Would you rather...........

I had an *awesome* birthday! Thanks for the great wishes!

I'll have to post about it and other things later. As part of my birthday, I'm being whisked away on a fun trip! Pics and details to come :)

However, my good friend Marianne tagged me and I'm going to follow through...

Would You Rather.....

1. live in Death Valley for a year OR see Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus in concert everyday for a year? (no, earplugs are not allowed.)

I'm going to say Justin and Miley. I'm choosing to go on the premise that I work on the tour and therefore am being paid to see them in concert everyday for a year.

It's a small career dream of mine to work on a tour, so I'll accept that those two cheeseballs are apart of it.

2. live off of pickles for a year OR live off of McDonald's for a year? (Three Words: "Super Size Me")

McDonald's......... at least there is some variety.

3. give up blogging (writing & reading) for a year OR give up watching TV for a year?

Sorry friends.... I'd choose Blogging.

I've only been blogging for two years. I've been watching TV my whole life. I *heart* TV.

4. be a 60-year-old virgin OR Michelle Duggar**?

Michelle Duggar.... she seems really, really nice. She loves kids. And, no matter how droopy she is, her husband still seems to want to have sex with her.

5. drive a Smart Car OR a Matchbox Car? Because, really, they are about the same size.

If it's a Matchbox Car, can I at least have one of the power cars? Like you get at Toys'R'Us.... I always wanted one of those to ride in.

6. marry Snooki OR Mel Gibson (sexual preference aside)? If you are unfamiliar with Snooki, let's say Kate Gosselin.

Mel Gibson........ I can handle crazy and nasty.

7. have dinner with Osama bin Laden OR Kim Jong-il?

Forgive me for asking, but who is Kim Jong-il?

Whatever, I'll go with bin Laden.

8. travel to all of the European countries OR visit all 50 states & Puerto Rico & D.C.?

As much as I want to visit parts of Europe, I'll go with the 50 states +. We have a great big beautiful country that I'd love to see.



Sorry, Marianne, my answers weren't very funny, lol.

And, I'm tagging anyone that wants to be tagged (because I'm too lazy to look for people, tonight).

Happy Birthday to Me!!

That's right, folks! I am officially TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS OLD.

AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Do you realize that is only three years from 30?

Insanity.

I'll be perfectly honest.... this is a scheduled post. I'm currently at work, basking in my birthday glow and eating whatever I want (calories do not count on your birthday...... it's the law). I'll post about my birthday later.

However, I have some goals to declare.

From August 25, 2010 to August 25, 2011, I would like:

1) To lose weight...... and be at my goal weight. - Forget the small goal nonsense. I tried that and apparently my small, manageable goal was so small and manageable that I didn't take it seriously enough. I have a lot of work to do, folks. This is the year to do it.

2) To work on improving my relationship with the Lord. - I have really come closer to God, in the past eight months. I need to keep working on learning what the Lord has to teach me and follow His plan for me.

3) To start investing privately. - Again, I enrolled in my company's 401K plan. I want to do some of my own investing.

4) To get some of my relationships on even ground. - The past year has been a trial. I am coming into my own a bit, at work, and some of my "friends" are having a time with it. It's a bit of a thin line to figure out where I need to set up boundaries. I don't want to lose friendships, but I don't want to be taken advantage of, either. I'm hoping to get some clarity and peace about the situations.

5) To have a better year. - 26 kind of sucked. I've cried a lot in the past 12 months. I'm hoping and praying that 27 is a little happier.

I hope you all will follow along for this next chapter of my journey!

Taking Inventory..........

When I started this blog, I made a list of goals before I turned 26. Then, I forgot about it, lol.

Funny enough, I came across that post, right before my birthday, last year. I had a great time looking back at my accomplishments for 25. Then, I posted some new goals.

Keeping with that theme, I want to look back at the past year........

1) To keep losing weight.... specifically, at least 26 pounds. - Not just because I'm 26 and that was cute, but losing 26 lbs would put me at a very even number. A number I think I'd like. Not to stay there, but that would be closer to my actual goal weight.

- *Hides head in shame.* Not quite. Let's see, I lost 5 and then another 5. Then, came January and "the letter which was never answered" and I gained both 5's back. Then, I lost another 3 and now, I've lost 11 since the beginning of June. So, while I lost 24 lbs, I am still 12 lbs from my original goal for 26. YUCK.

