This was written on Christmas Day......I had started a new blog for weight loss but what is the point in having two blogs? It's silly, so I'm transferring the post here and deleting the other blog entirely.

This Is It

It's Christmas :) This time next year, I will be different. I know there are thousands of people who are going to make the same New Year's resolution that I will make. But I am going to do this.

I'm 27, will be 28 in January. This means I have 2 years until I'm officially in my thirties. I have always wanted to at least spend a little bit of time in my twenties as a thin girl. As someone who goes out and gets what she wants. Not that I can't have that fat, but I want to be thin. I want to feel free and wild and like a sexy young woman. I want to go out and not feel too embarrassed to dance. I want men to look at me (this is a big thing for me as I feel like it's part of the reason I stay heavy).

January 1st will be my start date. It's a Monday, so that fits perfectly because I have a thing with starting a diet on any other day. This is not a 'diet' though, I am changing. My plan is to follow Weight Watchers. Friday nights I will be allowed to go on date night and enjoy a meal with my husband. I will have one regular Coke with that meal, maybe a cocktail, but I will then go immediately back to diet beverages.

I will set up a plan. I do want to lose as quickly as possible, that's obvious, but I will set realistic goals as well. I will reward myself with non-food items. I will acknowledge that I am losing weight, and that my body looks different when it starts too. I will not allow myself to look at myself in the same light, therefore allowing myself to go back to unhealthy habits.

This, seriously, is it. I'm doing it. No more bullshit.

These are my Oreo Balls. Got the recipe from 2Peas and I just love how they turned out. They were a huge success at dh's cookie exchange at work, he said the girls in the office were just raving about them. Yay :) So I'm making them to take to everyone's houses for Christmas. I just bought 4 more packages of Oreo's today, and tomorrow will be spent making these again and wrapping the few presents we were able to purchase.

Working is totally not all it's cracked up to be. I do like my new job, but the training there is seriously an issue. They definitely need a better program. But, other than that and the long hours I think I'm doing okay. They're supposed to be making an extra cubicle for me here shortly. These aren't no Empire cubicles, they're the real deal. Like your own little mini office. Way cool.

Another cool thing? The entire customer service department is pink. PINK! Pink paint on the walls, and the cubicles mentioned are a deeper pink. Even our bosses office (he's male, mind you) is pink. Now, if I were reading this I'd imagine a pepto-bismol looking nightmare, but that's really not what it's like. It's softer. Prettier.

So far the people are really nice. There isn't anyone I could see myself hanging out with too often, but that can be a good thing. I get so attached to people and I'm not the greatest when it comes to sticking with a place for too long. Empire was the longest I'd lasted in one place in a while. I just get bored with everything. Once I'm bored and irritated, putting up with a vast array of shit no longer appeals to me and I end up quitting. That's why I so desperately want to be back in school this semester but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. We owe them since we technically got our student loan last semester but didn't stay through the whole semester (the wedding and everything). So it'll have to be next semester when we're back on our feet.

I'm supposed to meet up with our photographer today to pick up the wedding pictures. Well, part of them. We're picking up the cd of pictures right now, but getting the actual prints and dvd in a couple weeks. Hopefully I can get them and get the thank you cards sent out which should have been out a while ago. But we have that one special pic we're using, so we had to wait.

I finally have a full time job. I'll do the freelance thing still, because it's great to have my name published, but I definitely needed something with a better and more steady paycheck.

I start tomorrow at 8. 8-5 Mon-Fri. Perfect schedule. Should be getting home just before DH but I have to go in hours before him. I have to leave the house at 7. He leaves at 9:30. The luxury of having your best friend as your boss.

I'm nervous and excited. I wasn't the first choice. He interviewed 3 people and chose someone else before me because this person had experience in the same field. But apparently they're not working out or something because he called the temp agency back and wanted me.

