Water Aerobics was awesome last night. Rosie was teaching again (YAY!) and she kicked my ass! I loved every second of it. While I do like that other girl that's been doing it, she teaches a very different class.

I'm going to "Masters Class" tonight. It's supposed to cover Yoga, Stretch, Toning, and Kick Boxing. It's gonna be awesome too! And my friend Brandi is going, so that helps! I'll get to spend some quality laughing time with her.

My friend Dee dropped her new laptop off with me today. She got it in the mail from her parents yesterday, and had to do all kinds of stuff on it. We finally got her Office trial uninstalled, and she left it for me to install her copy of office while she's in class. And she didn't leave the power cord. I hope it isn't going to be very hard to fix. I don't have much knowledge of Windows Vista yet, so it will suck. And while she was here she asked me to lunch. I told her I had plans to go to a class, but I think if she come here right after class I will see if she still wants to go. I don't get to spend much time with her anymore because of her wacky work schedule. While I really wanted to go to that class this week, I'll get over it if I can do lunch with her. Especially since she sounded REALLY disappointed to hear I already had plans.

As for everything else, life is normal. I have a huge bruise on my forearm from hitting a car when I was bringing in groceries the other night. I usually make Josh do that, but it was while he was at his class. And NO ONE knows how to park at our apartment complex. I managed to spend a lot of money and have a freezer full of goodies to cook this week. And I think we will actually have enough money in the bank for all of our bills. That doesn't happen often so I'm really thrilled. I think we will even have money to make some larger payments again next month!!!

Everyone have a wonderful day and Keep Movin'!

In Other News...

I got the problem with the gym not having a record of my husband fixed. They had him listed under my maiden name. They're getting that taken care of, and we have his member number now so he can get in.

I went to pick up the raffle prize I won from Saturday at the race. It's a $25 gift card to Olive Garden!!! Now Josh and I have to go eat there! He's been trying to put it off because they stay busy. I think I want to go for lunch on Saturday. But we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Weigh In Day!

Ok, the exclamation point (and my tracker) should clue everyone in to the good news I received last night. I lost 2 pounds! So I finally get to put a star on my bookmark at WW. I was very proud about that.

I didn't stay for the meeting because I had to hit the circuit room and go shopping. I only did one round since I had other stuff to do, but I felt good just having done that. And I saw a friend from home there. I grew up with a guy named Jamie. He's a little over a year older than me, and grew up just a few miles down the road. He ended up moving to Hattiesburg after I did. And amazingly, all these years later, we are both still here. It was cool to see him. We didn't talk other than to say hello and how are you (we were kinda busy) but just that was cool. It made my day!

I spent a lot of money at Wal-Mart on groceries and stuff. They didn't have my conditioner (I've used Thermasilk for a while now) so I had to switch to another one. I got Garenier Fructis length and strength conditioner. My sister said she liked it, so hopefully it will work out well.

My hubby went to his first martial arts class last night. I don't have a clue what martial art it is, but he said he likes it. It's apparently going to be difficult for him, but he's really excited. Expecially since the guy invited him back. (It's an invitation only group and our friend Shaphen got him a one-nighter, with no guarantees.) He'll be going back to that on Wednesday night.

He also had a bad experience at the gym. They couldn't find his records. I'll have to go today and get that straightened out. I'm not happy about it. Especially since they have taken the fees for his memebership out of my check this month. Not happy at all!

Well, I'm off for my day. I'm feeling good about the world and can't wait to go to water aerobics tonight. I hope everyone has a wondeful day, and Keep Movin'!

Monday Mornings...

Always seem to suck at the beginning! I wonder why that is... I think part of the problem today is that my entire weekend was out of whack, and I didn't go to bed until after midnight! But I'm feeling good now!

When I really start walking I still feel just a tad sore in the legs from Saturday. But that's ok. I'm not exercising until after I weigh in tonight so I should be ok on that score. I'll be weighing in, and then heading to the gym to hit the circuit training room. If all goes well, I might even try to get two rounds in there. But to an extent it depends on how busy it is. The room is open until 7, so I should have time. And the hubby's martial arts training starts tonight, so I might even stay until he's finished. And tomorrow is water aerobics again, and I'm really excited!

