Burst of Energy...

I had a burst of energy today.. It was nice to have, since I've been sleeping a lot (thank you depression).. I made sure to use it wisely.. lol

I got a pedicure (thanks to my grandma's Christmas gift)..

I hard core cleaned out my car..

I took down my outdoor Christmas lights, and swept my porch off..

Did some work on my other Grandma's present..

Washed my sink full of dishes..

Sold my full-size mattress set (I'm getting a Queen size mattress in a couple days)..

It's been a busy day.. And I got so much done.. Tomorrow is gonna be a fun day, filled with aquarium fun with my bestie and her kiddos.. And we're gonna do Christmas presents too.. I'm excited to see what the kiddos made for me.. 

Now I'm off to put away some more Christmas decorations and redecorate with my new Christmas presents.. :)

Looking Forward to 2014..

Today was a rough day.. Last night I was sick most of the night, and this afternoon it finally settled down enough for me to think it was a 24 hour bug.. I'm good with food again and stopped going to the bathroom every 15 minutes for one reason or another..  So, between my frequent naps, I got on Pinterest and started looking at stuff and then got onto traveling pins..

I may or may not have a bad case of wanderlust..

Me and the ex talked about traveling and it's been in the back of my mind for a while.. And I'm not against traveling by myself, I'm actually used to going places alone versus with someone.. I found this idea on Pinterest about getting a map of the US and then getting pics taken in every state you've been in and cutting them into the shape of the state.. I'm going to try that, starting in 2014.. Of course, this will help with my 14 in '14 goals..

Along with the US map I just ordered of Amazon, I also ordered 2 American Sign Language Phrase books (one has a DVD).. I got my "re-acceptance" letter in the mail from college on Christmas Eve, so I'm good to go back to school for Summer 2014.. And I'm going to make an appointment with a different school about taking a couple classes towards an (eventual) degree in ASL Interpreter Studies, but sadly I have a feeling that will have to wait til Fall 2014.. But I will get the ball rolling as much as I can before then..

Well, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas..  I'm ready for 2013 to be over and to start 2014 with a bang.. :)  What are your goals for 2014??

What To Do With An Exes Christmas Presents??

Well, you can regift them, like I've done with some of them..

You can return them, like I've done with others..

Or you can sell them on eBay, like I'm currently doing with the ones my parents bought him..

Lol.. So if you know anyone that likes Tim Burton and Nightmare Before Christmas, please check out my eBay listings.. And help a girl earn some cash from a bad thing..

Check out my eBay listings..

Saying Goodbye..

How do you say good bye to someone??

Especially if you've only known this someone for a little over a month..

This someone, of course, happens to be a dog..

After trying nonstop for the past week and a half, I was unable to find Aztec a suitable home.. So I made the tough decision to return Aztec to the Humane Society that I got him from.. This is actually part of the adoption contract I signed when we got him..

I cried the whole way there.. and the whole way home.. Even got him a cheeseburger as a good-bye meal.. I still feel horrible, and will probably feel this way for a long time.. I feel guilty that we even got him and made him feel like we could give him a home..  I am so mad at my ex for talking me into getting him in the first place..  I am so mad at myself for giving in..

I'm so sorry that this didn't work out, Doodle.. :(

I will always love you..

Good-bye, Aztec..

I asked the Humane Society if I could help with the adoption fee for him, to help him get adopted faster (his fee is $90), and they said I should get them a gift card to a pet store to help instead.. They don't let people help with fees bc then just anyone can come get him and that's not good, I guess..  So I'm getting a gift card on Thursday and will continue to help the Humane Society in the future..  A small price for the sadness we caused Aztec.. :(

Confusion.. Depression.. And The Future..

As I sit here, wondering if I'll have to take this cute dog back to the ASPCA (instead of finding him a good home), I get so mad.. and really sad..

I really wish I could keep this cute dog..

 I really wish I had the time to spend with him like I should..

I really wish my ex hadn't left him with no issue..

That last part pisses me off like no other.. He doesn't even ask about him when he (stupidly) texts me..  How do you want this dog so bad, and then leave him without any other thought?!?!  Makes me realize what kind of parent he'd be..

The depression is trying to overwhelm me, but I'm kicking it's ass, I think.. Until a sad movie comes on or I hear or see something that makes me think of "what if"..  and then it's like a flood comes out of my eye balls..

ON A HAPPIER NOTE:

I applied back to college as a returning student.. Hopefully I'll hear something soon and will be able to enroll for Summer 2014..  :)

I have decided to start saving all my change and $1 bills.. Started a couple days ago and have already saved $40+.. And since I no longer have a checking account, I have to use just cash for everything.. And when money orders won't work, my mom is gonna let me use her debit card..

It being the end of the year, I've made my "goals" for 2014.. And I will make this year my bitch.. and honestly don't have any intention of being in a serious relationship at all this year.. But then again, I've learned when you have plans, God laughs at them.. So I'm open to whatever..

Welp, I'm going back to watching Christmas movies and wrapping more presents.. :)

Opinions Wanted... Needed...

Okay, ladies and gents.. I need an some advice, opinions, whatever you want to call it.. So please help a girl out, k??

Last week, after dating for a little over 8 months, me and my fiance broke up..

I'm more relieved that anything, in the end..

And it was a long time coming, if I'm honest with myself..

He's now living in Florida with his family and back with his ex-wife.. Which I knew would happen..

After a lot of soul searching, and rearranging of furniture and things, I feel ready to get back to me.. I've spent so much time trying to make him happy, and US happy, that I let myself fall to the back burner.. Well, no more..  I'm looking to make 2014 the year of me!!  I'm 30, and ready to be selfish for a while..

My opinion searching question is this:

My grandma offered to take me to Sunday School with her.. The church she goes to has a single adults class that I can go to.. I live in a small town and I'm not sure I like the idea of everyone I went to school with (and people younger or potentially older) knowing I'm single.. I am not particularly religious either, and am on the fence whether I want to jump over the fence into a "church goer" (no offense intended to people who go to church on a normal basis).. Should I just suck it up and go??  Keep going with my current spirituality and believe what I want??  Help!!

