I'm Back

I took a RRRRRREEAAALLLLLYYYY long blogging break. As I am sure you can guess, a lot has happened since I last posted in March. No, I am not preggers. I did get a new job, enjoyed time with old and new friends, visited with family, helped my sister plan her wedding (and planned all wedding related parties), watched my sister marry her best friend, traveled, had strep throat, attended my first pro football game (and Monday Night Football), put down a dog and many more things I am sure I am forgetting about that I may fill you in on at some point.

Truth is, I started to miss my little online journal and hope to get back into the swing of things. Good to be back!

And I Quote

I recently read this book after I was told good things by a few different people.

It was a quick and easy read (read it in a day) and contained some interesting stories, advice, etc. However, what I enjoyed most about the book was the following quotes/ideas that I couldn't help but jot down.

1.) "Never Miss An Opportunity To Be Fabulous"

2.) "Life isn't a dress rehearsal, and you won't get a second chance to do your

best"

3.) "You shouldn't take yourself too seriously, nor judge others too harshly"

4.) "Uncertainty is the essence of life, it fuels opportunity"

5.) "You can make your own destiny by focusing on your goals and working

incredibly hard"

6.) Be "observant, outgoing, adventurous, optimistic & hardworking"

7.) "1.) Challenge assumptions 2.) Look at the world with fresh eyes

3.) Experiment 4.) Fail 5.) Plot your own course 6.) Test the limits of your

abilities"

New Year. New Goals.

Happy New Year!!! We had a wonderful time in Pine Mountain at our friend's cabin for the end of 2011/beginning of 2012.

The following are the goals I am going to aim to accomplish in 2012:

- Start lifting weights/toning

- Take better care of my skin

- Floss before bed

- Set a budget & Pay down/off credit card debt

- Find a church to attend

- Get to my goal weight

- Learn to use DSLR

- Explore more with cooking

Cheers to 2012 being a successful year :)

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

via

Soda Stream

via

Photoshop Elements 10

via

The Missing Manual for Photoshop Elements 10

via

Zella Seamless Sports Bra (and a flat tummy)

via

Zella Workout Pants

via

Orgins Plantscription

via

Orgins Sunshine State SPF

via

Michael Kors iPhone Wristlet

via

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!