Day 2

I woke up SO sore today.  Who would have thought that a 20 minute workout would have such an effect?!  It made me want to skip today's workout but that's how it begins.  You skip a little here, skip a little there.  Next thing you know you're fat like me. So, I press on.
Day2 was hard.  I couldn't believe my arms and chest were so sore from 3lb weights.  Then, I remembered ALL the pushups I had to do (struggled through). 
Today was even harder. probably because I was so sore.  I wanted to give up half-way through the 2nd circuit (there are 3) but I just kept going.  I feel a lot better now but my legs are too sore to dance- we dance a lot in our house.   

I know I shouldn't weigh myself everyday but I've already lost a few pounds.  I think it's due to my change in eating/drinking more than the exercise but I'll take it.  I've been drinking tons of water and cutting back on the wine :(  I've cut out my Pepsi altogether, which was pretty difficult.  I have decided my pumpkin spice and chai lattes are OK because I'm not sure I would get enough milk/calcium otherwise. 
Besides, I can't deprive myself of everything. 
I forgot to tell you that I also walked/ran 2 1/2 miles yesterday too.  It wiped me out but I am determined to shed this weight.  I kind of wanted to post before pictures but I am not ready to put my fat body on the internet just yet.  Maybe after I really start to see a difference I will let you compare the pics.  Thanks for all the support, everyone!

Day 1

I got a late start today but I did start!  I did the first workout on the 30 Day Shred video and let me tell you- it was rough!  Before I had Olivia I was in one of those bootcamps you see at all the parks.  I was awesome! I was strong and fit and fast... okay, maybe I have never been that fast but I was healthy.  I had endurance and stamina. None of those things are true today.  Who would have thought that in 2 short years I would have sunk so low.  But today is a new day! I am starting today and moving forward.  I just might be moving a little slower than I would like.  So, day 1...

There are 3 workouts you can do right in your living room.  All you need is a pair of hand weights.  I have a set of 3lb and 5lb weights.  Guess which ones I used.  That's right 3.  Anyway, you do each workout for 10 days before moving on to the next.  They are only 20 minutes but they are high-intensity with no breaks.  I had to do the modified exercises and I still struggled but hopefully that will change a bit before I get to workout 2.  When I read this back to myself I think "20 minutes with 3lb weights?! That's not much" but I have to start somewhere. My goal is to use the 5lb weights by workout 2.  I will keep you updated!  I have heard some encouraging words from my friends who read yesterday's post so please keep 'em coming.  Are any of you challenging yourselves? Do you already have an exercise regimen that you follow.  Tell me what it is.  I'd also love any exercise and diet tips!

30 Day Challenge

I'm fat! Yeah, I said it.  It didn't happen overnight but here I am 235 lbs.  Yikes! I can't believe I am putting this out there but I'm hoping it will keep me accountable.  If you haven't seen me in a while this number might surprise you.  If you've seen me though, I don't think this will come as much of a shock.  I'm big.  I think this is the biggest I've ever been in my whole life, including when I was pregnant!  I have a lot going on and have for some time.  I have been taking care of everyone but myself.  So, today it stops!  I really don't care much about the number on the scale as long as I am healthy (which I'm not).  I am going to adopt healthy eating habits and start working out again. I guess that means no more cupcakes for breakfast ;)  My very good friend has been sending me emails for a 30 day challenge that she is doing, it's on day 16 and I haven't even started.  I think it's a good idea though so I am making my own 30 day challenge.  I am also going to be using Jillian Michaels' 30-Day Shred video.  I'm preparing for a 5K and hopefully a 10K after that so I'll be "running" a little also.  I like to call it running but it's really more of a trot. Confucious says "It doesn't matter how slowly you go, so long as you don't stop"
I will write about my personal challenge and I invite you to join me in challenging yourself.  Please comment and let me know about your challenge or write about mine.  I could really use the encouragement!