I think I did alright over the weekend, and I'm nearly finished with my essay for class. I don't really like it, but I don't really care either. The topic just doesn't interest me that much, and the teacher is a bitch. I made a 74 on the second test, giving me a 75 average in the class. I can live with that. I did better on the essay question this time but missed more multiple choice questions. I really do intend to study more this time. REALLY! (As long as it doesn't interfer with my exercise!)

I'm not doing quite as well on my water this morning as I normally do, but I'm sucking it down. Instead of getting regualar 20 oz bottles this morning I decided to try out the Ozarka with the pop-top. I drink a lot slower out of it than an open-top bottle. But that's ok. I kinda like it anyway. And I'll keep the bottles so I can try and save some money this week. I really need to buy a couple more sports bottles and bring my water to work, but that takes money. ;)

I am seriously considering donating plasma to start having extra money. But I'm kinda scared too! I hate needles and still have trouble with them even after all the times I've been stuck the past three years. But I really do want to try. Not only for the money (with will help a lot) but also because it will help lots of people. I just have to get over my fear of the needle, and find out the places hours! It would give me a lot of study time too since it takes over an hour.

Everyone have a wonderful day and Keep Movin'!

Run for Love 2007

There were a lot of people at the 5K on Saturday morning. And I even ran a short distance of it! A coworker had brought her children (lots of people brought their kids and dogs actually) and her son ran off. She couldn't catch him so I offered to run and catch him before he got too far off. Needless to say, since I'm not a runner I ended up with a cramp that had me limping for most of the walk. It finally went away for the last few hundred feet. There were about 15 or 20 people that didn't finish the race, and I took up the rear for most of it (after people dropped out) but still managed to not finish last. I was kinda proud of that. Once my cramp went away I was able to walk my normal fast pace and pass up a couple of people. It was wonderful!!!! I can't wait to do it again next year. And beat my time of 55 minutes!!

As for everything else, I'm working on my business ethics essay today. That's enough to drive me nuts. I still went a bit overboard yesterday, but not very much! And I had the points for it. I'll be a lot more on-target with everything today. And I'm happy to say that this morning I'm not even feeling the walk anymore!

Everyone have a wondeful Sunday!

All Kinds of Stuff!!!

I want to start with wishing Lisa Jane a late happy birthday! She discovered that she has a waist again, among other fantastic things yesterday. So everyone can feel free to go celebrate that wonderful gift with her.

I discovered that I actually have muscles in my upper abs. I know this because they hurt when I move too much today! After water aerobics, yoga, and water aerboics again in three days I feel those muscles, as well as the ones in my arms and upper legs. It's great. The abs only hurt of a twist too much, and everything else just feels. I LOVE IT!

I'm going to miss lunch with my hubby today so I can go get fitted at the circuit training room. It's either that or be home late again tonight. He hasn't enjoyed me being late three days in a row. So I don't want to do that too him again. Also, I want to spend the evening with him. We currently have NO plans (a rarity for a Friday night) so I'm excited. Of course, that will likely change. But I hope not...

I'm all geared up to be really active for the next week. On Wednesday there is a special activity class at the gym. They are calling it a Masters course and will have Yoga, stretch, toning, and kickboxing all during that hour. It means I will miss beginner yoga, but I really want to try this out. It's supposed to be a big, special class. (And we get extra points for it on the Biggest Winners program. So it will be good for my team!)

I know I've been sounding all hyped and feeling good about myself here lately. But at times I have been feeling real discouraged too. The school pharmacist told me she could really tell I was losing inches yesterday. And I know I have lost one or two because I can fit in that pair of black pants. But that's the only old thing I can fit in again. And it's a little discouraging. Sometimes I wonder if the changes are really there or if people are saying it to make me feel better. I hope they wouldn't, but then again...some of these people don't know me THAT well. They've only known me in passing until the past couple of weeks. But I'm really getting close to some of these people now. So I really don't think they would be doing that. My head just keeps getting in my way! :) I'm really feeling great today though, even with the sore tummy! I have some great energy (although I had trouble getting out of bed!) and I'm excited about the Run for Love tomorrow. I have no plans to run the thing, but I know a lot of people that are participating. It's going to be fun to walk around campus with them and just chit chat. I think it will be a wonderful way for me to start my morning. And my first on-program weekend!

Everyone have a wonderful weekend and keep movin'!!!

Joy's was so great that I had to take the quiz and find out...

In a Past Life...

You Were: A Genius Monk. Where You Lived: Argentina. How You Died: Dysentery.

