reading downtime

I have been reading a ton lately and I could not be more happy about it.  Here is a breakdown since Jan 1st:
All by Beth Orsoff - who is really, a fantastic writer.  Nothing too serious and all very down to earth stories.  I love a lighthearted book.









And by Kristin Hannah, who is a bit deeper and makes a fantastic 3 dimensional characters that do things that bring you to heaving sobs:



And by Sophie Kinsella - who at this point if you haven't read one of her books you should probably off yourself - :



I am working through  as you read this post. 

I love reading and am trying to get as much done now because when March starts my life will be over for 6 weeks.  boo on a real job.  boo

5/52 - ouch

I worked for Clinique for 3 years and Estee Lauder as a regional artist for 5 years.  If you have trouble with math like I do, that is a total of 8 years consumed by delicious skincare products and makeup.  I know a lot about skin and how it works and how products effect it.

With that said, I am a total dip shit on occasion and possibly gave myself a chemical burn/allergic reaction to an at home microdermabrasion kit.  It felt wonderful going on and rubbing it into my skin.  Problem came when I did not get it all washed off properly with the washcloth and not thinking, accidently rubbed the washcloth on my eye lids.  I forgot to go back and wash again with my cleanser to make sure I got all of the chemical off, because I was too busy running down stairs to beat my children.

Needless to say I woke up sunday like this (excuse the hair), with my eye lids almost swollen shut.  This was after 1 benadryl and some cortaid.

As the day went on it only got worse.  My cheeks started getting puffy and swollen and I have what looks like a bad case of poison ivy all over my face.  It is especially disgust on my nose.

If I went to jail right now, and this was my mugshot, I would probably kill myself.  I cannot imagine having rough, nasty, pimply skin after these past few days.  It totally sicks me out to rub lotion on my face.  Sick.

TIme to go take 2 more benadryl and pass out for a long nap.  Hopefully it will be cleared up by saturday.



4/52

I love a good deal!  Love.  So when I heard nasty Food Lion was going out of business and I could prey on their failure, I took full advantage. 
Below is 2 full shopping carts, top and bottom, worth of baby and household stuff.

I spent a total of $199 and saved $291 with the 50% off sale and my coupons on top of it.  Damn.  $500 worth of stuff for $200.  Not too shabby.  A total of 68% savings.

My helpers. DJ pushed one cart while I pushed the other.

3/52 - Our day

The husband and I went to Jamaica to get married.  It was cheaper than putting together a real wedding and we decided it was more important to us to buy a house than have a big bash.  So off to Negril we went with a small group of family members and my best friend Jennifer.  It was the most fantastic trip.  Rashad was so tickled at seeing his family join him on a real vacation and watching his dad and sister play in the ocean and love it.  Such a joy.  It was a simple, quick and beautiful wedding followed by a short reception and then everyone into their bathing suits and out to the beach for the day.  Awesome.

behind already 2/52

For those of you that don't know, my 2 boys look so similar it can be hard at times to tell them apart in pictures - for everyone!!  Often the way I can spot which child it is immediatly is based on the old paci, paskifier, paci pas, pipp, pipple, pippity pip, and baby.  Of course both of my boys had their paci taken away by their very mean momma by 17 months.  Reflections on the most precious babies.

Noah had Clifford (the little red dog in this case)

                              DJ had a green frog (was possibly sewed back onto the pip 3 times)

Blogging from my spin bike while I wait for class to start.

This would be a first for me. I have been having the hardest time getting to the gym this week because of my yacking 4 year old. Getting to the gym is the hardest part of working out. For sure!! And when you get to the parking lot and your child throws up on himself in his booster seat, it really puts you in a crap mood. Crap mood. Sad that you have to clean the car up, clean the boy up and go home and not even work out. What a waste of a gym outfit and the 20 minutes you drove into town.

On a brighter note I am here now. Bam!

I am having serious roadblocks with my diet though.  I just can quite get a complete pure protein day right for some reason.  I will go all day doing well and then mess it up in the end.  Or I won't eat most of the day, because not eating equals not putting something I am not supposed to eat in my mouth.  Womp womp.  Loss is loss though and being in the 160's is the best feeling.

I showed up

We all know that showing up for anything is half the battle.  It is so much easier to sit at home and eat a complete box of Cheez-its with the boys, than to get dressed and go work out.  Seriously who doesn't love a Cheez-it??

