Hello//Goodbye -- Happy 4th :)

What's up, Thursday! Hooray for it being a short week & able to have tomorrow off to spend with my best half at Magic Kingdom! :) Today I am linking up with Nestful of Love for her Hello/Goodbye linkup. 

Today I am saying Hello to July, Goodbye to June!

Hello to Staycation in less than 3 weeks!

Hello, having a summer get together with friends!

Hello, celebrating 4 years ago when we got engaged. {07.20.10}

Hello to losing more weight and all the happiness that follows. Goodbye to the 5 lbs I lost last month! :)

Hello to more beach trips, Disney/Universal adventures & all that jazz.

Hello to more fireworks, late nights w/my love & BBQ's.

Hello to working harder on me and the house to make it our best version of us. & everything in between.

Hello to more mornings spent working hard to shed the weight. I do have my eye on a pink bikini & smaller sizes as well.. 

Hello to spending the 4th of July here @ Magic Kingdom tomorrow w/my mister! :) I absolutely LOVE taking pictures of fireworks so my Instagram account will be imploding.

What are you saying Hello/Goodbye to? Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your 4th of July w/family & friends, out by the pool or whatever adventure you have planned. See you back here Monday :)

So What, Wednesday!

We made it friends, we're halfway through the week. I thought I'd share another edition of SO WHAT, Wednesday. Feel free to share some of yours too!

This week I am saying SO WHAT too..

1) I didn't get up at 6:40 to work out today. That's been our 'new normal' for the past 3 weeks and I love it - but today I heard my alarm and was like I need my sleep- I will just work out during AGT tonight.

2) That I had Marco's for dinner last night. People seem to be judging me because I usually don't have delish pizza/cheesy bread for dinner but everything in moderation. On that note, I had cheesy bread with lunch. I am still accountable to myFitnessPal app to count calories.

3) That I just love shopping at Target. I bought my sister's birthday present Friday night, and on Saturday night I was back shopping again. This time to buy these beautiful towels in Guacamole & Coral. :)

4) Some of my co-workers have made it a habit to go to Mickey D's for ice cream here and there. I had to fight the urge & my sweet tooth today for a ice cream cone. I wanted it SO bad but I will enjoy a coconut Outshine bar post eliptical tonight :)

5) I want to get a calendar at work just for the sole purpose of crossing out the days til my staycation starts next month. 

7) I cannot stop drinking my homemade green tea. It's addictive. I think its helped kick my soda habit to the curb.

8) I am too excited to touch up my hair color soon. Thanks to my coupons - I will get it cheaper. 

9) I am already planning my coupons for this weekend shopping trip. I love it - its been an addiction since I was 16.

10) I am eating at FAZOLI's this weekend!! I used to work there and be the breadstick lady but I cannot wait for this weekend!! 

That was a shortened list for y'all. What are you saying 'SO WHAT' too this week? Sound off in the comments below! Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you back here tomorrow :) 

Five on Friday!

Hooray, we made it to Friday. It's been a long week. But its over and the weekend has returned.

Today I am still in a rather high celebratory mood. Wednesday was my 3rd wedding anniversary, and I shared the story of my big day from my eyes, the bride.

Today I am celebrating our celebration thus far this week.

'

#1.// We celebrated at Smokey Bones. Who doesn't enjoy some BBQ & Sweet Tea after work?

#2.// We both enjoyed some BBQ - he had beef brisket. I had smoked turkey.

#3.//We both had gifts for each other - I gifted him with the shirt in the top right: "I put ketchup on my ketchup." That fits him to a tee! aha.He gave me Anchorman 2 !! :) 

#4.//My husband woke up Tuesday with a head cold so I knew there was a possibility he'd fall asleep super early. I called it.  So I picked out 'A League of Their Own.' Favorite movie!

#5.//We didn't get dessert on Wednesday because it was lots of food. But if you're coming to Orlando anytime soon or if you're familiar with the area - you need to stop by Twistee Treat! It's one of those amazing gems for ice cream here. 