How To: Move Channels on Your Wii Console

Okay, one last post for the day..

I've been wondering how to move my channels on my Wii for a couple days now.. I deleted a bunch of useless ones, and had my Netflix and my Hulu on two different pages.. It was annoying my OCD.. lol.. So, light bulb, I decided to google it.. and here's the link I found.. It's so EASY!!  Not sure why I didn't think of it..

So if you are in the same boat I am, check this out.. Now if only I could get my Hulu to work.. :(

Some Changes..

So, I realized today that I've been putting myself on the back burner.. I've been trying to take care of our house, bills, and relationship and forgot to take care of me..

Today was very emotional for me.. Not exactly sure why, but I think it has to do with watching sappy movies this morning while I was folding laundry.. lol.. once I start crying, my whole day is ruined.. Which is why I try not to do it too often.. Plus, I'm not a pretty crier..

But I have decided to start running outside.. Now this is contingent on me getting an inhaler before the snow starts falling (is the cold air a problem for everyone??), but I hope to be able to run for most of the winter.. Maybe train for a half marathon (and of course all the races up to that).. I may even try to get my fiance in on this, but if not, I'm still doing it..

I also plan to get back into school.. My dream is to become a Certified Nurse Midwife.. I wanna deliver babies in peoples homes.. Honestly, I can't believe I've wasted so much time.. At this rate, I will be 40 before I finally graduate.. But at least I'll have graduated, right?!

On another note, I keep wondering why people don't comment on my blogs, but then I don't comment on other blogs, so I can't expect you to do something I am not doing too.. So I'm off to add blogs to my Bloglovin reader so I can start reading more.. :)

So if you want me to check out your blog, please feel free to leave it in the comments.. I'd love to read about others lives..

Quick Post..

So life has gotten busy.. I'm sure it has for everyone, as we get closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas.. But I am amazed at a certain something..

I TURN 30 IN 2 DAYS!!

Holy crap!!  This is mind boggling to me.. Especially since I didn't do much on my 30 before 30 list.. :(   But I've been living life and that's okay with me..

I'm off tomorrow, so I plan to post a couple Pinterest posts, I promise.. Some of the things I find on there LOOK so good, but just didn't meet my expectations.. And then some of them blew my expectations out of the water.. lol..

Well, I'm off to work.. Hope you guys have a great Tuesday.. :)

We Have Made Progress..

Sorry about the lack of Pinterest posts, but I can't get my pics to come off my phone right now.. I'll fix it and hopefully post tomorrow..

I apologize for being gone for the past 3 days, but I have been having a rough time with A.. BUT we hopefully came to a head today.. After a lot of crying, a lot of talking, and a lot of thinking on both our parts, I think we are on our way to working on our issues..  He is going to find a therapist (hopefully within the next few days), and he even came to the conclusion that he hasn't been helping me with OUR bills.. This made me happy that he realized that by himself bc I've been trying to talk to him about money for a while.. I just hope it sticks..

Now, onto weight stuff!!!  I weighed myself today, and I weighed in at 198.8!!! HOLY CRAP!!  I just hope it stays around that number.. I'd love to show a ONEderland weight to my bariatric team on the 7th..

It's hard to believe that in a little over a week, it will have been a year since my surgery.. And I'm still losing.. Slowly, but it's still coming off.. Which means it's not going back on.. YAY!!  I will also post progress pics prolly Friday.. and of course, my year progress pics on the 8th.. :)

Can you believe it's almost Christmas?!?!?!  Where did this year go???

Being a Grown Up Sucks..

Well, sometimes it sucks..

I wish I could grow money.. I wish I could win the lottery (but not waste $$$ playing it, of course).. I wish I could just live like they do in the movies..

Well, cupcake, you can't!!

Being with a BP makes life interesting.. and not always in a good way.. We have been together almost 9 months, living together for 4, and I have still yet to learn how to communicate with him properly..  I worry about making him mad, which happens 8 times out of 10..  and then I get sad, or mad, or both..  I admit, until a couple days ago, I really hadn't done much research into how to live with a BP.. 

A week ago, I finally told A that I wasn't happy anymore.. I hated that I wasn't happy anymore, but I didn't want to fake it.. I hate that he's so impulsive when it comes to certain things (a BP trait?  not sure yet), like money.. Money is a big issue with me, as I'm sure you've learned over my time here.. I want to save for our future (and our WEDDING!!) but he wants to spend it all now..  But he said that he would "fix it", that WE would fix it..

I don't know how true that is.. I am looking into therapists, trying to figure out what kind of therapy he needs, and if we can do this together, or if he needs his own therapist.. Basically, our communication sucks..  I haven't been in any other long term relationship (last relationship lasted 6 months), so I don't know if this is normal, or what to do..

Any advice???  I'd appreciate anything you can give me..

Oh yeah, and tomorrow's entry is all about my Pinterest tries!!  :)

I Am A Bad Blogger..

There.. I've said it.. Or rather typed it..

I am a bad blogger..

I feel horrible that I haven't blogged in almost 3 months.. Seriously, so much has happened in the past three months, and I've wanted to blog so much, but it's always when I am not anywhere near my computer (and I HATE the Blogger app)..

I know I want to make this blog so much more than it is now.. I like reading comments (and miss them terribly), I like writing blog entries, and I have several blog post ideas floating in my head (and in my camera)..

So, my goal in the next two days (I'm off work.. YAY!!), I plan to update everyone and hopefully get started on making this blog what I want it to be.. So, let's get started, shall we..

