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Tonight we drove to SC to meet up with a guy selling his old Super Nintendo game console and 18 games. Beej grew up on those games and thought that for the money it would be something fun to have and that Gianna might enjoy playing too. He's been showing her games on youtube all day and she's been so excited about getting these games. Right now they are in the living room playing up a storm! She's so funny jumping around with her controller in her hand. Yelling about what Beej is doing wrong - she just said "This is so amazin'!" She thinks she's actually playing! Beej let her actually play for a bit and she actually did pretty good. She just doesn't take instruction well so she couldn't play long!
Beej's brother came over to hang out with him today and I usually try to get out of the way and let them have some guy time so while they hung out Gi and I met up with my mom and brothers. We hit up Sonic for a drink during "Happy Hour" - their Strawberry Limeades are so yummy! And then we ran by a couple of thrift stores - I found Gianna a cute pair of white shoes that will be really cute with no socks to wear with shorts and stuff during the summer. And then I found her a brand new bathing suit too and got it for $1.00! It's adorable and it's a 4T but it fits her pretty darn well already. I also found a really cool pair of houndstooth peep toe heels that I ended up putting back because I wasn't sure they were worth the money. I might swing by tomorrow and see if they still have them though - if they do then I was meant to have them, and if not then it's not that big of a deal! I'm trying to get back into wearing heels some...I kinda opted out for flats for a long time, carrying a child and diaper bag around even on Sundays wasn't easy in heels. But now that Gianna walks and I don't have to carry her a big bag anymore heels are looking a lot more fun now! So I'm trying to slowly beef up my "dress up" wardrobe. Usually I opt for jeans on Sunday mornings but lately I've been trying to dress up a little more then usual! I can finally wear a lot of the dresses I was too fat for last year so that's nice. It's almost like having a new wardrobe and my dress pants fit again so I have more to choose from on Sunday mornings.
We've recently had a black kitty cat showing up around our door. I thought she belonged to someone in the apartments across the drive way from us but even though she hangs out there a lot I don't think she actually belongs to the people there. I think maybe she used to belong to the people that lived there and then they moved and just left her - maybe. Anyway, she seems hungry a lot so occasionally when she starts hanging around more then usual or trying to get in my door I'll give her something to eat. Lately we've been putting it out back and Gandalf has discovered her! He's so funny, he crouches and gets all intense and then charges the glass door. She just sits there and watches him like "You idiot!" Today he sat and watched her eat.....he isn't pleased. He didn't do well with Esme', our last cat, but none of us did really. She was crazy!!! I'm hoping he does better if and when we get another cat. I'm kinda keeping my eye on my mother in laws new litters as her cats have them - she has about 4 pregnant right now. I'm looking for the perfect one. There is possibly going to be a couple of little blacks on in the upcoming litters so I'm waiting to see!!!

My husband jokingly as me today if I would get rid of all my shoes , except dress shoes, if I could get 5 new pairs of Toms in return! I agreed to do it if he could come up with the $300 it would take to replace my shoe-drobe! Even though it was a joke I went ahead and picked out my 5 pairs of Toms. I figured I'd need a couple of neutral ones so I picked black and white but then I picked a couple of fun ones too to spice things up!!! Toms are awesome - they look great with shorts, skinny jeans, regular jeans, even casual dresses or skirts. And they are uber comfy! I'm not a huge fan of flip flops, everyone knows that about me, but I do own a pair. I find that I tend to gravitate to them because they just slip on and I can go. Toms are the same way, I can slip them on and off easily and they are light weight so they are a great summer shoes. Obviously they have them in heavier cloth to wear during the winter - the even have wrap around boots and I just might have to have a pair for Christmas!!!

Sick.

