Hard Head...

I've been working out (for about a month), but for the last two weeks, I've been lifting weights.  Following a plan that http://msalisarenee.blogspot.com/ sent me.  She told me not to weigh myself.  I agreed.  Well, like a hard headed child, I weighed myself yesterday, and I WAS NOT happy with the number that I saw.  Before weighing myself, I had been feeling good, great even.  I am seeing little changes in my body, I have more energy, I've been eating healthier.  Really feeling like, 'who gone stop me huh'? 

So I had to have a pep talk with myself.  Regardless of what that number on the scale says, nothing compares to how I've been feeling.  I have had a better attitude, I've been more positive about everything.  I am gaining my confidence back.  I got a text reminding me, that it's really not about the number on the scale anyway.  It's not that number that makes us insecure, it's not that number that makes us dislike our bodies, it's how we look in the mirror.  So while the scale me read 2 pounds heavier, the pants I'm wearing, are looser.  My hamstrings, are tighter.  My muffin top, is smaller.

Get A Life...

I read quite a few blogs, mainly for inspiration, but some for entertainment.  Well, there's a personal/weight loss blog that I read, and the women that authors the blog gets a lot of flack from readers.  As far as I can tell, she keeps it real.  She typically posts every weekday, and I noticed that she hadn't posted in a few days, and I grew nosey curious.  So, I read through some of the comments on her last post, and people keep saying that they hope she hasn't stopped blogging because of some g.o.mi site.  So, I asked Mr. Google what gomi is.  Well, it takes me to this site which is a forum of sorts.  I didn't see anything of note, so I figure maybe I have the wrong site.  Well, the genius that I am, I google go.mi with the name of the blog, and I find this entire forum dedicated to bashing this woman.  Now, I won't say that I don't talk about things that I don't like with my friends sometimes.  But these people take it to another level.  They can't stand this woman (their words), yet they read her blog and follow her on instagram.  They critique and judge every single post that she writes. 

I just can't wrap my head around it.  I mean, look, I don't like every blog that I read.  Sometimes people write things that rub me the wrong way.  I am definitely entitled to like and dislike anything.  But guess what, I don't have to read those blogs, I will spend my time finding ones that I enjoy.  It blows my mind that people spend their time waiting for this woman to post something so that they can pick it apart and reiterate how much they hate her.  They seriously need to get a life.  There are a million other positive things they can do with their time.

What's Going On With Me...

A random post from me :-)...

• I want tips, I have tried painting my nails, but the polish starts chipping after 1 day.  I have tried shellac/gel manicures, and by day 3 I am peeling it off.  Tips are the only way my nails can retain polish...
• I working out again, and lifting weights :-).  I've got some support too...
• Cheers to this being the last time I start over...
• My baby is growing too fast...He's almost 7 months...
• I had an awesome first Mother's Day...
• But I still miss my Granny...
• I'm on the hunt for great workout songs...My current list isn't bad, but new stuff is always good...
• I need to buy some workout leggins, I sweat too much to wear cotton...
•  I'm too lazy to upload any pictures for this post...

Under My Skin

I've been reading posts where bloggers list a few things that get under their skin, so, the day after I posted 100 things that make me happy, here a few things that I just don't like...

1. When someone who shall remain nameless takes MY child somewhere in his sleeper.  Sure, he's only 4 months, but he has clothes, put them on him when he is leaving the house.  Do you go places in your pajama?  I didn't think so...
2. Victims.  If I don't even talk to you, but I know everything bad that has happened to you, you need to get it together.
3. Ignorant advice.  Let me explain, when people give you advice, about something THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.  Seriously, don't talk to me about breastfeeding, IF YOU'VE NEVER breastfed your children.  Don't tell me what's wrong with my car, if you ride a bike.  
4. Cheap people.  Please don't confuse this with frugal people, or people on a budget, I respect those people.  I'm talking about the person that asks me to go to lunch, but only wants to go to a place with a value menu.  I'm sorry, I don't want that slop on most days.  

That's all I have for today!!

Makes Me Happy

Serenity3-0 posted 100 things that make her happy, so I decided to do it too :-)...

