Divine Elegance

Daughters

2008-02-29T14:19:00.004-06:00

So, we have a daughter.

Whoa.

It's insane to me that in 4 months, I will be holding my little girl. My little, precious DAUGHTER. And we will have another person living in our house. To disrupt what we have called a "normal" life.

Normal life for B and I has been, well, just us. We rely on each other a lot for entertainment - we are best friends - we have our own little world. And now? We have a 3rd musketeer. A Three's Company.

I have always been selfish with my time with Billy - I love our alone time - our fun, silly, play time. I love that we just decide to "go" sometimes.. just for a drive.. or for ice cream. But now we will have another person to bundle up - to try and not disturb while we play an action movie, someone to watch over and protect when we go to the beach, instead of it just being a carefree, thoughtless, beautiful day.

And I'm looking forward to every minute of it. I think life just got more incredible.

I'm a sucker for these:

2008-02-20T15:16:00.004-06:00

Stolen from Shanny

FAVORITES:
Favorite Color: pink/white
Favorite Food: anything really cheesy
Favorite Month: June
Favorite Song: "Like I Am" by Rascal Flatts - its "our" song
Favorite Movie: I have too many - I really love The Holiday though
Favorite Sport: to watch: Basketball.. of course, right?
Favorite Season: Fall
Favorite Day of the week: Friday
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Coffee
Favorite Time of Day: 6pm.. when I'm HOME

CURRENTS

Current Mood: hungry w/ a slight headache
Current Taste: mandarin orange carbonated water.. :)
Current Clothes: black maternity top w/ polka dots, black pants, black flats - I swear I'm not gothic
Current Desktop: no desktop - I'm at work, not allowed. BOO
Current Toenail Color: Red Corvette - changing it tonight or tomorrow
Current Time: 3:20pm
Current Surroundings: cubicle, phone, radio, work..
Current Thoughts: I want to go HOME

FIRSTS

First Best Friend: Stephanie
First Kiss: Mark - we were 4.
First Screen Name: Curious*Kitten ... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.. I thought I was so original
First Pet: Bear, the lhasa apso - pet that I remember? Sebastien the hermit crab.
First Piercing: ears.
First Crush: Steven C.
First CD: no freakin’ clue. how do you people remember this stuff?

LASTS

Last Cigarette: almost 3 years ago. Ick - I SO am too good to smoke. hahaha
Last Drink: see taste
Last Car Ride: um.. I guess this morning on my way to work
Last Kiss: Husband before work this morning
Last Movie Seen: Martian Child, Monday night
Last Phone Call: my boss
Last CD Played: A mixed jazz cd I made, in my car

HAVE YOU EVERS

Have You Ever Dated One Of Your Best Guy/Girl Friends: Yep - then I married him!
Have You Ever Broken the Law: I try to at least once a day (haha)
Have You Ever Been Arrested: No
Have You Ever Skinny Dipped: Um? I think once maybe? I can't remember
Have You Ever Been on TV: Yep! I was on the Today Show in 1997
Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn’t Know: Yes.. wasted kisses. :(

5 THINGS

Thing You’re Wearing: wedding ring
Thing You’ve Done Today: got excited - 2 of my friends are PREGNANT!
Thing You Can Hear Right Now: the radio
Thing You Can’t Live Without: perfume (and Billy, duh)
Thing You Do When You’re Bored: I usually clean

4 PLACES YOU’VE BEEN TODAY

Bed
Restroom - hey I'm pregnant!
In front of my computer
La-La land - a few times..

3 PEOPLE YOU CAN TELL ANYTHING TO

God
Billy
Julie

2 CHOICES

Black or White: White
Hot or Cold: Cold

No.1 THING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE: Have a 50 year anniversary with Billy. :)

Love Kicks?

2008-02-19T12:14:00.002-06:00

Who knew that I could love someone SO incredibly much after they kick me?!

:)

Baby was moving around after I ate lunch, so I reclined my chair back a little bit and placed my hands in the area of the movement and my sweet little angel kicked me RIGHT in the hand! So precious! I love these kicking moments so much and I can't wait until there are more of them. It's incredible to think that there is a person in my belly that's "breathing", moving, and LIVING! I can't wait to meet this person - but until then, I'll just enjoy the miracle going on inside my body.

Billy still hasn't felt any "impressive" moments - he said he can't distinguish the baby yet - but he hasn't been feeling at the right moments. Baby moves SO much after lunch, my first BIG meal of the day, and it's such a precious thing to be able to experience. I wish he could experience it too. Soon!

I can't believe I'm going to be 22 weeks tomorrow - I thought people felt pregnant forever.. and I'm almost done?! NOT FAIR!

Stolen from Geneve

2008-02-12T10:43:00.000-06:00

1) Answer the questions below

2) Take each answer and type it into Photobucket or Google image

3) Take any picture from the first page of results and post. (click on the picture and copy the HTML code)

4) You can't copy the persons answers who posted this before you!

HERE WE GO!!!.......

1. The age you will be on your next birthday?

24

2. A place you'd like to travel?

Italy

3. Your favorite place?

A Candlelit Bubble bath

4. Your favorite object?

My hubby.. :)

5. Your favorite food?

Right now.. milkshakes!!

6. Your favorite animal?

Puppies!

7. Your favorite color?

Pink

8. Town in which you were born?

Chicago

9. Town in which you live?

..

10. The name of a past pet?

Bear.. a llasa apso

11. The name of your current love?

Billy

12. Your nickname/screen name?

divineelegance

What the heck?? haha

14. Your last name?

15. A bad habit of yours?

Being late (fashionably of course!)

16. Your first job?

Cashier

18. what you should be doing instead of this survey?

Working!

Alive!

2008-02-11T13:15:00.000-06:00

I'm here.. really need to be more focused on blogging, but I hate this layout and I can't find one that I like. I wish I could learn more about HTML/XML/Web Design, but I'm lazy and trying to learn too many other things. :)

Thank you so much to those of you who voted for my ghetto scheme! *laugh* Many of you have asked, and to be honest, I can't remember EXACTLY what the prize is anymore.. but I know it includes a $1500 gift card for jewelry (which I could sell), a vacation stay in a Holiday Inn Sun Spree resort (which I could also sell!) and I believe $500. There are 2nd and 3rd prize winner prizes too, but I have no idea what they are. I'm going for the gold!

Baby has been moving around LOTS more lately.. last night it kept me awake..well, that on top of the fact that poor Billy couldn't sleep and had the TV going. As tired as I was and am - it was still nice to have him next to me. I don't like being in bed alone. Send prayers up for him if you don't mind - he had all 4 wisdom teeth cut out on Friday and he's having a terrible time healing. He goes back to the Oral Surgeon tomorrow for a check up to see how he's doing..and he also goes back to work, which I'm nervous about. Lifting heavy things after tooth surgery probably isn't delightful. I'm praying also, and would appreciate it too if you would, that he would get another job - preferrably in an office working light duty. He has had back and knee surgery, both of which still bother him, and I'm afraid that physical labor is wearing down on his young body. Plus, he's too smart and too experienced in management to be doing what he does.

I have a 3 day weekend coming up this weekend! Just wanted to brag.

Also - I have another OB appointment on the 27th.. only 2 more weeks until we get to see our little muffin again! I hope B can feel the movements by then.

Vote for President Me!

2008-02-04T13:40:00.000-06:00

I feel a little white-trash doing this.. but I entered DH and I into a local contest for the cutest couple.

The honest (and embarrassing!) reason I did it was so if we win the prize, we can sell it on Ebay and put it toward buying stuff for the baby.

I told you... not so classy. *L*

ANYWAY..

I'm just laying it out here.. please vote for me and DH if you have a second.. we're couple #153.

You can vote here:

Cutest Couple Voting

And if you're feeling spunky, you can see all the photos by going to:

WPAP FM

click on

"Dr. Shane's Cutest Couples".

I appreciate it.

But I mostly appreciate you guys still loving me after posting this. :)

I Hope This Is The Only Time The Bits Are Flashed

2008-01-31T09:38:00.000-06:00

How About It?

2008-01-28T13:38:00.000-06:00

Not much to say today.. just that I only have 2 days until I find out if a boy or girl is rolling around in my belly.

WEE! :)

Giving Baptist's A Bad Name

2008-01-23T13:32:00.001-06:00

I am so frustrated with the "religious" "know-it-alls" who preach false teachings about God. It is no wonder that people turn away from scary churches when they are told they are going to Hell, for being a sinner.

I was reading FoxNews today and I saw where the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, the one that says God "hates" [homosexuals] are going to picket Heath Ledger's funeral, because his death was "the wrath of God" coming down on him for playing a homosexual male in Brokeback Mountain.

I am not frustrated because it is Heath Ledger, because they enfuriated me when they picketed soldier's funerals - the soldiers who died to make it possible for them to freely speak their ridiculous opinions/beliefs. It makes me happy that I can live in a country where we can speak our opinions without fear, but it makes me angry that this church, this BAPTIST church, of which denomination I have claimed for several years, is acting this way.

First of all - I prefer not to claim denomination, because I feel it is highly technical, and that I try to only call myself a Christian when someone asks- meaning Christ-like (or trying to live to be like Christ). If I sit in a church and I find what the pastor is preaching questionable - I will challenge it, because the only TRUE thing I believe is the Bible.

The fact that these people claim to be Christians, yet show no Christ-like love is beyond me. I am FURIOUS with how they are marking up the name of Christ. Did Jesus ever get angry? Why yes, Christ did get angry! Matthew 21:12 says, "And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves." Jesus was angry that these people had made God's House (the temple) into a market, to sell things!! If you have reason to be angry, be angry! Picketing the movie theater for Brokeback Mountain? Sure! Refusing to see the movie? Yes! Picketing a funeral? Disrespectful.

Now, am I saying that God "hates" homosexuals? No. Do I think He approves of their lifestyle? No, but I believe that God STILL LOVES these people. Why? Because God IS Love. 1 John 4:8, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.". Also, John 3:16 "For God so loved the WORLD that he gave his only Son, that whoever belives in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life." Please note that the scripture does not say that "For God so loved Christians" OR "For God so loved Caucasians", OR "For God so loved those without sin", but it says the WORLD. That includes YOU.. WHOEVER YOU ARE. Homosexual, Bisexual, Buddist, Blonde hair, Black hair, ugly, pretty... THE WORLD. It doesn't mean that he loves your sin.. but he does LOVE YOU. And I think it's SICK that these people are saying otherwise. Baptists, in my experience, read the Bible, and the last time I read the Bible, I do not remember reading anything that says "God Hates F*Gs".

In fact, on a different note, around Christmastime, Billy and I were driving to the mall and there were these people on the street corner holding posters and using a megaphone yelling, "DO YOU KNOW CHRIST?! DID YOU KNOW IF YOU DIED TODAY AND YOU DID NOT KNOW CHRIST THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HELL?!!"

That.TICKED.ME.OFF.

Do I believe that we, as Christians, should only preach/teach good things and make God into a fluffy bunny? No. God never said that life would be peaches and cream and that everything would fall in our laps. Do I believe that we should preach Hell into people's heads until their ears bleed? NO. Although I believe Joel Osteen has mostly a wonderful message and has helped a lot of people, I do not completely agree with the way he teaches either. I find him to be one of the most pleasant, and ONE OF the most knowledgable television evangelists today, however, I feel that he fails to preach on the difficulties and the negativities of life as a Christian AND a non-Christian. I think that we should spread the gospel - I think it's RIGHT to inform non-Christians of the wrath of God (Hell), but I do not think that it is to be thrown in people's face. I believe that a loving voice and an explanation of WHY there is Hell, WHAT Hell is, and HOW to avoid it, is completely different than just randomly shouting out things, and making an obsene spectacle of yourself.

I'm not saying I have all the answers, I just pray that if you aren't a Christian, or if you ARE and this makes you rethink your belief - just know that these people aren't working for God. Read the Bible and make your OWN faith, beliefs, and opinions based on that - do not listen to what anyone else tells you - especially not me. I am a sinner, God loves me and He has forgiven me. I don't need anyone to tell me that - God wrote me (and you!) a love letter.

It's called The Bible.

Bend it Like Beckham, Baby!

2008-01-23T10:52:00.001-06:00

I'm finally starting to feel baby kicks. They are very very light and I only feel them every once in a while, usually when I'm humped over putting pressure on my belly. I felt one right before I started writing this, actually.. I'm hoping I start showing a little more and the baby becomes more active soon. I was actually beginning to worry because sometimes I can't tell if it's the baby moving or if it's me WANTING it to be the baby. I'm SURE that one was a kick though - I'm AM SO ready to go to the doctor. The last 2 times we saw an ultrasound the baby was sleeping and not moving around very much, so I'm really hoping this time we'll have an active little one - the fact that he/she wasn't moving around too much last night really bothered me. I hope she/he is awake this time and lets us peek at the goodies.

I can't believe we're already at 18 weeks - I still feel like I'm barely showing - especially underneath my clothes - I feel like I just look like I have a "GUT" rather than a baby belly. I'm sure once I get huge I'll think back to this and say, "WHAT WAS I THINKING!?" Either way - I'm enjoying my pregnancy now more than I did my first trimester. I'm still getting used to the fact that there's SOMEONE inside me and that I have to be more careful for that little person. It's hard to imagine what it will be like to look into the eyes of my SON or my DAUGHTER in a few more months - I have so many worries and thoughts. Will I be a good mother? Will our child like us? Will be know what to do if something happens? What if he/she gets sick? I don't believe that reading books tells you everything, but I sure have been educating myself on LOTS of things to look for.

Prayers and warm well wishes go out to Heath Ledger's family and friends - I was completely shocked from the news of his death. He will be missed - in movies and in life.

Disappointed

2008-01-17T15:50:00.000-06:00

So, here I am, thinking that NEXT Wednesday we're going to find out if our little Fluffer is a BLUE fluffer or a PINK fluffer...but my scatterbrain must have me all over the place, because NOPE! I have to wait another week and 3 days. Phooey! :(

However, I have noticed the baby moving a bit more often lately. I was eating some steamed broccoli as a side for lunch and baby poked me. Maybe Fluff didn't like the broccoli? Or maybe Fluff wanted MORE!

I've officially gained 1 pound at 17 weeks/1 day pregnant. I'm pretty darn conceited about it too - but in a good way. I'm really trying to keep my weight down to the bare minimum, but also trying to give my little sweetie in there lots of nutrients. I eat lots of veggies and fruits and still semi-follow weight watchers. Weight Watchers is SO great. I hope it works just as good after I deliver. Either way.. I also know that I'd go CRAZY with lots of bad foods if I wasn't doing this, so I think that it helps me eat healthy for the baby also.

AND! Darling B has started Weight Watchers too, which makes this SUPER easy for me! He's trying to lose 60 lbs by the arrival of our little one, so I hope I can help him along. He lost 7 pounds the first week! I'm so proud of you honey!!

So, without further ado.. here is baby belly at 17 weeks:

Big Momma

2008-01-11T09:40:00.000-06:00

It's officially time to buy some maternity pants. My favorite black work pants just aren't cutting it - except for my circulation - anymore. I just washed them last night and had planned to wear them today - which I did - but I could barely button them this morning. I figured after an hour commute to work they'd loosen a bit. Wrong. After a mini-bathroom break, I realized that my belly was outlined with the interior imprint of my pants. Plus, I feel extremely confined right now. Annoying. Guess I'm going shopping this weekend! Or possibly Tuesday when I'm paid :).

Anyway.. I figured out that the baby really likes it or really HATES it when I sing. :) I was singing on my way home yesterday and I felt the baby moving around for about 3 seconds. It was incredibly neat, so I'm hoping that he/she will love music as much as I do. I think I've decided, if it is allowed, that I'm going to have music in the L/D room with me. I've been really interested in french music (Eartha Kitt) lately and it has been really relaxing. I only wish I spoke the language so I knew what she was talking about. :) "C'est Si Bon" is a great song.. download it if you have time..it really makes me miss having a good glass of wine!

