Thursday, September 30, 2010

30 Day Shred - Day 2

It was a little easier today! I have not experienced any soreness yet, which totally surprises me. And I definitely took about 1/4 as many breaks this time!

This is progress, people!

And since last Monday when I officially started trying to lose weight, I have lost a total of 3 pounds!!!

Allergies Are No Fun!

I haven't posted in a couple of days because Tuesday I woke up with red, itchy, and swollen eyes. Can you believe I actually thought I was dreaming Monday night about scratching my eyes? Well apparently that was no dream. I assumed that I had an allergic reaction to something because I had just started using a new face wash and new mascara. I just didn't use either and continued on with my day. The itching got worse as the day went on. But I still thought nothing of it, that it would go away before the next morning.

Yesterday, I woke up with my right eye swollen shut and left eye not far behind. They were both watering terribly and were still red and itchy. I couldn't see out of my right eye at all. I knew then that perhaps I needed to see a doctor. Luckily there were a lot of cancellations because of the rainy weather (it's been raining for 3 or 4 days). I wasn't in the office more than 10 minutes, and only 5 of those were with the doctor. She gave me a couple of prescriptions, advised me to switch my makeup to Almay (which I've heard before and already use for my eyeliner), and not to put any makeup on my eyes until they cleared up. And I sure hope they're better by the weekend!

I am back at work today despite my eyes still itching and the lack of makeup making me look like a freak!

30 Day Shred - Day 1

I was about to die!

I tried to squeeze in the 20 minute workout before Matthew got home from work. And my plan was to be cooking dinner when he walked in the door. That did not happen. I took a billion breaks despite Jillian's continued stress to not take a single break. Sometime in high school, I was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma. And since I haven't exercised since high school, I haven't needed my inhaler. Big mistake! Because I needed one last night! I really think I needed an entire tank of oxygen. It was that bad! But I survived. I am not sore yet, but I know I will be tomorrow after I torture myself for another 20 minutes tonight.

I started off good. I did the jumping jacks, I did all the crunches, I did all of the weights while lying on the floor. I did not do all of the lunges, the butt kicks, or the lifting weights over my head. And I most certainly did not do all of the pushups. I've never been able to do a pushup. Ever.

I was not able to work out the entire 20 minutes, nowhere even close to that. So my goal by the end of my days on Level 1, I hope to be able to complete Level 1 without the breaks. Oh, and I'll do all the pushups. Not a bad goal for an asthmatic, overweight girl who hasn't exercised in at least four years!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Trying Out Some New Methods!

I have been cooking at home every night for dinner for the last week. And this is going to continue for the next five weeks, at least. Now I don't cook dinner every single night. There are at least two nights of leftovers or easy meals (sandwiches, etc.). I guess I should say we are eating at home every night. And so far, so good! I sat down last Sunday and created a meal plan for six weeks. I always try to meal plan, but like I've said before, my schedule is still not a routine to me yet. But having the meal plan is helping out a lot with getting into a routine!

You can check out my meal plans and other coupon deals over at Deal for Real!

Now, I have allowed us a $50/week grocery budget. This is our normal grocery budget. So for the next six weeks, I am dropping it to $25/week. This includes any cleaning supplies, personal hygiene supplies, and food. For those of you that don't know, I have a fairly stocked coupon closet. There are a lot of things that we don't need. I will only be getting those things if they are free! So I think we can definitely manage on $25/week for the essentials of bread, milk, and produce. We have plenty of food in the closet and in the freezer to last us much longer than six weeks!

And by dropping our food bill to $25/week, we are saving $100 automatically for the month! This of course makes me very happy!

I have thought of a new schedule that I think will work for both of us! Since I have class to go to at least twice a week, sometimes three times, I have decided to schedule when I go to class around Matthew's work schedule. If he's working late, then I'll go to class. If he gets off before me or is off for the day, then I will go straight home from work. I just think this will allow us more time to spend together! For example, Matthew works late today and I have a big coding test due tonight, so I will go straight home to get that done before he gets there. And tomorrow, he is off so I will go home right after work. I sure hope this goes well!

