Well I suck at this blogging thing ..

Just realized I haven't written anything in 2 weeks. Ehh .. I suck :-\ I'm just going to throw out some randomness ...

I've been doing a lot of nothingness. I seriously watched all 2 seasons of Scandal in a 48 hour time frame. I cracked out on that shit. I normally don't like the political drama .. but this was like a political thriller and it works. :)

I've also been NOT so go good on eating well and exercising. Which really sucks for me since I leave for the beach in a couple days. I always jeopardize myself this close to a goal. Hopefully after vacation I can get back on track and re-find my motivation ...

And for the past week I've been sick. Blah. I had a cold last week and pretty sure that it's now a full blown sinus infection. Can't breathe, coughing, can't talk. It's great. Monday a certain little boy named Spiderman helped Mommy go to the store for meds. ------> The lady at the register looked at us like she really thought a 2 year old was gonna rob her. Psh.

Mom Confession: I slept for 12 straight hours last night. This morning when the kids woke up I let Cailey handle Collin so I could sleep for a couple more hours til NerdyHubs got home from working 3rd.

She had to buy a new dress for awards day :-p

Reason #953728 why Cailey is so awesome. Last week was her last day of 2nd grade and I had a parent/teacher conference where her teacher told me how super smart she is [duh, she is her mother's daughter!] but seriously.. I was so proud. She is above grade level on most everything, and way off the charts on reading. Homegirl was reading 700 page books this year (granted they were Harry Potter -cringe!). At least she gets her love of reading honestly!

So smart .. Got the Principal's Award for Outstanding Student for her class!!!

I am normally a strict wine only drinker. I have always HATED beer. I've been seeing a lot of advertising for Bud Light Lime's Straw-Ber-Rita so I decided to give it a shot. OMG I'm in love.

yummy!

I had only bought one (huge 24 oz) and after drinking it decided I needed more. Thankfully we have a gas station right at the end of our road so I got another strawberry one and a lime one. I drank the lime one and it was good too but the strawberry is my fave. After finishing those 2 I had an amazing buzz. I popped the top on my 3rd and drank a few sips and realized that I better stop before I cross into vomitville. Instead I just went to bed.

We are leaving for Charleston Friday morning. My little sister is getting married Saturday morning to her army fiance before he gets deployed in late June to Africa. After their wedding the NerdyHubs, kids and I are going to Myrtle for a week. So many people say they hate Myrtle, but for us, it works. We love it. I'm so excited to lay by the pool with my kindle and work on my tan while sipping a fruity cocktail. Heck, I might buy a case of Straw-Ber-Rita's so I don't have to shell out $8/drink at the pool bar. Although who am I kidding .. Collin is probably not going to allow me to do anything. Cailey can entertain herself... hmmm.. I'm thinking leaving Collin & Lee in the hotel room during nap time is a great idea ! O:-)

That's all for now .. kids are whining for lunch. 

So What Wednesday...

This week I'm linking up on Shannon's blog to say: So what if .. 

• Even though I'm off work today I seriously contemplated sending Collin to daycare anyway just so I could have some time to myself [probably sleep] this morning. I didn't do it.. but I wanted to. 
• I didn't put on makeup this morning when I dropped Cailey off. I look like a pretty scary 12 year old without makeup on :-\
• I've been eating whatever the heck I want since ending the cleanse last week and I'm pretty sure everything is gonna come creepin' back on. [okay so I really DO care about that. gotta get my butt back in gear!]
• I am so freaking stoked for the NKOTB, Boys II Men & 98 degrees concert in June!
• And now trying to figure out how to see Backstreet Boys in August. Yes, I'm 13 again.
• We are going to Charleston May 31st for my sister's wedding and I still haven't booked our hotel. Maybe I should get on that today..
• My house is a mess. I have better things to do. Like...
• Read
• Catch up on like the million episodes of all my shows that I'm behind on. [think Real Housewives, Revenge, Nashville, 90210 .. I'm weeks behind on everything. too much reading]
• Nap
• Go shopping for new beach clothes even though I feel like a fatty
• Basically anything but clean?
• I just gave Collin a pack of gummies because he wouldn't stop whining for them. I believe in picking your battles and before 8am Mott's Fruit gummies is just not one of them.
• I just paused from posting this to put some chocolate fudge pop tarts in the toaster for myself.
• I make my 8 year old carry in all the groceries yesterday. 
• Nobody reads my blog!

Cailey carrying in the groceries yesterday. I'm a slave driver...

Mother's Day is Just Like Any Other Day...