WEIGHT UPDATE:

I have "settled" around the 201-202 lb.. I have been there for about 3 months, which is frustrating bc I'm SO CLOSE to ONEderland.. I even saw 198 at one point, but it wasn't a true weight, I guess bc I was back to 201 the next day.. *shrug*

I won a free 6 month membership to a gym in the same city I work in, but I have yet to use it bc after working 12 hours and getting off at midnight the last thing I want to do is workout.. And then there is the whole "comfort zone" of a relationship, right??

RELATIONSHIP UPDATE:

Me and A are still together.. and we are living together.. and we got engaged last month.. And while we have our problems (his bi-polar disorder and my "independent issues"), we are trying to work through it..  I have struggled with not wanting to give up on it all recently.. But I am hoping that once we work on our issues TOGETHER, we will be stronger than ever..  It's possible, right?!?!?

MONEY UPDATE:

Thanks to moving, several times, and other financial hiccups, I am just starting to save money again..  And with my somewhat impulsive fiance, this is gonna be an uphill battle for him I think.. But I'm hoping since I am doing our finances (starting a budget this paycheck), it will be so much easier..  We'll see if it actually works, bc this is one of my "buttons".. I hate being broke, and we've been broke for a while, but hopefully that will change..

So, for tonight (or techincally today), that is it.. This blog will start to be about a lot of different things.. Bi-Polar disorder, ADHD, couponing, ways to save money, food, Pinterest, and a lot more.. Basically my daily life, in a nut shell.. So please stay tuned, as I plan to stay around this time.. lol

What the Hell Happened??

I ask myself that all the time..

And then I realized I really haven't found my stride since having my surgery.. Which makes me feel like I took all this time since then for granted... :(

What the hell happened to my willpower??

Honestly, I have no idea where it went, and I have no idea how to get it back..  But I'm gonna keep trying until I find it..

That means cutting back (not cutting out) all the junk I have found myself eating again.. Yes, I eat less of it now, but it's still bad..

That means cutting back on my portions again.. and drinking before I start eating, to make sure I'm truly hungry..

I really don't want to get yelled at by my nutritionist for gaining any kind of weight back.. and while I've only gained 5 lbs (I think), I don't want to gain anymore.. I'd like to lose more by November..

Trip to Minnesota... Day One

Facebook is a wonderful thing..

We keep up with family members... we find old friends... we make new friends...

And I have done all of the above, plus some I'm sure, since joining Facebook.. But thanks to this blog, and a Facebook group called the Fat2FitPack, I have made several friends that have been super supportive during my unsuccessful weight loss attempts (and through this last successful one).. Weirdly enough, most of them (not all though) are in Minnesota..

So, back in December, I decided to go up and visit them.. and it just so happened that NKOTB, Boys II Men and 98 Degrees were coming to Minneapolis the same weekend as the Color Run was going on.. Well, that made my time frame pretty definite.. lol.. In the beginning, I was supposed to come up here from July 13th to the 23rd.. 10 days.. BUT thanks to my new job (which I will talk about once I get back home on Tuesday), I didn't want to ask off for that long having just started.. So I'm here from today til the 23rd.. Woohoo!!

Thanks to the Package Tour being rescheduled, I am still able to go to the concert.. I just missed the Color Run, which I can do next year.. no biggie..  But the fun part about this trip is that while I've talked to Sami on the phone a couple times, and seen her pics, I've never physically seen Sami.. or any of my other MN friends.. So today (technically yesterday around 1:30am) I started out for the 11 hour drive (yes, I drove) from Southern Indiana to Minneapolis, MN..

I love driving at night.. It's so peaceful.. and there is noone around to see me singing at the top of my lungs to 80's and 90's pop hits.. lmao.. This is my first long distance trip after my surgery, and I've begun to notice that if I eat while I drive, I get a little nauseous.. I didn't think anything of it as I packed up my goodies (yes, junk food.. but I had lots of fluids too) and figured I'd eat some of them.. haha, nope.. not a chance.. Ate some gummy bears and a couple Twizzlers.. and then thanks to some crappy roads, started to get nauseous..

So I spent most of my drive drinking water, Vitamin Water Zero, and Powerades to keep myself from getting sick..  No more eating during trips.. It just isn't worth the trouble..  I will find some other way to keep myself awake (when necessary)..  Love that Minnesota is an hour behind Indiana.. So I made it by 11am.. Met Sami's husband first and then Sami.. and went out for coffee/tea with Kris, one of my other FB friends from MN..

All in all, it has been a fabulous day.. And I have four more to go.. :)

Good night!

Hello World..

Hi peoples!  I'm sorry I've been MIA for almost a month.. Life has been so crazy that I just haven't had time to come on here and fill you all in..  But it's settling into a "normal" pattern so here I am! :)

So here's a recap of the last month..

** I MOVED **

I can't remember how much I've told you all about my living situation, but my parents decided back in April 2012 that they were gonna let our (piece of crap) house go back to the bank..  They moved into my brother and SIL's house in August (bc they moved to Washington DC) and I was gonna stay in the house until they foreclosed on it (which is happening on April 2nd).. 

While I looked at buying a house in the beginning, I found that my second income didn't count towards anything for another 6 months (until I was there for 2 years), so i basically was out of options that way.. BUT thankfully the man I met about a house had a duplex for rent.. It's so funny how God works..  So, two weeks ago, I started moving my things into my new home!!  It's so awesome!!  It's got one bedroom, one bath and half a (huge!!) basement..  

I forgot how stressful it is to move (seeing as I haven't moved in 5+ years).. And while I'm still not 100% moved or unpacked, I'm almost done.. :) It's so fun to decorate a whole house.. and thankfully I'm only like 3 blocks away from my old house!!

** I'M IN LOVE **

This one I'm so excited to brag about!!  I haven't been in a relationship in so long that I was kinda cynical in the beginning.. The Boy has been in my life (he's my BFF's younger cousin) for over 14 years.. The day before Valentine's Day, The Boy messaged me on FB like he randomly does but this time was different.. A little back story: I've liked him for a while.. BUT he was dating someone for a long time (and eventually married and divorced her), so he was off limits to me.. I basically put him in the "friend" zone.. 

