Farewell 2010!!

So. It's that time of the year when everyone starts reflecting over what they did or didn't accomplish in the last year. Successes, failures, heartbreaks, victories, etc. And I'm going to be no different.

I thought about how to tackle this...life, fitness, career or monthly. It's been a full year of all sorts of things so this could very well be quite rambling!! Shocker, eh? ;)

Let's start with the biggest, most significant event in a woman's life. Marriage. I was blessed enough to marry a man that God sent my way a bit over 4 years ago after my Mom died. I was content to be Carrie Bradshaw. Then just out of no where, here comes this GQ looking guy. Little did I know that day when he stopped at my house (while I was landscaping & dirty) that 2010 would be the year I'd get to commit the rest of my life to him in front of our family & close friends. Even making it more special, we said "I do" on my parent's wedding anniversary. Febuary 27, 2010 will go down in history ;)

A month later, we celebrated locally with my ginormous family, Kevin's small family & all of our nutty friends. It was so fun & again...a night we'll never forget. (March 27)

Not a week later, we headed off to Indianapolis for the NCAA Final Four!!!! What a amazing event to witness. And with local boys, the Butler Bulldogs, making it to the final game against Duke. They lost but wow it was close. Now that guy that missed the shot that could've tied it up is playing in the NBA. (April)

I think we coasted through May & June but come July we headed to Kansas City to celebrate our nieces first birthday. She's the little firecracker baby ;) So much fun! And then we had my cousin's wedding in mid-July in Illinois.

August welcomed another wedding which happened to be the third & final wedding with our group of friends (we were #2.) And the pregnancies are happening in reverse order as that bride is already knocked up. By order, I should be next!

September came & went...

Next up was our Halloween Honeymoon!!! We headed to Orlando to visit Disney & the main event..Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. Yes, I took a lot of pictures & no, I have not shared them yet. They are still on the camera. I should do that soon, eh? It was a blast! And we decided to start trying for a little B.

Cue the holidays....Thanksgiving & Christmas were different this year. They are usually spent with all of Kevin's family at his parent's house (along with my Dad & his girlfriend.) But a baby on the way (his sister) & my SIL having her family to their house. It was just us, Dad & Linda & his parents for Thanksgiving. Then we headed to his brother's house for Christmas.

And we welcomed Sophia Loretta into the world on December 27 (my SIL wanted to make the tax break...lol.)

So that sums up our year personally.

Fitness wise? GREAT things happened. I lost weight, gained weight & decided in July to re-locate my happy place. I'm there today & have a dear friend to thank for that. In 6 months, I've lost 20 pounds (was more..thank you PMS) & dropped 19.25 inches!!!!! AND I'm wearing a dress I got for 2008 NYE & it's loose!!! I have to add a strapless bra so it won't fall down!!! Should I mention that I'm a bit heavier than I was then AND I was contest dieting at that time? No diets here kids, I ate what I wanted within reason. NOTHING was off-limits & I look better than ever. A friend a couple weeks ago kept saying how ripped my arms look! haha

I'm still doing my Savage workouts & keeping that cardio going too! Still working on the WW job front but able to incorporate their new program in with Savage style eating along with how I prefer to eat. It's all a perfect balance & I feel great.

I turn 39 on Saturday & fully intend to rock 2011 like it's my job. I want to continue to progress physically until I get pregnant (God willing) & when that happens focus on a healthy pregnancy.

Kevin & I are headed to Indianapolis tonight & will ring in the New Year with just us. I think it's a perfectly fitting way to end this amazing year that we've had!

Who's ready for 2011? Do you have your goals set? If you aren't planning, you are failing! Are you with me??????

Wishing you all the blessing that 2011 has to offer. Thanks for keeping up with this little adventure that I call life! It's been great to have you along for the ride!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

I just wanted to wish you Merry Christmas & what better way to do that than with one of my FAVE Christmas songs! I mean who doesn't like the Trans Siberian Orchestra?!? They are SO powerful & super fun with the light show too!!!



Or the Chipmunks?!? Plus they are cute!



Or the fun version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman/We Three Kings with Barenaked Ladies & Sarah Mclachlan. We did this in church last Sunday & Dad loved it :)



Wishing you & your famiiles blessings for the Christmas holiday. And while I'm at it, thanks for following along with this crazy thing I call life!!!

God Bless!

There's something about.....

....birthdays.

....getting older.

....getting bored with your hairstyle.

So what happens when you are creeping (okay speeding) towards a HUGE birthday. You know, the last one in your 30's. You decide you are bored with your long hair. Yep, that's what I've done.

I have an appointment with my fabulous friend, Katy, tomorrow to chop off some of my hair. After a FB conversation, with a few friends interjecting...one saying NO & the other saying it's only hair. AND Katy asking me if I needed to be talked off a ledge, she agreed to cut it. Katy LOVES my long hair but understands that I need something spicy.

That said, I'm not going uber short & still need to be able to pull it out of my face (hello gym rat) so we are talking shoulder-ish length. I won't lie. It's been a LONG time since my hair hasn't been half way down my back so I'm a little nervous but equally excited. I've been googling "celebrity shoulder length hairstyles" until I'm green & the best reference I can give you is Kelly Ripa. Still long-ish but can be pulled back & is stylish/fun.

Perhaps I'll share once I do the deed tomorrow ;)

Have you done anything somewhat drastic before a big birthday? Chopped off all your hair, changed colors, moved to another continent? lol

I said BRRRRRRR, it's cold in here.....

......come on Bring It On fans..you know the rest ;)

My neighbor's snow drift (it was taller than their daughter!)

All kidding aside, it's been HORRIBLE here in terms of weather. Living in the lovely lake effect snow belt is fun....sometimes. Between Saturday night & Tuesday afternoon, we got around a foot of snow & it was insanely windy. We are talking 40 mph winds! Today the temperature is barely out of the single digits. And even with that it was below zero until the last hour & it's even sunny outside.

I'll prepare the guest room for those wanting to come visit. Bah!

Nothing super duper exciting going on here other than the weather. We are getting excited to spend Christmas with hubby's brother. The B family is split up this year due to the very soon to happen arrival of my SIL's new sweet little girl who should be joining us December 27th BUT Auntie Heather is hopeful that she'll hold out until New Year's Day so she shares my b-day. AND she'll have a holiday birthday like her sister who was born on the Fourth of July!!! Just don't tell my SIL that I said that...she might kill me! LOL

Anything new with you guys? Working on your goals to end 2010 with a bang?

A HUGE CONGRATS to my friend, Dotsie, who will graduate this week from her graduate program!!!! She's worked hard & I know it was not easy but you did it girl!!!!

Have a great week all!

Goals & Groceries.

I wanted to introduce you to my second home. Well, that's not the one here but you get the idea. Yes, I feel like I LIVE in the Meijer store. It's right by my office & super convenient. I do love grocery shopping & in the winter it's perfect since I can leave everything in the truck instead of lugging perishables up to the office fridge.

I'm at the store at least 3 times a week for produce, meat, etc. I used to stock up once a week but produce spoils fast & I got screwed with bad meat a couple times so that stopped. Now I get what I need when I need it..especially from the meat department. I get tired of going actually & have somehow turned into my Dad's personal shopper too! When I'm going, he'll ask me to grab milk or something for him but I got him back yesterday when I had him pick me up some bananas so I didn't have to go just for that.

Do you spend a lot of time in the store? Do you buy things you don't need? I am good about not doing that lately but sometimes seasonal items "fall" into the cart ;)

What about goals??? The end of the year is just weeks away...as is my 39th birthday but we won' talk about that ;)

How are you doing with your goals that you set for the year? Are you almost there? Cutting it close? Gave up months ago?