Hopefully I'll get some more pictures taken this weekend. If I can, I'll make a picture of the last ultrasound we got. I really need to start that scrapbook! AH! So much to do!

Butterfly Wings

2008-01-09T10:11:00.000-06:00

Whew! It's been a busy month at work, let me tell you. Plus I'm feeling overwhelmed by life, and I have so many things I need to do - emails to write, cards to send, things to make (scrapbooks, etc), photos to develop! I mean, it sounds like a lot, but I think sometimes my ADHD kicks in and instead of just making a list and crossing things off, I just FREAK OUT. I wish I could have some of Bill's organizational and go-to skills. I guess we kinda balance each other.

Yesterday was my "15 week" lab work. It wasn't as bad as I had expected - I had to give a urine sample, then they took 5 viles of blood, and then I was done. I hadn't eaten anything for about 13 hours, so when I stood up I was shaky and dizzy. I stopped for a donut and it pretty much fixed it. I don't mind blood work when it's THAT fast! My phlebotomist was GREAT!

Okay, so I REALLY think I'm feeling baby this time. If I really pay attention, sometimes it feels like there are butterflies flying around in my belly at some points of the day. It was really strong a few seconds ago, but now it's really light. I don't think that I'm wrong this time, but I could be. I feel like a bad mom already for not knowing what my own child MOVING feels like. I hope I know when I feel the first real KICK.

I can't believe we're at 16 weeks today! WOW!! When we go to our appointment to find out the gender (TWO WEEKS! OMG!) We'll be 18... almost half way! Sheesh! It seemed like the time was slower than granny at Wal-Mart..and now I can't believe we're already this close. I still haven't gained any weight technically (3 pounds according to my scale)..and I STILL don't look pregnant...and we're halfway? Not fair! I guess I'll be showing soon enough.. it's no fun to find new stretch marks when you don't feel like you've even STRETCHED.

Blessings!

Almost Home

2008-01-04T08:32:00.000-06:00

Really WONDERFUL checkup yesterday! We weren't supposed to get an ultrasound until our NEXT appointment, but the girl who makes our appointments snuck us in for an extra sonogram! Baby was sleeping but was moving, and the heartbeat was REALLY strong - 158 BPM - sounded like a little horse galloping! Definitely a beautiful sound! Found out that the baby is growing a tiny bit faster that we'd thought and that we were off on our pregnancy week by a few days, which I've changed since yesterday. We are officially 15 weeks, 2 days pregnant. We got a decent profile shot of the baby too, which I will try to upload this weekend.. AND we found out that we will officially know the sex of the baby on January 30! This month is going to DRAG by, I can tell!

Doctor said I was doing great too - I lost another 1/2 pound, but he said that probably wouldn't be the case for long - I should be up to gaining 1-2 pounds a week by the time we get to 18-19 weeks, so bye-bye feet; HELLO belly! He informed us, too, that we were almost HALFWAY. Didn't we JUST find out we were pregnant, YESTERDAY?!

One thing I'm not necessarily looking forward to is the bloodwork they scheduled me for. They scheduled all of it in one appointment - and warned me it would be a LOT of blood. I hate when people leave a precursor like, "This will hurt VERY VERY badly. Have a WONDERFUL day!". When we first found out we were pregnant, we were two VERY excited young people; our first pregnancy, a little unexpected, just joyful. And then the NP says, "Congratulations! You know, some people wait until the 2nd trimester to tell anyone, you know, just in case of a miscarriage or something." I was shocked! Yes, I realize that there was/is a chance, but there are SUCH better ways of saying things, and that just WASN'T it. But, back to the subject - I don't mind needles or blood-taking, I just, I don't know.. not the funnest experience ever, either.

I can't remember what it was like to LOVE food - is that odd? I still want to eat, but I don't LOVE food like I used to. There are still certain days that I can't eat something, but then the next day I CRAVE it like nothing I've ever experienced. It's really odd that my favorite foods BEFORE I was pregnant I now detest, and things I didn't like before (sauerkraut), I WANT...BADLY. The other night we grilled italian sausage and porkchops and I HAD to have some sauerkraut.. so I made a big pot of it and it tasted SO good. I have also had a fondness for cucumber salad (cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, vinegar, oil, sugar, salt, pepper.. shake; that's it!).. it is the most delicious salad in the WORLD to me right now. And don't even get me started on Apple Juice. Mm.

I also got some FABULOUS dried fruit in the mail yesterday from a GREAT buddy of mine, Erin, and also two bottles of some yummy-looking fat-free salad dressings. Must get salad for lunch. Thanks Erin! The mangos, apples, and dried pear are ALL DELICIOUS! *hugs* I munched on them before my dr. appointment. hehe

Alright, work to do, places to go. Hoping for an early day!

Better Late Than Never, yes?

2008-01-01T12:36:00.000-06:00

It's been a while, but I really have been busy! I've been working to get end of the year things done, but I wanted to share a couple of pictures! :)

Here is baby at 9 weeks/6 days..our little gift. :)

And here is me at 14 weeks pregnant:

And...Mommy and Daddy! :)

Happy New Year.. Hope yours is as blessed as we know ours will be. :)

Love!

Sweet Things

2007-12-20T11:14:00.000-06:00

Simple things that make my day..

I was balancing our checkbook last night, and hubby was reading our Pregnancy Bible and he says,

"I'm just so excited about our baby."

Me too, babe, me too.

And I'm happy that I have a husband like you.

Ho, Ho, Haaaaaaaack

2007-12-19T13:09:00.000-06:00

So it's been a while since I left you to gaze upon the bloatedness that leaves me looking more like a less-than jolly Saint Nick. The rosy cheeks are nothing more than pregnancy-related rosacea, and the "Ho-Ho-Ho" resembles something more like a "HAAAACK" since I've been sick for 75,423,345,699.03 days now.

Okay, so I'm exagerrating a bit.. but I do have more acne than I ever had growing up - and this cough is simply hanging on for dear life. AND I really AM jolly - I'm SO super psyched to be finally letting up on the morning sickness and I'm able to keep down ALL three meals (most of the time). I still have many aversions and lots of things still make me gag at the mere THOUGHT of them. I'm ready to FEEL pregnant too.

I'm starting to wonder, too, if those "movements" I felt were just wishful thinking. I feel weird stuff going on all the time, but I wonder if I'm just willing it to happen and it's not really the baby moving. Maybe it really IS just gas bubbles or digestion. I SWEAR it was different though. Everyone thinks I just wanted it to be real movement though, so I'm counting it as me just wanting to feel my baby. I guess I really didn't. Apparently I've got about 3-4 more weeks before I really start feeling something, so I'm definitely ready for just these 3 weeks to kinda hurry along. Then it can slow down a little. :)

And okay, so I'm trying to get away from the whole celebrity news thing, but I was just absolutely SHOCKED and upset that Miss Jamie Lynn Spears is pregnant. And we have the same due date. 16 years old? Everyone's blaming Britney - and while I think that she set the standard - I'm blaming their MOM! I mean COME ON! 16 and living with your boyfriend? And plus - after Britney, she should have been keeping a much tighter grip on her younger daughter.. don't you think you might have gone wrong SOMEPLACE? Geez.. babies having babies. Sometimes I don't feel old enough to be having a child..and yet 16 years old? Sad.

Anyway.. we got a Christmas tree...a BIG ONE..yesterday. Billy surprised me and had it set up when I got home yesterday. Since we just moved to a new house and dropped a bunch of move-in fees and things, we decided that we were just going to put some money back and not be as "festive" this year. A little disappointing, but at the same time, we have an AWESOME house, so it was a good trade. Anyway, he got a great deal on a pre-lit tree, so we're going to decorate it tonight! SO exciting! I'm really thankful that I have a husband that's so thoughtful and we're going to get to decorate our first "real" tree this year. I'm even more excited to pick out a "parents-to-be" ornament. How special. :)

Okay, must work, lots to do. :)

Belly Picture!

2007-12-11T08:30:00.000-06:00

11 weeks.. taken on Saturday :)

A few of you said you couldn't view the picture... can you see this one?! :)

Movin' and-a Shakin'

2007-12-04T14:53:00.001-06:00

It's official:

10 weeks, 3 days.. I have officially felt Fluffer move! It's really neat - I only feel it when I'm hunched over or I'm pushing in on my tummy, but there it is!

It really DOES feel like popcorn is popping in there.. or maybe like a little goldfish is swishing around!

SO AMAZING!!

Had to share.. more later! :)

Like The Desert Needs The Rain

2007-12-03T15:51:00.000-06:00

So, we're without internets at home, therefore, I still have no picture updates.

We're supposed to get hooked up on Saturday, so maybe I'll have some news then!

Our first OBGYN appointment went GREAT! The doctor said I actually lost 1/2 a pound, and I shouldn't gain an ounce during my 1st trimester, so I'm doing great. We got some EXCELLENT pictures of the baby! He's the sweetest, cutest, little fetus in the whole world! All 4 knubs, and sweet little head. I can't wait to find out what the little guy is: boy? or girl??

What do you think?

In other news..the morning sickness seems a bit less, but still showing no mercy. Doctor finally prescribed me some medication, but it hasn't seemed to do any good yet. And Preggie Pop Drops while tasty, have done nothing for me. They are good though. :)

I do miss television though.. more than I thought, but less than I thought too. Husband and I played Monopoly for SIX hours yesterday. I ALMOST had him..and then he beat me. He took all my property and it left me with a whopping -$220. Yay me.

Have a blessed day.

Quizzer

2007-11-28T13:27:00.000-06:00

I stole this from a new site that I stumbled upon: Bless Your Heart Go see! She's neat!

A Little About Us
The basic facts:
Who is your significant other? Husband. AKA, Billy.

How long have you been together? October 30, 2004 (but known each other since 1997)

Dating/Engaged/Married? Married...(see Husband)

How old is your S.O.? 27

What’s his/her middle name? Patrick

Who eats more? He does.. but we both love the foodies.

Who says “I love you” first? Usually me. :) What can I say? I REALLY love the guy.

Who weighs more? Husband. But I LOVE it that way!

Who sings better? I think we sing BEST when we're together! (It's my blog and I can answer how I want to. ha)

Who’s older? He is.. by FAR! (haha, just kidding. love u)

Who’s smarter? Definitely him.

Whose temper is worse? MINE.

Who does the laundry? Me - he HATES laundry more than anything.

Who does the dishes? It's his job to do the dishes (dishwasher), but I do them sometimes.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you’re looking at the bed I sleep on the right.

Whose feet are bigger? His, most definitely.. he wears a 12-13. Big foot!

Whose hair is longer? Mine mine mine!

Who’s better with the computer? Me, definitely. He's smarter, but I'm more savvy about the computer.

Who mows the lawn? I used to (I like to), but now we have a lawn service.

Who pays the bills? We both do, kind of.

Who cooks dinner? Me, always, unless it’s grilling, then it’s all him.

Who drives when you are together? Him - he loves to be a gentleman. (He's GREAT at it!)

Who pays when you go out to dinner? Again, he does - he believes in chivalry.

Who’s the most stubborn? I think we're pretty even here. We're both really bad. *L*

Who is the first one to admit when they’re wrong? Hmm.. hard question. I'd say husband. He's good about disagreeing - me? Not so much.

Whose parents do you see more? His - they are more available than my mom who watches my 95 year old grandma and can not travel as much.

Who named your dog? He did - he's had little Peanut since he was 11.

Who kisses who first? I smother him. I can't help it.

Who asked who out? He asked me - every time. ;)

Who’s more sensitive? Me, oh me.

Who’s taller? Darling Husband - 6'2 to my 5'4.

Who has more friends? I have no idea?

Who has more siblings? It's a tie - we're both only children.

Who wears the pants in the relationship? He does - it's supposed to be that way.

65º in December?

2007-11-27T09:28:00.000-06:00

I'm definitely not used to the weather in Paradise yet - in the evenings it can get down into the low 50s, but during the day, it can get up to 74º! I never know what to wear, but I end up wearing long sleeves, but it's almost Christmas, and wearing short sleeves is just..wrong. On Thanksgiving I wore shorts and short sleeved shirt. It was definitely..different!

Morning sickness is still kicking my butt. This morning was no exception - luckily there is a built in seat in our shower this morning - which held my weight as I dry-heaved this morning. This baby apparently believes in tough love. :) Mommy's tough! Give her a break! :) Luckily, we've only got TWO MORE DAYS (YAY!) until our first official OB appointment - and I'm hoping that they can give me something or give me a suggestion for the nausea. We only have 4 more weeks until we're in the 2nd trimester - which I can NOT believe, but at the same time, I'm looking forward to it, because I hear that a lot of women enjoy the 2nd trimester a lot more than the first. And also, I'm praying that my nausea and fatigue will subside.

And yes, I know, I still have no picture. Soon!

Happy Friday

2007-11-23T08:25:00.000-06:00

It's mostly Happy because I am not one of the crazies who is out shopping today. :) But I am, however, at work.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving this year. :) I, of course, didn't feel up to cooking, which I was sad about because we are in a new house and it would have been lovely to experience all of the nice Holiday food smells. Instead, we went to Cracker Barrel - and let me tell you - it was good. And I didn't have to wash any dishes! (even better!) My mother-in-law and father-in-law bought Fluffer it's first toy - a rocking horse. But not an ordinary rocking horse - one that neighs, shakes his head and wags his tail, and makes galloping sounds. It's even got a saddle and stirrups! It's really cute.

Precious, right?

In other sentiments - please remember to say a prayer for our troops and their families this holiday season - it saddened me to think that there were so many who were serving overseas so that we could have a safe holiday with our families.

Thank you to our troops and the one's they have left here with us in America. We are praying for all of you, and we're thankful for you and our Heroes.

What's Happ-en-nin' Hot Stuff?

2007-11-21T08:53:00.000-06:00

Pregnancy so far has been, interesting. I have to say, that this first trimester (which I have only 4 weeks and 3 days left of) has been, although exciting and blessed, kind of miserable. I am beyond exhausted - not just tired of being tired, but exhausted with myself. I am exhausted from going from one extreme to another - from cranky, to FURIOUS, to LIVID, to weepy, depressed, to extremely happy and giddy. It's exhausting going through all those emotions in a matter of MINUTES.

To top that off, I've been nauseous non-stop since about 4 -5 weeks - and I've had almost nothing but food aversions. For the first couple of weeks the only thing I could eat was fruit; grapefruits, oranges, watermelon, pineapple(fresh only), canteloupe. Garlic, which is normally something that I LOVE - I can't stand. I don't even like to think about it (or type it for that matter.. ick). I normally crave things that are salty, but I have craved sweetness when I have actually had cravings; chocolate donuts, peach cobbler (newest fav), pancakes. Usually after having that craving once though, I don't want it anymore. And to think about food- even when I'm actually hungry - is hard. Even foods that don't necessarily "turn me off" - just the thought of having to chew it, swallow it.. digest.. SO not like me. And I've been having trouble drinking adequate fluids. I HAVE been drinking as much water as possible (I used to drink at least 3L a day), but now it's much MUCH lower, as water even makes me gag. I have actually resorted to having to drink tea (I know I'm not supposed to have caffeine, but I can keep it down and I'm desperate for fluid). I tried to limit my caffeine intake and I'm hoping as soon as everything subsides I will be able to drink more water and eat more healthy. Right now, I just eat whatever my body will allow me to "enjoy". I know that either way I will be feeling sick afterward anyway. :)

I also have not had the feeling of the "glow". My face is broken out (I hardly ever have breakouts), my hair is flat (but shiny!), I feel fat (especially because I "can't" eat the healthy foods that I was used to and having trouble drinking the water), and most of the time I feel ugly.

But - the best news? We have our first OB appointment Thurs. Nov. 29th, (2 days shy of 10 weeks!) and we're going to (hopefully) hear the heartbeat and find out if my little ball of Fluff is okay in there. Maybe Fluff is enjoying him/herself in there too much and Mommy is feeling the effects? :) If so, Mommy will gladly take all of the negative side effects so far to make sure that baby is doing well.