Thrift Store Finds

I'm getting ready to throw a party and I want to make my own cake stands with uniquely shaped plates and cups or candlesticks.  So, sometimes I'll visit a thrift store.  I'm usually disappointed.  I don't know if I'm just not going to the right stores or the area but it seems like I'll never find something like what I have in mind.  This visit was no different.  I found nothing I could use for the cakestands but I did find these!

Yes, I know they're hideous.

 A few weeks ago I made a couple cornice boards for my bedroom using foam core board, duct tape and a staple gun.  Oh yeah, and fabric. Now, I'm thinking about making them for every window in my house! It's so easy and affordable.  I actually had everything I needed in my house already. They look great (in my opinion) and you would never guess they were foam board.  They are also very lightweight.  So, if you're thinking about window treatments for your nursery or toddlers room, this is a good option.  You won't have to worry about little monkeys tearing the curtains down and hurting themselves.  I want to make them for my living and dining room windows but they are 73 inches wide.  I just don't think the foam board will support its own weight over that length.  I figured I would get some lumber and make them but I have a couple other projects going on right now.  Plus, the lumber would be about $30 for each cornice and I'd rather spend the $60 on my play kitchen or a spa pedicure.  Enter these hideous boards. I got all 4 for just $8.45!!!  The black ones are the exact measurements I need for the dining room window and either my backdoor or bathroom window. The other beauties are the right width for 2 more windows but they're a little tall.  I was thinking I would either just shorten them or carve a curve or scallop on the bottom.  So, now I just have to yank that nasty fabric off and recover them with something that I have not yet chosen.  I'm not sure when I'll get to this project but I couldn't pass up this deal.

I have a followers gadget!!!

I am not very tech savvy so it took me forever to figure out how to add this dang gadget.  It is through google friends and that's not what most people have on their blogs.  However, I think you can log on with any email address.  I didn't know if anyone ever read this but I've heard a lot of y'all tell me you like it.  So sign in and follow me.  I want to see who reads my random ramblings.

It has begun

I have been wanting to make a little play kitchen for Olivia for the longest time.  I really thought I would finish it in time for Christmas but it is the middle of March and I'm just getting started.  I've built a few things before like this picnic table and a few beds like this one. 
I really need to take updated pics so that you can see it painted.
This is my first build with Nic.  It has been a little bumpy, I guess you could say.  It's funny because when I first started building, he didn't want me using his tools.  I don't really think he had faith in my abilities and he may have been a little worried I would injure myself.  I don't blame him for the last one because I am quite clumsy.  Well, now that I have a few builds under my belt, I feel like I know what I am doing.  I am in no way a perfectionist but I just think my way is best.  I'm not sure why but I didn't want him to cut the wood. I guess I didn't think he would take the same measures to make sure each piece was cut just right.  However, I don't like his saw (which was dead anyway) so he ended up cutting the last pieces by hand.  He did alright ;)
It is a little colder than I thought it would be so we moved the operation indoors. It hasn't been too  messy so far.  I finally used my Kreg jig and I LOVE it! I don't think I'll ever build without it again. Nic was predrilling holes and I got to use some of my dental hygienist skills by providing suction (vacuuming sawdust) as he drilled. I guess that's more of an assistant's skill- oh well.

So day one and here is the beginning of a sink... or stove.  They are actually the same thing until you put the stove door on. 
Tomorrow we will finish the body of the stove and get started on the fridge.  We're waiting on the doors until we get the boxes built so we can decide what will look best and what we actually have the skill to do.  I got my inspiration from this kitchen I saw on Ana-White.com last year.  It is so cute! I thought I would make it exactly the same and even paint it powder blue.  Now, I'm not so sure.