I'm not sure exactly why I got sick last night, it just happened. And it's happened one other night too. I feel great all day, then I eat dinner and slowly start feeling sick to my stomach until by like 8:30 or so I feel so nauseated I can't stand it - never throw up though - so I end up going to bed and sleeping it off. Wake up feeling great in the morning! I'm not sure if it's something I'm eating or what - it hasn't been the same dinner both times. I almost wonder if it's not because I haven't eat enough. Because part of me almost feels hungry during these times but then I feel sick to so I end up just going to bed. At that point last night I had only had like 1400 calories and I had worked out and been running up and down Mom's stairs all day. Who knows, maybe it's just my body's way of telling me it's tired and I just need to rest. I usually feel fine after I sleep about 10 hours straight. Hopefully it won't happen again - it ruins my evening! I was planning to start the movie 2012 with Beej last night but just ended up going to bed instead. Maybe we'll start it tonight instead.
I don't have any big plans today - I do want to work out and then possibly lay out too. I am slowly but surely working on my tan! It's supposed to rain tomorrow and Sat. so today may be the only day I get for a little bit. I'll throw Gi in to her bathing suit and let her get a little sun too. She loves being outside and playing....she spends most of the time at my parents running around in the yard. It wears her out!!! My mother in law wanted to go to Spartanburg and I thought today might be a good time to go because Old Navy is having a store wide 30% off sale today! That's an awesome deal - I need to look for some shorts. I bought a couple of pairs a month or so ago but I have this bad habit of buying stuff too big sometimes just because I don't think I can wear the smaller size! Lol! And then once I start wearing them a lot and they are falling off of me it gets on my nerves and I won't wear them anymore. Right now I only have one pair of shorts that fit me well and that I like. All my jean shorts are too big - and when you wear shorts that are too big it just makes your butt look big! Haha!!! So we might do that today, or we might not! Who really knows! I'm just kinda going with the flow. My work out is the only for sure thing I'm doing today....
I'm getting ready to start a new book - debating between a Stephen King book or a Dean Koontz book. Beej went by the local library book sale yesterday and came home with 3 new Koontz books and 4 Stephen King books! So I have quite a selection to choose from! Not to mention I have several on the shelf that I still haven't read. We collect them faster then we can read them! But the way I look at it is we'll never not have something to read....He picked up 8 books, hard and soft back, for $5 yesterday. It's still going on today so we may try to run down there and see if they have anything else we want.
Tomorrow Gi and I are going to breakfast with my mom, brothers and sis, Charity. Charity turned 21 yesterday. Legal adult now - not that it really changes anything for her. She doesn't drink or anything! Lol! Maybe her insurance will go down a bit but that's about it. After that we may go walk around down town Rutherfordton because it's May Fest tomorrow. Possibly the most boring "festival" ever but we still go. You usually see a few people you know, possibly buy a very over priced toy for Gianna, avoid all the food stands because they are expensive, greasy and just plain bad for you, and then wonder why in the world we bothered to come down at all!!! Lol! It's more just an excuse to get out of the house really.
Well, people, I'm outta here. I keep meaning to post some interesting blogs. I have ideas but honestly I've just been too lazy to actually write them. Sad, I know. But I'll do it soon, I promise!!! I'm stealing some ideas from my ultimate blogger friend, Sarah!!! She usually has some great ideas - check out her blog at http://daughteroftheking89.blogspot.com

This, that and another.

So I got my Toms, almost a full week early too! I was so excited. When I got home Tuesday I had a note in my mailbox from the mailman telling me to go pick up my package at the Post Office. So I ran down there and there is was, all the way from China! They are perfection, so comfy and I can't wait to get another pair! I'm already picking out a "casual" pair to get for my birthday. I think the whole idea behind Toms shoes is so neat too - the fact that for EVERY pair that someone buys they give a pair to a needy child in a foreign country. So even though they are slightly pricey they do go to help a really good cause.
Gianna and I finally got new swim suits yesterday! I was really excited, she helped pick out hers which was so cute. She's starting to have a serious opinion when it comes to her clothing and her shoes. She's quick to point out what's "cute" and what's not! We got her a cute striped one piece and an adorable pink and orange flowered two piece. She doesn't understand that a two piece isn't supposed to cover your belly! She keeps trying to pull the top down over her stomach! I got a pair of black "bottoms" and then two different tops - a tankini top and then a bikini top. For now the bikini is more just for laying out and getting my stomach tanned - I still have a little ways to go before I'm totally comfortable wearing anything like that out in front of people! Lol! But the tankini looks adorable on and I'm pleased with it! I am going to have to really buckle down in order to get my stomach really toned, I just don't want to be one of those girls wearing a two piece and then have people whispering "She should not be wearing a two piece!!!!" Lol! So I tend to be overly cautious and paranoid about those kind of things...I don't want to be the kind of person I can't stand - people who wear things that don't flatter them in any way, shape or form!!! We have a lot of those kind of people around, half the time I see people in Wal-Mart and I just want to stop them and say "Did you even look at what you grabbed and put on?!" It's unreal!
Gianna has started sleeping lately....we usually always get up by 6:45am. I just hate sleeping in much later because it just wastes the day and I am just not motivated to work out later in the day. The earlier I get up and get it done the more of the day I have to enjoy and do things and not worry about it!
I've been practicing two different songs recently - trying to get my vocals in order. I'm singing at the local home school graduation next month. I haven't done any solo stuff in quite awhile and I'm starting to realize how "out of shape" my voice is. Notes I could hit before I really rough at and my breathing isn't as natural as it was for a long while. I'm kinda disappointed that I have left it alone so long that it's rusty. I still sing a long here and there to CD's and such but I don't take the time to really practice with my voice and I'm starting to see the results now. I think I'm going to have to schedule an hour into my day where I just work on music, vocal exercises, guitar and song writing. I used to do that as a teen at home - we were required to spend 30mins to an hour on music 5 days a week. And I'm realizing that it helped me a lot to structure my music. I want to get my motivation back - if I can get my fitness and my music back on track I'll be doing pretty darn good!!!