Last night I came to the conclusion that Mother's Day is just like any other day.
Why is that?
Because from 4pm (when we woke up from a nap) and 9pm (bedtime) I was still constantly yelling at my two youngins to "be quiet", "calm down" .. "JUST SHUT UP ALREADY!" Okay .. so I didn't really say that, but I was thinking it. While my husband had locked himself up in our bedroom reading and napping before 3rd shift. I swear, I hate him. *eye roll*

Alright so my Mother's Day wasn't that bad. I woke up to a semi clean & partially vacuumed house courtesy of the hubs. And my presents on the table.

So you know how last week when I posted my Advocare Results I was all like "Oh now I'm embarassed cause my husband is going to see this.."? Yeah well apparently he must not really stalk me/read this like I thought. Because he did not read my Wishlist that I had posted of ideas for Mother's Day gifts. :-p

7pm Saturday night as I am about to indulge in my wine that I have been longing for for 2 weeks, I sent him to pick up my pizza when he informs me that he has "other stuff" he has to do on the way-- aka pick out a Mother's Day gift for me. But he did good .. a gift certificate for a mani/pedi which was actually on my list (but he didn't know that). The kid had each made me cards at school.

With my mom & younger brother & sister. Yes, at 5'7" I am the shortest :-\

Even though they drive me crazy and I was wishing they would listen to me yesterday and give me some peace & quiet, I love em! And I had to get some bedtime snuggles before locking them in their own bedrooms for the night. I would never do that ;)

Hope all the moms had a Happy Mother's Day!

Advocare 10 Day Cleanse Results!

Well, I made it! All 10 days are complete. I’m pleased with the results and even though I’m anxious to have some cheese or a slice of pizza or something else bad, I’m also scared to do so because I want to keep going with the weight loss to get to my final goal.

Eating on days 8,9 & 10 was still very similar to all my other days. Didn’t really change it up except for the fact that instead of overnight oats I’ve made a breakfast smoothie. I got this blender from Target on sale for $14.99 and doubted that it would work well, but surprisingly it has!
Breakfast Smoothie:
*8oz unsweetened vanilla almond milk
*1-2 scoops of Aria protein powder (2 scoops was too much for me)
*1 tbsp chia seeds
*approx ¾ cup frozen fruit (I used very cherry berry blend from TJs)
*splenda to taste (or whatever you use)

It was good but I’ve heard it would be better if adding a little greek yogurt (which you can’t do while on the cleanse). I did not consistently work out during this cleanse. I did Jillian Michaels a couple times, walked a couple miles another night. I have been doing Fitastic Mom’s ABsolutely Bikini Ready Challenge everyday though.

So I’ve really debated whether I wanted to actually put my weight and all that on here, but I know that’s what people want to see. (even my husband doesn’t know how much I weigh .. but I guess he will now if he stalks me. eek) I weighed myself daily even though everyone says not to because of daily fluctuations, but I kept that in mind (especially when the number jumped UP a lot one day! [like up 3 lbs] grr).

By the way, I am 5’7”.

Starting Weight: 153.0

End Weight: 146.6

Total Loss: -6.4 lbs!

Measurements:

Starting: Ending:

Bust- 37 36.5

Under Bust: 31.5 30
Waist: 30 29.5

At Belly Button: 36.5 35
Hips: 38 37.5
Arms: (r ) 11.5 (l) 11 same
Thighs: 24 ea 23 ea

I'm wondering if my measurements were correct to begin with? lol I'm happy with 6 inches lost in 10 days! ;)

I can see the biggest difference in my back fat .. which is a good thing to get rid of!!

What work tempted me with for lunch on Monday.

So my thoughts of the cleanse?
Do I recommend it? Yes. I think it is a good jumpstart to get you back on track and it’s nice to see the scale decline at a fast rate in those 10 days.
Do I think that it made me not crave my typical “bad” foods? No. I was satisfied on the foods I was eating - they were good- but I still wanted pizza and a glass of wine on Saturday night [see pic below] . Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the people around me were still eating that. My husband ate breadsticks from Little Caesar's one night in front of me, and I made mac n cheese for my kids. But it was still doable. At work Monday a drug rep even brought lunch but I didn’t go near it and ate my grilled chicken salad I had brought.

You can do anything for 10 days. But now it’s about what you do after those 10 days. And that’s what I’m worried about. We are leaving for the beach on May 31st (my sister is getting married in Charleston on the 1st then me, hubby & kids are heading to Myrtle for a week for our vacation). I’m not where I wanted to be. I had hopes of wearing a bikini at least one day, but not gonna happen. However, I do have a couple more weeks to work on toning and at least be happy with where I am. [no choice, huh?] So I’ve decided to TRY and continue on maybe an 80/20 clean plan. Even though technically today I’m no longer on the cleanse, I’m still eating good. Not giving into that pizza craving today. But, I’ll allow a cheat this weekend. I’m thinking some Kings Inn Pizza & Apple Raspberry wine. And then promise myself to get right back on track.