2) To continue to try to live and appreciate life more - I want to stop and smell the roses, etc.

- I feel I've done that. I DEFINITELY appreciate the little things.

3) To start investing - I've got the amount in my savings that I've been working towards. Now, it's time to really start investing.

- Yes and no. I'm enrolled in my company's 401K program. However, due to some circumstances, I'm not to the private investing that I wanted to be doing by this point.

4) To work on moving out - Not necessarily by the time I'm 27, but I need to be getting close to it.

- Still working on it. I love my family, but do want to eventually be on my own and be a "real" adult.

5) Either be with or get over "The Guy"... basically, get some closure on the situation - The "will they/won't they"...."I like you, do you like me?" stuff needs to be on its way out. He's a close friend, but I can't go on like this for another year.

Like I said a year ago, his little announcement the day before my birthday (a year ago TODAY..... really hard to believe) sort of made it so that my 5th goal would be done pretty much immediately.

Then, he actually moved. And, we kept in contact. A lot. A whole bunch, in fact. Like, talking on the phone for an hour on Christmas Day.

And, my feelings only grew stronger. Whoops.

So, I wrote "The Letter."

And, I didn't hear back from him.

To this day, we have some communication (minor communication) about once or twice a month. At NO point do we mention the letter or feelings or anything resembling. But, we still circle each other and keep tabs on one another.

All that to say........ sadly, still working on it. I've come to realize (and am slowly starting to accept) that I'll probably never be fully "over" him. He'll probably always hold a special place in my heart. But, I'm getting there :)

Tomorrow, I turn 27 (still a little leery of that number)!! I have a new year of goals all ready to go!

Memes-O-Rama and Day 30

It's the last day of the challenge. Boy, these 30 days went by fast, lol. Thanks so much to Krystal for hosting this challenge!!!

Day 30 – Your Favorite Song At This Time Last Year

Summertime - Kenny Chesney

It's one of my favorites EVERY summer. Especially once I've been to his concert.

You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift

This time last year, this song was absolutely MY song. TG had just gotten out of a relationship. We were getting really close. It was right before he left.

Boots On - Randy Houser

This song is fun and became a great joke between me and my friends at work.

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Lauren's Fill in the Blank Friday

1. My favorite current TV show is Big Brother. Every summer, I am sucked into the vortex of the Houseguests and the craziness of the game. And, as it's currently the ONLY new television I watch in the month of August (SYTYCD is over and the new stuff hasn't started), I'm thrilled with 3 episodes a week.

2. The TV character I can relate to most is probably Rory from Gilmore Girls. Fairly normal with a side of quirky.... good friend.... loves tradition.... pretty smart but not a genius.


3. My life is like (fill in with TV show and why).... Brothers and Sisters. My family is large. We love each other one minute and hate each other the next. And, we somehow end up in these crazy situations that are absolutely hysterical.


4. My all time favorite TV show is probably All My Children and General Hospital, just because I've watched them forever. I also would say Full House.


5. A TV show that is ridiculously stupid, but I continue to watch is The Bachelor/ette. It's ridiculous, but I love it. I also love the silly ABC Family shows.


6. My favorite TV couple is Doug and Carol on ER, Joey and Pacey on Dawson's Creek, Sonny and Carly on GH, Hayley and Mateo on AMC, Kendall and Zach on AMC, DJ and Steve on Full House.... just to name a few. I love TV relationships, lol.


7. One TV episode I could watch over and over again is the episode of Friends when..... well, I love most all of them and will laugh and laugh and laugh.

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  1. Do you have any nicknames and if so how did it come about?

I have several, but I've also answered this question several times.



2. What is your birth order amongst your siblings?

I'm the only child between my mom and dad.

On my dad's side of step-children, I'm the second oldest. However, I don't have a whole lot to do with that side, so it's kind of a moot point.

On my mom's side of step/half siblings, I'm the oldest.

Did you follow all of that, lol?


3. In a movie of your life, who would play your significant other?

Oh, the options, lol.

As I don't have a significant other, I really can have fun with this one.......... George Clooney, Gerard Butler, Shane West, John Duhamel........



4. What is currently your favorite song?

For all things song related, take a look at my 30 Day Song Challenge.


5. Are you saving your money for anything right now? Big or small purchase?

Not really. I'm just saving as much as possible.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Last, but certainly not least...........     Heather and Melissa are now hosting Monday Minute!  
*Favorite 80s flick?