To all the smiles and giggles!

I received a gift on that faithful day
Of which I know I could never repay,
Just as God came down to say
He just gave one of his Angels away.

Little did I know, the test this would be
To prove to him and make him see,
That this angel was my destiny
Of that I’m sure a guarantee.

To hold her forever and never stray
To be there to comfort her pain away,
To see her through even the roughest of days
And teach her to be stronger along the way.

I was told one day, from a friend of mine
That God just gave me the gift of time!
Confused, I asked him to define?
And what he said never left my mind…

He said to watch her as she sleeps
It was then it became so plain to see,
How TIME STANDS STILL when she is next to me
Whether in my arms, or in my dreams.

Now watching each day as you grow
The changing of features from head to toe,
The smiles and giggles that make you glow
And the way you let your spirit show.

So, I’ll make a promise to you now
To raise you the best that I know how,
To teach you to always be confident and proud
So that you always stand out above the crowd!

Over the weekend....

So I've really gotten out of the habit of blogging over the weekend.....not having internet sucked but at the same time I got a full book read and it was kinda nice having the break from blogging. I've kinda run low on ideas lately. I've been just blogging about random, every day kinda things. That's interesting for me but I don't know that everyone else enjoys it or not! I like to hear about people's every day lives....
Over the weekend, which was a very lazy one, I did terrible with my eating. Just decided to be lazy and not think about calories or healthy or anything. Sometimes I just need a day or two to do that, it sorta re-energizes me to get back at it. So I ate some junk, felt crappy and felt like I looked crappy so I was eager to get back on track yesterday and I did. Stuck to my 1650 calorie mark. It's amazing how almost down to a science I have this stuff now. For me it's just choosing to do it or not do it now. I pretty much know what "combinations" of meals I can have to stay within my calorie limit. My coach has been trying to educate me on the whole carb thing. I'm starting to get it slowly but surely but I'm still not sure - some days I don't think I get enough carbs and then some days I think I get too many. Maybe it all balances out in the end?!
We also start de-cluttering our house again. We do this every 4-6 months. My husband is a great organizer and even though I absolutely hate cleaning out all the clutter I'm thankful he's willing to motivate me to do because I do like the way the house feels once it's done. I never think I have stuff to get rid of until I start looking and realize I have tons of stuff laying around that I don't even use. I thought I had just cleaned out my clothes and shoes but started looking and found a full bag and a half of stuff that's I don't wear, is too big or is completely out of style! My biggest problem is Gianna's room and her toys. I hate getting rid of her stuff because it all comes from family usually and I don't want to get rid of meaningful stuff but I realize that she doesn't ever touch half of it, it keeps her room a huge disaster most of the time and it's just taking up space. Not to mention it's not like she's never going to get any more toys. I've been to peoples houses where they keep every toy their child has ever gotten and they have huge play rooms full of toys that are just making a mess. Their kids pull everything out at once and then it's this huge task of sorting and putting everything away every evening. Or everything is stacked around the living room and it's a huge eye sore. We make it a point to not keep or store Gianna's toys in the living or downstairs really. We had kinda started slacking on that a bit but when we start de-junking we cleared everything out again and I like the way it looks and feels. Gi's allowed to bring a toy or two downstairs to play with but then she has to return it to her room, it doesn't stay down there. Plus she's at the point now where she is old enough to play upstairs by herself, and that is so nice!
I'm ready for my sis to be back in the States and home! She's been gone just over a week now and still has almost a full week to go before they return. I don't realize how much we do together or how much I actually see her until she's gone.....not to mention I text her all the time and I can't even do that while she's gone. But I know she always has fun going and traveling with Dad just like I did when I was her age and living at home. It's a special time.
And only a week until my Tom's shoes are supposed to be here. I keep hoping the Post Office will perform a miracle and get them to me early but I'm not holding my breath on that one! I can't wait to post of a pic of them actually on my feet!!!!
I'm getting ready to take my brothers and Gianna to McD's for lunch....I've got to eat my lunch before I go so I'm not tempted to touch anything while I'm there! Usually if I have to get something there I stick with the fruit parfait or the bar-b-que grilled chicken wrap without the cheese. But the tortilla is white flour so when I can avoid it I do. Taco Bell is my favorite "healthy" fast food, their hard shell tacos aren't too bad for you (other then the greasy meat) and the corn is better then white flour.
I have been slowly trying to work on my tan here and there - luckily I have a fairly secluded patio to lay out on but at the same time the trees along the fence line block the sun a lot of times. I usually have one good hour between like 12:30-1:30 and sometimes that's not the best time for me....between getting lunch together and Gianna it doesn't always work. But I do think my stomach might get a light tan this year, just maybe!!! Lol! I love laying out, it's so relaxing, the warmth of the sun, a good book, a nap or some music. Not to mention something about a little bit of sun gives you a confidence boost too!
Well, it's nice to be back! I'm looking forward to hearing from all my blogger friends soon....some of them haven't blogged in a long time and I miss hearing from them!!!!

