Semi-Wordless Wednesday

Yesterday, was a rough day for me.

 It was a realization of something in my life that has taken more than it is giving me.

 I realized in my weakest times I turned to something destructive that always left me with more guilt than happiness. 

 I realized that as I looked in the mirror I was not the person I once remembered and liked.

Besides all of the weight I had gained to hide from my past I had also lost sight of the person I once used to be.

 I was covering it up with not only weight but hiding behind partying, "forgetting" and realized it was only dimming my light more and more.  

Yesterday I decided to start finding that person who I buried so deep inside of me.  

Bridesmaid Bookcamp

It's August!


It's actually 11 days into August already! 


Where has the time gone? 


It hit me earlier this week as I got back into my normal routine that we are closer to the end of the year than from the beginning, which means I have a lot of events coming up:


September: 5 year college reunion


October: Visit to Chicago to see my brother, sister-in-law, and one of my best friends.


December: Home for the holidays seeing lots of old familiar faces


March: I am going to make my debut as a wedding planner


June: Three weddings to attend: 2 of which I am in.


August: 10 year high school reunion


Lets face it. I am SIGNIFICANTLY overweight and have been whining about it for years now instead of doing something.  

I have a lot of important things coming up and I am sick of being the fat friend, always a bridesmaid, the larger older sister, the one who is "curvy". 


Although I don't want this blog to turn into my own version of "Bridget Jones' Diary" I hate to admit even she would gasp at my starting weight and the journey ahead.  


(its not hard to pick me out of the photo. Hint: I am not black)


So, with weddings and reunions on my brain I want to start my pathway to losing weight today.  


Its time to rethink what I eat, drink, and how active I am.  


Guess I better start setting the alarm clock for 5:00 a.m. to hit the gym. 

What's around the corner?

Just the other day, one of my best friends called me with news that literally had me smiling for hours.  After meeting an amazing man back in February, they started dating. On a random Tuesday, he took her out for ice cream and as they walked back to her apartment he asked her to spend the rest of his life with him. She said yes. and the ring is gorgeous!   

Its funny to think that if you had asked me a year ago from now if I would believe my friend would be engaged today, I would have never believed you.  

Last year around this time, we were preparing for another friend's wedding.  Both single, and both working a full time job.  We had even laughed at the thought of us sharing a hotel room at another wedding since we were the two single bridesmaids again.  It was hard to even see the word boyfriend, let alone husband in our close future.  We had both felt a little down about our current situations but tried to comfort each other with the idea that something is out there for us, we just couldn't see it yet.  

When she called on Tuesday with the news, after my immediate gasp and screams of joy, I began to start thinking, that you really never  know who you will meet today, tomorrow, or even a month from now.

I remember a blog post of mine from back around Valentine's Day.  A fellow blogger posted:

"Happy Valentine's Day, my sweets! What are you doing tonight? On this day four years ago, I was feeling sad and lonely....and had no idea that I was only two weeks from meeting Alex. It goes to show that you never know what's right around the corner!"

The phrase although sappy and somewhat far-fetched is actually quite true.  Even last Christmas, my dear friend could not see that just around the corner was her future husband.  Within months of dating and falling madly in love she realized it was her soulmate.  Having someone close to me have this happen to them helped to bring some light to my current situation.  My friend Emily was living proof that this is true.  

As I approach my 27th birthday a small part of me is scared to get closer to 30. Aging only gets me thinking of how far from my childhood goals/dreams I am getting as another birthday approaches.  However,a lot could happen in the next year. I could finally shed the weight that I have always wanted to lose.  I might find a new job, settle in a new area, or even yet, meet someone who will change my life.  Instead of dwelling on what hasn't happened up to this point in my life, I need to rejoice in the face that its a new year and a new day for something to happen.

I am looking forward to meeting my friend's fiance on Saturday for lunch and finally getting to smother her with hugs and kisses.  I am so happy for her and can't believe this day has finally happened for her too!

Congrats Emily and Joe!

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

Ten on Tuesday

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

1. Mac or Windows? (Or Linux for you super geeks!)

Windows - but not because I like one over the other. Just got a Dell for College and never switched over to MAC

2. What drew you to that operating system?

Sadly, I didn't even think about it except for convenience, however, I know how passionate MAC users are.  Windows has always worked for me so if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  But I guess I could improve.. :)

3. Mice – Wireless or Wired? Mouse pad or none?

Wireless Mouse.  I love my Mouse but love that it is wireless.  I also don't have a mouse pad right now.  Does that made me a bad mother?

4. Other than the Internet – What do you use your computer most for?

Staying organized with event and wedding planning.  Creating projects and gifts for family members. Organizing my photos

5. What’s one computer-related thing you wish you were best at? (CSS, Photoshop, Excel, etc.)

Photoshop!

6. Describe the first time you ever used a computer.

I can still remember one Christmas discovering the Apple computer my parents bought for us.  Well it was Santa at that time.  I was so young but loved those Olympic games with the log throwing, running on the log, etc.  Did anyone else play these?

7. How often do you upgrade to a new operating system?

I would say every four years? Actually at that rate, I am due for another one soon.  Maybe next year?

8. Are you a short-cutter (CTRL+C) or a right-clicker?

Yes! I love finding out new ones too! But I usually only do the basic ones

9. Is computer-use a constant thing in your life (such as using it both at work and home) or do you get a break (because you don’t use them at work)?

Work and at home.  I am on a computer about 60 percent of my day (that is sad I know)

10. Where do you think the world would be if personal computers did not exist? 

I am not sure! I can't imagine my life without one.  How would I stay so organized.  Google amazes me every day when it comes out with something new.  I would be so lost without it.  Or would I just think life was fine.  I love that we know more about other people in the world and about their lives from the computer/internet. 

Back to Reality

When my alarm went off this morning I realized vacation was officially over. 

 No more waking up to the bright sun rising over the sand.

No more gorgeous sunsets over the horizon

No more funny faces and cute antics to make my cousin's 

kids eat their food each night. 

No more scooping crabs out of the swimming pool at 9:30 a.m.

so that I can lay out all day. 

And no more fresh seafood dinners. 

I will miss almost everything about the beach, but today I go back to reality.  Back to working 9 hour days and living life in the city. Although I am sad vacation is over, its sort of nice to get back into a routine.  

Last day on vacation

Today is the final night of vacation. I am so sad to see it end. I have enjoyed mornings at the beach, afternoons by the pool, evening play time with the kids and nighttime game nights.

Love the sticker artwork on of the kids gave me?

I am sad to see the vacation end