If you don't follow my blog, or I don't mention it enough, or you don't care, I've lost somewhere between 20-25 pounds. I don't really recall where I was to begin with, but I know where I am now. I was wearing approximately a 12-14 size pants and a large to extra large shirts. I'm am excited to announce that I wear a size 8 pants (and that's not like the last time I lost weight where I wore about a 10 and had some size 8's, I have yet to try on an 8 that doesn't fit) and I wear a medium to a large in shirts. I have pretty big boobs and arms, but not disproportionately.
My parents were visiting and as usual, my mom and I went shopping (and no I didn't get very much, my mom couldn't even force me to buy stuff) and I was torn on these blue pants. I've wanted skinny jeans in different colors (red and cobalt to begin). These pants are slim cut dress pants in cobalt. My mom said since I wasn't sure about them, that she'd buy them for me. I ended up loving them. I wish you could see more of them, but when I try to stand up my camera it wobbles and makes it blurry. I love cobalt blue and I think they are unique enough, without being over the top.
pants: NY&Co/shirt: JCPENNEY/cami: Nordstrom Rack/shoes(that you can't see): Target/necklace: gift
I don't have anything more exciting to say other than the fact that I really could have used more than the one day off that I took to spend with my mom and dad.
P.S: I'm not one for the need to be a fashion blogger, so I am sorry that my pictures, picture quality, and amount of pictures are lacking. Maybe I'll get fancy one day.
At the gym, this song came on my Ipod and I chose not to change it. Some would have passed it up for something more upbeat, but I kept it. I was, luckily, at the end of my work out, but I wanted to bask in a moment to remember my loved ones who have passed, especially my grandparents.
My sister and I are lucky little girls (although we are not so little anymore). We grew up with six grandparents. My mom's parents had remarried before either of us were born. I thought that six grandparents was the norm and could not figure out why other kids only had four.
I want you to remember, no matter what, to love them and hug them. Let them tell you boring stories, ask them questions about their lives, and when they want to spend time with you, do it. You never know when they will be gone. Someone I know is always blowing of his grandparents, and not to sound like a geek, but I could ring his neck, because I'd do anything to spend 1 more day, heck, 1 more hour with each of my grandparents.
Grandpa Harvey: October 10, 1933 - January 14, 2012
Grandpa Harvey is my mom's dad. I don't know as much about him as I do my other grandparents, but I can give you some information. He had 3 sisters, and was adopted with one of his sisters as a kid. He grew up in North Dakota, lived on a farm, married my grandma, and then my aunt, mom, and uncle were born. They moved to California and the rest is history.
Grandma "Mo": September 21, 1921 - June 20, 2011
Grandma Mo, or Eleanor as others would call her, was my dad's mom. She was a nurse in the army, that's how she met my grandfather, during World War II. Her and my grandfather were married for 62 years when he died, and they only spent 10 days apart. She tried to teach me how to crochet, she helped foster our imagination, and made the best cookies. No peanut butter or chocolate chip cookies compare to hers.
Grandma Marlene: December 3, 1937 - August 2, 2010
Grandma Marlene is my mom's step-mom. She married my grandpa Harvey WAY before I was born. Lucky for her (and for me) her children didn't have children until after my sister and I were born, and I was the first girl. Most of her jewelry, although sometimes cheesy, costume jewelry, was passed to me before she died (by her) and I knew she'd have gems when I went to pick out what was hers that I wanted. I wear a ring that was hers almost everyday. She always bought our Christmas dresses for us and who wouldn't love a grandma that had to have a second bedroom so she had an extra closet!
Grandpa Gerry: September 23, 1918 - February 25, 2008
Grandpa Gerry is my dad's dad. I can't tell you the number of life lessons he taught us. He was in the army, during World War II. As you may recall, he met my grandma after he was injured. He fostered a love of tomatoes and ketchup in his granddaughters (lucky man, only had granddaughters). I'm sure for my dad and aunt and uncle it was a different story, but when things went wrong or when you did something wrong, it was always advice. Not a scolding, but help for making things better next time. His words of wisdom, helped with some of my weakest moments in life.
