Food, Crafts & Biking

This weekend was full of food. Saturday I went to my first "Pinterest Party". A friend of mine hosted, picked the crafts and bought all the supplies. How awesome is that? She had lots of snacks. One was healthy...of course the rest were not. And I ate and ate and ate. I ended up leaving a little bit early because I had to go pick up supplies for my Book Club today and I was actually sick to my stomach. 

WHEN will I learn?? Will I ever? Or am I always going to do this to myself? I tried to make myself stop several times and yet I kept going back for more. 

Here's a few of the cool crafts we made.

These you are supposed to put votives in, they were pretty easy to make (my friend cut the shapes out of vinyl with her Cricut)

This was one of the things I actually DID NOT eat lol. She had these all made up for us.

This one we painted the frame and then glued all those buttons on the paper pumpkin. It was pretty easy and cute, just a bit hard to get the wire and stem button to stay on. Hot Glue would work better for that than the 3 in 1 glue we used.

On the right is a candle stick glued to a bowl to make a candy dish. Some people had a hard time getting them to stick but mine worked good.

We painted a piece of board and then mod podge'd the paper & vinyl letters on. Super easy.

We made one more really big craft but I didn't take a picture of that one yet and that would require me to get up and turn on the light so I'll show you later! I left "early" (after about 7 hours!) and everyone else did 2 more crafts.

Here's my table for Book Club Today. 

I went pretty simple on the snacks and then we also had cheese cake. The cheese cake was really small slices so I gave everyone two. Then I looked at the calories after every one left and started hating myself.

THEN Scott came home with frozen pizza for dinner. 

So I went for a SUPER LONG bike ride. Like almost 16 miles, the longest I've ever done. I did my basic loop 2 times plus some. It's weird but I was thinking I was going to be done but I had just not got that adrenaline rush that I usually get so I kept riding and then FINALLY it was there. 

I felt so much better when I got home. (and did eat one piece of pizza). 

New Phone Fun

I'm getting pretty good at exercising in the dark. Yesterday I did my couch to 5k day week 8 day 2 (cut the cool down short since I was home) and today I went out for a bike ride around the neighborhood. I finally got a new phone and I'm loving all these fun apps! 

On the left is www.mapmyride.com (whoops I cut off the length of the ride it was 7 miles plus) and on the right is runkeeper. Both of them track your route, time and how many calories you are burning. 

Makes it a bit easier to add it to my Lose It! 

Oh and my newer phone also finally allows me to scan the bar codes of packaged foods. Makes it so much faster to get stuff logged in. Not that I eat that much packaged food but it's good for condiments even.

I'm having fun playing around with Instagram (follow me if you care to momtaxijulie) too. So many apps so little time!

Tomorrow is my final day of week 8 for running. I'm feeling a bit emotional about almost being done with it! One more week! Then what? Well I've downloaded the 5k to 10k app from Active.com and plan on moving into that. I'll probably die but at least I'll die trying right??

Catching Up & Working Out

Hello there peeps!! I'm way behind on my blogging!

Here's a bit of a recap the last few days.

I ended up doing the last day of the couch to 5k week 7 on Thursday night.

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).

I figured I should get it done so that Friday I didn't have to worry about it. My friend was having a party and I figured I better get it done way before that! Scott rode his bike with me and when I was done running the 25 minutes he says "so I'm guessing they think you are running a lot farther?" UM NO! I'm working my ass off just like I'm supposed to. Farther comes later!

Friday I went to work of course and it's FLEA MARKET FRIDAY!! They have a flea market down the street every Friday and I've been walking down there each week and getting 2 taco truck tacos and then walking around to check everything out. Delicious as usual, although I didn't find anything to buy. I came back to work all sweaty. Good thing I only had a couple more hours!

A couple hours later I was walking down to the little corner store where my friend was having her boyfriend's birthday party. Scott wasn't home yet and I figured if I walked down there he could meet me and drive me home. That way 1. I would get some exercise on my way and 2. Not have to worry about drinking and driving. My plan was foiled however when Scott rode up on his BICYCLE. People joked about him giving me a ride home on the handle bars. I opted for getting a ride from a friend!