Well, that day he told me he liked me and has for a long time (which made me feel a little bad for his ex).. Of course, we haven't seen each other in almost 2 years, and he's had a rough life.. BUT we went out and it's been wonderful ever since!  We've been dating 5 weeks and it's just been so awesome.. We have so much in common.. We are so similar and it's just so easy with him..  And while it's only been 5 weeks, we have spent so much time together during those 5 weeks, it seems like longer.. Plus, I've known him so long..  I honestly can say I love The Boy..

I will probably get a lot of crap for saying that, and the next few things, but I don't care..  I can see myself marrying this guy.. The more I learn about him, the more in love I fall.. We've talked about all of this recently, and honestly I see being engaged to him by the end of the year.. :)  I'm so happy with life right now..

** I'M IN THE 210's **

I made it to day 11 with Insanity.. I started noticing that I wasn't losing weight while I was doing these workouts..  and I was okay with that.. but when I started gaining weight, I was worried..  I was only halfway done with my weight loss, so any gain is worrisome to me..  So I took a couple days off and lost the 3 lbs I gained.. So I took a couple more days off, and lost some more weight..

My plan is to start is back up once I get around 170 lbs..  While I realize that I most likely was gaining muscle, I don't care at this point.. My goal RIGHT NOW is to lose as much weight as possible until I get to around 170ish..  I have been so busy with life the past month, I haven't had energy (or time) to workout.. BUT thankfully I'm still losing..  I'm hoping to be in ONEderland by the 7th of April (5 months post op).. I think that's doable, at least 13 pounds in 18 days.. Totally doable.. Especially since I just got my Rockin' Body workout DVD's from Beachbody.. It's by Shaun T (the guy from Insanity) so I hope it's killer..

I think that's everything.. lol.. Well, I'm off to eat something for dinner.. Hope everything is great with you all!  I'm hoping to catch up on other blogs over the weekend.. :)

Saving My Pennies..

I've been talking about saving money for a while.. I think we all want to save money, but don't always know how..  I'm one of those people that have no idea how..

While I'd like to blame my variable income, it's my own issues with money.. I was lucky to receive one of Dave Ramsey's wonderful books from a friend of mine last year.. And while I have yet to read it all, I do plan to.. lol.. BUT I've gone online and saw what the gist of it is..

** Have a $1,000 emergency fund
** Pay off big bills first

And yes, that's all I remember.. lol.. Well, seeing as I am not moving jobs (hopefully) any time soon, I need to learn how to save with what income I have.. Because I truly would love to save enough money in the next couple years (prolly more like 5) to put a down payment on a house..

While I will never be a great saver, like TeacHER Finance, I can try to save as much as possible and still pay off bills, right?!   Yeah, I originally thought so.. and had been on track with my original savings plan.. UNTIL my car decided to spring a $107 leak.. My car is my life.. seriously, I drive for both my jobs, and drive 3,000 miles/month..  So it had to be fixed.. Thankfully it was cheap, but it blew out the $64 I had saved..

BUT, thanfully my tax check will be in my bank on Monday!!  WOOHOO!!  So that will replenish the $64, plus a bit..

I make about $1500/ month (if I work like I should), plus I get a mileage check in the middle of the month that is about $400.. so my plan is to keep going with my weekly deposit, and adding an additional $10 a week to it.. PLUS putting 20% of any extra money I get (mileage check, tax check, etc).. so my $2600 tax check will net my savings over $500!!  I'm halfway towards my $1,000 emergency fund!!

The rest of my tax check is going towards moving (aka first month and deposit) and I do plan to spend some of it frivolously (because I'd be lying if I said all of it was going towards savings).. 

OH!  I also have gotten back into the habit of not using my change.. I'm trying to carry paper money now, because I'm less likely to spend a lot if I have to look at it coming out of my hand (unless it saves me money to use plastic, like with the Target Debit card).. So all my change is going into either my savings or to my change purse for laundry money..

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I'm sure most of you are interested in where my weight loss stuff went, and while I haven't really been feeling it (or 100% well these past few days), I do plan to blog tomorrow about all I've been up to.. :)

With Age Comes Wisdom..

Right?!

When I first thought of all the things I wanted to accomplish in my 29th year, I was more concerned with saving a little money.. and getting myself back into the rat race of dating..  BUT, as I sit here trying to figure out where I am going to move to, I can't help but want to change my goals to more financial ones..

I looked at my credit report today, yep all of them.. and was happy to see that my TransUnion score has went up since getting my car loan in October.. Yay me!!  Now, after looking at my Experian, and the SUPER helpful report that Equifax provides, I can't help but hope that my Experian report will eventually go to look like my TransUnion report.. Because I don't like that there is a 70 point difference between the two of them.. :(

So instead of going places (other than Minnesota, Las Vegas and Virginia), I will be putting all my money and efforts into paying off all my bills.. and saving money.. and increasing my credit score..  :)  If I don't start dating again this year, so be it.. I'll only be a year older when I put myself back in the game.. Plus, I'll be most stable and that should make me much happier..

I also plan to keep looking for a full time job, but can't help but think that my job history is helping me, so maybe I'll just keep bugging my overnight company to keep me working 4 nights a week?  For now, that's gonna have to work..

So right now, I plan to do as much money saving/raising as possible (I've already gotten enough points on ExpoTV to get a $15 Amazon gift card.. YAY!!) and pay off as much as possible, so that maybe next year, I can look into buying a home instead of renting.. :)

Insanity: Day One..

Today is gonna be a two post day.. Just so I can keep this Insanity post ALL ABOUT INSANITY!  lol..

