One Year of Good Things

I have not blogged in a ridiculous amount of time.  Over a year, probably.  Here's what I've learned. Good things happen. Bad things happen.  People get older, and sometimes we fall into ruts.  So April 1st, 2015 I decided that every day, no matter what happened, I woud write something good about each day.  It didn't even necessarily have to be the best part of the day...just SOMETHING good. Here we have it.  One year of good things.

4/1 - I didn't get fooled!
4/2 - Had a Cadbury egg for breakfast.
4/3 - Aron Marks was in town "EZ-E and the funky bunch?"
4/4 - Found the perfect bridesmaid/MOH dress for Stephanie's wedding.
4/5 - HIMYM "Easter" marathon w/ Stephanie.
4/6 - Great zumba class and stayed under calories.
4/7 - After 1.5 great zumba classes, making tilapia rice bowls while Colbie Callait sings "Midnight Bottle".
4/8 - Worked out so hard.  Weights, battle ropes, elliptical, toning, zumba, feeling beat but proud of myself.  20,000 + steps.
4/9 - Randy came over and watched "Community" w/ me and Jason...and he brought candy.  Also - Robyn's weird steering wheel mustache face that Anna posted.
4/10 - First friend date w/ Renee Miller!
4/11 - Best day ever...first run of 2015, sushine, and brewfest.  (&21,000 steps)
4/12 - 72 degrees in April!  Cleaned the porch spotless.  Brian and Lisa over for dinner.
4/13 - Ran into Graceless at the gas station!
4/14 - Didn't have any lunch & Mike Adamczak shared his with me.
4/15 - Randy asked me to be his +1 for Jesse & Jason's wedding.
4/16 - Feeling postive about the future.
4/17 - Found a pair of life-changing amazing jeans.  Maurices, you've earned yourself a fan.
4/18 - Put together beautiful corsages for Stephanie & Jon's wedding.
4/19 - Cleaned house like a mofo!  Also - had dinner at Robyn's.
4/20 - Stayed under calories, good zumba class, prepped days of meals, and even had time for Netflix & Chardonnay.
4/21 - A Mo class!  First Mo class in probably 6 months - she kicked my butt!
4/22 - Completed toning w/ the big weights (almost died), then did Renee's class.  Got a cute new swuimsuit top...also happy for NO zumba tomorrow.
4/23 - It was "Bring Your Kids to work Day".  Matt Lampi's 5 year old giggled while telling me about a story they were reading witha dog named "Poopson".  She was adorable  They both were.
4/34 - Girls' weekend w/ Stephanie @ her mom's house.
4/25 - The weather turned out beautiful & after the bridal shower, we went for a great long walk.
4/26 - Beautiful day/drive back from the cities.
4/27 - Good meals, gorgeous day, kitty snuggles.
4/28 - "Doug Spurm" - hahaha!
4/29 - Really pushed my workouts...to the max.
4/30 - Down 6.6 lbs during this BLC so far.
5/1 - Old Chicago w/ PeeWee!
5/2 - hot pink pedicure & met the Vondi baby!  Ryder James VonderHaar.
5/3 - First 2015 hike on the Superior Hiking Trail.
5/4 - I'm at Tom's house in North Carolina!!!! :)
5/5 - Absolutely perfect beach day - Indian beach, NC.
5/6 - I played Pickleball!
5/7 - I'm at Julia's in texas!!!! :)
5/8 - Hailey & I made Julia a mini cake for her bday.
5/9 - Another relaxing day with Julia.
5/10 - home w/ my kitty.  :)  And a visit with the Ament ladies.
5/11 - Got my steps in....after a few days of slacking.
5/12 - First vball game (for me) of the seasn (2-1).
5/13 - Great zumba class!  "Pumps and a Bump!"
5/14 - Wine &"Bob's Burgers" w/ Randy.
5/15 - Chips, dip, beer, "Community".
5/16 - So many good things...proud of my run, my house, fresh flowers on the table, & Robyn came over for wild rice burgers.
5/17 - Made a blanket w/ Mandy.
5/18 - I fixed my dryer all by myself.  Didn't even have to borrow any tools.
5/19 - Startted a new book "11/22/63" by Stephen King.
5/20 - Got my switch plates for the kitchen (oh the things that adults get excited about) and...about to hit my step record.....wait for it....21,315!
5/21 - First Thursday game together (me, Jesse, Randy, Roby, Mandy, Ken) Love Friends.
5/22 - Finally!  Let the 3 day weekend after AMSOIL's final AU commence!
5/23 - A beautiful day for a drive to the campground! (Ely w/ Mandy, Ken, Brian, Lisa, Amanda, Nick, and Bill)
5/24 - Day drunk all day....and rack-o.
5/25 - Played Tabboo w/ Smiley, Celeste, Mark, Andra....and Smiley's coworker.
5/26 - 3-0 in vball tonight.  Nick played with us.
5/27 - 86 degrees in May.
5/28 - Love volleyball nights.  Even if we don't win.