We should be taking pictures this weekend, and I'll hopefully have a 9 week picture to update - we've been slacking the last two weeks!

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Can We Try This Again?

2007-11-14T08:39:00.000-06:00

I am one mad Mama.

I didn't even get to see the doctor yesterday. Long story, semi-short: They tried to get us to pay $120 for the first appointment - our insurance told us we would never pay over $20, and they didn't tell us about any extra charge when we left the office the last time, so we were fighting about that. It wasn't about the money, it was principle. So, we asked if they would bill us until the insurance company could review it, and they said no. THEN, I overheard that none of the doctors were available - our doctor was on call that day and the other doctors weren't in, so we could just see a nurse practitioner. I'd already seen a NP, and I wanted to see an OB, which is why I was there in the first place..so we ended up rescheduling and leaving. I was so upset. So NOW, I'll have to wait until I'm 9 weeks or MORE. I am POed and considering a new OB office, but we'll see after we talk to our insurance provider.

THEN this morning, my car died, and Husband had to drive me all the way to work (40 minutes). The cable harness or something was completely eaten through with acid from my battery, which is going to cost a bit more than a new battery would. It's been a lovely week so far, can you tell?

We're also in the middle of looking for a new place to live - the house we rent, is, to say the least, undesirable. There are a few things wrong with the house that we didn't know upon moving in that could be potential health risks, but we also just need a bigger place. The market around here is higher than average, so we're doing our best to pick the best bang for our buck.

But, as far I know, we're all healthy, so I can't complain too much.

Please say a prayer for us today. I'm starting to twitch.

First Time

2007-11-13T10:55:00.000-06:00

Today is our first official ObGyn appointment.

Is it typical to be this nervous?

I guess everyone goes through the motions of worry:

Is Fluffer okay?
Will I ask the right questions?
Will I ask the wrong questions?
Have I done anything wrong?
Will I do everything right?
Is __________ normal?
Is it okay to have another donut?
Is it okay to really REALLY really REAAAAALLY want a glass of wine or perhaps an ice cold beer because it sounds really good but I know it's really bad and I really wouldn't have it, but I really want it, even though it's really bad? Really?

I am having trouble staying focused at work because I want to look up the questions I should ask at this appointment, but also because the morning sickness is showing no mercy. I even took one of the remedies in the booklet they gave me and all it did was make me MORE tired (is that even possible?)

I wrote in my baby journals this weekend, and read up on 7 weeks. I didn't take a picture of my belly because DH and I were preoccupied, but I guess I should take one today. Or maybe I'll just wait until Saturday, on week 8. What's 1 week, right? I can't have changed that much.

In any case, they featured my picture in Maternity Gallery (Front page, baby!), and it makes me wish I looked better and was wearing something a lot cuter than DH's shirt and my ugly (but so comfy) running shorts. Oh well. :) I need to link to them soon. Neat though, eh? :)

2007-11-08T13:31:00.000-06:00

Stolen from her. Go check her out. :)

1. What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now? We're cheap - I have the Suave Cucumber Melon and my husband uses the Coast Pacific Wave or something. He's also got some expensive soap that came with his cologne Swiss Army. I have Herbal Essenses (with rose hips!) for shampoo.

2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? Actually - I did yesteday, but I ate it. There's a canteloupe with strawberries..does that count?

3. What would you change about your living room? Everything. I hate the house we rent. *L*

4. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? Clean - we need to unload it.

5. What is in your fridge? fat free milk, decaf sweet tea, caffeine free Dr. Pepper, Diet Ginger Ale, eggs, tons of sauce bottles, sour cream, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, Canteloupe with strawberries, Feta cheese, half a green pepper, salad, orange juice, and I think thats it. We really need to go to the store.

6. White or wheat bread? WhiteWheat actually.

7. What is on top of your refrigerator? Nothing.. probably some dust.

8. What color or design is on your shower curtain? Actually, it's just clear.

9. How many plants are in your home? I have some flowers that Billy brought home for me the other day.

10. Is your bed made right now? Um, no. It's a weekday. *L* It doesn't get made until like RIGHT when we get home from work. Sad, I know.

11. Comet or Soft Scrub? Neither..but if I have to choose - soft scrub w/ bleach..

12. Is your closet organized? It's as organized as my little ADHD mind can organize without medication. I try, but it never stays that way. I can have my closet organized once a month, but that's about it.

13. Can you describe your flashlight? Yes, I can.

14. Do you drink out of glass or plastic more at home? glass.

15. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? Yes, but it's almost gone, so I need to make more. Thanks for the reminder!

16. If you have garage, is it cluttered? No garage, but if we DID have a garage, it would be.

17. Curtains or blinds? Both.

18. How many pillows do you sleep with? 4 - 2 for me, 2 for husband.

19. Do you sleep with any lights on at night? No - sometimes we'll leave a light on in the kitchen or the living room, but most of the time, not.

20. How often do you vacuum? Just about every other day.

21. Standard toothbrush or electric? Sometimes both, but usually standard - I think the electric ones are crap, but I still fall victim to their lies.

22. What color is your toothbrush? white, blue, and green. I accidentally used the pink one I bought for me on an expensive shirt stain. Oops.

23. Do you have welcome mat on your front porch? No - a woman that I used to have dinner with on occasion once said that she watched too many horror movies an she was afraid that vampires would come into her home since "welcome" is like "inviting them in." EEEEEEyeah...It's stupid, but instead, I just feel like not everyone is "Welcome" at my house. *L*

24. What is in your oven right now? Nothing...

25. Is there anything under your bed? 2 long boxes - one with all of our "love" stuff in it - the other has coats and special clothing in it.

26. Chore you hate the most? Sweeping/mopping

27. What retro items are in your home? Nothing - we have yet to buy decor for our home.

28. Do you have seperate room you use an an office? We've never lived in a house big enough to actually have an "office", so our spare bedroom is my vanity room/office/B's closet. Yayy.

29. How many mirrors are in your home? 7

30. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? We used to, but not anymore.

31. What color are your walls? I'm at work.. and they are a baby poo yellow.

32. What does your home smell like right now? Hawaiian Breeze from Glade.. I'm waiting to break out the cinnamon apple scents.

33. Favorite candle scent? Strawberries and Cream

34. What kind of pickles are in your refrigerator right now? Dill spear - there is only 1 left in the jar.

35. Ever been on your roof? No, because this is the first house we've lived in that was "our" house.. and I would probably break a nail.. or possibly my neck.

36. Do you own a stereo? When you say "stereo", do you mean like a radio? Or a "boombox" or like, a sound system? If so, then yes.

37. How many TV’s do you have? 2

38. How many phones? 5 - 3 house phones and 2 mobiles.

39. Do you have a housekeeper? Yes - she's gorgeous, funny, intelligent, sensitive, beautiful, caring, loving, and friendly. My husband hits on her a lot, and normally it would bother me, except, well, it's me.

40. What style do you decorate in? IF I decorated - it would be a classic look.

41. Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? SOLID. So more more versatile.

42. Is there a smoke detector in your home? Yes, only one I believe. And it works.. too well. It's annoying.

Losing Control

2007-11-07T15:30:00.000-06:00

Well, I am indeed certain that Fluff has already taken control of my life. *L*

My morning, noon, and night sickness has been miserable. I am nauseous (and sometimes actually throwing up) all day long.. I did figure out that my prenatal vitamins are probably causing the WORST of it, so I'm going to take it tonight before bed and gauge how I feel tomorrow. I have felt badly today, but not as badly as yesterday and the days before when I have taken my vitamin with breakfast or lunch.

I have researched every.single.possible remedy for morning sickness and so far, there is nothing that touches mine. Not even ginger.. or peppermints - they actually helped a bit today, but not much. Yesterday, a cup of hot cocoa w/ 2 HUGE dollops of marshmallow creme did the trick for about 30 minutes, but other than that, nada. And I've been having trouble eating things that don't make me gag. I still can basically only eat fruit, but I found that I like cucumbers with ranch dressing. As long as I don't have to actually smell the ranch for too long. I have to eat it pretty quickly. At least it's a good vegetable and a small dairy serving.

I just realized that we (I) have the day off on Monday for Veteran's Day! Yay veterans! I definitely know that I will be taking the day on Monday to lounge in my pj's and be completely lazy, laying in bed all day watching movies. It comforts my tummy to think of doing such. Ahh.. bring on the weekend!

6 weeks

2007-11-06T09:07:00.000-06:00

I was 6 weeks pregnant on Saturday, and we're documenting the pregnancy with photos. I haven't decided if i'm going to share EVERY week, but maybe. :) Either way, I'm going to post the progress because I have to keep my mind off the nausea.

My favorite foods have now become repulsive - so much to the point that I can't even THINK about some foods..and SPEAKING about them makes me gag.

Just about the only things I can keep down are watermelon, oranges, grapefruits, cucumbers with ranch dressing, and crackers. Even water makes me sick, but I'm drinking as much as I can!

I've also noticed that EVERY night..around 3:30am I have to pee.

This is fun! Right?! :)

But without further ado, here is my "bloated" belly. Excuse the ugly.. I wasn't feeling well Saturday.

Chi-Chi

2007-11-02T14:55:00.001-05:00

My mother-in-law and husband are so awesome.

MIL bought me the Chi that I wanted (in pink! and 15% goes to Breast Cancer Association! WOO! Double awesome!) It flips your hair, curls it, straightens, gives it volume, etc. It's GREAT! I bought some heat-protectant so that my hair wouldn't FRY, and so far it's worked. I wanted to try putting "waves" in my hair, but I know it's going to take a while and I haven't had time to play with it. I did try it on one piece of hair when I first got it and it worked.. I hope it looks good. Exciting! I'm glad I can switch it up a little.. I was getting really bored with my hairstyle. I really need an updated cut, but I can't bring myself to cut my long hair..

And my sweet daddy-to-be husband! What a sweetie pie! We went to Cracker Barrel to celebrate our Fluff and he bought me the Willow Creek "Cherish". He had bought me the "Together" about a year or so ago, and I always wanted the pregnant one, so I finally got it! AND-AND I got flowers this week to cheer me up - oddly enough it was on our 3 year anniversary of being a couple. I have the best husband in the world.

This is the first one he bought.

And this is the one he bought me when we found out. :)

He even cooked for me the other night.

See? I told you.

Big News

2007-11-02T12:12:00.000-05:00

Okay.. after many days of suspense.. I've come bearing news..

We're Pregnant!!!

Yes, that's right.. I'm 6 weeks today. We found out early! :)

I know exactly what day we conceived too, which is also something extra neat.

The odd thing is, I just knew. I wasn't late or anything, I just "felt" pregnant. What really tipped me off was the weekend before we found out. I wanted tuna fish sandwiches. In fact, I had even made a SPECIAL trip to a gas station that had a grocery store inside so I could buy tuna fish to make my sandwiches. I don't even normally LIKE tuna. The second thing, was that the weekend before I had been extremely tired. I don't mean like, "yaaaaaawn" I mean, I was falling asleep by 8:30pm. We usually stay up LATE on the weekends to watch movies or go to the beach or SOMETHING.

So, last Monday, I went to work and I just felt...different. I thought that at lunchtime, I would run and get a couple of the "cheap" tests just to ease my mind - they'd always been negative before, so what would be the difference now? I came back and did the HPT in the restroom...waited a minute, saw only 1 line, got disappointed and threw it away.

About an hour later, I was thinking - I didn't let it sit very long... I wonder.. ? So I went back (this is nasty, I know, but I just KNEW it would be worth it) and dug the thing out of the trash.... 1 line..no wait.. TWO lines... the other one was VERY faint! SO I called my husband immediately and told him what I'd seen. He was VERY excited, but also wanted us to be calm and call the doctor and make an appointment so we wouldn't be disappointed. (This is a pattern for me.. I think I'm pregnant at least once a month, but this time I really KNEW) So, I made an appointment for Friday, Oct 26. But the suspense was killing me! Was that cheap test right?

After work, I ran to the local store and bought a better known pregnancy test and took it as soon as I got home. Immediately, there was 2 lines. I was so excited! Husband, still very excited, was trying to keep me calm, so on pins and needles, we waited until Friday.

FINALLY...after years and years (seemingly!) of waiting..Friday came. I was rushing around trying to get all my work done so I could leave early and get to the doctor. Husband met me at home and off we went. We got the routine check up...and we told the nurse about our 2 positive tests.. she suggested we do an internal ultrasound, but that it was to be between us (and blogger-nation of course!! :)). So, sure enough..as soon as the ultrasound had begun, we saw a tiiiiiiiiiiiiny embryonic sac.. Fluff wasn't in there yet, or atleast wasn't big enough to see, but we were definitely pregnant! :) We even got to keep the 5 week picture! Exciting! Who gets an U/S that early?!

So far, I've had morning, noon, and night sickness. Foods that I normally LOVE sound absolutely detestable. Garlic, cheese, nachos, even italian food (pasta, alfredo, etc).. blah! Nothing has sounded good to me except tuna, and now, even that doesn't sound tasty. Strawberries, which were spoken of today, has been the only thing that didn't make me yak at the thought of it. And I've thrown up about 4 times.. BabyFluff is giving me a run for my money! But I still love it! :) We're so blessed!

So anyway, Fluff is due to make an entrance on Saturday, June 28th.. 2 weeks after our 3 year anniversary. I hope Fluff let's Mommy and Daddy have their own day.. but if Fluff doesn't, we'll still be the two happiest people alive!

Happy 6 weeks babyFluff!

New Update

2007-11-01T15:39:00.001-05:00

Just kidding.. I'm sorry.. you have to wait one more day.

But isn't the suspense killing all.. well.. 3 of you?

:)

Resisting the halloween candy today.. the scale is scarier than any costume available right now.

Tag - Not the Cologne

2007-10-30T10:14:00.000-05:00

I'm late... but I'm doin' it Geneve! :)

The rules:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people (or less if everyone else you know has already been tagged!) to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don�t forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

***********************************************************************

1. I am very OCD about how I eat fruits with skin. Apples, pears, plums, etc. I have to eat around the center diameter of the apple, and then I eat the top and bottom upward. I can't eat apples any other way, unless chopped up into pieces. It drives me nuts to see people eat them randomly.

2. I love to cook when I have time. I usually make time to prepare something , but I was a terrible cook when Husband and I were first married, and now that I've gotten better I feel the need to cook a different meal each night of the week. I get really proud of myself when B likes dinner..and I get kinda sad if he doesn't. No pressure.

3. I really wish I was the type of girl that could look adorable without make-up on, but alas, I'm one of those girls that takes at least 20 minutes to put on her face in the morning. That doesn't count my hair either. Part of that has to do with me being in a professional work environment - the other is pure vanity and I hate that about me.

4. My ears are different. My left ear is a normal ear, but it sticks out from my head. The other ear has a slight deformity and is almost pointy, but it sticks closer to my head - my mother believes I laid on my right side for most of her pregnancy, which caused my ear to grow kinda weird. It's not that noticeable unless I point it out, you're looking really hard, or you're just trying to be mean. The boys at school used to call me "leprecaun" when I was younger. Now, for the most part, I don't think about it - but I don't like to talk about it much because I'm still a little self concious.

5. I have really expensive taste, but I usually shop cheap. I love extravant and luxurious products, and I LOVE to indulge, but for the most part if I'm shopping, I usually try to find the next best thing for a cheaper price. I also tend to buy sale rack clothes - which aren't necessarily clothes that I LOVE, but just a better price. I always feel like there's something better I could be spending my money on.. which is probably why my wardrobe is lacking. Any entry to "What Not To Wear" is appreciated...

6. When I was in college I wanted to be an interior designer who lived in New York and drafted/decorated rich lofts, apartments, commercial buildings, etc. Now, I don't know what I want to do when I grow up, but I know I'd rather do it in a quiet suburb near the beach. I've got half of that down.

7. I'm better at writing out my feelings than I am talking. I write much, MUCH better than I speak and it frustrates me sometimes that I'm so collected on paper/typing, but in real life, I'm pretty skittish and my thoughts are scattered.