Who Were You In a Past Life?

FRIDAY'S FEAST

Appetizer
Where on your body do you have a scar, and what caused it?
I have a couple of scars on my right wrist. One is on the inside where I cut my wrist on a broken picture frame when Daddy was showing me our new house (prior to it being fixed up for us to live in) when I was four. It was actually in my bedroom! The other is one the back of my wrist and goes up onto the back of my hand. It's from a brownie pan when I was a preteen. I also have scars on my knees from multiple bicycle and four-wheeler accidents.

Soup
What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?
I found my husband. I honestly didn't think there was anyone out there for me.

Salad
Name a television personality who really gets on your nerves.
Which ones don't? I generally hate tv personalities.

Main Course
What was a funny word you said as a child (such as "pasketti" for "spaghetti")?
Uhhh, that would require that I actually remember my childhood. Sorry, I don't.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I have always thought ______ was ______.
I have always thought that bokd where the coolest kind of entertainment. Then I discovered sex.


If you are interested in participating in Friday's Feast, you can get the questions here!

I want my morning back!!!

I spent the entire morning in the doctor's office. And there is no telling what the bill is going to be. And all the guy told me was to lose weight and follow a mediterranean diet. And we would check my cholesterol again in a year. That's it. I could have been at work if that's all it was going to be!!!!

Well, I've repaired the damage I did over last weekend. And I'm going to be a good, on-program hot chick this weekend. I'm doing a 5K (Run For Love) on Saturday morning, so I know I'll have a lot of good exercise in that day. And I will do something really light on Sunday. The worry is food, and I intend to do well on that.

Last night I was planning to hit the circuit room at our gym, but got drug into Beginner Yoga instead. It was cool. I'll definitely be doing that agian next Wednesday after work. And if I like it after another visit, I'll go looking for the perfect yoga mat. Because I'm just nutty like that. :) I'll be doing Water Aerobics agian tonight, and hit the circuit room tomorrow.

Well, I want to apologize in advance for not hitting everyone's blogs today. Since I didn't get to work until 1:00 I just don't have the time today. But I should be able to hit everybody tomorrow. And should work decide against that, I will make time for it over the weekend!

I've been a bit bored at work this afternoon and start prowling around online quizzes. When I saw this particular quiz I just HAD to try it out. I just had to find out if my blog was the right color!!! Crazy, huh? SOOOO...What color is your blog?

OH! And I've actually been thinking about changing the color of this blog to purple. One of my older ones was.... :)

Your Blog Should Be Purple

You're an expressive, offbeat blogger who tends to write about anything and everything. You tend to set blogging trends, and you're the most likely to write your own meme or survey. You are a bit distant though. Your blog is all about you - not what anyone else has to say.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

Challenge Time!!!

Ok, time to plug Make Yourself A Priority in 2007! We've had a wonderful time so far this year in the Challenge and I think we are all doing wonderful things together. It takes support to really make a change in our lives and I personally think that this is a great place to get support. We set our own challenges each month (because who knows better than you what you need to work on!) and you can make it as hard or as easy as you need to. We're all on different fitness levels, we're all different weights, and we all have different personalities. But we share a dream to be healthier and a desire to help others reach that same goal.

Starting on February 25th we will be taking on challengers for March. So start thinking about if you want to participate in the challenge, and if so, what do you want to work on it March? We are also doing a 40-day challenge in conjunction with Lent. So, if you want to come on board in March, feel free to give up a bad habit as well. Together we can all be as healthy as we want to be. And even make a few new friends along the way.

As for my challenge, I think I have done well this month. I have kept up my exercise routine better than I thought I would. A few days have only consisted of walking, but that's great exercise too. Especially after you put on a 10-lbs. backpack! I plan to work on a different weakness in March. I still have a tendency to go off program on the weekends. In two days I can easily destroy all the good work and progress I've made during the week. My goal is to stay on program during the weekend. Within the next few days I will get a tracker set up for this challenge, and plan to stay on track this weekend, even though it isn't March. It's sad to think that lately my weekends have been more about how much damage I can do to my efforts than about staying on track. And that has to change. And it starts changing now!!!!

I hope that those of you not participating think about joining us for March. And, of course, I hope to see all our previous challengers signing back up (assuming life isn't getting in the way right now!) :)

You Are: 70% Dog, 30% Cat

You and dogs definitely have a lot in common. You're both goofy, happy, and content with the small things in life. However, you're definitely not as needy as the average dog. You need your down time occasionally.

