The Costumes

So...these are what kept me busy for the last few weeks of October! I made Andy a Jagermeister costume and I made myself a Red Bull costume. Individually, we are delicious beverages, but joined together as a Jagerbomb, we're even BETTER!

They turned out pretty well and I was proud of myself for completing both of them in time for the party. We were a big hit for sure. Now, I just have to REALLY "finish" them and then pack them away for safe keeping and hopefully future appearances. Happy belated Halloween!

Weekend Bliss

Wow, I have been MIA lately! It's kind of nice to realize that sometimes I get behind on my blog because I'm busy living life and enjoying the moments. So here's what I've been up to since my last post...

Friday morning I started the day off right with my 6:30am workout, although I have to admit it is certainly getting more difficult to jump out of bed at that time with the sky staying darker into the morning and the covers staying oh-so-much warmer than the chilly air outside of them! But luckily for me, I knew there would be a room full of workout buddies wondering where the heck I was if I didn't arrive promptly, so off I went. Then it was work as usual and after that I was off to Dover for the weekend.

Hmmm, I'm sure that some of you have caught a comment here and there from my recent posts, but I guess it's about time I formally introduce you in blog land to the reason I have been spending so much time in Dover lately... everyone meet my boyfriend Andy! I guess I was a bit afraid to mention him before because as he likes to say..."he didn't want to jinx it" (seems his friends could barely get any info out of him about me when we started dating...hehehe). But our pics from this weekend are too cute to not share, so the cat's out of the bag now.

Soooo, Friday night we went out in Dover to enjoy some drinks and watch the Red Sox game with friends, Saturday we hiked Mt. Major during the day and stayed in at night to watch a movie or two with hot cocoa and mini marshmallows. YUMMY! Sunday I was lucky enough to get approval from Andy's friend Chris to join the boys for "Sunday Football" for the second time and then we rounded out the night with the Red Sox game and lots of snuggles. It was truly a weekend of lots of laughter, even more smiles and just overall bliss. Enjoy the pictures from our hike!

Activity Update

So sorry for the immediate drop of of activity posts! Hahaha...well, this week has been very busy and I'm afraid full of sadness in a few areas, but that hasn't kept me from getting in some activity. Here is the update for the week:

Saturday- 2 mile run
Sunday- day off to watch football with the sweetie
Monday- day off for mental health
Tuesday- 1 hour yoga class, also helped with the mental health
Wednesday- 2 hours shop/chat with Joanne (yes, this totally COUNTS!) :)

Aiming for a strong showing at the gym tomorrow and my favorite FRIDAY MORNING WORKOUT!!! I'll post and let you know how they go.

Accountability

Yup, that's what it's all about for me the past few days! It seems I have been throwing myself a bit of a pity party lately...not feeling happy about my health/weight again, even worse about my eating choices and not feeling creative in the least bit. Funny thing is, work and life are actually going really well in my little world lately. So, what is the reason behind this??? I hadn't been making myself accountable for my choices/excuses. I'd been missing runs, going for the quick fix meals even though I KNEW they weren't exactly healthy and just running around too much to get anything done.

So, the past few days I've been getting mentally reorganized...back to my running routine, working out with my friend Kevin, enjoying my Friday morning fitness class (even though it's at 6:30am AND I had the day off today, so I could have even slept in!), making better food choices and figuring out HOW to keep myself on track! One of the things I've decided to do is to challenge myself to include my daily workout/activity at the end of my posts. That way, I really am accountable for what I've accomplished for the day...whether it is a workout or something creative/crafty. Hopefully this will help me post more frequently and it will help me stay focused! I've also started journaling what I'm eating again...Kevin and I are "looking over" each others weekly eating habits to help keep one another in check. Good stuff I tell you! If I have to write it down first, it helps me think about if it really is something I want to put into my body. Also helps me make sure I'm drinking enough water to stay hydrated! Ok, guess that's all for today. Happy Friday!