Chris got a Waffle cone dipped in Butterscotch. I got a large vanilla with Pina Colada cone. Made me want to take a trip to the beach. Staycation is SO close!! :) 

This has been a fantastic week for Chris & I. I've been staying motivated, getting up an hour early daily to do the elliptical. Been working out for 2 weeks straight and I am telling a difference. I feel really good, really positive. I am excited to weigh in this weekend but regardless what the #'s say - I will keep on, keepin on. I keep  thinking -  in 3 months, all these good choices will pay off. & I am hoping to lose close to 50 lbs by October. All is going well on that front! :)

Hope you enjoy your weekend!! Take care, thanks for stopping by & I'll see you back here next week! :) 

Weekend Wrap Up.

It's hard to come back to work on Mondays isn't it? Especially when your weekend was just THAT good.
My hubs & I had the invite to spend the weekend here at Ponce Inlet, FL, with my parents/sisters: at the beach.

Unfortunately as much as I've been craving a beach day, we managed to be pretty productive.
We both did our fair share of working out (I am addicted to my elliptical & thankful for both my Netflix & Hulu subscriptions.) This am, we worked out before work & it's made me less stressed & its fun to have a reason to watch 3 episodes of 'Cake Boss' simultaneously. We both have been really making more of an effort to watch what we eat and everything in moderation. Its becoming easier to not let my sweet tooth consume my decisions.

What else did we do? We got our house cleaned up on the outside & inside. Our house now shines from all our work. The lawn is mowed. The floor/counters are picked up & scrubbed clean. Dishes are done. Laundry is finally complete.

Our favorite time of the year is this week. Wednesday we celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary with dinner @ Smokey Bones. We don't eat at the same place, though we might when we find somewhere we like THAT much. We're also treating ourselves to Twistee Treat. & we're probably hitting up the theme parks this weekend. I'm excited to gift Chris with his gift that I know he'll love. I feel like we've been married longer but while this post is reserved for Wednesday - I just can't begin to express how much I'm blessed to be with him. He told me the other day, "When I married you, my life really took off."  < 3

Ps. I was excited to step on the scale Saturday to find out I lost 2 lbs. I'll take it :) Thanks for stopping by!

Ohh, the honesty chat.

Hello, friends. After reading a beautiful post by one of my favorite bloggers about why she blogs, I realized that I needed to stop letting my life get in the way and stop neglecting my post. When I first started blogging, I first wrote on a page through Xanga, mostly to keep in touch before Facebook after I returned home after attending college for 18 months out of state. My blog on Xanga was almost like a diary - no real important details but sometimes just awkward to write. Like those early Facebook posts that I saw on my feed: Bob bought a coke & liked it. Or Sue went to school today and aced her test. While these were great posts, they weren't really connecting me with people. They were keeping me in my bubble.

One of the biggest questions I've encountered while writing my book (still in process for years) is why I enjoy writing. What is my goal that I hope to get across to my readers not only on here but when my book gets published (hopefully next year).

I enjoy writing & blogging because it allows me to share moments of reflection of either past experiences or something on my heart that by writing a to do list or something small wouldn't allow me to process my internal ramblings. I've noticed in the past few years that I greatly enjoy being more reserved because it allows me the opportunity for inspiration, whether posts I want to share or memories I want to recall deeper. I also feel that writing is a way to connect with other individuals. I realize that for the past (in my case) 8 years that Facebook has been a constant presence in my life, and in the past few years - Instagram also has too. I only use Facebook for the opportunity of staying in touch or re-connecting with old friends/family who live out of state. I feel in the next few years that Facebook won't really be something I really keep up with - there are many days where I honestly want to leave it behind cold turkey because it just creates too much unneeded drama in my life.

I feel like this blog is my journey to share the coming chapters in my life. I've been dealt a few cards in my life that have caused internal turmoil that I want to connect with others - being my lifelong condition of hypothyroidism and how its hurt me in losing weight & pushed out my dream of becoming a mother. This journey is hard, and something that will be part of the rest of my life. I am sure there are those out there who may have this condition and it'd be nice to find new friends who are in my shoes. Or maybe there are those ladies who are on the weight loss train themselves. I've been working hard *on/off* for the past 2+ years to shed the weight. I've shed 40 pounds and kept it off but I also have another 75+ to lose before having a healthy pregnancy is even on the table for my life. Or maybe there is a reader out there who is married and just living life. I've been super blessed to marry my best friend. He makes me laugh and I love waking up to or going to bed with him by my side. I wouldn't want to do life with anyone else.

