, "I'm into it!"


One more  kick @s$ tune, and one more fierce woman - courtesy of Gwen Stefani and NoDoubt... a golden oldie!



Oh Gwen. She's got it. Still got it. Always will.


Dang it, now I am all pumped up and I have to go to bed! I have to get some sleep though, I fun plans for tomorrow in Seattle: I'm getting a haircut + color to blend my short hair into the extensions I'll be wearing on stage at the bikini show. I'll share pictures later!

For now it's off to bed to at least try to sleep.
Buenos Noches Amigas :)

~ Ruthie

Before ... { ---- } ... After

I don't really have the answers tonight, but I wanted to share a few thoughts and the videos of songs that have inspired me today and reminded me to persevere when everything in my world seems to not want me too succeed.
Sometimes, for me it's like as soon as I decide to put a lot of effort towards something, whether it's school, a particular relationship, eating healthy, training consistently, reading my Bible, or saving money, I encounter a slew of hardships seemingly purposefully directed to cause me to fail in that venture. Do you ever feel this way? I think it is the devil working against us to detour us from the thing he knows will bring us happiness if we do succeed.

I have a recurring problem of being my own worst enemy and doing the exact thing that I know has caused me to fail in the past. Do I do it because it's familiar? Because for some reason at that moment I rationalize that it will help? Because I think I should have to work harder to truly be happy? I have no idea. I wish someone could tell me, and get me to stop doing it.

 I want to let myself be vulnerable and trust in the Lord to lead my way, not lean on my own understanding, ability or motivation. Because in the end, none of us are strong enough to do it on our own... we need our friends, our family, and our God together with our our perseverance to push when you want to just fall back and give in.



"In this very moment I'll bring everything.
No I'm not lucky, I'm blessed. Yes.
But I couldn't do it all alone. We. "


There's no other way to AFTER from BEFORE except going through the DURING. Many people get lost in the in-between because they lost motivation, hope, inspiration, or determination. Don't ever let anyone tell you you can't do something. You can. Just believe it, and keep believing....

Is there something you really want for your life? Something that makes you light up inside, and feels like the thing you were meant to do? Ask yourself now...If it takes forever, am I willing to die trying? I know it's a bold statement, but if you think it's worth doing then DO IT. And it's worth doing well.



"Seasons come and go, but I will never change... and I'm on my way."

Music can be a very powerful motivator, I know I am recharged after hearing the words I needed to hear sung over a beautiful melody or stated bluntly in a way I never would have thought to write.



"No matter what been through, no matter what you into
Never ever put them down, you just lift your arms higher
Raise 'em 'til your arms tired, let 'em know you here
That you struggling, survivin', that you gon' persevere
Ain't nobody leavin', nobody goin' home
Even if they turn the lights out, the show is goin' on. "


I pray you all succeed in finding your passion.
Peace and love my friends,
<3 Ruthie

The Sound of Settling

It seems like forever since I've posted! How was everyone's first week at school? Anyone unfortunate enough to have tests? I know my roomate Miranda had one on Friday. Some days I'm so glad to be an Engineer not a Nurse. They're a special breed haha. I know- my mom is one too.

As for me, I have already had a pop quiz, but it was the best kind: open book, open notes, and open classmates. I think I'm gonna like Linear Algebra :) Shout out to Matt Smarsh for helpin' me through it! You're the best.

I can't believe it's almost September. Summer is slipping away :( I think it's time to reminisce about the slow, sweet days of summer. Let me introduce you to the awesomeness that is Creationfest!!

If you've never been, like I hadn't before this last summer, you probably don't get why I'm making such a fuss about it. Well I can't really tell you why YOU should go, but I can tell you why I went. I went because: I love camping, and we spent three nights camping surrounded by the beautiful Washington scenery...

And I had heard about Creation before and was always curious, hey it was my "summer of trying new things" so why not!? No I wasn't having one of those "Yes Man" moments haha, I just figured a little churchin' would do me good... Man was I right...

I know some of you don't really know me all that well, besides bein' the blonde chick who blogs for Montana Tech haha, so you wouldn't quite be able to understand my personal journey with God, or with self-discovery, and growing to become a better person through the good times and the bad. Side note- I think through every experience in our lives we have a choice: to let the situation determine our happiness, attitude and actions; or to dig deep and gain patience, wisdom and kindness by maintaining our moral character. Often times, if you choose the later, you'll end up with stronger character, and the next time adversity comes your way you'll be better prepared to handle it in a graceful way- which is absolutely always the harder option.

This summer, although I was blessed with many AMAZING opportunities and experiences, I had some adversities too. I had a misunderstanding with someone (which led to me moving a couple weeks before my internship was over), and I feel like I handled it with much more grace than I would have if I didn't have a strong enough moral code to handle tough situation. I am blessed to have grown up in a good home, that engrained in me the basics of good moral character. But it's soooo important to realize, that the small things you do, day by day, are making you the person that you'll be tommorrow. Have you ever heard the quote:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. 

 Watch your words, for they become actions.

 Watch your actions, for they become habits.

 Watch your habits, for they become character.

 Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

 
It's so true don't you think? I've found that I easily slip towards being overstressed, anxious, impatient, and uncaring if I don't surrounding myself with good people, only listen to good music, and take time to pray and thank God for all He's blessed me with. That's why I went to CreationFest: to listen to awesome music, and to praise our Awesome God! Can I get a hallelujah amen haha.
 
The whole point of Creationfest is a "Tribute to our Creator," and it was just that for me. It was a time for me to rediscover what is important in life- and what isn't, a time to decide truly in my heart that I will choose to love even when the world gets hard, and a time to let go of all the burdens I've carried about striving to be perfect, and aways doing things the best way.
 
Music has a crazy way of bringing out all the emotions that you need to feel, but never really addressed. The power of music is not to be underestimated. Kari Jobe, one of the worship leaders at Creationfest, said "I am moved by people's lives and stories, and I am amazed by who God is and who He says that we are. Music becomes a way to minister to people in times of trouble, to lead them to the feet of Jesus who can bring peace, life, hope and healing."
 
Here's some of the highlights of my experience there, as always, in pictures :)

The main stage

Our awesome group :)

We sang our hearts out...

...And Tom needed a lil' napper afterwards haha

~Switchfoot~

Check out the levitating stage sections the guitarsists are on!

Obviously, I'm excited to be there ha-ha

Danielle and I chillin @ our picnic area waiting for the next concert

AirOne monkeys!!

The last day :(

Candlelight vigil... this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!

~God made you, God loves you. Peace and love my friends, see you all at school on Monday. Have a great rest of the weekend! Don't forget to get outside and enjoy nature's beauty while you still won't freeze your fingers off doing it :-P