Grandpa Fred: March 21, 1930 - March 16, 2007
Grandpa Fred was my mom's step-dad. He was a Coquille Indian, and said he fought a grizzly bear. I have no proof, but it makes for a great story. He was an outdoorsman, loved camping, loved his grandchildren, and his dogs. Abbey and Dillon were his pride and joy, especially after my grandma died. When Abbey died his heart probably broke in two. His stories were always far fetched and outlandish, but you never knew if they were true or not.
And finally...
Grandma Pat: May 16, 1933 - April 23, 1999
Grandma Pat. The one we lost way too soon and without warning. The one I couldn't say goodbye to. My mom's mom. The one that I miss the most. The one that my heart still breaks thinking about. All that she missed. I can remember the last few conversations she and I had. I can remember the gut wrenching feeling when my dad told me she had died. The pastor at the church where I got confirmed said that I was the cookie cutter version of my mom and my grandma. I'm sure she would have never admitted it, but I was her favorite.
I can't find the video, but I remember a commercial where a grandchild was supposed to pick up, or go see their grandmother, and they didn't because they were doing drugs. I've ALWAYS every time I've seen been angry and upset. Especially since it came out not long after my grandma Pat died. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.
So, remember to love your grandparents, no matter what. No matter how crazy they drive you, no matter how busy you are, and no matter how much you don't want to. Spend time with them, as much as you can. Remember, some of us don't have that time anymore.
And because I'm not always sad, mostly just nostalgic, I've been digging this song, a lot:
Top # of Things I am in the Mood for (to eat) and Don't Have:
1. Eggs
2. Big, gigantic full of veggies salads
3. Grapes
4. Cottage cheese
5. Pizza
I know that is so random, and I'm really not a food person, okay, that's a lie. I am a food person, but I don't normally blog about food. I don't cook, Chris does all the cooking. I'm thinking my next grocery trip will have to include some of these things. I'm not one to normally get cravings either, I get binges, but not cravings.
I've always wondered how people manage to not wash their hair EVERY SINGLE DAY. I've wanted to try it and see what it might do for my hair. I don't think my hair is oily, and I don't think my hair is dry. I think it is in between. I don't think my hair is thin, and I don't think it is thick (although hair dressers tell me it is thick). It isn't straight, and it isn't curly, it's kind of wavy. If you can't tell I have this amazing in between hair! I'm actually okay with my hair. It's pretty long and I'd like to keep it that way. I also don't color it or heat style it. I might, and I say MIGHT straighten or blow dry it 5 times a month. I know, crazy right? I really want my hair to stay super healthy and super long for as long as possible.
Anyway, today I didn't wash my hair. I didn't want to go to church with wet hair (it was cold and was potentially going to rain) and I've had a super lazy Sunday. It has kind of worked out for me today. It doesn't look gross and as of this last hour it has finally gotten tangly and awful (yes the Disney movie Tangled should have been written about my hair). So I swept it back in a giant claw clip and I've called it a day.
Things I've learned from my one day experiment:
1. My hair can maybe, maybe, if I'm not working out because I sweat like a 400 lb man, go every other day without shampoos.
2. I have really good hair. I know, I'm kind of being cocky and obnoxious but I realize that my hair is pretty awesome all on its own.
3. If I continue my experiment, then maybe I could save money on shampoo and buy fancier kinds.
My second experiment of the weekend. I'm not going to use the phrase that makes my experiment a no-go ("leggings as pants"). Okay, I said it. Anyway, I've lost 20lbs and I really like to wear leggings, especially because I don't own skinny jeans yet and it's been raining and I can only tuck leggings into boots. Anyway, I have long v-necks and cutesy sweaters and I've been digging the combo that I wore today (and I wore it to dinner yesterday - yes I'm not okay with only washing my hair a few times but I'll wear clothes over and over before washing). If you see me out in a "leggings as pants" outfit and don't approve, please let me know.
This experiment has taught me:
1. This only works with black leggings. It is not as cute with my grey ones.
2. I should probably try and find more black leggings.
3. It only works with tall boots and if my butt is covered.
Those are the only experiments that I have I have done this week.
My mom and dad are coming to visit this weekend. I'm kind of excited.