Back to the Future, Dirty Dancing, Batman, and Adventures in Babysitting (which left me terrified of subways for a very long time)



*One genre of music needs to be banned. Which genre?

Probably heavy metal or the scream crap.



*All time favorite candy?

Starbursts, WalMart fruit snacks (seriously, they are the best fruit snacks ever), Milky Way, 3 Musketeers, Zero bars (have you ever had them? sooooo good)



*How 'flawed' is your driving record?

*knock on wood* I have a perfect driving record.



*What was high school mascot?

Vikings..... or, as I would say during cheerleading, "V-I-K-I-N-G-S!!!"



What color socks are you wearing?

I'm not wearing any. I don't wear socks unless I'm working out (and therefore wearing tennis shoes).

Weekly Workout Blog

Weekly Workout Blog - Week 63

Sunday - Nope

Monday - 15 mins Elliptical and 30 mins Treadmill

Tuesday - Curves

Wednesday - Nothing.... I usually go to Curves, but didn't get out of work in time. So I had to make it up on Thursday with a super Power Workout.

Thursday - Curves, 15 min Elliptical, and 30 mins Treadmill

Friday - Curves

Saturday - 15 mins Elliptical and 30 mins Treadmill

Exercise-wise, I did AWESOME. Hello, Curves three times and Treadmill/Elliptical three times. It helps that I now have a YMCA-buddy. My coworker M and I go and are trying to make it at least three times a week. However, I didn't completely track all days. For two days, I only partially tracked. I am *confident* that I stayed within my limits, though.

Goals for this upcoming week:

• Track ALL food  (EXCEPT for Wednesday as it's my birthday and I will eat whatever I want, lol)
• Curves at least 3 times (this is in line with a Challenge they're having at the gym)
• Treadmill/Walk at least twice
• Elliptical at least twice

Bonus points if.....

• I make it to a Zumba class.
• I do pilates.

Mish-Mash Sunday and Day 29

First of all, thanks for the prayers! Trevor was released yesterday afternoon. After observation and testing, they once again couldn't find anything. So, we're back to the "live life normally, hope it doesn't happen again, and here's what to do if it does......." game.

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  The Q's......


1. If you could host a Reality TV show, which one would it be?

The Amazing Race..... I'd love to travel all over the world like Phil.



2. Do you put your seatbelt on before or after you start the car?

9 times out of 10 before I start the car. The other tenth of the time, I do right after.



3. Shave or hair removal cream?

Shave....... I don't mind hair removal cream, but it's messy and stinky.



4. What's your favorite feature in a house?

The living room.... I love couches and TVs and hanging out with family and friends.



5. What is your favorite "Fall" scent?

I love them ALL!!!!!



6. What tv show are you looking forward to seeing the most this Fall??

The return of all of my favorites!.... Grey's, Glee, Big Bang Theory, and so many more, lol.



7. Personal Shopper or Personal Chef?

Personal Chef that can cook and also count all my calories for me.



8. What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of "Fall"?

Awesome!!!!!

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  Day 29 - A Song From Your Childhood

Wild, Wild West - Escape Club

When I was little, this song was one of the songs in my dance recital. "The big girls" danced to it and had these awesome costumes with the fluffy skirts.

I thought they were the best dancers with the best costumes and the best song. For months, I would watch the recital and that dance over and over. I would beg my mom to get my crinoline skirt so that I could put it on and dance around the living room, lol.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  Sunday Stealing  1. Are you happier now than you were five months ago?


Working on it :) I am in a much better place, mentally, physically, and emotionally than I was 5 months ago.



2. Have you ever slept in the same bed with anyone that you shouldn't have?

No.



3. Can you sleep in total darkness?

Yes. I prefer it, in fact.



4. Your phone is ringing. It’s the person you fell hardest for, the one who got away, what do you say?

I'd start with "Hi" and eventually work my way to, "It's about friggin time."



5. What do you think about the weather this summer?

It's hot and nasty and I'm ready to be DONE with it!



6. How many people do you trust with everything?

About three.



7. What was the last thing you drank?

Iced Green Tea from Starbucks



8. Is there anyone you want to come see you?

Yes........ my cousin Heidi and her family!!



9. Name one thing you love about winter?

I LOVE that it's not so blasted hot! I love Christmas and great smells and awesome food and time with family/friends!