And last but not least, I have purchased the 30 Day Shred video by Jillian Michaels. I am going to use the video starting today. I must be crazy! But my sister's wedding is less than 7 weeks away! If I could lose just 10 pounds, I'd be happy. If I lost 20 pounds, I'd be happier! Please pray that I don't kill myself. I am not the most coordinated person. Jumping jacks are not my friend! And the last time I did some major exercise was when I played sports in high school four years ago.

30 Days of Truth - Day 2

Something I love about myself is my sense of humor.

I have a hard time finding things about myself that I like. And it may be that very thing that has developed my sense of humor. I don't have great memories of my childhood and teenage years because I had no self-confidence. And I still don't. I have always felt like people were making fun of me behind my back. It's really hard for me to go to restaurants because I just have this feeling that everyone is staring at me. Of course, Matthew says it's because I'm pretty. But his opinion is biased so I can't believe it! Maybe it's all in my head though. Perhaps no one is looking at me and I just think they are.

And I'm not saying because of this I sat in my room and practiced being funny. It's not like that at all. I believe I am naturally funny! But I think I learned to develop my comedic timing. I got to choose when people would take notice of me, when people would laugh at me, and why they would laugh at me. Except they were laughing with me instead of at me. It was much nicer this way! I'm not sure how I would describe my humor. It's a little dry, a little sarcastic, a little witty, and there's a whole lot of me thrown in. I have never met anyone else with my sense of humor. I take that back. Only my dad shares this sense of humor. My mom does not like our jokes, but we think they are hilarious!

Friday, September 24, 2010

It's 6 O'Clock Somewhere...

...But not here!

I plan to get a lot accomplished this weekend, just as I plan to do every weekend. But this one will be different! Tomorrow I am going to go through the piles and piles of mail a.k.a. junk papers that Matthew has created and thrown into the extra bedroom. That could take at least an hour or two. It's just that bad! And I will finally organize the important papers I come across in my file box I told you all about a while back. I'm in a spring cleaning mood for the fall season! And after I do that, I think I might just wash a couple loads of laundry. I might even fold all of the laundry that's in baskets.. that's been in baskets.. for a while. Now, if I finish all of that I'll be doing pretty great on accomplishments! So I should just keep that momentum going and doing some homework ahead of time. That may be a first!

Sunday will be a rough day I think. Matthew has to work all weekend by the way! And I think Sunday I will try to take my grandma shopping in the afternoon. They are having the first open house and although she wants to be there, she can't be. I really wish they weren't selling it. But I understand why they have to. My mom will be out of town and I know my dad and uncles don't want to spend four hours hauling her around trying to keep her occupied. I do want to get some fall decorations for the house, so maybe I can get that done Sunday. Too bad this weekend isn't three days! I'm pretty sure I could sleep for a whole day and not even be upset about it!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Really? No, Seriously? It's Monday Again?

This weekend flew by! As Matthew dreamed of the crashing waves and the sandy beaches, I imagined our bank account and how badly it was hurting. Needless to say, we stayed home!

After sleeping in for a little while on Saturday, we had Bojangles for breakfast! Nothing better than that! Matthew eventually motivated me to get out of the bed around 1 pm. We cleaned out our closet which was overflowing with racks and bags and twist ties! That took a good hour. There really were that many in there! There's still a lot more we need to take back to the cleaners though. Recycling is good! The rest of the day was a blur. But Matthew did clean the kitchen and dishes as promised for Friday. Better late than never I suppose. He also installed our brand new light fixture for the kitchen! And I love it even more than when we bought it! I can't find it online, so I'll post a picture later. I did cook lunch. I made my own barbecue sauce and cut up some grilled hotdogs that were left from earlier in the week. And I made macaroni and cheese and some vegetables. I usually do not cook on the weekends and despite the fact that this took only ten minutes, I still call it cooking!

Yesterday, we missed church because we slept in. We ate lunch at Matthew's grandparents' and then headed to Lowe's and Sam's Club to buy the necessary items to finish the floor. It's about time, I know! My dad came over to help Matthew, and they worked until about 7:30! I had a massive headache by the time they were done. All of that nailing and sawing and Cinnamon barking and omg it was awful! My mom came over with pizza from Little Caesar's. And I ate four pieces. Totally broke the diet! But I was starving. I ate an apple before that! That's good for you!

