Finally a dress and a pair of shoes!

Well I hadn't posted a dress picture in a while.  Still trying to get to a goal weight!  I guess maybe I'll go back to my Fridays of dresses....and weigh-in.  

I have an outdoor party to go to and I really like this dress, but I'm not so sure about jumping around and dancing in it.  We'll see. 

I got some money for my birthday and I found this cute dress and wedges at Boscov's!

It's not often I will dare to wear something strapless, but I'm thinking I can do it.  I will have to do a couple of tricks, but it should be OK.  :)

The wedges were on sale~ they had some other cute ones as well.

Blue and Green eyes!  :)

Maggie thinks I'm nutz

I'm also thinking about a new hairstyle- Oh boy- To Be Continued...

Someone went dress shopping

So which one is a keeper???

 I love this one because it really makes your waist look little

It's so cute! 

I love the cut of this dress- it's classic and the red is really pretty!

I especially love the neckline 

 Next we are on to a more casual dress - it would be perfect for a concert

I'm so glad on Vday I remembered to wear my heart necklace from a good friend

I guess you can guess what sort of concert by my shoes

Sometimes I weary of dresses like this because of my foob, but this actually fits nice with no insert.  You can't tell from the picture, but you can see a darkened area over my right breast where I have a sunken in area.

I love all these dresses and what's more exciting is that I didn't go shopping.....Rob did.  He wanted to get me a red dress for Valentine's Day and couldn't decide which one so he bought all there for me to decide.  What a great Valentine's Day present!!!

All my dresses were from JCP and my shoes are from Target.  Boots are old from TJMaxx.

A couple other pics from Vday!

Flowers from my boy- The colors are so beautiful- He knows I love yellow!

From my mom- I LOVE when I get one of these!!!

Lolita 

Rob and I managed to drink a whole bottle of Italian Sparkling Wine- So I got good use of my glass!

For my little guy!

 I even did my nailz

These candies are so YUMMY

you can get them at CVS or Walgreens

And I wore my Favorite new heart earrings!!!

Well - it's been a while.

Right before Christmas I got the worst flu ever!!!  I also gave it to Lucas and we spent a week together in our house- sick!

I was doing so good organizing my Christmas stuff then I got sick and everything sort of fell apart.  I was so sad to not get my Christmas cards out in time and hadn't decorated the tree.  Thanks to Rob a lot of stuff got done I was just unable to do!  And Thank God for my mama who fed us.

So it's Friday after the Holiday and I'm back on the scale and ready to resume my fitness stuff after a long break.  The only good thing about the flu was that I didn't gain weight!

I'm trying to keep my fluids up as I still don't feel 100%.  I love my new LifeFactory bottle!

I'm gathering a couple of recipes together for a party I have tomorrow night

White Russian

Kraft Artichoke Dip

I'm debating on wearing this to the party?

The New Year is almost here and I'm working on setting some goals for myself!! 

Yahoo

I get by with a little help from my friends

This says it all!

Fix your eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen

What is seen is temporary

What is unseen is eternal

Thank you my dear friend

Well the holiday season is a great time of year, but that doesn't mean there aren't problems.  I was on a roll of keeping myself so busy that I almost forgot about cancer and my other problems.  They aren't major problems, but they do cause me stress and struggle.  So one thing I've learned is to ask for help and I'm blessed with some very special friends.  I spoke to B on the phone and she made me laugh and gave me positive vibes and emailed me a delicious salad recipe.

Spinach Salad with Strawberries

15 Min Prep. Portions-10

2 – 6 oz. pkg. Fresh Spinach

1 – Qt. Fresh Strawberries halved

1 – 2-1/4 oz. Pkg. Sliced Almonds

1 – 2 oz. Pkg. Slivered Almonds

Dressing:

1/2 C Sugar

1/4 C Cider Vinegar

1-1/2 teaspoon finely chopped onion

1/4 teasp Paprika

1/4 teasp. Worcestershire

1/2 C Vegetable oil

1 Tablsp. Poppy Seeds (Add last)
1 Tablsp. Sesame Seeds(Add last)　

Do ahead if you wish: Dressing

Combine sugar, vinegar, onion, paprika and Worcestershire sauce

in blender. Process 30 seconds. Add oil and blend in seeds with

spoon. This can be done and stored ahead of time.

Toast almonds under broiler until light brown.
Spinach: Remove stems and wash – pat dry.

Tear into bite sized pieces.

Combine spinach, strawberries and almonds in large bowl.

Cover and Chill. This can be done several hours before serving.

Just before serving pour dressing over salad.

