Hello There ...

Well, as you can see, it has been a LONG time since my last post. About 9 months to be exact! In an effort to help jump start my journey to a healthier lifestyle - I am reactivating my "My Fitness Pal" account to help me keep track of my food, exercise and weight loss/maintenance as well as attempt to start blogging again to help keep me motivated and on track.  I'm also hoping that some of you might help me out by following me on my blog, and commenting from time to time as well and be my cheerleaders.  I plan to not only track my journey, but also share some 'healthier' recipes along the way, some exercises I might come across that I find helpful, magazine articles, funny pictures or stories, and probably some other random things as well!  I'm thinking about some regular weekly posts as well such as Treadmill Fail Tuesday videos, Weigh In Wednesdays (yes, I'll be honest) and Friday Funnies. 

So, happy new year to all and here's a "funny" to get the year started (Thanks to Shannon for reposting it on her FB - a perfect way to start my blog!)

Summer Hair ...

With summer approaching ... it's about time for a new do! Since I'm going to Jamaica in about 5 weeks, I'm not wanting to cut it anytime soon as I want it to be long enough to pull out of my face while at the beach.  I do want to, however, lighten it up a bit for the summer.  I'm not sure I want to go totally blonde but I would like to have a lot of it mixed in throughout - plus, the blonde will probably help camouflage my stupid gray hair ... yes ... I hate to say it out loud or on "paper" but yes, I have gray hair already. Stupid genetics ... sigh ... But, I have a fabu hairdresser so all is good!

Anyways, here are a few ideas I am mulling over for my next visit to the salon. Will probably be about 3 weeks or so - plenty of time to decide :-)  I think the first one is my favorite ... I just haven't had that light color of hair in a while ... might be a drastic change?  Any thoughts? 

Baby Sitters Club!!

Omg - I cannot believe this. I came across this article tonight and I am so excited! Ann M. Martin has released a new Baby Sitters Club Book - a prequel to all of her previous Baby Sitters Club Books! I read every single of of these books as a little girl. My cousin Bobbi and I were obsessed! I cannot wait to get this book. I am sure it won't have the same effect as it did when I was younger but still, I'm sure it will bring back plenty of great memories!

The first book, below, was Kristy's Great Idea.

In any event, the prequel will tell us a bit more about the girls before they started the Baby-Sitters Club:

Before there was the Baby-Sitters Club, there were four girls named Kristy Thomas, Mary Anne Spier, Claudia Kishi, and Stacey McGill. As they start the summer before seventh grade (also before they start the BSC), each of them is on the cusp of a big change. Kristy is still hung up on hoping that her father will return to her family. Mary Anne has to prove to her father that she's no longer a little girl who needs hundreds of rules. Claudia is navigating her first major crush on a boy. And Stacey is leaving her entire New York City life behind... (Amazon)

To read the full article, click here

If you want to buy the new book, click here to buyt it on Amazon.

Exercise ...

So, I have put it off and put it off long enough. It's time to try and get back into "shape". Well, not sure I have been in "shape" for a while but you get my point. After the wedding, I was so stressed and just wanted to relax and eat anything and everything under the sun I thought I would take a break from eating "healthy" foods and working out. But, I can feel my jiggle "getting jiggy with it" more and more!!

So, last week I got on the treadmill twice. I know, not much but hey, you have got to start somewhere, right? I find that it's hard to convince myself to do it but once I get going, it's not that bad. I just don't have much motivation at all - and never have. I have always hating working out -- always!!

But, I have got to get over that and get started. I'm not getting any younger and I have a 4th of July lake trip coming up and a family vacation in August that I need to get "bikini ready" for. So, for those of you listening out there, I"m going to try and keep tabs of what I do on here. Who knows, maybe knowing people will read or see my progress might give me a bit more will power. I guess we'll see, huh?

Meditation and insomnia

So, as many of you know, I have a lot of trouble with sleep. I have problems falling to sleep because I can't shut my mind off and I often have problems staying asleep. I was on Ambien for probably about 6 months because when the wedding was around the corner, I was constantly thinking about it and it really began affecting my sleep. I have now been off of it for about a month or two and I have my good nights and my bad nights.

My friend Neda sent me an article titled "Meditation and Insomnia" with some sleeping techniques. They are sometimes a hit and sometimes a miss but I thought I would share anyways in the event that some of you have similar problems.