In July, I set out to drop the extra fluff & get back to my Weight Watchers goal. I'm 4 pounds away from that now & while I'm not sure I'll get there, I'm going to come damn close. I will at least have reclaimed my non-paying Lifetime status by then so that is good in my book! AND I should report (with the biggest cheesiest grin EVA) that I rocked my skinny jeans the other night. You know....the ones that fit PERFECT when Kevin & I started dating then got too big with contest prep then wouldn't go over my knees after the rebound. Yea, those. Rocked them again the other night & looked pretty damn good if I don't say so myself.

And once again, I'm in contact with a magazine about my transformation. This time I won't chicken out ;) More on that another time.

Sooooooo. Fill me in, how are you doing with your goals?

Droooooooooool....................

You MUST check THIS out!
(picture borrowed from Jessica @ How Sweet It Is)

Seriously? Cake Batter Chocolate Bark? Have I died & gone to heaven? I WILL be making this soon......

Cue the angels singing....

It's official. Weight Watchers has finally released it's new program & with much fanfare. They have FINALLY moved solely to a more whole foods based program. Down with the 100 calorie packs being less points than a giant banana. It's funny to read their message boards with so many comments about people being afraid of the "free" fruit. Can anyone tell me if they know someone who got fat eating too much fruit?

You can read about the new program here. It was quite the media blitz yesterday!!!!

My biggest concern? I have extra points at the end of the day!!! In fact, I had 8 left after dinner (ate how I always eat yesterday) so I had a little homemade trail mix. Satisfying indeed.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I enjoyed every morsel of food. Oh & if you wondered....I actually lost weight ;)

Bored?

Welcome to the new 2010 edition of getting to know your family and friends. I got this on email & since it's quite I thought it would be fun! Feel free to share!

1.What color are your socks right now?
Beige

2.What are you listening to right now?
My Dad's dog licking his leg (he's OCD)

3. What was the last thing you ate?
Sweet potato, black beans & extra lean beef (with cheddar & salsa verde)

4. Can you drive a stick shift?
Nope

5. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
My Dad. I called him from the store about something I was picking up for him

6. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Yes, my friend Jenni


7. How old are you today?
38.9

8.What is your favorite sport to watch on TV
Anything....total sports junkie!!!

9. What is your favorite drink?
Water or Coke Zero (or regular coke...)

10. Have you ever dyed your hair?
Not a lot actually but I just made my natty blonde brunette!

11. Favorite food?
Pizza

12. What is the last movie you watched?
Due Date (well at the show) but at home some cheesy horror flicks (Grudge 3)

13. Favorite day of the year?
Halloween!!!!

14. How do you vent?
I ramble & then cry

15. What was your favorite toy as a child?
I had a GIANT Holly Hobby (she was as big as me!!!)

16. What is your favorite season?
Totally fall!!!

17. Cherries or Blueberries?
Cherries, rainiers to be specific

18. Do you want your friends to do this as well?
Certainly

19. Who is the most likely to respond?
Not sure but someone will cave to peer pressure!

20. Who is least likely to respond?
Lurkers ;)

21. Living situation.
Hubby & my "our" cat, Alex

22. When was the last time you cried?
Today thinking about my Mom & my Grandma (both hanging with Jesus)

23. What is on the floor of your closet right now?
MY closet is my shoe racks (I have taken over the spare room)

24. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to?
This doesn't apply but I have had a few readers around for a while!

25. What did you do last night?
Made dinner (burgers) & sweet potato skins, laundry, dishes & watched House

26. What are you most afraid
Losing my Dad

27. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?
Oh cheese please!

28. Favorite dog breed?
Currently in love with the French Bulldog but we'll have a goldendoodle someday!

29. Favorite day of the week?
Saturday

30. How many states have you lived in?
(2) Indiana & Nevada

31. Diamonds or pearls?
Shiny bling baby!

32. What is your favorite flower?
Gerber Daisy

Are you ready?

Does your Thanksgiving spread look something like this? Ours may not be quite that elegant but all the fixin's are there!

My MIL is making dinner & the list includes turkey, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, rolls, pie, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole (that could be classified as dessert), etc. We'll also have pumpkin pie, pecan pie (I'm making this), magic bars & a dessert that my Dad's girlfriend is making.

A decent spread but not as much as usual (fewer of us this year.) Oh wait, I forgot the cheese ball (my one true love...)

So my plan? To eat a bit of EVERYTHING!!!!! Yep, that's right. While the folks at the Weight Watchers meeting were talking about alternative & skipping the "bad" foods, I was excited to sample all my faves. I always take 2-3 bites of what I want (less of some, more of others) but do not allow myself to get stuffed or even full.

And I ALWAYS have dessert...some of each but truth be told I usually have a magic bar the second we walk in the house. She only makes them during the holidays & since my in-laws won't be here for Christmas this is it! Oh & we'll probably have wine too.

Do you see me missing anything? Not enjoying the holiday with our families? Skipping out on anything I enjoy eating for the sake of wanting to drop 4 more pounds to get to my goal? Hell, no!!!!!!!!!!!!

Instead, I'm being very mindful of my choices this week & making sure I get my workouts in so that I can enjoy the holiday. Then it's back to business as usual on Friday. I appreciate that my MIL cooks & I don't have a ton of leftovers floating around the house.

Do you have a plan of attack? Will you be waking up Friday feeling horrible due to overeating or perhaps not having something you enjoyed for the sake of a few pounds?

Life is too short to not enjoy but we certainly do not have to overindulge to the point of misery either.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Ignite the light......

Thanks to Mama Savage I'm currently in love with this song. It's a great video & a strong message.

YOU have the power to make things happen. The power to show'em what you've got. The power is within you.

I think it'll be my anthem for a while!

Oompa loompa doompadee doo

My first PMS off the pill & I'm holding water like it's my job. I feel like an oompa & if they continues I'm going to look like Violet after eating the blueberry gum.

I almost cried this morning in frustration, hubby just looks scared (lol) & I just want to get this week over with!

Though last night when hubby asked if I was getting sick, I said no. He then commented "oh, it's that time isn't it." Yep, then I reminded him it's that or I'm pregnant. Then I think he almost cried! hahaha

I have to admit that I'm anxious to start. I'm having cramping already, my body feels out of whack & like anyone who's actively trying to get pregnant, your head plays games with you. It's very unlikely (though not impossible) that I'm pregnant but you can't help going there with every odd feelings, cramp, back pain. Yep, PMS at it's finest.

Good times.

And........

.....it's done!!!!! I JUST submitted my Weight Watchers application!!! I went to a meeting on Saturday & according to their scale I'm only 4 pounds away from being within requirements for a Leader position but also indicated that I'm willing to work as a Receptionist until I meet that requirement. I talked to the sub-Leader this weekend who's new to her position (fated to be there that morning) & she said you train extensively. She loves it!!!!

So. I ask you. What have YOU done to take one step closer to your goal?

Goals.

We all have them but do we work hard enough to achieve them? It's been no secret that I've always been a big (no pun intended) supporter of Weight Watchers. I earned (yes, earned) Lifetime Status on 09/11/2006 just a couple months after my Mom passed away.

Oddly enough, I met my goal weight the Saturday before she went in for her surgery. She was SO proud of me & I called her every single Saturday morning after my weigh-ins. It didn't matter if it was a loss, maintain or a gain. She waited for my call.

I've always said the reason I keep this blog is to motivate, encourage, inspire, etc. others to be successful. If I can go from pushing 300 pounds to running a couple marathons & living well then anyone can do it.