So this little place only serves beer and wine. BOXED wine. I hate beer. So boxed wine is what I drank for awhile and then switched to drinking some Smirnoff Ice. Apparently that was a winning combo to get me to be all happy and ummm get a lot of embarrassing photos put up on Facebook! I'm so getting her back next time there is a party. I WILL be armed with my camera and make sure she is plenty drunk!

A few pictures

Flat Hair booo. Met that gal there, she's a HOOT!

My friends Forest & Eric (notice how calm I am and that I'm drinking wine)

My buddy Lupe & I

 Scott and I were posing for a picture and the birthday boy jumped in at the last minute. Apparently I thought that was funny. (oh look not drinking wine anymore)

 Ummm yeah. I'd say I was a bit tipsy at this point!

 So that's about how the party went after that haha.Trevor was up the next morning at FIVE AM playing on the computer. I got up and took some Tylenol and went back to bed for a couple hours. I woke up with no hang over woot! Scott on the other hand slept most of the day so we didn't get to go on the bike trail ride I had planned on doing for the weekend.

I mopped the kitchen floor instead.

That night we went over to the neighbor's dock and sat and watched the sun go down and I got ate up by mosquitoes  Then we moved down the street and sat around a fire pit (and applied some bug spray) and ate warm apple crisp straight from the oven. Ummm so good.

Sunday I decided to do some weeding. I may have got a bit carried away. It was super humid and hot outside so after three hours I pretty much left it. I still need to go out and clean up a bit.

During the big horrible summer in which we had three car accidents and I worked full time my yard was totally neglected. I'm sorry yard. I promise to take better care of you...

Sadly my big purple bush is now dead and gone.

After recovering from the yard work I walked down to our little baseball field. Scott is going to be on a beer league with the above birthday boy and some of my friend Lupe's family and some neighbors (out here family and neighbors is the same thing, everyone is related to someone). I sat on someone's tail gate and waited for my friend to show up. And waited. And waited. It was SO HOT. Finally she said she was almost there and I told her to stop and get us some adult beverages (gee maybe that's why I'm up a few pounds?) on the way in so we could cool down.

They have their first game tomorrow night (Wed) at TEN PM. I might not be able to stay up that late...

Monday morning I couldn't sleep so I got up and went out and ran my c25k week EIGHT (OMG WEEK EIGHT WEEK EIGHT!!) in the dark. (damn it was cold in the morning too!) I was back in the house, showered and ready for work by 6 am. I ran the whole 28 minutes. GO ME!!

Today (Tuesday) I went to the trainer. It was pretty warm so I decided to just wear my new running top by itself. I went to pick up Trevor from band and I was thinking. Hmm maybe it's a little too much boobage to wear by itself?? I sent Scott a message asking if it was too much for the gym and all I got back was "nice boob shot!". Later he said he never even saw the question!

Trevor took his sweet time getting in the car so I decided to just go for it. I wish I would have worn a tank top though since I felt a bit self conscience the whole time I was there.

Locker Room Mirror I'm 157 (5'5") (and up 3 from my 50 pounds dammit)

If I could just get rid of that GD belly I'd be so happy!!

Although I do look a lot better than this time last year (around 200 pounds-picture from my cousin's wedding)

We did a circuit training today that included me sprinting outside behind the gym. Funny how the dumpsters didn't smell all that bad until the 3rd circuit.

I picked up Little Caesar's Pizza for dinner on the way home and ate two pieces.

Tomorrow is weigh in day at the Fit Camp so I went out and rode my bike for an HOUR. I'm sure all my neighbor's think I'm crazy riding around and around the neighborhood.

Hopefully I show a loss tomorrow but I'm kind of doubting that's going to happen with all the partying and bad food choices this weekend.

Well here's to a happy hump day! Leave me some comments so I know someone actually read this and I'll visit you!