I had a friend of mine burn me a copy of the Insanity DVD's and paperwork.. Yes, I realize this is illegal.. but I just don't have the money to pay full price for it.. Even if I wish I could get the t-shirt after finishing it.. :)

I finally got it yesterday, and thanks to working last night, I had to wait to do the Fit Test until this afternoon..  So after coming home this morning, and getting a little sleep, I finally got the guts to do the Fit Test.. lol.. and boy was I wanting to die afterwards.. but I'm glad I did it.. and hopefully will feel that way for a while..

It's only about 25 minutes long, including a warm up and cool down, and thanks for the music, it wasn't boring.. and while I think my form wasn't exactly 100%, I think I did pretty good..

This basically proves to me that I need to work on my upper body strength.. That is my weakness when it comes to my body..  So hopefully this will help me build that up.. :)

I can't wait to see the differences after 60 days (even though that seems so far away)..

Money Doesn't Grow On Trees?

Alright, we all know that money doesn't grow on trees.. even if we wished with all our might.. so when I found this website I'm about to tell you about, I was shocked at how easy it is.. Honestly, I'm a big fan of earning gift cards without having to BUY anything..

Yeah, there are those sites that pay you a certain percentage back.. and that's great, IF YOU HAVE MONEY TO SHOP.. BUT, for people like me who don't shop that often (for stuff outside of groceries and the like), this website works out well..

Expotv is a website where you upload a video of yourself giving a review of a product.. They have 100's of products to review.. The points for each review depends on the product, but the smallest amount I've seen on there is 300 points.. And it only takes 600 points to get a $5 Amazon gift card.. Or you can get a wide variety of things.. Like an iPod Nano shuffle!!  or workout DVD's!!  It's so amazing how much stuff is in their "store" for us to buy with our points..

Want to try it out?  Here's a link to the website, and you'll get 500 points for uploading your first video!  You really can't go wrong with this website.. I've uploaded 3 videos and I've already earned a $15 Amazon gift card.. My plan is to use this to get my Paula Deen pots/pans.. :)

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Another moneymaker that I love is actually a smartphone app.. I'm sure many of you have heard of Shopkick.. Well, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this app.. You get "kicks" (their version of points) for walking into certain stores, and for scanning certain barcodes.. Again, no purchase necessary to get rewards..

If you haven't tried Shopkick, you really should.. Especially if you live by a mall or even just a Target or Best Buy.. They have some great gift cards that you can earn.. Since starting 2 years ago, I've earned $210 in Target gift cards.. Seriously, that's easily done..  It's a nice app to have.. Here's a link for it, if you are interested.. :)

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Hope these links help you earn some more money, because we all can use some extra help in this economy, right?!  :)

January Wrap Up..

Holy crap, where did January go?  Anyone know??

I can't imagine how others are feeling, but I'm sure I'm not the only one shocked that it's already February..  And with a new month, comes new goals.. But first, a wrap up of January..

** Cook at least once a week: This really didn't pan out thanks to my busy schedule..  I still plan to try to cook more in February, and also plan to cook tonight as a matter of fact..

** Work out at least 4 x's a week:  This also didn't pan out, and I kinda set myself up for failure with it.. I did work out 3 x's a week, most weeks.. So it wasn't off by much, but still, I missed my goal..

** Save up enough money to buy my Paula Deen pan set: I saved enough money, but my printer broke, so I made a deal with myself..  I bought a new printer, and I would get my pan set with my tax check.. and the rest of the money goes straight into savings..

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February Goals are pretty much like January, but with a couple extra things..

** Reach 60 lbs lost by February 7th: This keeps me on my 20 lb loss/month, and I'd like to keep it going.. I'm currently only 9 lbs away from that goal..  If I work out each day til then, I should be good.. :)

** Work on selling old stuff online:  I've currently got a Facebook page for my clothes, my mom's clothes and their stuff.. While I've been able to sell some of it, most of it is still here and it has slowed down a bunch.. So I've got to get back into it to make some money..

** No more than 8 hours of sleep each day:  This includes naps.. I've gotten into the habit of taking naps each day.. and that's not good.. not to mention how I stay sitting in bed most of the time I'm not working..

AND HERE'S THE BIGGIE:

** Start Insanity on February 4th:  This workout scares the crap out of me.. and I think that's just what I need..  Because I have a lot of muscle, it's getting harder for me to lose weight as opposed to when I first got the surgery.. Which is good, I guess, because I need to figure out other ways outside of eating to keep this weight off.. and I think Insanity will keep me from getting bored..

Well, even though I don't feel well, I'm off to go do my Just Dance workout.. Oh!  Be on the lookout (prolly Sunday) for a review on the Fullbar products I got before my surgery..  :)

Moving On..

This entry was going to originally be about tea.. lol.. sorry, it would have prolly been short and sweet and boring as hell.. :)  This one is hopefully gonna be none of those..  HOPEFULLY!

I'm getting to the end of my stay at my parents house.. My parents have moved into my brother and SIL's house, and we are nearing the year mark of our house being put into foreclosure..  If you saw this house, you'd understand why we let it go to the bank (even though we don't think even they want it.. lol).. With all the problems we've had with it over the past 16 years, it's just not worth it anymore..  So April is when we assume they'll come to take the property, so I plan to be out of my house by then..

I can't wait to move!  I can't wait to have a place that I can decorate and call my own.. and while I'm looking, it seems harder to find a place that isn't super expensive.. I'm one person, and while I have two incomes, I truly don't want to spend all my hard earned money on a place to stay (especially since I won't be there a lot)..

As I sit here contemplating the future, I'm wondering if it's too early to start packing.. I know I will find a place, and I just can't help hoping that packing will help speed up finding my future home..  Then again, I've got so much crap that packing prolly isn't a good thing because I wouldn't be able to walk around with all the boxes I'd have packed.. lol

I know part of my plan is to move things over gradually.. Move room by room.. Which is nice, because I actually have that option.. I can move and unpack/decorate at the same time..

The fun part of moving (plus a big tax refund) is getting new stuff!!  I plan to get a bigger bed (because at almost 30, I shouldn't be sleeping in a full size bed), another (smaller) tv, a home theater system, and prolly a couple other things.. :)

Well, we're supposedly gonna get a really bad storm, so I'm gonna get off my computer so it doesn't get hurt..

