June's Instants

Last year for my birthday Nick bought me a Polaroid 300 instant camera.  It has been so fun using it!  But the film is a little expensive and there is a bit of a learning curve.  I am not a photographer by nature so it has been a little extra hard for me.  HA!  I do love the raw quality you get with it.  I also love having a picture in my hand to look at right then.  I am all about instant gratification!  I want to get to know it better and learn the technique of getting rad pictures with it.  So my goal this year is to take a packs worth of pictures every month.  

Here are June's favorites:  

We took these on a recent hike to Ensign Peak.

Nicco took this one of Nick and me.  I love it so much!  He has been begging to use the Polaroid and by the looks of it I should have let him try earlier.

This is my blown out one of Nick and the kids.  I didn't change the setting (oops!) and it is a little too saturated.

I love having pictures of me and the kids.  I don't often get in pictures so the occasional one with them is great!

WW weekly update

Stats:

Lost/gained: +1.4

Total lost: 6.8

I was going to do this post earlier this week but my freaking computer won't download my pictures off the card because it says it can't recognize the file(?).  I don't get it so instead you get a generic picture of me.  Lame!  But real life, right?

I gained 1.4 pounds.  Oy.  I am actually okay about it now.  To say I was slightly upset a few days ago would be a humongous understatement.  Which is funny because I actually knew going into the weigh in that I probably gained.  That is what happens when you don't follow the program.  HA!  Funny thing how if you do the work, barring any health issues, you will lose weight.  It is the whole being disciplined thing that got me.  I am a rebel at heart.  Which sounds pathetic when I look at it from this point of view.  I am rebelling against my own health.  That isn't bringing down "the man".  It is just getting in the way of my goals and life.  I am not sure how to get over that little rebellion.  Tell me how!!!  Help! 

 I will say that I don't want to go in there and gain again.  Not at all.  I feel like I really let myself down.  I have the discipline to change.  I am just afraid of failing this time like I have so many other times.  It hurts to let yourself down.  It hurts to know that you are the only one to blame.  So why not fail early so it won't hurt so bad?  Does that sound ridiculous to anyone else?  I deserve better than this body I have created.  This is not who I am.  I am strong.  I am healthy!  This body is my past and I am going to start running like hell at the future!

This week is going to be all about tracking.  Tracking is basically writing down everything you eat and the points that correlate with those foods.  Weeks that I track I rock!  And I am ready to rock.  I am making a realistic goal of tracking everything for 5 days this week.  With at least one of those days to be a weekend day.  Weekends are my biggest challenge. 

What are your goals this week? 

    

WW weekly update

Stats:

Lost: 2 pounds!

Total Lost: 8.2

Can I get a what what?!  I am down another two pounds.  I am so pumped up.  I just want to keep this momentum going.  This week I am hoping to lose 3 pounds.  That should be pretty doable.  My sister told me about Skinny Taste.  It is a site that has a lot of WW Points Plus recipes.  I am going to try a few out this week and see how they go. I am grateful for the people that came before me and figured out the points and skinny versions of my favorite foods!  Takes a lot of guessing and experimenting out of the equation.  Which in the long run can help my success.  I get frustrated really easily.  So I will take all the help I can get!  I am still trying to figure out the weekends.  They are my biggest issue.  I rock the week and then come Saturday morning I seem to lose all control.  Ugh one meal at a time right?  Any tricks that anyone knows? 

I think next week I am going to wear a tight shirt.  I want to see the progress and not hide it under a loose shirt.

The ever lovely full front shot

I decided that I need a rear view.  I want all perspectives!

I tried Skinny Cow vanilla ice cream sandwiches this week.  My mind is blown!  They are surprisingly good for a "diet" food.  The cookie was a little crisp and the ice cream was creamy.  At a 4 PP value they are going to be a regular item in our freezer.  To say I recommend them is an understatement. I want to try the other flavors soon!

Embracing change

We have been doing a little adjusting around here.  That is probably the biggest reason for the lack of posts.  OH and we lost a set of rechargeable batteries so we have been switching them around to all of our electronic devices.  Obviously the computer mouse has been getting the short end of the stick.  Rechargeable batteries are crazy expensive!  I know they save me money in the long run but damn! 

Anywho... back to adjusting!  Nicholas, my fabulous husband, just got a new job and has been working a boat load.  That means 60-70+ hours most weeks.  That also means that I am now a SAHM.  YAY!  I feel like I have to pinch myself whenever I think about it.  I don't think it has really sunk in yet.  I have worked since I was 16 non-stop.  This last week we have been adjusting to never seeing Nick and to me being home full time.  Not seeing Nick has been rough for me and the kids.  He is part of my happiness.  That is not to say that my happiness depends on him entirely.  But he is by far my favorite person in the world.  He puts a smile easily on my face.  I am not trying to sound whiney!  I am so grateful for the sacrifice he is making for our family.  He amazes me more everyday.  I miss him though!  Whine whine whine!  I will say that the time we have together has been extra special.  We never fought much before but we haven't at all since he started 2 weeks ago.  The kids go nuts for him every time they see him.  It is freaking cute!  I think the four of us are already appreciating each other more.  Lets see how we feel a few months down the road!    