Now Matthew and my dad have a plan for finishing everything though. So this is good! They have two more pieces of toe molding to buy and put down, a new set of closet doors for the laundry closet, flooring for the guest bathroom, a doorjam for the laundry closet, two doorjams for the kitchen, and floor my stockpile closet.

I am beyond ready for it to be done!!!

30 Days of Truth - Day 1

Something I hate about myself is my weight.

When I was about the age of 5, I couldn't even hold my pants up without suspenders because I was so skinny. I don't remember when the change occurred or how it happened. But I remember from the time I was about 8 years old, I have been pudgy. I went to a private school with a strict dress code. If we wanted to wear shorts, they had to be navy, khaki or black and no more than two inches above our knees. I wasn't a super tall kid, but I had longer legs. And on top of that I was pudgy, so I couldn't wear the shorts they sold in the girls' section. I had to buy the Duckhead brand in a husky size out of the little boys' section. To this day I hate wearing shorts! I have worn jeans for just about every summer that I can remember. And it's humid in North Carolina! But it never once bothered me because I was more embarrassed by me wearing shorts than me sweating in jeans.

I have tried to lose weight, sometimes successfully and others not quite so. But it's gotten out of hand and now I weigh more than I ever have in my entire life. I used to be fashionable, but now I just don't even care what I'm wearing as long as it covers up those areas I am not pleased with. I don't like going in public because I feel like people are looking at me and talking about me in a bad way. It's terrible. That's why I'm really trying to do something about it now! It's affecting me socially and mentally and I just can't deal with that much longer.

30 Days of Truth

So I have found this new-to-me blog, After 'I Do', that I just love! And she is doing a 30 Days of Truth blog project. I thought it sounded interesting, so I'm joining in!

For the next 30 Mondays I will post my 30 Days of Truth. Yes, it will be mid-April before I finish. But I don't want to do this every single day for a month. It will be more fun spread out over a long time!

Day 1 - Something you hate about yourself.
Day 2 - Something you love about yourself.
Day 3 - Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 4 - Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 5 - Something you hope you do in your life.
Day 6 - Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 7 - Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 8 - Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like crap.
Day 9 - Someone you didn't want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 - Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn't know.
Day 11 - Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 - Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 - A band or an artist who has gotten you through some tough days.
Day 14 - A hero that has let you down.
Day 15 - Something or someone you can't live without, because you've tried living without it.
Day 16 - Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 - A book you've read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 - Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 - What do you think of religion? What do you think of politics?
Day 20 - Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 - (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got in a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 - Something you wish you hadn't done in your life.
Day 23 - Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 - Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all of those songs.
Day 25 - The reason you believe you're still alive today.
Day 26 - Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 - What is the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 - What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 - Something you hope to change about yourself. Why?
Day 30 - A letter to yourself. Tell yourself everything you love about yourself.

Feel free to join in if you'd like!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Twenty-Four and Counting...

I should have posted this a couple of days ago, but better late than never. Matthew's birthday was Tuesday! But we're celebrating all week, because that's how I roll! He turned 24 and he was feeling kind of old. I know, I know 24 isn't old. It's old to me... er... older than me. His facebook status was just depressing. It was something like.. when you're little, you look forward to being 16 to drive. when you're 16 you look forward to being 18 to smoke. when you're 18 you look forward to 21 to drink. He stopped because it wouldn't let him type anymore, but he wanted to finish it with... and when you're 21 you can only look forward to 100. Matthew apparently thought his life was over.

For weeks, I asked Matthew what he wanted for his birthday and he had no idea. Then three days before, as he worked on something at the house, he mentioned that he needed some screwdrivers and a drill. I instantly let my parents know since they and my sister wanted to get him a gift. Of course, I was still without ideas. Then Sunday as we sat in church, I noticed Matthew was using one of the Bibles they have in the pews. Now, don't go thinking I'm a bad wife because I should have noticed this before. Yes I have noticed this before, but this time it turned on a lightbulb for what to get for his birthday!