8. I worry that people will view me as a hypochondriac. I have a cousin that is one, and I had a friend that was one. Whenever I have a headache or I start getting sick I try to play it off or get rid of it so I won't sound like I'm faking or if I do mention that I feel bad, I always apologize for it and try to blow it off.

I don't know that many bloggers any more ... or should I say any that would do this. :) But I'll try.

1. Emily
2. Laura
3. Lisanne
4. Becka
5. Belinda
6. Stu
7. Mandy
8. Jules

Update To Come

2007-10-24T15:25:00.001-05:00

I know I've been away..

I'll be back to update in a couple of days with some potentially exciting news..

Talk To Me

2007-10-11T11:41:00.001-05:00

I found this and couldn't resist reminding myself Who God is to me:

I want you to imagine that you get out of bed tomorrow morning. Your husband is in bed next to you and when he reaches out to give you a hug, you jump up and head for the shower without saying a word to him. You get dressed, eat breakfast, have coffee, check your emails, chat with a few online friends and head out the door. The entire time, your beloved is following you trying to engage you in a conversation. You ignore him. It's as if he is invisible. You get into your car and turn on your radio and just as you are backing out of your driveway, your husband jumps into your car. You head off to work while he is pleading with you for some response. You pull into the parking lot and spot a co-worker. You jump out of your car and rush to catch up with her, leaving the man you committed your life to, alone in the car. Undaunted, he gets out of the car and follows you into work. You say a cheery "Good morning" to everyone in your office! Your husband picks a quiet corner in your office and just observes you as you go about your work. But every once in a while, as you walk past him, he whispers your name but gets no response. At the end of the day, you gather your belongings, and head home. Your dear husband rides with you as you talk to your best friend on the cell phone. When you get home, you both get out. You have dinner, watch TV and go to bed. As you climb in bed, you suddenly remember that you haven't talked to your husband all day long. So you roll over, give him a quick hug and say "Goodnight! I love you so much! Thank you for being a part of my life!" He is so excited that you are finally talking to him that He begins to tell you how much he loves you... but you don't hear him because you have drifted off to sleep. He is saddened but he wraps his arms around you and holds you all night. Sounds ridiculous, huh? But that's how so many of us will ignore Jesus today. We claim to love Him and want more of Him but we are so busy going about our daily routines, that we leave Him out entirely. We are learning in this Bible study how much it pains the Lord when we betray Him,the way that Israel did, but it also grieves the Lord when we ignore Him. Let's make sure that He is a vital, active part of our lives and not just a footnote to our day! Let's spend the day with the Lover of our Souls!

Remember That One Time

2007-10-09T08:24:00.001-05:00

Remember when we were kids and things like weight, looks, and your clothes didn't really matter? That time seems so far away.

I can remember going to the grocery store with my mom as a little girl and running to the chip isle, (right after I picked up my issue of Tiger Beat with ALL the latest pictures of Jonathan Taylor Thomas) to pick out my chips and dip for the weekend. I'd throw it in the cart alongside the ice cream cones, lunch meat, dinner items, and Little Debbies and be happy, carefree and ITCHING to get home. Not only to eat of course, but I really needed to put up my new poster of JTT. He was so it, you know.

I remember drinking Kool-Aid (NOT sugar free), eating REAL chocolate pudding, sitting in front of mid-afternoon cartoons with tomato soup (made with whole milk) and dipping my cheetos in it.

My favorite memories of Christmas included watching my Grandmother make her FAMOUS pound cakes, the cake that could literally hold onto your thighs for eternity with just one bite; watching her make homemade, thick, white, gooey icing for her coconut cakes, and letting me lick the spoon, pan, and the drippings on the floor. My grandmother was a master chef at southern cooking and desserts.

And now fast forward to the present. I can't remember the last time I ate ANYTHING that wasn't sugar free without an immediate and immense sense of guilt and let down. If I worked on my spiritual growth as much as I worried about my weight, I could be a spiritual figurehead! It saddens me that I have let it become, as once put to me, an obsession. But, honestly, how can it not be? With the idiot box (TV) constantly researching obesity and genetics, then showing commercials for the new 3lb whopping hamburger alongside a coke, with a humungo fry, who can escape this? I mean, is there any one person that doesn't worry or at least even THINK about what they are putting in their mouth? Is there a person out there that can help me stop wanting food, thinking about food, wondering what my next meal will be, thinking about dinner while fixing breakfast?! Am I mad? Am I the only one in the world like that? Will it ever end? When I get to a weight that I'm happy with; will it end? Will I ever stop thinking about food?!

It drives me crazy. CRAZY I tell you.

But, it's time that I put my energy to better use. If I can be passionate about weight loss, I can be passionate towards my God, my family, and myself. My-SELF, does not encompass weight loss alone, and it's time I realized that. I know I can do more than one thing and one time.. heck, if I can walk and chew gum (almost!), this shouldn't be too hard, right?

Grandma, I love you, but I'm so glad you can't make those pound cakes anymore. But could I have that recipe for the white icing....

Forever

2007-09-28T11:22:00.000-05:00

Dramatic title, isn't it?

That's because we have a dramatic topic.

I...

Am..

Officially..

158 pounds.

:)

Yes, that's right. I lost 4 pounds this week. FOUR! FOUR POUNDS! That's, what? 4 potatoes shy of a bag?! YES yes.. I can TASTE that size 7 dress hanging in my closet. TASTE it. Total - I have lost 28 pounds. Yes, that's right. 28 pounds, gone, forever.

Praise the Lord!

AND? Since we're not going to trial anymore (YAY!) my mother in law is coming for a lovely visit this week. She'll be down tomorrow! That means lots of fun for husband and I!

AND AND? I'm taking Monday off to spend time with her and husband. What could be better?!

:)

Welcome To The Real World - We've Been Waiting For You

2007-09-27T15:53:00.000-05:00

Oh.my.gosh. I have gone to the loo, like, 7 times today. No kidding - and I counted.. because I've been taking the stairs to the 1st floor (I'm on the 3rd) and my calves are SORE! I calculated though that I burn close to 400 calories/day if I go at least 8 times. I'll take it!

Tomorrow is my weigh-in. I'm SUPER excited. I cheated and weighed this morning - 158.8.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !

If that sticks and is a TRUE weight - after 3 months of a plateau, I'll be out of the 160s! Please Lord, for my sanity? I've been drinking water like a fish today trying to wash out any sodium intake so I won't be bloated - though the dinner in my crockpot is low fat, its not low sodium, so I hope the pre-water and the water with dinner will help. Oy.

Plans for the weekend? Beach. And more beach. I want to celebrate with relaxation - and possibly wine. Lots of wine. (Not LOTS - moderation of course!) We found out today that we got the settlement for the accident I had in August 2006. That means, NO COURT! Praise GOD! He truly listens to the desires of our hearts.. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness, even with our worries and doubts.

Blessings.

Baby One More Time..

2007-09-21T10:04:00.000-05:00

I was standing at the office fridge, filling up my cup with ice and water from the fridge door when one of my co-workers says...

"You know.. with your hair fixed that way, and from this angle of your profile you look JUST LIKE Britney Spears."

"The old Britney or the new, crazy Britney?" I asked.

She just laughed and said..."I still think she's cute...but the old Britney"

I still don't know if this is a compliment or not anymore.. but this is the 4th time someone has told me that. Um.. I look NOTHING like Britney Spears.. nothing - maybe the hair? But I have light green/blue eyes.. chubby cheeks - I guess I just can't see the profile.

Anyway..

Today was weigh-in: I lost -.9. I am determined to be in a new weight range next week. I am tired of the one I have been in for 3 months. There's no need for it. A change will do me good.

I was reading on FoxNews about a guy that stuck a rattlesnake in his mouth to impress his ex. First off - why do you feel the need to impress your ex? She's your ex for a reason, buddy. Move on. Secondly - why would you choose to do it with a rattlesnake that you found on the side of the road? I mean.. do some wing-walking or read her some poetry or something. Get creative..not deadly! Third - um.. WHY WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO PUT A RATTLESNAKE IN YOUR MOUTH YOU IDIOT.

I think sometimes that God gave us our free will so that we would have something to laugh at.

I'm really glad the guy's okay though. I still think he needs his head checked.

Have a blessed weekend - I will!

Brand New

2007-09-20T12:01:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is my weigh in day. I'm glad because it will start over my flex points and I can eat something besides vegetables. I'm taking husband to Joe's Crab Shack for a birthday dinner tomorrow - they don't have anything healthy but salad - and I'm definitely not eating salad. We'll probably have one annoyed waiter.

I'm getting extremely frustrated with my weight right now - I'm trying not to obsess, because it's annoying, but I've been stuck at current weight range forEVER. It's my own fault - I need to step up my game, but time does not allow for exercise right now. I try to get in SOME exercise by going to the 1st floor bathroom and then climbing back up to the 3rd floor. It's rough making myself do it sometimes, but I've got to do something.

Husband and friend are going to play basketball tonight. Husband is always so precious and thoughtful and wants me there... they actually asked me to play, but what would I complain about if I actually did exercise, right? Actually, I completely suck at basketball and husband gives me too much credit. HE loves me how I am (thankfully) but I think he wishes I were a bit more sporty. I might join in if they ask again, but if they don't, I'm just going to take photos and report back sometime next week.

Is it Friday yet? I'm ready.

Happy 27th Birthday, Husband!!

2007-09-19T08:21:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to my bud.

Honey, I'm so thankful for you. If it weren't for you, I honestly don't know what kind of person I would be, if I'd even be alive. I was on a dangerous path when God put you in my life - you introduced me back into my Father's house. You are my treasure, my gift and I cherish you.

Thank you for being you - I love who you are.

Remind me to call your mom and thank her for you today.

<3

100 Things

2007-09-18T08:37:00.000-05:00

1. I became a Christian on March 1, 2005 at 5am.
2. I [finally] married my best friend on June 11, 2005.
3. I really love being a girl.
4. I bleached and dyed my hair for 7 years.
5. I stopped when my hair started melting when I used hot irons.
6. I am a perfum-a-holic.
7. I once counted my perfume/body splashes and had over 65 bottles.
8. I am afraid of heights.
9. I love candles.
10. I like to drink wine.
11. And take bubble baths.
12. At the same time.
13. I hate bugs.
14. Mostly moths. Ick.
15. I believe in paying it forward.
16. My first boyfriend's name was Steven. We were 6.
17. He used to kiss me through a chain link fence surrounding my house.
18. I wish I had finished college.
19. In 1996, President Bill Clinton and his posse drove down the street in which I lived, during a campaign.
20. I have pictures.
21. I have lived in 4 different states in 2 years.
22. 4 states - 5 towns.
23. I love to sing.
24. I'm not as good as I'd like to think I am. :)
25. I have been told I look like Britney Spears - thrice.
26. I do not look like Britney Spears. Maybe the overweight Britney.
27. Sometimes, the elderly make me cry.
28. I have a heart for the people and try to be kind as often as possible.
29. I used to be really popular.
30. But now I know that true friends are few and far between.
31. I hate when people tell me what to do.
32. But sometimes I need a little direction.
33. I have ADHD.
34. I just found out last month.
35. It makes sense why I have trouble focu... ooh shiny object!
36. It bothered me at first, but now I just accept it.
37. I love food.
38. Food loves me.
39. I used to love to exercise.
40. I WANT to still love it.
41. I love kissing.
42. If kissing were the Olympics, husband gets the Gold.
43. I know, it's disgusting. But it's really true.
44. I have lost 23.4 pounds on Weight Watchers.
45. I *heart* Weight Watchers
46. I could have lost more, but um...refer to #37. I cheat.
47. However, I only have 28 more pounds to go til my first goal.
48. I would like to be pregnant right now.
49. I really want to like sports.
50. Husband loves basketball and baseball.
51. I like to play video games with husband.
52. I usually win.
53. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
54. For now I'm a Commercial Loan Assistant for a bank.
55. It sounds exhilarating, yes?
56. My favorite color is pink.
57. My second favorite color is pink.
58. I also love white. A LOT.
59. I have self esteem issues.
60. I have never been in contact with my father.
61. He knows about me.. he just never wanted to be a part of my life.
62. I like to meet him, but I don't know what I would say.
63. I was born in Chicago, IL on August 19, 1984.
64. I think a lot of people are ignorant.
65. But I try not to "judge"
66. I am clumsy.
67. I really wish I had more grace about me.
68. I'd rather be fixed up than be in lounging clothes.
69. It's more comfortable to me. (refer to #59)
70. I have no tattoos.
71. I had my bellybutton pierced for 3 months. Now I have a scar.
72. I used to play the flute.
73. I love my dog.
74. I got detention ONCE for "lying."
75. But I didn't lie - the teacher lied.
76. I was on the Today show in 1997.
77. I saw Katie Couric and Al Roker. I was thisclose.
78. It was all fun until this older man started rubbing up against me from behind.
79. It freaked me out and I went and sat in the coffee shop until the show was over.
80. I was 12.
81. I would love to visit Maine in the fall.
82. Autumn is my favorite season.
83. It's so romantic.
84. I really want to be pretty.
85. Though I know it's what's inside that matters.
86. I used to be a Girl Scout.
87. I am lazy.
88. But I try not to be, and end up overdoing things sometimes.
89. I hate that I love reality shows and celebrity gossip.
90. But husband keeps me in check. Thank you husband.
91. I'm a junk food junkie.
92. Especially nachos and cheetos.
93. I have lost my keys once in my life.
94. I still haven't found them - and I'm sad because there was a keychain from Paris my friend brought me from Europe.
95. I love to cook and am good at it.
96. I was a terrible cook when husband and I got married.
97. I hope I'm a good mother.
98. I'm learning to be a good wife.
99. I want to take up photography.
100. I'm learning to love myself.

At The End of The Day

2007-09-17T15:44:00.001-05:00

Are all Monday's the same?

After an afternoon of nausea and cramps from my 2nd bout of food poisoning (death to you, Papa John's) in the last year, all I wanted was a good night's rest. Zee weekends.. zey are too short.

I fell asleep to the shrieks of whistles, clanking helmets, bad calls, and the sound of nuts and chocolate being pulvarized between my husband's teeth. Ahh, bliss.

One can only imagine the dreams I had.. though my dreams were abruptly interrupted several times by said cramps and back aches. Again, one can only imagine, because I sure can't remember them.

Anyway, I was rudely awakened by the noisy alarm at 5am - however I was prepared for today, so I only hit snooze once. I felt a little bit better than after my normal 6 or 7 snooze twitches, but hey - it was still Monday! I was ready early today, and was excited to leave earlier than normal to beat traffic and accrue some overtime in order to leave early. However, plans were deviated as I forgot to pack lunches last night, should have moved hubby's truck, dog needed food/water, had to change clothes because nothing was comfortable. Ah, such is life, but at least I left on time!

I actually arrived at work about 15 minutes early - yah! But then the program I need to view accounts was temporarily down, so I had to make myself look busy (hey, I did the best I could to do what work didn't require the program! Get off my back!) to avoid busy-work projects. Got a headache from staring at the computer...BUT the morning went by fast. You know, like a tortoise.

After lunch (which I burned my lips on..arghajkdfasdjkf) I did the best I could to finish up some projects and what do you know? My program went out again. I figured that this was a good time to take a break (thus, here I am) and restart my computer. I did the restart and it came back up, but I'm still on "break". I deserve a break today! Right?!

So, anyway, after ALL that being said - so Monday's aren't perfect - but I'm able to sit here and be thankful:

-I got to talk to God this morning
-I have a good job to go to on Monday morning
-I have no serious illness
-I have a wonderful, adorable-when-half-asleep husband who loves me
-My headache was only temporary!
-I had the means to eat lunch, and will be able to eat dinner
-I have gas in my car
-I live in a country that allows me to work and have my own personality

So, are all Monday's the same? Yep - every Monday I have something to be thankful for, no matter the circumstance.

Thank you, Lord.

Technical Difficulties

2007-09-17T08:29:00.000-05:00

So, since I have forgotten many of website/html skillz, I'm having technical difficulties with my webpage. Please excuse the interruption.

