I &hearts Faces - Week 27

It's week 27 of the I ♥ Faces photo challenge.

There's a special "Pets" theme this week.

My Submission:

This picture was taken of my dog, Astro, after a long day at the pool.
He's always such a tired dog after long days out in the Texas sun.

If you would like to participate in the I ♥ Faces challenge head on over to http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com.

I need all the help I can get...

Have you noticed?
Over there in my sidebar...
Not that one, the one on the left.
Do you see it under all the BlogHer information?
Yes, that, the UPrinting graphic.
My blog has been sponsored and I'm pretty excited.
OK, so yes, UPrinting sponsors quite a few LOTS of blogs, but it's still pretty cool.
My experience so far has been great.
Not only are there discounts, but as a sponsored blog I'm also eligible for giveaways and bloggy advertising materials.
In fact, my bloggy business cards, the ones I'm taking to BlogHer, will be printed by UPrinting.
If you are in need of printed materials you should definitely go check them out!!!

Why UPrinting.com isn't your average printing company:

Blog Sponsorships:
If you are looking to find a sponsor for your blog, UPrinting.com is definitely interested. We offer giveaways, advertising and more for qualified bloggers.

Non-Profit Sponsorships:
The U-Community Program sponsors hundreds of non-profits and education to improve our local communities.

Social Justice Projects:
The UPrinting Kiva account promotes small business growth in developing countries.

Green Printing:
UPrinting supports a sustainable future by recycling, using non-toxic inks, and offering eco-friendly recycled paper stocks for business cards and postcard printing.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Bloggy Card Edition

My phone number is under my name above.
I just didn't want the entire Internets to have access to it.
What do you think? Is there anything that should be added?
I haven't ordered any yet, so edits/updates are still possible.

I owe Heather a million hugs and thank yous for designing the awesome masterpiece that will accompany me to BlogHer in Chicago.
Thanks a million Heather!!! XOXO

Summer Fun...

I'm a little late with my post, but I hope that you all had a
SUPER FANTASTIC and relaxing 4th of July weekend.

My weekend consisted of:
The pool, sun, icy cold alcoholic beverages, the pool, the pool, the pool.
Oh, and did I mention I went to the pool?
It was pretty much 3 lazy summer days floating in the pool, eating and drinking way too much.
What more could you ask for during a typical Texas summer?

Hope your weekend was as productive as mine!
What did you do?

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Birthday to Heather...

Today is a special day.
Heather Spohr is turning 30.
It's a day that should be celebrated.
A day that should be filled with cake and ice cream and LOTS of balloons.
And under any other circumstances it would be.
But this year is different for Heather.
She'll be celebrating this milestone without her precious Maddie.
I know she'd rather let the day pass without a thought.
But it's her birthday and I can't let that happen.

Heather -
You are an AMAZINGLY strong woman.
I admire your strength and perseverance.
I know that today is difficult, but hope you realize just how LOVED you are.
I think of you daily and if I could give you the world I would.
I will continue to keep you, Mike & Maddie in my thoughts for many years to come.
Happy Birthday my friend!

XOXO

Almost Wordless Wednesday - The 1st Birthday Edition...

Happy 1st Birthday
Colton!

XOXO
"Auntie" G

I &hearts Faces - Week 24

It's week 24 of the I ♥ Faces photo challenge.

This weeks theme, in honor of Father's Day, is:
"Let's Hear it for the Boys ".

My Submission:This picture was taken over the weekend at my friend, Catherine's, house.
It was her son, Colton's, 1st birthday party.
It's hard work turning 1, and the little guy was exhausted.

If you would like to participate in the I ♥ Faces challenge head on over to http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy...

Happy Father's Day...
To my Daddy.
Thank you for ALWAYS loving me.
Thank you for ALWAYS standing by me.
Thank you for being YOU!

You are the greatest man I know and I'm so proud to call you DAD!
Today is all about YOU.
XOXO

To Maddie's Dad...

Mike -

I have no doubt that Maddie is looking down on you today, smiling that great BIG smile, knowing that she has an AMAZING daddy.
I know that days like today can be hard, but know that you are LOVED and being thought of constantly.

XOXO
Happy Father's Day!

*Thanks to the Room704 ladies for the idea to honor Mike today.
Head over to their site for a wonderful post and links to other great posts for Mike.*

Chicago or BUST...