My poutyface for no wine on Saturday night.

Thanks for following!!

[I think I might have a panic attack since I hit publish and this is on the internet :( ]

Wishlist*

With Mother’s Day coming up, I thought it would be a great time to compile a wishlist.

1. A new iPad case, my current one is pretty beat up and currently doesn’t always sit up while I’m trying to watch my Netflix! I’m unsure if I want something bright & fun like this leopard print one. Or this Moko with really good ratings.
   
   
   
2. A freaking huge wine glass. Is that weird for my young kids to give me? I’m not sure why I need a glass that will hold a full bottle of wine .. sometimes I just drink from the bottle. But it looks neat and it’s been on my Amazon wishlist for quite sometime :)
   
   
   
3. Workout/loungewear. I love comfy yoga pants and want some activewear capris for the summertime.
4. Origami Owl necklace. I bought my own mother one for Mother’s Day .. should have got myself one as well! I always end up wanting what I get other people.
   
   
   
5. New earbuds that will stay in when I’m walking/attempting to jog. Just from reading some online reviews, it looks like these cheapies might be worth a shot. But maybe I need some over the ear ones?
   
   
6. Pedicure. Can you believe I have never had a pedicure? I have a legit foot phobia .. I hate other people's feet. So the thought of someone else touching my feet kinda creeps me out, but it might be nice?
   
   
7. Pajamas. I have only like one pair of matching pajamas. My typical nighttime getup is one of Lee’s old big tshirts and flannel pants. I look like a potato sack, real cute :-p
   
   
8. Pocketbook. Yes, I have several in my closet. But there’s something about a new purse that makes me happy! Really like this turquoise one from JcP.
   
   
9. 
   

   If I was already moved into a bigger house I would put a treadmill on this list. But I have no space at this house so it must wait … My husband said the last one I had was used more as a coat rack. But I still want another!

   
   10.    This coffee mug is pretty cute. 
   
   11.    And then there is this sweet book. That would probably make me cry if my kids picked it out for me to read to them. 
   
   
   
   12. And last but not least, don't laugh, a bedrest. Totally for a teenage but perfect for late night readings ;)
   
   
   
   
   I'd love to hear what's on your wishlist!
   
   
   
   

   

   
   

Advocare Cleanse Days 4-7

For the past four days I have still been pretty repetitive with my eating choices. It’s just easier for me. I find what I like, and I eat it. I did make these pretty delicious Spicy Turkey Muffins. 

Obviously the crushed red peppers is what makes them spicy, but not too much IMO. I probably added more than that, didn’t measure. I like hot things. It made 9 muffins for me which came out to 103 calories apiece! I ate them for dinner on Day 4, Lunch and Dinner on Day 5 and Lunch again on Day 6. For the dinners I had them with whatever steamed veggies I had. For lunch I crumbled it up over lettuce. Very good :)

I tried hummus for the first time
& loved it!!

My cart at TJs

On Friday after work I went to Trader Joe’s for the first.time.ever! I was overwhelmed to say the least. So much yummy foods. I got the cutest little baby zucchinis to grill with some chicken, other veggies and fruit, their famous very cherry frozen fruit blend, my first container of hummus, some chipotle salsa, some white cheddar corn puffs for my kids and their infamous cookie butter. I just couldn’t go and not buy it. Everyone is always talking about it. However, I will NOT try it until after my cleanse is over. I’m not doing anything to jeopardize this. So far there have been no cheats!

Such a yummy dinner! Baby zucchini, huge grilled chicken breast
& TJs chipotle salsa

For the past 3 mornings though, my weight has unchanged. I know that I lost a decent amount in the first 3 days so I’m trying not to let it discourage me. I’ve read that this happens to others as well because you’re not taking the fiber drink on these days. I’m feeling like my stomach is flatter and overall feel great so I’m excited to see what the final stretch of the cleanse will bring me!

Found this quote motivating..

After the cleanse is over I hope to modify this clean eating and incorporate it into my everyday plan. I still need to have the occasional bread, greek yogurt, chocolate and wine in my life! Saturday nights are my usual wine nights and I feel like a crack feign - just wanting to lick the cork or something for a taste! LOL.

Wednesday I spent the majority of my morning trying to figure out how to create my own blogger template and header and all the fun stuff. I’m pretty happy with how it turned out! :-) Whatcha think?

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I’ve also entered this Blog Button Design Battle sponsored by Peacoats & Plaid. Voting hasn’t started yet but make sure to check it out and vote! [for me hopefully :-p]

Make sure you click “Join This Site” over on the right hand side to follow my blog using google friend connect [as well as bloglovin!], that way you can see my Advocare end results that I will be posting on Wednesday!