Yes, thats right we are almost 7 weeks into the office biggest loser contest and I have only won once! But no one won last week because we all endulged a bit for Valentine's Day. The good news is no one gained. I've lost a total of 22 lbs and almost 4 inches in my belly but since its based on percentage of weightloss the little pip squeeks in my office have been beating me with their 1 and 2 lbs loses.
I struggle every weekend to eat right and squeeze in a work out. The temptation is church friends and activites but last week I heard rumblings of a Pond Springs c of C biggest looser so I voluntered. Then I learned of the details of the contest which include getting sponsors for each pound I loose. Ok, not a big problem and the money goes to the kiddos for their summer activities. But I have to take before and after photos and publicly announce my weight. I was pretty panicked but reminded myself I need to loose it anyway, this is great motivation on the weekends to win the work contest and if your gonna loose it anyway might as well make some money for the kids while I am at it.
Katherine, one of the youth group girls was asking silly random questions the other night. I told her I love you and the other girls so much that I would potentially publicly humilate myself and enter this contest. I told her she is on my mind every day as I prepare my body for Trek so that I can be an enrouragement and inspiration to her and the others. I told her I love her so much I am doing something for her I wouldn't and havn't done for anyone else or myself. She tilted her head, smiled, and went back to texting.
You gotta love teenagers, right!
The bottom line I've got til April 18th (also happens to be my best friends wedding) to loose as much weight as possible. I am secretly hoping to beat the boys but know thats a tough one if they really buckle down. Regardless, with my current sponsorships I will raise $11.75 for every pound for the kids.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Biggest Looser
For a multitude of reasons, including health, looking better, fitting back into my clothes, and Wilderness Trek I decided to battle the bulge directly after Christmas. Well directly after New Year's. I really thought about what has been my down fall in previous attempts and what has helpful when I was successful. I even reasearched what makes diet plans in general successful short term and long term. That answer first was the giant cabinet in the middle of my office full of yummy goodness that I walk past 100 times a day. The next was a community and support system. I proposed having a biggest looser contest with the girls at work. As the plan developed and terms were agreed on I was stoked! I knew my South Beach Diet would stack up leeps and bounds to their Weight Watchers and work out videos.
I started my first phase of South Beach on January 2nd and agreed to start the contest on the following Wednesday when everyone was back to work. After the first week I finished up .3% behind the winner. I am trying to look at the brightest side of things. Since I started on that fateful friday morning I've lost 14 lbs! More than that I've lost a lot of inches. So much that I am frightening my office mates because they see a difference over the days. I see a difference already in how my clothes fit.
I know thats the goal and all. Loose weight, feel great, yeah yeah! I want that stupid trophy and bragging rights more inmportantly! Wednesday is the next weigh in so I am anticipating a huge loss and have cleaned off my desk so that the trophy can be promiently dispalyed.
I have to give my friends at church a huge thanks, they've been so motivating and understanding and don't seem to mind when I always suggest Jason's Deli or a place I can get a salad.
I started my first phase of South Beach on January 2nd and agreed to start the contest on the following Wednesday when everyone was back to work. After the first week I finished up .3% behind the winner. I am trying to look at the brightest side of things. Since I started on that fateful friday morning I've lost 14 lbs! More than that I've lost a lot of inches. So much that I am frightening my office mates because they see a difference over the days. I see a difference already in how my clothes fit.
I know thats the goal and all. Loose weight, feel great, yeah yeah! I want that stupid trophy and bragging rights more inmportantly! Wednesday is the next weigh in so I am anticipating a huge loss and have cleaned off my desk so that the trophy can be promiently dispalyed.
I have to give my friends at church a huge thanks, they've been so motivating and understanding and don't seem to mind when I always suggest Jason's Deli or a place I can get a salad.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Awesome Video
Happy Thanksgiving! I love this time of year... maybe its the shopping, maybe its that everyone is in a more cheery mood, maybe its traveling, maybe its seeing all my family and old friends, maybe its the decorating and parties. I don't know why I love it but I LOVE this time of year. I wish it was longer to I had more time to spend doing all the above mentioned things.