So Tuesday, I got off work a little early, headed to Lifeway to find a Bible for Matthew. I went to the grocery store and bought stuff to make a birthday cake. I got home and made his cake! And when Matthew got off work we went out to dinner. It was Chinese, of course! My sister had already given him the gift from her. And he was so excited! He didn't know how she knew he wanted some screwdrivers. So then he opened my gift. And by open I mean, the box, because I didn't wrap it. I had written a super sweet little note and stuck inside the box!

Last night we celebrated with my parents and grandma! My mom cooked chicken wings, fresh string beans, deviled eggs, potato salad, and we had lemon meringue pie for dessert. And Matthew got an electric drill from them! Again, he didn't know how they knew what he wanted.

I think he's getting over this whole being old thing. There's still a lot left to accomplish in life. Oh, and he says he wants to live to be 104. Because he thinks that would be a good age to die. You get to live over a century long, but not too long!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

How's Married Life?

For all of the married folks out there, especially if you are newlyweds, do you ever get tired of being asked this question? I can't even count how many times people have asked me how married life is! And I always say, "It's good! Busy!". But does busy really have anything to do with married life? No. And that is why I get weird looks when I say that. I don't know how else to answer that question, though. I am wishfully thinking that people will stop asking me soon. But then I remember that we've only been married for three months. So there's at least nine more months to go. And I'm sure people will still ask after that first year is over.

I'm not asking them how their married life is! Matthew and I are still trying to figure out a routine that works for us. I can't even figure out how to get a routine together for myself with work and classes! So to me, the word busy does apply to how married life is because my married life is insanely busy. Although, my life without marriage would be insanely busy as well.

And I can't help but compare this question to one like "How are you doing?" when one of their beloved family members or friends has just passed away. I mean how do you answer that? You can't. They're trick questions! I'm convinced of it. Nobody is going good after a loved one has passed. And no one is good right after they got married. There is just too much stuff running through your mind. You're too busy adjusting to this new change.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Four Day Work Weeks!

Can't stand 'em! The idea is wonderful, but for some reason every day of work in a four day work week seems twice as long as a day of work during a five day work week. Crazy, huh? I think the fact that I stayed in for lunch twice this week has a lot to do with it though. Remember those classes? Yeah. Tons of homework! Well not really homework since most are online. I guess we'll just call it classwork. But one class in particular, CPT coding, has the most work! It's just a whole lot of information to read, textbook exercises, workbook exercises, homework quizzes, tests. We've only covered two chapters so far and the first test is due Monday. I'm worried I won't have the next chapter done on time next week since it's taken me three weeks to read two chapters. How will I ever read one chapter in one week? And by read I mean read and do all of those exercises mentioned above.

But the best part is that out of my 7 classes, there was one discussion board I did not do because I did not have my book (which I thought I had ordered). And I turned in one discussion board late for another class but still passed it. It just totally slipped my mind! I'm impressed with myself though. Usually I've procrastinated so much by now that I can't catch up and then I give up. The more complicated my class schedule, the better I do!

I sure wish that tomorrow I could sleep in! But I can't. In case you didn't know, my big sister is getting married in November. So it's wedding shower season again! There was one last Saturday afternoon. Tomorrow's shower is at 11 a.m. And I have to pick up my grandma and a friend of the family. I may be waking up just as early as I do for work! Let's not forget that I still have to wrap the gift, which I bought last Friday when I got the gift for the other shower. I have to procrastinate on something! At least all of my nice clothes are clean, so I have plenty of choices for an outfit!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Project: Living Room

Since I moved in last August, I have been in the process of decorating this house. I want it to reflect my style. And I have a style that I cannot describe. If I see it, I will know if I like it. I wouldn't say I'm traditional or modern or classic or shabby chic or eclectic. I'm just me.

So for the living room, I got a couch and loveseat that's a creamy color. It actually has this pattern in it.


They never look dirty! And these are the pillows. Cinnamon has been laying on the pillow!


Then I found this rug at Lowe's and it matches the pillows perfectly! Of course I was inspired by the pillows and rug to find the Vincent Van Gogh photo "Almond Blossom". And I found one at World Market for a super great price. So this is what my mantle looks like.