5/29 - Mandy & her family invited me up for dinner at her parents' house.
5/30 - Such a busy day - mast class w/ Dawn, Bent Paddle Anniversary, Jamie here - but I loved when running, a little guy, maybe 4 on his bike, gave me thumbs up.  :)
5/31 - [private]
6/1 - My painting arrived & I hung it in the living room.  It's AWESOME!!!  I'm in love with it.
6/2 - Our team played like rockstars tonight.  And....Robyn & Sam got engaged.
6/3 - Realtor (Kris) came over and while I'm still not sure my house will appriase where I'd like  I got some really good tips.  Things are good.
6/4 - Operation K-9 Fundraiser = Dogs & Cops....my favorite things.  Vball was a blast.  Sam took some really cool slow-mo videos of us playing.
6/5 - Talked to Gma Hampson tonight.  She sounds good.
6/6 - Played w/ the Engstroms "the Chickens are on fire" (Quelf)
6/7 - Ahhhh the feeling of clean, fresh sheets & a thunderstorm at bedtime.
6/8 - "Scrubs" make me laugh.
6/9 - Nick measured my stairs for carpet.  Friends' help is always appreciated.
6/10 - My eggs today were perfectly symmetrical, perfectly spaced....100% perfect in every way.  Sunny side up eggs aren't hard....but these were art to my eyes and mouth.
6/11 - Robyn's serve that was the equivalent to a scratch in pool...(sorry Robyn) - but what was better was Randy's expression as he looked to see were the ball was (3 feet from Robyn).
6/12 - worked with a very helpful banker.  If nothing else, informative.
6/13 - Ran first 2015 5k race it was my fastest time ever w/ a million hills.  Also got the stair carpet ripped up w/ Mandy's help.  She is fun to destroy things with - even if our "She - Ra" fails. hahaha.
6/14 - Finished "How I Met Your Mother" w/ Stephanie.
6/15 - Had a good meeting at the bank....and finally know where to be in order to refinance.
6/16 - A pretty healthy day.
6/17 - "Hold Back the River" w/ Renee Miller.
6/18 - Stayed for a drink after vball w/ Jesse & Robyn.  Won 3-0.
6/19 - Got the stairs painted.  They look good.
6/20 - Day trip to Hayward w/ /Mandy & Lisa.
6/21 - [private] Livin' the dream!
6/22 - Had phone date with BFF.
6/23 - Not much, but better than nothing 0 insurance will pay 800 of the roof.  Played a super awesome and fun team tonight.  Still undefeated.
6/24 - crushed it at zumba.  Feeling healthy.
6.25 - It's thursday and Scott M and Ihave been civil...even nice to each other all week.
6/26 - Got drunk with the boys.
6.27 - First beach day of 2015 (in MN) - and...Jesse & Jason's wedding.
6/28 - Got 2 new windows in my bedroom!
6/29 - [Private]
6/30 - "pickles in my chicken"  - Jason
7/1 - Double zumba w/ Amanda to kick off July!
7/2 - Had a very good night catcching up w/ Ms. Jarvi.  Much needed.
7/3 - Lunch w/ Stephanie on Grandma's deck.
7/4 - 4th fun at the Henricksons'.
7/5 - Great surprise party for Chasity!
7/6 - Community & Corn on the cob w/ Jason
7/7 - Nails are starting to look nice again.
7/8 - Feeling passionate once again.
7/9 - New workout clothes!
7/10 - Oatmeal cookie shot was amazing.
7/11 - Trampled by Turtles concert & a really fun night w/ Robyn!
7/12 - Played vball at Lee's house.
7/13 - Hannah's mini expressionless breakdance at the front desk.
7/14 - Just a lot of good thoughts today.
7/15 - A really fun time out for Renee's bday w/ karaoke, dancing laughter.  If only it wasn't a school night.  :(
7/16 - home by 8pm.  Feels good.
7/17 - Danced at the Flame w/ Mandy and the birthday boy (Kurt).
7/18 - The way Liam says "Hi Aunti Sabrina"
7/19 - I finally got together with Pete!!!!
7/20 - Made it to zumba, straight from out of town.
7/21 - New carpet installed!
7/22 - Yard cleanup almost complete
7/23 - After 2 1/2 months, I finally put on my MOH dress(wedding in 8 days) - and it fits perfectly!
7/24 - Movie in the park - "A League of their Own" w/ Mandy, Robyn, and Anna.
7/25 - Bachelorrette party shenanigans w/ ;Stephanie Grietens!
7/26 - Painted the small room - took forever...looks great.
7/27 - the most awesome picture ever - me dancing & Jamie with this SUPER stunned look on her face - who knows what the hell was going on - hahaha.
7/28 - Good grief.  Hands down the picture Julia texted me today.  No pun intended.
7/29 - Sever days not calorie cheating and starting to see the numbers change.
7/30 - I won a free TurboFire DVD.
7/31 - Kala's deep thought while she looked at me as she was eating her pizza.
8/1 The most beautiful day for Stephanie & Jon's wedding.
