Today was a good Day!

Hi friends!

Today was a pretty good day!  I love weekends that are relaxing, but I feel the best at the end of weekends that are productive as well.  

So, lots of laundry was done today....still lots more to go :-/  

The most important thing I got done today was working together with the hubs to develop a budget.  I just finished reading Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, and I am definitely on board with his plan.  So, we began by making a budget.  This is not the most stress-free thing, when you have some debt, and one person working full time and the other working part-time and going to school full-time.  There was a little crying (from me, not him ;)  ), and some raised voices.  But, like I told the hubs, it was stressful figuring things out, but I feel SO much better having done it.  

The first "Baby Step" in Ramsey's plan is to save a $1,000 Baby Emergency Fund.  Even before trying to tackle debt.  The reasoning is simple....if you don't have this savings and something comes up (car repairs, home repairs, any other emergency) then you might use credit to fund your purchase, and then you are back to square one.  So, we are in the process of putting together our emergency fund.  I am looking at it as a kind of game....try to spend as little as possible on groceries so we can't put more in our fund and move on to the next step :)  

We are also going to the envelope system for everything but bills that are taken directly out of checking.  So, instead of just using our debit card, we will get out a certain amount of cash as our budget allows for groceries, gas, etc...and as we need the money, take it out of the envelopes.  When its gone, its gone, so it really makes you take notice of how you use your money.  I'll keep you posted on our progress :)

Health wise, today was decent also.  I think I was about 10-15 calories over my limit today, but I can live with that compared to the past weeks.  Here is a snapshot of my day from My Fitness Pal:

Totals	1,421	200	42	61	9
Your Daily Goal	1,410	194	47	53	16
Remaining	-11	-6	5	-8	7
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Fiber

Lastly, (or rather firstly), I stepped on the scale first thing this morning and saw this:

Not the best number it could've been, but WAY better than expected. 

If you have tomorrow off work, enjoy it!  I will be pulling my daughter in my school 

districts Labor Day parade to support our upcoming levy.  Go TIGERS!


P.S....don't forget to check out The Kings Court IV for her awesome giveaways!  
I really want the Pillow Pet!

Long time, no blog....

and for me, that is BAD NEWS BEARS!  What that usually means is that I've gone off track and have stopped caring too much.  Thats not 100% true all of the time, but 99% :-/.  And this time, for sure. Blech.  I agreed to do Lindsay's challenge, and when I committed I totally meant to follow through.  Well, I didn't. And, I always have an excuse.  This time, it is that school started again and that I was working 10-14 hour days.  Well, this maaaybeeee gets me off the hook for the hour workouts, but not the eating.  And EAT I DID.  Sure, I have eaten a lot of great stuff......carrots and hummus is my current obsession....but mixed in with the good, was a lot of not-so-good.
And, I won't even talk about the whole NO SCALE thing.  Well, I guess I am talking about it...... I can't do it!  I was good for a couple of days, but then I checked.  And it was good!  Then I let a couple of days pass, and checked again.  NOT GOOD.  Then I stopped checking because I didn't want any more icky news.  But, I really think the scale helps me stay on track generally.  I don't let the little changes effect my mood, but it really helps me to see trends....
So, I guess I'm out of the challenge.  That is ok.
HOWEVER, I AM NOT DONE WITH THIS WEIGHT-LOSS THING.
Expect to see me check in at least a few times a week.  I am really committing myself to doing this.  I am half-way there, and there is NO REASON I can't finish!
My plan for the week:
1. Track calories
2. 120 minutes of exercise
3. Blog

And, since I promised some pictures of my birthday, and then only got 2 :)  Here they are.  The first, will be shown to no one but the blog.....do any of you have cats?  We call there little bit of stomach that hangs down and swings "Flub".  Well, in the first pic, my "flub" is too too apparent.  The second pic is my facebook profile pic, so obviously, I like that one ;)  Although my hair is kinda frizzy.....   Soon, I will take a full body pic so you can see me in all of my glory ;)

My fabulous birtdhay buddies.  I am the huge one in front.

I like this pic.  It is taken from above (use this technique if you don't already) so everything looks nice :)

HAVE A GREAT LONG WEEKEND!!!!!

TAKE CARE!

Birthday fun!

Well, I have had a challenge *fail* these past few days.  I went back to school this week to get ready for the kids who start on Monday and calorie counting and working out went *POOF!*.  I don't think I really over indulged, I just didn't keep track.  And I really feel as if I just didn't have time for working out.  I did take a bike ride with Steph this morning.  It wasn't much, but it was SOME activity.

Tonight, actually, in a few minutes, I'm getting together with friends and we are going dancing!  So excited! It will be an evening of indulgences, but it will be worth it :)

I will definitely share pictures of the evening when I get them uploaded :)

SILHOUETTE MACHINE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

In an attempt to boost my creativity and decorate my home in a unique way, I have started to read many craft/home blogs. One of my current faves is Grosgrain Fabulous. SO MANY neat ideas!!! And right now, she has a great giveaway going on! Such a cool machine...you should check it out!!

SILHOUETTE MACHINE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Plus Size

Hi friends!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and will have fantabulous weeks!  I go back to work Wednesday.  Boo to summer being over!  But, I am excited to start a new year :)

So, we get the Sunday paper, and I LOVE to go through the ads/coupons when I get the time.  While it may have existed for awhile, I just noticed the "Kids Plus Size" sections at all of the stores.  I mean, when I was younger, my brother wore the "husky" sizes, but I never thought anything of it.

But, now, they have official plus size clothing for kids.  Ugh. I wish this weren't necessary.  In a way, it is good for those kids who are heavier so they can still wear fashionable, trendy clothing.  But, in a bigger way, it is just sad that we need to have these options.