Thank You..

I'd like to take the time to say some thank you's...

** Thank you to the new people that have started following my blog..

** Thank you to the people that comment on my entries.. I do read them all and appreciate each one.. :)

** Thank you for all the great responses to my questions..

** Thank you to the people that have stuck around through all the ups and downs..

I know there are more thank you's to be said, but I'm too tired right now..

Oh, and if anyone is using a Fitbit, please feel free to add me as your friend.. We can "compete" and cheer each other on.. my email is fabchallenge@gmail.com

Reflections..

I've been doing a lot of thinking recently.. Well, prolly since the new year started.. And I think that's normal, right?!  

Since starting this blog, and my previous one too, I've been trying to lose this blasted weight I've gained.. Well, now that I'm losing it steadily (and no gains!!  woohoo!!), I'm starting to focus a little more on my life in general.. Because outside of work, I truly have no hobbies anymore.. 

** I used to sew, and was hoping to get a second income out of it, but thanks to my actual second income, that's dropped to the wayside..  Hopefully, once I get a room where I can just sit for a couple hours (because anyone that crafts knows that you can't just sit for like 15 minutes and craft, it's more like 2-3 hours) and not worry about wasting time cleaning up my project..

** I'm hoping I can start getting into reading again on a regular basis.. We all go through spurts of activity, and I'm no exception.. I can read four books in a day, and then not pick up another one for two months.. lol.. I'm sure others relate to this..

** In my heart of hearts (what exactly does that mean?? lol), I'd really love to bump this blog up..  But I don't know what to do to get more readers.. And then again, I really just miss the constant comments.. I love reading feedback, even if I think I deserve harsh comments sometimes..

But outside of reading, going on Pinterest, and sewing, I don't know what else to try.. I need to get out of my house, and find some people to socialize with.. even if it's for an hour.. :)   

I know I've asked this before, but any suggestions on possible hobbies?  Any ideas are welcomed.. 

  

Confusion..

This post has been a long time coming.. Honestly, I'm ashamed of myself, but I've got to put this out there, because it will hold me accountable..  So here it goes..

My eating, even if it's in smaller portions, has gotten out of control..  I'm eating things that I CAN eat, but prolly SHOULDN'T eat..  Like tortillas.. or pasta..

I do eat my protein, but for the past few weeks, it's not been as much as I first started out.. this is mainly because I don't like milk again.. ugh!  I'm gonna try to start drinking milk again.. we'll see how that goes..

Over the past few days, I haven't been feeling much up to eating..  I thought it was originally because I got coffee on Sunday (instead of the non-fat hot chocolate I ordered) and drank about 1/4 of it.. Then I remembered that I wasn't supposed to have caffeine bc it dehydrates VSGers quickly.. BUT, now I'm not so sure that's the main reason why..

I've been drinking a lot of water, and I'm using the bathroom fine.. and yet, I am still finding it hard to eat.. No pain, just nausea.. it's like I'm back at the beginning of this whole thing.. and as I look at things, I'm wondering if this is something to do with it being my TOM..

I also have gotten out of any habit I made in the past few weeks.. So whoever called three weeks into the new year, I hope you get your reward.. lol.. This weekend I plan to work on some sort of a schedule for working out.. and I plan to get back into my cooking Pinterest recipes..

Here's to making better choices, and kicking laziness in the ass!!

Lazy Day...

So today was supposed to be my day for cooking.. Well, with all the rain we've been having (and are currently having), it's just made me feel so lazy!  And I deserve to have some of those days here and there.. Right?  :)

As of right now, all the ingredients are in my kitchen for Southwestern Stuffed Peppers.. Sounds really yummy, doesn't it?  I hope it turns out as good as it sounds.. lol..

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Tomorrow morning, I am embarking on a first for me.. Well, a first in a LONG time.. I'm attempting a Spin Class.. I've heard lots of people praise them.. Hell, my pregnant cousin does this class!  If she can make it through (without going into labor), I hopefully can.. lol.. I just hope that I don't do any damage to my lady parts..

I'd love to know how many people have actually said this to their bosses.. lmao..

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A friend of mine, Samien, just posted all of her intended races for 2013.. I love reading about her life, and she's definitely one of the people I talk to all the time.. She calls me her Indiana bestie, and I'd have to say the feeling is mutual.. She is my Minnesota bestie.. and I can't wait to actually meet her in July.. :)

So, while I may be partial, I figure we are all looking for some fun blogs to follow.. You should TOTALLY follow hers.. :)

Whoops!

Sorry, I told myself I would work on keeping a normal blog routine going.. Especially since I have the time, just not the ideas I guess.. lol..

I've been reading all sorts of blogs, and trying to comment when I come up with something STELLAR to say.. lol.. and I've been trying to be active on Twitter more.. If you are on Twitter too, please leave me your "handle" in the comments and I'll follow you.. Wow, that sounds uber creepy, but it is what we do anymore.. right?!  :)

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Today's entry isn't so much as weight loss related, even though I'm still progressively losing, as it is life related..  Lots has been happening, well it's lots to my boring life..

I'm starting to look into moving from my parents house.. I've pretty much picked the place, and am excited because they have a floor plan that I love still available.. and the manager is gonna let me put down part of my deposit to save that apartment for me.. AWESOME!!  Now, I just need to get my taxes done so I can put it down for the deposit (plus a little to put away)..


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I also found this idea somewhere (I honestly can't remember where I found it, so if you know where/who it came for, please let me know so I can give them credit) about saving money.. Put $1 in for week 1, $2 for week 2... $51 for week 51, $52 for week 52.. Get it?  If you keep up with it, you can have almost $1400 saved by the end of the year.. I plan to do this, plus double the weeks I have two paychecks (for as long as I have two paychecks of course).. :)

And I plan to save my change and put it in the same savings account.. So hopefully I'll be able to save like $2,000 by the end of the year.. HOPEFULLY!