So today (after yesterdays debacle of Zavier throwing up in the car and not making it to spin) I made it to spin.  I was 5 minutes late, but I was there and sweated my ass off.  Have you ever noticed that after spin you have a seat sweat mark on your ass?  I actually never noticed.  I was pointing out a sweaty ass on one of the Alabama players last night and Rashad said, "You know you have the same thing when you leave spin" -- Nasty!!  But I guess I earn that seat sweat mark.  Bam.  And I must be doing something right if he wants to look at said ass.

Now to not cheat in the food dept today and I will be on track.  We have so many trips planned this year it is crazy.  March to Gatlinburg for Mom's 60th birthday, May to an uncertain destination as of yet with Rashad's workmates, July to Seattle to see my family and a fall trip with just Rashad and I to get romantical or something.  HA!

So I need to look righter and tighter than I currently do.

Please pray for me.

Possibly MIA - 1/52

My dear friend Reece said that if I didn't start a'bloggin she was going to divorce me and/or possibly cut me.  You know she is a true New Mexican right?  She would so cut me and then eat a burrito over my bleeding body.
Ok that might be an exaggeration.  Slight.  But possibly not.  She is nuts.

Anywho...onward and upward.  I am committing myself to at least 1 blog post a week this year by copying said friend who would take my life, and doing what she is doing.

"a fellow blogger friend of mine is doing a cool project via her blog, and i decided to participate. each week i'll post a pic from the week, something that has something to do with the goings-on of the week, or what i'm feeling, or just whatever the hell i want to share. as this first week of 2012 closes, here's week one's pic":

This picture was taken in July of 2005.  My nephews came to see me for a week (this was the only time that ever happened and they are 18 and 16 now).  Do you see how skinnt I was?  Sweet Jesus.  This was pre marriage, pre child, pre mortgage payment and when I had nothing but time to hang at the gym and the pool.  Literally.  Gym, pool, gym, pool.  Now that my boobs are fixed I would love to get me a small waist again.  Motivation much?

See Spot Run 5k

This is the 3rd time i have started this post. It gets shorter each time.

So I ran, like really really ran ran my first 5k. It was awesome. I never thought I was a runner type. I used to make fun of runners (out of jealousy of course. My husband thinks that running is nerdy. lol But I trained a wee bit and was able to accomplish my goal and then some!!


I ran the race with my friend Heather Latimer (if you don't know, she is my photographer and friend. We both run at the same pace and are both new to the sport, so it worked out to well!! We pushed each other and kept at our pace even when we were tempted by adrenaline to run a wee bit faster pace.

We finished the race in a record breaking (it is record breaking for us!) 35 minutes!!! My best time in the neighborhood previous to this was 38 minutes. And I sure as hell kicked some 47 minute ass from when i walked it last year.



Katie and Misty were there to cheer us on and it was so uplifting. They were standing near the end and getting down to them left me with the biggest smile. It really helped me kick that last part of the race. And they made me a precious sign.


The shirt was much cuter this year and not canary yellow, which does not look great on me unless I am tan.

I signed up for the Murfreesboro middle half marathon in October and Heather and I are going to train together. I can't run with Misty because she is a real runner....like one who runs really fast. Bitch. lols No not really, well she can be a bitch, but I wouldn't want her to be any other way. She is inspiring and her story is pretty amazing. And she runs really fast. She did this same half marathon last year and avg an 8 min/mi. Fast for someone who just started running that year.

I will finish this race and my time won't suck Great goal right?? I would like to avg a 10 min/mile and think that is beyond reasonable. And hopefully in September a month before the race I can go for my boob consult and set up my surgery date following the race. Not immediately following, but the following week. Happy birthday me!! And happy birthday Rashad!! October is a great month!!

SO think positive running thoughts for me. I am excited to complete more than 3 miles at once and excited for this last 10 lbs to drop off of me. I read back in my blog and my previous goal of weighing 170 in order to get my boobs fixed isn't going to work. I have reached that goal and still need to drop at least another 10lbs or I will be sagalicious again in no time.

Adele

I am so obsessed with her.  She is hauntingly pure.  Exquisite.  I can listen to some of the songs and cry because they are so touching.  I ran my 5k to this cd.  She is just that good.

