Out with The Old...

Well, now that a couple days have passed... I am a little disappointed in my new camera :(

But it's better than the one I was using! You had to have it pitch black to take a 'good' picture, why? I have no idea. It's hard to get it pitch black, but all of these pictures where taken after I made it as dark as possible in the room. The darker the better they came out, less yellow/lines.

So here's a few I emptied off the old one, the ones that you can actually make out anyway! 

Enjoy :)

See, they love each other! (sometimes...)

And they love me, all the time...

Except on flea medicine day!

This is AFTER I cleaned it up

Don't let her fool you... she is the one who mauled me ;)

This years jack-o-lantern... Or Cat-o-lantern?

I tried to copy one I saw on Anne H's blog :)

That one was much better though!

And I worked so hard

on the little hairs on it's back! lol :)

My Birthday present :)

Lucky Bamboo from Ray and the boy :)

(who is holding it, but I'm not allowed to show- he said so! lol)

Have a great day!

Weigh Day? Not Good. Mood? Better.

First let me say hello to Mercy. Thank you for joining me in my day! It hasn't been my normal day for a while now... but hopefully it will be again soon! :)

Now to the weigh in.
Of course it's not good. I didn't get on the treadmill once this week, I ate pretty much whatever I wanted...
So the scale says:

288.6

That is a gain of 3.2 pounds

Making my total loss 31.4 pounds

I think my chart shows I had lost 32 pounds or so back in April. APRIL! That is 7 months ago! And I have lost all the work I have done since then. Ugh, that just sucks so bad...

I know what I need to do, and what I should be doing... Why can't I find the motivation?

As you know, I have been stressed out. But that can NOT be an excuse. I need to get on that treadmill no matter what mood I am in. And logic tells me that just the act of walking will make me feel better! It's just so hard to do when I don't want too... But I NEED to.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I am feeling better. I guess the stress of that, and not even knowing if we were going to spend it with the family- was really weighing on me. Once I finally asked my brother the big question, I felt a huge relief. He didn't come over one night he said he was going to, so I did it the easy way. A text :) I wrote something like "I wanted to talk to you about smoking weed while ****(my son) is there. I was hoping you all could wait till we leave, or if you can't wait, go outside? Is that coo?" and he texted back "Yep, that's fine yo." lol, So it worked out for the best, I didn't make a big deal out of it and he didn't either. Oh, but it could have went SO DIFFERENTLY, and I'm just thankful it didn't.

We had a great Thanksgiving. I hope you all did too! I'm behind in my reading, so I have to play catch up!

I was in charge of making pickle wraps, onion wraps, the night before. Me and my son also decided to decorate cookies :) We had fun. I also made the goop (Green Bean Casserole, except DELICIOUS), and macaroni. All the food was so good. (I have everything I've been eating on the last post.) I had a lot, but honestly I am proud of myself. I really thought about what I wanted, and the 2 plates where 1/2 the size 2 plates would have been last year! And for dessert I had one piece of pie, and one bite of another. Every other year I would have had a piece of each of the 3 kinds! AND THE BIGGEST CHANGE: I didn't bring home any dinner leftovers. Not even of what I made! We do have stuff here to make more pickle wraps, but the 1 cookie for each of us I brought home are gone, and I have not been pigging out on thanksgiving dinner all day! Woo Hoo! Step Dad sent home 1/2 a stuffed squash that I will probably have for lunch tomorrow, but that would have usually been eaten yesterday at Thanksgiving along with the 2 huge plates. I did pretty good for me. Especially since I've been doing SO bad...

This morning I got some exercise, I shopped my FIRST Black Friday. I don't do crowds, but I had to drop Ray at work this year anyway, so I figured I might as well stop at 2 places while I'm out. I got in line at Target, and I swear I was almost at the back of the store. The line went across the whole front, then around to the back. I'm sure it went around again because there where a lot of people that got there after me! I almost went back home. I just knew the camera I wanted would be gone. But after waiting 15 minutes, I got in there and got my camera! AND an external hard drive we have needed for a long time, $60 off! I was so happy! Then I went to Meijer and got everything I needed from there too!!! Some nice pairs of jeans for Ray and the kid 1/2 off. 2 lego starwars sets for the kid for Christmas Buy one Get one 1/2 off, a new cordless phone 14.99 (ours got fried about a month ago), and a big coffee mug for Ray's Birthday. (He will be the big 30, and the mug says so lol) I was home by 5:45am, and it all went so much smoother than I expected! I just really lucked out I think :) I am so relieved! Do you go shopping on Black Friday? How was it for you!?!?! I can't say that I'll make it a habit, but it really did work out very well :) The managers at Meijer were even handing out bottles water to all of us hard shoppers lol :) So nice of  them.