And finally, I'm like every other blogger out there and my coworkers and I are all really digging this song:
- That if I eat an egg white omelet, fruit, and toast for dinner from a restaurant instead of a hamburger and fries, that I am still being healthy.
- That I don't have to keep running, but can if I want to.
- That one meal, one bad choice won't ruin all my heard work, as long as I get back on track.
- That life is about choices and they are mine alone to make.
- That being happy and healthy is more important than skinny and sick.
I like this song, it reminds me of my mom's Jazzercise videos. I'm sorry that this post is so lackluster. I'm tired and still have things to do tonight.
My legs could use some color, don't worry, they'll get there. I have spray tan and tan enhancing lotion in my cupboard.
Oh, and I'm sort of a geek and I think I'm getting kind of buff. Okay, at least a lot more muscle tone and a lot less fat than before. I've lost almost 20 pounds and about 2 pants sizes. I've been doing a modified version of Jamie Eason's Live Fit Trainer but I can't get into Week 9, so I might start from the beginning again, and gain some more muscle before I do the lean out phase. I'm not quite where I want to be muscle wise.
I am always early to bed and early to rise, and even for me this loss of an hour sucked. I didn't get up until 8 because of it. The horror! I even was in bed at 10:15 last night and probably asleep by 11. I must have needed some shut eye.
In other news...
Have you seen these videos/heard these songs.
First, I love this song by Miranda Lambert. And the video is so well done, kind of haunting yet beautiful. It also brings tears to my eyes.
And this song, Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars. I love both, and I really love this song.
Disclaimer: I might make you angry or you might not care and agree with me.
G.C.B.
I thought the show was hysterical. I think that Kristin Chenoweth is so funny. She's a hysterical actress. As a Christian, I was not offended at all. It is an over dramatic stereotypical view of Christian women from Dallas. It is over the top. Kim Gatlin who wrote the book, which I haven't read, may or may not be a Christian or from Dallas. It is a stereotype and there is nothing more hysterical than over the top stereotypes. This is my personal opinion, we all have differing opinions on all kinds of subjects. If you're from the south and take offense to it, I apologize, but as a girl from California I'm thought to live next to a movie star, being a liberal nut (you know, California home of the fruits and nuts aka gays and liberals), that I might be a valley girl, that I say "like" all the time, or that I am Cher from "Clueless." I'm used to it. I'm also a Christian (Lutheran to be specific) and of course I'm thought to be judgmental and biased. And that's fine because I know who I am and what I believe in. And if this show makes me laugh, good for me. I'm gonna read the book and I'm fine by it. If you're not interested in it, awesome, but you should check it out if you have a sense of humor.
Just remember, no matter your opinion you can't boycott life. And anyone who thinks that the show is inappropriate I can probably think of 3 or 4 TV shows that you watch which I might feel how you feel about this one. Laugh at it. And be thankful that you aren't these ladies, or keep wishing you were.
"You is kind. You is smart. You is important." - Aibileen Clark, The Help
"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun." - Katharine Hepburn
"Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get." - Ingrid Bergman
"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud." - Coco Chanel
"Every man dies, but not every man really lives." - William Wallace, Braveheart
"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." - Marilyn Monroe
"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." - Audrey Hepburn
"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney
"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous." - Coco Chanel
The weather here has been amazing. It was almost 90 at our apartment which meant that the beach was definitely in the 70s if not near 80. We grabbed some lunch and headed to this beautiful spot:
The photo is from my Blackberry so I apologize that it isn't the best quality. It was kind of chilly though, which is unfortunate. It was such a beautiful day.
It really felt like summer time. It was heavenly. Even right now at 6 pm, I feel like it is a beautiful summer evening. I'm feeling rather nostalgic. I'm a cheap skate (sometimes) and I bought cheapy coconut shampoo which makes me think of being a little girl. I'm not one for ever caring about my hair, and I love in the summer my clean, wet hair resting on my shoulders. We did all our shopping and errands so we are totally settled for a relaxing night (someone - not me - has to be up and at work at 5 tomorrow).
At church today, we also sang one of my favorite worship songs as seen/heard below. We were discussing worship and how we should be doing it each day and everyday. Go worship God today and tomorrow and everyday.
