Whew!

I am back!  I am having a much better day and a much better ATTITUDE today.  Thank goodness! 

We watched Matt and Trina's dogs last night and they are so much fun!  They have 2 boxers.  I swear, I don't think they slept a wink last night, which means I didn't sleep a wink either.  I still got up in a better mood, so I'm happy.

I think I have a bladder infection.  I've been trying to treat with cranberry pills and it's getting worse.  Think I'll have to get antibiotics.  Boo.  Hopefully it will clear up fast.

We got our elliptical today!  I am excited to try it out!  Nick said it looks great!  Time to get it together, Ang!  No more excuses! 

Tomorrow's FRIDAY!  Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  :-)

Not much to say...

Sorry I haven't updated for a couple of days.  I don't have a lot to say right now.  I am having a "down" time right now and I can't put my finger on why.  Nothing's really wrong.  I think it's mainly work, but I am just feeling down.  I hope it's just a hormonal thing that I will get past soon.  I am still having some pretty intense dreams.  I have had a doozy just about every night this week, so my sleep isn't very restful and I have a hard time shaking it.  I know going into the surgery, I was told that my body would go through some weird things.  I am just hoping this passes fast.  Maybe when the sun comes out and it gets nicer it will help. 

In the meantime, I am trying not to drive Nick insane and just keeping to myself.  I don't mean to be anti-social.  I am just trying to get thru this lull without effecting anyone else...  Hopefully I will be back soon...  I don't like this.  I just can't seem to drag myself out of this yet.

dreams...

Most of you probably know that I have very interesting dreams.  They are very vivid and very real sometomes and the emotion from the dream carries over into my morning.  There have been some mornings when I have scared the heck out of Nick because I am literally crying and other mornings I have been mad at him for something he did in a dream.  This morning my reaction was better.  I was laughing when I woke up and I was very happy.  I sometimes love that I have such fun and vivid dreams and I love it when they start my day out well.  I was in culinary school in this dream and for some reason, that made me happy! Except that I couldn't ever find any tupperware! 

More spring cleaning!

Whew!  Today has been a busy day at work!  The day has flown by, which is always nice! 

Tonight my plan is to clean out my filing cabinets and junk drawers!  I am excited!  Tomorrow night I need to get some things together for a garage sale my cousin is having.  I am loving the purging happening at my house and I am really loving the fact that I have the energy to do it all!  Nick on the other hand...  not loving it so much since he normally gets to help with my impromptu sessions!!  LOL!

Nick's Blog

Yay!  Nick started a blog today!!  Nick's blog <-----  check it out!  He's so fun!  I have been telling him that blogging is therapeutic.  I don't know if people enjoy reading my ramblings or not, but I sure enjoy re-reading them.  I use this as my own personal journal and it's fun to look back at my old posts.  Anywho...  I am excited to read his and keep up with what's happening in his mind.

I have been feeling ultra spring-cleany lately.  Last night, Nick and I cleaned up our office and I cleaned out both linen closets.  This week, I also want to clean out my filing cabinets and junk drawers.  I am so over clutter.  I am very much a person that feels like everything needs to have a place and if I don't use it atleast once a year, I don't need it.  My trash man is going to love me!!  I am donating a lot, too.  It's coming together.  The only big projects I have left are outdoor projects and I am anxious to get started with those! 

Happy Tuesday!  Stamp Club tonight.  I am anxious to see the girls and to make some cards! 

new photos

So I haven't shared any photos for a while...  I will post my before photo again with some others taken in the last week or so...  I wish I had some better full-body shots.  I'd actually like to see those myself!

Before - July, 2010

This was last Tuesday - 3/15/11

This is today - 3/21/11

I am still on my way to my 200 # goal by July 31, 2011.  I have 43 lbs to lose in 19 weeks.  Just over 2 lbs a week!  I would LOVE to be under 200 lbs.  That's the size I was when I was the smallest adult weight I've been!  I can't wrap my head around being smaller than that!!  That will be 150 lbs lost!!  Yay!!  I know I can do it!  

get it together!!

I realized this morning that I really need to kick it up a notch!  I have not been great about getting in my protein and I have been falling victim to the carb-monster more and more.  I have been eating a lot of fruit and more bread than I should.  Not a lot of bread, but the point is, I need to focus on protein more.  I also haven't been getting the workouts I need.  I feel like I am doing pretty well on this journey, but I could be doing better.  Yesterday was my 4 month surgiversary.  I am down to a 22 pant from a 30 and I am down to a 3x shirt from a 5x, so I am happy with that.  I have lost 70 lbs in 4 months, and I am happy about that.  But I am also not feeling a lot "stronger" and I know that I need to get my body in shape.  Losing the weight is only part of the adventure.  I need to make sure I am making the lifestyle changes now to be able to live the rest of my life as a healthy person.  So, I am re-commiting.  No more excuses!  It's time to get it together!