So my goal has always been to go work for Weight Watchers but in order for that to happen I have to regain my Lifetime status (within 2 pounds of goal weight.) I don't want to be a meeting room receptionist either. I want to be a Leader. So today, I opted in for a Monthly Pass & will start attending the meetings again this coming Saturday. It's perfect timing since they will be rolling out a new program (which from what I can gather is MUCH more geared towards healthy living as opposed to 100 calorie packs being less points.) You must also be attending meetings (providing that info) so that's part of the goal planning.

I hope to achieve this by the end of the year (even through the holidays) & submit my application by 12/31/10. With that I have 8 pounds to lose & have started being very dilligent about tracking, working out harder...all while enjoying life. Hello, I lost weight on my vacation & never said no to anything!!!! I've got this ;)

Do you have a year end goal?? Have you taken the steps to get there? Will you MAKE it happen?

I dare you!

On vacation.....

I enjoyed these at Epcot's Food & Wine Festival...
Cannolo Al Cioccolato (indescribably fabulous!!!!)

Shrimp cake with spicy noodle salad (from Singapore)

Custom made pretzels from Goofy Candy Co. (not mine but very close. #1 was the chips as shown, #2 had Reese's pieces & third had sprinkles.)


Along with lots of other goodies that I shared with hubby (fyi...I did NOT share the cannoli!)

And you want to know what? I lost weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just another teaser until I can get my pics uploaded. That might not happen until next week though.

Brrrrr.

I'm home & it's cold! Our visit to Florida was greeted with record heat for the area. We saw 90 degree temps 3 days! It was a fabulous time in spite of me getting sick (which is still lingering.) I have lots of photos to share when I get time to upload them & have a busy weekend ahead already!

Here's our view from the restaurant we dined at during our jaunt to Daytona Beach.


More soon!

One more day......

...and I feel like this


...but they are waiting for me


...I'll ride this alone


...we'll ride this A LOT (our fave!)


...I'll face my fears here (twice actually) or maybe just pee my pants


Have a great week!!!

Please send calgon!!!!!

So this weekend, we are dogsitting for my Dad. He & his girlfriend headed to Southern Indiana to enjoy the beauty of fall. It's so amazing down there this time of the year. So much so that you have to book at hotel in many locations a year in advance!!

What is normally painless has turned into a weekend of sleeping on the couch, cranky PMS bitch with a crabby dog. Did I mention he's 14, deaf & blind???? Oh & not used to my house AT ALL!

He barked & barked last night. Kevin took him into the bedroom thinking that would help him fall alseep. Nope, he has an accident in our bed & on the bathroom floor. I should've been warned when I got him home, ran to the bathroom & he'd had a #2 accident in the kitchen by the time I got back. He's old, out of sorts & I get that but wow. At one point last night, I just started crying. I told you...PMS. haha

It's a SUPER busy weekend too...I have a wax appt at 1115am, unleashing my inner brunette at 115pm & we are going out with friends tonight. I did manage to sneak to the gym too as soon as they opened. Brutus has been sleeping up until just a couple minutes ago but he's on the couch still so I'm not bugging him. I plan to head to the tanning salon for a nap later. lol

Hope you are having a great weekend! Just a few more days & man is the Big Guy making sure we are going to appreciate this trip!!!!!

In case you wondered......

Eeeeeek!

It's comfy here.

Where? Where I am, of course. My friend who's helped me find my sanity mentioned when we last bantered about being in a comfortable place. Comfy with your current weight, knowing you'll make additional changes when you are ready. When we had that talk, I was stuck but made changes & saw progress.

Well, I'm kinda stuck again but I realize that it's partly because I'm too focused on other things. Vacation namely, making my beauty appointments (remember that mention of going brunette..it's coming), getting the house stuff ready so it's all done, etc. Oh & we are dog sitting for my Dad this weekend too.

Now, I will say that it's not that I'm going hog wild because my weight has stayed the same again for the last couple weeks. I'm still eating well but having an extra goodie on occasion while rocking my training & cardio. I realized that this is okay. For now. I always seem to manage to lose weight on vacation so I'm not going to have a freak-out low-carb fest to get ready. Why? Because I feel great! My fave jeans are still fitting & I'm wearing clothes that I've not been able to wear in a while (not even 2 years ago when we went to Orlando in the first place.) That was the height of my post-show aftermath & I was VERY uncomfortable. Now? I'm gonna strut ;)

So vacation plans are in place. We have a free day while we are there that might entail Blue Man Group, a spa day or traveling to visit my grandparents (who are here now.) We'll do some shopping, wandering & maybe even drive to Tampa for the day (we got a great deal on a car.)

Whatever it entails, it'll be fabulous. Just Kevin & I, enjoying our honeymoon. We'll spend our 8th month anniversary at Disney & yes, I'm making him wear a "Just Married" button. hahaha He's not happy about it but we earned it & apparently it gets us to the front of the line, free beverages, etc. Why not?!? lol

Hope you are all well & feeling comfy where you are. I did step it up a bit for a couple weeks then took a little step back but that's okay too. I'm not gaining & I'm still enjoying what life is bringing my way. No regrets but I promise the game will be stepped up come November. I will own the holidays this year! (again....I did great last year!)

Are you comfy? What are you doing if you aren't? Do you have a plan to conquer the holidays? No one said you can't enjoy them but you don't have to carry your enjoyment for weeks after either!!!! Plan, plan, plan!

ETA: Just found out we are going to the BULLS home opening on Friday night!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My FIL works in the grocery industry & we get a lot of trips to games....so fun! We won't even talk about the dessert cart either. haha

It's the small things.

Here's my list of successes for the week.

-Scale budged down .2. Yep, you heard me. And I'll take that. When you only have 12 left to lose, the body fights. Well, mine does.

-Fit back into BOTH pairs of my fave jeans. One are a size 8 Lucky's that I can comfortably wear now & the other a pair of Eddie Bauer jeans that by all rights are "mom" style with high waist but I LOVE them. So comfy & so flattering.

-Comments about me looking skinny.

-Doing EVERYTHING right. Even on a day that I decided to give into cravings & emotional eating, I realized at the end of the day, it was no where near my old definition of that. It was still portioned (by total accident.)

-Worked out every day.

-Did a 5 mile run today. My first long run in two weeks & I still found my groove. And oddly enough, that groove was a little quicker than my usual pace. Felt SO good.

-I am spending my saturday doing grocery shopping, washing bedding, cleaning the kitchen, etc & am enjoying myself. Why? Because I love my life.

It's the small things, isn't it? Not the big mile markers (those are fabulous too) but the little things that add up still make our hearts just as happy.

Have you found the blessings in the little things? Acknowledged something trivial knowing it was a successful moment?

I dare you.

Can you smell it??

....it's vacation. And it's coming at the speed of light? Less than 2 weeks until....






To say we are excited would be an understatment!!!!!! It was nice to have a belated honeymoon to look forward to but now we are just ready!

Sometimes you just have to give in....

...to cravings.
...to emotions.
...to emotional eating.
...the urge to go brunette (more on that in a couple weeks)

But even if you do, you MUST acknowledge it's a choice. I did that yesterday. I ate candy corn with peanuts for lunch. Had a couple pieces of the super yummy blondie for an afternoon snack.

Yesterday, I did some cardio while watching the Chicago marathon coverage, had breakfast with my hubby & our good friend, spent some final time with Kevin's family then proceeded to get things done around the house to avoid the inevitable moping. I'd avoided it as long as I could. I shared a picture of my brother & I on Facebook then the waterworks started. Craig & I with our dog, Crackers

I just miss Craig so much it hurts. It was 28 years yesterday & sometimes it feels as if it happened yesterday even with so much time passed. So I didn't worry about eating well, making right choices, etc. I just didn't care.