10. Have you ever dated a Goth?

That would be a negative.


11. What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Our boss' birthday party (which I pretend in my head is mine since my birthday is two days later).


12. Name something you dislike about the day you’re having?

So far, so good. I'm a little sad about an ongoing rift between one of my friends and I, but I'm trying to put it out of my mind. Things today have been good.



13. What's the longest that you have committed to one person and one person only?

Longer than I should have.



14. What’s the first thing you did when you opened your eyes today?

Hit the snooze button.



15. Has anyone ever told you they never want to ever lose you?

Yep.



16. Is there anybody that you wish you could fix your relationship with?

Yes.......... the same person that said that is the same person who is making things really difficult, right now. She's a friend who is making it really hard to make it a friend.

I know I'm a broken record (keep in mind that I've just come off of a short FB chat with him as he was checking on my brother), but I would like to fix my relationship with The Guy. Even if we aren't meant to be a couple, we actually made really good friends and I still miss that.



17. Could you go out in public, looking like you do now?

Yes. I just got back from church about an hour ago, so I look just the way I did there.



18. Do you think things will change in the next 3 months? How?

I sure hope so!

I hope to have lost more weight!

I hope that my friendship will be out of rocky territory!



19. Do you believe that you never know what you got until you lose it?

Some people operate that way. I try really hard not to. I try to appreciate what I have, when I have it.



20. Do you have a friend of the opposite sex you can talk to?

Yes, but not what I would tell a lot of my girlfriends. I used to have a guy friend that I could talk with about most anything, but not anymore.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 28

Day 28 - A Song That Makes You Feel Guilty

I don't really know what this means.

Wait.

I do feel guilty about liking a couple songs. Their content is horrible and yet, I think they are awesome.

Lips of an Angel - Hinder

This guy is telling one girl that he wished he were with her, while the poor girl he's actually with is getting ready for bed. Yet, somehow, with his voice and the music, it sounds super romantic.

I Love The Way You Lie - Eminem with Rhianna

I mean, really, this song is pretty awful. In case you haven't heard it (though, it's on Top 40 stations every other second), it's about an EXTREMELY abusive relationship.

Well crap...... and Day 27

Well, I'll be honest. I had today's Challenge drafted and was going to just add my Friday questions.

Then, I got a call from my mom. She and Trevor were headed back to All Children's. He was at Orientation (he's starting his senior year on Monday) and walked my mom to her car. He apparently was feeling weird for a while but didn't want to cause a scene. Once they got to the car, he asked her to call his cardiologist. When she asked why, he told her that his heart was racing and hurting, again. "Just like the last time."

They immediately got in the car and headed to the hospital (about an hour and 15 minutes away), calling the Dr as they drove. By a pure pulse-taking, they were thinking his heart rate was over 200. However, by the time they got to the hospital, it was coming down. The first official take was at 155. Since his heart broke the rapid pace, they decided it wasn't worth it to go in. However, they did find that he had a fever.

They're trying to rule out an infection, as well as a blood clot in his lungs. From there, it's basically back to testing and observation. He's been admitted. For a while, his heart rate would go up and down. Then, it started skipping beats. He's stabilized now and is mainly irritated that this is happening, again. We thought we were in the clear.

Please keep him in your prayers!!!!!

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Day 27 - A Song You Wish You Could Play


As I can't play any of them, I would like to play whatever, lol.

I do think these are beautiful songs, though.......


Apologize - OneRepublic

Christmas Eve/Sarajevo - TranSiberian Orchestra

I LOVE this song. When I was in college, I almost got to Christmas without hearing it and it depressed me. Then, I was walking through a movie theatre and it was on the overheard. I literally started jumping up and down, I was so excited.

When I was subbing during the holidays, I had the whole CD and my class would listen to it during desk work. They thought the CD was weird at first and then would beg me to listen to it.

I love it.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 26

Day 26 – A Song That You Can Play On An Instrument

Nothing.

I literally have nothing for this one.

I used to be able to play "Jolly Ole St. Nicholas" on the piano, but that was in the 2nd grade.

I might be able to remember "Hot Cross Buns" on a recorder if I tried.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 25

Day 25 - A Song That Makes You Laugh

Cherry Lips - Garbage

I laugh every. single. time. I hear this song.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 24

Day 24 – A Song That You Want To Play At Your Funeral

This one has me stumped. I really have no clue. I actually had to look up common funeral songs.