I'm still working on saving for the Paula Deen pots/pans.. :)  I have an extra paycheck this month, so I know I can probably get them regardless of how much I save.. Plus, I plan to get Amazon gift cards from Jay C, so I can earn gas points along with my pots/pans.. lol.. win/win situation, right?  :)

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Tomorrow I plan to post my second week of Pinterest recipe.. I've been wanting to find a stuffed pepper recipe for FOREVER!  I finally found one!  So I'm planning to make it with ground turkey and I can't wait!!  I love stuffed peppers.. :) And they usually are lower in calories..

 Well, I'm off to finish my John Hughes marathon.. Have a good weekend!

Weekly Pinterest Recipe

One of my goals for January was to cook one Pinterest recipe a week.. and today was the first recipe of the month.. :)  And after the week I've had, this was a good recipe to do because I could start it in the crock pot and sleep while it was cooking.. lol

It's also the easiest recipe that I've ever come across.. pack of taco seasoning, chicken breasts, and salsa (I used 2 jars which I'm glad I did).. I didn't plan originally to use torilla shells (bc I'm trying to stay away from bread), but I got some from the store.. but forgot to get anything else, like sour cream or lettuce.. Thank goodness I had shredded cheese..

I broke this up into three different things, put two in the freezer and one in the fridge.. I'll be eating off it all week, I'm sure.. lol.. If you want the recipe, please click on the picture, it'll take you to the original post.. :)

Enjoy!  Now I'm kinda hungry, so I'm gonna go eat a popsicle..

10 Things to Know After VS Surgery

A lot of people in my day-to-day life ask me questions about what I can/can't do, eat, and vice versa.. And I'm sure a lot of you know little about Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, so I'm going to let you in on a little bit of info I've learned in the last 2 months..  Geez, it seems like it's been longer than that..

# 10. Right now, I can eat around 1/2 cup of food without feeling supremely full (and equally sick)..  This can be a little bit more, depending on the amount of carbs in it.. But for the most part, I can eat 1 piece of a large pizza, 2 chicken nuggets, or (barely) 1 pk of oatmeal..

#9.  I was warned that there would probably be some foods that I couldn't tolerate after the surgery.. So far, those foods are: eggs, salad, and regular yogurt..  I can eat greek yogurt really well, but I guess regular yogurt is too thin..  OH, and anything too dry..

#8.  Because I had my gallbladder taken out, I usually only eat the pizza or chicken nuggets when I'm out (and have no other option) or when I need to go #2.. Yes, constipation is an issue, but I'm working on balancing my protein and fiber.. lol

#7.  My dietary plan was interesting.. I was on a liquid diet for 5 days after coming home, then onto soft foods for 3 weeks.. It seems like I've been eating normal for for more than a month, but it truly has only been 4 weeks..  I also wasn't able to work out, more than walking, for 6 weeks, but I broke that at 4 because I was so BORED!!

#6.  As of right now, I've had no complications.. When I first arrived home, I was always worried about popping a stitch (even though I'm sure you have to drink/eat a bunch to do that).. But my health, while not horrible before surgery, has gotten so much better since.. I no longer have migraines, my legs/hips don't hurt after walking a lot, and my acid reflux that I had towards the end of my "waiting period" is gone again.. :)

#5.  I was told that my weight loss should be mostly done in 6 months.. And if I keep this rate of weight loss up, which I have ever intention to, I will have lost 120 lbs in 6 months.. :)  Which will put me in a good place to stay and hopefully be healthy and happy..

#4.  Eating and drinking is now something that I have to THINK about.. I no longer get hungry..  Which is awesome, but there are multiple people that become anorexic because of this (according to things I've read)..  Also, I am no longer able to drink while I eat.. It could cause me serious pain to do so.. I have to wait 30 minutes after eating to drink anything..  Which is an adjustment that I'm slowly getting used to..

#3.  I am supposed to take several different vitamins, multiple times a day.. I take a Flintstone vitamin twice a day, a calcium chewable three times a day, and a B12 chewable once a day..  and because the Flintstone vitamin has iron in it, I have to take all of these 2 hours apart from each other.. This is something I'm still having issues getting into my day, especially working..

#2.  Cooking for one is hard enough.. Cooking for 1/2 a person (which is what I usually eat) is that much harder.. Wasting food is something that we all, losing weight, struggle with at some time.. I'm getting past that issue, and starting to cook for myself (and freeze stuff for later)..

#1.  Eating too much is not an option.. Unless you want to make yourself throw up.. Which I hate.. ick!   And it's not a "stick your fingers down your throat" kind of sick.. It's a "run to the toilet and bend over" kind of sick.. You truly have no choice.. I've only avoided it (barely) by stretching myself out as far as possible.. And it's usually the worst feeling ever.. ugh!

This surgery was the best decision I've ever made.. BUT it's not an automatic fix.. It's more of a staple, because about 25% of the people that have this surgery regain most of their weight back.. I have someone that had this surgery that only lost 40lbs (the average is around 100lbs) because she doesn't exercise or eat as well as she should..  I don't want that to be me, so I will do everything I can to make this work..

Yes, I still have sweets.. But thanks to my limited stomach capacity, it's like 1 cookie or mini cheesecake.. I won't eat bread for another 10 months, bc I've been told not to.. I'm actually thinking I'm gonna try to avoid bread totally.. Now, this is just bread, not stuff like tortillas..

Well, hope this helps you understand more about what life is like for me, after surgery.. Look forward to new before/after pics next week.. :)

Oh.. Em.. Gee..

On my Facebook page, I follow another page called Running to Disney.. and it gave me an idea.. no, more of a goal..  Next January, I will be running/walking in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon in California!  I think this is a doable goal, especially since the 2013 race hasn't been done yet..