Today? I care & am eating well again. I got my training done this morning & will return for my short cardio session.

And? I decided that I will run the Chicago marathon again someday. Perhaps that'll be my post baby incentive? We'll figure that out later but I WILL run it again. I'll take joiners in that effort...no pressure!

Have a fabulous Monday!

Life goes on.

Today I wish my little brother a happy birthday. I can't say it in person though because he was killed when I was 10. He would have turned 36 today.

In just a few short days, the anniversary of his death will add another year as well. That totals 28 years since he left us.

My heart hurts. This used to be easier when Mom was alive but I can be comforted knowing he's celebrating with her.

I love you Craig & miss you dearly. My life has never been the same.

I will.

If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place. –Nora Roberts

Have you ever had something happen that took your breath away? That left you feeling hurt, uncertain & defeated? Have you ever take that situation, stood up & said "I'm going to own my part in this" then make the changes you know that YOU can make to improve the situation? Actually prayed to God to help you find the way to make it happen knowing that you can be better?

Well, I had that happen this weekend! On a very awesome high from great progress in my "best life" quest, something happened. But with that, I realized that there was something that I could be doing better. Perhaps I thought I was doing my best but wasn't focusing on the right things. So I literally prayed to God on Sunday during church (a sermon that focused on precisely what the issue was) & realized that I have to be better. So that's what I'm doing.

Yes, that's very vague but it's extremely personal & something I'd likely only share with my Mom. We all know that's not possible so I talked to God instead. He knew but waited for me to reach out to him. Now in all likeliness, my Mom would've told me that I was overreacting a bit & she'd probably have been right BUT in that same sense, it's still an opportunity to be better which is precisely what she'd tell me as well. Why wouldn't I take advantage of an opportunity to be better????

We don't face adversity to remain stagnant. I mean you can but it will get you no where. You've seen a hamster in a wheel right? I refuse to let that be me!!!!



Will you own this week? Conquer a situation that's been bringing you down? It's a bittersweet week for me (more on that tomorrow) so I'm chosing...see that? CHOSING to focus on improving what I have in my control!

Will you?

I will.

Ideas?

I want to bake this weekend. Who's got a killer recipe for me? I have to make banana bread already but I've been making a dessert on Sunday.

Last week was Tina's super easy & WAY tasty apple crisp. I made it in a pie plate & cut the topping in half. Perfect!

So many pumpkin recipes too that I'm tempted to use a can for something tasty.

Bizarro!

Do any of you watch Fringe? It's a good show, very sci-fi (or syfy if you will.) So today, I do believe that my alternate universe me has taken over. Why?

I'm freakishly NOT hungry. Not at all. I did cardio, came home & got ready for work thinking I'd eat before I left. Nope. Not hungry yet.

Stopped for coffee (pumpkin spice latte/coffee mix) & have been drinking that this morning but still not really hungry. Though my tummy is starting to rumble a bit.

I did try one piece of hubby's cereal (very tasty btw.)

I brought food (see daily log) but not much.

Totally weird & totally not me since I wake most days wanting to eat my right arm!

Hmmmmmmm.

So, I've totally forgot to talk about Biggest Loser! It started again last week & that means date night with my best friend! I head to her house to watch. We visit, we laugh & we cry. Though lately we find ourselves laughing more.

One of the girls has a scar on her tummy. The conversation went like this......

Me: I wonder what that's from? Do you think she had gastric bypass surgery?

Steph: Maybe she was stabbed. (in a very matter of fact voice)

Hahaha! Okay, sounds awful but sometimes we are just that blunt!

As we watched last night, I got to thinking about how I feel desensitized to this show anymore. I no longer feel the motivation that I used to or even inspired by the contestants. Why? No idea though my heart did BREAK for the little girl who stopped eating & drinking because she didn't want to be fat like her Mom :( I can NEVER allow that to be me. Never.

As for me, I'm doing pretty well. I had a meltdown last week (thanks in part to PMS moodiness) & ranted to a friend who gave me a fabulous reality check. She told me to stop telling her what I was doing right & tell her what I can do to make things different (or better if you will.) Just what I needed to hear even in my whiny state of mind! Then it happened...the scale drop that has eluded me for almost a full month. I maintained but wanted more.

What did I do? I made the changes she suggested & realized that I was morphing back into a mindset that I've been working hard to escape. Whew. Close call but I think I'm better (not totally but getting there...)

And with that, continued scale drop since Saturday. I'll take it.


(picture from Universal Studios Orlando)

4 weeks to vacation (this has NOTHING to do with the scale but needed to just remind you all that FEAR awaits me....mwahahahaha!)

Hope you are all well!

Hungry?

Check these out. Apprehensive to try but finally caved & am in love with Sweet Potato & Black Bean Enchiladas!!!

Stop making faces...I did that too & could NOT believe how yummy these are!

Enjoy!

Happy Fall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE fall so much. It's my favorite time of the year! Perfect temperatures, beautiful colors, yummy treats, pumpkin, halloween, football.

Candy Corn ;) (always to be eaten with peanuts!!!!)

Fabulous colors that are sometimes just breathtaking!

And Halloween is just fun! Can't wait to celebrate this year's Halloween at Universal Orlando!

Do you love fall as much as I do? What is your favorite season?

Quickie?

Sure, why not. I'm flipping between the Bears/Cowboys game & The Perfect Storm while I stalk Ebay for our bid on Disney tickets. There's 5 hours left in the auction (currently winning) & am just hoping it doesn't turn into a battle in the end.

It turned out that I wasn't getting sick & just was really hit hard by allergies this week. Gosh they just suck SO bad & only a couple frosts will relieve me of them. That's not happening anytime soon so I just take benadryl at bedtime to ensure a night's sleep.

I updated my progress this week & dropped the half pound I found last week. And a reality check from a friend reminded me that it's not worth worrying about. Fluctuations happen & if I stay on course the results of my hard work will show. So there ;)

Last night we had dinner at a local steakhouse & headed to see Devil. I was expecting more of a supernatural, horror movie but it was in fact about the devil himself. Not awful & it had a subtle-ish religious undertone with the point being we should not worry about the devil because if he in fact does exist then so does God. Well, duh ;)

Not much else happening today. Just chillin. Spent the whole day cleaning yesterday (only stopping for my run) so I'm doing nothing today.

Making BLT's for dinner & apple crisp for dessert. Yep, life is good!!!

Oy.

How does one successfully stay healthy 95% of the year but get whammied during the worst of allergy season????? Ragweed & goldenrod are not my friend but I really thought that was all it was. Allergies. They are brutal this year.

Last night, I curled up in the big chair & my joints were achy. I thought it was arthritis (I sound like I'm falling apart, eh?) from the rain coming, cooler temps, etc. No biggie.

Until this morning, as I left the house it hit me, I think I'm really getting sick. Achy joints? Fever? Yep, probably getting sick.

At least it's after the race & we have nothing going on until vacation now. Well, unless we go to the city for the marathon, Great America for Fright Fest, etc. Nothing major.

So I sit here at my desk, eyes burning, tummy gassy/nauseous & just want to be in my bed.

At least the week is half over, right?

Success!

Well, on most fronts. It was a FABULOUS weekend! Let's do a good old update, shall we?