The whole point of this is to say that we have had some major changes in our life the last bit.  I am trying to learn to embrace change.  Which has never been easy for me!  Really who is it easy for though?  If you adjust well to change please give me some advice on how to accept and love it!

NaBloPoMo

So you know how I have been a little bit of a slacker blogger?  I am wanting to change that!  So I am signing up with blogher and doing NaBloPoMo.  Basically you post everyday.  And they couldn't make it easier since they give you daily prompts if you need them.  I was like, what?!  Go here and sign up and blog along!

Weight Loss Week #11

So last week my goal was to lose 1.6 pounds making it an even 18 pounds lost.  Well I blew that goal right on out of the water!  I lost 3.2 pounds.  YAY!!  I am now up to 19.6 pounds lost.  I am so proud of myself.  Only .4 pounds left to hit the even 20.  Awesome!  So guess what my goal is this week?  Yeah .4 pounds.  Just kidding guys!  I want to lose 1.4 pounds.  

I am going to continue to count my calories this week.  I need help figuring out this whole water thing.  I got to get it my body but I am having a hard time with the desire.  Maybe I should just look at it like it is non-negotiable.  It might not be my favorite thing but it is absolutely necessary.  

On to my really revealing pictures!  I think I am going to be taking my pictures in stretchy pants from now on.  They leave nothing to the imagination!

I am pleased to say that my back rolls are shrinking!  That is the place I can see the weight loss the most.  

I like this list of 9 healthy snacks.  I am hoping it will help.  Snack time is my hardest time!

Weight Loss week #10

I am two days late with this update but at least I am here right?!  So I gained .6 pounds.  I know I shouldn't be bummed out about that just over half pound but I am having a big time plateau over here.  Is it really a plateau when I am being a major slacker?  Probably not. :)  Lets raise a glass of metabolism boosting water to re-re-recommitting! 

I am using the Lose it! app again.  And so far this week I am doing great at not going over my calories. I am also still working on getting my water intake up.  But I hates it!  It makes me feel great to drink water but I am not a fan of the lack of taste.  Except the water Nick brings home from work.  I am telling you that UPS water is the best water.  I haven't been able to convince him to fill me up a gallon of it every night.  It might look a little tacky I guess.

To the stats- I am still down 16.4 pounds.  My goal is to be 18 pounds down by the end of this week.  I can manage 1.6 pounds right?!

I need to get out of the shade but it was bright!

Loverly side view

And from behind.  

I am feeling comfort food lately.  But that can be bad for the diet so I am going to try this lightened up meatloaf.

Weight Loss week #7

SO you know how when you miss a couple days blogging when you are super busy and you apologize and everyone is okay with it?  I missed a few days this week and all I can say is that I flat out didn't turn the computer on.  I kept thinking I should but I didn't day after day.  And it was fabulous!  So here is my weight loss post a couple days late.  

I haven't lost anything.  I took the week off from the scale last week.  I think that had a lot to do with it. I can't say that I regret it though.  I needed that break.  To be totally honest I am grateful that I didn't gain.  Between the fair last week and the fact that the month of no sugar is over I am a little surprised that I didn't gain a whole mess of weight!  I am back on the wagon again this week.  Keep on keeping on!    

My goal weight loss is two pounds for the week.  I am going to work on portion control and continuing trying to drink all my water.  Last week I mentioned that I want to drink 100 ounces a day.  I have yet to do that.  It is hard!  Maybe I should pull it back to 62 ounces.  That would be more feasible for me considering that I usually drink about 8.  Yeah it is that bad!

On to the pics of the week

 Don't mind my goofy face....

or my less than lovely background....

or my backside ;)

Weight loss week 1

First post after my first post!  So I maintained my weight this week.  No loss, no gain.  It is frustrating because I feel like I really tried this last week to keep my food in check.  I need to readjust and look at my food intake and make sure that I am being careful about calculating my calories.  With that in mind- I also need to look at the positive and remember that at least I didn't gain.  I do feel like I have lost inches or millimeters as it were.  That feels good!  Even if it is a slight difference- it all adds up and counts!  

My goal for this next week besides eating all my calories is to up my water intake.  I am not so good at that.  I love water but I hate drinking it.  I better get over that.  This is after-all a journey to being healthier not necessarily skinnier.  I also need to do my measurements so that I can have more than one way to track my progress.  The scale can be unforgiving at times!  

Pictures of my progress:  

I did this one nice and sensual for you ;)

28 before 29

It is time again for my birthday list!  Lets have a moment of truth shall we?  My 27 before 28 list sucked.  I was shooting for another galaxy instead of the stars!  Needless to say that it didn't get done.  As a matter of fact I think I did three.  Yeah three.  The three easiest ones even.  I gotta remember that I have a procrastination problem.  And a motivation problem.  I am great at getting our laundry done and the dishes and that but the extras?  They are way way back in my mind.  Then I feel bad for not getting it done.  The crap cylce begins again.  So I am going about this next one completely differently.  These are things I really truly think I could get done.  That I really truly WANT to get done.  Not just ones that will impress people.  Ones that will impress me!  So onward and upward!