8/2 - the pocket complex I've given Jason. Hahaha
8/3 - watched clips of old 80s & 90sshows with Randy "My Secret Identity", "Small wonder", "Punky Brewster", "Out of this World", "Saved by the Bell".
8/4 - Jason waiting for the chorus of the vacation song F.O.R.E.V.E.R. to announce his vacation excitement.
8/5 - "Still into you" - Paramore
8/6 - House to myself tonight.
8/7 - NOOFFICIALPLANSTHISWEEKEND!!!
8/8 - As will was telling Katie and me that we were just jealous of his coordiantion skills he missed his mouth and stuck a chip w/ dip to chin.  Lots of dip.
8/9 - watched a really good Criminal Minds.
8/10 - well for a sick day  - I caught up  on a lot of OINTB
8/11 - Hung out with Jake after vball.  I've missed that weirdo.
8/12 - A lovely evening outside with the zumba peeps at Vitta Pizza.
8/13 - My playlist rocked my world at the gym this morning.
8/14 - A wonderful, much needed evening with Mandy.
8/15 - Golf outing day with Renee.
8/16 Finally got crap done at home.
8/17 - the sweet sound of Michael Buble " Softly as I Leave You"
8/18 - Barb gave me a good pen.
8/19 - Beyonce's "XO" is a beautiful cool down song...followed by a hot shower.  Never underestimate the power of a hot shower.
8/20 - Dinner w/ Jason, will, and Katie....and the dancing cow video.
8/21 - Robyn and I went to hear Hannah sing...and then met friends for a movie in the park *Happy Gilmomre).
8/22 - gote some alone time.
8/23 - Got some cleaning done, relaed solo w/ wine and fresh clean sheets.
8/24 - My toenail polish glows extra neon under the blacklight at zumba.
8/25 - Friends, pizza, beer, playoff win.
8/26 - Mo kicked my booty and I liked it!!!  :)
8/27 - Friends melt my heart.
8/28 - Looked at the moon w/ my BFF 1000 miles away.
8/29 - Alex and I drank beer in the hotel bathroom as food line chaos was happening (Sarah's surprise party)
8/30 - Meal prepped for days ahead.  :)
8/31 - Started out kind of wek at zumba but then killed it.  And Stephanie sent me the nice                                st card ever.
9/1 - Totally digging the "summer roadtrip" playlist on Amazon Prime.  Dance Dance!
9/2 - Jake came to zumba with me!!! Yea!!!
9/3/ - Jesse's hug.
9/4 - Beach afternoon w/ Mandy.  Then SEVERAL hours of cleaning and my house looks beautiful.
9/5 - nice lightning show tonight.
9/6 - great talks with Jamie J.
9/7 - Met w/ contractor and got bathroom into buget!
9/8 - Jake's a spaz.
9/9 - Randy helped me carry abou 500 lbs of tile into the house
9/10 - Jesse Socha.  Birthday Soulmate.
9/11 - The 2 little cuties at the airport in their Hulk and Spiderman outfits and it seemed like they had a wonderful mama teaching them all sorts of life lessons.
9/12 - Spent the day on the beach at Orient Beach State Park and in the evening, watched Lucky and Diana get married.
9/13 - late lunch w/ Kasha.  And sucked helium....made funny voice.
9/14 - Made pizza on the grill for the first time.  And ...chas gave me an awesome compliment at zumba today.
9/15 - Beat my 5k goal  and had the most amazing alone time at the beach.  It was hard to leave.
9/16 - Hannah singing @ Bent Paddle (w/ Kylie, Angie, Anna, rany, Liz, Christine, Dan, and Mo)
9/17 - First night back at InZanity.
9/18 - Bdubs w/ Ken, Brian, Lisa, Amanda, Nick, Rand, but no Mandy.  :(
9.19 - May have found a vanity for the bathroom!
9/20 - Color Run success.
9/21 - So many goo things  - major zumba love w/ Dawn &Renee....& Tessa came to class!
9.22 - Old Archer episodes w/ Scandalous Randalous.
9/23 - Bunch of Amazon stuff got delivered...like Christmas.
9/24 - Alex crushed InZanity w/ me.
9/25 - Did it.  Made it 5 complete days without spending even one penny.
9/6 - Awesome night out for Randy an Amanda's birthdays.
9.27 - I like my decorating style - things are coming together.
9.28 - The roofing materials have arrived!
9/29 - After lots of pain and swearing.  The chandelier is installed.
9/30 - 24 hours and the chandelier hasn't fallen  I'll chalk that up to a good thing.
10/1 - Ballroom Dance class.
10/2 - A lovely night making sushi w/ Ms. Pokorny & sipping on some Pinot Noir.
10/3 - A wonderful day @ Appplefest w/ Stepahnie.
10/4 - Got to see Kelly and Mike and meet Baby Hattie...and she LOVED me.
10/5 - They've started on the roof!!!
10/6 - Got a night at home...and worked out in new workout space.
10/7 - Grace came to zumba with me!!!
10/8 - I love the tango.