This morning after I went to bed and woke back up later, it was like Christmas! lol. Opening up my camera, phone, ray hooking up the hard drive... I haven't had so many presents since I was a kid haha :)

On top of the $150 gift card I got from Happy Fun Pant's Review Blog, I also got a $50 gift card from my best friend (who hasn't even sent me a card since she moved 6 years ago! Such a great surprise!) and then at Thanksgiving my middle brother gave me a card and $50! I've never had Birthday money like this before. And any money  I ever do get I have ALWAYS spent on Christmas presents, or bills. But I REALLY needed a camera. I swear not having one that works has added to my depression. I LOVE taking pictures, I think it is great therapy, and now I have a camera that works! Its a tiny little thing. Metallic Red, Nikon Coolpix. $79. I really like it :) So anyway, I got stuff we really needed, at great prices and I am happy :)

Of course some of that money was already spent on food for thanksgiving and other things we needed. Like getting drunk last Saturday night. That was actually in the instructions from my best Friend! lol. Ray and I had some drinks and had a good night. Played Guitar Hero, and kicked ass :) lol, at least I think I was doing pretty good! It's funny, I only have the urge to play that game when I'm drunk... and now I won't play it for another 6 months I'm sure, and I'll be awesome at it then too! haha. (or will think so anyway)

So yes, my mood has been ALL OVER the place. I had a great birthday this year, even though it was in the middle of all this stress and gaining all this weight back. Halloween and Thanksgiving proved to be more than I could handle as far as my eating. But now I really do feel better. Not GREAT, but so much better.

I am determined to get on the treadmill and do my 5 miles this week. I didn't do it today, but I have 6 days left. I did start off the new week on a better note though :)

Crunches: 100 (5 sets of 20) 

As far as blogging, I would really like to record my previous days food every morning when I update my weight loss tracker. And keep up to date on everyone else's blogs. So that's my goal. I still feel a little overwhelmed with all that... I really have to shorten my blog role :(  

Oh, speaking of goals! As you may know, I had set the goal of loosing 50 lbs in 2010. It was SO achievable when I set it... but now since I keep gaining, I'm not going to be able to do it. So I'm not going to concentrate on that, But am going to do my best to loose as much as I can by the new year!

I'll at least be here to update my eating and weight loss tracker daily, and for sure do a real post for Friday weigh ins! I really want to be able to read everyone's blogs daily too. SO That's the plan... but lately my plan changes with my mood, like 5 times per day ;)

But this should work :) 

What I really need to do is get back on a schedule! Ever since I got the car back (which I am SO VERY grateful for) I have been bringing Ray to work and my sleep is all off. I think I really started getting depressed after I got the car back... that HAS to be why! I was on a good schedule, was used to getting a nice chunk of sleep... and now it's back to these weird hours, and I am not getting used to it! I HAVE to get on a schedule. I think I will feel so much better, and be able to cope with things so much better...

Alright, I'm done rambling now :) I'll see you later! Hugs and Take Care!

Weigh In- Not a Good Idea the Day After your Birthday!

And the scale says...

285.4

A loss of 1.4 pounds this week,

making my Total Loss 34.6 pounds.

Treadmill Totals:

2 hours 11 minutes

5.04 miles Woo Hoo!

You know me, I'm happy with a loss. ANY loss. This week is different though, I really should have lost more. I just came back from a big gain from those 2 weeks I was MIA, and I expected a good number. That's what I get for eating like I did for my birthday though.

GOAL PROGRESS:
The main reason I'm not happy with that though, is because of my goal to loose 50 pounds Total by New years... and this isn't going to do it! I was supposed to loose 2.4 pounds this week... so I missed that goal. ugh.