To read the article, click here

Let Me Clear My Throat ...

So, it has officially been 3 weeks since I got my sickness (some viral cough/chest cold, horrific, painful sickness) and I think I am finally on the ass-end of this awful thing. I finally have a voice again, the headache and bodyache is gone but I still have a lot of crap in my throat that I just can't seem to get rid of. I am constantly clearing my throat and I sound like and 80-year old man who smokes 3 packs a day ... lol!! I'm trying to wean myself off of all these damn cough drops I have been sucking on because my poor tongue has officially shedded itsself and is growing a new one. My throat is still somewhat sore and raw due to the coughing (which happens mostly at night) and the constant clearing of my throat. I can't remember the last time I actually got a full nights sleep or didn't have to suck on a cough drop or throat spray before bedtime!

I cannot believe I have been sick for this long. I missed two days of work in a row which I haven't done in years - and probably should have missed two more but I couldn't afford it. I couldn't talk on the phone because I had no voice. And I couldn't eat solid or acidic food for days!

In any event, this past weekend visit from my sister, her husband and some friends was probably not the best medicine for me but I stuck it out. Paying for it now, however.

But, all in all, I think I'm going to survive. Here's hoping I am not sick like this again for a long time!!

Alice in Wonderland - Rocks!!

Well, I finally got to see the new Alice in Wonderland in 3D this weekend!! I have been waiting for this movie for months now! And I was NOT disappointed at all! The story line was great, the acting was great and the 3D was great too! Man, 3D has come a l-o-n-g way!! If you haven't seen it ... go ... NOW!!!

My Hair

So, I'm still deciding whether or not I want to cut more hair off. I am glad I cut it and it feels so much healthier, but I think I want it above my shoulders? I don't know quite yet as I have a beach vacation this August and I like having long hair at the beach (I know, weird). Anyways, I found this cut and I really like it. I'm digging the color too but not sure if I want to go that dark right now?

Snuggie

Oh, how funny. I just came across this picture from a Christmas party we went to last year. We play the dirty santa game and somehow - three of us ended up with Snuggies! We then, of course, had to act out the commercial ...

Lunch Time!!

So, I have been meaning to try and eat healthier lunches lately. It's not that I eat super unhealthy lunches, as I usually have Smart Ones frozen meals, however, I don't like too many of them so I'm getting a little bit bored. So, I picked up a bunch of salad ingredients the other night at the store, including lettuce, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, edamame, turkey and a low fat/low calorie Light Zesty Italian dressing. Tonight, I spent time cutting, chopping, boiling, and organizing all the ingredients for my yummy salad for lunch the rest of the week. Man, it seemed to take forever but I got it all done and I'm all ready for tomorrow - check it out!!

The final product! It was so yummy!!

So Sweet!

Seriously, could he look any sweeter?

Engagement Photo Session Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang!

Woo Hoo!! Here they are ... my tickets to go see Chelsea Handler live for her "Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang" Tour on May 7th!! I am so excited. I snagged up these tickets pre-sale so they are pretty good. Not "up in your face" good but still, pretty damn good. At the show, we will also have the pleasure of seeing Chris Franjola as well. Although he's not as funny as Jo Koy and Josh Wolfe, he's still hilarious! Not sure if Chuy will be there but he's got a new book coming out too so let's keep our "nugget fingers" crossed!!

I'll be sure and post pictures and a review after the show!

( Updated) Our New Quilt!!

***Update - Well, bad news. The awesome quilt we bought doesn't fit our bed. It is a "Full/Queen" and it is too short in length. UGH! Why do they even make "Full/Queen"? I mean, it's not an actual size - your bed is either a full or a queen - not a combination. And no, they don't make it in a Queen or King? WTF? Grrr ... I am so very mad/sad about this. **tear**

Here she is ... check her out! I am so excited. We stopped by Urban Outfitters yesterday and came across this awesome Fleur Patchwork Quilt! Surprisingly, be both liked it! Crazy, right?? So, we still had gift card money from the wedding so we snatched it up. Can't wait to see how it looks on the bed. I'll post more pictures later of the final look!

Seriously Scary!!

Some of you may have heard me talk about this but their is a rapist at large in my neighborhood here in Kansas City. I live in the Waldo Area and they are referring to him as the Waldo Rapist. To date, he has raped 5 local women here! The first two rapes were back in October '09. The two this year were in January. And just Monday, February 21st, there was another attack!