2 Corinthians 6:18 "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty"

Busy-ness, Praise

2007-09-13T12:43:00.000-05:00

I've been extrememly tied up at work and things.. hence why my site is all jacked up and I haven't fixed it.

Things are still hectic, so say a prayer for me if you get the time.

In other news - PRAISE GOD for an answered prayer. I hadn't told anyone about it, and I'd been praying for something specific, and if HE didn't amaze me and show off his awesomeness. Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness and reminding me that You're there...You're listening..and that nothing is too big or too small for You.

Have a blessed day everyone.

Bored Post

2007-08-30T14:26:00.000-05:00

So, I'm bored and don't have anything to say.

Four jobs I’ve had:
1. Cashier at a grocery store - I was Queen of can scanning.
2. Cashier at Bath & Body Works - I miss smelling like that store.
3. Waitress - everyone should do this at least once - be a responsible tipper.
4. Loan Assistant - um.. exhilarating.

Four movies I can watch over and over:
1. Somethings Gotta Give
2. Dumb and Dumber
3. The Notebook
4. Walk The Line

Four ~~countries~~ states I have been to:
1. California
2. New York
3. West Virginia
4. Kentucky

Four places I’d rather be right now:
1. With Bill
2. The Beach, with Billy
3. At a spa, with Billy(?) (I could do this alone too..whatever)
4. In bed, with Bill (no pattern)

Four foods I like to eat:
1. Nachos
2. Avocado
3. Shrimp
4. Anything Italian

Four places I have lived:
1. In a house
2. In an apartment
3. In a dorm
4. With my husband

That just made it worse.

Miracles

2007-08-27T09:48:00.000-05:00

First off,

Congratulations Emily & Ryan on their new little miracle Brooke Avery!!!!!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3

I am praying for your family's relationship with God to continuously grow and for your priorities to always be the way God intended. :)

Another miracle that happened this weekend - Billy and I are alive.

We went to the beach yesterday afternoon - it was a beautiful day - and there was a really amazing sandbar about 30-50 feet offshore, so we decided to wade out to it and walk on it. We get almost ON the sandbar when Billy says, "LOOK!" It was a stingray!! Well, of course, I flipped out and tried to "run" back to shore, but obviously I was in the water, so I'm treading as fast as possible to get back to shore. So, we sit on the beach for a while, and my adventurous husband keeps talking about how inviting the water looks. So, I agree (I really think I was coaxed into it) to go back out into the water and walk on the sandbar, as "the stingray is probably long gone". So, we did, and in the process we found SEVEN whole sand dollars. In all 8-9 years of my husband visiting FL and looking for them, it was his (and my) first time actually finding a whole one! So, we're walking along this sandbar, and there's a man just standing on the bar, looking down. There was a stingray buried into the sand and as we walked upon it, it swam away slowly. I'm a wuss. I almost had a panic attack, until my hero, calmed me down and told me it was gone. Over that, I kept walking, and I was having a pretty good time. I was about to become brave and go into the water when, as I took my next step, Billy says, "TRISH!" Not one, but TWO stingray started swimming away. At that point, I was done for. It was time to get OUT of the stingray infested water and back onto the safe seashore.

And to think of all those time I went snorkeling and they COULD have been swimming all around me? YIKES!

But - we're alive and we had fun other than seeing those things. I am trying to learn to respect them and not be afraid, but for now I'll just enjoy them from the Discovery Channel, thanks.

"The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:1

Happy Birthday To Me!

2007-08-20T09:17:00.000-05:00

So yesterday was my 23rd birthday.

BEST.BIRTHDAY.EVER.

EVER. Seriously. :)

My wonderful husband, on Saturday morning got up and told me we were going to breakfast before he had to go to work. So I hopped in the shower, and he told me that he wanted to celebrate my birthday on that day, and that he really didn't have to go to work, that he had lots of little surprises for me all day!

SWEET! :)

So we're supposed to be going to breakfast, and we "can't find the place" so we stopped and asked for directions, and the man we asked didn't know what we were talking about, but made up some lame directions! My hubby said, "it's alright, why not just get out and look around. We'll go someplace else for breakfast." So we get out of the car, and we pass this place that has a sign out front "Massages 2pm - 3pm - 4pm". I said, "Honey we should go get a massage together!" And Billy hugs me and says, "I'm sorry I wore cologne today, I really do have to go to work, but go in, they know who you are." And I was dumbfounded! What?! So I go inside, and there is a GORGEOUS bouquet of flowers waiting for me - red & pink roses, and pink stargazer lilies(my favorite!) He had arranged for me to have a 6 hour spa day!!!!

SIX hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got a body scrub, took a shower in a FABULOUS 7 showerhead shower.. a 2 hour body massage... a 1.5 hour facial... lunch... an intense pedicure (badly needed if I say so myself).. and a manicure!

He came to pick me up at 3.. I got a free perfume as a gift from the spa.. and we went home. When we got home, I had a beautiful card and a gift bag waiting on me. Then, he brings out this cake with a 23 candle on top and sings me happy birthday. :) The cake was beautiful.. and delicious! :) It was a vanilla cake with a chocolate middle layer, and italian creme and an espresso cream layer. FABULOUS! Then he wrote me this adorable poem for me, and he gave me my FIRST sandcastle kit! (I always talked about how I've never made a sandcastle...and now I can! :) He's so sweet!)

Afterward, we went to a new restaurant and then we went to the beach. On my birthday, we spent the entire DAY at the beach.

Can it get better than that?!?! He'll have to work HARD to top this birthday! Let me tell you! I don't even want to work today!

Anyway.. it was a wonderful birthday. I am truly, TRULY blessed with a wonderful, thoughtful, beautiful husband. :)

His birthday is T-minus 29 days. What ever can I do to make HIS day this special?

I've got some planning to do!

Have a blessed day!

Press Start

2007-08-16T09:06:00.001-05:00

New home, new job, new faces, new life. What a wonderful thing that a change can be.

The ocean is so calming, you know? You can have the worst of worst days, and then take a trip to the beach with your soulmate and it all disappears. The first road I take in the morning is along the beach - thank you Lord for your amazing artwork. My husband and the sea.

I am restarting Weight Watchers again tomorrow - I'm really excited about it. My darling husband, who confessed how proud he was of me for taking care of my body (wonderful feeling), is committing to WW too. I'm so thankful he's trying to get healthy - I'd LOVE IT so much if we could both have healthy weights by the time we start trying for a baby - and that time is quickly coming - but in God's time - His will, not mine. My hubby ate his first salad 2 nights ago - and then raved about how delicious it was (needless to say I was so desperate for him to try salad, I ran by Olive Garden after work and bought a bottle of their signature dressing - whatever works, okay?!) and then had salad for lunch! *beams* I couldn't be more proud of him. (I could, obviously, but I mean about food)

Anyway.. so I'm listening to the news about this Hurricane that is quickly approaching TX and the gulf of Mexico - praying for everyone's safety and that I can trust in the Lord to take care of my husband and I during our first official hurricane season. It's actually a little exhilarating as it is frightening. Be positive.

My 23rd birthday is Sunday - is it odd that I feel much, much older than I am? When I talk and I say I'm 22 (soon to be 23), it just sounds so much younger than I actually feel. Perhaps I'm becoming that woman of God I've been praying about, and it's maturing my heart. I hope so - I long to be disappearing as God appears in my life.

Work time - lots of training ahead.

Emily have you had that little princess yet?! Where are you, lady?!

Blessings.

Back in Black Pink

2007-08-10T08:09:00.000-05:00

So we're all moved in and settled now.. wow.. I never realized what a blessing it would be to be here. Seriously.. I knew it was a blessing, but WOW. To be able to say, "Hey, I've had a bad day today, let's go to the beach" at any given moment - and then sit there for hours just talking and listening to the waves crash - incredible.

I started my new job - I like it so far, but starting a new job is so tiring.. and, honestly, kind of boring. It gets to a point where you're just like, "Let me know this stuff already". I feel like I'm wasting time just sitting around going "Uh huh", when I know I could be learning this stuff more quickly if only I could do it hands on. It will come with time, it's just the transition.

We saw The Simpsons Movie this past week. Can I please say, unimpressive. It's rentable, but not movie theater worthy. Thank goodness for buttery popcorn and a suh-weet date - otherwise it would have been a waste of time.

My husband seems to have gotten more handsome since we've been here. Is that even possible?

Alive

2007-07-31T10:50:00.000-05:00

I'm alive.. just busy getting our new HOUSE sorted out.

Details, piotures.. things.. to come.

I didn't realize that you could live at the beach and be so busy with responsibility that you don't have time to go!

SOON! My white legs are blinding!

More soon...

Um...

2007-07-05T10:06:00.000-05:00

We're moving to FLORIDAAAAAAAAA!

Margaritaville

2007-06-20T12:02:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful time on our vacation!!!! :)

I have the most precious husband in the WORLD! We renewed our vows on June 11, 2007 (our two year anniversary) as a surprise to me! It was so unexpected (I had a hunch, but after our drive to FL, I was clueless that he'd really gone and done it!)

This is one of my anniversary surprises:

Beautiful, no? Stunning. And he designed it. It makes it so much more meaningful!

And here's a sweet picture of us on the deck of our hotel. After we took this picture, we went to take "family photos" on the beach, and I was surprised to see a minister, tiki torches, champagne, rose petals, and a bouquet waiting on me at the pier nearby. I was so surprised!

We saw dolphins, stingrays, jellyfish.. I'd never seen any of those up close before! I'm glad we didn't see any shark - but we did EAT shark as an appetizer at the local restaurant. Believe it or not.. it's delicious!

The weather was perfect, the days were long (in a good way), the company was superb, and I REALLY enjoyed the food. hehe

Friday, it's back on track with WW.

Can we go back to last week, please?

Vacation

2007-06-07T15:34:00.000-05:00

I've been busy..

BUT..

This week, I'll have an excuse.. I'm going to Panama City!!!!!!!!

Wish me luck.

I'll be thinking of you while I'm sipping my fruity drinks and getting a tan.

Don't hate me.

Okay.. hate me. :)

Weight Loss, Vacation, Busy Days

2007-06-01T08:17:00.000-05:00

Whew! It's been a busy week! But a whirlwind of wonderful blessings and things going on... :)

First off - God sent us a blessing in disguise yesterday. While helping a customer yesterday, BillyBoo was offered a side project which will give us TWO extra nights in Florida!!!!! :) So now, instead of staying Saturday to Friday, we'll be staying Friday-Saturday. :) WOOOOO! You just can't beat that!

Then - I weighed in this morning - 165.7!!!! Down 3.3 from FRIDAY!! :) Wednesday, I went to tan at the clubhouse and a girl that I used to work with stopped in her tracks and started SCREAMING..

Her:"OMG!! OMG! OMGGG!!! Trish?? You look like HALF of yourself! You look incredible!! Look at your face! It changed your entire facial structure! Your eyes! They're bright and big!"
Me: Oh.. why thank you!
Her: Look at how small you are! I can't get over it! (pats my hip) You must have lost 40 pounds!!
Me: (head getting bigger) No, only 20..
Her: Well, definitely don't take offense..but you look fabulous!

This went on for about 15 good minutes, and by the time I left, my smile was ear to ear and my head was almost too big to fit the door! Then my wonderfully supportive husband, who really can't possibly notice as much as others, because he sees me everyday, actually said he's really been noticing lately how much smaller my legs and arms are..and that he could really tell in my back. WOOOOHOOOOO! :)

Oh, and today is payday - it doesn't get better than that. :)

Also? We leave for Florida in T-Minus 6 days.. we're leaving EAAAAARLY next Friday morning. SQUEAAAAAAAL

Now, back to work.

Blessings!

Terrific

2007-05-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

Well, after a blessed, but terrible week of sickness last week, and a LONG (but fun) weekend with Billy's friend Justin, I am pooped!

It was so much fun though, and it was nice to have someone over for the weekend, so who can complain, right?

Tho, food-wise, baby did a bad, bad thing.

I ate all my flex points in ONE evening. And it wasn't even worth it!!

But today - definitely a new day. I'm going to drink my water and eat my healthy 8ths, and be done with the weekend. On Friday though, when I weigh in, I may need you to hold me.

Friday, I took off an hour early so I could get home and help my darling husband clean out the truck. Then we went home, got ready, and went to pick up Justin at the airport. After we picked Justin up and we got ready to drive back, we took the wrong exit and ended up at a scary truck stop. All-in-all though, it was fun getting lost - how often do you get to see a statue of a giant Indian?

Saturday, i felt like poop. This sinus infection/cold/flu/demon sickness is really kicking my behind! I had felt good up until Friday night (we didn't get home til after 1am!) and Saturday when I woke up, I felt like I'd been hit by a Mack Truck! BUT - I didn't want to spoil the boys' time, and I'd never really seen DH play basketball before, so I took a shower, and we headed out to the local gym/center and I watched the boys play a few games of basketball. Afterward (and thankfully I might add) the boys were TOO sore to get back out (it was hilarious and adorable watching them walk like penguins, btw), so they played video games and we got ready to grill. I was feeling a little better by the afternoon, and we had an AWESOME dinner, complete with homemade apple pie.

Sunday, whew! We were all exhausted; Justin wanted to go play ball again, and Billy said, NO WAAAAAY! I was sad that he was too sore to play, I would have really liked to watch them play again.. but alas, they just played video games and then we had to take Justin to the airport. It was sad to see him leave (Billy hadn't seen him in a long time) but I was ready to get home and spend some time with my muffin. :)

NOW, its back to the WW on-program. I can't slip up anymore, because we only have 17 days until Panama City!! I'm not even close to being beach-ready either!

Back to work!
Have a blessed day!

Craptastic

2007-05-15T08:25:00.000-05:00

After a wonderful and surprising Monday of my new weight range..

I'm sick.

With the flu.

I was going to get up with every intention of STILL working out, because I'm motivated..well that motivation was shot with about 3 full hours of sleep after taking a Tylenol PM and drinking a nighttime Theraflu.

I'm still going to eat healthy.. and I'll be hitting the hay early again tonight (we went to bed at 8:30 because my poor little Billy is sick too) maybe tomorrow I can get up and do my pilates.

In any case, I'm pretty upset that we're sick right now, but maybe we can kick it before our trip!

Have a blessed day!

Sweet Monday

2007-05-14T10:50:00.000-05:00

Normally, I don't look forward to Monday..but this Monday started off just TOO good.

First of all ... 25 days until we leave for Panama City! WOOT!

And.. I scale-cheated and weighed this morning.

168.8 baby!!

I can't believe I'm in the 160s... no matter how high the number.. I haven't SEEN any of those numbers in a long time!!! Hopefully it will only be a short amount of time before I see the 150s, but until then, I'll just enjoy this number :). Thank you Lord for helping me along with this weight loss!

I did really well this weekend, exercising, drinking my water, and making healthier choices when I eat.

Bring it ON. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY!

2007-05-09T10:27:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to one of the sweetest, cherished friends that I have.

Emily, you are a wonderful person, God's special princess. I am so thankful for you - you have been there for me in so many ways, even across the thousands of miles, and have spoken to me with God's loving words over and over again. I am so thankful that you were born -you are my sister in Him.

Thank you for being who you are.

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." Phillipians 1:3

Love you. Happy Birthday.

No Special Title.. Just REALLY Excited

2007-05-04T12:02:00.000-05:00

Holy craps..

We are going to PANAMA CITY BEACH for Vacation!!

That means our 2nd anniversary will be spent on the beach.

I'm in heaven.. paradise.. cloud 9,999,999,999,999.99. :) What a wonderful way to have the middle of the Friday!!!!!!!!!! Thank you LORD, because we REALLY need this vacation.

Also?

I gained .1 pounds this week.. not bad though..however I'm going to be HARDDDDDDCORE for the next month, so ignore me, but all you're going to hear about for the next month is Florida and weight loss. :)

That is all.

WWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Less is More..And Exciting!