I then called another friend I know loves scripture.  I asked her to say a little prayer for me and then if by chance a scripture comes to mind- pass it on to me.  Well she did just that and it was absolutely perfect.  She had no idea what my problem was as I just left a voice mail.  Well she came through for me.  The scripture she chose to hand write, spoke right to my heart.  The above picture is the note she sent me.  She also sent me many other typed scriptures, but I know the handwritten one was special for me.  I love my friends and family.

So that being said- I've been thinking/praying a lot.  I just need something to sooth me - to keep me going with a happy heart.  I feel like my light is dim at times.  It's a constant fight I think we all go through?  Well God speaks to me in many different ways.  I don't always listen to Christian Radio and I don't know that I've ever listen to Joel Osteen preach before, but I have recently.

Joel spoke of this bible story concerning a military leader- Joshua.  He had a plan to win the battle, but he instead went on his faith in God and went with God's plan.

Here is a portion:

Joshua worshiped Him and listened carefully to the battle plan.  He spoke as if the city of Jericho was already won.  This surely strengthened Joshua's faith.  He was being told the future before it even happened by God!

This was the plan:  For six days the army would circle the city once while the priests blew their ram's horns.  The priests with trumpets went first, then the priests which carried the Ark of the Covenant, then the army.  The only sound would be the sound of the horns; no one could speak a word. Then on the seventh day, they would circle the city seven times in the same manner, and then when Joshua gave the signal, they would shout with a great shout. Then the walls would fall flat...

I can relate my struggles to this story because:

1. God spoke to Joshua as if the battle was already won- positive thinking is so very important.

2. These incredibly holy people were asked not to speak to each other- see if one of these dear people  weak and spoke of it - it would have spread to others.  The people were stronger united in silence with God as their God and provider. 

Keeping our eye on God and going to him is really a way to grow and heal.

and so that's my preaching for today!!!

I'm working to get ready for Christmas, but I think I'm getting a cold so I'm eating my oranges, taking Airborne and drinking lemon water.  I'm also trying to be more organized and I have to say getting my clothes together before hand really helps.  I'm actually wearing stuff I haven't worn in a while.  I often get stuck wearing the same old same old- cuz it's easy.

This week I took my Stella and Dot jewelry and based my outfits around them and today ended up like this:

Here's my jewelry from my party

and here's what I choose to wear with them

I haven't wore this skirt in a LONG time.

Ok- and how cute is this gift?

I'm in love! 

This post was all over the place, but I really wanted to get the information on God out there; because as time passes my mind gets busy and well the story just isn't as good.  And I really want to remember my God stuff. 

So have a Coke and a Smile :)

wish I could have one of these

Wowza- So MUCH going on!!!!

$16 Christmas Dress

Well I had such a nice vacation away with Rob!  It was nice to get away for Our 4yr Anniversary- I can't believe it's been 4 years- that seemed to go by SO quick!  That's a long time- I've never been married that long. lol.

Getting away is probably the best Anniversary gift ever!

As soon as we got back it was Thanksgiving and I did my first 8k with my girl AMY!!!  I'm so lucky to have a friend like Amy- if it hadn't been for her I would have never done it.  I don't know if I would have even started running like I have been- had she not have posted her running on FB.  The other night when we were out she reminded me that I had run before- (because I constantly tell her I don't like running) I did run before when I was married before.  I was under a lot of stress and I would just go out side and run - fast as I could to try and get some relief.  It was no where near the running I do today- so I'm thinking that could be my reasoning behind always saying I hate running.  I need to turn that around and really think about- I couldn't possibly hate running and run like I do?  NO way - so ya know what I like running- I'm not a super star, but I like running and I honestly think if I couldn't run I would surely miss it. 

I had fun Amy!!

We had a great Thanksgiving with Family and Friends!!  I miss them all now :(

So I'm trying really hard to get a jump on things this Christmas- but first I felt the need to organize my house.  I know this sounds absolutely crazy from a slob.....well I'm not really a slob at heart....lol.

This weekend I began my kitchen cabinets and pantry.  I should have taken before pictures- but I didn't think of it.  Not only did I go through every spice and every expiration date I also made myself an excel spreadsheet so I know what I have!  So many times I buy stuff I already have.  What I really liked going over was the liquor- I like my collection and I can think of a couple things I'd like to add  :)
Rob got a good laugh at all my crazy notes and lists......I feel nutz sometimes......like obsessive compulsive in a bipolar fashion!!!!  Am I the only one who does stuff like that- like I have stuff all over and then one day I will organize like I love it?