Here are some pretty and sad songs.........

Arms of An Angel - Sarah McLachlan

Amazing Grace - Judy Collins

Someday MY Prince will come........

Exhibit A

Friday night, I was at the Brad Paisley concert (post to come) and spent a few minutes texting back and forth with one of my friends/record reps. She is dating another record rep who happened to be there that night. I was teasing her about her not being there (none of her artists were on the tour) and she was texting back, "Have you seen my super hot boyfriend, yet?"

We were gushing about how much she loves him (after several frogs, she truly deserves to be treated like the princess she is........ this guy is wonderful to her), how much she misses him, and how much we both can't wait for ME to be that happy. "I can't wait until you're in this situation. It's the best feeling EVER."

Exhibit B

There is this guy at church that I've always sort of had my eye on. Our families are good friends and we have several mutual friends, but we've literally had like three conversations in the past 13 years.

He's cute. According to everyone that knows both of us, he's a great guy. A couple of not-so-smooth-matchmakers have tried to set us up. He's soooooo not interested, but that's ok. He doesn't have to be, lol. He's just intriguing to me..... like I said, I have my eye on him and it's fine to leave it at that.

Yesterday, he came in with a new girlfriend and was introducing her to several people. I've noticed that he has a trend for VERY TALL girls. This chick was close to 6 feet tall. His last girlfriend was pretty tall, too.

I'm guessing that my 5'7" isn't up to his standards, lol.

Anyway, I'm sure they are very happy. Whether or not they work out remains to be seen and really doesn't effect me, either way. I just thought it was interesting to sit back and watch, lol.

Exhibit C

This morning, one of my good friends and coworkers came back from a week-long cruise. We were all kind of speculating that she'd get engaged while she was gone, but weren't completely sure.

Then, she changes her FB relationship status from "In A Relationship" to "Engaged."

After giving her a bit of crap for making me find out on FB, instead of coming down the hall to tell me in person, I demanded to see the ring and hear all details. She is SO happy and too stinking cute with her ring on her finger (it's actually a little too big and needs to be resized, but she wanted to wear it to work today, lol).

I'm SO happy for her, too.

Conclusion

All these people are happy and in love, and I want to be, too, darnit!!!!

I want to hate being away from someone for 10 days and be jealous of the friend states away that gets to see him while I'm stuck working somewhere else.

I want to go to church and introduce my new someone to all my parents' friends, while they beam that I've found myself a winner.

I want to change my FB status and wear that pretty ring on my left hand.

I want to be able to tell all of you about him.

I know my turn will come. I know that God's timing is perfect. I know that there is someone out there for me that will exceed every expectation I have.

I just wish I had an idea of when, who, and where.

I also wish that I knew that I was doing everything God needed me to do in order to find the person He has planned for me. I pray about it and worry about it, sometimes.

The urge I have to be in a relationship has NEVER been this strong. I'm not ready to get married, right this minute, but I'm ready to find someone with whom I can start thinking about it.

And, a few years down the road, I want to have kids with that person. I like being carefree, but I'm also starting to feel the faintest pulls to be a mommy. Trust me, they are FAINT and I'm not ready for them to be any louder.

Someday, my prince will come............. until then, I'll just keep praying for him.

Monday Minute and Day 23

(The graphic is the link)


If you could have plastic surgery, would you? If so, what would you get done?


I'd get the scar from the surgery I had when I was a baby fixed (it's ugly). I'd get a boob lift (big boobs and gravity don't coincide).



What laws have you broken?

I speed. Other than that, I'm pretty law-abiding, lol.



What is your quirkiest habit?

I only eat one food, at a time, and in a certain order. I also don't like my food to touch.



If you only had 3 songs to listen to for the rest of your life what would they be?

I canNOT answer this. It's too difficult.


How often do you have sex?

Nunya, lol.



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Day 23 – A Song That You Want To Play At Your Wedding


Let it be known that I have NO intention on walking down the aisle to "Here Comes The Bride." While I'm fairly traditional, all I can think of when I hear that song is the childhood ditty, "Here come the bride, all fat and white. There stands the groom, skinny as a broom."



Someday My Prince Will Come - Cassandra Wilson

Finally - Fergie

A Page Has Turned - Bebo Norman

Not only is this song a beautiful piece about two coming together, but it has a neat history for me. I've been a part of all of my High School best friends' weddings and they've all used this in their weddings. I can't wait for them to be in mine and for me to find a way to use this song.