10/9 - Wine &=creme brule with Doug.
10/10 - watched a crazy documentary w/ Mandy (Imposter).
10/11, 86 degrees.  Beautiful beach PLUS fall colors!
10/12 - Double zumba = good for the soul.
10/13 - Happy Hour w/ Jon tousignant.
10/14 - made a pretty delicious pizza.
10/15 - the bathroom work has begun.
10/16 - the tub...it's here...and Hannah singing at D's.
10/17 - Bonfire at Mandy & Kens.
10/18 - T.S. Party, wine, laughs, and money.
10/19 - Feeling good w/ my facebook accountability group.
10/20 - Cooked all the healthy things!
10/21 - bathroom remodel is coming along.
10/22 - very nice ballroom dancing class.
10/23 - started watching Narcos.
10/24 - got to hang out with Ryan, Mandy, Randy, and Jared.  Got garage cleaned.
10/25 - cleaned up the house.
10/26 - meal prepped!!
10/27 - grout has happened!
10/28 - Oldies at Jill's Zumba class.
10/29 - good weigh in
10/30 - Caught up on some sleep.
10/31 - Caught up on some shows.
1/1 - Flu sickness OVER!!! Able to eat food!!!
11/2 - Hannah "I'm so glad you're back and feeling better....that was a long time...like 2 weeks?"  Me:  "2 1/2 days"  hahaha  it's good to be missed!! :)
11/3 - A nice glas of red.
11/4 - remembering the medeteraniean deelite pizza leftovers in the fridge...and eating them.
11/5 - Will using the word "dumb dumb"
11.6 - maple salad.
11/7 - Renee and Alex checking up on me &my knee.  They are sweet.  Good people.
11/8 - Robyn came to play.  :)
11/9 - ugh.  I just appreciate my friends so much.  I feel like I could burst.
11/10 - Mandy's monacle snapchat "it was you who ate the squash".
11/11 - starting to limp a lot less!
11/12 - First night back to ballroom.
11/13 - positive meeting @ the bank.
11/14 - Patron "appetizers" w/ JoEllen.
11/15 - Had a me night.  Didn't wear pants.
11/16 - Mandy helped me paint.  Bless her heart.
11/17 - A fun dinner at Randy's w/ Robyn and Sam.
11/18 - the show "Catastrophe"
11/19 - Gilda curled up in the tightest little ball against mama at 2am.  Worth being awake.
11/20 - Dan & Christine's party (and the kid who wanted to bet me $20 about the cowskin haha)
11/21 - crossed a bunch off my to do list.
11/22 - more crossed off the list.
11/23 - a nice chate w/ Mr. Lonka.
11/24 - Art & wine  - a fun class with Mandy, ryan and Jared.
11/25 - Didn't have to to do the grocery store the day before thanksgiving.
11/26 - Thanksgiving w/ family.
11/27 - My heart feels full.
11/28 - [private]
11/29 - House looks beautiful.
11/30 - Strangely excited about Decemeber starting tomottow.
12/1 - home feels good.
12/2 - back to zumba!!!!
12/3 - Doug's face when I brought candy to his office (monkey in a cage).
12/4 - Ken putting "Fist Fist" in the Christmas tree.
12/5 - good Tastefully Simple turnout.
12/6 - Brought a new holiday dress, love it.
12/7 - getting stronger errrrry- day.
12/9 - Everything I want to write is inapproprieate. :)
12/10 - Huge TS successes & Robyn & I did great at ballroom.
12/11 - New xmas party dress: had 4 strangers, 2 cowrokers, and 1 bartender tell me I looked beautiful.
12/12 - Got all "decoratey" in the house.
12/13 - Bubba & SamSam snuggles.
12/14 - a welcome back and catch up beer w/ Amanda after zumba.
1215 - Smiley & Celeste over for dinner.And....Scary Santa @Super One w/ Doug.
12/16 - Great Zumba class...and BOGO candle sale.
12/17 - Oh Robyn.  She made me salad in a jar.
12/18 - Mark drove me to my car so I could acoid the icy parking lot of death.
12/19 - Gpt dressed up.  Hair looked good.
12/20 - Tonight I took a scalding hot jacuzzi bath - and it was te first time I felt completely at east ....in as long as I can remember.
12/21 - Gilda pounced in a box...confused by the bottom of the box....shes new to boxes.  Adorbs.
12/22 - Toured Fairlawn mansion tonight w Ms. Stephanie.
12.23 - Got cookies made....mandy and I were not prepared for this.
12/24 - Roses from Jen....&  Randy watched Malcom in the Middle with me.
12/25 - watched "It's a wonderful Life" for the first time.
12/26 - Planning for 2-16!  :)
12/27 - Chavo love.
12/28 - Ordered new sheets.
12/29 - Bought tequia.
12/30 - Liz clapping during zumba....she always does it....but today her free spirit ways made me smile extra.
12/31 - Had a very amazing NYE party with so many people I love.  (Jamde, Matt, Steve, Jen (and Abby), Mandy, Ken, Randy, Dan, Amy, Robyn, Erin, Colin, Celeste, Smiley Renee, Mike, Matt Sam.
1.1 - Just feeling happy.  Lazy...but happy.