2 weeks

Sweet baby DJ only has 2 weeks left of preschool.  OH SHIT!!  What am I going to do with him, myself, without glorious morning time 3 days a week???  I am hoping patty can wrap up this nanny to take DJ and Cam 2 days a week.  If not, I guess we will be spending a lot of time at the pool.

So I was searching for something unique to give to Miss Lori, because yall know she is an angel dropped down from heaven.  She is so calm and classy.  I will miss her next year for sure!!  She is the best teacher DJ could have ever started school with.

So I am going to make this card with a little Starbucks love in it.  Who doesn't love Starbucks right?  I found the idea here.  People out there are so smart.  Thankfully.  Because I lack creative fantasticness.  lols

I gotta say it was a good day! (ala ice cube)

Oooooooooweeeeeeee Same days just feel so right. This is that day, and it calls for a Monday 7!!

1. When I weighed this morning it said 173.5 which is better than the 175 it told me yesterday. Can I please, sweet baby Jesus, break 170????

2. I did my Publix grocery shopping at noon and had some fantastic numbers. I got all the normal fare plus 4 bags of tyson chicken and paid only $40 for $120 worth of groceries!!! What you say? I lurve some coupons. Done.

3. Rashad got word today that he is FINALLY getting a take home car. I know y'all have seen pics of that raggedy piece of shit he was driving with 185k miles on it. By the way it broke down on him 3 times, thankfully he wasn't on any calls at the time. Can you imagine?? One of the best parts about it is we will save $200 a month on gas from him not having to drive his truck to work or court. You know I love saving some money!

4. I am researching hybrid cars to see if I want to replace my Armada. We have 2 paid for cars that both get 13 mpg which is not to special. Between the 2 of us we are spending $500 a month on gas. No bueno. So I think i have narrowed it down to 3 cars, and i will save the breakdown for another post. I don't want a car payment and i do want to save money. Perfect combo right?

5. I just got done running a bit ago. It was my all time best run since i began a month ago. I ran 30 minutes and 2.5 miles. I have that 12 minute mile down.....on the treadmill. It is hard as hell to keep the same pace when you are running outside. I either go too fast or too slow. Sheesh. But I was psyched. I have 2.5 weeks until my 5k and I need to have that last piece perfected. And I want to be skinnier. lol

6. When I got done running I showered and weighed myself. I was 171 bitches!! lols and now that I am eating and drinking I will be 173 in a few minutes. At 173 I am 13 lbs from my boob lift. But I will save that for another post.

7. The only sad part of my day is Noah's paci fell off clifford for the last time. I will not sew it back on....i don't think. DJ was 16 months when i tossed his paci and he lived to tell about it. But poor Zavier is cutting 5 or 6 teeth right now at the same time....and not little bitty ones. We are talking big ass molars and bottom eye teeth. Po sweet honey.

Posting

You like all this blog action? All 5 of my readers? Lol. I need a new background theme. I don't want to, JT "cry me a river" anymore. Boring. I love the choices and need to know how to find other shit. Help peeps!

Gagaloo

So tonight is the lady gaga concert with Katie and heather. Omg. Omg. I think I am hyperventilating. Yep, I am.

Lady gaga is such a special women. Let's call her stephanie. Lol. It takes a real woman to strap prosthetic alien pieces on her shoulders and neck and incubate in an egg, all to prove to everyone that there are so many varying degrees of normal. but I am fairly certain, she was not born that way.

Katie and i promise to take pics of the std's I mean people in the crowd. Heathers husband wants her to wear a body condom for safety. Might not be a bad idea.

Wish us lots of fun!!!!

Greetings from my new Ipad!

Let me preface this post with, the Ipad is actually Rashad's, but it isn't. He has switched from Univ of Phx to Bethel University for his criminal justice program so he can graduate 6 months faster and save about $10k. As a bonus they offer an Ipad to each of their online students.

