Saturday, December 31, 2011

Monthly Weight Loss with Pictures

First off ... Happy New Year's Eve! :-D I hope everyone has had a wonderful and blessed 2011.

Brad and I just got back from Gulfport last night [I would post a blog about the trip with pictures but I just don't have time. So, check my Facebook page for pictures. If you're not my friend, you should be! :)]

I had a great time visiting my family and friends! It's been crazy since we've been home because my mother-in-law is arriving tomorrow and staying eight days. So, we've been busy running around all day trying to get ready. I still have so much to do tonight. Eeek!

Which brings me to my next point: I look like a complete wreck in the following pictures. So, I'm sorry about that. :-P

I lost 8.4 lbs this month ... for a total of 76.6 lbs lost so far! I'm THRILLED! I've always gained weight in Gulfport -- never lost. It just tells me that I really have changed. Praise God! I wish I could go into detail about this month but I just don't have time tonight.


Oopsie was being a ham for the camera. Lol!

I hope you all have a great 2012!


Thursday, December 22, 2011

New Haircut

Here’s my new haircut. What do you think? I think I like it. Brad loves it. My hairdresser couldn’t get it to look just like Jennifer Aniston’s because my bangs weren’t long enough, so it couldn’t be angled as much and I didn’t want it any shorter in the back (I still need to be able to put it up). Plus, she said my hair is much thicker than Jennifer’s, so it's not going to look as choppy.

[Note: The pictures look really pixelated/weird looking because Blogger compressed them a lot.] 




Well, I have to go. Time to pack for our Gulfport trip. We leave tomorrow morning. I’m so excited to see my family and friends!

Please pray for safe travels for Brad, Oopsie and I. Thank you!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Repurpose Your Old Calendar

I've thought about doing this for a couple of years and finally did it this year. As you know, I ADORE pigs. So, I had a pig calendar for 2011 and I got another pig calendar.

This is what I did with a picture out of my old calendar. I cut three out total so I can change it if I want to. People pay good money for pretty/adorable framed prints. So, if you have a nice old calendar, frame some pages! :)


This is my new calendar ... I wish you could see the words; they totally go with the pictures! So cute!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Should I Get This Haircut?


I really wanted to let my hair grow out for a while but I'm caving in. My hair is so thick, frizzy and hard to manage (I'm thankful for my hair, though!).

It takes me a long time to blowdry and straighten and because of that I wear it up most of the time, which tends to give me headcahes. When it is shorter, I wear it down more because it doesn't take so long to blowdry and straighten and it's not so heavy. I made my appointment for 2:00 on Thursday (the day before we leave for Gulfport).

Do you think this haircut will suit me? I've never had an angled lob (long bob), so I'm a little nervous. I'm not sure it will look good with my face shape and thick hair. I'd love your opinions!
Thank you!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

A Beautiful Prayer

I saw this prayer on a blog that I read and it's just too beautiful not to share.

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Excitement, Pigs & Winter

Excitement: Brad, Oopsie and I will be leaving for Gulfport in 10 days. I'm so excited. I love going to visit my family and friends. :)

Pigs: I absolutely love pigs. They are adroable! I think the reason I love them so much is because Oopsie looks so much like a piglet ... his floppy ears, pink nose and cute tail that curls. Aww. It's no surpise that my favorite Disney character is Piglet. Hehe.


Winter: I love Winter! The beautiful snow, comfy clothes, yummy hot drinks and snuggling with my hunnies. It's great! I especially love all of the beautiful lights that are up this time of year.


Monday, December 5, 2011

Body Pump

I tried a new class tonight called Body Pump. It was probably the most intense workout I've ever had. It's all about weightlifting, core and strength training. My body felt like a wet noodle ... seriously. I felt like my legs were going to give out when I was walking to the car and my arms were shaking so badly (along with my legs).

It was great! I'm looking forward to doing it again. :-D It challenged me and pushed me further than I thought I could go.  I was so happy because I actually talked Brad into trying this class with me. It was the first class he's ever tried and I think it was the most intense workout he's ever had, too. He feels noodley, as well. I'm hoping he'll do it again with me. I'm also hoping we can move our bodies tomorrow.

I'm also going to try a new class on Wednesday: Aqua Zumba. It's Zumba but in the water, of course. I tried the Zumba class about six times and I could physically keep up but not mentally. The steps were just too fast for me; I have two left feet. It was fun, though. So, I'm excited to try this class because people won't know if I mess up. :)

Your noodley friend,

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Monthly Weight Loss with Pictures



Hello friends!

I'm very happy to say that I've lost 17.2 lbs this month for a total of 68.2 lbs lost so far. Praise God! I'm so happy and thankful. I've really been watching what I eat a lot more and thinking about everything I'm putting into my body.

Also, I've still been going to the gym and working out hard. I try to go at least five times a week for 1.5-2 hours each time (sometimes I only work out an hour, but that's rare). I thank God for giving me the desire and self-control (I can do all things through Christ!) to lose weight.

