So What, Wednesday! :)

1. I should be embarrassed to be seen in public with this massive bun on top of my head from this morning. I felt pretty stylish at work.
2. I've watched One Tree Hill on Netflix for the past 3 days & I'm not ashamed. 
3. I made brownies last night & they've disappeared. In fact, I had a brownie for breakfast. At least they're gone & my weight loss can continue.
4. Despite #3, my hubby is making us turkey bacon for dinner. Fave meal hands down.
5. The number one reason my printer runs out of ink: coupons. That night is tonight!
6. We're not trying for our first baby til this fall but my Amazon baby registry is all updated per ideas I found on Pinterest.
7. With #6 in mind, I'm shopping the big baby sale at Target daily. I think I just like adding items to my cart.
8. While at work today, I made a pre-baby bucket & that kept me occupied for 7 hours. 

Mind overload.

Today wasn't my best day but thankfully I'm feeling better than when I got home from work last night.

I think I am going to start opening up my posts with encouraging scripture (to help keep me positive) & quote of someone whose achieved greatness. I feel like its helpful to share other perspective as no matter how bad my day is or whatever my thought process is--  it's important to be positive.

So, ever since I was in high school, one of my favorite verses in the world has been Proverbs 16:3.

Put God in charge of your work & what you have planned will take place. (The Message)

Sooo.. My mind has been feeling a bit of overload lately. So, I am just gonna unpack my head and talk through it all.

First, my husband feels I am starting to hoard. A few weeks ago, my parents brought some more of my stuff over to our house so that I could go through it and decide if I wanted it. One of those items was one of my favorite items from childhood: my dollhouse that I got as a little girl. When I grew up, I wanted to keep it and give it to my future daughters. This morning, my husband reminded me that most kids want new stuff and won't care about sentimental things. So, now I am torn what to do. Any ideas would be great.

Secondly, I am thankful for my job but its not what I went to college for. I realize that unless your a teacher, doctor, lawyer, etc-- that you could be in this boat too. Everywhere around me people in my life are working at something they are somewhat passionate about. I am passionate about writing but my day job is verifying/packaging financial aid. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful (especially in this economy) to have a job. But I just wish I was in a job that made me feel like I am accomplishing something big. April 2013 is when I graduate with my Master's & I just want to use it to be the best version of myself.

Thirdly, a few years ago, I had an accident at WalMart that involved slipping in a puddle and slamming my head against a door in the frozen food section. I also hurt my knee in the process, and every once in awhile, the pain comes back. This week its back when I am trying to wrap up my January with a big amt of pounds lost.

Fourthly-  Since my husband & I have seriously started talking about trying for our first baby, it just so happens my alternative home, Target is having their baby clearance sale & I'm also keeping Craigslist/garage sales on my mind. This is my first kid & since I've had hypothyroidism my whole life, I am just trying to stay positive and know that my first baby is going to come and change my life. I'm sure this is nervous for a 20 something lady to be nervous but I'm just ready to have a baby but to get pregnant, I have to be the best version of myself & finally lose the weight I've dealt with since I was 11.

On top of these 4 big things on my mind comes the typical thoughts of ... 'boy, my house feels really messy!' 'Boy, I am so ready to be healthy.' I've never been a runner but I am determined to change that. I am tired of telling myself I can't. March 2nd, I am changing that. I am running the Central Florida Children's 5k that my dad so graciously registered me for.

That's not all, I am determined to start training and working up to a 15 minute mile to run with my family at the OUC Half Marathon in Downtown Orlando this December.. :) & then Jan 2014- my first Color Run with my best friends.

So, I felt I wanted to encourage myself knowing that I am not gonna tell myself - I can't run and that I am going to be the best version of myself. I am going to jog/run in 3 runs. & I am going to lose the remaining 85 lbs by my birthday on 10/3.

Hope you all have an incredible week. Any tips or suggestions, feel free to send them my way.

Say hello, will ya?

1. Blogs I visit daily.  The Everyday Joys. Honey, I Shrunk the Mom. 

2. Are you on Instagram? Yes, I am! jessheartschris618 ;) 

3. Can we find you on Pinterest? What's your Pinterest address, and what can we expect to see you pinning most? (recipes, DIY projects, home decor, etc.) You can find me HERE!! -- I love pinning food, DIY projects, home decor & ideas for my future kids :) It's gotten to the point where my husband looks over & is like 'oh you're on Pinterest...still?' It's an addiction. 

4. What are your favorite blog link-ups to participate in? (weekly link-ups other bloggers have...any number will do...please link us to them!) Random Wednesday & definitely Fab Friday

5. Why do you blog? I blog because I LOVE to write & clear my head. I think its fun to meet new friends and have an healthy blog/something of your own to share. 

6. Tell us one random fact about yourself.

I was a 2005 Miss South Carolina finalist.

FAB FRIDAY! :)

Today I want to talk about these FAB things:

-I worked out EVERY DAY this week even when I didn't want to. Starting to change my workouts up from Zumba to regular dancing.

-This is a weekly fab item but I got to enjoy Taco Tuesday @ Tijuana Flats. & then enjoy the season finale of Parenthood. One of my FAVE shows on right now, it must be renewed.

-I am still two weeks ahead in my class & been halfway with my final paper for a month. Just need to finish it up.

-I am noticing my clothes feeling looser & I cannot wait to fit into the next size.

-I've submitted over $1100 in sales this month for Pampered Chef & will soon close another on Saturday which means FREE Spring products for my biz. Taking a sabbatical until April :)

~Jessica

[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

Whew.

I'm so glad tonight is Saturday because if it was a Monday, i wouldn't be mentally okay with that. So, I had a great show tonight for Pampered Chef & I booked another party! My host is also getting a lot of outside orders so it will end up great. Hers is a fundraiser & . I don't think people realize how much work goes into a show for the host but also for the consultant. You have to set up your demo table, pre-make some dishes for faster expediting, and get ready to be on your feet for hours. I love it but boy does it feel like my feet may fall off soon.

After a long day like this-- I needed to clear my head and make a post. *Disclaimer: Random posting.*

Friday- I had my dentist appt & while I thought it was just a cavity it could also turn into a root canal depending on how my tooth reacts to the filling itself . So please pray that I just need a filling as a root canal/crown is too expensive & time consuming. Not the best news but thankful I have the dentist I do.

2nd weigh in of the year: Lost 4 lbs this week :) MyFitnessPal gladly told me I've lost 36 pounds since starting my weight loss journey in April 2012. Hoping to have lost a great amount by then :)

When my husband & I are at home on the weekends (or mutual days off): we love to kick back & watch some movies. This weekend so far: Happy Gilmore *love this movie*, Vegas Vacation, Wayne's World & currently Longest Yard.

Friday before my dentist appointment: I received a (rather misleading) email from Sallie-Mae that 'Congratulations your loans are paid in FULL!' Now, I got excited as if you think grad school is cheap, you're kidding yourself. I got a lil excited but then I realized that they send you an official congrats email when you pay off one loan or all of them. The loan in question? I paid off an unsub loan, yay. Amount: $126.11! Woot ;) I feel accomplished there. But one less loan to worry about.

But all in all today was a great day, I got to sleep in, got to cuddle with my doggies, relax with my man & enjoy a day, partly full with Pampered Chef/making triple layered brownies.

Excited for tomorrow- with coupons in the newspaper, yep I'm a coupon clipper & I love it. Supposedly my 'rest' day for working out but I will probably end up getting back in with Zumba.

& I finally plan on watching Parenthood & Scandal's episodes :) YAY. Love these two shows.

Hope you have a great rest of your weekend/see you next 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