*Daily Activity* 1 hour strength training class :)

There is Nothing Better...

than coming home after a "not-so-great" day at work to find a sweet card waiting for you in the mail. He didn't know how much I needed it today, so it made it even more special. Happy Tuesday!

Things I'm Missing Today...

1. My sister...enough said.
2. My desire to take photos...it's been FAR too long since I've been inspired to snap some pictures and that just makes me sad.
3. My running shoes...haven't been able to hit the ground running recently either, darn schedules and meetings!
4. My Miss Jenn and My Silly Girl...these girls make me laugh beyond control and I LOVE that.
5. My creative side...along with my lack of photos lately, I haven't been crafting either. Need to find my creative mojo...I'm sure it's hiding here somewhere!
6. My words...hence the lack of new blog posts lately.
7. My Andy...especially his hugs, they are the BEST!

Even though I'm missing some things today, it was a pretty good day for a Monday. Here's hoping that things slow down a bit around this crazy life of mine so that I can get back to being creative and have something more exciting to share!

SMILE!!!

One of my friends sent me this cool link a while back and I couldn't remember if I had shared it or not. Anway, it's just a fun collection of "faces" found in random places. It always makes me smile when I look through the latest updates, so I wanted to make sure and pass it along today. Hope you're all having a happy day!

Photo taken from explosion05 flickr page.

Reflections

Once again, I've missed another whole week! Geesh, life certainly gets in the way of play sometimes. And yes, I know I still haven't taken pictures of my crafty projects or posted them yet, but it is on the ever-growing "to-do" list. But today's post is more important than that...today's post includes some personal reflection, very personal in fact.

I am finding more and more that I want to use this blog not only to keep friends and family updated on my day-to-day life, but also to be an inspiration to anyone who reads this blog. I've learned that there are more and more lurkers than I ever would have imagined, but hey, that's half the fun of posting a blog, right? I find that I am inspired and encouraged by the other blogs I read and I see how they touch other people through the comments that are left behind. So, in honor of passing on the inspiration...here it goes:

I've made a decision in my life to see a counselor. I have gone previously and found that it really helped me to deal with some issues in my life, but for some reason, I was really afraid to admit that I needed some help again. I have an exceptional family and some really wonderful friends who I talk to, but these issues were different. They needed an outside perspective from someone who knows nothing about me. At first I was afraid to admit that I needed this kind of assistance, as there seems to be a stigma surrounding therapy by some. I had even looked into the insurance coverage and looked up phone numbers months ago, but couldn't bring myself to set up the appointments. But recently, I came to a point where I was ready; where it was the right time. I'm actually excited and encouraged by the reflections I've already made. It's a new journey for me...all part of finding that balance and strength in my life that I've been working on this whole year.

So, if anyone out there is thinking this might be the right path for them, give it a try! It might not be the right decision for everyone, but maybe it's right for you...so far, it's right for me.

Capecation!

Had an amazing time with two of my favorite girlies this weekend down on the Cape! We crafted, we chatted, we ate bad food...pretty much the perfect weekend with the girlfriends. I have lots of projects to share, but first I have to take some photos, so you won't get the actual "2nd Annual Craft Explosion" post until a little later. BUT, I did manage to steal some cute pics from Steph's blog and Miss Jenn's blog. Enjoy!

Time to Get Back Into It!

Next Thursday, August 14th I'll be tackling my second 5k in the form of the CIGNA race. When I first started running, I had set a goal to run five 5ks by the end of the summer. Well, summer has been quickly passing and I'm sorry to say I have only completed one race so far; and that was back in APRIL! I missed my race in May and then I hadn't even looked for another one until last week. But I'm ready to get back into it. My distance has improved to a steady 2-3 miles per run and my time has improved to right around a 10 minute mile or less, so I should finish with a much better time than my last race. Wish me luck! I'll keep you all posted on my progress.

Vacation...Is It Really Over Already?