This is my space to talk about all of the previous topics. This is my space to share, connect, befriend and enjoy life. I love finding new opportunities to find new friends. I love to write and be in community with ladies who love to write and share their lives (that sounded creepy but I'm not a stalker! lol) This is the story that I am going to be better about. I am on various journeys - I am on my marriage journey (about to celebrate 3 years of wedded adventures), on my life journey that's intertwined with discovering my greatness/lose the weight & get fit so that we can start our family. I'm a planner and I enjoy posting about my life. I am excited to see the positives of what this blog will bring and the friendships I will make.

Hope you're having a FANTASTIC week. After taking a few too many days off, tomorrow night I'll be rejoining Jillian Michaels for my six week six pack.  YAY. :) Thanks for stopping by! ~ J

five (on) FRIDAY faves

                        Happy Friday, friends!

            Goodness – each time I sit down to write a blog post, life gets in the way. Most of the time for good reasons. This week I finally did something good and positive – I started jogging while on my daily pup walks after work. But its FRIDAY & I knew that I needed to write out some faves of my week to share with y’all J

         

  This week at the University I work with was SPRING BREAK!

SUPER nice to not have to wrestle students for parking spots. They’re not technically supposed to be parking in the staff lots but they do & when you’re running late – it just makes those 50 circles around the lot even more frustrating. This week they treated us staff to some of my absolute favorite things: Tijuana Flats, bowling, 4Rivers and yesterday – Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. Made my day.

  This weekend & well tonight – I am going to Epcot for a few rides & fireworks. I’m excited to be back – I get to go so much I feel I’ve taken up residence!

From the Flower & Garden festival - Epcot//April 2014

This weekend while I’m at my second home – I am finally getting a new accessory – Minnie Mouse ears @ 20% off. Thank you purchase from Starbucks at Disney for giving me this opportunity!

Been eyeing this for months!

Last Friday night - I went grocery shopping before Easter & did all my grocery shopping at Target after work. Combined with Cartwheel deals, big ol' stack of coupons and my red card - I saved so much - I was proud. 

Lastly, while shopping – I finally tried out these new delish treats – Birthday Cake M&M’s. Oh my goodness, they have replaced my old fave peanut butter M&M’s. If you ever want chocolate cake and want lower calories, ladies – grab a bag, you won’t be sorry!

Hope you have a truly FANTASTIC weekend. Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully I will get rested up this weekend so I can get back to posting more than once a week! ~ J

       

Liberty for Thirty

Happy Monday, friends! :)

So I'm a planner. I have to plan. I spent the better half of my Sunday evening looking at Pinterest interested in making cakes for friends. My husband reminded me that while its good to look at Pinterest for inspiration that its hard to base anything food wise off - because none of my projects turned out well. I didn't love the honesty but then after I took the emotion out of it - I realized that I appreciate when he doesn't sugar coat it and keeps me interested. That said - at least knowing that my 30th birthday is next year - my plans are fairly simple.

I already know that I want to spend my 30th at Daytona Beach here in Florida for the weekend. I want to have a party and a nice cake with family/friends. So I appropriately named my bucket list journey: Liberty for Thirty. :)

It's threefold:

1) I want to have lost all my weight by that day. Today I am starting back on the Zumba/Yoga/Pilates train after having surgery a month ago. I want to be able to have the moment when you wear the size you want - in a cute dress - and just feeling your best on your big day.

I've made more plans on this - in terms of (3) 90 day goals to lose as much weight as possible. Encouraging myself in this time to drink more water, eat less sugar & to control my 'treat yo self' moments better. Today (March 10th) starts my first 90 day goal. This will be coming up in my future posts and excited to share my losses with you.

These are merely just plans because I do have a condition that works against my hard work. & I am a girl who likes my chocolate. But I have re-connected with the MyFitnessPal app that helped me lose my first 40+ pounds & I know that the effort will help me get where I want to be.

2) I want to get my book published. I have all these ideas running through my head all the time that I want to include and am always jotting something down. Tons of napkins with ideas or quotes are on my nightstand.