Carbs? Not enough? Too many?

Ok, so carbs confuse me - big time. I know we need good carbs - whole grains and fiber. And we have to have a certain amount for our body to burn at fuel when we work out but then again we can't have too many or that's all our bodies will burn and we'll never burn fat stores. But I get so confused as to what's a good amount and what's not. As I mentioned before I guess I cut my carbs too low Monday and Tuesday but then yesterday I felt like I had too many. Trying to figure out what I've got to do to get to the next level in my fitness and nutrition is so hard for me. Sometimes I think maybe I need to go talk to a nutritionist/diet specialist. I would also love to have a body fat test done too just to see where I am and to find out what I need to focus on. I'm pretty sure it's my stomach/core area but just to know for sure would be cool but I don't even know where I could have one of those done. I keep quizzing my beachbody coach trying to figure out what I need to be doing.....I think we are slowly getting to an answer.
On a totally different note, I'm jealous of girls who can just change their hair color all the time. I have friends who did it in school all the time - one week they are brunettes, next it's red then blonde.....my hair just doesn't do well. Not to mention it costs a small fortune for a dark brunette like to me go any other color because it all requires it be bleached out first then colored. Stacy Dupree from Eisley changes hers up constantly - I would LOVE to be completely red like her's above. And she's the only person who has recently made me miss my long hair. Although mine never looked as great as hers, it's the idea, I guess! Maybe I'll be a red head come fall - it's just hard for me to keep red because I work out so much, sweat so much and have to wash my hair so much!
So my oatmeal every morning is actually starting to grow on me! I kinda like it now - I eat the plain kind with a little honey and then some kind of fruit. Usually peaches or strawberries. And it's really tasty! Although I think I'll make Sunday my cereal day - even my healthy Kashi or bran flakes would be a bit of a "mix it up" for me.
I got this pair of skinny jeans yesterday at Old Navy, they have the greatest jeans, I swear! All my skinny jeans are too big for me now and the newer jeans I've bought have all been boot cut, they work best for me for the most part but I do like skinny jeans. They are cute for dressing up a little more and I think they look adorable with Toms shoes and since I'm getting a pair soon I figure I needed some new skinnies. Since I'm starting to lose the "thickness" on my hips they look better now!!!!
Well, I'm off to work out - today is my Recovery day so my work out is a bit shorter but just as tough! Then I'm heading out to help my mom with some stuff today......

Yeah, I love 'em!

(I think this tattoo is amazing....I love the way it looks almost painted on rather then inked on. I love tree tattoos - I love how a tree can symbolize both life and death......)

(The tattoo on John Mayer's forearm. I absolutely love it! I think forearm tattoos are really hot on guys who have nice arms - like my hubby! I really want him to get one and he says IF he ever does he'll get one on his forearm.....but he has no idea what he wants or if he ever really wants one.

(I saw this tattoo awhile back while looking at some bird tats for my sister. I think it's gorgeous and a really neat idea.....)

(Joy Williams has a tattoo similar to this on her forearm. It's just one row with the black birds on it. Again, I don't know the meaning behind it but I thought it was really cute!)

( I'm not a huge fan of color tattoos, I think black and white are more classic but this one is awesome! The color, the idea, the swirls, etc. It's all so cool and pretty!)