As I prepare for this Thanksgiving trip to see family in the Twinkle City and to decorate my parent's house while they are in Nebraska. (Shhh! Its a surprise!) They are gonna come home from Nebraska and Lord willing I won't be hanging from the roof by my britches and the house will be decked in white lights from the road to the tallest eve. I can't wait to see my mom's face... I hope it works out that they pull up after dark.
Anyway, after that I am taking a quick drive up to Wichita Falls to see my bff Talya and her family while I get new tires but on my pickup. I am so excited to get to see Tal again. Even though I talk to her once a week or so I am just giddy about getting to be in her presence. I was reminded of an long-story-inside joke recently between us and I'd like to share hopefully in a long story-short kinda way. You see Tal and I began our friendship in 3rd grade when we performed at the Talent Show. I sang and she played Amazing Grace on her guitar- I remember it was a Fender Strat- didn't know how cool that was at the time but I knew it was supposed to be. So that began many twists and turns of life together and some times more estranged than others by just the life happenings. A few years ago I was feeling a little big for my britches and made some sorta comment about Iowa Park not being my town, how was I supposed to know where something was or how it worked. (I think we were lost or late or something- Big Shocker) She barely skipped a beat and replied lovingly and sarcastically "ok Amazing Grace"
Thats love- when somebody knows you and all your junk and embarrasing moments and craziness and scariness and loves anyway. Especially when you need to be reminded of those moments when you wern't so profesional and smart. Isn't it wonderful that we have a heavenly father that also knows even the number of hairs on our head and loves us - loves us so much to let his son die for us and to be there with us during those rough times when things arn't perfect. Check out this video- I thought it was really powerful.
As I prepare for this Thanksgiving trip to see family in the Twinkle City and to decorate my parent's house while they are in Nebraska. (Shhh! Its a surprise!) They are gonna come home from Nebraska and Lord willing I won't be hanging from the roof by my britches and the house will be decked in white lights from the road to the tallest eve. I can't wait to see my mom's face... I hope it works out that they pull up after dark.
Anyway, after that I am taking a quick drive up to Wichita Falls to see my bff Talya and her family while I get new tires but on my pickup. I am so excited to get to see Tal again. Even though I talk to her once a week or so I am just giddy about getting to be in her presence. I was reminded of an long-story-inside joke recently between us and I'd like to share hopefully in a long story-short kinda way. You see Tal and I began our friendship in 3rd grade when we performed at the Talent Show. I sang and she played Amazing Grace on her guitar- I remember it was a Fender Strat- didn't know how cool that was at the time but I knew it was supposed to be. So that began many twists and turns of life together and some times more estranged than others by just the life happenings. A few years ago I was feeling a little big for my britches and made some sorta comment about Iowa Park not being my town, how was I supposed to know where something was or how it worked. (I think we were lost or late or something- Big Shocker) She barely skipped a beat and replied lovingly and sarcastically "ok Amazing Grace"
Thats love- when somebody knows you and all your junk and embarrasing moments and craziness and scariness and loves anyway. Especially when you need to be reminded of those moments when you wern't so profesional and smart. Isn't it wonderful that we have a heavenly father that also knows even the number of hairs on our head and loves us - loves us so much to let his son die for us and to be there with us during those rough times when things arn't perfect. Check out this video- I thought it was really powerful.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Girls Camping Trip agenda
Girls Camping Trip
Friday November 7-8
‘Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.’
-Proverbs 31:30
Who’s Going:
Lauren
Gynnalyn
Ellen
Brooke
Brittany
Kara
Katharine
Carmon
What’s Going On:
Leave: the church parking lot at 4pm
My pickup can hold maximum of 5 including me. Ellen or Lauren will need to drive also
Meet up with Carmon in Georgetown
Arrive at Jim Hogg Park around 5 pm
It is getting dark really early so be ready to help set up so we can all relax and enjoy God’s Creation
Set up tents and cook dinner: Dutch oven Chicken Pot Pie and Cobbler
The next morning - Breakfast: Raccoon Casserole; coffee, juice, milk
Exploring, games, whatever you girls want to do
Lunch: Hot Dogs and baked beans (could do something else if ya’ll wanted)
More Exploring, and games
Clean up and pack up to leave by 4:30 pm
Home by 6pm
What to Bring:
Bible
Warm, layered clothes (it will get into the 40’s at night)
Pillow
Blanket or sleeping bag
Games
$10 (to help with cost of food and site)
Friday November 7-8
‘Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.’