Are You More Cat or Dog?

Group Challenge!!!

Well, it's Group Challenge Time over at Make Yourself a Priority. And this time we're serious! What are you giving up for Lent!?!

Now, I'm not Catholic and honestly have no desire to be. Nothing against Catholics, but what works for you doesn't for me. I do, however, understand the concept of fasting and think it is of great importance to our spiritual lives. (For those of us that actually have spiritual lives, anyway.) As a matter of fact, my church Temple Baptist undergoes a period of fasting.

But, that is all off topic. The topic is: What Am I Giving Up For The Next 40 Days? I've pondered this for a while now. Although my church doesn't fast during Lent, unless they changed the time this year and I missed it, I do at least every other year. One of my friends has contemplated giving up his friends for Lent (our non-Christian friends who have a tendency to ridicule half our beliefs occassionally), but I know that this is a bit extreme. While it would leave me plenty of time to exercise, I would probably not enjoy it. I wish I could give up work, but I don't have that many personal hours. I could give up school, but can't afford the F that would come up with it. I could give up exercise but that would be against the point of this challenge. I could give up sugary desserts, but there is no reason to set myself up for failure. SOOOO, what do I give up for Lent?

I have decided to give up carbonated beverages for Lent. This should work out well because I will avoid all of those empty calories that just run through your system. I will also avoid the whole rotting your teeth thing too. And since I have been drinking a lot less Pepsi anyway, this should be reasonable.

And just so everyone knows, the next week is going to SUCK!!!!

Positive!!!!

I, like many bloggers out there this week, am feeling really positive about this week. Even taking into account a gain last week, or maybe in spite of it. I didn't feel positive yesterday. Or, at least, yesterday afternoon. I got hit with a BAD headache around 3 pm. NOT fun. It made my last hour of work miserable. AND then we had to go to the inlaws. The hubby's car has to be fixed, and his dad took care of getting the estimate and everything while we borrowed his car. So we were going to switch cars while we waited for the shop to be ready to fix it. WELL, when we tried to leave in our car we didn't even make it out to the highway before it had a flat. So we ended up taking his dad's car back home with us. And didn't get home until after 8. I went straight to bed. I didn't feel great when I woke up, but I do feel much better today. I feel a lingering headache, but not enough to keep me down. I'll be going to water aerobics tonight. If it's really quiet at work this afternoon I might take off around 3:30 and do two sessions of water aerobics this evening. Then shopping. I think. Maybe not. I should feel GREAT after two sessions of that. Although I might not feel like carrying anything. :) I really hope that works out.

And I hope that everyone has a FANTASTIC day, and a FANTASTIC week!

Weigh In Experience and Others

Well, I sabotaged my own efforts again this weekend. I won't go into much detail, other than to say lots of calories, not lots of activity. I gained a half-pound when I went to weigh in during lunch. I WILL LOSE next week. This is a guarantee. I will be active every day. I will stay on my eating program. I will probably be getting a new eating program when I go to the doctor Thursday morning.

When I did my Biggest Winners weigh in on Thursday morning they had our cholesterol test results for us. Mine was 222. I need it to be lower. So I called this morning and made an appointment to see a doctor so we can decide what to do about it. I know that they are going to basically tell me to watch my diet and exercise, but for the most part I have been doing that. But I am going to have to do a much better job at it. And that's all there is to it. PERIOD. My father has high cholesterol and has had to have some stuff done. I don't want to be where he is in a few years. I want to get this taken care of NOW.

Your Brain is Blue

Of all the brain types, yours is the most mellow. You tend to be in a meditative state most of the time. You don't try to think away your troubles. Your thoughts are realistic, fresh, and honest. You truly see things as how they are. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about your friends, your surroundings, and your life.

What Color Is Your Brain?

I just saw the above on Denise's blog and just had to take the quiz. It's very accurate for me. I do spend a lot of time thinking about friends and family, including all my blogging friends. If y'all have a minute or two sometime try out the quiz. It doesn't take long at all!

Water Aerobics was a bit different last night. It was much more strength than aerobic. While most of the people in the class didn't like it, I rather enjoyed it. Between some supplement strength training, the class, and walking on campus I managed an amazing 11 activity points yesterday. I was kinda surprised. Of course, I ate those points, so I guess it's a good thing.