Have you seen my sidebar? Yeah, up there on the left...
Did you hear?
I'm going to Blogher and I'm SUPER excited!!!
Not only will I be attending an awesome bloggy conference.
I'll also be attending tons of UBER cool parties.
And meeting SO MANY awesome ladies (and a few guys) that I've only known through the Interwebz and Twitter.
It's like when you meet lots of unknown family members at a family reunion, but WAY more fun!

We'll be taking Chicago by storm at the end of July in exactly 36 days.
Along with my, "OMG, I'm going to Blogher!!" excitement there's a lot of "OMG, I'm going to Blogher!!" anxiety. The what ifs are creeping into my mind at an alarming rate.
Meeting so many new people for the first time can be a little over-whelming and I think my biggest fear is that no one will like me.
Okay, so I know it's a stretch, but it could happen.

I hope to gain lots of new blog knowledge while in Chicago, you know, if I'm not too drunk or hungover. (I hear there will be lots of drinking going on!)
I will definitely be posting more about the trip as it approaches. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions and concerns to address before I depart and I'm leaving it up to you to help me prepare.
And now that I think about it, I'm so totally not prepared.
I have so much shopping and planning and money saving to do.
Not sure how I'll get it all done in 36 days, but here's to hoping that I do.

If you've been to Blogher before I'd love to hear from you.
What do I need to know before I depart for Chicago?
If you're a NEWBIE, like me, I'd love to hear from you too.
What are you worried/scared/anxiety ridden about?

Confirmation...

It's been no secret that I've been on a mission to lose weight this year.
I've documented my journey, on this here blog, since January.
There's even a weight tracker up there at the top, so everyone knows what I weigh. (Yeah, I'm crazy like that! LOL)
Losing weight has been a struggle for me my ENTIRE life.
It's easy to get discouraged when I don't see results as fast as I would like.
I know it took a long time to gain the weight, so I should never think that losing it will happen over night.
I've lost 23.4 pounds since January. It's a great number, I don't deny that.
I haven't gone down a pant size yet, but I did have to purchase a new bra. Go figure the one body part I'm TOTALLY OK with is the first thing to shrink. Could we share some wealth with my thighs and tummy? For realz?!?!?
While looking through some pictures today I found the confirmation I needed.
My face has LOST weight, and these pictures prove it.


August 2008


November 2008


May/June 2009

So, I may not be losing a BUNCH of weight in the places that I want, but every little bit counts and if it must come off the face and bewbs first I will embrace it and bid it farewell, FOREVER!

So, my question to you, The Internets, is what do you think?
Is there a noticeable difference?
Or am I smoking some really good crack?
Be honest, please.

Thanks bunches, can't wait to see what you think.
Have a SUPER week.

XOXO

I &hearts Faces - Week 23

It's week 23 of the I ♥ Faces photo challenge.

This weeks theme is "Sepia".

My Submission:

I'm entering another photo that I took at the Sugarland concert in Austin, TX on 4/30/2009.
This was my view of Jennifer Nettles & Kristian Bush from the 8th row.
If you ever get the chance to catch Sugarland in person, GO, they put on a FABULOUS show.

If you would like to participate in the I ♥ Faces challenge head on over to http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com.

It's my Blogaversary! 1 year down, many more to go...

Today is my Blogaversary.
I have officially turned 1.

It's been a year of wordlessness, meme's, heartbreak, concerts, weigh-ins & lots of randomness.

I look forward to another FUN year.

Thank you for sticking around and keeping me company. I love reading all of your comments, so keep'em coming.

Wordless Wednesday - Guess what I'm doing this summer!

More about Chi-town in a post to follow.

The open seas will be calling my name in September!

Tag...I'm it!

I was tagged, for realz this time, by Headless Mom.

Did you hear she's one of my roomies at Blogher?
I know you're jealous!

It's the 6x6 photo meme.
Here's my photo:

This photo was taken over Memorial Day weekend.
It was our 1st Annual - Sink or Swim - Girls River Trip Weekend.
We had an absolute BLAST!
In the photo are my friends Carrie, Charlie, Vanessa & of course ME.
This was on Sunday night.
We were at the Jamey Johnson concert at the Whitewater Sports Live Music Amphitheater.
It was a night of great live music, great friends and COLD beer.
And yes, I may have been a little bit intoxicated when this picture was taken.
I'm just sayin'...