1. Seeing Jaylen smile and laugh...mostly in the morning, or when new people talk to him...
2. When Randall tells me about his night at work...
3. When Jaylen starts to talk coo out of nowhere...
4. Authentic Mexican tacos with lots of cilantro...
5. Seeing all of the food in the refrigerator after marathon Sunday cooking...
6. Getting my hair done...
7. Getting a shellac manicure...
8. Getting more than 4 hours of sleep at night...
9. Talking to my mom everyday on my way home from work...
10. A cold Mountain Dew...
11. Getting off of work early...
12. Any day off of work...
13. Weekend naps...
14. Romantic comedies...
15. Being sweaty after a good workout...
16. 75 degree days...
17. Jaylen's room (that he never sleeps in...)
18. Sushi (that I don't eat enough of, lol)
19. Buying fruit that is ripe enough, but not too ripe...
20. When the scale is lower than the last time I weighed myself...
21. Sweet-Fire Shrimp (I could probably list 100 foods that make me happy)
22. A good word at church...
23. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner with my mom and sister...
24. Organizing...
25. Spending time with my family from out of town...
26. When older people text and the grammar is funny...
27. Watching my niece play basketball...(she is really good)
28. Feeling productive at work...
29. A hot shower...
30. Fresh sheets...
31. Just because gifts...
32. Sticking to the budget...
33. When the WHOLE house is clean...
34. Spiced Chai Tea...
35. The results of getting my eye brows threaded...
36. New shoes...
37. Warm feet...
38. Designer hand bags
39. Romantic Comedies...
40. Coffee with cream and sugar...
41. Playing the Hip Hop Dance Experience...
42. A good book...
43. Comfortable Heels...
44. A good hair day...
45. Nivea Lip Balm...
46. Reminiscing with old friends and family...
47. A romantic date...
48. Moist pecans...
49. The beach...
50. When people RSVP...
51. When people are on time...
52. When flowers bloom in the spring...
53. Chatting with my boo on gchat...
54. Vacation...
55. Getting a pedicure...
56. Getting a massage...
57. Fruit flavored gum...
58. A cold glass of Moscato...
59. Big, fluffy towels...
60. Second and Third day natural hair...
61. My mother...
62. Hugs...
63. Good healthy meals...
64. Singing old songs...
65. Listening to music...
66. Volleyball...
67. Helping a stranger...
68. Well behaved children...
69. Shopping with my mama...
70. Being appreciated...
71. Being crafty...
72. Reading weight loss success stories...
73. Seeing those close to me happy...
74. Making someone feel special...
75. Breastfeeding (although I am no longer doing it)...
76. Paying off bills...
77. Saving money...
78. Random texts from my niece...
79. When an outfit comes together...
80. Love, Chloe Perfume...
81. Perfectly crushed ice for chewing...
82. Cilantro...
83. Running shoes...
84. New socks...
85. The 300 pictures of my baby on my phone...
86. Running with my tatted up bff...
87. When my hair is braided and I don't have to deal with it...
88. Decorating my house...
89. A new song to add to my workout playlist...
90. When a new recipe is delicious...
91. Handmade gifts...
92. Coupons for things that I need...
93. Having my makeup done by LaDonna (see 86)...
94.  Catching the green lights when I'm driving...
95. Sausage pancake bites from Dunkin Donuts..
96. Learning something new...
97. Farmer's Markets...
98. Supporting local businesses...
99. Planning parties...
100. My circle!!!

Making this list proved to be harder than I thought it would be, but also let's me know I need to focus on the positive and not the negative things in my life.  I am truly blessed.

A-HA Moment...

My niece plays basketball, and yesterday, my sister asked if I wanted to go to her end of the season banquet.  Of course, I support the kids when I can.  She tells me that it's going to be at Pizza Hut, and I immediately start looking forward to it.  That's when I realized a big flaw (for me) in my effort to get healthier.  I would always give myself one day to cheat.  I would focus on that day, ALL WEEK long.  Junk food was CONSTANTLY on my mind because I was always thinking about what I was going to eat on my cheat day.  It's not that hard to eat healthy, when I cook, the food is there, when I prepare, I try to think of healthier meals to cook.  It only becomes hard, if I'm thinking about how good pizza, fried chicken, with a side of nacho dip would be in its place. 

So, instead of focusing on what I'm going to eat when I can eat healthy, I'm going to focus on what I can buy when I'm a smaller size!!  I'm going to focus on being able to buy pants in Express and Banana Republic. 

I will still have times where I give in to the things that I crave.  Somehow, I think I will be more consistent when I'm not constantly thinking about what I can't have.  Instead, I will be thinking about what I can have, when my consistency pays off :-).

New Mom

So, as I mentioned, I had a baby in October, that's my punkin above, yes, I call him my punkin :-D.  Anywho, I've been around babies before, but man did I underestimate what it took to be the mom of a newborn.  I am tired, just about all of the time. I no longer have the luxury of doing anything later, if I have a moment to do something, I have to do it right then, or it will not get done.  I am always second guessing the decisions that I make, I'm sure when he's 5, it will seem like no big deal, but right now, deciding whether he should be breastfed, on normal formula, or organic formula has ruled my life for weeks.  I feel like I don't do anything yet I don't have time to get anything done, lol.  That doesn't even seem possible, but that is surely how it is.  It's exhausting, but I already feel like it's the best most rewarding thing I've ever done.  Seeing him laugh and coo and get exciting makes me forget that I haven't slept in two days.  Thinking about seeing him experience new things warms my heart.  Wanting him to grow up to the best person he can be makes me want to be the best person that I can be. 

