Checking In

I wanted to go back and check in on the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year and also start thinking about what my goals are going to be for the year to come.

My goals for 2011...

1.) Learn how to sew - CHECK - I still have lots to learn, but the fact that I have sewn items to give out as gifts and am not totally embarrassed by them is a plus in my book. I actually have been more crafty overall this past year (thanks somewhat to Pinterest)

2.) Become more familiar with using my DSLR/take a lot of pictures - Ehhhh. This isn't a total failure, but I definitely had higher hopes for this one. I do take my camera everywhere and capture a TON of photos, but I would like to get better at using the Manual mode and capture more artistic photos. I foresee this making the list for 2012!

3.) Get settled in our new home - CHECK - I think we are fairly settled now. I would love to be able to decorate the house better but I have a few roadblocks I am dealing with (no money, decorating is not my strong point, we are in a rental and can't paint, etc.). Since I think we are staying put for a bit longer maybe I will work on decorating now that we are settled.

4.) Accept the fact that I will be 30 this year and that it is not a horrible thing - CHECK - I am 30 and am comfortable with it!

5.) Continue with my efforts to make time for friends/family - CHECK - I am always striving to spend time with friends and family. I put so much into my relationships and am so happy with the results I get in return. I did have to let go of a friendship that was not worth my time/effort, but I have come to peace with it and have moved on.

6.) Continue working out - CHECK - I love running. I currently have an injury I am dealing with, but I am hoping to get a few 5/10Ks under my belt before achieving my ultimate goal of a half marathon.

7.) Expand my horizons with cooking - Weeeeelllll. - CHECK and NON-CHECK - I have been cooking A LOT more, but usually just stick with what I know. I am slowly getting better at it.

8.) Attain healthier eating habits - CHECK - Joining We!ght W@tchers has taught me a lot about making healthier food choices. I have lost a little under 30 pounds (I hope to reach 30 by the end of the year) and feel so much better.

Not a bad list. Overall I would say I did pretty well. Stay tuned for a new list of goals for 2012!

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Hope I'm on the Nice List!

Long time no blog. I suck at this game as of late. Sorry folks.

I thought I would post my Christmas list just in case I make the NICE list this year. In all honesty though, I can never think of what I want when I sit down to make a list, so thought maybe this would help out some of yous (not that there are even a bunch of you still reading due to my lack of postings)...

Silhouette Cameo

via

Nikon 50 mm AF-S Lens

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Soda Stream

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Photoshop Elements 10

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The Missing Manual for Photoshop Elements 10

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Zella Seamless Sports Bra (and a flat tummy)

via

Zella Workout Pants

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Orgins Plantscription

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Orgins Sunshine State SPF

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Michael Kors iPhone Wristlet

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Gift Certificate to JoAnn's

Image from Google Images

What is on your wish list?

Bittersweet

I posted a quick note regarding this on my Facebook, but thought I would document it here in a little more detail.

In 2005 I purchased my first home. I was an independent, fresh out of college gal with a big girl job. I was dating Mr. Pickle at the time and had no idea what the future held for us (although I knew what I had hoped for).

Mr. Pickle had bought his house a year or two prior and I really liked the neighborhood, etc. Although Mr. Pickle begged me not to buy my own house and suggested I move in with him and wait so we could buy a house of our own together sooner than later, I was stubborn and didn't listen (I know, some of you are shocked by this....these traits hardly run in my family).

I had found my perfect home, but was outbid by another buyer. Side Note - If you aren't familiar about the state of the real estate market in our area at that point, it was HOT...like one house would be on the market for a day or two and would receive multiple offers, all over asking price. I continued looking, and because I liked the area Mr. Pickle was living in and could get more for my money than in some other areas I was looking in, I found a few different houses I liked in his subdivision. I was outbid on one, maybe two other homes in his subdivision until one of my offers finally got accepted.

It was a cute little updated 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom townhome with large rooms, a garage, vaulted ceilings, privacy in the front and back yard (did I mention it was the SAME floor plan as Mr. Pickle's?!? yeah). I got a few roommates (some better than others...thank you cr@igslist) and enjoyed the time in my home.

So Mr. Pickle and I were neighbors for a year or so before we actually got engaged and eventually moved in together right before we got married. I wanted desperately to stay in my home because I felt like the location was better, but because marriage is all about compromise, I moved into Mr. Pickle's home and got full control of decorating :)

After renting out my home to the one family for several years, Mr. Pickle and I made the decision to put the home up for sale. (In all honesty, it took me over a year to come to terms with the decision to put it up for sale.) Due to the declining economy the home was valued MUCH less than what I had purchased and I felt like it was the best decision for our situation (having 3 homes total and losing money on all 3).

We worked with a Realtor that came highly recommended in the office I used to work in (back when I got out of college and was a Realtor before the market started to decline). The poor guy worked on selling the home for 17 months before we actually got a legit offer that was approved by the bank (due to the short sale) and the buyers didn't back out. It was a process to say the least.

Back when we made the decision to put the home on the market, I was struggling so much financially that I really just wanted to be D-O-N-E with the home and could care less what happened to it. However after recently spending time at the home doing some last minute repairs before close of escrow, I started feeling a little sad about selling it. Just being back in the house that held so many memories and knowing it would no longer be my house....it was sad.

Close of escrow was yesterday. I no longer own the first house I bought. Such a bittersweet moment. We are one step closer to getting through all of this and eventually owning our dream home. In a way I am glad that I was able to go through this, as it has taught me a lot. On the other hand I wish I would have listed to Mr. Pickle when he begged me to not buy a house in the first place (and eventually bought another).