Another Day Another Filling

Well today we went and made our 6 month deposit at the dentist. They should all be driving Mercedes now if they aren't already. Trevor is finally un-numb enough to eat something. Good thing because he was STARVE-ING. I got the day off of work (unpaid because I have no time left to take) to accompany him at the only times available (8am to 1pm).  So that's done with until next month when I take Melissa in. Please Tooth Fairy Princess, let her teeth not be rotting out (anymore).

Oh and by the way, the little surveys that they send you in your email after you go to the dentist? They read them. The last one I filled out complaining about the dentist's way of explaining my new contribution to her hood ornament was shared through out the office. She gave me some weird glances while I was waiting. I hope she didn't take it out on my kid!

Other than that I've just been working on working my ass off. Literally.

I'm on Couch to 5K week SEVEN. Just one day left to go for this week. It's all 25 minute runs. I'll do it either today or tomorrow depending on my mood later. I'm voting for tomorrow so far because today would be a great day to be lazy and not do anything.

Well except for the usually laundry, dishes, and picking up people's crap around the house. I should probably remove the layer of fur that has accumulated on the hardwood floor too. Although it is kind of like having carpet...

Last night I went to the gym after dinner. I was there for about an hour and a half. Today I'm pretty sore so I think I MUST have done a good job right? I worked up a nice sweat sparkle!

New Family Member

We seem to have a new family member.

We didn't set out to get a kitten but last week there was this tiny wee kitten crying in the storage area outside at work. I saw it for a flash of a second. I tried to catch it (and so did another lady that works in a different building) but it was acting like it may be feral and we didn't have any gloves. I didn't want to risk getting my face scratched off so I reluctantly left it there Friday.

Monday I got to work and it was crying again. REALLY loudly. Awww breaking my heart!! I tried to find it but I couldn't figure out where it was hiding so I just went in to work. When I got done working for the day I came out and I heard it crying again. There was a work truck from one of the other departments and it was coming from over there. I rounded the front of the truck and oh what a site! The kitten had it's head stuck in the hole of the truck wheel.

One gal was holding it's little body up while another was trying to figure out how to get it out. There was eventually three women all working on it and they were even on the phone to animal control (which is across the parking lot) when all of a sudden it worked it's little body the rest of the way through the hole and up into the truck's underside. Luckily they were able to pull it out. Slightly greasy but super small and tired.

They were going to take it to the animal shelter so I brought it home.

Turns out, so not feral. After scrubbing it's little head I got most of the oil off. It ate a bunch of cat food I got wet and even pooped in the litter box.

The kids are in heaven. Scott's not too happy about it though.

Princess Party!

My niece Adrian turned 3 on September 11th. We celebrated on Saturday with a Princess Party! My sister in law and her sister (and my Mom I think) did a FANTASTIC job with the decorations!

We walked in to this

They made all these sugar cookie favors, so yummy (I ate one today, I think they are gone now-I hope)

And then the mantel was decorated with great tissue paper flowers, I just love those!!

and then the treat table

We were all on sugar overload by the time we went home and that was with trying to be "good". 

And THEN.. Outside! This is straight out the back door

 They decorated the chairs all cute too!

We got Adrian this big stuffed pig for her birthday. The kids all took turns rolling around on it, it was a hit! (We got it at Target). Here is Ava taking her turn, isn't she just gorgeous!

Adrian was glued to Melissa for the whole day

Jessica came home from school and got in some Ava time

 Scott & I

 The Princess was supposed to wear her Princess Dress but she's 3 so that didn't happen. The boys were supposed to be her nights. My nephew was so not having it. Trevor thought it was great!

And last but not least, the birthday girl with her pretty cake.

I'd say it's good to be three!

New Friends Blogger Award

Awhile back I clicked on a link on Pinterest. It was a before and after picture of Mama Laughlin. I didn't read too far into it before I found a link to a new Facebook group that was starting up called Mama Laughlin's Fit Camp. Which is full of about 5000 women (and growing every day) all with the same weight loss and get fit goals as myself. It's pretty awesome and to say I'm addicted to that group is an understatement! I've met a lot of new bloggers through there and found some fun new blogs. I was awarded this nice little badge here from Thin Again Jenn, Paige and Desi. Thanks Gals!