The more I'm exercising self-control (by God's Grace), the easier it's getting to say no to the bad stuff and say yes to the good. In fact, I'm actually starting to really enjoy the healthy foods and working out. I still have quite a bit to lose, but I'm getting there. Please continue to pray for me and my journey.

I'm not going to add all of my previous weight-loss blog links to each monthly weight-loss blog anymore because it's a hassle. So, if you want to see my past weight-loss blogs, just go to each month on the right column on my page and you'll see it at the bottom of each month starting in May. :)

Hope you're all having a blessed week!

PS: Thank you to my dear friend, Emily, who redesigned my blog layout for me. You're the greatest; I love you!


Sunday, November 27, 2011

Casting Crowns

First of all, Happy Belated Thanksgiving to all of my Blogger friends! I was going to post on Thanksgiving but never got around to it.

Brad and I went to the Casting Crowns concert last night. It was amazing! The words they spoke and songs they sang were so powerful that I couldn't contain my tears; I was pretty much bawling. I figured I would cry some (not that much), so I brought some tissue. It was definitely something I will never forget. The opening acts were Lindsay McCaul, The Afters and Sanctus Real, who were all great.

I'm sure you've seen the video of the guy doing the quick painting of Jesus with his hands; that was done live during a Casting Crowns song. It's awesome to watch online but even moreso in person.

Casting Crowns talked about an organization called World Vision and shared videos. It's a very trustworthy organization that helps people all across the world in many different ways. There are so many ways to help people. Please check out their website: www.worldvision.org

It was so funny, there was one point at the end where Mark (the lead singer) was saying goodnight and said something along the lines of, "I don't have time to meet everyone, so shout out your name for me"; and then he said, "I heard Amy." Haha! I loved it. I knew it wasn't my voice he heard but the fact that he heard "Amy" was pretty darn awesome in my book. :-P

PS: I forgot to bring my camera; I was so upset with myself. Although, I'm glad I could just sit back and enjoy the concert without trying to get good pictures (I doubt they would have come out good anyway because of the lighting).

Be blessed.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

My Everyday Make-up Look (Video)


This video didn't show the colors of my makeup that well AT ALL (very disappointing). So, here are a couple pictures ...

Also, I apologize for the zit next to my eyebrow that you have to see on and off for 8+ minutes and my crazy morning hair that I never brushed before doing this video. :-P


Eyes:
Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Waterproof - top eyelashes
Maybelline The Classic Volum' Express Waterproof - bottom eyelashes
Loreal Paris Pencil Perfect Self Advancing Eyeliner in Espresso - eyelid
Loreal Paris Pencil Perfect Self Advancing Eyeliner in Sage - inside eyes
Revlon Luxurious Color Antiqued Gold Liner - underneath bottom lashes
Revlon Perle Black Galaxy - put over eyelid liner
Revlon Satin Nude Slip - base eyelid color
Revlon Perle Sunlit Sparkle - below eyebrows
Clinique Glow Crazy Powder Highlighter in Gold Dust  & Clinique Strike it Rich Eyeshadow (I broke the Strike it Rich so I just dumped it into my Glow Crazy and made my own. Lol)- over base eyelid color
Sparkle that goes on top of gold is Prestige Shadow (I got it at Walgreens or CVS years ago and the name rubbed off ... any gold glittery stuff will work)

Lips:Revlon Pink Sugar - bottom layer lipstick
Revlon Procelain Pink - top layer lipstick

Face:
Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup in color 1
Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Concealer in color 1
Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder in color 1
Maybelline Fit Me! Blush in Medium Nude

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

One Mile!

I did something tonight that I've never done in my life: I ran a mile ... without stopping! It was AWESOME! I did it in 12 minutes and 17 seconds (I hope to beat that time soon). It was hard and I was out of breath but I just kept telling myself, "You can do it! Don't give up!"

It's times like tonight that really help me realize how far I've come in my weight-loss journey. I just had to share my excitment with you; that's all. :-D


Sunday, November 13, 2011

If ...

Ok, since I've been slacking in the blogging department (and because I'm super bored at the moment), I decided to take part in this little "if" questions thing that's been floating around blog-world.

If I could live anywhere in the US ...

I'd probably stay right here in the east TN area. The Smoky Mountains and parks are beautiful, the weather is nice, the people are friendly and there is so much to do.



If I were to have more children ...

I would be thrilled! I've been hoping and praying for a child since Brad and I got married in 2006. I'm so thankful for my little boy, Oopsie, though. He has my heart and brings so much love and joy into my life. Hopefully, one day soon he will be a big brother. :-D


If I could have any talent in the world ...

I would want to have a beautiful singing voice. Mine isn't horrible or anything; it's just not beautiful. Haha!


If you met me in real life ...