The only thing I can see standing in my way of this goal is finances.. The race itself is $150 (if I register in July).. not to mention all the fun stuff during the weekend.. Yep, it's a whole weekend of Tinker Bell related stuff!  AND I WANT TO GO SO BAD!!  Anyone that knows me knows of my love for Tink.. I have her tattooed on my shoulder blade.. I'm planning to eventually do a Tinkerbell Christmas tree (that'll take a bit though, and it'll prolly only be a small table tree).. Tinkerbell reminds me of the magical possibilities in the world.. :)

Okay, back to the half marathon stuff.. According to the website, I've got to maintain a 16 minute mile.. and I'm not sure what my pace is right now, but I will find out soon.. I was worried about running in the cold, but according to the weather, it's like Spring over there.. So I'm getting more excited.. :)

After looking at other things involved with this, I'm realizing I'm going to have to save a lot of money to make this possible.. I'd say probably $1,000 for the whole thing (because I can't go to California without spending money.. lol).. With it being over 2,000 miles away, driving is definitely not an option, so I'll be flying for probably the first time ever.. and then I'll have to rent a car or take public transportation (which is the likely option).. and then $100/day hotel stay.. geez! BUT, this is a once in a lifetime thing.. So I'm gonna try my hardest to do it..

I'm off to get some sleep now.. Good night!

Dating..

As I sit here wondering how honest I should be with this entry, I realize if I can't tell you all, I'll never be able to talk to strangers.. lol.. So here I am.. Writing how scared I am to start dating again.. How I wish I could tell the guy I like that I'd love to go out with him (but I'm scared of ruining the friendship we have), even if we live 2 1/2 hours from each other.. Geez, I hope he doesn't read this.. lol

Confession: I haven't been on a date in almost 5 years..

I used to hate dating.. because guys always expected things from you, it seemed.. I get that if it goes well, I may kiss a guy.. But thinking you are gonna get into my pants on a first date is outrageous to me.. but supposedly I'm in a world that doesn't exist anymore..

I believe that guys should open doors for girls and that they should always pay (and leave a good tip).. I want a guy that actually pays attention to what I say.. And supposedly this is asking a lot..

After saying all this, as of now, I plan to join Match.com later this week.. if my paycheck allows it.. and while I wish this guy would ask ME out, I'm not waiting around.. I may get up the nerve to ask HIM out.. lol.. BUT, until that happens, I will get myself out there.. Hopefully it will be a good experience..  :)

Goals For January..

My goals are simple, and mostly focus around my life.. but some of them are fitness related..  because it wouldn't be the beginning of a new year without fitness goals, right?!

I will be putting these up on the left side of my blog, under my weigh ins, so I can keep myself accountable.. :)

Goals for January:

** Cook (from a recipe) at least once a week

(and post recipe and turnout on here)

** Workout at least 4 times a week

(this means SOME kind of activity)

** Save up enough money to buy these.. aren't they cute?!

(I've already got $45 towards it)

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If you don't "like" my page on Facebook, you should!  lol, just kidding, kinda.. But if you did like it, you'd know I am doing a giveaway for reaching 50 "Likes".. While I've reached 50, I'm still gonna wait until Friday at 10pm to draw, so you can still enter.. PLUS, you get an additional entry for being a follower of my blog!  So check out my page:

Finding My Fabulosity on Facebook

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Okay, I just have to brag about my bestie, Amanda!  She has the cutest kids (even though they're getting to that age where ya just wanna tape their mouths closed.. lol.. just kidding),and they got me a present, she got me a present and her hubby got me a present.. I loved all of them!  Here's some pics of what they got me.. 

Yep, that's a frying pan..

A PINK frying pan!!  Love it!!

Amanda's hubby got me this for my new car.. :)

The kiddos got me these bc I always complain about their fingerprints
all over my windows after we go somewhere.. lol

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I'm so close to 40 lbs lost that I can taste it.. literally .4 lbs away.. Hopefully it'll be there by tomorrow.. :)  BUT, recently I tried on some "before" underwear.. Guys, you might not have this issue, but girls, you know what I'm talking about.. Once my ass got too big to fit into my pretty underwear, I went into the plain BGP's (Big Girl Panties).. They are plain, one color, and usually high waisted.. Well, I noticed at Christmas that they were turning into Urkel panties.. lol.. so I tried on a pair of my "before" panties.. and I'm an underwear/bra snob most of the time, so I only wear Victoria's Secret underwear/bras.. and THEY FIT!!  So, I grabbed all the BGP's and threw them in the trash!!  I'd have burned those suckers if it weren't illegal in town.. lol

Goodbye BGP's.. May I never see you again!!

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Okay, onto fitness stuff.. Last but not least, I guess..  Today's post is chock full of pictures.. I hope you enjoy and are laughing at some of them (like the last one).. :)

I recently found a FB page that issued a challenge.. A Dive-bomb challenge.. Now, if you've never heard of these, I suggest you look it up, bc I'm too tired to go on Youtube (so just typed Youbutt before fixing it.. lmao) right now.. They are hard core.. I did one, and while going down wasn't a problem, getting back up was interesting.. I have some serious leg muscles (or I did) but I have no upper body strength whatsoever.. I'm hoping this will change that.. 

I also am doing a Plank challenge (which is gonna be hard as hell) and by the end of the month, I'm supposedly gonna be able to do a 4 minute plank.. I'm not holding my breath, but I will be able to do one for longer than a minute, I hope..  Oh, and I'm doing a squat challenge.. Working my way up to 100 squats by the end of the month (going up by 5's)..  I hurt already.. lol

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I hope you all had a wonderful AND SAFE New Years Eve.. and that you all are making ATTAINABLE goals for however long you plan to make them.. because they are YOUR goals.. :)

Good night!

Accountability Picture: Day 1

Happy New Years!!

Happy New Year, to all of my wonderful followers!  I'll be back tomorrow to talk about my challenge I'm participating in for January.. :)

Be safe!!