And what a perfect vacation it was!!! For those of you who don't know, I spent my vacation down on Cape Hatteras, NC for a family reunion and it was AMAZING! Last year my aunt got this crazy idea that we should rent some beach houses down there. She asked what everyone thought and within a few days the planning was already underway. She took care of all the planning and making sure we got our payments in on time and all we had to do was show up ready to relax and share a cold beverage or two poolside! Here are some pictures of the trip. Enjoy!

Favorite New Picture!

Wow, I have been such a blog slacker! Doesn't help that I was away for half of July, but still, that's no excuse. Lots to catch you up on, but for tonight, one of my favorite new pictures. I have barely any pictures of Niamh and I smiling, so I love this one from vacation. Even though we look like total cheeseballs, I love it! Enjoy. More updates to come soon...I promise!

Who's That Girl?

Okay, just need to give you fair warning that this post includes pictures that I wouldn't normally "post" online. However, once you read along, you'll understand just why I am.

As most of you know, last fall I made a decision to get my life back on track, to take better care of myself, to eat healthier and stay dedicated to a regular workout routine. It hasn't been easy and there have certainly been setbacks along the way. Sometime early on I took these pictures of myself, so I could see my progress along the way.




I'm sure some of you are thinking that these aren't horrible pictures, but for me, I was at one of my heaviest weights ever, if not my heaviest, and I was REALLY unhappy! Along this journey, it's funny to see just how quickly you forget the progress you've made, especially when you reach a plateau. My mom and I have both been struggling with that same problem lately. We stopped focusing on the fact that we were both down significant clothing sizes or that the scale reflected a weight loss of great numbers...we still kept focusing on what wasn't currently happening.

But last week, my mom wrote a great article on weight loss plateaus for a local newspaper, and in reading it, I was reminded that I needed to go back and focus on all the PROGRESS that I have made up until this point! This was apparently clear in seeing new pictures of myself in my new bathing suits. This is one of the first years that I have actually been excited about wearing a bathing suit and have been proud of myself for knowing just how far I've come. Don't get me wrong, I'm not at my goal yet, but it's little reminders like these that make sure we take a step back and take in the moment to see all that we've accomplished and just how far we've come. I think my sister put it best when her reaction to these photos was..."UM, You're HOT!" Thanks sis, sometimes I forget that cute girl looking back in the mirror is actually ME!

Make Time For PLAY!

That is a difficult lesson for me. Often times I have too many set plans, too many obligations to fulfill to just be living in the moment and playing. I have been working really hard to fix that lately and trying to find the time, even if it's just 15 minutes in everyday to joke around, laugh and do something for myself.

Over the weekend it included spending time with a dear friend at her baby shower, going to another friend's house for a bbq and a late night campfire, going for a run and watching a movie on the couch.

Did you find time to play today?

Mom's Birthday Weekend!

I finally got the pictures from Mom's birthday weekend when I was home over this past weekend. Some pictures from our hike around Lake Gunnison...including a little "friend" that I almost stepped on as he slithered across the path. Good thing Mom wasn't in the lead at that point!







Then onto our dinner at Luca's in Keene! Our special family restaurant, for a special celebration. Mom was really good and declined dessert, but they still did a nice birthday message for her anyway. I couldn't pass up the pistashio gelato...it is one of my favorites and it was DELISH! I think you can tell that by the size of my smile...hehehe.



P.S. Stay tuned for a fun video that captures some exciting news I got to share with my mom last weekend...if I can finally get it downloaded! Grrrr...technology boggles me sometimes.

Things That Boggle Me - #2

Okay, another installment of things that boggle me. This one came about from a conversation that got going on my listserve the other day. Where the heck have all the manners gone? I mean SERIOUSLY!!! I cannot tell you how many days I see people treating each other with such rude behavior and disrespect and I just don't get it. Is it really that hard to say please or thank you? To hold a door open for the person following you inside? To compliment someone on their cute outfit? To wave thank you to someone who lets you switch lanes in traffic? Are we really TOO BUSY to be kind?