3) I want to be able to turn 30 - and know that all the groundwork has been done. I will be at the weight that I can successfully start our family. :)

Thanks for your sentiments and well wishes in advance. My 30th birthday is next October, 2015.
My work is pretty much cut out for me and I'll be keeping you posted. Pretty sure this is a part of my book as well - as I'll be journaling this.

Highlights of my Thanksgiving/Black Friday.

Welp, Thanksgiving is over & I did get to enjoy seconds of my mom's mashed potatoes. Each bite was heavenly & you know its a hit with me when I pass over any other dish on the table for those. Another highlight of my Thanksgiving was this game: Mall Madness. I tend to bring it to my parents when its something fun to do instead of the usual. For the first time ever playing this game - when I went to the bank (to be fair - I was running out of money) it was closed. SEVEN times in a row. Insanity. But it did crack my mom & I up. It also cost me the game because I couldn't afford anything I didn't already have.

 

This year I hit the dessert bug. I made from scratch - pumpkin pie. I don't like pumpkin pie, well I've never had it but the smell of it just makes me feel sick. But I made it for my family because every one else does. For the first time ever - I made a holiday classic pie for my family & it turned out beautifully. I also made Mounds bars as well. We ended up with tons of desserts - 2 extra pies at my parents -- it was overload.

We also braved the stores for Thanksgiving sales & Black Friday today. 

Last night - we braved the cold - it was a windy 50 here but for Florida - that was the killer. (The previous night was 38 with insane winds). We waited outside Kohl's and got my husband's Christmas gifts. 

Today - we planned on Target. I've wanted to go all week. I did score some good deals.

1) 8 opening 'Family' collage

2) Legally Blonde 

3) Talladega Nights

4) A 12 pk of tumblr's for the house. Which we've been needing. 

All for a whopping $28 TOTAL. 

I've also been scouring Amazon all week but yesterday the deals started becoming ones I was interested in.

I just found out I bought the wrong Zumba - which greatly irks me. But I got the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack, a beautiful pink infinity scarf, THE playard from our baby registry (we were going to have to buy it regardless - why not save now?) 

But all in all - its been a great start to the holiday season for us. I am already planning out my cooking for Christmas.

& today my husband ordered my Christmas present - a brand new ELLIPTICAL! I can't wait to see how much weight I can lose because sometimes let's be honest - I am motivated to work out on the weekends at 1am. :)

We've been able to be quite productive since getting off work early on Wednesday. Our Christmas tree, lights, some presents are wrapped. Our house is cleaner inside, laundry & dishes are mostly done. Win win all the way around. Cleaning relaxes me.

#doSOMETHING

HOORAY! The thing I love best about fall, honestly is  the fact that its about the best four months of the year. I love it because of the not so good reasons -- seasonal drinks @ Starbucks which I only indulge in twice, really make those cals worth it! I love the cooler weather which in FL it does happen -- when you're lucky ;) & its just that time of getting your family together because you just can and that makes me excited. There are many other reasons but I just finished working out 10 min ago so I am trying to keep this brief. (My mind works best after I work out in terms of blogging, kind of like when I used to have a planner & would cross off my to-do list).

So, the title of this post is #doSOMETHING which is my two day old fitness goal that I've challenged myself to. As much as I want to start our family -- I have to get my healthy, fit self back. Not just for my condition but because I just feel sooo good when I carve out the time for my best version of me. My challenge is basically that I want to stop making excuses (I'm too tired, takes too long, etc..) and just workout. All of September, I'm challenging myself to 30 min minimum. October 1st increases to 40 minutes. & so on.

Tonight I also did something great -- I re-faced MyFitnessPal. I held myself accountable and entered in all of my food/cardio/ab work and hopefully in 5 weeks -- I will be where they estimate. Secondly, I partnered with IdealShape for their 12 week challenge. This will help keep me focused, motivated and on track. Sometimes you just need a friend or a hundred ones who are on the course with you to keep you reminded of your goals and where YOU want to be.

Lastly, I just want to say a big THANK YOU to my amazing parents. I joke with them that I've definitely grown up when it comes to what I want for my birthday. When I was little - annually I'd ask for unrealistic gifts -- like a pony. My mom would smile but it never went that far.  But this year they surprised me with an early birthday gift -- new AMAZING running shoes from Saucony. We're talking hot pink shoes that just by looking at them -- fill me with JOY! This way I will be able to start walking/jogging and eventually break the I can't run chain -- and be a runner. I'd love to run a 10K next year and some day a half marathon.