20 year reunion mixer
On Friday night, I dragged Kevin to my mixer. He had fun for the first hour (lol) but a couple friends were great about making sure he was entertained! It was SO fun visiting with everyone & seeing folks that I grew up with. Funny part was that they didn't recognize me & a couple of them I didn't recognize either. Two of them said to my friend "who's that" & when she told them they laughed & said "well, she's changed a bit." lol Here's a couple pics from the night.
My friend Tricia & I. We grew up together.
My lifetime friend, Tammy & our friend Mike (the creeper) in the back. lol

Not sure why the pics are so small but that's a couple from the night. We left about 930pm & I apparently missed A LOT of folks that came later. Bummer but we still had fun! My cheerleading coach even crashed the party! hahaha

Popcorn Panic 5 mile race
What can I say here? Kevin & I totally rocked this race. Our goal was to finish under 50 minutes. I'd done that before & knew it was totally doable for us. Well, we in fact finished in under 47 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!! I about died (literally almost barfed) & kept looking at my watch thinking it was wrong! So awesome & a major thanks to my friend Troy who came & found us in the last .5 miles to push us home. It felt great & we were totally feeling like rockstars. We ran SO hard! It was raining & cool so that helped tons too! Due to the rain, we didn't stay for the parade but instead went to see a movie later then headed back to the festival after that.

Progress
I've been keeping my progress/daily journal on the "Eat & Move" tab (though I might be the only one reading it..lol) but if you do, you'll see that I was up .5 pounds this week. I hold water very easily & did so after our long run last Sunday so I'm not even worried about it. It's only half pound & if it was more then I'd be doing some analyzing. I'm also not very "regular" lately due to prenatals so that has an impact too. I guess my point is, I'm not freaking out about 8 ounces BUT you also need to be aware of your body & it's fluctuations. It's important to progress to know those things & keep it in check if the scale continually shifts in the wrong direction. I'm also close to dropping into the next 10 pound range & my body tends to play games when that happens.

I think that's it. It was a great weekend. We saw Takers which was decent but seemed a little slow. Lots of man-candy though so I didn't mind. Nothing much on tap for this week which is completely fine!

I'm going to keep on keeping on & owning my life. It feels so great when you are in control & making things happen. Find that feeling. I promise you won't regret it!!!!!

Class of 1990

In honor of my 20 year reunion, I thought I'd share my senior picture. It's pretty bad...you know..the hair & the fact that I look like I swallowed a puffer fish. Not to mention the mock turtlenecks.

Tonight, I'm dragging Kevin to the reunion mixer since we opted out of the actual reunion. I'm looking forward to revisiting old classmates & just catching up on 20 years. There are no surprises about how people look now thanks to Facebook but there's always the wonder "what happened to them." I'm happily strutting my stuff as the girl that got skinny!!!! Take that MHS!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Race anxiety.

2006 Valpo Mini Marathon
(picture taken by Mom..the last race she saw me run)


2006 Chicago Marathon
(run in Mom's honor)

Sorry those pics are so tiny. Not sure why. But those are two of the last races that I actually did. 2006. 4 years ago & it seems like forever ago but I guess it kinda was. I've started training for a couple races since then (half marathons) but had to back out due to injury.

On Saturday, Kevin & I will run our first race together...ever. The 5 mile Popcorn Panic. He's always had to work. It'll be my first race since 2006 & his first since well, a very long time ;) I'm excited but somewhat nervous. When I first started running, this was the race the team that I ran with trained for though it was not my first race. My first was a 5K a month prior. This is a long standing race with the long-standing Popcorn Festival.

My best pace with this race is just under 50 minutes...would you believe it was actually 49:49!!! Dad saw me coming up the hill (there are a couple doozies) & told Mom to have the camera ready but she said "no way, it's only blah blah time." He said she's right there...sure enough..here I came. Running hard like I was being chased & I finished with a rocking time (for me...a fluffy, non-runner.) That was in 2004. The year I ran my first marathon. Amazing, huh?

Well, Kevin & I are ready to run (did a 9 min pace this morning for 2 miles) hard & run steady. We will be pushing beyond our comfort zone & in fact starting with a friend who will maintain 9's for the full race. Once we need to, we'll back off & he'll carry on but with that we still intend to push. Do you know that feeling? The one that you still feel comfortable but can still press on? It was tough this morning because I do NOT like listening to my breathing. Some do, but not me, I'd rather have some music distracting me. I have my race tunes ready.

I'm excited, nervous & ready to take on this route! Picking up our packets tonight. It's been a while & 4 years later am ready to own it.

What are you going to own? This week? Next month? I'm curious what your plans are to conquer your beast.

I might blow away!

This is what trees look like in the Region today. It's CRAZY windy & I think I might blow away. Why? Because I feel thin & that's what happens to thin people! hahaha

Speaking of thin, did anyone watch Thintervention? It's Jackie Warner's new show. It wasn't awful. Most of the folks need to drop at most 50 pounds & one of the participants is Jeanna from OC Housewives. Another is a 22 year old young woman who's bodyfat is at 50%. I almost cried for her. Mine is oddly enough in a healthy range for women even when I still need to lose 17 pounds to be at my goal. Thank you Daddy for a muscular build!

Anyway. We had a nice holiday weekend, dinner with the parents (his, my Dad & his girlfriend), gambled just a bit (only $10), did a run on Sunday (just under 7 miles), worked out yesterday & just spent the rest of the weekend being lazy, wandering or just watching movies in the basement (home theater room.)

Big plans for this week are my high school reunion mixer on Friday (not doing the reunion), Saturday morning doing a 5 mile race during the Popcorn Festival & then catching the parade, eating naughty goodies (hoping the boy scouts have the kettle corn again) & then just wandering the downtown area until they re-open the streets.

Why Popcorn Festival? Well, Orville Redenbacher just so happens to be from Valparaiso & started his popcorn empire here. Even more interesting, he started it with our friend's grandfather who recently passed away. So that's your Valparaiso history! Popcorn anyone????

Who's ready to own this week?????

A taste of fall!!!!

So fall is by far my favorite season. I love the crisp air, running in these temps is the BEST, leaves changing to such rich colors, football, pumpkins, halloween & CANDY CORN!!!!!! lol Yes, if you've been around long enough, you know my love of the sugary, honey goodness of candy corn. It's best eaten with peanuts, fyi! (HAHAHAHA)

I saw this today on Cupcakes Take the Cake. You should check that site out if you love cupcakes...such fun ones they find! Anyway...back to the fun one for today!

A mix of my faves...cupcakes, sprinkles & candy corn! So cute!

This morning it's 60 degrees outside & it FEELS like fall! I am excited about my long run tomorrow since it'll be much cooler overnight tonight!

Are you ready for fall? Is it your favorite season? I can't wait!!!!!

Can I rant?

Thanks for the blog love ladies! I read a lot of blogs & some really push this or that. My blog is not about that. I don't care if I get sent free products to try out, I don't care if I get sponsored for what I might or might not promote, I don't care if I get "x" amount of followers & I don't care if I zero comments in a day. I'm not promoting my blog by commenting on other blogs saying "come check me out" or being all sunshine & rainbows. Life is 90% fabulous but there are days that just suck. I'm not going to blog pictures of every morsel I eat (unless it's uber fabulous & has to be shared) or post a zillion pics of my life (vacations excluded.) lol

The sole purpose of my blog is to share my antics. I have friends that I interact with locally who follow, friends from high school that read, internet friends I may never have the honor of meeting who follow & some who just find me randomly. I'm good with that. I don't hide much really but certain things will never get blogged about. I'm pretty open but some things are just private.

I suppose that's a bit of a tangent but sometimes that's how my head works! haha Something just struck a nerve yesterday when I was reading comments on a blog that I like & it was a "wow, that's great. I'm this or that & you should come check out my blog." Literally.