Ok, so everyone knows I love tattoos! Well, let me rephrase, I love tasteful, meaningful tattoos. Ones that are pretty and done well. Some of the tattoos people get I totally don't get or understand. I guess it means something to them but cartoon characters and skulls or demonic stuff I don't understand at all. I like classic images or ideas. I don't like "popular" tattoos - like barbed wire was big for awhile and now it's nautical stars. Don't ever get a tat because it's a popular idea or thing to do. Have meaning behind it. I got the star on my foot to represent Gianna, my little star. I added the swirls and "leaves" to it to represent being a woman, feeling pretty and feminine. I got the heart on my wrist for Beej and I, to represent our love. I would like to add the words "If we say goodbye, my heart's in trouble" around it, but I'm not sure it'll fit because my wrist is pretty tiny. The words are from one of my favorite Mute Math songs and it is how I feel about Beej.
The closed eye on my shoulder is to remind me to walk by faith and not by sight. To not let my surrounding dictate what I do in life. To always "see" beyond what I see. I'm going to get both my wrist tat and my eye retouched soon. The ink they were done in were water based and my skin doesn't seem to hold that ink well, oil based ink does best to achieve a sharp, black image.
I do hope Beej will discover something he loves soon and get a tattoo. I think it would be so hot on him and totally fit the musician/rocker thing he has going on. But I'm not sure if that's really his thing or not. And a tattoo is something you should never be forced in to!!! Lol!

Ramblings....

(Leigh Nash)


I didn't blog last night because right after dinner I got really sick - and it wasn't dinner because Beej and Gi at the same thing and they were fine. I'm not sure what it was really, I was just so sick to my stomach. I ended up getting in bed at 9pm as soon as Gi went down. Managed to watch an episode of Lost with Beej, we've gotten pretty behind on it so far, and then I was out by 10pm. I'm kinda glad I went to bed that early just because I think my body is exhausted. I cut way back on my carbs on Monday and I don't think that served me well during my work out Tuesday morning so I planned to up them some on Tuesday but got really busy and didn't plan my meals out well and after dinner and a small snack I was still barely at 1150 cal. once I went to bed. I was planning to eat another 300 calorie "meal" before I went to bed but I got to feeling so crappy I said 'To Hey with it....." I'm really hoping I can muster the strength to get through my work out this morning, I've actually been contemplating not doing it this morning and making it up Sunday but I just can't do that. I just need to get it done and be done with it for the day. I'm going to Spartanburg with my mother in law today to do a few errands. Hopefully Gianna will be good - we had quite a time at Wal Mart yesterday. I think the main issue was no nap but she's also just getting pretty defiant lately. I'm really having to work on being patient and not just threatening her but actually putting actions behind my words. Not feeling my best the past two days has not helped my patience level at all. So I'm praying for a good day today and my patience to be on it's best behavior!
I don't think we are going to make it to see Mute Math this Sunday. It's a bummer they will be so close and we won't be seeing them. I think this is the first time in the past year that they've been any where near us that we didn't go. The tickets were just a bit too much for us to try and get this last, plus we wouldn't get very good seats anyway this late. And we have zero interest in seeing the main band, 30 Seconds To Mars. I would go strictly to see Mute Math.....and it would be cool to actually get to see them and talk to them again but I think we will have to miss out on this one. There will always be next time! Hopefully there will be a new album to go along with next time. Speaking of new albums one of top 5 bands has a new album coming out May 11th - Keane's Night Train! I'm beyond excited, I love every bit of their music and this will be no exception I'm sure. I've heard their single "Stop For A Minute" and it's fabulous! I think Tom Chaplin has one of my favorite vocals of all time.....right now I'm totally digging Eisley's album "Telescope Eyes". I've heard for a long time how wonderful they are but just haven't taken the time to listen to them until recently - one of the lead vocalists, Stacey Dupree, is engaged to Darren, the drummer for Mute Math so I figure if she's that cool she needs to be checked out and wow!!! I don't know about the rest of their albums but this one reminds me so much of Leigh Nash and Sixpence None The Richer and Sixpence's album Divine Discontent is literally my favorite album ever I think and right in my top 10 would be Leigh Nash's solo album "Blue on Blue". Both are amazing albums and I hope one day, that if or when I do an album, it's got that same vibe. Obviously my vocals are no where near Leigh Nash or Stacey Dupree, I can only dream! My vocals are good but boring. I don't have anything neat or catchy about my voice and I don't know how to let go and experiment to make it sound cool. The way Mute Math is completely out of the box all the time totally stuns me - I am so in the box and I don't know how to get out! For the most part people who think they are original aren't, but MM is. How cool to be able to say that and it be true about yourself! But anyway, right now I'm totally digging these songs - check them out!