1/2 - Parents came to visit (late xmas) - gma put together a nice photo album for me.
1.3 - {Private}
1/4 - After 3 months of not paying attention - I'm back on the healthy wagon.  Salad, eggs, and double zumba!
1/5 - sushi w/Mark.  "Captain obama" = kapetogama
1/6 - Renee's adorable zumba face.
1/7 - this is the sexiest lunchroom ever  - Mike A.
1/8 - Got to snuggle w/ a handsome man.
1/9 - Robyn day!  What gonna do w/ that dessert?"
1/10 - Feeling fairly accomplished today.
1/11 - New Girl
1/12 - Alex is going to be new physical therapist.
1/13 - Had some time at home tonight, enought time even to meal prep.
1/14 - Mandy's tango head flip.
1.15 - seeing Mr. Socha for te 2nd time....in a week!
1/16 - Got a full hour workout in at home, before enjoing a lazy day.
1/17 - wallyball - first game of 016.
1/18 - I think Ilike my new Dr.   That's important.
1/19 - Got home by 6:15.  Made dinner, colored....that's it!!!:)
1/20 - Seriously new Girl ....& my boss & I had (though rushed) in person discussion.
1/21 - My mom liked her bday present.
1/22 - Doug brought me a sandwich.
1/23 - Danced to South gof Superior w/ my pals.
1/24 - Therapeutic phone date w/ Julia.
1/25 - Mark shoveled the walk.
1.26 - Schmidt.  Just hilarious Schmidt.
1.27 - Pre zumba shots & talk w/ Dawn.
1/28 - went to a play w Mandy.
1/29 - Bob VanDillen (HLNmeteorologist) confessed nightmares about water towers chasing him.
1/30 - Dawn incorporating her payment from a customer in her karaoke song.
1.31 - A beautiful, warm (45 in January) sunny day.
2/1 - Julia (& her dad)
2/2 - Good PT session w/ Alex.  Take that, hamstring.
2/3 - phone date w/ Julia.
2/4 - Good conversation w/ Amanda.
2/5 - Randy's reaction when he accidentalyy said "you're slippery".
2/6 - Sleepover w Robyn!
2/7 - Dress up date & super comfs w/ Mandy.
2.8 - Got a ton done just getting home 1 hour earlier.
2/9 - as painful as it is, I think my Pt is definintely finding some trouble spots.
2/10 - Digging te new book Im reading.
2/11 - AMAZING celebrity dance challenge - really fun event!
2/12 - Spewing all my emotional guts to Jamie w/ wine and pizza.
2.13 - [private]
2/14 - When talking to Julia she said "I can totally see you standing there looking at the sky with your hands on your face"...and I was doing just that.
2/15 - chicken tacos.
2/16 - feeling confident w/ PT
2/17 - babystepping back into zumba
2/18 - Mandy's card.
2/19 - Robyn...and she got me a coloring book....and she colored w/ me.  :(  She's a good caretaker.
2/20 - Stephanie coloried with me too.  :)
2/22 - Painted nails.
2/23 - Lots of rest.
2/24 - Good, caring coworkers.
2/25 - Doug's and my conversations about eyeball flaps & bacon floors.
2/26 - A much needed, delightful glas of Malbec at the beautiful Pickwick w/ charming, knowledgable staff, and one of my besties (Randy)
2/27 - 54 degrees in Feb.  A pretty nice winter.
2/28 - Niki called me.
2.29 - Back to Zumba....and the knee was great!
3/1 Alex "Oh no.  My instrument of torture bounced away from me" (and Randy and I are scar friends)
3/2 - Great elliptical morning.
3/3 - "2 drink tickets and an astronaut diaper" - Marge
3/4 - Just...realizing what a nice week it was.
3/5 - Got a surprise check in the mail.
3/6 - [Private]
3/7 - Just feeling good....and Sense8
3/9 - katie came to Zumba with me.
3/10 - Rock Star parking afer lunch.
3/11 - Such a fun time w/ Grace.  :)
3/12 - Ang-tron'bday fun....& some new shirts.
3/13 - watched a movie while cleaning bedroom.
3/14 - Cribbage/lunch reuinion with Mike.
3/15 - Luch w. PeeWee and his Oz beard/stache.
3/16 - Upper Body Fix.  I liked it!
3/17 - Had so much fun at ballroom w/ Mandy.
3/18 - Gilda joining me for Pilates.
3/19 - Got to hold a glock, felt badass.  Didn't shoot it...so not really that badass.
3/20 - super clenaing mode - here I come, Goodwill!
3/21 - Love zumba...and getting more flexible at yoga.
3/22- meal prepped.
3/23 - Alabama Shakes rockin my day.
3/24 - My boss' email that made me belly laugh.
3/25 - The "Electric Lumberjack" dancing to South of Superior.
3/26 - Finally cleaned the house
3/27 -A nice, LONG workout....and then a much needed day to myself.
3/28 - Finally got that one stretch down at yoga.
3/29 - Little Ryder bouncing along to the music and loving his taggy.  :)
3/30 - Me night of coloring.
3/31 - Night time text/chat w/ Julia.  She's still my biggest supporter miles & miles away.