28 before 29

1. Volunteer 3 hours a week

2. Hike Mt. Timpanogos

3. Take 4 weekend get-aways with the kids

4. Finish the Home Ec course

5. Don't eat out for a full 30 days

6. Take a dance class

7. Learn to make jam

8. Have my mom teach me to make her suckers/candy

9. Make a decoration for every major holiday

10. Learn a new skill i.e: new cooking technique, painting technique, computer coding.  It doesn't matter as long as it is new to me.

11. Finish piecing our quilt

12. Start and finish the kids quilts

13. Document our everyday life in some way- I mean a hard copy not just with the blog.  Maybe project life?

14. Run a 5k

15. Sponsor a favorite blog

16. Participate in S.O.S on Harpers Happenings every week.  

17. Make tortillas from scratch

18. Take a yoga class every week

19. Do a camp out in the back yard with the kids

20. Change my name!!!!!

21. Learn to make cheese

22. Make a pin hole camera.  Take and develop four rolls of film.

23. Take swim lessons

24. Send the kids Gus mail  at least once a month

25. Get Etsy shop up and running

26. Alter at least one piece of clothing every month

27. Paint my nails every week

28. Be able to do the crow yoga position

I am no professional!

via

That quote up there is from John Lennon.  Nick found a different version of it on the internet and text it to me one day with the message that he knew I would love it- he was right.  I have been thinking about it a lot lately.  I know that I am behind the times in figuring out what I want to do with the rest of my life.  But that is exactly what I am trying to do.  Some aspects of my life are so perfect for me that I am content.  Not that any aspect is completely perfect but some are perfectly right for me.  Like I am pretty set on the family front.  We have our occasional disagreement but Nick is more than I could ask for in a husband.  And as for the kids?  They pretty much rock my world everyday.  I have been blessed with a fantastic little family.  I have some personal struggles to get over but that is for another post entirely.  

I am talking professional life here.  I know that I need to look into something that will make us more financially stable.  Which at this point almost anything would make us more financially stable.  Sad but true.  I feel listless and unguided.  I currently work in a retail store- ugh.  I hate it!  The more I think about it the more I think that I need to work for myself.  No one else bossing me around.  Telling me when to work.  No one telling me what they think that my time is worth.  I have an idea of what I want to do.  I want to make things.  I want to sew and paint and create.  However, it is really hard to take that first plunge!  I am feeling vulnerable and like I am not good enough.  What if no one likes my stuff?  What if I fail miserably?  

Well at least I would have tried!  I don't want regrets.  I have a freaking etsy shop empty and waiting for me to fill for pity's sake.  I understand that Etsy and craft fairs probably won't make me a millionaire.  That is not what I am looking for.  I am looking for some of my bills getting paid every month.  If all I was able to accomplish is having my t-mobile bill paid every month I would be content.  

I feel like there is no real point to this post except to vent.  I am sorry for that but it has helped me to really think about what I want.  Just like those writing exercises that you do in high school where you just write without thinking.   

What do you want to do when you grow up?  Are you already working at your dream job?     

27 before 28

Hello there lovelies!  I have been thinking about doing a birthday post for a while now.  Instead of doing a post where I tell you about what we did and what I got for my brirthday I am going to post my list of 27 goals for the next year.  My 27 before 28!  I got the idea from the amazing Elsie over at a beautiful mess.  Which is a daily read of mine.  She is a little bit of a blog crush for me actually!  here is her  28 before 29 list from this year.   And on to my list!

27 before 28!!

1. change my name to Hemingway

2. see the Foo Fighters live

3. make a pinhole camera

4. learn to play the banjo

5. learn to bake a loaf of bread- that people will actually want to eat- from scratch.

6. go to Warp Tour

7. take the kids to the ocean

8. see the Grand Canyon

9. make a quilt for our bed

10. make 12 blankets for the road home

11. finish the Home Ec course

12. run a 5k

13. get certifed as a Zumba instructor

14. quit my day job

15. get Fox and Sparrows Etsy shop up and running

16. lose 50 pounds

17. make a backyard teepee

18. crochet a throw

19. learn to make a good chocolate frosting.

20. make a pie from scratch

21. read 12 books

22. cut my hair- well have some one cut it for me! 

23. start learning a new language- most likely spanish

24. get tattoos for the kids.

25. do a paint  by number

26. make a dream catcher

27. take a salsa class 

Some of them may seem silly and actually they aren't all goals but those are 27 things I want to get done before I turn 28.  Some are easy and some are a bit daunting!  It is going to be a great year!

*that picture has absolutely nothing to do with this post but it is my birthday post and one of my favorite pictures of myself so I get my way!