Blog Hop... Favorite Kid Photos

Favorite Kid Photos

It's fairly obvious that I love children and adore the children in my life. My blog, my office, etc are filled with pics of them.

Today, however, I'm going to share one of my favorite photos from my childhood. As a Native Central Floridian, I've always been fortunate to be able to go to Disney World. I've probably been about 500 times in my life, lol. These two pictures are from when I was about 2 or 3. I'm looking for the perfect double frame to eventually put them in.

My mom and Heidi riding Cinderella's Carousel.

My Aunt Jen and I riding Cinderella's Carousel.

Weekly Workout Blog....

Week 7....

Sunday: 30 mins on the Elliptical and 40 on the Treadmill

Monday: Curves and a trip around the lake (3 miles)

Tuesday: 30 mins on the Elliptical and a trip around the lake

Wednesday: Nothing... I was exhausted

Thursday: 30 mins on the Elliptical and a trip around the lake

Friday: Curves

Saturday: Nothing.... unless you count the trek I took at the Rascal Flatts concert. The parking lot at the Ford Amp/Fl State Fairgrounds is ridiculous, lol.

Grade for this week: B.... Pilates and I are not friends, unfortunately. I did walk more than my goal!

Goals for this upcoming week:

• Go to Curves at least twice
• 30 minutes on the Elliptical machine at least 3 times
• Pilates at least 2 times
• Walk - either by lake or on treadmill at least 3 times

Patience....

I am generally a patient person. In fact, I'm sometimes patient to a fault.... it becomes a disservice to me because while I'm patiently waiting for what I think I want, other things pass me by.

Sometimes it pays off, though. I worked and waited for 3 1/2 years for the job I have now. I knew I wanted to be there and so I stuck it out. I did basically everything they asked of me, was available at the drop of a hat, and proved that I deserved to be there. Eventually, it paid off.

I'm almost 6 months in to the full-time thing and I do love it. It has its downfalls, but I do love it. To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure whether I'll be there forever or eventually try for other things. But, I had a goal and I met it. It just took an extreme amount of patience.

There's a small part of me that wonders what would have happened if I'd tried harder to find something else. But, I love the people I'm around and the place I'm at. I truly think this is where God wants me, at this place in my life.

Here's the thing..... I'm so patient that I really hate the times when I'm feeling impatient. It doesn't sit well with me.

When I'm feeling this way, I take it as God's way of nudging me into a serious conversation with Him. These times are the times that I most feverishly seek Him out and ask Him what His will is for me. It almost becomes a 24/7 talk with Him.

I realize that I should be doing this anyway. That my entire life should be one continuous talk with Him. I'll admit that I have "God Time"... not as much as I should.... and then, it's like I've done my part and I go about my day.

It's not like I say my prayers and then go kick puppies. I generally try to live a life that He would approve of. However, I really should be carrying Him with me through the day.... or, letting Him carry me.

All that to say..... I'm feeling very impatient, right now. And, insecure (for some reason, impatience leads to insecurity with me). I'm really talking with God about this. I'm asking Him to help me see the path that He wants me to take. If He wants me to stick it out, I will.

I would just love to know that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe I should stop looking for a light and be led by His light?

Show Us Your Life - Wedding Dress

Kelly from Kelly's Korner has a new blog carnival called "Show Us Your Life" and this week's is Wedding Dresses!

Now, I am not yet married nor to have immediate plans to be. However, I certainly love weddings and dreaming about mine!

My absolute DREAM dress couldn't be posted... the images were protected. I am posting the link to it, though. At a remote once (bridal fair), I saw this dress. I actually said to the male DJ, "Please excuse me as I turn into a total girl, right now.......... I WANT that dress. Do you think I could buy it now and save it for when I actually do have someone to marry?"

He looked at me like I was insane.

That was ok, though. I spent 3 hours lusting over the dress. Then, I spent another hour online searching for the dress. I simply love it. I don't even know that it would look good on me, lol... I just love it.

Even though I couldn't post pictures of the dream dress, I did want to post something to look at. So, I'll show you my favorites from the Disney Bridal Collection. They've recently updated the site and taken off some of my other favorites, but these are the ones still up there.....

I don't know if I'd ever be able to pull this off, but I think it's gorgeous.

This one is my absolute favorite from the Disney Bridal line. I guess it's similar in style to the Casablanca dress. I just think it's so flowy and romantic.

Um... eww

So, a while ago, Mojito Maven posted about digusting sweat puddles at the gym. It was one of those posts that resonate so much that you think of it every time you see a pool of sweat.

Well, I've actually experienced something even more putrid.

Today, I'm at the gym and the only available Elliptical machine is in between two men. One is breathing rather heavily. The other is sweating profusely.... enter the sweat puddle. I promised myself that I would put on my IPod and just stare straight ahead, ignoring my neighbors.