Longer days and LONGER days!

Springtime, springtime, la, la, la!  I got my annual Daffodil Days daffodils today.  It's the unofficial kick off to spring for me!  The days are getting longer.  I got to enjoy the first amazing sunset in a long time while on a date night with my hubby last night.  I am now refusing to wear my winter coat anymore.  It's lovely! 

The only downer right now is that Nick has had to work a lot of LONG days this week and it's given me a taste of his new shift and what that will be like.  I work 8:45 - 5:30 Monday - Friday.  Nick will work 8:30 - 7:15 4 days a week.  I will still get to leave at 5:30, but he won't get to leave until later and I am feeling like I will really get to spend less time with him.  BUT we will still have Saturdays off together and he will be off Wednesdays and Thursdays, so we will get to spend those evenings together.  It'll be ok. 

I think I decided what to get him for his birthday this year, but since he checks this blog sometimes, I can't share just yet.  Sneaky, sneaky!  LOL!

A nice day!

Oh, it's beautiful outside!  It's sunny and a bit warmer than it has been and it makes me really want to play outside! 
I didn't get to do pottery last night afterall.  The pottery place closes at 6 and they don't let anyone start after 4:30, so that didn't work out.  We'll try again another time.  My mom and I did go to dinner and traded some clothes. 
My legs are finally starting to feel a little more normal again.  The muscle is still sore, but it does't feel like my knees are going to give out anymore.  I am hoping to go back to the gym next week, though I plan on starting the workout a bit slower this time.  No injuries needed! 

Pottery and my Mommy!

Tonight my Mom and I are going to make some pottery.  I have never done it before, but I've always wanted to.  Should be fun!  I am hoping to make a fun bowl to put on my sofa table. 

Monday and Daylight savings time...

Monday, Monday...  Daylight savings time is interesting.  I feel like it takes me a full week or two to adjust, but I do love it!  I prefer to have light in the evenings when I get off work and I can still enjoy the sunlight.  It is supposed to be nice this weekend and I am wondering what kind of outdoor project I want to work on.  I need to stain the deck, plant flowers, landscape a bit and clean out the garage.  It all sounds like fun right now! 

Busy week!

I haven't been great about posting this week!  It's been a busy week!  We have been doing a lot of home improvement projects this week and we have been super productive.  I still have a lot of spring cleaning to do, but the house is finally coming together.  I have also been really busy at work.  I am training a back up person for my job this week and it's hectic!  It's good, though! 
Friday was a crazy day!  We had an appointment to meet with a physical trainer at the gym.  We wanted to get a good workout that we could continue on our own.  Well, we got a workout for sure!!  The trainer, Joe, had us so a circuit training session that included squats, lunges, crunches, and pushups.  I got thru 1 rep and he had to stretch me out.  I have hardly been able to walk since!  :-(  I think I may have actually pulled a muscle in my quad.  It HURTS!  Then I went to the dentist and for some reason, the novicane wouldn't work.  I had a deep cavity that Jeremy was replacing the filling for and as he was drilling, he got close to pulp and I could FEEL it!  I almost jumped out of my chair.  He tried to give me more shots and couldn't get the novicane where he needed it, so now I have a temporary filling and I have to go back to do it agian.  :-(  went to the eye doctor next and ordered some cute glasses!  I am excited about that!  Then I went to Indiana Wesleyan.  I am planning on starting school this summer and needed to get some information.  VERY overwhelming!  I am very intimidated by all of this!  I need to do it, but I feel like it's way over my head.  Then we went to Jeremy and Tricia's to play games.  Yesterday wasn't quite so busy.  Nick and I went shopping and to run some errands.  Then last night Trina and I went shopping and we went to dinner.  I was able to get a few shirts and a couple of bras.  Everything at the store was 40% off!  YAY for good deals!  I am hoping this week isn't QUITE so busy!  It was a productive week, though! 

Great workout!

The gym was wonderful this morning!  We did a quick mile on the treadmill and then did some weight machines.  We worked our upper body this morning focusing on our arms and chests.  It felt really great!  I did 6 reps of 10 overall using 3 different machines.  I was only lifting 10-20 pounds, but I could feel it.  I am excited to try legs tomorrow.  The plan is to do about 20-30 minutes of cario a day and then another 20-30 minutes of resistance training a day.  YAY excersise!  lol!! 