1. Memories by Eisley - Telescope Eyes
2. Golly Sandra by Eisley - Telescope Eyes
3. Stop For A Minute by Keane - Night Train
4. Angel Tonight by Leigh Nash - Blue On Blue
5. The Funeral by Band of Horses
6. Something Good Can Work by Two Door Cinema Club
7. Goodbye by Mute Math - Armistice

Oh and I forgot to mention I ordered my Tom's shoes yesterday!!! I'm so excited! I got a good deal on a brand new pair on ebay. I got the gold glitter ones and they are more expensive then the regular ones on toms.com So I ended up saving about $20 by not ordering them from Toms. But if I had the money I would have, it helps a good cause and I would have gotten them a lot sooner but it's ok. I can't wait a couple of weeks - they'll be here in time for me to wear to the airport to greet my dad and sis when they come back from Nicaragua!!! I can't wait for them to be back!!!

Keepin' at it....

Ok, so today went fairly well as far as my eating went. I don't think it'll be that big of a deal really. It's hard not eating a lot of carbs. I'm kinda waiting to see how that effects me in my work out tomorrow. I kept it to three servings of carbs versus 6 or 7. I kept my calorie intake under 1600 today. I'm not exactly sure if that's good or not. I've asked my beach body coach about it, just waiting to hear what he has to say. Here's the break down of what I ate....

Breakfast - 1 1/2 cups of plain oatmeal
1/2 Tbsp. honey
1/2 cup frozen strawberries

Mid morning snack - 4 oz. no sugar added grape juice
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 large banana

Lunch - 2 cups of lettuce
1 med. chicken breast
2 Tbsp.Olive oil and vinegar
1/2 green apple
1 Tbsp. chopped almonds

Mid Afternoon snack - 2 eggs, scrambled
Dab of mustard
1/2 cup green grapes

Dinner - 1 salmon filet baked with mustard, honey and garlic
1/2 cup broccoli
1/2 cup brown rice

Snack - 1/2 cup low fat yogurt
2 Tbsp. grape nuts
1/2 banana

I feel pretty good - I hope that after two weeks I'm down to my goal weight! It's doable. I'm going to add an extra ab work out or two (my goal is three a week). I feel so close yet so far away!
I got to Skype with my little sister who's in Nicaragua with my dad and a missions team right now. They'll be there for 2 1/2 weeks...I feel like she's been gone forever and she just left Saturday. But I know she loves going and I'm glad she has the opportunity to go.

You Are Mine

You Are Mine
by: Mute Math

Everyone has their obsession
Consuming thoughts, consuming time
They hold high their prized possessions
That defines the meaning of their lives

You are mine
You are mine
You are mine, all mine
You are mine

There are objects of affection
That can mesmerize the soul
There is always one addiction
That just cannot be controlled

You are mine
You are mine
You are mine, all mine
You are mine

Everyone has their obsession
Consuming thoughts, consuming time
They hold high their prized possession
They hold high their prized possession

Lazy day.....

We had a really lazy day today and I think it was much needed. I didn't rush to do anything, I didn't go anywhere, didn't do much of anything really. Sometimes I feel like I'm always on the run and I like that but some days I just need to be quiet and catch up mentally. I did a little laundry and I was going to lay out but it was a little chilly even with the sun out, plus I got a little sun on my arms and chest out hiking yesterday so I thought I would just wait.....the way our patio is out side and the trees all around it there's only sun on it really good for about an hour around 12:30 and that doesn't work well with Gianna's schedule.....I don't fore see my stomach getting a lot of sun again this year!
I've decided to start a super strict "diet" for the next two weeks....yeah I know I've been on a pretty strict one already but for two weeks straight I think I'll eat pretty much the same things - oatmeal, a little fruit, eggs, chicken, fish and green veggies. I'm going to sit down and make my "menu" tomorrow. I really want to get my stomach toned and I need something strict to start getting me there. Plus I just need to slap myself back into strict mode. I also think I'm going to add in a few extra ab work outs the next two weeks too. I'm saying two weeks because I just want to see if I can tell a difference or not....It's kinda fun to experiment with different exercise programs and different diets and stuff just to see what it does or doesn't do!
I've been online today looking at condo's for rent at the beach! I'm pretty excited! We for sure want to go to Gulf Shores, AL. I have so many wonderful childhood memories there and I want to take Gianna and Beej and make new memories of our own. We were planning to go sometime in August and celebrate both our 5th anniversary and my 24th birthday but I think we may wait til September because it'll be just as hot still but a lot cheaper. I'm amazed at how "cheap" we can get a two bedroom condo directly on the beach in Sept.! And by Sept. I should be down to my perfect weight and hopefully feeling good about beach wear! Lol!
Today I discovered this girl who is home schooled and she paints and when I say paints I mean she is incredible!!! I found her through Mute Math's FB page - she had tagged them in some paintings she had done of them. I went to her page and followed the link to her portfolio page. She is totally amazing - I'd love to get the painting I've posted on here done for Beej to put up in his studio one day! I think it's amazing and totally awesome! This girl so talented...people who can draw and paint just amaze me! Especially since I can barely draw a stick figure! Check her out - http://avcasey.daportfolio.com/