Then, I start smelling something. It was rather strong. It smelled a lot like Body Odor.

Yes. One of those men had not worn deodorant. I spent 30 minutes trying desperately to breathe through my mouth. I also did everything possible not to outright gag.

Ewwww.

"Figuring it out"... and a whole lot of other fun summer stuff...

So, other than working out, what have I been up to over the past few weeks?........ (at the very bottom there is an update regarding "The Guy"... just saying, lol)

1) Watching "Big Brother"

I seriously love this show. It's one of the 6 reasons I like summer. Between BB and 'So You Think You Can Dance' I'm always fully entertained every summer. It's completely addicting.

So far.... this year isn't the worst (um, hello, Season 9 - the Winter Edition), but it's not the best (imo, Season 2, 7, and 8 - Boogie/Will and The Donatos are always my favorite).

Who I like:

Jeff, Jordan, Michelle, Laura, and Casey

These two are so cute!!! I'm almost willing to say that they are cuter than Nick/Dani from Season 8, in the showmance department.

Who I can't stand:

Natalie, Jessie (seriously... I hated him last year... why is he back?), Chima, and Ronnie

Who I'm still on the fence about:

Lydia, Kevin, and Russell

2) 4th of July and other summer activites

Besides work, I've been out and about. July 3rd, I went to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure with some friends. It was a LONG day, but we had so much fun. July 4th - I was invited to 2 different parties, so that made for a busy day. One was with some work friends and the other was personal friends. We had a good time at both!

I also headed over to St Pete for another Rays game. Once again, I forgot my camera and only got a phone photo with the person sitting next to me, lol.

Me and Ash at 90's Night at the Tropicana

3) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I love Harry Potter. I just do. So, naturally, I went to see it twice the first weekend it was out. I really enjoyed it!!

This weekend, I'm planning on "The Ugly Truth"... can't wait for that one!!

4) Gaylord Palms and Blue Man Group

Technically, this was work, but it was super fun work. We had a remote at Gaylord Palms.... they were A-MAZING!!!! I adore working with them and hope we get to more, in the future!

Then, later that evening, we had tickets to see Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando Resort. We've been working with them and the morning shows were set to interview them, so they were kind enough to supply us with tickets. It was a lot of fun. Personally, I prefer Cirque... I think there's more to see and you can easily see it multiple times. Blue Man is fun, but kind of a "once you've seen it, you've seen it" event.

5) "The Guy"

Not a whole lot of major changes between the two of us, but there's been some big changes with him. He's been going through a rough time the past few months. While it's hard on him, he's really maturing and growing. Hopefully, it lasts. He's surrounding himself with what seems to be really great people.... I can tell that he's seeing things differently. It's actually really amazing to watch and be a part of. Again, I pray that it lasts.

Meanwhile, we were at a monthly work birthday party and when I left, he followed me. "I need to get some tickets from you."

We were chit-chatting as we walked up the stairs and then when we got up to the top, he started getting silly (I turn left to go to my office.... he turns right to get to his cubicle)....

"That's right, I'm following you. Yep, I'm following you. And, I'm not going to stop until I get what I want from you."

Well, what was I to do, but turn my flirt on?

"Oh, really? And what is it exactly that you want from me?"

Come on, people. Flirting 101. Not hard and still under the guise of joking around.

"I haven't quite figured that out, yet."

Well, then.

I let it go... we got into my office and switched to the topic of what tickets he was wanting. But, I found that interesting.

I still get frustrated with him. I'm still not sure where I stand with him. I still pray every night that God shows me what His plan for me is in this situation. We'll see.

Weekly Workout Blog....

Week 6....

Sunday: 30 mins on the Elliptical and 30 mins on the Treadmill

Monday: Nothing... totally intended on it. Then, my graceful self tripped UP the stairs at work. Yeah, the bruise/goose-egg on my leg was pretty nasty.

Tuesday: Curves

Wednesday:Nada.... worked and went to see Harry Potter!

Thursday: 30 mins Elliptical and 30 mins Treadmill

Friday: Nothing

Saturday: 30 mins Elliptical, 30 mins Treadmill, and 20 mins Pilates

Grade: B.... Still not doing so well with the Pilates, lol

Goals for this upcoming week:

• Go to Curves at least twice
• 30 minutes on the Elliptical machine at least 3 times
• Pilates at least 2 times
• Walk - either by lake or on treadmill at least 3 times

Three things you didn't know about me....

Three things you didn't know about me.....

1) I have 4 step-sisters, 1 step-brother, and 1 half-brother. Deina is 27, Megan C is 25, Brittany is 24, Brandon is 23, Megan H is 16, and Trevor is 16. Yes, I have two step-sisters named Megan, lol. Trevor and I have the same mom.... he's 9 1/2 years younger than me. Because most of my siblings are in their 20's, most people don't realize that I have all these extra steps, lol. They only know of Trevor and Megan H.