As for my progress, I want to make it clear that I am NOT dieting. I'm eating well, small portions of what I want (mostly healthy choices...because that's what I want) & enjoying dessert with my husband sometimes. I'm eating like a "normal" person. You can see what I'm eating daily on the "Eat & Move" page over there ----------------------->

I move my body daily. 3 days a week we train (Savage workouts) & then 20 minutes of balls to the wall cardio. 3 days a week we run 3-5 miles each run for now. My goal is to do a longer run each weekend especially with fall coming!!!! That 7th day a week, I do something....even if it's just a short walk around the subdivision, Insanity cardio abs (about 15 minutes) or a 20 min run...something!!!!

So there you have it.....some might have wondered. No chicken & green beans here!!!

Oops!

Make that 10 pounds down for the month of August!!!!!!! Just had to share my excitement!

Oh & I ate a bug today on my run thus causing myself to dry-heave for a few minutes. Good times indeed! Still had a good pace so take that little protein bite!

Happy Tuesday!

Hmmmmm.

I don't have much to say other than I can't believe it's almost September!!!! Vacation is just a couple months away & we are so fired up! We got our tickets for Universal & Halloween Horror Nights already too! NO backing out of HHN now! lol In fact, we plan to go on Friday & will get a "Stay & Scream" pass for Sunday if we 1) can handle it again & 2) don't see all we want to on the night we go!

Things have been moving right along with my own personal conquest back to my "best life." I dropped 8.5 pounds in the month of August! Woohoo!! No goal date in sight but I do want to look my best for my honeymoon ;) But you won't hear "I want to weigh x pounds by 10/26." Instead, I'll be focusing on doing well each day, enjoying some goodies along the way & bringing my best me to Orlando!

Running is also going fabulous! We are only doing 3 runs a week anywhere from 3-6 miles but that's perfect. We don't have a need to run longer than that though when the cooler temps come & stay for good, I'd like to clock some longer runs. Why? Because I can!!!!

Wow, exciting in my world, eh? haha On tap? Hubby turns 35 on Thursday & my MIL turns, um, 25?, on Saturday! ;) I'm treating everyone (including my Dad & his girlfriend) to dinner that night then we'll all head to the casino for some more fun!

Have a great week all!!!!!

Ready to meet Fear.

So many of you already know that we are headed to Orlando for Halloween for a late honeymoon. Mostly because I'm obsessed with Halloween! And in spite of being a big chicken...we are going to Halloween Horror Nights. It's like walking through a horror movie....over & over & over. Universal has FINALLY released the themes for the houses & "scare zones." Here's the promo...



I shall meet Fear head on & he'll probably make me pee my pants! hahaha

One of the houses is an actual paranormal house & that too will make me pee my pants! Eeek. I'm so excited! We got our tickets today too! Bring it on!!!!

Here's the themes as detailed by the Orlando Sentinel:

Houses

Horror Nights: The Hallow’d Past – “Now, you have the opportunity to travel into a realm where Horror Nights isn’t just an event, but a reality.”

The Orfanage: Ashes to Ashes – ”Misunderstood by all around her, she has had enough of her playthings at the Good Harvest Orphanage – now is the time for vengeance”

Hades: The Gates of Ruin – “Hades bids you welcome.”

Psychoscarepy: Echoes of Shadybrook – ”Although Shadybrook’s doors have indeed been closed for the last 15 years, the place is still very much alive with all of the criminally insane souls that have ever walked its halls.”

Havoc: Dogs of War – “Through an inhalant that includes a compound of testosterone, adrenaline, and other anesthetics, Shadow Creek’s latest run of volunteer test subjects are ready for inspection.”

Catacombs: Black Death Rising – “During a plague of Paris and Marseilles in 1534, thousands died due to an undisclosed viral outbreak. A group of doctors took it upon themselves to quarantine the most infected citizens of the city. They had no way of knowing that the townspeople would betray them, sealing them into their doom.”

Zombiegeddon – ”The United States government has re-taken the continental United States, and is actively engaged in clearing the remaining infested pockets of Canada. The government also licenses and sanctions private companies to capture ‘un-live’ subjects and use them as practical targets during these training sessions.”

Legendary Truth: The Wyandot Estate – “The Spirit Seekers have come up with a machine that actually gathers spirits toward it. The group has decided to do a live broadcast from inside one of the most reportedly “haunted” sites in the entire United States, The Wyandot Estate, built in the 1920s in Carey, Ohio, by the entrepreneur Malcolm Wyandot and his wife, Lydia. The house has been rumored to be haunted since Malcolm brutally killed 13 dinner guests and his wife Lydia before committing suicide on October 30, 1929.”

The scare zones — “dead” spots between houses and attractions — sound like they have some distinctive Universal Orlando flair.

HHN: 20 Years of Fear – ”Encounter the most frightening characters of Halloween Horror Nights past.”

Fear Revealed – “The souls of Chaos, Death, Sacrifice, Mythos and Vengeance — He created them and gave them terror. … What has been 19 cycles for some have been eons for him. He’s waited patiently for the final piece, and now on the 20th cycle… HE IS REVEALED.”

Zombie Gras – ”This Mardi Gras parade has gone severely off course.”

Esqueleto Muerte – ”Revel in the seductive taunts of Death as you wind through a glowing skeletal nightmare.”

Saws ‘n Steam – ”Steam power is essential to the inhabitants of New Yorkshire, but diminishing oceans have put the city in jeopardy, forcing the citizens to evil lengths. Beware upon entering the city, as the water in your body is now a coveted resource. And the citizens will stop at nothing to get it.”

The Coven – ”The Cult of the Raven has unsettled spirits, and its Sirens are screaming throughout the witches’ realm.”

Dear Jewel,

I would like to take a moment to thank you for carrying Fanny May candies in the individual portions & even having them on sale this week for a buck!!!

Sometime in the future, I will enjoy a mint meltaway.


Then in that same future (though not together,) I will enjoy one of my Mom's favorites, a trinidad.


Both will be savored immensely & since I know they will be around for a long time to come, there's no need to eat them both at the same time.

Thanks again for making this treat available with a sweet deal! (no pun intended)

Love,
Heather

Really?

So I also forgot to add something that happened at the picnic. We were sitting in my uncle's garage & I hear him call my name. He says "Charlotte (gram), you know who she looks like?" Gram plays along & you will NOT believe what came out of his mouth....

Are you kidding me? My Grandfather (who's brutally honest) proceeds to tell me that I look like Jennifer Aniston! And we even have a similar smile. It was SO funny not only because I accused him of sucking up but because a guy at the gym said to Kevin last week "not everyone can have a wife that looks like Jennifer Aniston." I'm NOT kidding. I'm not sure I see the connection other than the flat chin & cheekbones but I'll take it. I certainly do not have her body but am working on getting MY best body so I'll accept that. And we are close in age so it's a win there too.

It was so funny, I was totally flattered because I know my Grandpa loves me dearly but he'd NEVER say such a thing if he didn't mean it.

Busy here at work. Things have picked up & we have doubled our crew in the last week so I'm adding new hires, updating payroll sheets, etc. Then I will of course catch up on my shows (The Gates.)

Have a great week. Own it again. I'm waging battle against PMS that leaves me CRAZY hungry so I'm increasing my foods just a bit (two eggs instead of one, nuts with afternoon snack, a little more at dinner.) Nothing crazy but doing that will curb a desire to snack & hopefully keep the hunger at bay. Smart girls plan where they can ;)

Happy Monday!!!

Love, Jen ;) hahahaa

Scoooooooooooooooore!