2007-04-27T09:56:00.000-05:00

Today was my Weigh-In and I only lost 1 pound.. which - IS VERY exciting, because I figured I would gain this week. So, I was just curious as to how much longer I had to eat 24 points, because I feel like I've been at a standstill for these past two weeks .....

and I've been overeating!!!

I was supposed to be eating 22 points about 3 pounds ago! (About 2 weeks).. which totally makes sense at why I gained last week and why I only lost a pound today!!

I called my wonderfulamazinglovinghandsomeadorablesweet husband this morning to let him know the news. I think he thought I was calling about something different because I was so excited!

Me: "BIIIIIIIILLLLLLYYYYYY.. I have some supercalifragilisticexpealidociousexciting news to tell you!"
TheHubs:excited voice"What IS it?"
Me: "Iwassupposedtobeeating22pointsforalmost3weeksnowand
rememberhowIwasalldiscouragedbecauseIthoughtIwasfatand
disgustinganddisappointing?ItwasonlybecauseIhaven'tcheckedtheprogramandIhavebeeneating
waytoomuchandnowIgettoeatlessYAAAAAAAAY"
TheHubs: silence...... "Um..wow honey, that's great news. So now you get to eat less? And that's exciting?
Me: Um..yeah!! That means I'm losing WEIGHHHHHHHHT.
TheHubs: Congrats, babe.

Okay, he was trying really hard to be excited, but I think he thought I'd heard news about the job he applied for, so I'm pretty sure I got him all peepants excited and then I totally let him down because it was just that I got to eat 2 less points than normal.

Sorry BooBear.. but I loves you. *sweetsmile* I am praying for you today.

SO - I'm totally motivated to keep this thing up again.. I guess that was the push I needed! I've been praying for God to help me stay focused with this, and TADA answered prayer. God is good.

Prayers are welcomed if you have a free second, that TheHubs will receive and offer for the job he has interviewed for. It would be a huge blessing - but either way, we want God's Will and we will be thankful in whatever comes our way.

Have a blessed day!

It's Been a While

2007-04-26T09:59:00.000-05:00

So I know I've been lacking on the posting, but I've been discouraged in my "diet". However, I don't want to be a quitter in ANYTHING anymore, so I'm trying to get back on track.

Plus, work has been busy! YAY! But, my main program is locked right now, so while I'm waiting on a fixer, here I am!

Last weekend I just bombed WW. We went to a local town in the mountains that is famous for its shopping, cafe's, and history - there was a fudge shop. Oh the fudge shop. Use your imagination.

Anyway, last Friday was my weigh-in (before the fudge even!) and I gained .2 pounds. I know that doesn't seem like a lot, but that was my first gain in 7 weeks, so it was discouraging. I knew I hadn't been eating healthy all week either, so that was another downfall. I haven't done perfect this week either, but as always, today is a new day, and tomorrow everything starts over anyway, so I'm focused.

I've also decided to be more organized. I've been wanting to be organized since I realized I wasn't when I met Billy. *L* I really love to be clean - hygiene, household, etc - butI guess since I wasn't ever really taught how to be organized, I never tried. Anyway, that's a new goal I've tried to set. I think I may buy a pretty organizer this weekend.

Also, I really want to start reading my Bible more often and doing dailies. I've been saying this for I don't know how long, but I haven't taken the initiative to do it. And for some reason I've been EXHAUSTED this week. I've tried to get up and go to the gym, but I haven't been able to drag myself out of bed, and my "normal" 6am routine has become a 6:30-6:45 routine. What's wrong with me!?

Ahh..system is back up, so I have to get back to work.

Have a blessed day!

Verse for today: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" James 1:12

I Really Want To Love Exercise

2007-04-16T06:08:00.000-05:00

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night, turn over and get to that PERFECT level of comfort and feel like you're about to get the BEST sleep and then the alarm goes off? Thank you 5am.

So I started my workouts again this morning. Thank you Lord for being able to wake up and for all of my functioning limbs and A+ health. If you could just help me on this "being lazy" thing, I think I could really get started. So, lazy me, the AWESOME IPOD my amazinglyfabuloushandsomesweetlovingadorable husband bought me, had yet to be opened until this morning. I, being truly scared that the minute I touched it something would break or not work, hadn't thought it would take but a few minutes to upload some songs, charge the battery, and be on my way. Who knew I could be wrong! :) I had forgotten that, 1) An IPOD does NOT charge as quickly as a cell phone, especially the first time it is taken out of the packaging and 2) I haven't really pilfered through my songs, and I really want to incorporate some upbeat, catchy Contemporary Christian into my workouts. Eeeyeah.. so this morning I ended up walking out the door with 15, secular, workout songs, and I SWEAR if I have to listen to "Fergalicious" ONE more time, even though the beat REALLY does keep me focused, I seriously may have to kill myselfilicious.

Not that I "worked out" that much. I figured that since I wasted so much time this morning, instead of wasting more time, I would just run around our complex and get in a good 30 minute run. So, being extremely proud of myself, because, How hard can running be right? HA! HA!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

All 173 pounds of me decides that running isn't hard..I put on my Ipod armband and step outside, into the cold air. Not just cold, I mean, it even SMELLS cold..but no big deal, because running isn't hard! :) I put one earpiece in my ear (because Dud, I need to protect myself!) and at 5:41am I started running.

WOOO... this feels great.. Fergalicious.. in the gym, just workin' on my fitne... woowee....a lil' tired....but that's okay... because I'm Trishalicious!...wwwhhoooo.. ..ooh.... breathe in... hold it.. breathe out.. yeah.... ouch... um.. lungs..burnin... *pant*...............I can just walk for a second right? Everyone needs a break!! :)

So I walked for a few minutes, caught my breathe and tried again...

....wow... it's harder this time.. but no problem! Running isn't hard!! It's just walking.. except faster! I feel good.. oh wait...oof... OUCH..... my ears.. OMIGOSH.. my EARS!!!!!!!! OW!!!!

(Just so you can have an understanding of the ears thing - it was about 31º this morning, and the wind was like, blowing UP my ear drums and I was in SERIOUS pain by the time I got home. Serious pain, man!)

So, 5:55am! Yes! I ran/walked/complained/feltsorryformyselfandmadeexcuses for a grand total of 14 minutes?! It felt like an hour! I thought for sure I was out there for atleast 30 minutes! Yeah? Well, if I was a true music fanatic, I would know that a total of FOUR songs did NOT total up to 30 minutes, because I definitely wasn't listening to "Freebird".

So, basically I feel like I totally cheated myself for dragging myself out of bed and then not even getting an adequate workout. THIS is why I totally need the gym. I can't make excuses for myself there.. I can watch the clock and know how long I've been there, there are people there, so if I make a fool out of myself it's WAY more embarrassing and I'm less likely to quit, plus, it's temperature controlled, so I don't feel like my eardrums are literally going to BURST because it's so cold outside and my heartbeat is trying to compete with my Ipod.

Oy. Luckily I have to go to the grocery store tonight, so maybe I could try to shop in record time and get my workout that way?

Oh well, there's always tomorrow. At least I can say that I have a newfound respect for people that run regularly. Running may not be for me right now.. thank goodness for Pilates, Ellipticals, and stationary bikes! WOO!

Also? Thank you Lord for the progress so far! I try to make it into comedy, but I'm truly thankful to Him, because I know I couldn't do this on my own.

What are you thankful for today?

Hope your day is blessed!

Reward: 7 Pounds Missing

2007-04-09T11:04:00.000-05:00

Yep! Friday was my WI - I'd officially, according to MY scales, lost 7 pounds!!!

I also had a doctor appointment Friday afternoon at 4:30..what do they do first? They set you up for the embarrassment of stepping on the scale. I was prepared today - I was going to be optimistic, but truthfully, on the inside, I was imagining myself eating a huge piece of comfort cheesecake, and I could FEEL myself gaining weight as I stood there. This was my follow up visit from March, and the March visit is what prompted me to actually START weight watchers. It went something like this:

Nurse: "Okay, Mrs. R., please step on the scale. You know the drill.
Me: "Okay..." (scarfing down the imaginary cheesecake.. washing it down with molasses)
N: [reviewing my file, scratching head]"Um, step off the scale and step back on."
Me: [grinning] "Yes ma'am. Is anything the matter?"
N: According to the scale, you weighed 190 last visit. We're showing you at 180 this month...
Me: [putting down imaginary cheesecake..] Oh that. [annoying, conceited, head bobble..]I started Weight Watchers last month..
N: How wonderful! It looks like you're doing great.. can I have some of that cheesecake now?
Me: Erm.. how about that blood pressure?

I just was in SHOCK!! How did that happen? On a doctor's scale? And all that cheesecak... er.. my scale says only 7 pounds! Oh well, I was absolutely THRILLED.

When I left the doctor's office, I immediately called my hubby and told him the good news, he was so proud! :)

Rewind a few weeks: I failed to mention that I totally broke my Ipod Nano. Billy bought me a Nano a few weeks before Christmas along with an armband so I could use it when I went to the gym. Oh, I loved that thing! I hadn't really used it until I started WW last month, and I was REALLY enjoying the fact that the music kept me going even when I was tired. After my mother-in-law came to visit, I was super excited to go back to the gym - I opened my bag...my Ipod was BROKEN. The entire screen was shattered and the tip was bent. Apparently I'd left my weights in the bag, Billy moved it without knowing it was in there (totally my stupid fault for not taking it out of the bag) and it broke it! I was crying and felt totally stupid and irresponsible, and my husband was all cool and collected, "Don't worry honey, it was just an Ipod.. we'll get you another one in a few months."

Fast Forward: Yesterday, after a trip to Wal-MartHell, we return to our truck and my sweet, wonderful, romantic, caring, supportive, [enter fabulous and loving adjectives here] says, "Close your eyes, I have a surprise for you." So I hold out my hands, thinking it was something for our new love: Fishing. He says, "I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you for losing 10 pounds, and that I support you in your weight loss." and I opened my eyes..

A brand new HOT PINK Ipod Nano .

I couldn't help but cry.. I mean.. how wonderful is my husband?

So anyway, what motivation to keep going right?

I mean, next month I might get a new car... guess we'll have to find out!

In other news - I never EVER want to see what insulation looks like ever again. A couple of our friends are raising their ceiling, so to show our love and support, we spent our ENTIRE Saturday cleaning up their dining room, kitchen, living room, and den. Not just cleaning - I mean, imagine 3 men with hammers and mallets, knocking down the ceiling, and all 4 rooms being covered with 3-4ft of cellulose insulation and dust. We were SWIMMING in the stuff. So, V and I, with gas masks and goggles, were scooping all of the insulation into 5 ft. tall, heavy duty, black trash bags. At the end we had over 100 bags of this stuff - we were COVERED in particles and dust - and we finally finished by shop vac-ing the remaining particles. We were there from 10am until 5 pm..and celebrated by going to Olive Garden. In the end it was worth it - but HOW EXHAUSTING. At least I got in some exercise.. if I could only move now..

Anywho, back to work.. have a blessed day! :)

Sunshine and Summertime

2007-04-03T09:34:00.000-05:00

Are we loving the song titles yet? I'm not very original ...

It's actually been a busy week! FINALLY! Which hasn't left much time for posting, but I'm making time today!

Please say a prayer for my hubby and he goes into Interview #2 with the prospective company that we've been praying about for around a month. This could mean HUGE things for us - and it would be such a blessing!

So my weight loss has definitely tapped the brakes - not permanently and not at a complete stop, but it slowed. I can't say that I was completely OP last week either, but I did try to eat healthy as much as I could. It's after work and the weekends that are a killer for me. I'm never prone to pick the healthiest items on the menu when we dine out either..what can I say? However - my starting weight as of March 9th was 182.4 - this morning? 176.9! 5.5 pounds isn't too bad! That's a small sack of potatoes!! Gotta think positive. I haven't really noticed much of a change in my body yet - but I know it will come, I just have to work harder. I'm going to start making the gym a top priority (after my morning Bible studies that I have YET to start) so hopefully that will speed things along.

[side note] What the heck is up with the Anna Nicole thing? And why aren't they speeding up the paternity tests for this little girl? Does anyone realize the damage they are causing !? [/side note]

Anyway, not much than that going on. We bought bikes and fishing poles on Sunday..I hadn't ridden a bike since I was 12 - 10 years ago! So, it's like riding a bike, right? You never forget? WRONG! We got the bikes home, and unloaded them from our truck.. Bill decides he wants to ride his to our door (its about 200 feet) So I hop on mine, and I'm REALLY wobbly, but thinking, no big deal, right? Bam - I ate the concrete. I'm laying on the ground, half laughing, half in tears because holy CRAPS I'm in some pain. I scratched up my ankle and my palm pretty nicely - and I have a HUGE bruise on my right leg. I think I twisted my left ankle (thankfully not the same ankle from my wreck last August) but not badly or anything, just hurts a tad. After that, I was pretty much done with the bikes for the day, so we went and got a tackle box and fishing poles and went to the local lake to fish. We didn't catch anything - well, I caught Algae, but that hardly counts. We're going again today! How exciting! :)

Anyway, that's about all going on. It's a beautiful day here.. I'm hoping it stays this way - what motivation to hit the gym - it's shorts and swimsuit season!

Have a blessed day!

Rainy Days and Monday Always Get Me Down

2007-03-26T11:13:00.000-05:00

Nah.. just the only title that popped into my head. Though I am ULTRA tired today, and a little bit dismayed that I missed out on my workout this morning. My wondeful MIL was in town this weekend and we ate SO MUCH that I really needed my workout this morning. I have too much to do to go to the gym this evening, but I may give up my hair trim in order to work out. Which one is more important???? Today might make the difference at my next WI, am I right??

Dood - I love my MIL, and I actually look forward to her visits. We always have a good time with her - and she's always up for shopping. I have to say though, that since I've gained so much weight, I kind of hate shopping, and Saturday was no exception. After going to two or three stores, I was a complete devil woman and practically bit off my poor husbands head because I was upset with myself. (Sorry honey) but thankfully he was very understanding (as always) and eventually after finally hitting Old Navy, I bought some shirts and a pair of crop pants.

I was and am still NOT happy with my purchases, and am actually going to see if I can take some of them back today. I will absolutely NOT go shopping again until I'm down to at least my 10% goal, which will be an 18 pound loss altogether, so I guess I'd better be happy with what I've got, eh?

I must look like such a slob. But that's motivation enough in itself.

We ate so badly this weekend! But after a calculation I actually stayed on program but used like 12 flex points!!! Since I didn't eat very healthily, I'm going to cut out the rest of my flex this week and see if that will even things out.

I got the new Mark Schultz CD this week - LOVE.IT. Recommended listen - it's even good if you don't like Contemporary Christian.

I'm really boring today..so I'll cut it short.

One of my favorite verses...

Verse for Today: : "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

Hey Ya'll...Watch This..

2007-03-22T08:42:00.000-05:00

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!

Billy got me chef knives!!!!!!!! Ever since the holy Food Network has been on, I've been watching it, drooling over all of the neat gadgets in the chef's kitchen. There's always something I want. Billy bought me the KitchenAide Mixer for Christmas - which I LOVE (and have only used twice, because, um - well, I like to bake cakes and cakes are bad. Bad.) And every time I see Rachael Ray or Giada mince up some cilantro or chives with those lovely, sharp knives, I die a little inside.

Well not anymore - I'm armed, baby! I totally chopped up my cucumbers for my salad yesterday, and let me tell you - it was like a new car. I was just chopping along like I was born with a knife in my hand (scary, eh?). It was heaven.

I have yet to experiment with all the cool things my mother got me a few months ago. I got a zester (which I'm ITCHING to try, but, like, what do you use citrus zest for in every day life? Chicken Helper? That's a negatory.), a flavor injector (which, in reality, frightens me because it looks like a large LARGE syringe, and it makes my pants tie up in knots. Which is hard, because you know, I'm still trying to lose weight, and my pants are still a bit tight!) a ladle - which I LOVE when I make soup. Do you know how hard it is to incorporate the veggies in vegetable soup, when you're just using a serving spoon?? Things get messy, people.