Just You And Me - Jayson Belt

Yes, I got this from General Hospital. I just love this song.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 22

Day 22 - A Song You Listen To When You're Sad

Usually, when I'm sad, I get in my car and drive. I typically sing at the top of my lungs to one or all of these songs, lol.



Held - Natalie Grant

LOVE this song. It reminds you who is really there when you need Him.

Fearless - Colbie Caillat

I Never Told You - Colbie Caillat

The Middle - Jimmy Eat World

This is one I like to use to "dance it out" (if your a Grey's fan). Really, it's a great song to just remember "It just takes some time, little girl, you're in the middle of the ride. Everything will be just fine. Everything will be alright."

Sunday Questions

This Friday was a little nuts and I missed out on my Friday Fun, so I'm squeezing it into Sunday.

  The Q's.




1. What kind of athlete has the hottest body?

Soccer players or basketball players.

We didn't have football at my High School (or college, for that matter).... soccer and basketball were our major sports. Have you looked at a soccer player with their shirt off? H-O-T




2. Are you a planner or a procrastinator?

Both. Absolutely both, lol.




3. Diet or regular (soda)?

I've (almost) completely given up soda. Since the beginning of June, I've had exactly 6 sodas. This is a major accomplishment for me. While 3 of them were Coke Zeros, I'm trying really hard to stop. I'm trying not to take in artificial sweeteners.

Obviously, I much prefer regular soda.




4. What's your one "must have" for Fall?

A comfy long-sleeved shirt. It doesn't get really cool down here during the Fall, but at night it does get nice. I like long-sleeved shirts.




5. What's your favorite fast food restaurant?

Chick-Fil-A...... YUM!!!




6. What do you think is the sexiest profession for a guy?

I've found that I tend to be attracted to DJs, lol.

DJs tend to have great personalities...... slightly cocky, but not too much so..... usually fairly humorous.... interested in music.... usually pretty personable. If you find one that's also physically attractive, you're in BIG trouble (ie, The Guy).

It would be best if I found someone NOT in the same business as me. However, I spend most of my time around them. They (or someone related to my job) are pretty much the only people with whom I come into contact.

Krystal, back me up on this one, please???




7. Did you wear braces?

I did. I cheated with my rubber bands, though, so my bite is still off. It's my own fault.




8. Would you rather have a guy that's super sexy or kind?
 
I love Keely's answer......... kind is sexy.
 
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  1. Have you ever visited another country? Yep. Honduras for my Senior Trip. Also, I've been to Canada. 

2. What's the strangest place you've ever visited?

I don't know.

 3. What is your favorite season? Fall. I love it. I adore it. I can literally taste it.
  4. What one song will always cheer you up? For all thoughts on songs, take a look at my 30 Day Song Challenge posts. I will be posting today's entry later on.
  5. What Disney character do you resemble most? Belle? I have brown hair, blue eyes, and I like to read.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Last, but most certainly not least............ 

1. Birthdays are: absolutely AWESOME!! I love them. Some people like to claim that birthdays become passe when you become an adult. Only if you let them, I say. I like to spend the whole moth of August celebrating and anticipating my birthday. After all, if I don't care about it, then no one else will. I love celebrating other people's birthdays, too!!!

2. My favorite birthday memory was .... I have several........ however, I'll keep it to two...... one of them was going to MGM with a few friends on my 11th birthday. We had a party there and then I got to be in the parade..... The other one was my 24th birthday when my friend Shannon got married. It had been years since I'd been able to spend my birthday with all of my best friends. Even though it was HER day, it still was one of my favorite birthdays. I got to wear a pretty dress, I got my hair and make-up done, I got to be in lots of pictures, and I got to go to a great party with cake and a DJ. It was awesome!

3. A birthday tradition I (or my family) has is ..... I really don't know, lol. Other than cake and presents, there isn't really a unique tradition. I personally eat whatever the heck I want and don't think about the calories, lol.

4. If I had to choose one birthday meal to eat for the rest of my birthdays hence forward, I would choose The Melting Pot. LOVE it.

5. My birthday is on August 25th! 10 days away!!

6. If I could take a birthday trip I would go to Italy. I've been on several AWESOME birthday trips. I just want to go to Italy so bad, someday...... whether it's for my birthday or my honeymoon or just a really earned vacation.