-Proverbs 31:30
Who’s Going:
Lauren
Gynnalyn
Ellen
Brooke
Brittany
Kara
Katharine
Carmon
What’s Going On:
Leave: the church parking lot at 4pm
My pickup can hold maximum of 5 including me. Ellen or Lauren will need to drive also
Meet up with Carmon in Georgetown
Arrive at Jim Hogg Park around 5 pm
It is getting dark really early so be ready to help set up so we can all relax and enjoy God’s Creation
Set up tents and cook dinner: Dutch oven Chicken Pot Pie and Cobbler
The next morning - Breakfast: Raccoon Casserole; coffee, juice, milk
Exploring, games, whatever you girls want to do
Lunch: Hot Dogs and baked beans (could do something else if ya’ll wanted)
More Exploring, and games
Clean up and pack up to leave by 4:30 pm
Home by 6pm
What to Bring:
Bible
Warm, layered clothes (it will get into the 40’s at night)
Pillow
Blanket or sleeping bag
Games
$10 (to help with cost of food and site)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
God is so Good
I have been praying for some relief from the miserable loneliness I feel here in Austin. Part of it is because I don't make friends easily, so the good freinds I do have are hard no impossible to let go of. But those friends that no me inside and out arn't here and we can't live our lives on the phone every evening. So I've been trying to meet people, men, women, young, old. I am trying not to be picky. This quest has landed me becoming more involved at church which is a real blessing but still hasn't scratched the itch.
Last week one of my college roommates sent me a message on MySpace. She, her brand new baby and husband just moved to Austin. I haven't gotten to see her yet but we have made lunch plans for next week and just the increase in email and knowing that she's just an exit away on my drive home from work is so comforting. If that wasn't a big enough God-n-sidence then listen to this.
Yeasterday I had debated on asking the people at a church I visited when I first moved here to take me off their email list since I don't go there and only did for a few weeks. At the last minuet I decided not to and for no good reason what so ever. I even had the email written explaining it was nothing personal but deleated it without sending. Today I got an email from the group saying that a guy had called the church office ans wanted more information and where the group was meeting tonight. It included his full name and number. The name happened to be the same name is a friend of mine from the youth group in highschool and Junior High that moved away before we graduated. On a long shot I called the number and it was him! I was shocked! He's been living in Austin for a while and has been really needing some young christian friends too. He's comming to church with me tonight and I am so excited I could just pop. I can't wait to see him. There is just something really beautiful about someone who knew you and loved you even were you were a giant dork and still does.
Last week one of my college roommates sent me a message on MySpace. She, her brand new baby and husband just moved to Austin. I haven't gotten to see her yet but we have made lunch plans for next week and just the increase in email and knowing that she's just an exit away on my drive home from work is so comforting. If that wasn't a big enough God-n-sidence then listen to this.