The rules of receiving this reward are...

1. Nominate up to 15 fellow bloggers, who are relatively new to blogging.

2. Let the nominated bloggers know they have been nominated.

3. Share 7 random facts about yourself.

4. Thank the blogger who nominated you, and link back to them in your post.

5. Add the Versatile Blogger award picture to your post.

Here are my blog recommendations (not necessarily people that post in that group but some of my favorites!):

1. Annster's Domain

2. Bella On The Beach

3. Shut Up And Run (I'm sure she's too big to play with awards but she's a great inspiration!)

4. Sara's Organized Chaos

And seven random facts about me:

1.  My house is always a mess. I've given up on it being clean on a regular basis and I don't really care.

2. I LOVE thrift store shopping & garage sales.

3. I'm sad that my vegetable garden got so neglected this year!

4. I played the flute from 4th grade all the way through to part of my senior year in high school and I still sucked at it.

5. I used to be a cat person but somehow I got converted to a dog lover.

6. I always wished I had a sister (I have 2 half brothers and a step brother)

7. I don't know what I want to do when I grow up still. I have still have time right?

This Weeks Dinners

I need to get back on track with cooking dinner regularly! The easiest way to do that for me is to meal plan and then go grocery shopping and get ALL the ingredients.

Here is this week's menu

Skinny Salisbury Steak W/Mushrooms

Cheesy Chicken Ranch Lasagna

Mini mexican pizzas

Steak

Chicken spinach pasta bake

Baked chicken parmesean

Shepard's Pie Lightened Up

Chicken enchilada soup

Hopefully this time it won't take me three weeks to actually make my whole menu!

Momnesia

 Momnesia by Lori Verni-Fogarsi

I just love the cover of this book! I saw this book on a friend's "to read" list on Goodreads and thought, well that looks like a fun book. Who hasn't had a bit of Momnesia right?

 The author draws you right in with the first scene. A Mom, sitting in her car in the grocery store parking lot. She's sitting there because she can't remember if she already went into the grocery store and did her shopping? Or did she just get there?  Classic Momnesia right? The whole, "what am I doing standing in the kitchen?" and  "What did I come in here for?" We've all done it. I've always said I have third child syndrome. After the third kid my memory went out the window!

I thought that that was going to be the story. The struggle of the Mom doing it all. But in reality it was more about a divorce and her finding herself. A divorce because she is the one doing it all. The one that does EVERYTHING. I'm not going to lie, I saw myself in her quite a bit. As Mom's we tend to just take over and take charge. Especially when you have a husband that doesn't take the initiative to do things himself. 

I saw a bit of my husband in Paul. I pretty much cracked up at the "Cat Face". Every time the Mom asks her husband Paul anything instead of answering he gives her the "Cat Face". That was so Scott! I remember one time when we got in a fight I screamed at him about "Are you thinking anything??" It's so infuriating to put yourself out there and get nothing in return. He's gotten a lot better about voicing his opinion on things over the years so I don't see the "Cat Face" very much anymore. But I so knew what she was talking about!

Overall I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to my friends for a pretty light read although if you are in certain situations (like dealing with a "Cat Face") it might hit you differently!

Objects of My Affection

Objects of My Affection by Jill Smolinski

This is the first real book I've read (not on my Kindle) in quite awhile. I got this book from the library. Originally I heard about this book from Sara's blog. She always has good book reviews and I just add them to my to read list on Goodreads.

So the story is about Lucy, who has recently been dumped by her boyfriend. Her son is in drug rehab and she's pretty much sold all her belongings to be able to pay for the rehab. She gets a job helping Marva, who is/was an artist clean up her house. Marva is a hoarder. Lucy has one picture of her son and can fit all her belongings in her Mustang. You can imagine how all that goes.

In between all that is a lot of learning done by Lucy and a little bit by Marva, along with some good chick lit love story. It's a great fluffy not too deep read. Totally recommend it if you want to read something that is not "heavy".

50 FREAKING POUNDS!!

This morning I got up and weighed myself and WOOHOOO PARTY TIME!!