I got the elephants for wedding gifts. I love them! I also got the green candles and candleholder as a gift. I found the blue candleholders at TJ Maxx last year. That's the one part of this room that has been finished for a while! And I got these curtains at Lowe's a couple of months ago because they were on clearance. I finally found some curtain rods yesterday at Tuesday morning, so the curtains are up! They are on each side of the loveseat.


So the projects that are left are to decorate the table that is now in what I call the foyer, but it's really just the other side of the living room that happens to be where the front door is. That box shows the clock that I got for Christmas last year. It will go above the foyer table. The table and clock are black, as is the coffee table and the new curtain rods. I actually got the tables off Craigslist about two or three years ago for my college apartment. But I think they still work great and they are my style. They look very much like the Pottery Barn style. I have no idea where they are from but they certainly have held up!


Does anyone have any ideas for how to decorate the foyer table? Do I need a lamp over there, or just decorative items? And what about for the walls over the couch and loveseat? They are very blank right now. Please comment if you have any ideas at all!

Thrift Shopping!

Since I have no money and need some clothes to wear before I end up at work naked one day, I asked a friend of mine to show me how to thrift shop since she's always wearing the cutest clothes from thrift and consignment stores. She accepted the challenge and we went to a few stores around town Saturday! Now I have been to thrift stores in the past, like Goodwill and Salvation Army. But that was during my time of being what I call a mix of punk/iwanttobedifferent/comfortable. This basically means I only looked for "cool" tshirts then! And there were the couple of trips to find clothes for tacky day at school, etc.

I really wasn't sure if I expected to find anything Saturday. I've been kind of down on myself lately about my weight and the size of clothes I'm currently wearing. And as badly as I want to change, I have yet been able to motivate myself. Remember though! Tomorrow I am starting out my new exercise and healthy eating process!

Surprisingly, I ended up with a ton of stuff!


I ended up with these two shirts at Goodwill.


And I got this shirt and tank top at the new consignment shop.


I also got this cute flower pot to plant some herbs in!


I got these two dresses at the other consignment store.

Can you believe I only spent $50.14??? I really was surprised at the brands I saw in the stores: Jcrew, Ann Taylor, Talbots, etc. All great brands that cost a ton! Of course the only bad thing was that if I saw something I really liked, then they didn't have my size. But luckily I found other things I liked and that fit.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

September Is Here Already!

We are so close to the fall season! And although I love the long days of summer, I love the "cool" weather of the fall. By "cool" I mean that it will be less than 90 degrees everyday and maybe the humidity will drop a little bit. Yeah... right! It will be at least two months before it feels like fall around here.

With a new month comes a fresh start! You may have read a few posts back, or a lot of posts back, I stated that I was starting a diet. Well you see what happened was... Yes, I did fall off the wagon! So since this weekend is a 3 day weekend, I will be starting off my new diet and exercise routine on Monday. I am really craving fresh fruits and vegetables, so I think I'm ready for some of those healthy foods. I usually don't crave them. Here's your sign! Apparently my body wants to be healthy, but my brain is still begging for McDonald's.

In case you didn't know, my semester of school started August 20. I've been learning to juggle all of my classes (5 online and 2 to go to) and homework. I work full-time, so I have two different classes to go to after work. There's just one class each day, but I have to go two days in a row. And then the next night when I get home I have a class chat for an online class. So after working 8:30-5:30, going to class until at least 7:30, going home and changing clothes, I finally get to eat dinner. And then I'm just pooped. I tell myself I need to exercise and take the time to find something healthy for dinner. But I am all about convenience! And I have a hard time finding healthy food that's quick. If you have some ideas, please let me know!

I'm just finding a hard time of balancing everything. There's been the creeping thought of waking up and doing exercise before work. But let's face it, I can barely make it to work on time! So that leaves exercising after work, which I will require that I have energy left by the time I get home. But it's the only way! Starting Monday, I am going to pay attention to what I'm eating. I'm going to exercise at least 3 or 4 times a week. And I'm really going to try to not eat at any fast food places as well as try to cook at home as much as possible. It's getting extremely expensive and we all know it's not healthy.

Wish me luck!!!