My pretty new shoes! 

Other items I am interested in that my husband vaguely mentions he'll be taking care of -- 

the new Little Mermaid 3D & well my  birthday will be a Disney Cruise! 

I challenge you to make yourself a #doSOMETHING challenge even if its not related to fitness, maybe to spend less time on technology, take a hiatus from Twitter or Facebook or just find something you need to get done more. Either way, be BLESSED. -- J

fab friday

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Thank God its FRIDAY & I get paid today. I will start off this post saying while this isn't fab, I did get sick on Wednesday. So my memory is suffering but I wanted to prevail and post today as I missed two weeks unintentionally. Sad face.

Today I want to talk about these FAB things:

• The biggest FAB thing that happened this week: I OFFICIALLY finished my Master's on Tuesday!! Ended up graduating with a 3.8 which is terrific, and I can't wait to celebrate big time when my husband finishes his Master's at the end of June. Definitely can't wait to get my degree but more so for the bigger & better things.

• Another FAB thing that happened: more dates, mostly impromptu with my husband to the beach. Lately we've gone in the afternoon/early evening and even though I am sick with a nasty cold, I am hoping we can go tomorrow since we are off Monday (long weekend!) It pays to live by the beach!

• Last FAB thing to mention, now that my Master's is complete, I can get back on track with losing weight. Plus its totally motivating that I'll be able to reunite with Lowe's, Michael's, Jo Ann's to get started on those house projects!

• One more-- I am starting my last month of doing Pampered Chef in May & I am definitely ending with a bang. I have my Help Whip Cancer fundraiser all month long and will be having 2 different shows. I am excited to finish this, it was fun but just hasn't panned out for me.

30 Things (pt 3)

Happy Sunday! Our plans were to originally spend time with family today but timing changed a bit. Last night I made my mom a cookie cake for her belated birthday party today :) She's not expecting it and I love surprising her this way for lunch!

Maybe two weeks ago, I wrote the original post of 30 Things and today I'll be continuing it with #15-21.

15) Describe when you knew your spouse was the one or when you fell in love: When I met Chris, he was literally weeks away from being done with the Disney College Program and we met on a Christian dating site. He told me that he'd be returning to finish up his last semester at college in KS in a month but that'd didn't matter to me. We got to know each other, talked every day and our first date was at Disney (perks of living in FL & he got in free) park-hopping with a few friends. There was just something about him that I caught early on. He has these amazing blue eyes and a smile that can make your knees buckle right away. But the chemistry we had from early on- I was immensely blessed I found someone this amazing- I had just graduated college 2-3 months prior. The day he left- he met my mom/sister for the first time and just being with him- I wasn't sure if I could handle months away until he came back. I drove him to the airport and when we kissed, it felt like part of me had disappeared. Two months later, I celebrated my birthday & moved half way across the country to be with him. The rest is history.

16) What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?

Graduating with my Bachelor's in May '09.

Getting married in June 2011.

Buying our first house in Dec '11.

Paid off our car loan 18 mos early in 2012. 

Graduating with my Master's in April '13.

17) What is thing you wish the most you were great at? Art. I draw stick figures, I try to get inspired when I'm @ JoAnn's or Michaels and look at all the different areas of art but I'm just not blessed to be talented like my sis in law who is an amazing artist.

18) What do you think your spouse loves most about you?

He's told me before & there's a long list but at the top- its a 50/50 thing with my big brown eyes and my smile. There's no clear winner between the two. 

19) How did you feel when you became a parent? This will be answered hopefully Spring 2014. Until then, I have two dogs and that's the closest I am to a parent. When we got our first, Coco- I wanted to make sure that I did everything I could to keep her healthy and safe, but enjoying life (as much as a dog can).

20) Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood. The first would be when my grandma passed away when I was 11 from a long battle with breast cancer. She & I were very, very close so her death really impacted me. I remember saying goodbye and   it just hurt for a very, very, very long time. The second was when my sister was born when I was 14. I remember holding her for the first time and just excited to see who she'd become. Update: She's almost a teenager! The third would be: too painful to talk about, sorry. Just know that bullying is real and it does impact people's lives and mentality. 