I have a test today in my online course so I won't be browsing everyone's blogs this morning. I HAVE to study as much as possible. I'm hoping that since it is the Friday before the Mardi Gras holiday I won't have to worry about us actually having customers.

One of my coworkers drove down to Hammond, LA, last night for a parade. He brought me a ton of beads and four cups. I didn't actually expect him to bring me anything when he said he would on his way out the door. One of the strands of beads actually matches the salmon-colored top I'm wearing today, so I put it on.

I posted Friday's Feast below. It's an interesting weekly meme that lets prople get to know one another. I certainly don't post it every week, but I'm going to try and start doing it on a regular basis. Maybe guaranteed twice a month or something. I want to thank TC for turning me on to this meme.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend, and I'll try to play catchup before Monday rolls around!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What sound, other than the normal ringing, would you like your telephone to make?
I think I would like for it to play 'Words that We Couldn't Say'. It's a kinda sad song, but I've always loved it.

Soup
Describe your usual disposition in meteorological terms (partly cloudy, sunny, stormy, etc.).
Sunny with a chance of storms. May not make sense, but that's me!

Salad
What specific subject do you feel you know better than any other subjects?
Stupidity. There's nothing I know better!

Main Course
Imagine you were given the ability to remember everything you read for one entire day. Which books/magazines/newspapers would you choose to read?
ONLY A DAY!!!! I could never pick which four books to read given such a small time frame! Could we change it to a week???

Dessert
If a popular candy maker contacted you to create their next confection, what would it be like and what would you name it?
I would create a chocolate with no fat or calories. I would name it Sinless.

If you are interested in Friday's Feast, get the questions here!

News For All!

I would first like to say that I have repaired my damage since last Thursday and managed to lose another pound on biggest winners. I'm proud of that pound. I hope for something larger next week when I'm not trying to play catchup!!!

My husband is off the hook on the 3 pound dumbells. His parent's picked me up a set for Valentine's Day. They aren't the kind I would pick up (I prefer neoprene so they aren't slick) but they will certianly do the job where I need them too. The holder is a nice touch on them though.

I'm looking forward to Water Aerobics tonight, and to my BW educational class at lunch. I don't have a clue what I'll be eating for lunch since I can't go get something, but that's ok. I'll pick up something on my way. I pass the campus convenience store and they usually have lunchables. They aren't exactly points-friendly, but they are food. :)

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful day, and I will chat with y'all later!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!! Have a wonderful day, celebrate to your heart's content, but try not to eat TOO many of those chocolates!!!

So, I have two presents that I want to spotlight.

First, the present from Tee, my January cheerleader, that came in yesterday. Brasilian dance workout. I've only had a chance to read the cover, but it sounds exciting. I can't wait to work out to it tonight. I'm thinking that it and my belly dance video will be perfect for working out on the weekends when I would really rather stay home. So, after I have time to work out to this video a couple of times expect to see a reveiw. She asked for suggestions of videos I might like to have, and I'm really happy that she decided to get this one sent to me.

I have been talking for a while that I would love to have some 3 and 5 pound dumbbells for my strength training. While I generally buy the plain neoprene covered ones, the hubby picked me up a set of 5 lb go walking weights. I already had some 1.5 lbs in these, and they aren't bad. You can strap them onto your hand, then you don't have to hold them quite so tight. I think I will really appreciate this. He also gave me a beautiful card, a small box of dove milk chocolates (and I only eat about half the candies in the selection so that was a GREAT choice to keep me from eating too many of them), and an IOU note for a set of 3 lb weights. I'm excited to get to use them. I think I might start to really feel my strength training since I'll have decent weights for it. The weights pictured on the side aren't the EXACT ones he bought me, but there are the same style. I didn't have time to take a picture of them this morning so I stole one from the internet! Another good thing about these weights is that they are fairly safe to use when walking so I can pick them up for a good arm workout when walking if I want too!

Well, I hope that everyone has a fantastic day. I'm heading over to a health fair on campus. It's not so much that I WANT to go, but it's worth five points on my Biggest Winners program. I want to do good by my team, so I'm going to go visit over my lunch break. I'll get some more walking in today if nothing else!!!! (By the way, I went to Water Aerobics last night and I think I lost over a pound just during that session!! LOL)