I am proud of myself. I am stronger because of this. I think mine and Mr. Pickle's relationship is stronger because of this. Not to mention, I learned a few things along the way.

Thanks to all who supported me and was there for me while going through this difficult time.

Toot Toot

Since this is my blog, I am going to take the time today to toot my own horn. Stick around if you wish. If not, I totally understand.

Today at Weight Watchers I earned my 10% (meaning I have lost 10% of my weight since I first started) and got my 10% keyring. I am pretty excited by this and can honestly say that I just feel like something has clicked with me on the program this time around.

Side Note: My weight has had more ups and downs than a roller coaster since my first year in college. This is not the first time I have been a Weight Watchers member (however this is the first time I have been with Weight Watchers since they introduced the Points Plus program). This actually isn't even my first time earning my 10%. However, the last time was many moons ago when I was still young and my weight bounced back easier.

I am proud of myself and plan to keep on keeping on with my weight loss journey. I am confident that I can incorporate the changes I have made thus far in my eating & exercise habits for the rest of my life. I do however take it one day at a time since it is very easy to revert back to old/unhealthy habits.

On another note, another member mentioned a recipe I had never heard of and am interested in trying. She said her friends and family (that aren't on Weight Watchers) request she make this for every gathering. Plus, it is super easy!! All it is is boxed Angel Food cake mix (the kind where you just add water) and a 16 oz. can of crushed pineapple (she said to splurge and get Dole as it tastes best). Another tip is to cook it in a long pan instead of a bundt pan or else it doesn't form correctly (something to do with the weight of the pineapple). I am excited to test it out!!

Happy Hump Day all!

Happy Holloween!

Halloween is my most favoritest holiday. Hope you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween.

Here are a few more pics of Puka dressed up in his costume (a bumble bee) this year.



He is such a little poser. He sat like this and let me take a bunch of pics. Not to mention how excited he got when I pulled out his costume. Maybe Halloween is his favorite holiday too!



Last night we carved our pumpkin. Here is a pic of it lit up. Mr. Pickle picked out the design this year. He wanted to do a 49ers themed pumpkin, but we ended up doing this (because let's face it, we aren't talented enough to do a 49ers logo without royally screwing it up).

Go Me!?!

So while I was on my afternoon run today a car honked. Of course out of habit I look over and I see an older man driving and giving me a thumbs up. I smiled and waved and was briefly uplifted.

Then I thought to myself, was he giving me the thumbs up as in 'way to go fat ass, way to get your butt up and get to working on losing some poundage, you have a long way to go' (no, I don't have a horrible self esteem, I am just a little sensitive...plus let's be honest, I can afford to lose some lbs) OR was it a simple 'you go girl, keep up the great work'?

I am going to opt for the latter scenario, but it still kept me distracted for the remainder of my run trying to figure out his motive.

Crafty

My sister got me hooked on Pinterest a few months ago and I have been determined to duplicate some of the items I have pinned. (If you are on Pinterest too, come find me here)

Here are a few (from my crappy iPhone camera)


Bats


Mummy Candle


Modge Podged Pumpkins


Vampire Pumpkins

These crafts were all used at our 5th Annual Halloween Party last Saturday. I will post the pics of the decor once I get them (because I am so proud of me and my sis for getting our craft on and it not being a complete failure).

And because he looks so handsome in his Halloween costume this year, here is a picture of Puka.

Tap. Tap.

Is this thing on? Is anyone still out there?!?!

I can't believe it has been so long since I lasted blogged. I may not be back to regular posting just yet, but I wanted to check in.

In the past few months I have been spending a lot of time with family & friends, completed a lot of crafty projects (even some from my Pinterest...is anyone else addicted to Pinterest?), party planning, enjoying mini vaca's and even getting serious about my weight loss by joining Weight W@tchers (I have lost over 15 pounds since the beginning of August).

More to come...

New Faces

Last weekend we got the chance to meet our friend's new baby girl for the first time. She is just so precious and tiny and cuddly and so much more.

Picture Dump

Hope you all are having a nice Friday!! I am sooooo ready for the weekend. Work has been busy and so has the rest of my life. Hoping to enjoy some down time over the next few days.

I just wanted to post some pics from my point and shoot camera that I just downloaded. Enjoy!!
Just a warning though, LOT-O-PICS to follow.

A few days ago we celebrated my grandpa's 89th birthday!





Last Saturday, we went an A's game against the Twin's (my sister's fiance is from Minnesota and is a big Twin's fan --- you betcha!)

Tom's L-O-V-E

Before the concert, our favorite 80's cover band, Tainted Love, was playing. Even Stomper (the A's mascot was getting down)

Over a week ago, a group of us got together at one of our favorite sushi restaurant's to celebrate my sister's birthday.

I mentioned before that Mr. Pickle and I attended a wedding down in SoCal earlier this month. The day after the wedding we enjoyed watching the sunset over the ocean.

We also went to dinner and Mr. Pickle found his dream car parked in front of the restaurant.

The day before the wedding, the boys pre-partied. I was invited to hang out for a bit before

things got too rowdy.

The bride-to-be left her hoodie in our car, so I claimed the title of Soon-To-Be Mrs. Z..

The Groom-To-Be enjoying the slide into the ocean.

Already sporting his ring!

Soon to be Mr. & Mrs.

Me and the Groom

And there you have it!