Hiking

(Lunch on the rock at the bottom of the falls.)
(Beautiful falls at DuPont)
(Half way through the hike!)
(Bridge.....)
(Stone path through the water.)
(My handsome man!)

So we had a fabulous day hiking! We hiked about 8 miles....I got up this morning and worked out too, so did Beej and he's pretty sore - I think he pulled a lat muscle. So he's really feeling it now. The hike was gorgeous and the day couldn't have been more beautiful! About 70 degrees, sunny and breezy. We saw some people at the falls and passed a few mountain bikers and people on horse back but other then that we were pretty much alone on the trails. Saw some bear tracks but no actual bears. Thank goodness! I used the Porta-John before we got on the trail and managed to hold it comfortably til we got done. I was willing to "use" the trail if need be but being with two guys made me a little shy about it unless it was a serious need! Mike is planning some more hikes for us to do, bigger and more strenuous! I'm totally pumped and can't wait to go.....I don't think I burned quit as many calories as I hoped but it was still a good extra work out and a great time! After we got done hiking we stopped and had a quick dinner at Outback which was nice - Gianna spent the day wearing out her poor Grandma!!! All of us are ready for bed.....I'm so tired I could just collapse. I meant to get my mother in laws camera but it didn't work out to get it before we left so we took mine but since Gianna's been playing with it the batteries were low so I only snapped a couple of shots. I'm putting up a few Mike took too so that you can see the gorgeous falls we stopped at for lunch!

The Funeral

I am absolutely in love with this song and this band is completely growing on me!!! It seems they've been around for awhile but I am just finding out about them thanks to Buick commercials and My Life As Liz!!! Beautiful song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibE7IqEjni4

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The Funeral

I'm coming up only to hold you under
I'm coming up only to show you wrong
And to know you is hard and we wonder
To know you all wrong, we were

Really too late to call, so we wait for
Morning to wake you; it's all we got
To know me as hardly golden
Is to know me all wrong, they were

At every occasion I'll be ready for a funeral
At every occasion once more is called a funeral
Every occasion I'm ready for the funeral
At every occasion one brilliant day funeral

I'm coming up only to show you down for
I'm coming up only to show you wrong
To the outside, the dead leaves, they all blow (alive is very poetic)
For'e (before) they died had trees to hang their hope

At every occasion I'll be ready for the funeral
At every occasion once more is called the funeral
At every occasion I'm ready for the funeral
At every occasion one brilliant day funeral

And so the wheel keeps turning.....