Anyway, so I'm super stoked about my knives and kitchen gadgets - and if I had more cabinet and drawer space in the apartment, I would be a cooking fool.

Side Note: I will be in deposition this morning for my accident that happened back in August - please say a prayer for us today as we go into this. We have lots of medical bills to pay (I was injured in the accident) and winning this case means a lot to us. Thanks. :) [/side note]

In other news, my 2nd weekly WI is tomorrow. I'm totally anxious to see how well I did this week. This morning, I put on a shirt that I haven't worn in FOREEEEVVEEEEEER. Probably a year or so. It's always been too tight - well this morning - it fit. It buttoned and everything - so I must have done something right this week!! :)

And Wal-Mart - hi, I know I haven't called in a while. And I know I said some really bad things about you in the past that probably ticked you off a bit, but I'm completely in love with Clear American Water from Sam's, so please forgive me. I was wrong about you. Take me back!!!! :)

I Didn't Know That Could Hurt

2007-03-21T06:34:00.000-05:00

Oof - I didn't know my body could hurt so bad.

So I mentioned that I've slacked off a bit on my workouts. I don't know what I did yesterday and the day before, but um.. OUCH! My whole body is sore. I went to the gym this morning (read: I MADE myself go to the gym this morning, because the bed looked more yummy than ANY food I could possibly imagine.) I still didn't stay long today - I guess I've been making excuses that I haven't been working out long, and that any time is a good workout time for me, but I know I need to incorporate more cardio and more effort. I'm going to start getting up at an EXACT time every morning, doing 20 minutes of my pilates, and then heading to the gym. I know that will at least get me 35 minutes. If I could figure a shortcut to getting ready in the morning and still look professional, I'd be able to stay longer. Oh well.

God is REALLY amazing me right now! Billy has a job interview with a very prosperous company in the USA that is centered in our area on Friday! I mean, this could be the start of a WONDERFUL career for him. I'm really praying that it will work out! On top of that - he was talking with a pastor the other day, who wants him to interview for a Youth Minister position!! With all these good things going on, it's hard to ocmplain, but I do have my deposition tomorrow, which I'm still nervous about. Prayers, please. :)

Okay, time to get ready.

Have a blessed day!

Fantabulouso!

2007-03-20T08:11:00.000-05:00

First off..

CONGRATULATIONS EMILY AND RYAN! IT'S A GIRL!

Only about 22 more weeks til we meet the little precious. :)

I've been slacking a little bit on my workouts - not on purpose, but still, I've slacked. Saturday, I cleaned the house all day (it took me about 6 hours) so I guess that would probably give me 1 or 2 activity points. Sunday, Billy and I spring cleaned, so that probably gave me another activity point but I didn't really workout continuously enough to get up my heart rate, so what's the point?

Apparently I've been waking up my husband on the mornings I get up and go to the gym, and he asked me Sunday if I would just let him sleep in Monday.. so yesterday, I was actually going to go ahead and go to the gym and just be extra careful that when the alarm went off to get up the first time, so as not to wake him up. That didn't work, because as I got up to turn it off, he started moving around, so I just got back in bed and slept until 6. Who can deny their husband sleep? But I felt really awful all day, and last night, I was completely EXHAUSTED for some reason. This morning, I'm feeling the same way, just..spent. Weird?

BUT - bad me, I weighed myself this morning and I was down another 2.5 pounds! No more weighing til Friday though, because I don't want to be disappointed.

In other news - my deposition starts Thursday at 2:30 for my car accident. I'm praying that we come out on top so I can pay all my medical bills - it's ridiculous in my opinion, that we even have to go through this at all, but we are, so keep us in your prayers.

I'm so boring lately, this is all that's going on.

Where's the good drama???? :)

Verse for Today: "Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing." Psalm 34:10

First Weigh-In

2007-03-16T08:59:00.000-05:00

I'm down 2.4 whole pounds!

I was down 3 (I've been cheating by weighing on the scales.. oops!) but I weighed this morning, and I was at an even number.

I don't care! It works for me! And that's enough motivation to keep going!

I got up and I was going to work out longer than I did, but my IPod didn't have enough good workout music on it, so I skimped out on the long workout and put some better upbeat songs on my list. That took almost 20 minutes! :(

But, at 5:50 I headed out the door with my 5lb weights and hit the gym.

I only got to walk for 15 minutes, but that was enough to do a power mile with my weights! I'm glad I went and didn't look bad. It's still better than nothing. I'll be more prepared next week.

That's about all that's going on with me right now. I'm completely addicted to sticking with this diet and not going back this time. I will hit my goal!
And I'm determined to hit it by June. Hopefully May.... :) 40 pounds by May? I'll have to really start getting myself out the door on time for the gym, that's for sure.

That's it for today. Must get to work. Have a blessed day!

Lord, help me to show my husband how much I love him today!

Day 2

2007-03-12T06:02:00.000-05:00

I guess this is becoming the workout blog. Oh well!

So today - whew! Let's just say I have no idea what time it is first of all. With the odd placing of the time change, I don't know if it's 5 or 6 right now, I'm assuming it's 6, either that or I got up at 4 am to do my work out this morning.

In any respect - I DID get up and workout this morning, though I almost didn't make it, regarding that THIS particular morning wasn't meant to be, but I got up anyway.

And I got up lateish, but who cares, I still got up within the hour! :)

My alarm went off at 5:24 (ahem...for the second time) so I got up, grabbed my inhaler (I have The Asthmas), my Ipod nano, my keys, and a water. I headed for the door, let out my dog and realized "I don't have my key card to get into the gym!" So I run back inside, grab my purse - no where to be found. I looked for about 5 minutes and I realized that I was wasting time. Not only that, but my Ipod was dead, and I didn't have time to charge my battery, otherwise I MIGHT have tried to run around our complex this morning.

Anyway, so I decided to use a workout video. This was a hard decision. Think: Fat girl jumping all around her living room and hubby in bed sleeping. That can't be good for resting, right? So anyway, I popped in my 10 minute Pilates (hey, there's 5 workouts on the video, and I can customize as many as I want!) so I did 2 this morning.

Now, that's embarrassing. BUT - this is the first morning that I really disciplined myself to do ANYTHING, and didn't give up after what I thought was "a sign" not to exercise this morning. This is a milestone!

In other news, I'm totally excited to say that we have a kitchen table!! It really worked out after 6 hours, count them...6 hours of endless searching on Saturday. It was totally exhausting, but my Billy and I had a good time going to EVERY.SINGLE furniture shop in our area. We ended up going BACK to the second place we looked and saved almost $400 from the other table we were going to buy. We seriously got a steal.

Anyway, time to hit the showers. It's hard core weight watching today! WOOHOO.

Lord, help me to see You in every person I meet today. Show me how to love like You.

Day 1 - The 10000th Beginning

2007-03-09T08:58:00.000-06:00

Well, today was the start. I got up at 5(ahem, 5:30)am and I started working out. Well, my out-of-shape, overweight butt was spent after 15 minutes, so I quit.

Yes, I know, I quit. BUT - it's better than sleeping that extra hour and not doing anything at ALL!! I've got to lose this 5th grader that's hanging on to my body in various places. I can't shake the little bugger off.

Anyway, so for breakfast I had 3/4 C of Honey Nut Cheerios and an apple, totalling 3 points for breakfast. I'm doing good so far today. I've been munching on the cheerios since 8am, and I still have some left so I can make it til lunchtime. (a 6 point salad with tuna, not bad!) Which will leave me with a whopping 15 points for dinner.

I could eat a Big Mac tonight if I wanted to!!!

But I won't. Evil McDonalds.

I'm also investing in some WW manuals I found on Ebay at a great price, which I think is really going to motivate me too to stay on the WW plan and keep on track.

There's a great forum that I joined today too, which I think will be beneficial, especially since I'm not going to those WW Weigh-Ins or meetings. (I'm not getting in front of women and WEIGHING myself. Billy barely knows how much I weigh!!) Though, I know that's motivation.. it's not so much that I care that you know how much I weigh - it's the fact that I have to get on the scale to prove it.

I swear - scales were invented by skinny people who worship Satan. I think they wanted me to suffer and eventually hate the numbers 160, 170, 180, and 190. HATE THEM. I would like for them to be erased from the numbers system - but only in the singles of those digits. We can keep 1160, 1170 and so forth. I don't think I'll ever reach that weight - but we may need to rethink this post in the future, if WW doesn't work.

One more hour til food. I'm hungry.

Obsession

2007-03-08T10:15:00.000-06:00

I've come to the conclusion that I'm a glutton.

I'm not like, morbidly obese or anything, but I definitely eat more than necessary to survive.

I love food. I love it. I love to sit on the sofa with Billy and pig out on junk - it's like, male-bonding, except I have an extra rib and my equipment is different. I love to go out to dinner - and then to a movie, with buttery popcorn. But we just ate? I know! But you can't watch a movie without movie popcorn! It's not right!

I've said it before, but this is it. I'm at my heaviest weight - my HEAVIEST I've ever been in my entire life. My husband loves me, he's happy - but think about once I have children and my body is changed - will it still be beautiful? Yes, because I will have birthed miracles. BUT - will my husband be attracted to me even though I've "let my body go". I still try to dress nicely - I put on my makeup, and I fix my hair. Does that all cover up the fact that I weigh almost 200 pounds? No, it doesn't. Especially when I know if I'd just get my lazy butt out of bed 30-60 minutes earlier every morning that I could look and feel different.

So, tomorrow morning, it's on 5am. I'll be there with my H2O.

And they're making popcorn today at work. Ugh. Thank you, sense of smell.

What Does "Getting the Hang of This" Mean Anyway?

2007-03-07T08:07:00.000-06:00

I'm totally running out of ideas for dinner.

I've decided to try and save some money - since I'm not good at saving money, so I've started trying to budget our groceries. This means, cheap dinner.

I don't want to do the whole, "Hamburger Helper" thing all the time though, because I really want my husband to enjoy his meals - and he's super picky! Which, for the most part, I love about him, but I could be content eating a salad for dinner. My husband only eats salad at Olive Garden, and even there, it's only maybe a plate and a half. I feel like I let him down when I don't cook a GREAT meal that I slaved over (which I know it's NOT disappointing to him, but I still feel that way).

Eating healthy, which is something we're trying to do, is EXPENSIVE too. And snacks? GEEZ! It's expensive to just be alive!!

But - we're very blessed. If only I could figure out what to cook.

Tonight?

Chicken Helper. Haha.

And I heard yesterday that Britney Spears tried to hang herself. In the same conversation I heard that she wanted to get back with Kevin and get pregnant again.

Honey, you aren't even taking proper care of the two children you have now.. you don't NEED another child!! There are millions of people in the world that can't conceive, and you, easily I might add, conceived twice, and you aren't even appreciative or thankful for the miracles you have.

Lay off the pro-creation, dear. Atleast until you can get your stuff together. Do it for your kids, if not for yourself.

Lord, help me to show my husband that I appreciate him today.

Mmm..Good

2007-03-06T12:48:00.000-06:00

Almost recovered today! Woo! I hate being sick, because nothing goes right when you're sick.

I have a lovely husband, who took excellent care of me, brought me flowers, cleaned the house. Lovely man, he is. :)

Speaking of my lovely man, remember that lovely diet I was going to go on so I could stay impressive to him? That's happening today. I didn't keep my word or anything that I said in that long post a few weeks ago. I hate diets, but this time, I'm for real. (Haven't I said that before?)

And I'm hungry. Did I mention I'm hungry? I need sugar, chocolate, SOMETHING. Maybe some pretzels? I'll just mosey over to hungry-girl.

I've been reading this new book "Starting Your Marriage Right" and it's wonderful. Not only is it great for your marriage (I'm only on page 30 or so and it's already made a huge difference in our relationship!) but it's good for just general application to life! I've totally been looking at things differently. I really have to learn to go to God with EVERYTHING - and slowly I'm learning to do that. Two years after my salvation. (Happy Anniversary to God and I on March 1st, btw. :) Happy Anniversary, Dad!)

Okay, tons of work, I just felt like my blogger was being totally neglected.

Sick

2007-03-01T10:02:00.000-06:00

Buh... still sick.

Don't care.

Need sleep.

Tomorrow Friday.

More later.

I Can Admit It

2007-02-26T10:43:00.000-06:00

I'm weird.

I mean, do you ever come to conclusions about yourself where you're just like, "Yep..thats me. I can't believe I never knew it before..". Well, that's me today.

I guess the fact that I'm lying on the sofa, sick as a dog yet also surprisingly bored at having the house, television, computer, Xbox 360 to myself (miss you, dear), brings me to think. Shocking, I know.

I'm very selective with the people I call friends. I had to learn the hard way that "friend" is such a loose term anymore. I was what you would call "popular" in high school/college; maybe not typical head-cheerleader popular, but I had a LOT of people to spend time with. People that I thought would always support me in my decisions and always be there for me. When Billy and I got together, I realized none of my friends were true - and the only person I could ALWAYS count on was God. Since Billy and I have been married, we still really don't have "friends", we have people that we hang out with, but not people we'd call on if we were really in trouble.. and as much as I love spending ALL my time with Billy and having no obligations, somedays I feel as if something were missing. If only you were closer Em !

Anyway, a girl I work with and I were talking the other day, and we got on the subject of friends - which, since she asked, I gave her my opinion. When I left the conversation, I had the sense that I completely turned her off. I was confused (and still am) at why. Was it because she considered me a friend and perhaps I turned her away? Was it because she, herself, had betrayed someone? Or was it that I was just plain odd? I've decided to since keep my personal opinions to myself on matters that most people won't understand with the exception of my husband (who, almost always understands me, even when I'm not sure I'm making sense) or if you REALLY want to know.

I also like the smell of fresh gasoline.

Which is probably the explanation of why my brain doesn't work the way it should...

Oh! and I read a GREAT book this weekend! Its called "90 minutes In Heaven". IT's a true story about a Baptist pastor who was killed in a car accident, saw Heaven, and then 90 minutes later, returned to Earth to tell his story. It's a BEAUTIFUL book. I definitely recommend it to believers and non-believers. Even if you're a believer that is a Doubting Thomas - this book will open your eyes!

Have a wonderful Monday.

Dream House

2007-02-23T13:08:00.000-06:00

So I found THE HOUSE on Tuesday.

I walked in and I felt like I did when we found The Apartment. It was like, instant homeyness. Then, I walked into the 2nd bedroom and said, "*gasp* This is the baby room!" And it has a HUGE backyard. In.Love. So now, all we have to do is apply for a mortgage pre-approval.

I've been MIA for a few days now - work is crazy some days, and others it's really slow. Today is a slow day, thank goodness!

What's up with all the crazy celebrities all of a sudden? I don't even want to watch E! anymore. (Okay, I'm totally lying, I'm a sucker for celebrity gossip and I need help! Rehab for a day, anyone?) I almost WANT K-Fed to get the kids - at least you're not hearing about him going around acting crazy or clubbing. He's actually staying at HOME for a change. So sad, Britney.

Oh I've gained a pound. Darn you McDonalds. Darn you.

Speaking of - it's lunchtime, I'm starved!

The NeverEnding Story

2007-02-19T10:47:00.000-06:00

Diets.

Something that MOST women, even thin women, obsess about. I really can't remember the last time I WASN'T on a diet, or complaining about my weight or what I was eating. I CAN remember one of the first times I was on a diet. I was in 4th grade, and I remember eating a concoction of pomegranates and a LOT of soup from The Cabbage Soup Diet®. I still can't eat cabbage.

So anyway, I went through an eating disorder late in high school and almost all the way through college. I was going to the gym 3 times a day, for 2 hours at a time, and visiting Mr. Porceline often. It was a struggle and a relief for me, because I have always had a problem with my weight - from the time I could feed myself, until now. During the last few months of my eating disorder I started gaining control of my sickness and got healthy. I was working out for no longer than 2 hours a day...and eventually shaved that off to 1 hour 3 times a week and 1.5 hours 2 times a week. I let myself eat.. REALLY eat (and digest!) and I kept my weight under control the right way.