Next - like tonight I want to deal with these 2

So another part of Christmas is Lucas' Birthday, Christmas outfits, Christmas cards, and gift wrapping.  SO I set up an area to do just cards and an area to do just wrapping- WOWZA- I'm SO excited!!!  Part of Christmas dressing is knowing what you have and what you need- I had organized a lot of my clothes a couple of months ago so I'm good there- I know have to work more on Lucas' attire.  This weekend I also cleaned my washing machine from another season of seal coating.  I'm thinking of going to the Laundromat with the dog's bed clothes- pet hair is GROSSing me out lately.  Wow was my washer dirty- yuk.

Speaking of dressing- I have my holiday dress and it's from one of my favorites- I don't think I'll even mention the store- see if you can figure it out.

Look at this adorable outfit for my little nephew Sam

and I LOVE this outfit- I already have the sweater

yeah it's Kmart....that dress was only $16- now I just have to accessorize it!  And speaking of accessorizing DON'T forget to stock up on your hose!!!  Especially if you are lucky enough to have little ladies living in your house!!!

As a young wild single girl I did many last minute runs for stockings!!!  I've learned to always have a pair to spare.  Oh and Santa panties can't hurt.

Grey and White

I just love these two colors together

I seen this outfit on Pinterest and I just loved it and hoped one day I would be able to put something similar together~

It's just so darn pretty together.

Well my girlfriend gave me a few tops she couldn't wear and one of them was grey- yeah:

So then when my girlfriends invited me to lunch I was SO excited

to wear my new top with my white shorts!

Try some grey and white......summer is perfect for it!   And turquiose is such a nice accent.....I may have to see what turquiose I have laying around - may even whip up a necklace on my own!

The party is over

My Birthday Dinner at Mom and Dad's - baby Nick cracks me up on this picture- open mouth!
I had a great Birthday Week................my weight loss has slowed a bit, but I'm still making some progress.

BUT I see myself slipping on some things ~So it's back to the gym and serious calorie counting!!!!  This is what I pack in my gym bag.  Packing your gym bag right makes a big difference and life easier.

Somethings I learned-
I pack a smaller bag (green one above)  for when I just run in and out of the gym- no shower- that way I can just throw my keys, ipod and workout sheet in there and go in and out.

I always bring an extra wash cloth even though the gym supplies towels.

Extra bags for dirty and wet stuff

I love disposable cleansing cloths

I also LOVE my clear toiletry bag (CVS)- it's so nice to see everything that is in there and saves on time rooting threw a bag.

Always need extra ties and a baseball cap- just in case.

Also chap stick- cardio dries my lips!

Another item I LOVE and found cheap was my "other" sports bra.............

It's from Walmart and it's by Danskin- Love it!!

And it wouldn't be a fun Friday morning if I didn't get to try on a dress!  I actually have to wear a dress tonight at a dinner for Honor students at Lucas' school tonight- it's semi-formal!  Lucas does well in school and we are so blessed!  It wasn't always so easy.

Well I LOVE this dress

for some reason I want to wear these black shoes, but I think I will play it safe and go with

these nude sandals...........which I LOVE

Christian Siriano for Payless

Super Comfy

and why I really love this dress - it makes my butt look good

lol

the junk in my trunk looks heavy and low to me :(

so this dress was perfect

found this dress at Kmart

and for my weigh-in

Date......Age......Height.....Weight....... ..Chest......Hips.......Lf Arm….Rt Arm…….....Waist

2/5/12..........42... 4’11”............137.2............ 39.0”..........41”........ 11.5”..... 11.5”…......…...... 36”
2/10/12.................................... 136.2........…38.5”......... 39.5”..... 11.5”..... 11.5”......................35”
2/17/12.....................................134.6........... 39.25”....... 40.5”...... 12”........ 12”....................... 34.5”
2/24/12.....................................134.2
3/2/12.......................................134.0.............38.5”.........39.5.........12”.........12”........................33.75”
3/9/12.......................................132.8
3/15/12.....................................131.4..............38.5".........38.5".......11.75"....11.5"…….......…...33"
3/23/12.....................................131.0
3/30/12.....................................130.4..............37.5"...........38"........11.5"...11.5".........................31.75"
4/6/2012...................................129.6
4/13/2012.................................128.0
4/20/2012.................................128.4
4/27/2012.................................128.6..............37.5"...........38".........11.25".....11.25"…..............32"
5/4/2012...................................127.2
5/11/2012…………………….125.8………...37”….…....37”.....…10”….....10.25”…..............31”
5/18/2012.................................124.0- sick the week before this hence loss
5/25/2012.................................missed weigh-in but pretty sure made goal of being 125 for my bday~
6/1/2012...................................123.6