Catching up... Random Ramblings.

It's been forever since I have blogged anything, and after receiving an e-mail from my cousin about her new blog, I realized I've left the few people that are actually following me hanging. Sorry guys. Anyway, a lot has changed since last time I blogged.

For starters, Phil and I have moved into our very first house just outside of Houston and we are busily trying to get everything the way we want it. Oh how I wish we could wave our magic wands and fix everything... paint, furniture, that bathroom door handle that keeps falling off... but those are little things that Phil and I will gradually fix over time (starting with the door handle).

I've decided that because I finally have a house, and the room, I am going to plant a vegetable and herb garden. Right now it consists of 3 pots and a whisky barrel in the back yard filled with a couple tomato plants, some peppers and some basil. But you have to start somewhere.

I've restarted Weight Watchers again and I think it's true... 3rd time's the charm! I've lost about 5 pounds and I'm gradually working my way back down to my pre-wedding weight. It's been a challange and I've definitely had some hard weeks but over all my head is in a good place and things are going well.

School is ending soon and I'm looking forward to what time I will have for summer vacation... Unfortunately (or fortunately) I need the money and will hopefully be working summer school. That means another 3 weeks before summer truly begins. It will be good to have the cash and know that I'm helping out somewhere.

After summer school is done I will be working at Drake University for about 3 weeks doing SuperCamp. I'll be in a new position this year and I'm looking forward to what that has in store. Summer will be busy as always as I will be heading out to Washington satae soon after camp to visit my parents at their new place.

Krissy will be joining me down here in Texas next fall ast a graduate student at Texas A&M and I'm looking forward to having her around. We've always had that sort of "sibling rivlery" relationship since we have not lived together since I was in high school 8 years ago, so I'm hoping now that we're both in very different places in our lives that we will grow to be better friends as well as better sisters.

All in all, things are going very well for me right now, and I promise it won't be that long before I blog again! :)

NO MORE EXCUSES!!!

I am so pathetic!  I keep telling myself that "tomorrow's the day" and then I make big bad choices like going to Buffalo Wild Wings and eating 12 boneless wings and some fries!  And then I wonder why I feel so crappy and I can't sleep?  DUH Jenny!!  Who am I kidding?  My diet can't start "tomorrow"  because "tomorrow" is never "today!"  I don't like how I feel, I don't like how I look, and I keep making excuses for looking and feeling the way I do.  It's always "work is too stressful,"and  "I am too busy to go to the gym."  I seem to have forgotten how much better I handled the stress when I was in shape!  

I am recommitting right now to loosing the weight and more importantly, getting healthy and you all are my witnesses!  I am doing it this time, and I AM DOING IT FOR GOOD!

"My diet starts Monday..."

I got married June 7, 2008.  And in the months leading up to the wedding I got myself into the best shape of my life!  I felt so good about myself... lots of energy, great motivation... I was at a weight that I haddn't seen since my freshmen year in college!  I was so proud of myself!  

Me on my wedding day

Then summer hit.  After a month of teaching summer school and sitting on my ass all day long, and then my amazing honeymoon in Ireland where I drank way too much Guinness.  I came back from Ireland barely fitting into the jeans I had taken over there.  I probably gained 10 poinds in the 12 days I was there.  Oops.  It was totally worth it though :)

Me enjoying a pint of Guinness at a pub in Killarney, Ireland

I made a deal with myself at that point that I was going to enjoy what was left of my summer and my diet would start as soon as I went back to work.  I still had a trip to Nashville planned, and I wanted to enjoy that, and the couple relaxing weeks I had left.  Great idea... Right?  In theory, yes.  In actuality, no.  

I give in to temptations too easily, especially when there is stress involved.  Any little thing will throw me off course.  And now here I am 15 pounds heavier, and not happy with myself.  I just can't seem to find that motivation that I had.

My plan now is to stop saying "My diet starts Monday..." and actually start it.  I'm going to take baby steps to get back on the right track.  Starting "Monday" I'm going to be back in the gym 3 days a week, drinking lots of water, and not giving in to the temptations at work.  I can do this!  and I'm hoping by keeping this blog up, that it will hold me accountable.  Cross your fingers for me!  

This is me and Phil at Christmas.  By 6 months from now, I will look completely different.  Wish me luck!

Why don't we ever make the best of things?

I just don't understand why people have to always be so negative. I'm a person who really likes to see the best in people and in every situation. It really drags me down when people are always complaining about where they are, what they are doing in their lives, who is to blame for their situation...(and it's never themselves.) I'm so sick of people not taking ownership for their actions and instead, putting the blame on everyone but themselves.

And another thing... why is it that I am looked down upon by certain people because I try to see the good side in everything? It really upsets me when I'm doing everything that I can to make things go smoothly, I listen to people bitch about what's going on, I try to smooth things over and yet I'm the one they don't want to be around. I guess I'm too nice and I just need to care less about others and more about my situation.

In my opinion, people need to accept what is in front of them, and make the best of of the situation they are in. It does no good at all to whine and complain about the cards we have been dealt. Yes, bad things happen, yes, I understand being upset, yes, many people don't deserve what happens to them, but life is not fair. We have to get over it and move on with our lives. I'm so tired of the negativity! I wish there was an easy way for me to be immune to it. I guess that's part of life though. It's just so hard to stay positive when everything around me is bringing me down.

Accomplishments and Hopes...

As a 25-year-old I...
Got married
Bought a house
Became more active at the gym
Took on leadership roles at work
Learned how to make fresh pasta
Kissed the Blarney Stone
Drank Guinness in Ireland
Ate the freshest seafood I will probably ever eat
Made some great friends
Survived my first Hurricane
Went to the Grade Old Opree
Painted a wall purple

In year 26 I hope to...
Run a 5k race
Build and grow a garden
Lose 20 pounds and keep it off
Make running something I enjoy rather than a chore.
Keep organized
Ride in a hot-air balloon
Meet somebody famous
Make a cheese cake

My day and My thoughts

Today has been great. I went out to brunch with Mary my Step-motner -in-law and then we went to have manicures and pedicures. It was much needed and much appreciated. I always enjoy spending time with Mary. I'm very lucky to have a mom-in-law like her.

Tonight me and the girls are going out on the town since my husband, Phil is out of town at a Bachelor party. Thanks guys. It should be fun though... It's been a long time since I'v been able to go out with the girls.

I've probably spent way too much money this weekend but I figure that it's my birthday and that gives me the right to spend. Plus, Phil isn't here to do anything for me so... I guess I have to get my own present... or presents :)

I'm pretty lucky to have the life I have. I really don't have too much need for anything. I have wonderful friends and family and I am very well off for my age and my job. We just bought a house and we move in in April. I'm really looking forward to not having to move again for awhile. A long while.

A New Year, A New Me...

My birthday is this Sunday March 8th and I've decided that this year is going to be dedicated to me. What do I mean? I want to use this blog to write down my goals and by doing so hopefully stay committed to them.

My Goals for year 26 are:
1. To become closer to God.
2. To get down to my ideal weight of 160 and maintain it (that's about 20 pounds to lose).
3. To run a 5k race or longer.
4. To start and maintain a garden at my new house.
5. To do whatever it takes to make my life fulfilling and to make me a happier person.

I am hoping that whomever chooses to read this that they can give me words of encouragement along the way... Wish me luck!