This is a photo I took of a flyer right outside my house by our driveway!



But, don't worry, I am being very cautious. I have my pepper spray with me whenever I have to be outside in the dark. Kesel has been taking the dogs out at night as well. However, his MO has been breaking into houses through windows when girls are home alone at night so I highly doubt my exact neighborhood would even be a target for him. But, nonetheless - I am very aware of my surroundings!

Hey Hey Hey ... Good Bye ...

So, after months of growing out my hair for my wedding and dealing with its aftermath, I have decided to cut off some hair. I am tired of it being so long, boring and blah. I didn't cut off as much as I wanted in the event that I wasn't happy with it but now that it's done, I think I want to cut it above my shoulders next time. I can't help it - once I start, I can't stop!! LOL!!


BEFORE



AFTER

Sick of Being Sick

Well, after two serious days of downtime, I am back to the land of the living. Starting Monday night I had a terrible, painful cough. First, I thought it was the spicy Taco Bell that I had but when I started having coughing fits in the middle of the night, I knew it was something more. I woke up feeling as if a freight train had ran me over, backed up and ran me over again. My throat was so sore, I couldn't stop coughing, which lead to uncontrollable burping. Not to mention the terrible headache, bodyache and earache pain I was having. Seriously, how did this come about so quickly? I had to call into work and spent the entire day on the couch coughing my brains out.

I was hoping that after some drugs, lots of liquids and a good nights rest I might be okay to head back to work on Wednesdays but no such luck. My throat was absolutely killing me, my body felt like I had been put in a dryer and beaten to death and my head and ears were throbbing. So, there went another sick day and back to the couch I went. After more drugs, more water, and more rest - I was finally able to make it to work today, Thursday, but I am still moving at the pace of a snail. I can't go 5 minutes without a cough drop in my mouth and a drink of water, which is not good for my pea-sized bladder.

Below you will see a picture of a few of my "saviors" during this brush with death! Mind you, these were not all taken at the same time and I made sure to read up on everything to see what could be taken together and what should not.

I'll tell you one thing, I better have "Abs of Steel" after all of this coughing I have been doing!

80's Valentine's Prom Party

So, for Valentine's Day this year (well, the Saturday before), a big group of us decided to go to an 80's Valentine's Prom Party at Crosstown Station here in Kansas City. We all met up at Matt and Kim's house to get ready and have some drinks. As you can see, we busted out our crimping irons and brightest blue eye shadows. We all put together amazing and fun outfits and wore as many long necklaces and bracelets as we could!

Sadly, the party must have not got much attention because is was pretty dead when we arrived and didn't get much better throughout the night. We didn't let that stop us, however, and we partied and drank like 80's rock stars all night long. As you can see from the pictures below, it was "totally awesome dude"!

How Sweet!

I couldn't help but share my awesome Valentine's Gifts this year. Not only did I get an awesome new Lolita Martini Glass (Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend!) ... but my super sweet husband got my a lollipop and rock candy! Why, you ask? Because things were so crazy at our wedding that I didn't get any from our Candy Bar! Seriously? How sweet is that? I know, I know ... gag me with a Rock Candy Stick ... lol!!

I love you babe!!

Valentine's Day ~ 2010

Ah, yes -- the infamous Valentine's Day. The "Hallmark Holiday" hated by many! Not hated by me, of course. As you all know, I am way too girly to hate Valentine's Day! I know lots of people say that they don't need a reason to do something nice for their significant other but even so, who cares? Sometimes I think we all get so caught up in life that it helps to have a "designated day" to make your loved one feel special. It doesn't have to be something elaborate or expensive, just a sweet gesture.

For us, we have a fun Valentine's Day tradition that we started about 3 years ago. Believe it or not, we actually go to Hooters! I don't recall how it all started but I thought it would be fun to have our own special, silly tradition for Valentine's. Plus, you don't have to mess with reservations or spending a lot of money. I mean really, who doesn't love beer, wings and cheese fries?

This year, however, thanks to the 80's Valentine's Prom that we attended the night before (see next post!), I was feeling a bit "under the weather". However, not wanting to skip out on our tradition, my sweet hubby went and picked up the food from Hooters and brought it home to me. As you can see, we enjoyed every bite!