21) Describe your relationship with your parents. Welp, I know that if It was 10 years ago, I'd be 17 and I'd give a typical answer. Thankfully its 2013, I'm 27 and those past days are very much behind us. My parents and I are very, very close now which I am so so SO thankful and happy for. I enjoy spending time with my family and I know that my best interest is always on their minds. We've come a long way & I know they've always got my back. 

Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Now that my knee isn't bothering me, time to work out. I have my first 5k this coming Saturday and I really want to do well :) My LAST MBA class starts Wednesday, praise the Lord!  ~Jessica

FAB FRIDAY!!

This week I want to talk about these FAB things: 

1. I've lost another 2.4 lbs this week & I'm hoping for another 6 before the end of the month :) 

2. I'm getting close to a year since I decided to lose the weight & with the exception of today -- I've worked hard. I'm hoping to be down 50 lbs after a year of working hard. I'm about 14 pounds away. :)

3.My Bangin' Chicken sauce from Tijuana Flats makes any iffy dish AMAZING. 

4. I decided to be a great wife last night & bake cookies for my husband's potluck: White Chocolate Chip cookies. Bonus- I made too many so I still get to enjoy some. 

5. because I submitted 2 shows last month for the salesathon-- I got the new stone for Pampered Chef, a new cookbook & the new rub for FREE :)

6. For Valentine's day- my husband surprised me by getting 4Rivers BBQ (only in FL- a hot spot).

Friday's Letters

Dear Root beer Floats: I love you, and the magical goodness you bring with you. Not everyone always gets excited for you but why not- its a two in one: ice cream/root beer. Plus if you want to be extra corny like me, you can say you're enjoying the buzz.

Dear Pitch Perfect: Why did it take so long for this movie to dominate my life. Already own it, and I now want to watch it daily. Rebel Wilson practically makes me pee myself each time, and the hopeless romantic in me gets excited for Beka/Jesse sarcasm & how the Breakfast Club is tied in.

Dear Scale: Thank you for rooting my team this week & making me extra happy that I lost 3 pounds this week. Hopefully this is a weekly friendship from now on.

Dear Thin Mints: I love you, and the excitement that I get to enjoy you so soon is making me excited. You literally have the power to fill me with unconditional joy. Probably comes from the 6 boxes I ordered.... from my little sister to help her out.

Dear coworker who sings like a screeching cat: Hi there, its really getting old and just know that it makes me feel like screaming and throwing water balloons your way.. Hearing you sing makes me feel like there are nails on a office wide chalkboard all day; but we both work in an office, not at a church. I'm sorry if this bursts your bubble that I don't love your singing but this ain't American Idol- I'm not paid to lie to you about your "talent."

Dear 28th birthday: I'm really excited for you. I realize you're 8 months away but I can't wait to see all of the effort paying off from working out & making great choices. Plus you brings presents, hopefully my favorite Disney movie on Blu-ray & my Disney Cruise with my husband. Can you please hurry, I am in dire need of a vacation. Like a Pinterest obsessive, lazy day while snuggling with my husband. You bring good times & paid vacay.

[Longer weekend] Wanted.

So, I sit here watching 'Once Upon A Time' & my mind is spinning. I've had a weekend that has seemed to zip by and since I don't have MLK day off, I wish I did.

Let's see Saturday, I tagged along with my family to SeaWorld since they got a few extra passes for my husband & I. We got there & surprise! Our passes were actually FREE Fun Cards aka- basically many more FREE trips to SeaWorld until the end of 2013 :) YAY, many next trips are in the works.

I also got my share of workouts this week- approx 6 times of intense Zumba sessions/walking done. My first 5k for #operationbikini is Saturday, March 2 at Cru (ironically where my Dad works & he's paying for my reg fee). This week, I lost 2 lbs, would've been more but my dogs have been suffering from fleas :( & they bit me up to make my ankles swollen so I gained some un-fab water weight. Swelling has gone down but my month weight loss total is 6 pounds.

Only 84 remain to be at my goal for #operationredbikini :) :)

Last night I was so tired since riding a jerky ride at SeaWorld and screaming kids that I felt pretty sick. Got our laundry outta the way & kitchen cleaning craze. & I usually don't drink but I had my Malibu rum w/pineapple juice. Delish.

