farewell texas.

Today is my last day at work and the day before my last day in Texas. :( Although, I'm super stoked, I'm also sad. Texas has been good to me and I'll always hold a special place in my heart for her. Texas made me grow up and be an adult and she's the reason I'm able to make this move tomorrow.

I'm really glad Carly & Misty will be making the trip to Hot Springs with me...it'll give us some more bonding time on the way. As soon as we get there, we're unpacking and then it's off for a girls night out (our last one for a while)! I'm going to try and keep the tears in check but it's gonna be hard saying goodbye to two years of my life.

Today is weird. I'm sad but still excited. I'm stoked to be moving closer to my family where I can see them everyday. I can't wait to be reunited with my best friend of six years, for good. I can't wait to see how my life unfolds back in my hometown. I'm excited for a new house, new job and new school. This is a very good thing and I can't wait for it to begin!! :)

As for weight loss, I'm holding steady; just as I expected. Amber & I have devised a weight loss regimen for when I return home and after I get settled in. I'm looking forward to a change of scenery; some new walking trails, a different gym, yoga. I will definitely keep you guys posted on the weight loss!! :)

I'm not sure when my internet will be hooked up at the new place so I may be a ghost for two weeks or so. My Papa is still working on the floors and I have a ton of cleaning to do before I can even consider setting my computer up. But, when I have access to the internet I will definitely post so you guys know I survived the move!!

I can't wait to start this new adventure and I'm glad you guys will be right by my side!! :)

♥k

moving day is nearing...

My last weekend as an official Texan was this past one. :( That's some sad news right there. So, me and the girls decided to make the most out of it. We went to my favorite little honky-tonk in Oklahoma and had a blast. Then to the lake on Sunday to see Damien, Branden & Keaton before I left. :)This week is so super busy. I seriously have something that has to be done every single day on top of packing up the rest of my stuff. And, this week it finally decides to rain. Thanks for that. It hasn't rained in like a month and it's going to rain straight through next Wednesday. Well, that puts a damper (quite literally) on my moving plans. Looks like we're going to get wet! :( I just keep telling myself...it's a small price to pay to be back in Arkansas. I hope that holds true!

As far as my weight...I'm maintaining. And that's all I'm really asking for until I get settled. It's extremely hard to lose anything with all the running around I've been doing. And it seems like everyone wants to celebrate my move with a dinner. Geez, my friends are killin' me! So, I haven't gained anything but I sure haven't lost anything either...I figure that's okay. FOR NOW. I haven't made it to the gym in about 4 days which is crazy for me...but I'm hitting it up tonight when Misty gets off work. I can't wait til everything is moved and I can settle into a routine again. This whole not going to the gym thing is killing me because I feel so gross! I see no difference on the scale...but I just feel different. You guys know what I mean? I never thought in a million years I would be upset because I didn't have time for the gym...geez, that's great. :)

I guess that's it for now...I'm trying to get better at keeping you guys posted! :) I'm moving in 3 days!! And, now I'm finding that I'm kind of torn about the decision. Is it possible to be completely sad but still excited?

♥k

skinny dippin'

You know how I love to tell you guys about new music...well here's someone you'll really like! I'm a huge fan of Ashton Shepherd, a true-blue country singer...and I've found someone who runs a close second to her! Her name is Whitney Duncan and she's great! Check her out...you won't regret it.

Whitney Duncan

More CMT Music

More CMT Music Videos

♥k

hey bloggy friends.

A quick update: I've been running around crazy getting ready for my big move! :) I got EVERYTHING packed up this past weekend, with the exception of things I use on a daily basis. So, I'm super excited! So, I was surprised with some gifts at work today! (Gotta love my co-workers!) Wrapped in Hannah Montana wrapping paper (my fave), I got a really nice convection/toaster oven that I am stoked about using! Also, I got some bathroom towels and rugs and of course, a Texas picture to put in my house so I never forget the Lone Star State!This past weekend wasn't anything spectacular...I spent most of my free time packing and talking on the phone to my Grandma about furniture finds. But, I was dragged out of the house Saturday night to celebrate my friend Lacy's birthday! :) Which ended up being a blast, of course!!

I'm still hanging on as far as weight goes. 52 pounds and holdin' steady. Boy, I sure wish that number on the scale would decrease a little!! I decided, with only two weeks left in Texas, I should take full advantage of my gym membership. So, yesterday I left work, worked out at the gym for an hour and THEN came home and walked 5 miles with Misty. Whew. Needless to say, I'm sore today. It's been a long time since I've put that much exercise into one day. :) But, I feel fabulous and I'm planning to continue the same pattern for the next two weeks so I can see some difference on the scale before leaving Texas!

Anywho, that's about it. I just wanted to update you guys and let you know I'm still kickin'!!

♥k

when the dog bites, when the bee stings...these are a few of my favorite things!

I've been inspired to write a post about my favorite things. I did this a while back but this is more of a "product post." I'm one of those people that if I find something I like, I have to share it with everyone! I need to spread the love around! So, this post is where you'll my find my favorites in diet snacks, books, stores, or really just anything that grabs my attention!! I hope you guys enjoy it!

I LOVE...
weight loss memoirs. (This one's for you, Jenn!) My faves: Half-Assed by Jennette Fulda and Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster. If you haven't seen these...please, go out and get them. They are fabulous.

You can also follow both these authors at their blogs....which I do every morning! Take a look at Jennette's here and Jen's here! You guys are gonna love 'em!