Well, I continue to spread the JOY! No matter how silly it may be to some or how trivial it may seem to others, I enjoy "thinking" that I might be the difference in someone's day. I am happy to provide the extra smile, encourage an extra moment of laughter at work and often go out of my way to make sure everyone is A-OK! It's not a job or a requirement, it's just ME and I am really happy I was raised this way. Thanks Mom and Dad!

So...show someone YOUR manners this week! Hold that door open, even if you have to wait an extra minute. Smile and wave at that person who stops at the crosswalk for you. Genuinely thank someone when they do something nice for you...it could make all the difference!

Back from Boston!

Well, technically I've been back since Wednesday...but honestly haven't really felt like I've been back until today. I was soooo tired Wednesday night that I pretty much feel asleep as soon as I got home. Then I had to drag myself through two days of work before the long weekend could begin. Then Saturday it was off to Mom and Dad's house for dinner and some much needed family time. Yesterday we got the sailboat in the lake and got the mast up...gets a little easier every year with all of us in better shape and much stronger.

So, my trip to Boston! Boston was the location this year for the HOW design conference. The same one that I attended in ATL last year. It was a BLAST! Always so great to be back with my friends from the listserve and get to see everyone and share some laughs. It's great to have such an amazing group of support and love, even if you only get to see them once a year. Hard to explain unless you are part of a similar group. But nothing is worse than sharing so many wonderful days together, only to be thrown back into reality while driving home. The second I said goodbye and got into my car I literally wanted to cry. It made me sad to realize I was driving home to an empty apartment without these wonderful friends to surround me like they had the past few days. But it's okay, I know I'll see them all again.

There is so much to share from the week, so I'll break it down bullet list style for you, and I won't include everything:

1. Malibu and pineapple juice "breakfast cocktails"
2. Red Sox game
3. Studio Tours
4. Bar 10 VIP curtain room
5. My new BFF Amy
6. Palm restaurant with Scott, Joanne, Dawn, Kim, Sarah and Kathleen
7. Representing New England with Ali V.
8. Pub crawl and dancing at Sissy K's
9. B&W Party
10. South Street Diner @ 2:30am
11. Inspirational keynote speaker for the closing

I'm sure I'll be sharing stories of these various events over the next couple of days...but here were some of the pictures to accompany the list!

My Happiness Today

1.Going running for the third time this week. I can't believe my next 5K is a week from today!

2.Coming home to a bed that I made this morning...and pillows, I LOVE lots of pillows!

3.Remembering to turn the dishwasher on last night before going to bed, so my dishes are all clean today

4.A vanilla scented candle

5.Having to restock the fridge with Dasani because my "roomie" Miss Jenn will be here tomorrow and Friday!

6.Taking my camera out today and FINALLY snapping some pics! Thanks for the inspiration Derek!

Things That Boggle Me

I have decided to do a regular post about things that boggle me. Hahaha, I know what you're all saying..."regular post, she hasn't been updating on a regular basis in FOREVER!" But hear me out, I find myself seeing or hearing something on pretty much a weekly basis that I do not understand at all. Sometimes it makes me shake my head, sometimes it makes me laugh, sometimes it just leaves me with a clueless look on my face. So, from now on, I'll share the things that boggle me most, as they happen. Maybe you'll share in my confusion or maybe you'll relate to the randomness, but my hope is that it can at least let you take a moment from your daily life to share in mine. Heck, that's what this blog is for, right?

Boggle Me Topic #1- Paying for a new car, only to put stickers on it that make it look like it's been shot up with bullets or had a baseball smash through the windshield.







Seriously? You really WANT your car to look like it's been shot at? We live in freaking NH people...this is NOT the hood! Or damaged by a stray baseball? I think you'd be pretty pissed off if this had really happened to your window. I have seen this at least three times in the last week, I kid you not. And on very new looking cars. Yup, totally boggles me!