Today was one of those days where I feel I need another Sunday to recuperate from today. I had a Pampered Chef party and it went soooo well, but I was on my feet for about 4 hours straight & then grocery shopping. .

I do feel celebratory though. 2013 is a 10 year milestone for one of my very good friends, Katty G. I met her in youth group my senior year of high school, shockingly so long ago. We hit it off right away and our friendship has continually grown to be even stronger since then. She was also a bridesmaid in my wedding, and a great friend to have. She is (besides my parents) the longest friend I have known in life. Isn't that a great feeling to know someone in your life for a decade.

Hope you have a terrific week! ~Jessica

FAB Friday!

Time for another FAB FRIDAY :) Favorite post of the week. Today I want to talk about these fab things...
-I'm 2 weeks ahead in my current course. Gooo me!!  & I have an A :)
-Thanks to 3 days of 75 min Zumba sessions & downing water like a fish, I lost another  4 pounds.
{This month's total:  8  pounds}
-Saturday is my FIRST Pampered Chef show for January & it's a chocolate party. We'll be making triple layer brownies. I'm also bringing a brownie trifle & s'mores cookies. Can't wait to hopefully get more parties booked!
-Today I ended up having the day off (unfortunately for the dentist) but I'm being paid regardless.
-Since I've gotten back on track with working out, I have much more energy to tackle cleaning my house more often.
Hope you all had a great week!  Time to make my brownie trifle & s'mores cookies before my appt.
Blessings, Jessica

So What! Wednesday...

This week I'm saying SO WHAT IF...

1. I'm in the midst of losing weight but I love looking at Pinterest's food & drink section.
2. I had 3 skinny cows today, but I did 85 minutes of Zumba after work. Booyah!
3. I have an unofficial marathon of 'Hart of Dixie' & Parenthood on weekends,
4. I hate driving in Orlando traffic so much that I wish I could do that 'Bruce Almighty' effect would he divided the traffic into two-- especially on late nights.
5. I quote more Family Guy lines than I ever did before I met my hubby.
6. I love shopping in the maternity section of stores because the clothes look cuter than what I can fit into. Why not, it's cozier.
7. I already made my baby registry on Amazon & love to re-do it every couple of months. Still a year away from trying for baby #1.
8. I use Ebates to do my shopping at times just to make a 5 cent contribution to the check I will get. I live on the edge.

**For those who are unaware of what a Skinny Cow is- it's an amazing way to enjoy chocolate while losing weight!**

Skinny Cow <3

#operationredbikini

So, this morning- I did my first weigh in of the year. I lost 4 pounds this week :)

I'm pretty excited. I absolutely love knowing the weight is starting to come off, I was getting a tad nervous.

Definitely encouraged to keep it going especially because now I need to lose 86 pounds to be done (until I get pregnant). A lot of people have asked why I am aiming towards such a big number.

Let me answer that question as honestly as possible.

#1) I have struggled with weight since I was 11. I had a pretty unhealthy relationship with food in that I used it to hide my feelings or struggles in high school. I didn't have the best experience in high school, was bullied throughout middle school and some of high school. So, now I am changing my outlook on food and how many portions I have.

#2) I've seen the number on the scale & while I don't let it define who I am because its just a number; it does have a say in the sense of what size I am currently wearing AS OPPOSED TO the size I am aiming for-- size 8/9 :)

#3) As much as I would love to take a few months off & be on Biggest Loser-- I don't have the paid time off or the means to live on a ranch with Jillian Michaels. She'd be a bit too much to deal with 24/7.

So there you have it- I'm working my tush off to lose 86 more pounds because I need to be fit & healthy :)

& in other news...

-Usually I'm an overachiever with hw for school but trying to drum up motivation for my final paper wasn't there. However, I had to be at work 2 hours early today so I was able to get 4 pages done. YAY for being a month ahead.

-Tonight my husband & I had an impromptu date night. Nice to talk to him w/ great food & not w/ our two dogs watching/begging for food. Just saying, it was nice to shake things up.

-I met with my host after work today. We talked about the show next Saturday & I'm pretty psyched. I love being a Pampered Chef consultant. :)

Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend! Here's to another great wk towards #operationredbikini :)