Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Let The Celebrating Begin!

This weekend we are going to really celebrate my birthday! Since I am in school four nights each week, we didn't really get to do much besides grab dinner (which was awesome! Mom and Dad took us to MK Sushi for dinner - LOVE that place!!!), I am meeting David in South Padre to kick back and relax. I am actually missing class tomorrow night (this is a first since I have been back in school!!) and flying out to start the weekend. He still has to work Friday, but I can lounge and read and sleep. This is just what I need! It's been a really nice birthday, though. One of my co-workers (who is more of a friend than merely a co-worker!) made me a special birthday cake. (His name is Bryan, by the way.) Bryan and his partner made me an angel food cake with fresh strawberries and fat free cool whip! How awesome! And Sandra brought in fresh fruit for breakfast! (I could have cried it meant so much to me!) They brought me cards and took me to lunch and I felt really special. And they didn't have to do any of it! They're just very thoughtful people, and it means more than I can say. :) I took pictures and will post them tomorrow when I have time to upload them.

I can't wait for tomorrow! I am going to get up at 7am and go for a good hour-long workout and then come home and clean the apartment. I have to pack ( and I am taking my running shoes so that I can keep on with the exercising!) and then head to the airport around 2:45 to give myself plenty of time. Tonight I have class, and my professor is letting me take tomorrow's quiz tonight so that I don't have to miss it. Although she's not the best teacher, I do think she's a nice person and I am grateful to get to take the quiz early.

It's going to be a busy day wrapping things up in the office. Stay cool, everyone!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Older and Maybe Wiser, Too

Another year older today, and I have to tell you that even with all the jokes about being 29 again, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't go back. As I get older each year, I think there are things about me that get better. Like this year, I am physically and mentally stronger than ever before. I have lost 35+ pounds to date, and have already achieved goals I didn't know I could. I am powering through school and working toward that goal with great success. I really feel proud of what I am accomplishing. All this comes with sacrifice, though. I don't have much of a social life anymore, but somehow I am okay with that. These things that I am doing are making me feel better about myself, and I am hoping that those who love me will continue to be patient with me. I won't always be in school, although sometimes it feels that way! It's all worth it to me, though. All the hard work and the time I have to put in means something and when it's all said and done I will be able to feel so proud of myself. And all the cautious eating and early morning workouts are already paying off, so I don't even have to justify that. :) I am pleased to say that my co-workers made me a sugar free and fat free angel food cake with strawberries for my birthday - how cool is that? And it's home made!! I am a blessed girl. So am I having a big birthday party? No, there's just no time. This birthday will come and go quietly, but I'm very okay with that. I'm looking at a much bigger picture and I like what I see. :)

Friday, June 19, 2009

Friday Wrap-Up

I am exhausted. Truly, truly exhausted. Summer school is wearing me out, and I feel like all I do is work out, go to work, go to school, and go home. Last night I did get to have dinner with Christy, but it was a quick dinner and then home. I am really glad the weekend is here, although it's a busy one. Tomorrow I have WW (which I am hoping will be another good news weigh-in), a trip to the farmer's market, back home to make a salad, and then off to David's parents' house for the day. We're making dinner for them, and lounging in the pool. I am looking forward to that. (And I love going over there to visit!) Sunday we're spending with my family to celebrate Dad and to start celebrating Grampa's birthday - he'll be 90 on Tuesday!! I should be so lucky to have lived a life like his. And we are so thankful to have him in such good health, too.

So it's a busy weekend, but it's going to be a good one and I am looking forward to it. David comes home tonight and that's going to be nice, too. I've missed him like crazy! (even though he only left Tuesday!)

Have a great weekend, everyone! Keep cool in this Texas heat!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Just a quick note to wish my wonderful mother a very happy birthday, and many many more! I love you!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

The Best Feeling

I did it! I did the 5K, not in record time, but in a good time for me! I wasn't first or last, but because I crossed the finish line I feel like I won. :) My parents were there, and it was the best feeling ever! They had made a sign and were cheering loudly. I remember hearing a whole bunch of people cheering for me as I headed in, so I picked up the pace and ran it in under and hour. For anyone else, that time would be lousy, but for me, it may as well have been the time that won the Boston Marathon. I have the satisfaction of knowing that because I finished, I feel like I won.

To make a great day better, I lost 3.2 pounds at WW for a grand total of 31.2 pounds gone now!

I also got to welcome home a unit of soldiers from Iraq. My friend Anne's husband came home from his year-long deployment, and that was special to see. I took pictures, but that was a very personal moment and I think those pictures are just for them. I was honored to even be there. Everyone that deployed made it home, so God took very good care of them. (Thanks God!)

Hope everyone's week was wonderful!

Friday, June 12, 2009

A Little Anxious

I am doing my 5K tomorrow, and I am feeling nervous. I have a lot of what ifs...

What if:
  • I'm the slowest one there?
  • I can't finish?
  • I somehow manage to make a fool of myself?

But here's the thing...who cares if I'm the slowest? I know I can finish, so I don't even need to worry about that one. And how many times a day do I make a fool of myself on a regular basis and never give it another thought? So I should be just fine! I don't know anyone there, so it's not like my reputation is at stake, and it's a church for Pete's sake...I'm sure they are lovely people! And besides, my parents will be there to cheer me across the finish line. Does it get better than that? No, it really doesn't. :)

So that's my big thing this weekend! Wish me luck tomorrow!!

Sunday, June 07, 2009

Weekend Update

It's been a busy weekend! Friday night I hosted study group for a test in Spanish class. That was fun, and I made chicken tacos for the girls. Saturday was WW (I lost 1.4 pounds for a total of 28 now!), and then we went to the Farmer's Market in Dallas. I love buying lots of fruit there. They have some of the best oranges, watermelons, and cantaloupes!! After we got home I made a yummy Crunchy Avocado Salad (recipe courtesy of Bobby Flay) and we took it over to our friends Jake and Diane's house to enjoy some fun pool party action. We got home late and slept in on Sunday, which I never do! It was fun to sleep late, and I guess my body needed it. :) We made a yummy fruit salad for breakfast and spent our afternoon so far cleaning. Tonight is more studying and making dinner, but it's all good. :)

I have a Spanish test tomorrow, but it should go well. I hope everyone else has had a good weekend!

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

NSV

In Weight Watchers lingo, that means Non-Scale Victory. In other words, something that reflects success besides the number on the scale. I had an NSV this morning! I was able to put on two different pairs of pants that I had bought last August and couldn't wear. Not only do they button, they fit nice! One pair of pants has a matching suit jacket, and that fits, too!! I was so happy that I stood in my closet and cried while David hugged me. :) All this early morning workout stuff is paying off, and I am feeling great!

That's really it for now. It was just such a nice surprise I just had to share!