The rules:

1) Go to your photo files
2) Pick the sixth folder (open)
3) Pick the 6th photo
4) Write a story about the photo
5) Tag six people

I'll tag: Issa, Amy, Heather, Karen, Hebba & Spoiled Mommy.

Tag ladies...

You're IT!

16 things...

I was tagged, sort of, by Headless Mom.

She posted the "16 Things That I Can't Do Without This Summer" meme to her blog and rather than tag anyone she just left it open for anyone that wanted to "steal" it.
So I've totally taken it for my own bloggy use.

16 Things I Can't Do Without This Summer

☼ My iPhone/iPod
☼ SPF 4
☼ SPF 15 (for the face)
☼ Capri's
☼ Sunglasses
☼ Pool Float
☼ Strawberry Margaritas
☼ Astros Games
☼ Hand Sanitizer
☼ SONIC Ice
☼ Bathing Suit
☼ Work-outs
(#hotbyBlogher & my cruise)
☼ Blogher
(meeting new friends!)
☼ Books/Magazines
☼ My Parents Pool
☼ Fresh Fruit

Now it's your turn.
I'm not tagging anyone either, but I'd love to see your list.
If you decide to play along leave a link in my comments and I'll come check out your summer needs.

Have a HAPPY weekend.

Feelings, sometimes I wish they would #suckit...

**disclaimer**
If you are one of my "real life" friends, please read with caution.
You've been warned.

Every now and again I get this feeling.
A feeling that I hate.
A feeling that turns me into the jealous type.
A feeling I wish I could shake.
I've grown to learn it's unshakable.
It's just who I am.

This feeling takes me back to my high school days.
When I wasn't "cool" enough;
I wasn't "thin" enough;
I wasn't part of the "in" crowd.
I was always left out.

You would think the "feelings" would go away with age.
Yeah, apparently they don't.

I have a pretty BIG group of friends.
And when it comes to friendship I like to think that I'm as LOYAL as they come.
I like to make sure that EVERYONE is included when outings happen.
If I'm going to a game, a bar, a concert I always invite.
I.ALWAYS.INVITE.
So why is it that I'm ALWAYS left out?
Yes, I know if you're going out on a "school" night I will likely not join in.
But the invite, that's all I'm asking for.
One little phone call or text saying "Hey we're going to (fill in the blank), you want to come?"
Is that too much to ask?

Sure, I may be over-reacting.
But it's not a one time feeling.
It happens all the time.
And I'm at the point where I just want to say to hell with it.
If you want to see me, you want me to go out, then you're going to have to call me.
I'm done with calling and asking what the plans are.

Is this a wrong feeling?
Should I just see a therapist and get over it?
Will medication be involved?

**I realize I may regret posting this, but they're my feelings and I'm posting anyways.**

Weigh-In Wednesday Week 19

Update:

Starting Weight (1/5/2009) - 283.4

End of Week 18 (5/13/2009) - 268.8 lbs.

End of Week 19 (5/20/2009) - 260 lbs

Loss - 8.8 lbs.

Total YTD loss - 23.4 lbs.

110 lbs. to go to reach final goal weight

It was my first full week back on the wagon and it went very well.
Though I'm not officially doing Weight Watchers anymore, what can I say, I'm cheap,
I've been following the point system to a "T" this week. I journaled all of my food and stayed within my allotted points. I didn't even need any of my "extra" points.
I find the Weight Watchers plan the easiest diet plan to follow because of it's flexibility.
They don't tell you what you can and can not eat. (Because, if you're anything like me, if you tell me not to eat it, IT'S the first thing I want!)
You eat what you want, when you want as long as you stay within your points. Once you're out of points, you're done eating for the day.
You're allotted 35 "extra" points a week to use however you want. This comes in handy when I've got a sweet tooth or a party to go to. You don't have to use the "extra" points.
It's totally up to you.
See, I wasn't lying when I said it was EASY.
I still haven't gotten back into a consistent work-out routine.
If working out was as easy at following Weight Watchers, I'd be skinny already.
I'm hoping to start a work-out program June 1st.
More to come on that later...


I'll be at the river this weekend for the Memorial Day holiday.
There will be LOTS of drinking and eating involved.
Lets hope the scale doesn't totally backfire on me next week.