2) I have four best friends from high school with whom I'm still close. I've been in all their weddings and hopefully, one day, they'll all be in mine. Ash, Mich, Shannon, and Meg are seriously amazing people that always make me a better person when I'm around them. Along with Heidi, they are four people that I can tell anything to and know they'll still accept and love me.

Ash, Me, Shannon, and Meg at Shannon's wedding (Mich wasn't there :(.... she had just gotten a new job in Georgia and couldn't get off to come).

3) Out of the almost 10 years I've been driving, half of that time has been SANS A/C.... in Florida. My first car was a 1987 Nissan Stanza with no air. I drove it for 2 years. Then, I got my 2002 Hyundai Accent. It was wonderful..... for 5 years. Then, the A/C went out. Last week, I got it fixed. That's right. I drove around for over 2 1/2 years without A/C. Why? Well, because I'm too much of a saver. I didn't have a full time job and was working 3 part-times. I didn't want to risk spending all this money on my car without a dependable income, lol. So, last week, I got it fixed. I'm in Heaven, right now, lol.

Weekly Workout Blog

Week 5.....

Sunday: HaHa... nothing

Monday: Curves

Tuesday: 30 mins on the Elliptical and 30 mins on the Treadmill (Today kicked my butt. Apparently, my body didn't appreciate my long weekend.)

Wednesday: 30 mins on the Elliptical, 30 mins on the Treadmill, and 15 mins Pilates

Thursday: Nothing.... I had a remote in Orlando (LOVE Gaylord Palms... they were amazing) and then, we got tickets to Blue Man Group at Universal (we're doing a promotion with us, so the morning shows got to go before they interviewed them).

Friday: Nothing

Saturday: Again... nothing. I worked most of the day and then went to a Rays game.

Grade: D..... yeah, not so great this week. Missed my Pilates goal by two... and my Elliptical and Walking goals by one. Just not good, lol. We'll do better next week.

Goals for this upcoming week:

• Go to Curves at least once
• 30 minutes on the Elliptical machine at least 3 times
• Pilates at least 3 times
• Walk - either by lake or on treadmill at least 3 times

Joining the Blog Hop!

I found this on Lauren's Blog and thought it sounded like fun! This week's theme is Favorite Photograph. So, without further ado.....

This is my current favorite photograph.... my cousin Heidi's two youngest children... Bella and Anthony. It was taken this past weekend, over July 4th. I just find it breathtaking.

In fact, I had it blown up to an 8x10, put it in a nice frame, and hung it up in my office at work.

Weekly Workout Blog...

Week 4....

Sunday: nada

Monday: 30 mins on the Elliptical (on which I totally kicked booty... I've moved up a level!) and 30 mins on the Treadmill

Tuesday: Curves. I planned on doing more, but was exhausted. So, I didn't, lol.

Wednesday: 30 mins on the Elliptical and 30 mins on the Treadmill

Thursday: 30 mins on the Elliptical, 30 mins on the Treadmill, and 20 mins Pilates

Friday: Technically, I didn't work out. However, I did walk all over Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios for 12 hours.

Saturday: Nothing! Happy 4th of July!

Grade: B.... still not doing so great with Pilates. But, I'm doing awesome on the Elliptical and walking!

Goals for this upcoming week:

• Go to Curves at least once
• 30 minutes on the Elliptical machine at least 3 times
• Pilates at least 3 times
• Walk - either by lake or on treadmill at least 3 times

That's right. I'm upping my walking goal. Usually, I walk after I go on the Elliptical, anyway. But, this will be my 5th week keeping track of my exercise, so I want to add something in.

One of the six reasons I like summer.....

Panera's Strawberry Poppyseed Salad with Chicken

Seriously, I eat this salad at least once a week. I actually want to cry (though, I never have) in September when they no longer make it.

"The Guy" refers to it as "your salad." About a month ago, we went to Panera and I actually asked the guy at the counter if it was coming back, "Because, Memorial Day was Monday... so, shouldn't ya'll have it by now?" The next week, I saw it on the website. He agreed to go to Panera, so I could get my salad... only, they weren't serving until the next day. "The Guy" offered to go somewhere else and come back the next day, just so I could eat my salad. THAT is how much I love this salad.

Usually, I get the salad with an apple as a side. Um, not today.

Today, I got the salad.... with bread.... and a chocolate chip cookie. In my defense, I've been craving a cookie for a week now. Finally, it caught up with me. They always say to wait a while to see if the craving goes away. Well, it didn't. So, I ate the cookie.

Yes, I plan on going to the gym.