Then Billy came into my life. Definitely the happiest I've ever been (Love you darlin) and happiness comes with love....and food. Starting out.. as most couples do.. involved us staying home a lot and spending time together. Staying home = weight gain. And QUICK weight gain at that! I gained back almost EVERY pound I'd lost, healthy and unhealthy, in 4 months!!! I was so disgusted with myself...and embarassed. Billy had seen me when I was younger - I was an awkward little girl. As I grew up - I improved, but the weight still tugged at me. It mocked me, it taunted me. All of the ghosts of childhood teasing would haunt me during the day; especially during lunch break. We had an open campus, so we could walk to the local restaurants - and I flirted with all of the diet fads. Low carb, "diet" soups, diet pills, salad sans dressing, eating only cereal. All of my girlfriends were fit - they were all into sports or cheerleading, or it in their genes. But not me. I was the outcast. The in the "in" crowd, but didn't "fit" in. The fact that my mother, a single mother, was the only income didn't help matters. I couldn't just run out and buy clothes when mine didn't fit. No, I had to continue wearing clothes, even when they were too tight, and again, I was the object of the teasing - mostly from the hard-knock girls that lived in the projects. I was their push-over whipping post. My weight crippled my personality. I was so desperate for someone to like me, to LOVE me, despite what I looked like. But instead, they used me. They used me for money, they stole my things, they made fun of me and forced me to join in on my own mockery! I wasn't a person anymore, I was their puppet. But then Billy, my hero. He showed me that there was One Who loved me no matter what. One who loved me despite myself, despite what others thought. The One who always thought I was beautiful - even at my most ugly. Christ. And then Billy showed me who else loved me - he does. :)

But still - I fall back into this pit of despair where I can make every excuse of WHY I should lose weight. Why I feel so depressed and disgusted when I look into the mirror and see this little girl - the frightened, overweight, awkward little girl, who still wants to fit in. And now I do - my husband loves me and thinks I'm beautiful. I have a Father who think I'm beautiful and loves me. Why don't I believe it too? Because I am my own worst enemy - and I choose to see what I see in the mirror. I choose to see the fat, disgusting woman in the mirror - when instead I could be seeing the gorgeous, confidant, woman of God, that He created me to be.

So can I please see this woman now?

But can I see her while she shrinks a little???

So back to what I was originally talking about - diets.

I'm back on it - this time it's not just for me! I want to be HEALTHY now - I want to be able to have a healthy pregnancy when it's time - I want to be able to run with my kids and keep up with them!

I want to be able to take 2 flights of stairs at 22 years old and not be out of breath.

I want to be attractive to my husband - not because of what my body looks like - but because he will have respect for me that I WANT to keep my body attractive.

So, today it starts. For reals.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2007-02-14T15:36:00.000-06:00

Look what I GOT!!!!

Hope you have a sweet and love-filled day!

For Better or Worse

2007-02-12T08:54:00.000-06:00

What do men want for Valentine's Day?

I mean, most men don't care anything about VDay, except that they know that must buy something for their girlfriends/wives or else they'll be in serious trouble. Serious trouble. Ahem.

I already know what I'm getting for Valentine's Day. (Thank you in advance, hon.) I know where we're going for dinner, I know what my gift is going to be, and I know what's happening after dinner. (No, you naughty thing...we're going to the movies!)

But what in the world to get my husband? I know of several things that he wants - but it's not happening. I'm not even sure I could even GET what he wants, even if I had the cash for it. Cologne is so clichè; boxers are boring; a new shirt - it's been done, people. I COULD make something, but will it be useful to him? Will he use it everyday? Will he appreciate the thought, or will it be something he REALLY likes?

Okay, this is exhausting! It's so easy for men to buy something for women - lingerie, chocolate, wine, dinner. I mean, after reviewing polls, most men just want intimacy. Well - if you and your lady love each other.. and it's the right time.. most likely that's going to happen anyway..so give us some different ideas!

Oh forget it.. I'm gonna go search AskMen.com.

Verse for Today: "They, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives." 1 Peter 3:1

Too Close

2007-02-08T15:24:00.000-06:00

I can't believe Anna Nicole Smith died.

Not that I was this huge fan or anything, but I'm SHOCKED! I mean, mouth-open, eye-popping shocked!! 39 years old, her son just died, I mean, doesn't this sound suspicious to you?

I was really suspicious when her son died just 3 days after her baby girl was born - I mean, it was almost too convenient, like he was old news, and there was a new kid on the block - but it seemed like it was a short investigation (which I thought was EXTRA short) and they were like, "Oh well, 20 year olds die all the time. Let's go grab a drink, Clark." Done. NOW - a few months later, she's gone, and it's also a little odd - I mean did the police question all the men in her life? For some reason, I don't think this was self-inflicted, and if it was, I'm sure it was an accident. Still... it's very shady in my opinion.

Moving on....

I was ALSO shocked at how the media was covering the news last night. "Who will get the baby and the money?" Isn't that just harsh? I mean, the woman just passed away, and we're worried about her money? I can understand the baby thing, because I'm concerned for her - especially since no one is certain who the father is...but the money? Geez... how pathetic.

Oh, and remember those pictures I was talking about? Well...here's one. :)

This is us during Superbowl Sunday!

This is Billy eating a whole bunch of Doritos and me trying to kiss him. He didn't go for it.

That is all.

Verse for Today: "Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:2

Less is More

2007-02-06T12:22:00.000-06:00

Last night we went to the movies. Movies are such a treat for us, because when we first got married, we were broke. I mean, getting ice cream sundaes at Sonic was BIG for us. (It's the simple things that count right? It grew us as a couple - and our waistlines.. ahem.. moving on..) Anyway, since then we've moved up in the world, so we treat ourselves to a "date" movie and go to the cinema. After reading several, several movie reviews and checking out several different movie theater selections around our area (hey, didn't you hear me? Movies are expensive!) , we decided on The Holiday.

Best.Romantic.Comedy.Since.Ever.Ever.

I laughed. I cried. I danced.

GREAT movie. I think EVERYONE can relate to this movie, on almost every level! My husband even laughed.

He didn't cry or dance, but he DID laugh.

He even bought me the [movie] donuts I wanted yesterday!! He said I ate six. I say that I ate 3 - Hey, they were mini donuts! If I "ate" 6 mini donuts - then I definitely only ate 3 real donuts - and actually, they were so small that I probably only ate like, 2!

We had a fun lecture about less is more after the movie. :)

Let's keep talking about the donuts, shall we?

So these donuts - these desireable, life-giving, metabolism-boosting, round rings of cinnamon-y, sugary divineness... I think they might have been laced with crackity-crack..

Or ADHD.

I took ONE bite of these donuts and I was a dancin' fool. Bill and I were the only two people in the theater - and they were playing (really bad) knock-off songs. So, I'm sitting in my chair doing every dance I can possibly think of. Think: White Girl; No Rhythm. Scary! And then, I couldn't stop eating the things - I was INHALING them. More donuts=more dancing. Then I realized - Hey! There's someone in the box upstairs running the reels, stupid.

But that didn't stop me! No! Me Looooove Dance.

I did stop sometime between the previews and the end of the movie, much to Billy's avail. Thank God my husband loves me even when I'm embarrassing.

Verse For Today: "Whatever thing you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." Mark 11:24-25

My Dog Is a Pimp

2007-02-05T09:39:00.000-06:00

So, Saturday, we needed our TV repaired. We bought a big screen about a year ago, and had to have it replaced by a SamSung. Best TV ever..for reals.

We had our color wheel replaced a few months ago, and apparently when that is replaced, you need to replace the lamp so we called to have someone come to our apartment on Saturday. So, the guy - probably over 300 pounds, smells like old bacon, greasy hair, unshaven - stops by around 2:30, fixes the TV and starts to write out a receipt for me to sign. Enter Peanut - our 16 year old rat-terrier. Now, Peanut is about a 15 pound dog - but he thinks he's vicious. When someone knocks on the door, he barks and growls and jumps up and down. After he gets to know you though, he's the sweetest dog in the world..he'll pull out his toys and do "tricks" (like biting the toy and pulling out the stuffing. Genius, right?) to impress you and everything. So eventually he's warmed up to the greasy repairman. After the guy writes my ticket - he stands up - and Peanut proceeds to stand up - on his back legs - with the guy. So the man pets his head and straightens back up. Then.. Peanut hugs his leg.

Read: HUMPS his leg.

Omigosh.. I have never been so embarrassed - yet freakishly amused - it was the funniest thing I'd ever seen. So I'm sitting there, trying my best not to cry my eyes out laughing..and I told him that it had never happened before. Apparently the guy owned a female doberman and Peanut probably smelled her on him.

Peanut was disappointed.

Speaking of pimps - my husband is too sweet. I've got cavities, people.

When I woke up yesterday, I had a surprise waiting for me. On the kitchen counter, was my most plush (and favorite) pink blanket along with some goodies and a card. The card was so special - about how I'm God's gift to Billy...along with these instructions:

1) Take a long, hot, bubble bath with gentle music. (There was a CD on the side of piano music)
2) Grab two pillows and blankey (he put everything on top of the plush hot pink blanket he bought me when I had my accident) and get a drink. (Glass Provided)
3) Write down the verse at the end of the movie and read it three times. (Revelations 3:20)
4) Sit down and have a talk with Him. HE’S been waiting for it. (Prayer)

THEN I got a bouquet of multi-colored roses and daisies when he got home. WONDERFUL MAN! :) Oof.. my heart.

Okay.. Superbowl - GREAT game.. wow.. but the commercials - funny, yet unimpressive. They definitely weren't as funny this year.

I do have to say, that the funniest commercials have to go to Bud Light.. So hilarious. BUT - my favorite commercial was the first Dorito commercial. The guy is in the car, and they're using the adjectives of Doritos to describe what's going on? The hot girl: Spicy. The nerdy guy: Cheesy. and so on.. Anyway.. that was hilarious!!!

We had a fun time watching the Superbowl (our first time watching it together!!!) so I made all kinds of unhealthy foods. I mean.. probably four-pounds-sitting-on-my-hips-right-now unhealthiness. But it was so worth it. We made ourselves sickeningly full last night, but what a great game!

Pictures later!

Diet starts today.. hopefully we'll be heading to the gym tonight, but it will depend on my hubby.

I really want a donut.

Revelation 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

I Just Wanted You To Know

2007-02-02T08:59:00.000-06:00

....I Love You and you're special." My husband is so precious. :) Feel free to gag - I know it's digusting.

So after a wonderful 10 hour sleep last night, I'm completely rested and rejuved. I fell asleep at 8pm last night! My lovely man of a husband took me to dinner, then after we came home, I just crashed and fell asleep. He even stayed up and cleaned the apartment. I'm blessed!

Extra helpings: There's a breakfast potluck at work today, so I got fed AGAIN. Scrambled eggs, homemade biscuits & gravy, donuts, breakfast potatoes, deviled eggs, cinnamon rolls, cinna sticks - I'm stuffed!!

So I'm a total AI (American Idol) fan - I really am. I can only imagine the things that Simon Cowell would say to me if I got the nerve to actually audition for an AI show.

SC: "So, what song will you be singing?"
Me: "HA!! Weh-hell, Simon...eh-heh.. I'll be singing "Fallin'" By Alicia Keys."
SC: "So original - I'm positive that this will be a treat."
Me: "I could sing Amazing Grace - or something by Elvis?"
SC: "No no, I'm sure that your choice of song by Ms. Keys will suffice."
Me: "Suffi..?"
Sc: "Just go."
Me: ♪ "I-I-I-K-E-E-ep on Fa-a-allinn' inandouuuut.." ♪
SC: "Stop. That was absolutely, horrendously dreadful and it made me throw up a little. You also need to lose 40 pounds. Paula?"

Anyway - I haven't watched a SINGLE episode this year. I mean, who doesn't watch American Idol? I'm so not hip.

But, I have heard talk that AI is "meaner" this year. How can it get "more mean" than it has been? These people HAVE to know they're bad - they HAVE to - Simon is brutal, but at least he tells them the truth. I'd hate to walk down the street and hear these people belting out my favorite song and murdering it.

Oh well.

TGIF.

Joy

2007-02-01T16:29:00.000-06:00

Oh the bliss of 5pm. But not today.

Today has been the absolute day from the fire pit. Charbroiled even.

I work in an environment where pretty much anything goes, as far as customers are concerned. They walk in, I may have to process some paperwork - some days within 20 minutes. My job has been relatively slow for the past few weeks, so I've been seriously trying to busy myself, either with online training for my position - or just plain surfing the internet.

Today, my completely unorganized superior has scheduled for 4 customers to have paperwork today. One of which, I was informed at 3:50pm, wanted the paperwork at 5:15. Um.. 2 things - we've been closing at 5pm for YEARS - why today? It's a snow day - its slick outside - and it's getting dark - so now I have to risk my life for paperwork that REALLY and truly won't be needed until 10:30 tomorrow morning? Also - WHY tell someone that I CAN do it, and then rush me to get it finished? What if I make a mistake and don't catch it because you're pressuring me? These are LEGAL documents.. is it not enough that I'm under legal pressure the entire time I process the work, but the possiblity of REALLY making a mistake because you're irresponsibly and irrationally breathing down my neck?! These are 3 hour documents...that I have to complete in a little over an hour.

Please stop coming out here to ask me if I'm finished. I will let you know.

Merlot tonight. That is all.

Top Five For Today

2007-01-31T10:35:00.001-06:00

1) Hungry Girl is my new favorite haunt. This girl has got some SERIOUS good finds for my new diet. I love her tips!!

2) It's snowing today. Please stop telling me that it's snowing. My desk is by a window..a LARGE window. I can see it. Go away. Shoo.

3) I HATE when ~~people~~ co-workers talk to me about meaningless garbage to pass the time. I never have an answer, so I end up just giving a courtesy smile and noding my head with a blank stare. I have NO idea what you're talking about, and I don't care.

4) I'm cranky today, no?

5) Let's go on with this cranky thing, shall we? What's up with the hypochondriacs. I mean, seriously, what's up with that? I understand that people give you attention for your pains, but do you understand how ANNOYING that is?

(Scene from Today in the Ladies Bathroom)

Hypo: "How are you today, Trish?"
Me: "Great! How are you?" (walking away)
Hypo: "Oh, goodness. I couldn't sleep for the LIFE of me last night. I have a cough that I've had for 5 or 6 months and I can't get rid of it - listen to it. (fake coughs) Oh and feel this. (offers hip, I decline) Well, it feels like a tumor (how do you know what a tumor feels like?), and it hurts like the dickens. The doctor told me that I need surgery, but he gave me Percocet for the pain. My arthritis is getting worse..look at my fingers, they are getting so crooked (perfectly straight fingers)..I was thinking of going home today, but...
Me: "Well I hope you get to feeling better." (edges away)
Hypo: "Oh, but I haven't told you about my hemmorroids and..."

OMG - what are these people thinking? Seriously.. potty time is private time - I don't want to hear about your hemmorroids. And I definitely don't want to touch you OR your non-existant "tumor", because I'm seriously afraid that whatever non-existant disease you DON'T have might be contagious.

Someone please pour me a tall glass of sleep.

Feels Like The First Time

2007-01-30T08:46:00.000-06:00

Well, if this isn't deja vu? I know I've been here before.. and here I am again. So I'm a little plain, a little boring right now, but just you wait - I've got so much to say!

Formerly, Candlelight Elegance, I've turned a new leaf, a new life, a new heart, a new soul. I've grown from a lost, empty shell of a girl and blossomed into a cherished treasure. I've been changed by The Divine One. So now, I have Divine Elegance.. catchy, eh? :)

Isn't it odd how the first introduction is always awkward? You can do it a million times, in any situation, the same way and it's STILL feels as though you've never done it before. So, I will leave this post, boring as it may be, and give myself a breather for a more interesting post tomorrow.

Welcome Back, Me.

Woo.