Fun weekend!

We had a nice weekend and got to spend some time with John and Kathy.  Friday night we had dinner and did pictures and measurements.  I was shocked at the inches I lost last month.  Only 11 pounds, but 11 inches, too!  Very fun!  Saturday we went to breakfast, the to Sam's Club.  Kathy bought a treadmill and John and Nick assembled it.  We went to the mall and Nick got some new clothes and then we went bowling.  I broke 50 1 game!  LOL!  I am terrible at bowling, but it was fun to people watch.  Yesterday I did some laundry and went to dinner at Mom's.  I am so glad they made it home from the cruise.  That may be the only good thing that happened their whole trip.  They didn't have the best time.   Maybe the next cruise will be better.

Getting motivated...

So I am READY to get back to the gym!  I was watching the Biggest Loser last night and that show is so INSPIRING!  I am signed up to walk the Susan G Komen 5K on April 16th and I need to GET IN SHAPE!  I haven't been able to work out all week becuase of my stupid cold, but I am definately ready to get back to it!  I am only losing a few pounds a week at this point.  That's still great, but it could really be coming off faster.  I need to start toning, too.  I am hoping to do cardio for about 30 minutes and weight training for 30 minutes each day.  I will rotate my arms and legs with weights every other day.  I am READY!  I have never really been "buff" but I sure would like to be!!  I need to kick it into high gear for sure!

How are words ever enough?

Do you ever feel like you don't have the right words to say?  How do you ever express the love you have in your heart for the people in the world that keep your world turning?  How do you ever form a prayer that expresses the gratitude you feel for all the ways you are blessed?  I can't ever seem to find the right words.  For those times that "I love you" and "Thank you" fall short of what you want to say.  For the moments that you need someone to be able to feel all that you feel for them.  Actions speak louder than words, right?  What happens when you don't feel like you could ever do enough to show a person what they bring to your life?  Just some thoughts for the day...
For all of those in my life that make every aspect of my life richer and brighter, thank you and I love you and so much more...

How exciting!!

I am so proud of my amazing husband.  Nick found out yesterday that he got a promotion!  Starting March 20th, he will be a manager in our office.  He has worked so hard and has proven himself time and time again and I am so excited that his diligence has paid off.  He will be working Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, so it's a weird shift, but he will have off Wednesday, Thursday and Saturdays.  He'll work 8:30 - 7:15, but I think having 3 days off a week will make it easier to deal with.  He got a nice pay increase, which is very helpful when we are looking at the medical bills still due. 
Nick is really just a spectacular person to work with.  Everyone adores him and he is going to be a great leader.  His team will be very lucky to have him.  He's really excited about the opportunity.  It is so nice to see him rewarded for all of his efforts. 
Congratulations, Babe.  I love you!

closet pictures

I have a few closet photos to share.  They aren't the best quality, but you get the idea.  Nick and John did a wonderful job and we LOVE it!! 

ABC's of me

I shamelessly stole this from my friend Louanna.  Feel free to post likewise on your blog!

(A) Age: 30

(B) Bed Size: Queen-sized for the queen in me!

(C) Chore You Hate: mopping.

(D) Dogs? Sir Peyton.  He's about 8 years old and a very good pal.

(E) Essential Start Your Day Item:  Morning shower.  It wakes me right up.

(F) Favorite Color: Blues and purples

(G) Gold or Silver? silver. I don't own anything gold. 

(H) Height: 5 ft 8 in

(I) Instruments You Play: spoons.  LOL!  I wish I played the piano and the guitar.  Maybe I'll learn...

(J) Job Title: Express MCO liaison

(K) Kids: not yet...

(L) Live:  Indiana

(M) Mom's Name: Bev

(N) Nicknames: Ang, babe

(O) Overnight Hospital Stays? 3 - tonsillectomy, Roux-n-Y, and a perferation repair

(P) Pet Peeve: a lot of experiences at Wal-Mart

(Q) Quote from a Movie: "Take a whack at Weezer" Steel Magnolias

(R) Right or Left Handed? Right

(S) Siblings: Lots!  Jake, Chris, Eric, Mary, Jeanelle, Lauren, Jen, Stacy, Kari, Paul and Pat.

(T) Time You Wake Up? 7:15 am

(U) Underwear: Hi-cut cotton

(V) Vegetable You Dislike: onions

(W) What Makes You Run Late: not getting out of bed on time 

(X) X-Rays You've Had Done: GI for WLS, broken ankle

(Y) Yummy Food You Make: speghetti

(Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal: polar bears