Since, I waited so long, I have been looking at more and more play kitchens in blogland.  The more I looked around, the more ideas I got and I just kinda tweaked the plans a little bit until I came up with something that I really liked.  I am going to try my hand at carving a retro-styled refrigerator door.  I'm also thinking about painting it a sweet light pink, but I'm not ruling out the blue just yet.  I have found some cute knobs but I just can't seem to settle on a sink that doesn't cost more than the project itself.  Also, I would love to find that flower scrub brush.  I've seen them around but none that stand on their own like the one in this pic.  If anyone knows where I can get this, please let me know.  Olivia's birthday is a little over a month away.  My goal is to finish it completely- finishing touches and all- before then. That should be no problem right? You know- with party planning, showers, cakes, and oh yeah... nursing school.  It will all be worth it though.  I know she will just love this and it is SO sturdy. It will last for years!  I'm sure with Nic's help I will get it done in time.  Don't you think this will make a great birthday present? 

Check out this giveaway

This is one of my new favorite blogs that I stalk regularly
http://karaspartyideas.blogspot.com/2011/03/giveaway-100-gift-certificate-to.html#links

It's in the works!

My little girl's birthday is coming up at the end of next month and I had all these grand ideas for her party. As it turns out, my family will be going out of town twice around her birthday.  We also have a wedding, several showers, 2 first communions and of course Easter.  It was difficult to find a date that would accomodate everyone and just as soon as I pick one out there is another road block.  On top of all of that it seems like the hubs has to work or has drill every weekend.  I guess it won't be the end of the world if we have to celebrate it late.  That just gives me more time to come up with things to make for her party that I don't need.  Speaking of things I don't actually need but are super cute... I made this!
I cut a big 2 out of styrofoam and covered it with ribbon (just like I did with the topiary)  It took me a LOT longer though because it is so big but I just love it! I'm not sure what I'll do with it after her party- or until then actually. For now it resides in an armoire. 
I also started her birthday banner.  I really like the way it has turned out so far.  I used my ginormous paper cutter and my Cricut.  This is the first time I've actually made anything with my Cricut and I got it last year for Mother's Day.  I know- it's sad.  Thanks to Keli letting me use her cartridges I cut out all the backings, letters and owls.  I'll connect them with ribbon and tulle but I just can't bring myself to cut holes in it yet.  I'm not sure what my next project will be.  I probably need to finish the banner first.  Then, maybe I will make a ribbon table skirt or backdrop. Oh and I want to build a wooden nesting cupcake stand but that one seems a little far fetched.  We'll see.  I may just wrap some boxes in pretty paper and stack them instead. 
Tell me what you think of the banner so far. I'll post more pics when I finish it.

T is for TRENTA

As if I didn't get enough caffeine already, Starbucks has come out with a trenta.  If you are not a SB addict like myself, you may not be familiar with their sizes. A short is like an extra small. It's only 8 oz.  A tall is a small (I know- I don't get it either) and is 12 oz.  Although it sounds like a large, a grande is only a medium and is 16 oz. Finally, a venti actually has 2 sizes hot and iced. A hot venti is 20 oz.  Venti is Italian for 20- go figure. An iced venti is 24 oz. I guess ventiquattro doesn't really roll off the tongue, does it? I have many favorite drinks but lately I have been ordering an "iced venti, no water, no classic, 2 sweet n low, black tea" It's double strength and just the perfect amount of sweet deliciousness.  It's definitely not your southern sweet tea and I LOVE it!
You might be wondering how I know so much about all this. Well, for one, I think I might have a slight caffeine addiction. Also, I was a barista for a little over a year before I started teaching which I also no longer do... Anyway, the other day I was in the SB drive-thru like I am more days than I should be. The barista said "You know we have a trenta now, right?" At first I thought "Who in the hell needs that much caffeine?!" Then I was like "ME- that's who!")
Trenta is Italian for- you guessed it- 30. But guess what, It's not 30 ounces.  It's 31.  I had my first trenta today.  I was so excited! It took me about 45 minutes to drink it though.  Then I decided that it might also be my last.  This drink is beyond huge! I always feel like a big gulp is so... BIG and it's the same size! I think it's a little like drinking out of a bucket... with a straw of course.  Or like when someone tries to eat a 72 oz steak. Why? Well, I've tried it and this might be TMI but now I have to pee. I'm glad I didn't order this while on a road trip. Oh and I'm totally wired!