I remember growing up and ALWAYS wanting to lose weight.  I don't really recall a time where I was happy with myself the way I was.  Of course, I look back now and WISH I could look like I did in high school!

As I look at Stephanie growing up, I SO hope she doesn't have to deal with those same insecurities.  I try to foster a healthy approach to life - eating and activity.  She probably eats more sweets than she should, but she definitely always has to eat the healthy options before she gets a choice of something else.  She sees me making good choices and fitting in activity to my life.  Hopefully she takes notice and wants to emulate these positive choices.

There there is the line that I hope she doesn't cross, where she thinks weight/looks are all that matter.....another blog/another time, I guess ;)

Well, to end on a happy note....one of my favorite pictures EVER:

Light and Love! ( a la Danielle from Real Housewives)

Check-in

Good Saturday afternoon!  Plans changed, so we're not leaving until a little later.  

I was able to get in a short ride today because I had to pick up some stuff at my Grandparents.  They live close, so I just rode my bike over and got the goods :)  

We are off to a baby shower/open house and a day at the lake tomorrow.  Fun family times!


****Bike Ride: 2.8 miles, 19 minutes, 171 calories

I got a New Haircut!!

Old Hair:

My hair was down to my chest in front, shoulder blades in back.
 I got bored, so I went and did this:

New hair!  about 7-8ish inches gone, I think

LOVE IT!  And it is super easy and quick.  Glad I took the plunge!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Day 1

Weight - 197
Workout - CHECK! 28 min, 2.9 miles on the bike,  298 calories burned
Calories - 1770 (ONE PIECE OF Pizzeria Uno Farmer's Market Pizza has 560 calories!!!! Say, what?! But, there are SO many healthier options at this restaraunt!  LOVE IT!)
Net Calories - 1472

Gotta get my measurements...they may have to wait until Sunday.

We're going out of town for the day tomorrow so I will check in Sunday when we get back :)

Enjoy your weekend!

Birthday Week!

I am now officially 28 years-old!  Hopefully the best years are still to come :)

So, the first adventure of the week was a trip to the zoo with Stephanie.  Our zoo just got a new "Polar Frontier" exhibit featuring Polar Bears, so I really wanted to take Step to see them.  Well, lets just say, I was WAY more into the bears than she was :)
A little insight into my mind...I have a hard time going to the zoo.  I am a major animal rights advocate and the idea of zoos is still iffy to me.  I try to remember that the purpose of zoos is to educate the public about animals and help those that may be endangered have more of a chance of fighting extinction.  But, it never fails that every time I go to the zoo, I cry.  I took this picture of a sign in the new exhibit that really rang true with me:

Jane Goodall quote; local zoo

So, after the zoo experience we came home and relaxed.  Well, the next day, I needed to get food for our cockatiel, so I ran to the pet store.  The store I frequent has a part of the store where they feature adoptable cats.  And, I walked to the section.....and, I saw an adorable cat....and then I saw she was almost 9 years-old.....and then I saw that she had been at the shelter for 2 years......now she is mine :)  My hubby agreed to let me get her as a birthday present :)  Funny thing is, her name at the shelter was Boo-Boo.  We decided to let Steph name her and she named her Bo-Bo.  Presenting Bo-Bo:

Our newest family member

So, while my birthday week was going well thus far, it got even better!  On my actual birth DAY, we met my grandparents (who raised me) for breakfast and then I went with them so they could get me my birthday present, A BIKE!  I am super excited for it!  (Except it malfunctioned today and we had to take it in to get fixed....grrr...).  We also got a trailer so Steph could go with us.  

The bike!

So, its been a great week!  Right now, though, Bo Bo has been hiding under the bed for a lot of the day. I'm hoping its just that we took her to the vet today and she is pissed, not that she is having trouble adjusting.  We love her so much already!

A little domestic tip.......I figured out an easy way to distribute small snacks to Steph:

I'm sure many have thought of this idea before me, but I felt special ;)

Last topic of the day....my fat ass :)  Well, I really should say "*less, but about to get more if I don't get my butt in gear* fat ass".  But seriously, I need to FOCUS!  I've been so inconsistent with eating recently and really need to get a handle on it.  Hopefully going back to work (teaching) next week will get me on a better track.  

Lindsay, of a blog I love to read, has decided to give herself a No More Numbers challenge and has invited others to join her.  I took her up on her offer and will be weighing in tomorrow.  I am also committing to getting in physical activity at least 5 days per week and eating within my calorie range for at least 6 days per week.  In one month, I will check my results.  I might have problems not cheating with the scale, bc I think it keeps me really accountable.  I might change my "no numbers" part to my eating, in order to practice more intuitive eating and not get burnt out on the calorie counting.  We'll see how it goes!

Ok...if you lasted this long, you deserve some kind of reward.  I need to blog more often so my posts aren't novels :)  I will leave you with this gem and a wish for a lovely weekend.  *Have fun*

Fun Times!

So I wanted to drop a quick post....I will be back later for pictures.
Stuff I want to share:
1. Day at the zoo
2. Cool way to dispense snacks (new to me, but probably very well known)
3. My birthday present!  (Hint....it meows....)

Let's get it Started!

If you are reading, WELCOME!  Although at this point, I think I am writing for my own sanity.  I need a place to record thoughts, events, progress, random CRAP :) , and other ultra-important information.
A lot of it will focus on weight-loss, as that is a major part of my life right now.  However, I didn't want to just have a weight-loss blog, as my family, friends, and job are also huge parts of my life.  So here, I will include it all.  Enjoy the ride!