Now I have only 6 weeks left, and 15.4 pounds to loose! That is about 2.6 pounds per week! I think I can do it if I really get ahold of my eating, and stick with the treadmill! I'll do at least 5 miles per week. While I'm disappointed in today's number (that is the FIRST time I have said that about a loss people! Now you know why I'm not a fan of weight goals LOL) I am still motivated and still going to do my best to meet my new goal!!!

Hopefully next week will be great :)

I did make my 5 mile goal though! 5 miles per week is definitely doable for me, and I am going to make sure I get at least 5 miles in from now on!

I woke up with a head ache today, and slept most of the morning and early afternoon. Every day I wake up and feel sick, or have a head ache :( This has been going on for a week now. I'm starting to get tired of it! Hopefully I'm not going to get sick, my son was complaining about a sore throat today... We hardly ever get sick, so I'm still hoping whatever it is will pass us by! Also, I was thinking it could be caffeine. I haven't been consistent with my coffee, sometimes one, sometimes two... maybe that's it? I don't know.

But today was fine other than that.

2 of my brothers came by, the youngest Bear and the oldest JW and their friend N (like a little brother to me.) Bear got me a present after I told him not to! I guess he planned on taking me to lunch, but when I didn't answer my phone all morning he ended up buying me the Avatar movie set. It's the new one with all that extra junk on it. It's heavy lol. He loves to get me stuff he wants, but I actually saw commercials for it and  thought it looked pretty cool. All the behind the scenes footage and what not. Besides, I was going to get it for my son for Christmas- now I don't have too! HE is very happy about my gift :) We were going to watch it tonight, but I feel yucky and might go to bed soon. But for sure tomorrow!

I tried to unload some of this cake on them!!! But they were on their way out to eat, so only Bear had some. Me? I ended up with 2 slices today.... bleh.

I'll come back in the morning with a full report on my food. It isn't great :( 

(Oh, late last night I had a bowl of cereal, which I will add to yesterdays record)

Alright, going to try and catch some blogs... a problem I'm going to have to do something about soon! I have to many that I read... but it's so hard to choose any to let go!!!! What's a girl to do?!?!?!?!

Have a great night :)

A Good Birthday... Crack, Cake, and Suprises!

Lets start with yesterday.
Here's the damage:
Breakfast @5am: 725
3/4 cup crab salad, 8 club crackers, water
Lunch: 394
Tuna Sandwich on whole wheat with 1 tbs 'miracle whip', 1/8 cup cheddar, jalapenos. 5 baby carrots, 1 tbs light ranch, water.
Iced Coffee: 105
with 3 tbs pumpkin spice creamer
Dinner: 1107
2 double Decker style tacos, one hard shell taco, 1/2 cup beans, 1/2 cup of my quick Spanish rice, 1 cup milk.
Iced Coffee: 235
Iced coffee with 3 tbs hazelnut creamer and 1/2 cup french silk ice cream.
Total Water: about 15 oz
Total Calories: 2331
Yeah, not good I know.
The early breakfast was because I had went shopping after dropping Ray at work and was starving when I got home. Could I have chosen better? OF COURSE, but it's my birthday and I'm not going to concentrate on the bad lol. Let's concentrate on the good: While I was shopping I saw the cutest little bamboo set up in a little vase that would go PERFECT in my living room. But money is tight, and I didn't want anything for my birthday.

