I love you all! I am ringing in the new year by moving my blog. Will you come follow me?
www.dreamsandswords.com

HAPPY 2012 to you all, I hope the new year brings you more love and happiness than you can imagine!

Happy Halloween everyone!

I hope you all have a wonderful Halloween!

We hardly ever get Trick-or-Treaters at my house, even though we live in a pretty big neighborhood. Most of the kids go to Trunk or Treat events at the local churches.

It's Steven's favorite holiday, but this year we weren't able to go all out the way we usually do because of how busy he has been with classes and school.

Stay safe everyone!

And if you are participating in NaNoWriMo this year, add me as a buddy! (hizzle85)

It's time to pinch pennies

Well the school year is upon us, and we've gone back into money saving mode, with Steven being in school and not working, my measly paycheck is trying to keep us afloat. So I'm trying to come up with a few ways to save money that work with our lifestyle, whether it be cutting back, eliminating, or taking advantage of something. If you have any suggestions or comments, they are greatly appreciated!


~We are getting a good deal on rent, ok, maybe it's like the best deal ever, because we dont pay much at all, and we could not get a nice apartment for even twice what we pay. So. We are good there.


~Take advantage of the library! Any books I want to own, I can just make a list. 


~Any favorite recipes we have at restaurants we should try to replicate at home where it is cheaper, and healthier!


~Start really using coupons and watching the ads. Buy what is on sale.


~ Dont use AC or heat unless necessary! Avoid $300 electric bills before they happen!


~We've already cut back to basic cable and internet. I dont think we can scrape off any more there. 


~Unfortunately we are big phone whores, so I'm not sure that we can shave any off there. 


~Stop eating out! Duh! But it's pretty hard for us to stick with that. We like to go out to eat. We like to enjoy the atmosphere, and the food. But it's hard on our budget.


~Find free or cheap ways to hang out outside the house, like at the park, or something like that. 


~Scout out the cheapest gas in our area each time we need gas. Only buy the cheapest gas. Our car only takes premium so this is a challenge!


Ok thats all i've got for now. Hopefully I'll follow up soon with more ideas :)

Shipped up to Boston

I know I've been missing from the blog world for a while, and I apologize for that. As an attempt to reclaim my bloghood, I have a picture filled post from my recent trip to Boston. I met my wonderful friend Jill, a fellow Nestie from the September 09 "Niners" board. Her wedding was 3 days before mine, and we went through the wedding planning process together for the year leading up to the big day. We had talked for 3 years on and off the boards, and became close.
So, here are some photos of my trip, from 9/28-10/2. Cuz, you know, 'pics or it didn't happen'! Haha.

Staying on Track

I'm trying not to get discouraged by the fact that a friend of mine is losing weight so much faster than me. Her progress is awesome! I feel like I'm working really hard so I'm not really sure. I know its not a race, but I am just hoping to see results more than what I've been seeing.
I meant to measure myself last night, but forgot, of course.
I'm wondering how much of it is because I haven't been drinking as much water lately. Guess I'll start doing that again to try to make a difference. My Weight Watchers weigh in is tomorrow morning, and I am hoping to see some results. I'd like to lost 2lbs over the next week so I've got to keep an eye on what I'm eating. I learned this week that just one day can through me off track, unfortunately.
Enough with the Negativity right?? Lets be positive.
Last night I worked out for just under an hour and a half. It's amazing how quickly time goes by at the gym! Its weird. I've been wanting to run outside but it's just been so hot here lately, I'd have to be running after dark and i dont really want to do that. So we go to 'The Rush' (our gym) at like 8 and work out for a while. I've been doing about half an hour cardio, half an hour strength. Tonight is Zumba! I'm looking forward to the class I think. Last week my friend came with me, but tonight she wont be able to make it.
Working out really puts me in a great mood all day long. I really like it. I've been wanting to get up early and do pilates in the morning but I've not been sleeping well so I just haven't had the energy to get up any earlier. Hopefully soon.

What does your exercise/workout schedule look like? Do you even have one?


Tunes I was jammin to last night during my workout:
Starrstruck - 3Oh!3
Boom Boom Pow - BEP
When I Grow Up - PCD
Goodies - Ciera
Sexyback - JT

Week 2 check in

Its been two weeks! I havent met all of the goals I had made for myself,but I'm still doing good. I've lost about 3 pounds which is nice, but it's not the 4 pound goal i had set for myself. Thats ok though. I feel like I'm making the right choices as far as food goes, for the most part. And I've been exceedingly more active, as we signed Steven up for a local gym around here that is close to our house. My BFF also has a membership and she and I go to classes, like Zumba and Aqua Zumba,when we are able to mesh schedules.
I saw a post on tumblr about taking it 5 pounds at a time. I've got a big chunk of weight to lose, so sometimes the number looks daunting. {60, ooh yikes} So I'm thinking that I'll break it down into 5lb goals so as not to overwhelm myself, and still keep feeling like I'm making progress. I'll keep my big goals in check, but this is to help me stay positive.
I'm also going to start measuring. The way I've been working out and actually incorporating strength, I'm pretty sure that although the number on the scale may not be moving, my body is still changing. So I should have taken measurements two weeks ago, but today is as good a day as any. I'm going to keep pushing forward in this journey!

Some of Last Night's Workout Tunes: Britney - My Prerogative
JT - My Love
Katy Perry - Firework
Pink - Raise your Glass

Got some motivation!

It's been a while since I posted anything of any substance, I guess I've just been in a slump these days. Living in a mediocre way, which happens to all of us occasionally, I suppose. But I'm back again, raring to go, facing the world head on.
Two of my friends and I have joined together on a journey for healthy living and weight loss. We are all hoping to make some long term lifestyle changes. I personally made the following goals for this week:
*Exercise at least 30 minutes a day [I'm secretly pulling for a minimum of an hour, but I don't want to aim too high starting off]
*Drink 64oz of water a day
*Meet but not exceed my WW points daily [as long as I use them wisely, I can succeed at this!]
*Eat a salad every day [well I didn't succeed at this yesterday, but I did have some fruit, which is a good thing as well.]

Yesterday and today I've gotten up early to go walk my dog at the park. This morning it was actually very cool- upper 50s. It was a great relief from the 90 degree weather we've been having.

Next week I'll post my weight flux on Monday- here's hoping all this hard work pays off even just a little so I can stay motivated. I've found some really motivational tumblr accounts and love the little nuggets of inspiration I see every day, encouraging me to keep going! Here's a few i love!