BAM! 2014

Happy New Year everyone!  I...am excited.  I'm excited for you.  I'm excited for me.

For me, 2013 was...as close to perfect as I've experienced.  I started working out and eating better in January 2013, and as a result...everything around me changed.  Physically, I felt healthier, emotionally I felt happier.  Those are the 2 things everyone strives for to really feel good.  We don't need material things or significant others to feel good....those are bonuses, but we need ourselves to feel good FIRST.

I've met some new fantastic people to add to my Fantastic People Circle.  Motivational, fun, HAPPY, inspiring people that I'm so proud to know, and I'm incredibly encouraged by them.

This year I got down 45 lbs...and was feeling awesome and extremely confident, though I still had a lot of work to go, I felt great.  THEN....these holidays happened.  Gained 10 lbs.  For the last 2 weeks I've been down on myself about it, haven't been exercising as much (partially because the studio has been closed but reopens tomorrow!!!!).  So, 11 months, I barely slipped  up at all, and when I did I just worked it off guilt-free.  But yes, holiday booze, holiday treats, lack of zumba, blah.  That did it.  I've felt off, dressing in baggier clothes, not having as much energy, confidence slipping....but it's over.

I let it keep going through today and now...I'm excited.  Our next Biggest Loser Challenge starts tomorrow and I'm so ready.  I'm going to hit that 50 lb mark within 3 months.  That WAS only 5 lbs away, but now is about 15.  But I am SOOOO so ready I can't hardly contain my excitement, and that alone is starting to give me my confidence back.  I'm going to make this year just as terrific as 2013 and by the end....a realistic goal, I'll be down a total of 60 lbs.  I think I can do more, but....small goals first.  Ready to rock it!

Now for you.  I know many of you have had a very hard 2013.  Many.  For all of you, I hope for new beginnings for you.  Loved ones you've lost, families who have split, problems with your children, you made it through.  You did, and you will continue to push through.  For you, I want you to know how proud I am of how you've handled your situations, each and every one of you, and how I'm sorry for the issues you've been dealt, and how very excited and hopeful I am for you to have a fresh start.  Some may be starting completely over, and some may just be ready....for the next round, but I'm excited for you to just....get the moments to breathe, look around, and see all that you DO have. We are so capable; we just need to truly believe in ourselves.  Trust that you'll be okay.   I love you all and let's all look forward to a fantastic 2014!

See that person over there? Compliment them.

Never feel awkward about paying someone a compliment…not only can it make a person feel good, but it may give them a boost they need to keep going.

The past couple weeks have been tough for me.  Everything around me that has to deal with plumbing, electricity, or a motor…seems to be breaking.  It’s been stressful to say the least.  While I haven’t been necessarily eating “terribly” – I haven’t been put the effort into “paying attention” like I was.  And for the last few nights at Zumba….I just haven’t been giving it my all.  I’ve been at roughly the same weight for about a month, and then gained 3 lbs in booze and candy weight.  I was really starting to feel discouraged after 10 months….I was worried that I was starting to wind down.

Yesterday I said under no circumstance would I eat ANY Halloween candy from anywhere, and I would not have a drink after work, which for some reason has been delightful lately.  I got home from work, toasted a bagel, drank some water, and changed into my Zumba clothes.  As I changed I looked in the mirror and was annoyed with myself.  Then I went to the studio.  I was standing there waiting for class to start and one of the other girls who is a regular in this class came up to me and said “Have you been losing weight?”  I said “I have….I’m down 45 but I’ve been stuck here for a long time and I need to snap out of this” and she said “that can be hard…but I can tell you’ve been losing”.  She, herself, has lost 83 lbs!!!  