But then Ray asked me last night what I wanted, and I told him... "WELL, I did see something at the store this morning..." So at about midnight last night (after he had a nap and I had iced coffee) we went to get it. He thought he knew what it was, HA! So I let him lead the way to the middle of the store to a sweater I had commented on about a week ago. NOPE, the bamboo I wanted was half the price of that thing lol. But I love that he wanted to get it for me :) So we started walking... and stopped. He thought about it... and had NO idea :) I told him he can ask if he's hot or cold if he wanted... :) COLD.
This went on for about 10- 15 minutes! HAHA! Now remember it's midnight, and there was hardly anyone there... I'm hopped up on coffee, it's my birthday, and I'm playing "Hot or Cold" in the middle of a Super Store. HAHA! I could not quit grinning! And we would go... then stop... then turn... then go... then stop... and all I could think of, is the bored security guard watching the surveillance video in the back room. HAHAHA!!! He must have been thinking; WTF ARE THEY DOING? And maybe show his buddy these 2 people walking, stopping, turning, walking... the tall dark intimidating man with his hood on, walking around with this short girl who has a huge grin on her face and keeps laughing.... and I imagine him saying- YEP, they're on crack." HAHAHA! So I laughed even MORE! HAHAHAHA!
We finally ended up at the display with the different plants in little vases. He touched 2 before getting the right one... :) So it all ended well, and no one came out to investigate us :)
(But can you imagine, after all that, watching us buy a little bamboo plant and leaving??? They probably thought we were going to go try and smoke it!!! HAHAHAHAHA!)
So this was a GREAT way to start off my birthday. Hands down the best time I've ever had in that store haha!!! Shoot- in ANY store!!!

My scale was even nice to me today! This morning I was down 2.4 pounds from yesterday!!! After my eating? After taco night???? HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE??? For real don't ask me cause I have NO idea. I did get some walking in, playing reindeer games with Ray at the store lol, but still!

Today Ray surprise me buy telling me he called this place and we need ot go drop off my necklace to get fixed. It's a gold/diamond heart necklace he bought me years ago, and I always wore it until this year when it broke. We went and it only came up to $10.70! Wish I would have known it was that cheap before!

Then we went to eat at this awesome pizza place we just recently discovered. They have a $5 lunch buffet... not the best time to discover this, but man is it good! I don't know how they can only charge $5, it's awesome.

So lets get what I ate today out of the way:
Lunch: ?
At the Buffet- The best Salad (with ham, cheese, croutons, ranch) 3 slices of pizza, (1 ham and olive, 1 pepperoni and mushroom, 1 Vegetarian- Spinach, mushroom, tomato) 1 small bread stick, 3 mozzarella sticks, 2 brownies, water
Snack: ?
Small piece of cake, 1/2 cup French Silk ice cream (130 calories)
Iced Coffee: 105
with 3 tbs pumpkin spice creamer
Total Water: 27 oz

I know, Lunch was BAD. I even indulged in 2 of the brownies (the best brownies EVER). I planned on not eating anything for the rest of the day. And I figured those 2 brownies were better than having a cake at home and eating it for days!

My son got home and Ray secretly had him sign the card on the bamboo and acted like I didn't know about it :) They both came in with it and told me Happy Birthday! I love them :)

Then I got a huge surprise!
You may remember a couple months ago I won over at Happy Fun Pant's Review Blog... well it came TODAY! $150 visa gift card!!!!! It was even in a colorful Birthday like card! Of all the days it came on my Birthday! Woo Hoo!!!! I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet.... I REALLY need a camera... and black Friday is just around the corner.... ;)

Then another surprise. My Mom and Jeff came... with CAKE. She made me a whole cake. I didn't hide my 'what the hell' face. She said "Oh, you don't really need a cake do ya haha." Oh well. I don't think she is trying to sabotage me, I think she was trying to be nice :) She even brought frosting and food coloring for my son to help her decorate it. So I didn't use that face anymore lol. I only had a little piece, so it all worked out nice. (But now I have 3/4 of a cake sitting here!)

I also got a call from 2 of my brothers, and a text from my middle brother :) And a (slightly wierd) card sent from my Dad and Stepmom.

I still had 2 miles to do to make my 5 mile goal by tomorrow. I told Ray "Who wants to go on the treadmill on thier birthday?" and then I smiled and said... wait for it... "But I guess getting healthy is the best gift I could give myself." Haha, and I tilted my head and smiled! The cornyness was hilarious :)
But it's true right?
SO I did TWO miles, that's double what I have been doing. I did it in two shots, with an hour break between.
38 minutes/ 1.51 miles
14 minutes/ .50 mile, 2 lb weights for 5 minutes
I put the incline to 0 cause I knew it would be hard. But I DID it :)

And that's my birthday. I didn't plan on anything at all, but I got all these surprises :) It really was a great birthday. :)

Ray is getting a lot of extra hours because of the Holidays, so that's really good news. So instead of him having to be there at 4, he has to be there in about 15 minutes. So I gotta go!

Have a great night! :)