Now, they really offered me a bonus for reading all of his assignments and editing them before they are submitted. They also offered me the bonus because I have filled out and submitted all of the enrollment forms and financial aid forms for 2 different colleges for him. Also, I get a great bonus because Rashad, bless his big old heart, is a man and has a hard time multi-tasking and I have to bear the brunt of his frustration with balancing family, school and work. So here is a big old thank you to Bethel University for bestowing on me a brand new Ipad. (Not to be greedy or anything, but I wish it was an Ipad 2 so i could FaceTime with Katie and my nieces)

1.5

I ran 1.5 miles today in 18 minutes.  Woot.  Plan is to do that 3 more time this week and then next week try for 2 miles straight!  I actually felt good the whole time.  Maybe, just maybe i can run the last 10lbs of fat off my (ass but mostly hips and tum) so I can get my surgery scheduled!  Shit if I could lose 5lbs I would set up my consultation!!

When i grow up I am going to have pretty boobies and less hip fat!  Everyone has to aspire to something right?

1 mile

I ran a mile without stopping for the first time ever.  I guess it show that when you want to do something and push yourself you can!  Isn't that ironic?  Don't ya think?  A little too ironic, ya I really do thing. 
Sorry...A little Alanis for you.

Anyway, I was proud of me.  And 12 minutes of some things won't kill you.  So Saturday I ran 1.25 miles.  And I didn't die then either!!  So tomorrow i will try 1.5 and see what happens.  I am totally going to beat last years 5k time.

Get it!

I want these NOW!!

I have to have these shoes and they are not out anywhere. 



I must have them.  Offering a cash reward for the person who can find them for me in my size asap!!  I so love love love love love love.  I neeeeeeeeeeed them for an April wedding i am going to.  So then I can buy a new outfit to go with them!!!!

Insaitable

I have missed reading so much y'all!!  I made a goal of reading 12 books for this year (considering i only read NONE last year) and I am blowing it out of the water.  I didn't realized how much i have missed cuddling with a good book and losing myself in someone else's life. 

I survived my childhood only because of books.  It didn't matter what type of book it was, from my mom's Harlequin Romance novels to Uncle Tom's Cabin.  I am actually pretty sure my love of black men came from obsessively watching NBA and NFL stars on TV and Uncle Tom's cabin.  I read the book for the first time in 6th grade....weeeeeee bit young but I ate up every page.  No matter how insane my life was around me, I could always depend on a great book to keep me grounded. 

Now I use books to block out the chaos in my living room.  I don't think my renewed reading habit has helped me be a better parent though.  Pretty sure while I was absorbed in my book this afternoon DJ knocked Zavier over and gave him a bloody lip and probably made his gimp arm hurt more.  And possibly while i was reading yesterday I told DJ to go upstairs to see if Zavier was awake (I knew he was I had been listening to him chatter for 20 minutes but I didn't want to put my book down) and out of no where i hear Zavier screaming.  I run up and his little lip is bleeding from hitting it on his crib.  Can these boys not just sit and be quiet and not touch each other so mommy can enjoy her book??  For the love of all thing simple.

Anyway, I have fallen in love with Susan Wiggs.  She is a fantastic story teller.  Since January I have read:
By Susan Wiggs from The Lakeshore Chronicles Series:

• Summer At Willow Lake
• The Winter Lodge
• Dockside
• Snowfall at Willow lake
• Fireside
• Lakeshore Christmas
• The summer Hideaway

I have also read Lakeside Cottage, not part of the above series.
Happy reading!

Springing

So I went to spin on Monday.  After 20 minutes my legs felt like jello and i wanted to give up and die.  I was chanting to myself *stop looking at the clock**stop looking at the clock*.  As soon as I hit minute 35 I got a second win and felt stronger.  It really is mind over giving up when you are in the saddle.  Saddle.  lol  Anyway, it felt good and I plan to spin again tomorrow or Saturday. 

The See Spot Run 5K is right around the corner.  Who is signing up with me to pretend to run/jog/walk/not be passed by the lady with the oxygen tank on her back? I will say, Misty you can sign up and after you win the race jog back to us and laugh at us as we try to make it to the end!  lol  I do plan on beating last years time though.  Lofty goal right?  Katie and I did it in 47 minutes last year and this year I would love to shave off at least 7 minutes.  So my goal dear friends is 40 minutes!  Seriously....if I can't do that then I better call NASA because we have a problem.

The sun is shining and spring is in the air.  The Bradford Pear trees in town have their beautiful purple blooms on them.  I need to make up our landscaping plan for the new house.  Our last house started with nothing and we created beautiful flower beds and put a shit load of money into grass and the like. 


So anyway....flower beds and making our new home look better is on my brain!

Spring has sprung!