Someone might have been rocking her size 8 skirt that she's not been able to wear since the post-show disaster. And hubby said it looked great!

Fantastic run. Rocking my favorite wardrobe pieces again. Feeling fabulous.

What more could a girl want????

Life is good, my friends!

Laughing out loud!

Does anyone share my love of Bethenny Frankel??? I'm watching her "lost moments" from her show & just laughing to myself. I just adore her. She's brass. She's catty. She's geniune. She eats. She & her now hubby are SO much like Kevin & I that it almost creeps me out. Right down to their age & how life is unfolding. Well, minus the oops baby & the fact that she's loaded. LOL

Back to my show.

Remember the name!

First things first, you have to go read about my run today. Seriously. GO but then come back :) Thanking my thunder thighs for moving me right along today!


Isn't that awesome?? As I ran, I realized that I felt like myself again. The girl that used to take off & run whenever not thinking about the weather. I just went. I still had it. And it felt pretty damn good!!!!!! As I rounded the corner for my last mile (after crossing to avoid the geese that were making it clear they saw me) a song by Fort Minor came on my iPod called Remember the Name. Have you heard it? Though it's not a Christian song, I think of God when I hear it. And suddenly found myself thanking Him for the physical abilities, the determination to press on, for legs that move, for a heart that won't quit....I think you see my point. My favorite line from the song?

This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!

See what I mean? I listened to it twice.

The rest of the day (once I get off my towel..still sweating) will involve a tanning session, picking up Kevin's shirts at the cleaners & finishing off my cake pops for a family picnic. It's rainy which kinda sucks but we needed it bad!

I better go get some more water & get something in this belly!!!!

Happy Saturday!

Sucked in...

I'm sorry, I'm not available to blog at the moment. I'm currently knee, okay waist, deep in this....

Please leave a message at the tone, er, whatever & I'll get back to you at my earliest convenience.

Feeling fussy.

Yes, that's right. I feel like a fussy baby. I had the WORST night's sleep in a very long time. Tossed & turned, looked at the clock & only minutes would pass. I was miserable. I really wanted to keep tossing when the alarm went off but knew that I'd feel better if I moved my body. Kevin even offered to just walk (which he detests) but I really wanted to run!

About that run. Let me brag about the MUCH cooler temps we are finally having. It was about 63 when we ran this morning. SO awesome! Dodged the canadian geese once, did our loop then dodged them again by running in a yard. Where....I twisted my ankle :( I think it's okay since I was able to walk it off & keep running. We'll see how it goes as the day progresses.

On a totally separate tangent. Have you guys seen the Tyra promo about the girl with the uber tiny waist? She's going to be on America's Next Top Model. 6'2" & a size 00. Here's the girl (with Ms. J's hands around her waist.)

It sparked a discussion on the radio about size, weight & of course, eating disorders. A woman called in to share her story of eating 37 calories a day but when she couldn't stop the hunger she started purging instead. Her gag reflex stopped working with her finger so she had to use a knife. I had tears in my eyes knowing that people go to such lengths. I've been a hardcore binger. It was really bad at one point in my life (adult life) but now I realize that I can enjoy what I want within reason. Disclaimer: it took a lot of work to get past that mindset. I have coke with lunch, I eat nuts, full fat cheeses, eggs daily, etc. I'm losing weight. I get it. I really do since I've been obese. But you don't have to live that way & you don't have to extreme diet to lose weight either.

See...a tangent. But it broke my heart.

On that note, I better finish payroll. Boys want paid & so do I!!!

Come Monday.....

Happy Monday!!! I know that sounds like such an oxymoron for some but when you are rocking along with your goals then it's fun to start the week with pep in your step!!!

Saturday, we had a GREAT time at the Jimmy Buffett concert. It was HOT HOT HOT & water was hard to find in the venue (for us designated drivers.) Still tons of fun even with having dehydrated a bit.

We even had a special surprise when this arrived with the adorable Patrick Kane!

It was a fun time though & I was amazed with how laid back all the Parrotheads are! So fun!

Sunday was "stain the deck" day where we put the final coat on the rails, did some errands, grabbed lunch & then drank the "Twilight" kool-aid. We've never read the books but finally bit the bullet when it came from Netflix. Verdict? We really liked it. I can now see the draw of Team Edward & why folks like him. But I'm still all over Team Jacob especially since I've been told that he reminds folks of Kevin (LOL.) We'll get the next one in a couple days & are excited to watch. Yep, the sucked in. haha

Not much on tap for this week. We have an "H" family picnic this weekend. I was "strongly encouraged" to bring cake balls so I let my aunt pick the flavor...strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting. I will dip them in white chocolate. Yummy!!!! My family are the BEST cooks so I will plan to enjoy 1-2 bites of everything I want to try (2 bites being reserved for the REALLY fabulous stuff.)

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend & are ready to own this week. I certainly am!!!!! YOU are in control & never let anyone tell you otherwise!!!!

Now, just do it!

Finally friday!

Whew. We made it through yet another week. And another weekend we're totally busy though we've been having a lot of fun...still busy. Even Dad's dog seems to have had a rough week. Yes, he's under my desk! And yes, his tongue is sticking out (sign that he's pooped!)

In talking with a friend the other day, I realized I'd never updated on what's been happening with my finger. You'll remember that I had a pea-sized mass removed from the top of my knuckle. It was attached to a tendon. I was feeling a good deal of stiffness in the morning & expected that would pass. It hasn't. I cannot bend my finger in the morning & it's very painful though it loosens up before we get to the gym (with exercises.) There's a bit of a "crater" where the previous mass was located & now appears to be another one forming :( My finger (knuckle) is also larger than before (probably the new mass forming) & I can no longer wear any of my rings on that hand (including the one Kevin bought me for a wedding gift. So bummed & will have to go back to my surgeon but am waiting until I pay off the first surgery. So that's the update there. Not good news unfortunately.

As for everything else? Fabulous!!!!! I continue to make progress in Operation My Best Life (lol.) Yea, I just made that up but it's fitting. I swear to dish more on that soon BUT you can follow along now with my daily eats & workouts here.

What's your plan for the weekend?

Journal...sorta

I'm going to start using this page once again to track my dailly stuff.

For now anyway......

Parrots & parties.

So it's confirmed. Saturday night, we are going to see this guy....

Do you know? I'm not a super fan like hubby & his friend but I like a good cheeseburger (hint.) It'll be fun & I agreed to be DD! Not only is it an hour away (easy drive) but it's supposed to be almost 90 out. Me + alchohol + extreme heat = reminders of passing out at a Bodeans concert. Not good. It'll be purely entertaining watching the Parrotheads get drunk & silly!

I'm also debating my 20th class reunion. I was excited to inititally go but then started to waiver. I keep in touch with the folks I want to via Facebook. I'm hearing the cliques (our included) are still in full force (some still extremely, well, you know) so I started to rethink it. It's $60/person. I think we are going to just go to the Friday night mixer instead. Did you go to your 20th? I missed the 10 year since I'd just moved to Vegas.

Thinking outloud here ;)

Food for thought?

Literally. Another edition of what I ate today. I think this may be a typical Wednesday. We'll see.

Eat
Rice cake with smear of almond butter & preserves
Slice of toast with an egg & slice of cheese (open face egg sandwich)
Half roast beef with cheese & mustard, apple, coke
Grapes & Zone bar (the chocolate mint taste like Thin Mint cookies)
Burger (no bun) & sweet potato fries

Move
Shoulders & Core (this morning)
20 min of something (after work)

I was EXHAUSTED today & fell asleep after the gym this morning in the chair. We planned to do our 20 mins of cardio after training but I had NO energy. Still tired but will pull something out of the dark later. Probably end up doing 20 min of Insanity. The heat index would kill me though I'm really itching to run!

