Hooked!

I'd heard so much about the Twilight books and movies, but it just didn't seem like my "thing."  I'm very easily scared ~ I can't even watch shows like CSI or 48 Hours.  Don't even get me started on horror movies.  I can't even watch the previews for horror movies.  I knew that the Twilight books and movies weren't considered "horror," but I did know they involved vampires.  I've never been a fan of vampire stories.  Even when Tom Cruise (who I was in love with for most of my young-adulthood) was in Interview with a Vampire, I was NOT impressed - yuck!  Recently, a friend of mine invited me to a "girls night out" to watch Twilight.  I was really going more for the company than the movie.  Before it started I even asked if it was scary ~ it is about vampires!  I really enjoyed the movie, and thought I should take a stab at the book.  From the moment I started the first book, Twilight, I have been hooked!  Of course the book is better than the movie, but it was also nice to already have a face for each character in my head.  It IS a love story, which I'm always a sucker for, but I never imagined that I would be so involved in the story - and actually in "love" with the vampire myself!  I love that it is a unique story to me, nothing like I've ever read before.  I've been reading non-stop for 3 days now.  I just finished the second book in the series, New Moon.  I feel bad that my husband has been a widow and my kids have been motherless for those three days.  I also feel bad that my new little blog is being neglected, not to mention that I haven't read any other blogs for days!  So, this morning when I finished the second book, I decided not to buy the new one until I got some things accomplished.  So far I've done some laundry, cleaned the bathroom, kitchen and living room, and now I'm writing this post.  I've gotten so much done!  But I have to admit that even while I was doing all this, I was still thinking about Edward, Bella and all of my vampire friends!  So, right now I'm thinking I really did get a lot done, and it just might be time to head to Target to pick up a few things ... and if a certain black book about vampires should end up in my cart ... it wouldn't be so bad, but ... you may not hear from me again for a few days ...

Exercise Goals

Exercise was never my thing.  Even when I lost 40 lbs in 2007, I didn't exercise.  I lost the weight using the Weight Watchers points plan.  Once I lost the weight, I found that maintenance was harder than losing.  I was determined not to gain the weight back, but I also wanted a little more "wiggle room" in my diet.  ("Wiggle room" meaning pizza, burgers, cheese fries etc...)  I found that letting myself eat those things on the weekend made it so much easier to get through the week.  But, in order to keep the weight off, I decided that I needed to get active.  That's the balance I needed to keep, the rules I needed to follow - PERIOD. 

So, last year I set a goal to complete the Couch to 5K running plan.   http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml.  I really was starting from the couch - this was my first try at exercising.  I started training in June and finished in September.  At the end of the program I was able to run 3 miles.  I couldn't believe that I actually did it!  I've never done anything like that before in my life.  I'd always wanted to start running, but thought I couldn't do it.  I credit much of my motivation to Roni over at http://www.ronisweigh.com/.  I sent her an email the day I finished the program to let her know how much she has inspired and motivated me with her blog, and she posted
it: http://ronisweigh.com/2009/09/weekend-quote-so-i-tried-it-and-i-did-it.html.  I was super excited!

The one thing I haven't done is to actually run a 5K race.  Once the cold weather came, I discovered that I am NOT a cold weather runner.  I have no problems running in humid, 90 degree heat - but I just CANNOT get my butt out the door when it's 30 degrees!  I tried running on the treadmill, but it's just not the same.  I was checking the time every 30 seconds - even with the TV on.  So, I haven't actually run since mid-November.  One of my goals for this year is to run a 5K race.  Once the weather gets warmer, I WILL start running again.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to go back to running 5K right away, but I've done it before and I know I can do it again. 

In the meantime, last week I started doing Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred.  http://www.amazon.com/Jillian-Michaels-30-Day-Shred/dp/B00127RAJY  It's a great workout and it only takes 20 minutes.  Plus, you get in strength, cardio and abs.  There are 3 levels - you do each level for 10 days.  I did it 4 days last week, and I plan to do the same this week.  My other goal is to complete the 30 Day Shred.  It will take me longer than 30 days - but that's okay!  At least I'm doing SOMETHING!

I'm writing out these goals because I need to acomplish them, and seeing them in print makes them so much more real.  They go from being a thought in my head to an actual statement.  I WILL NOT gain the 40 lbs back!  I will stay active!  I need to exercise if I want to keep this maintenance going.  After all, I still need to visit my "guys" every now and then ... FIVE GUYS and Papa Johns!



I entered Roni's Souper Duper Contest!
Check out Roni’s Weight Loss Blog for more information.

Before, After and the Little Things

Well, here it is. My first post.  I'm just getting right into it.

Last weekend we finally redecorated our bedroom.  (By "we" I mean I picked everything out, and my dear husband helped me move furniture and paint.)  I'm happy with the way it came out.  I just wish our budget allowed for a more drastic change.  Let me first start off by saying that we "inherited" our furniture from very generous relatives.  It's nice, sturdy furniture ~ it's just not at all not quite what I would have chosen.  So I've been challenged with decorating the room around the "lovely" furniture.  Also, since I couldn't re-mortgage my house to pay $80/window for curtains, $250 for a new comforter set and $40 each for some throw pillows, I settled for making curtains and pillows that matched my ugly current comforter.

So, here are the "before" pictures:

And here are the "after" pictures:

Of course, I need a hidden mickey:

And, one of the best things about having a 5 year old to hang out with is finding fun in the little things:

She did it!!!

I still want to add some small touches.  I'm anxiously waiting to use my 30% off coupon at Kohl's tomorrow, where I will find some fabulous deals on items that match my color scheme perfectly... well, a girl can hope, right?