7. The best gift I've ever received for my birthday was a trip to NYC when I turned 17. It was actually my high school graduation present, but my mom told me about it in August (on my birthday) and we went over Thanksgiving. It was the first time I'd ever gone and we had a blast. ALSO, last year, I got an amazing gift, which you can read about here and here.

Weekly Workout Blog

Weekly Workout Blog - Week 62

Sunday - Day of Rest, lol

Monday - Curves

Tuesday - Curves

Wednesday - Curves

Thursday - 15 min Elliptical and 30 mins Treadmill

Friday - Curves

Saturday - 15 mins Elliptical and 30 mins Treadmill

Super week!! I got weighed and measured on Friday..... I've lost 4 lbs and several inches. The best part was that I lost 2.5 inches at my waist. The second victory was that I FINALLY lost in my arms and thighs. Usually, they just stay the same since they're the smallest areas of fat, lol. However, this time I lost 1/4 of an inch on each. Awesome, lol.

Goals for this upcoming week:

• Track ALL food
• Curves at least 3 times (this is in line with a Challenge they're having at the gym)
• Treadmill/Walk at least twice
• Elliptical at least twice

Bonus points if.....

• I make it to a Zumba class.
• I do pilates.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 21

Day 21 - A Song You Listen To When You're Happy

I'm so irritated. I had a bunch of songs in mind for this one and now I can't remember them. But here are other songs I listen to when I'm happy.

Settlin' - Sugarland

Say Hey (I Love You) - Michael Franti and Spearhead

Beer In Mexico - Kenny Chesney

Bust A Move - Young MC

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 20

Day 20 - A Song You Listen To When You're Angry

This is a little difficult. For me, angry usually dissolves into super sad REAL quick.

Gunpowder and Lead - Miranda Lambert

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 19

Day 19 - A Song From Your Favorite Album

I'm sure you're tired of my Colbie Caillat and Lady Antebellum love. I understand. So, despite the fact their collective albums (two each; four total) are actually my favorite, I will move to something different, today. Besides, I've already posted about my favorite songs off of their albums during this challenge.... here and here.

I will, instead, pick a couple others from a few of my other favorite albums.......

Album: Fearless (Taylor Swift)

I seriously LOVE this album. I will admit to being a little fearful (pun slightly intended) that her next album won't live up to it.

Love Story

Tell Me Why

Album: Celebrity (NSYNC)

Ten years ago, this was my favorite album, period. I still can sing every song off of the album. They just rocked.

Selfish

Album: The Immaculate Collection (Madonna)

It's Madonna's top singles from the 80's. 'Nuf said.


Vogue

Like A Prayer

Express Yourself

Cherish

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 18

Day 18 - A Song You Wish You Heard On The Radio

I'd love to hear all of the three songs that I posted about my favorite band, last week. Those are three of my favorite Lady A songs and I wish they'd release them as singles.

Another one from Lady A....

Love's Lookin' Good On You

Also, I really wish that I heard more Colbie Caillat on the radio. She's not a favorite on the charts, sadly.

Here are some of my favorites that I'd love to hear on the radio.......


Tailor Made

Oxygen

I Won't

Out Of My Mind

Random Thoughts Tonight...........

1) I'm loving Britney on Big Brother. To be honest, this hasn't been the greatest season, but it's about to get better with this week's eviction.

2) I really hate to rush time. I like to enjoy the moment. I especially love to spend all of August anticipating my birthday. So, with all that said, I'm trying really hard not to wish for Fall. I'm trying really, really hard to love August and not wish for late September (which is when we usually get the first cool breeze/low humidity day hours.............. and, it's also when the new TV starts).

3) I don't really expect anything special will happen on my birthday, however, I still love it and love anticipating it. Besides, this year has to be better than the news I got last year the day before my birthday which made my actual birthday a little hard to enjoy.

4) My work friend issue has resolved itself and I'm super glad for it. She's on vacation this week and I got this great ecard, today. She sent it last week, but the Internet was apparently wonky and I just got it today. It was so sweet, it almost made me cry. Anyway, I am happy that I have my friend back.

5) I HATE that this is the last week of So You Think You Can Dance. What happened to this season?! It's gone by sooooo fast. I heart Lauren and Kent, so I'm going to have a very difficult time choosing between them.