Yeasterday I had debated on asking the people at a church I visited when I first moved here to take me off their email list since I don't go there and only did for a few weeks. At the last minuet I decided not to and for no good reason what so ever. I even had the email written explaining it was nothing personal but deleated it without sending. Today I got an email from the group saying that a guy had called the church office ans wanted more information and where the group was meeting tonight. It included his full name and number. The name happened to be the same name is a friend of mine from the youth group in highschool and Junior High that moved away before we graduated. On a long shot I called the number and it was him! I was shocked! He's been living in Austin for a while and has been really needing some young christian friends too. He's comming to church with me tonight and I am so excited I could just pop. I can't wait to see him. There is just something really beautiful about someone who knew you and loved you even were you were a giant dork and still does.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Austintatious
So its all true Austin is a weird city. I moved here in May and talk about a fish out of water. I have found a great church and my job is wonderful but the general pool of friends and dates is large and for me unmanageable. I have attempted to meet new people on Craig's Listm but so far no luck. I have gone on 3 dates and counting. The first two were overgrown sex crazed teenagers. I couldn't beleive their audacity and vulgarity. Call me old fashoned but dating is not all about sex. The next was pretty disasterous too. We met at Starbucks and I was looking for the candid camera. Here's the scene we are sitting at a moderatly crowded cofee shop and the guy is staring at his interlocked fingers in his lap. You'd think I was the principal yelling at a kid with his head hanging in shame. The older couple next to us was getting quite a chuckle as I looked around and chuckled in disbeleif after 4 or 5 minuets of desperatly trying to start a conversation.
I guess dating in Austin isn't that different than in Abilene. I had similar problems there. Maybe its just not meant to be. But in the mean time before my fireworks and all it'd be nice to hang out with someone enjoys hanging out with me isn't trying to get in my pants and will carry their end of the conversation. Still looking... stay tuned for more adventures in Austin dating.
I guess dating in Austin isn't that different than in Abilene. I had similar problems there. Maybe its just not meant to be. But in the mean time before my fireworks and all it'd be nice to hang out with someone enjoys hanging out with me isn't trying to get in my pants and will carry their end of the conversation. Still looking... stay tuned for more adventures in Austin dating.
Monday, December 3, 2007
its been awhile
Ok sorry to leave you all hanging. I know its been a while. I guess I haven't felt like anything I had to say wasn't worth broadcasting to the masses the last few months. So here's a quick synopsis...
I left Elliott Hamil. Well when I got home from Russia my desk was packed for me. So sweet of my coworkers and new managers to take care of that for me. It was an embarrassing event to say the least. One of my co workers tried to give me a hint but I didn't get it until weeks later. I went to work still suffering from some serious jet lag and was confused where my pictures and other personal affects were but shrugged it off and decided that I would find them later. Little did I know that they had been boxed away in the closet and my desk had been given to another employee. It all makes since now. I couldn't figure out why they were dragging their feet to buy her a desk before I left.
Since then I have been keeping myself busy with Skin Care classes and servicing my Mary Kay customers. I am enjoying the freedom I have of being my own boss and reminding myself that it takes time and hard work to build a business and it won't happen overnight or even in a month.
I survived another birthday and enjoyed the first half of the evening with some friends at the Olive Garden. It was a nice little get together thrown together at the last minuet by my friend Josh. The rest of the evening and next morning was spent at the 7th and 8th Grade Lock In from church. There were about 3 times as many kids as we expected. It was fun and crazy!
Now at the ripe ole' age of 24 I begin to ponder life. I think this was spurred on my a recent trip to New Mexico with friends. A very long story explained in short... we went, we wrecked a 4 wheeler, we suffered, and now we pay.
My tight and creative budget has cratered under the stress of inability to work much with a back injury and having to pay for repairs and hospital visits. It wasn't a life threatening event thanks to some helmets but it did make me realize how important my friends and family are and the impact I make on the world.
I realize such is life people get hurt and crap happens... watch day time TV every other comerical and situation explained on those Court shows explains that. I feel God is guiding me back to teaching. Its one of those undeniable things. Have you ever felt that? When you laugh at yourself at even beginning to ask God "are you sure?" I taught and dreamt of teaching for years. I knew I would be sacrificing a lot but I also knew it was worth it if I made a difference in the world with even just one student. Which I guess is pretty melodramatic because I did make a difference in my kids lives. I know because they tell me when I run into them at Wal Mart or they call in a crisis because I am the only adult they trust. So I guess its a matter of balance. A tree can offer shade for only so long if it doesn't get water,sunlight and nutrients itself. That tree made a difference one year to the person who needed shade or a place to lean but was rendered useless after many years of poor treatment and harsh conditions.