I'm not sure how to answer this. Hopefully you would like me. :) I would say, you would find that I'm very sweet, caring, loving, laid-back, fun and so on but hopefully you already know that by talking to me online, if we haven't met in person.

If money wasn't an object ...

I'd buy some things that I'd like to have but can't afford right now (i.e. a new vehicle), I'd adopt and I'd bless people who are in need.

If I could meet one celebrity ...

I don't really get into celebrities at all but I'd probably pick Candace Cameron Bure ("DJ" from Full House). She's a Christian, she's beautiful, smart, sweet, etc. I grew up watching Full House and I still watch it from time to time when it's on; I think I know every episode by heart. What can I say? I love it! It gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling inside. :-P

 FYI: I'm currently reading this book right now and I love it.

If I could choose only one pet ...

I'd choose Oopsie. He is absolutely perfect.


If I could go on a trip right now ...

I'd take my mom to Scotland where she's from. I'd love to see where she grew up and the culture. Plus, it's BEAUTIFUL!


If I had to choose between a housekeeper and a personal chef ...

I love to cook so I'd definitely choose a housekeeper. I am a total clean freak and I wear myself out with all of my OCD clean-freak ways.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

I'm Slacking ...

On my blog ... NOT my weight loss. :) I'm really sorry guys. I've been so busy lately. I'll try to be a better blogger. I don't live a real exciting life so I have problems thinking about what to blog about. Well, I'm doing great on my weight loss this month. I've been eating right and hitting the gym hard. I'm super excited for my monthly weight-loss blog on the 30th.

Here are a couple of pictures taken a few days ago that I thought I'd share ...



I don't know about you, but I can't believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner; I love Thanksgiving!

Cooking Thanksgiving dinner takes a lot of work but it is definitely worth it. I'm all about some turkey. I make a huge turkey so that I will have lots of leftovers.

Here is my menu:

Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey
Jellied Cranberry Sauce
Turkey Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes & Turkey Gravy
Green Bean Casserole
Crescent Rolls
Marie Calender's Dutch Apple Pie <-- Best apple pie EVER
Pumpkin Pie & Whip Cream

As you can see, many yummy things are going on at my house on Thanksgiving. I'll have to really watch myself and not overeat.

Well, I'm off to play tennis.

Have a blessed day!


Monday, October 31, 2011

This Month and Toronto in a Nutshell

This month has been a crazy-busy month for me. I've been pretty much non-stop. I don't know where October went. As I wrote a couple of blogs ago, my mother-in-law came to visit for a week. Then, I had a little bit of time to recoup and pack-up for Cananda. I was there for 10 days. My friend, Emily and her family picked me up on their way from Tampa, FL and we drove straight through. I was there for my friends' (Stephanie [Emily's sister] and Peter's) wedding. Which, by the way, was BEAUTIFUL! I'm beyond happy for them.

Toronto was a world of its own. It's HUGE and there is so much to see and do. Lord willing, I definitely want to visit again sometime next year.

I met some new friends, which is always nice and I danced at the wedding like there was no tomorrow. I was literally the last one on the dance floor. I was telling my friends I was trying to burn as many calories as I could. LOL! I know I burned a lot, too. I was sweaty and my legs are still really sore. That and walking around Toronto was about the only exercise I got in Cananda.

I never got a chance to post a blog to tell you all that I was leaving, so I'm sorry that I'd been MIA for a while. I'm here now. :-)

I got in today around 11:30 in the morning. As soon as I got home, I unpacked and showered. I'm so very tired. I took a little nap but Brad woke me up at 8:30 so I wouldn't be wide awake at 2 AM.

I never had a chance to take pictures or post a weight-loss blog today. I'm just going to skip this month and then continue at the end of next month. I will say, I gained weight ... 6.4 lbs this month, to be exact. It's REALLY hard not to when you can't go to the gym for over half of the month and you're around a bunch of Greeks (Peter's family) who love to eat. I made a lot of good decisions but I also made a lot of bad ones. I take full blame for my weight gain. I'm really looking forward to getting back to business starting tomorrow: gym, eating better, eating less, etc.

I feel like poo. I can tell just from my pictures that I gained weight. My face looks so puffy. Ugh. I'm super embarrassed and ashamed but I share this because this is part of the journey. I obviously still have some food issues and I'm still learning. I'm not going to set a goal for next month but I would like to lose AT LEAST what I gained this month, plus some. I think I'll lose what I gained pretty fast because I don't eat that kind of food or that much at home. Plus, of course, the gym.

So, I guess that about sums up October for me. I'm super happy to be home and to be with Brad and Oopsie again but I already miss my friends.  Brad tells me that I sound Canadian now because I'm ending everything on an up-note. It doesn't take me long to pick up accents, apparently. :-P

Here are a few pictures from my trip to Toronto ...

First time on a subway


Love my girls!


Beautiful hotel we stayed at the night before the wedding

 Such a pretty city

Before the wedding



The beautiful couple

Father and daughter dance