I am down to 154 pounds. Which is FIFTY POUNDS less than I weighed when I started Lose It. I was just looking for the date that I started. March 6th I believe.

Man, go read this post, this was my first one on my new "diet".

I was really pounding the Girl Scout Cookies right before (and up to) when I started it. I had ordered I think SIX BOXES from a girl at work and kept them all in my drawer. I didn't even bring them home to share with the family. Every day I would take out a couple and eat them. Then I would eat a few more, and a few more, until I had ate half a box. Add in drive through breakfast, fast food lunch and sometimes eating out for dinner. It's no wonder I was so heavy.

Me on my birthday 2/8/12 and on 9/2/12

I've been this weight before. The last time was 13 years ago, right after I had Melissa. I was doing Weight
Watchers before I got pregnant with her. I lost about 40 pounds or so and then I got pregnant. I was sick for almost the entire pregnancy (and she's my picky eater, go figure) so after I had her I actually weighed less than I did before I got pregnant. How awesome was that? She was born in April and Jessica started Kindergarten in August. She got out of school around noon and I had just enough time if I drove real fast to get to the meetings at Weight Watchers. Of course, that didn't last long and soon I had quit going. I think my lowest weight was 153. I think I tossed out those old papers but maybe not. I'm going to look for them.

Of course, slowly over time I started gaining weight back. I yo-yo-ed quite a bit back and forth around the 165-170's (I was about 170 when I had Trevor I think) and then eventually it was the 170-180's, than before I knew it I was 200 and fat and miserable again.

This time I am determined to not let myself slip up again. I have to stay focused. I know, who wants to count calories for the rest of your life? I do. I really do. Well at least at this point I do. I know at some point I'll probably be sick of it all but right now I actually enjoy having the control over what I am putting in my body. My input and output. It does take a lot of work but I do not feel deprived.

If I want cake I eat cake. Usually a small piece and make sure I log it. Donuts at work, not so much. They are so frequent I can't allow myself to go there. (Although they've slowed down a lot since my boss is doing Lose It too!) I think it's about knowing your trigger foods. I do not go to Chinese food. Chinese food I'm afraid will be my un-doing! But Sushi? I am okay with that. Like I said, I don't feel deprived. If I want to eat something and I FEEL IT'S WORTH IT, I will eat it.

When I first started tracking what I was eating I didn't exercise at all. I dropped a lot of weight. Eventually I felt like I WANTED to go out and go for a walk at work (a lot of times that was to escape the donut box though!), I WANTED to go ride my bike with Trevor. It was hard at first so we just went a little bit. But before I knew it that little bit wasn't long enough and I just wanted to keep going and going. Eventually I want to get a street bike and maybe work on being good enough join some riding clubs. I need to save up for a bike first though!

I started doing the couch 2 5k running plan. I finished week 6 day 2 today. That was the last day of interval running. From now on it will be all running. I've already downloaded the 5k-10k app. I ran the 5k last weekend and I'm signed up for another one in November.

I joined the gym and started with a trainer. This is a smaller gym. Plus to that? Only $15 a month. It only cost me $100 to sign up. They tried to sell it to me for more but I had seen the price online so of course that is what I paid. They are tricky salesmen, go in informed!! I have since ran out of my free sessions with the trainer and have started paying her. It comes out to about $20 a session. I will pack my lunch for 2-3 days and that is the same amount of money as I would have spent going out to lunch. Or 4 Starbucks. It's your choice what you chose to spend your money on. I've decided I'm worth it.

This journey isn't all easy, some days are really hard! But I feel so much better, so much more in control, and I never spend time crying in the dressing room anymore.

I'm not sure how close I am to being done "losing weight" I have my goal set to 149 (I'm 5'5" tall), that is "normal" according to the BMI chart (yes I know, it's dumb!) I'm thinking that might still be my goal but I'll have to see how I feel when I get there. Other than my stomach area I am happy with how I look. We'll see how it looks in 5-6 more pounds. I think I weighed 145 my senior year of high school (and most likely when I got married but I don't think I owned a scale then). I don't think I will look good much lower than that!