Thick legs, in shape, rump shaking both ways.....

Let me share with you the first song in my workout today. Killer session on the elliptical which left me a sweaty beast by the end. I think Kevin was kinda grossed out. Haha! Anyway......I present you Missy Elliott!


I LOVE this song! Does everyone remember when Missy got skinny? This was the first song that came out. Love her first line (clipped for title.)

Anyway, it's a kick-ass song & really got my blood pumping. What songs do that for you? I have a lot but usually the first one I hear during my workout sticks. Well, that & anything that I hear by LL (I have dates with him pretty regularly!)

I wanted to share an epiphany moment with you all. I've been working the "K-Factor" lately (tease tease tease) which is all about eating real food, moving daily & enjoying life. You could call it living large if you'd like. But with that, I'm finding myself feeling pretty liberated & letting go of some "rules" that stick in my head. Not all of them are gone & I get some tough love (not complaining) when they creep in but it's been really good to work through. I'm enjoying the part where I find my way back to who I once was.

So I come to last night when I was at a party (home decor) at a friend's house. She always makes awesome goodies so I fed hubby & didn't eat with him knowing that I was going to enjoy some good eats. I went in with a plan to enjoy one piece of each item I wanted (there were 4 items.) So I had some tortilla chips with salsa, small piece of veggie pizza (the cold kind) & a few dessert treats. I enjoyed every bite. I wasn't stuffed. I didn't feel guilt over what I ate. I had fun with my friends & enjoyed some good eats. Towards the end of the party, I got hungry again so had a few more chips with salsa (homemade & SO good!) But as I did that I sat back & watched my surroundings. That being my friends piling food on their plates.

It really took my head back to where I once was with binging & bad behaviors. I remember when the food hiding started (when my brother died) & doing that at the age of 10 is baffling to me but you know we adapt & create comfort where we can. That's what I did & I was instantly grateful that I could be around that food, enjoy a small portion of it to be satisified & walk away.

That suddenly got deep. Ha! Sorry but it was something that was heavily on my mind this morning. I even told Kevin about it when I got home. We met when I'd already lost over 100 pounds so he never knew that part of me. He's been through a lot with me during contest diet, post-show stuff, etc. But he never fails to tell me that he's proud of me. What a fabulous cheerleader (he's one of a few than are so encouraging to me daily.)

With that, I leave you with a picture of us from the wedding Saturday. My hair is straight but my stylist curled it for me after she cut it. Super fun!!! I need to mention that I felt awesome that night & got TONS of compliments ;)
Have a fabulous day!

Rain on my parade.

Happy Monday (what an oxymoron...) Okay, it's not that bad! The weekend was fun even though it rained while we were in Chicago yesterday. And it was CRAZY windy but they don't call it the Windy City for nothing.

Let's back up. Saturday morning, we got up & did a 4 mile run. The weather has been (not anymore) wonderful & pretty cool in the morning. Kevin went off to work, I got stuff done & before I knew it we were on the road to the wedding reception. We had a FABULOUS time, good eats, good drinks & lotsa dancing. I felt fabulous in my new dress, had my hair done all curly like Kevin likes & we'll just say it was a GREAT night.

I woke on Sunday early with a headache (part vodka, part hormone related) but we slept longer & were headed to the city. It rained but we enjoyed a nice lunch at Cheesecake Factory. I had the portabella sandwich eating all of that but only half the bun, some salad & a piece of bread. It was SO good. Thick portabella with a thick slice of grilled onion & tomato.

We tried to watch Bounty Hunter but I fell asleep catching only the beginning & end. It was cute though. Aniston looks FAB!

Anyway, the weekend was a success in my book. No regrets only fun. It was the last "dress up" event that was planned so it was fun to enjoy it with hubby! I'm really making great progress personally too & will continue to tease on that. Let's just say I'm following the "K-Factor" plan ;)

Hope YOUR weekend was equally fabulous & you got enjoy time with your friends, family or whatever means the most to you!!!!

Make it a great week!

Weekend fun?

Sure! This weekend we have a wedding, will wander the Mag Mile in Chicago & maybe sneak a listen at Grant Park while bands take the stage of Lollapalooza.

I fully intend to enjoy some good eats at the wedding & don't forget the cake ;) Partake in some wine & just enjoy a night with my hubby where neither of us has to stay sober to drive. Thank you to the happy couple for providing a shuttle/party bus from the hotel to the country club (yes, swank reception.)

My sincerest congrats to our friends, Michelle & Eric, who will become one tomorrow.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone. Thanks for keeping along with this little crazy life I like to call mine.

Blah, blah, blah

Today finds me with a couple rants on tap.

The first has to do with my job. It's no secret that my work day is not always filled with meetings, conference calls & other high stress items like it did in the HR job that I left in October 2006. I have to do payroll on Tuesdays, accounts payable on Wednesday then union reports & taxes monthly. That's about it unless I have an audit to prep for (like next week.) Is it exciting? Nope. Is it boring? Yes, completely on some days. That is why I read, spend time on FB, blog, etc. My family & friends know that I left a job I LOVED to come take over the office after my Mom died. So then why do they insist on making fun of my "job" as they often refer to it (yes, even using the quotes when referring to my "job" or calling it "work." You know what? I'd MUCH rather have things be different...my Mom still be alive & me doing my thing at OE (old employer.) But that's now how it is so why do they insist on making insensitive comments about it. It really hurts my feelings.

The other rant is about my run this morning. I think I once shared that I have potty issues on some runs (usually the super fast or super long ones) where I have to potty right NOW!!!! It happened today when hubby & I were a FULL 4 minutes faster than my pace on Sunday (that also rocked.) So as a result of the "OMG, I have to go now" situation, we had to walk a bit. So close to home (actually in the subdivision) but it just couldn't be avoided. I was SO bummed. At one point, Kevin actually asked me if I was trying to kill him with that pace! hahaha We are normally 9:30-10 min/mile pacers & I'm totally content with that but today we were rocking closer to a 8:45-9 had I not had to walk until the "urge" passed. Next time, my friends. Next time.

I saw this today on a blog (a Bakerella creation.)

My SIL & I made cake pops for my niece's 1st birthday party. (They look frosty since they were stored in the freezer.)

Family saw the pics on FB & were raving about them so I promised to make some for the next cookout. Well, that is happening on August 21st so I let my Aunt June pick the flavor. She is chosing strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting. I'll dip them in white chocolate then put some sort of red sprinkles or something on them. Yum yum! You must try cake pops sometime!

That's not really a rant but I wanted to end on a fun/happy note. I'm nose-deep in my book today. It's getting SO good & I got notice last night that #2 in the series is on hold for me at the library. No pressure to hurry right?!?

Happy Hump Day!

Eat & Move

So today's ramble will be an installment of "what I ate today." Why? Well, why not? We all read foodie blogs & sometimes wonder what other folks are eating.

-Rice cake with a smear of almond butter & strawberry preserves
-Eggs with a slice of toast (health nut bread..yum!)
-1/2 roast beef with swiss (homemade), sunchips & coke
-Zone bar & grapes
-Veggie burger with garden green beans (thank you Daddy!)

And for giggles, I did 30 minutes on the elliptical this morning. I increase resistance every 5 minutes until the last 5 where I up it twice. Hubby tried to keep up. He failed ;) lol

Have a FABULOUS day!

ps..you wondered about the cupcake pic? I've been a tad obsessed with them the last few days. I blame PMS & am not eating one because we are going to wedding this weekend that will have some FABULOUS cake.