I have begun substitute teaching and I pray this opens my eyes to... well whatever I am supposed to see. Weather its an age group, a subject matter, a school, or whatever. Don't worry! I am continuing with the business in Mary Kay but I did extremely well when I was forced to squeeze in Mary Kay where it could fit in the evenings after work. I have no doubt God has a since of humor and he knows me so well. My first assignment right out of the gate was at the Alternative School. You know where the kids sit in cubicles with a text book and worksheets and armed police officers pace the halls.
Most people, sane people, would go home and pray they were never assigned there again. I was whirled into a world of wondering: did those kids have an Ag program or a Ms. E in their life. What if that could have made a difference? Don't get me wrong there were a few of my kids that ended up in some sort of Alternative school. They knew that I loved them and that I'd be there when they got back calling them to a higher standard and making them to toe the line. Like I said most people would shake it off and roll on. God programed me different I guess.
Stay tuned for the adventures in subbing
I left Elliott Hamil. Well when I got home from Russia my desk was packed for me. So sweet of my coworkers and new managers to take care of that for me. It was an embarrassing event to say the least. One of my co workers tried to give me a hint but I didn't get it until weeks later. I went to work still suffering from some serious jet lag and was confused where my pictures and other personal affects were but shrugged it off and decided that I would find them later. Little did I know that they had been boxed away in the closet and my desk had been given to another employee. It all makes since now. I couldn't figure out why they were dragging their feet to buy her a desk before I left.
Since then I have been keeping myself busy with Skin Care classes and servicing my Mary Kay customers. I am enjoying the freedom I have of being my own boss and reminding myself that it takes time and hard work to build a business and it won't happen overnight or even in a month.
I survived another birthday and enjoyed the first half of the evening with some friends at the Olive Garden. It was a nice little get together thrown together at the last minuet by my friend Josh. The rest of the evening and next morning was spent at the 7th and 8th Grade Lock In from church. There were about 3 times as many kids as we expected. It was fun and crazy!
Now at the ripe ole' age of 24 I begin to ponder life. I think this was spurred on my a recent trip to New Mexico with friends. A very long story explained in short... we went, we wrecked a 4 wheeler, we suffered, and now we pay.
My tight and creative budget has cratered under the stress of inability to work much with a back injury and having to pay for repairs and hospital visits. It wasn't a life threatening event thanks to some helmets but it did make me realize how important my friends and family are and the impact I make on the world.
I realize such is life people get hurt and crap happens... watch day time TV every other comerical and situation explained on those Court shows explains that. I feel God is guiding me back to teaching. Its one of those undeniable things. Have you ever felt that? When you laugh at yourself at even beginning to ask God "are you sure?" I taught and dreamt of teaching for years. I knew I would be sacrificing a lot but I also knew it was worth it if I made a difference in the world with even just one student. Which I guess is pretty melodramatic because I did make a difference in my kids lives. I know because they tell me when I run into them at Wal Mart or they call in a crisis because I am the only adult they trust. So I guess its a matter of balance. A tree can offer shade for only so long if it doesn't get water,sunlight and nutrients itself. That tree made a difference one year to the person who needed shade or a place to lean but was rendered useless after many years of poor treatment and harsh conditions.
I have begun substitute teaching and I pray this opens my eyes to... well whatever I am supposed to see. Weather its an age group, a subject matter, a school, or whatever. Don't worry! I am continuing with the business in Mary Kay but I did extremely well when I was forced to squeeze in Mary Kay where it could fit in the evenings after work. I have no doubt God has a since of humor and he knows me so well. My first assignment right out of the gate was at the Alternative School. You know where the kids sit in cubicles with a text book and worksheets and armed police officers pace the halls.
Most people, sane people, would go home and pray they were never assigned there again. I was whirled into a world of wondering: did those kids have an Ag program or a Ms. E in their life. What if that could have made a difference? Don't get me wrong there were a few of my kids that ended up in some sort of Alternative school. They knew that I loved them and that I'd be there when they got back calling them to a higher standard and making them to toe the line. Like I said most people would shake it off and roll on. God programed me different I guess.
Stay tuned for the adventures in subbing
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