Random Ish...

• My baby is sick, hopefully it's a baby cold and nothing too serious.  It still breaks my heart that he's sick though...
• Watching people who are somewhat uncoordinated play Hip Hop Dance Experience is funny as heck...
• I was a cooking machine on Sunday: Egg Muffins, Chicken Noodle Soup, Baked Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Roasted Broccoli...
• Tubby (my honey) eats a lot, so we will see how long it lasts :-)
• I took my braids out and called my beautician to get a hair appt, she didn't call me back.  I feel some kinda way about having to stalk her to get my hair done.  But I don't really want to put the time and energy into finding someone else.  I guess I'll do my own hair for the time being...
• Post-partum shedding is real...
• Bud-Light Lime-A-Ritas are growing on me...
• Soooo glad we are implementing the baby steps learned from attending Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University...
• My baby is 3 months, how the time is flying by...
• I'm stuck on level 33 in Candy Crush...
• I'll be starting a new project at work this week, kind of looking forward to the change.  I've been on the same program for like 3 - 4 years...
• I cut my hair while I was pregnant, now I want it to grow again, mainly, so I can wear it in a bun when I don't feel like doing anything to it...
•  
• I could go on and on, but that's enough for now...

Get It Together

After I had Jaylen, I lost quite a bit a weight from nursing.  Like, way smaller than before I got pregnant.  Well, he has reflux pretty bad, and gas, and the list goes on.  So I stopped breastfeeding and gained all that weight back.  The time has come for me to get back on track.  My plan is to simply take it one day at a time, drink more water, eat more fruits and veggies, and get active.  I've always been fairly active, so I'm pretty confident in that aspect.  Eating well has always been a struggle for me, but I know I can do it.  I'm not going to follow any strict diets or workout regimens, just going to try to make better decisions, one decision at a time. 

Catch-Up

A catch-up of sorts, since it's been sooooo long.  I may do a post about each item, maybe not, we'll see :-).  As I was thinking about what to write, I can only remember 1 thing of note about last year, I had a baby.  On October 25th, 2012 I gave birth to a handsome little boy, Jaylen!!  All of the cliche's that I rolled my eyes about in the past, I am feeling now.  There is no love, like the love of a child.  The time is going by sooooo fast.  I can watch him sleep, for hours on end.  I can go on and on :-). 

The only other thing I can think of last year is that I attended a Financial Peace University class at a church.  I am currently on baby step #2 for those that are familiar, which is the debt snowball.  The steps are to create a $1,000 emergency fund, get out of debt using the debt snowball method, save 3 - 6 months of living expenses, and I can't recall the next steps off the top of my head.  I have the books at home though, so once I get to the next steps, I'll know what to do, lol.  My financial situation needs to mature, and this class is definitely getting me on track!

That's all for now...

Ca.tfish...

I'm sure most have heard of the show on MTV, and I feel like it's fairly predictable, but Monday nights episode threw me for a loop.  A guy, has had an online relationship with who he though was a transgender woman for 4 years.  He 'comes out' to one of his friends that he's considering having a relationship with this person even though he is supposedly heterosexual.  Their relationship was initiated on it site for gay mean and lesbian women, and his profile pictures were not him.  For 4 years, he's been talking to her using a different name claiming that he didn't want to use his real pictures or name because she might be crazy.  So, he meets her, and tells her that he's been using his cousins pictures, and his name is Rod, not KJ.  She gets upset, then comes back, and tells him that she has an 11 year old daughter, and is not transgender, she is all woman.  He pretends to be cool with it.  The next day, he tells Nev (the producer of the show) that he's only been keeping up this relationship with the woman because she was sending him money.  He tells her this, she's obviously upset, blah blah blah.

This episode had me like WHHAATTTT????!?!?!??!  So, here's my spin on it, he went on a gay/lesbian dating site, because he was curious.  He used a different name and someone elses pictures because he was worried about being recognized by someone that he knows.  He thought being with a transgender would be easier for him to test his curiosity.  When he found out that his transgender love was all woman, he was devastated.  He thought he was FINALLY going to be with a man.

Anywho, I know I haven't blogged in forever, and who knows how often I will blog, I won't be making any promises, lol.