I had a great day today - nothing super special but still good. Slept in a wee bit, like 15 mins., got up and did my work out (of course!) and got Gi and I ready to head out to Mom and Dad's house. Helped get a few things done around there, made breakfast for lunch and let Gianna run around outside, tried to get a bit more of a tan but the sun decided to hide behind the clouds for the hour we were out there! Gianna wouldn't nap today, I still make her lay down though. I need that break and she needs the rest whether she realizes it or not. She loves being outside so when we are out at Mom and Dad's I try to let her run as much as possible because we just don't have the space here at the apartment. We've started playing out on our back patio a little more though. We bought her some sidewalk chalk and I really want to get her a sand box soon. She keeps talking about building sand castles! I'm super excited to take her to the beach this year because she's so into sand lately so I know she'll love it.
I went with D to a photo opt tonight at costume birthday party! It was actually pretty fun and the people were friendly. D made some money she needed for her trip so it was great all around. She leaves for 2 1/2 weeks in Nicaragua tomorrow. I'm going to miss her like mad.....she's my buddy! But I know she loves going with my dad and traveling and meeting new people so it's good for her!
Tomorrow is our big hiking day! The weather is supposed to be really nice and I'm so excited! It looks like it's going to be about 8 1/2 miles - pretty nice. And it's going to be in some really pretty areas too. I'm taking my camera and getting lots of pics! I do plan to get up and do my work out before we go though...I know it sounds nuts but I don't want to get off track and start skipping work outs. I won't push it too hard since I'll be doing the hike too but it'll be good. Beej is going to work out at the gym with my dad in the morning too so we'll be exhausted by Sunday morning - I think we may sleep in!
Gianna is getting so big - she's started saying "No, thank you!" when she doesn't want something and she started it all on her own! It's so cute! She's getting pretty stubborn though too - she's started putting her hands on her hips and telling me "No....". It's almost so cute I laugh sometimes but I try to remain stern! I tend to give in a lot because I just don't like the fight but at the same time I don't want her to turn into a bratty, screaming little girl like some kids I've known. They are a pest to be around and no fun to have play dates with! Lol! Constantly worrying when they are going to start screaming and throwing things next....goodness! I guess I tend to be a little overly cautious about Gianna because I really want her to be a joy to be around. She's so smart and just too cute - she is a quick learner (too quick sometimes!). She really tries hard to do things right and gets really upset when she doesn't get it. She's worked really hard on this potty training thing and getting it - we did find out that her kidney reflux sometimes causes that to be a little more difficult. The bladder "leaks" that we thought we just her peeing in her pants sometimes can't be controlled. I feel better knowing that she really has gotten it, it's just something she can't control! I proud of how interested in fitness she is - she's started watching and trying to do my work outs with me instead of watching her shows like she used too! I love it and can't wait til she's big enough to really start working out with me good. I try to explain to her that we work out and eat right not just to be skinny (although that's part of it!) but that we do it to be healthy, disciplined and balanced in life. I want to start her on good habits and a positive way of thinking early on.
I'll share some hiking pics tomorrow!!!

This is how my day behaves....

We've had a really loooonnngg day. I have a sinus cold on top of it so that doesn't help anything. I can't breathe and my head feels like it's going to explode. *sigh* But life must go on, right?! I was up by 6:30am so that I could work out and shower before leaving the house at 9am to go help my dad with some stuff and be back home and ready to leave for Charlotte by 1pm. Luckily, today is my "recovery" day workout so it's not quite as fast paced and it's only 30 mins. long. I managed to eat 1480 cals. today! Lol! I just didn't have time to really prepare everything I needed so I kinda had "snacks" today instead of full meals. I'm eating a cup of frozen grapes right now just to get my calories up to 1480 for today. Some day are like that.
I'm going to hiking with my hubby and a friend of his on Saturday and I'm beyond excited! It's going to be a pretty strenuous, 7 1/2 mile hike and I'm ready for the challenge. All this working out has me prepared! The weather is supposed to be about 70 degrees, so perfect for hiking. Praying we don't run into any bears or anything! I'm still going to do my work out that morning so I'll burn about 2000 calories on Sat. and I'm stoked about that - maybe I'll lose another pound or two this weekend!
So we met the Urologist today. A really nice, soft spoken man. He explained everything and went over all our options with us. We found out Gianna's reflux isn't quite as bad as we thought. They grade it levels 1-5 and she's a 2 on one side and a 3 on the other. There is a 50 and 80% chance she'll out grow it in five years but no guarantee. We have options to just watch it and see what happens, start her on medication, do a non surgery procedure to tighten the tubes or a surgery procedure to fix it completely. For now I think we are going to try the daily medication for a month or two and see how she does......his main concern is that at the stage she's at in potty training put her at a higher risk for getting more infections. She's at that "hold it and hold it" stage and that causes more issues. So we are going to try the medicine until she, hopefully grows out of that in a few months and gets the potty training thing down perfect. So we are hopeful this (and lots of prayer and faith!) will fix it!
After the doctor visit we took Gianna to see How To Train Your Dragon in 3D. She was kind restless but there were only a few people so I let her wander up and down our aisle. She didn't want to keep the glasses on so she watched most of it with out them! But in the end she said she loved it and it really was a super cute movie!
Went over to the in-laws after that and had dinner and spent a little time just chit chatting and playing with the kitty cats.......
Now my day is done and I'm exhausted, can't breathe and ready for sleep! Another day tomorrow - not sure what all it holds but I'm going tomorrow evening with my sister to a photo shoot at a party. A 70 year old's costume party!!! It should be loads of fun!!! Lol!
Good night, world.