And that’s all it took.  I gave it my all last night and sweated like crazy….and went to bed feeling amazing….AND….the scale was rewarding this morning by dropping my 3 lbs of Halloween sabotage weight.  Now to keep going so I can just get to 50!!!!  My point is…I knew I’d lost weight….but I’d been stuck for so long, that I couldn’t see it anymore….and then this sweetheart of a girl pointed it out and it gave me back my drive to keep going!  Not like I was going to quit, but my attitude was definitely shifting.

Not that long ago this happened to me again (well I guess it was the first time).  I’m on dating websites.  One day I was feeling particularly bad about this weight loss plateau….and I got a message from a guy who said “I saw you at the Flame.  You are so beautiful”.  Now…people compliment your pictures online and come on….we always use our BEST pictures online, right?  So normally I wouldn’t really think much of that….but he saw me….in person….candidly.  I even responded “when did you see me?”  and he said “the weekend before last…you were sitting at the bar”.  Dead on.  Yes I was.  I was so flattered that someone saw me candidly, while I wasn’t “sucking in” or standing upright with perfect posture, etc…I was just lounging with a pal (who is stunningly gorgeous by the way) and he took notice.  It made me feel wonderful – and again…pulled me out of the funk.

That said, we are truly the only ones who can make ourselves feel better.  But when you see that someone has worked hard for something and you take notice….tell them.  Whether it be their body, their yardwork, their cooking, their smile, their job, their writing, how well their children behave, tell them.  Sometimes people just need some encouragement.  It’s not selfish…it’s being human.  Sometimes I think people are so concerned with how their kindness will be perceived…that they forget how it feels to be noticed.  Take the risk of sounding flirty or “sucking up”.  You’ll make someone’s day.

Passion

Passion.  It’s the only word I can think of to describe 2013.  I ended 2012 in a sorrowful, pitiful funk...and started 2013 with force.  I aimed to do things a little differently and I have, and I feel like I’m truly about to burst at the seams with how passionate I feel towards…everything!  It's as if I can't wait another minute...for whatever is about to happen in the next minute!

Gym – it’s not that exciting, but thanks to my dear friend Mandy letting me borrow her Nook…I look forward to it every day.  I’ve never been able to read and ACTUAL book on any workout machines, too hard to read a steady line, and keep the book open.  But with the Nook, big font, lies flat – perfect!  AND this way I don’t stay up super late reading, I only read when I’m at the gym so with a good book…it’s something to look forward to, and before I know it my time is up – sometimes it’s WAY up and I’ve had no idea!  Great!

Zumba – yeah yeah – I’ve said it before, but I just love it.  I love the music, I love that it makes me interested in actual dance, I love the workout, and I love the people.  I have made quite a few new friends through several nights of Zumba, and have dragged several of my friends to zumba as well.  The instructors are so positive, it’s not like they are there to do their job and force you to bust your ass…it’s like they are there to have fun with you and make sure you’re having a good time (while busting your ass).  I put this on Facebook a while ago…but it’s fitting for this blog.  During our last session in the former studio, the instructor (Jill) killed us with a particular routine.  When it was done I said to her (while out of breath) “How do you not die?”  and without skipping a beat she said “You live!”  So simple.  Love that girl.

Friends – Broken record I know, but I do know the greatest people, and I challenge you to disagree.  Although if you're reading this, you are probably one of them...so no reason to disagree!  It’s almost overwhelming at times because I want life to slow down.  People often say “don’t you think you’re too busy?”  But I don’t.  I’m very, very busy yes...but I keep it balanced.  My “me time” – is when I’m doing what makes me happy.  All of this makes me happy.  Working out, solo or in a group, and seeing my friends...  Yes, it may be hard to schedule things sometimes, but I really do make an effort to spend time with everyone.  Everyone reading this (and not reading this) is important to me.  Once again we had a beautiful 4^th of July.  Every year a group of us goes to Island Lake. This was my first year without my sweet Budha.  BUT…1. I happened to be watching my friends’ dog for the week so I brought him along, and  2. Happiness is what you make of it.  Beautiful day, with fantastic friends….bliss.

Kitchen – I FINALLY made it to a comfort level financially to remodel my kitchen (nothing major, but to me, it was major) – and though I still have one window and one door to trim, I did it….and it feels fantastic.

Dating – I’ve been dating again recently and it feels great.  No one person in particular but just being back “out there” after being is such a miserable funk last fall/winter.  I love meeting new people.  Or…even being stood up can bring about a hilarious story when you have good friends to laugh about it with (Thanks Amanda, Lisa, and Mandy!).