I ALSO LOVE...
Capri Sun Roaring Waters drinks! If you're anything like me...you get tired of water sometimes. So, I started buying Capri Sun's instead, for only 70 calories I could get a refreshing juicy drink with my dinner. Then, I realized my beloved Capri Sun's have anywhere from 20 to 30 mg of sodium! Ack! So, then I discovered Roarin' Waters...they have anywhere from 10 to 15 mg of sodium which is better and they're only 30 calories! Delicious! :)



THIS, TOO, MAKES ME HAPPY....
Snapfish.com! If you're an avid photographer, like myself, then you should definitely visit this site! I take all my photos digitally and this site makes it possible for me to upload my photos and have them developed and shipped to my house in a matter of days. And the best part? Each print only costs 9 cents a piece! Absolutely great!! :)


So, I guess that'll be it for now. :) I hope you guys enjoy this and it's helpful! ♥k

thank you amazing life!

School? Check. House? Check. Job? CHECK!! That's right...I'm officially ready to go to Arkansas! I got a call today notifying me that I got the job!! YAY!

Not only am I out of the 200 club but I'm into a new job! Thank you amazing life! :) I totally believe that the amazing-ness that is happening now is a result of me living a healthier life. Remember when I vowed to treat my body right in January? Well, now she's paying me back!! Thank you! :)

♥k

life is ONEderful.

My weekend was amazing.

Somehow I managed to NOT take pictures. What?
This is the only one I got out with. :)
By the way...I'm no longer a member of the two hundred club.
As of yesterday. :)
Ecstatic!
♥k

ok, ok...last one. i promise.

Okay, I had to blog this! I ran across an even BETTER before/after comparison and I wanted to share it because it kinda gives me butterflies in my stomach!! Not so many as it used to of course, since there's not that much tummy there anymore! :)

February 2009 (2 months into my lifestyle change.)

July 2009

Holy freakin' cow. I love it. :)
Okay, that's it. I promise.
♥k

i just dropped a grant! (progress pics)

What a beautiful morning! I love my scale today...she was oh so good to me this morning. As of today, I have officially lost 50 pounds!! It's about time! So, I thought, hitting this milestone called for some progress pictures! :) Yayyy!

Okay, I can barely look at this...ewww. This was in December 2008. On Christmas, this was 10 days before I officially started my diet. Don't judge too much! :)
And now, 50 pounds lighter!!

I've still got a ways to go...but I'm proud!! Thanks for the encouragement guys! :)
♥k

13 reasons.

Browsing blogs this morning, I ran across an interesting post from Jenn. In order for me to stay on track with anything, it's very important for me to make lists; that's why this caught my eye. Jenn listed 13 reasons she wanted to lose weight. The idea is to make the list and keep it somewhere visible so you can view it whenever you need to. Almost like re-inspiration (if that's a word).

So here's my list: 13 Reasons I Want to Lose Weight

1. I want to be healthy. I want to change my lifestyle to fit a healthy persons life.
2. I want to be confident again. It makes a world of difference!
3. I want to nip this "overweight" thing in the bud while I'm still young. :)
4. I want to be able to look in the mirror and like what I see.
5. I want to be able to do more physical activities.
6. I want to show myself I can accomplish such a big task.
7. I want to love my body.
8. I want to be in shape and become an active person.
9. I want to be able to have children when that day comes.
10. I want to be able to find a wedding dress that's not in the plus size section.
11. I want to be able to find ANY clothes that aren't in the plus size section.
12. I want to be confident enough to stand in front of a classroom of middle school students and not feel like they're all making fun of me.
13. And lastly, I want to lose weight to make ME happy.

♥k

carly's 23rd birthday extravaganza....

in pictures.

Friday: Carly's surprise party at the VFW!

Saturday: Carly's party at Crosswire!

Monday: Birthday dinner with friends at Chili's. :)

Needless to say, Carly got DAYS of celebration for her birthday! :)
All in all, a fabulous weekend.

a weight loss post.

Remember when exercise was fun because you knew it would produce results in a week on the scale? I loved those days. The days when I couldn't wait to leave work to get my gym on. The days when everything was fresh, new and exciting. Now, I seriously have to PUSH myself to get to that gym. I feel so guilty for skipping the gym, I find myself walking 5 miles throughout my town with my workout buddy, Misty. Hey, I guess any exercise is better than none. Luckily, my disgust with the gym hasn't produced any pounds that stick to my center. But, I'm not losing, I'm maintaining. And now, is NOT the time to maintain. I'm a mere 4 pounds away from my first goal weight. Notice I said first. I still have ANOTHER goal to obtain after this one! I need to get it in gear and start moving again!

Thankfully, I have great blogger friends like Dana, Wendy and Shelley who keep me inspired! After reading their posts this morning, I've decided...no pain, no gain. I should never think it's okay to skip my exercise because you know what? That's what got me in the shape I was in. Dana talked about being a creature of routine...this is so me. You know how most people take 30 days to form a habit? Well, it takes me about 5 so it's extremely important that I stick to a routine and do NOT stray from it.

Everything is going so great right now...job interview, new house, new school, new town. I get to start over. I think I'm letting my extreme glee and excitement take over the other aspects of my life. I sometimes forget that I'm not finished with this journey; that it's going to be a lifelong adventure.

Someone once told me that once you lose 10% of your body weight, you'll feel an amazing difference. They're right. I feel phenomenal. I'm doing things physically that I haven't done in years, if ever. I'm more energetic and I don't mind doing a little work. Wendy's blog really registered with me about this. A couple weekends ago, I was asked to help move some cows from one pasture to another. Six months ago, I would've given that person a dirty look and rejected the idea completely. Now, I just smiled and said sure. No qualms about it...that's a difference.

I know I've come a long way since January 5th, the day I started this diet. And I am definitely grateful for the progress I've made, but still, sometimes, I get down and out about the scale never moving. I'm doing my best to have a positive outlook everyday and from this day forward...there will be no more skipping exercise. Promise.

♥k

news.

I have a job interview.
Keep your fingers crossed for me!
:)