6) The past several days have been really rainy and cloudy. Downright gloomy. I love it. A lot of people are complaining because they miss the sun, but I'm absolutely fine without it. The temperature has been lower because of all the rain and clouds (like 80s during the day instead of high 90s). I think I'd actually make a great vampire........ or employee at Seattle Grace.

7) My stepdad is currently watching an old western on Encore Westerns. Tuesday nights have sucked this summer for TV. Special thanks to CBS for moving BB to Wednesday night. I much preferred having it on Tuesdays. Keep that in mind next summer, K? Thanks.

8) Work has been super slow over the past few weeks. Today, I was gone at a meeting for an hour and a half........ when I got back I had ZERO voicemails and only two new emails (which were just confirming that they got my emails). Then, I took a long lunch and had ZERO voicemails and ZERO new emails when I got back. I literally didn't know what to do with myself, lol. I'm enjoying this as much as possible. Come September, I will be on overdrive until after the holidays.

9) I'm pretty sure that Marianne and I are cosmic twins. The similarities between the two of us are ridiculous. We've emailed one another multiple times with, "No, seriously, look at my answer to that exact same question. I promise I didn't copy and paste." Today, it went to a whole new level of freakiness, lol. I'm dying for her to come visit, but am a little scared that we'll hate each other in person because we're too much alike.

10) Cows are now running across my TV screen. I should go read a book or something.

11) I'm still pissed that someone stole the giveaway stuff I sent Gina.

12) My friend Meg is about to have a little girl. I'm already trying to predict the name and that she'll be born on October 17th. Could be totally wrong, but what the heck, lol. I just got the invite to her baby shower and I'm SO STINKIN EXCITED. A couple of covert missions led me to her shower gifts and I'm so excited to give them to her. I really, really hope she likes them. I can't post what they are, because my blog posts go directly into her inbox, lol. However, expect a follow-up post after her shower so I can reveal my sneakiness!

13) Several of my Bloggy friends have gone through some very tough times and losses, lately. It seems like it's all been within the past two weeks. I wish I could reach through the computer and hug each of them. I'm praying for you all. Know that.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 17

Day 17 - A Song That You Hear Often On The Radio

Um, I work at a radio station. If it's on the radio, I hear it. Not only that, but I get that what you hear on the radio is planned out and why.

That said............

My Maria - Brooks & Dunn

This song is on a lot. I hear it...... a lot.



Love Like Crazy - Lee Brice

It's on a lot, but I love it, lol.





Breakeven - The Script

I think this one is on it's way down and off the radio airwaves, a bit. But, still, I just heard like two days ago.

Monday Minute and Day 16

(fyi...... the graphic is the link)

What was your "oh no, I'm turning into my Mom/Dad" moment?

I'm not a Mom, but I am a pseudo-Mom. Plus, I was a teacher, so there has been plenty of opportunity. I've definitely used "The Look" on several of my charges. I also have used my mom's lines when a child tries to outsmart me.......... "Miss Jessica, if I sit in time out, my butt is going to get dir-ty!!".... "Then, we'll brush it off. Sit!"

Mainly, when I get into a snit, I realize that my snits are very similar to my mom's, lol.

What current commercial do you find the most annoying/funny?

I don't know. I'm sure there are some, but I can't think of them.

However, I personally am PRAYING that the crazed Holiday Lady comes back on the Target commercials, this year. I literally cried, I was laughing so hard at her last year.

If you could only eat one color food for the rest of your life what would it be?

Green..... That's healthy.

What is your current Facebook/Myspace/Twitter status?

I haven't been to Myspace in months and I don't have a Twitter account.

For FB...... "I've fought so hard I'm going to have to get another injection of Botox because of all the new wrinkles I have."........ I can't believe she just said that, lol.

I was watching Big Brother when I posted, lol.

F, Marry, Kill from this list below. Women pick from the men, men pick from the women.

•Snookie (from Jersey Shore), Ellen DeGeneres, Betty White

•Regis Philbin, Justin Bieber, Perez Hilton

I'd marry Regis. He's got tons of money.

Justin and Perez can take a long walk off of a short pier.

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Day 16 - A Song That You Used To Love and Now Hate



Temperature - Sean Paul

I used to love this song and then I had to choreograph a dance to it. It's so friggin repetitive, it was AWFUL to choreograph. I literally spent hours listening to it while on the Elliptical, trying to come up with something fresh and new. Cumulative hours, not all at once.

Now, I can't stand to hear it, lol.