I feel great.  I’m conscious of what I eat, and how much or little I work out in a day.  I’m remembering to appreciate the small things, to be grateful for what little I have and know it can always be worse, and to really let people know how big of an influence they are in my life even if they don’t think so (and if you haven’t heard it from me yet, know that it’s true for you as well).

I just feel like…after having a miserable 30, and a tough time breaking into 31...I’m finally at a point where...not only am I accepting of it…but I’m ruling it!

Feeling Disgusting and Loving it!

I just posted on Facebook "sweating out of my earholes".  That's pretty accurate.  Let me explain.  I've battled for many years with trying to lose weight.  I've probably lost like 250 lbs if you add up all the times I've lost the same 10!  A few years ago I lost 29.8 lbs.  That was my record.  Then over time I gained about 37 back.  Hmph.

Well...throughout all of this, I've still remained active, but not increasingly active.  Same activities, gym, walking the pup, volleyball, wallyball...but never really bumping it up.

I lost my pup in August.  After swallowing several struggles and always being happy to bounce back when I saw that face..that was the straw that broke the camel's back.  It wasn't just the missing her, it was everything that she healed....reopening.  I don't expect that to be understood...she just...she was the best part of my day.  That's it.  Love my friends, family, life, but regardless of what struggle was at hand...she was never a part of the tough times.  So...bottom line is I lost her in August and it took MONTHS to get - I don't want to say "happy" or "better" but "rejuvenated".  In December I realized there were many things I was just losing interest in, places I didn't want to go, people I didn't want to see, and to top it off - none of my clothes were fitting and I was at a point of accepting that.

I felt unhappy and therefore wasn't caring much about my appearance.  I didn't care much about my appearance, and therefore felt unhappy. I'm going to skip over the more personal stuff and cut to the chase...basically one day I realized I just don't want to fall victim to my own mistreatment. I don't want to wake up at 50 and feel like I'm 80. 

So....on December 28th, I said "Screw New Years, I'm starting now!", and I started eating right, and even bit the bullet and went to a Zumba class.  in about 13 weeks I lost 30.2 lbs.  A new record, barely, but a record none-the less.  Was it hard?  Not really.  That's what makes the "hard times"....HARD!  I didn't have trouble at all with it, a mini vacation had some set backs, as did not getting to the gym a couple times just due to timing issues....but I bounced back easy peasy.  However in the past 2 weeks, I've lingered between  maintaining and gaining 5.  Why?  Because I've just been in a funk...nothing major just small stresses getting on my nerves. So today I vowed that that's enough slacking and that I'm not going to stop just because I broke my previous record. 

So...I came home from work after a really long, exhausting day and more than anything I wanted a beer.  But instead I went to Zumba...I was mopey and in a daze the whole way there thinking about internal stresses and how to handle them and that really...in the grand scheme of life....they are nothing.  They are blessings really.  "Ohhh waaa...work is tough" - I have a job.  "Ohhh waaaa I want my kitchen remodel finished" - I have shelter.  Shut up, self.  So I got to Zumba....and it was a blast - and literally - that's the most I've sweat in a couple months...and I go to Zumba 3+ times/week!  I felt and still feel great.  Disgusting, but great  - and I feel like I've got that little extra umph to get back on track!

Every time I do well with losing, I get confident and then when I stop losing, well...it seems like a public defeat.  I hate that.  Is it going to happen again?  Let's be honest - of course the potential exists...but I feel great and I have the motivation and confidence to say...I'm looking forward the Facebook status I post that says "Today...down 50 lbs".  I hope to have that written sometime over the summer.

For now, my happy, sweaty, disgusting self...is calling it a day. Good night all.

Holidays: This Blog's for You

I am asking you to do most of the work in this blog.  I want to know what your holidays are like.  Do you have to travel far enough to take a plane, a train, or a road trip longer than 6 hours?  With whom do you get together?  Your parents?  Your children?  Your in-laws?  Yourself?  What do you do?  Tell stories?  Play games?  Go to church?  If you get together with family, how often do you see them?  Do you do a Christmas dinner?  How many houses do you have to attend?  What does it mean to you?  Is it just another day?  A sentimental time?  Does it make you happy or stress you out?  What do you love about it?  What do you wish was different?

Okay, now really think about all of those questions. Tell me the answer.  Tell me what the holidays are like for you.  Now...a lot of people comment on my blogs via facebook, however, if you choose to remain anonymous please comment on the blog itself as "Anonymous".

I've had several different styles of Christmas.  I've spent some completely alone (well with Budha), I've spent some with just the folks, some with far away relatives, one with a family I just met even though had always been a part of, and some with siblings and children.  I've had several days to bask in holiday days off, and I've also been very rushed...but I want to know about yours. 

Do tell.