The pay is really good. Really good. Benefits are good as well, Blue Cross/Blue Shield but I'd have to wait for them to kick in after being hired on. Someone from Ajilon (the temp service) is coming to the office on Thursday to go over insurance information and direct deposit information with me. Which I find kind of odd, but cool that I don't have to go out to their office again.

I'm so excited. Will still try to update everyday :)

So I have made a decision. I need to start blogging every day. Take a few moments and get it all out there. This begins tomorrow.

It is practically raining leaves outside right now and our puppy Percival is galloping around trying to catch them as they fall. It occured to me while watching that I haven't posted a pic of him yet, and we actually got him before the wedding as an early wedding present from Tom's parents. He's a handful, wow, is he ever. He demands so much attention and is into everything imaginable. I'd forgotten what it is like to have a puppy. He's a ton of work, but man he's cute and worth it....

Well, I had a bunch of wedding pics here. But panic at having pics of myself on the internet struck and I removed them. It was amazing though. I used to think people who say "It was the best night of my life" were cheeseballs. But, seriously, it was the best night of my life. *swoon*

Wanted to post this really quick too. It's the tag I'm making for a swap I'm in at 2 peas. Heidi's Swapp to be exact lol. I hope the girls like em and I can't wait to get theirs! 15 of us, a few different from last time but the rest are the same. Can't wait to see the ideas, I get so motivated by them.....

Steve Irwin Tribute Page....

Felt really good to finally get this completed. Hopefully it will mean a lot to his family. There are 85 of us over at Two Peas doing this tribute album, and I think it will turn out nicely. I hope that the journaling is visible on here, if not I'll come back and add it as I won't be keeping the original copy. First layout I've ever completed for another person's album, but I thought it was so important, I had to do it. I know if my father had passed away and I got to look through a bunch of photos of how he touched others' lives, I would love it, so hopefully they will too. Or at least it will bring a bit of comfort maybe.

My wedding is totally turning into a disaster. Finally, finally, after many many delays.....3 weeks before the wedding...... we get started on the invitations and I can not get them to print correctly. I must have already wasted 50 sheets of vellum. It's ridiculous. I'm getting very frustrated and it makes me just want to call the whole thing off. At least for a little while.

I have been so busy I haven't been able to update. Was out of town at Ceasars Poconos Resort for this beautiful gal's wedding last weekend. That's her and our best man Christopher Robin (her brother). The cremony was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately the reception got a little messed up. Big miscommunication between the resort and the bride and groom. Shuttling entire wedding between two different resorts. The bride did not even get to dance with her father or new husband. It was very sad. But she made a BEAUTIFUL bride!

I had to go and pay for the retreat we're going to this weekend in Livonia, so since the Scrapbook Zone is only ten minutes from there, I had to stop in. I didn't have long because I was on my way to class, but boy did I do some damage. They had EVERYTHING! And good prices. Rhonna Ferrar stamps for only $14.99! The place is huge and they have a dollar section. Another bonus? Coupons every month. Yeah buddy. I'm all over that place. I've found my new favorite LSS. (Of course I'll still be visiting my other faves lol)

We will never forget...... may God bless and bring peace to everyone affected. Five years later, it still seems like yesterday.

Suri Has Finally Arrived

Ok, as much as I hate (absolutely despise) Tom Cruise...... his daughter is just gorgeous!!! And doesn't Katie look just great in this photo? I'll have to go dig up the ones of Brad and Angelina's baby because I just love them and it wouldn't be right to showcase Tom-who-I-hate 's baby if not showing beautiful Shiloh :)

Now Shiloh is one cute baby! Look at those lips! Ooh, also wanted to add this here for the future generations. Gas is finally back down! After reaching the all time high of $3.05 around here this summer, we're finally back to a much better $2.48. Still a ripoff. I'm only 27, but when I started driving at 16 gas was like $1.05 a gallon. You could put $3 and be good for a few days lol. You're lucky now if that will take you to the next city.

Steve Irwin, the Crocadile Hunter, was killed today while filming a series about the Ocean's Deadliest. He was hit by a stingray barb in the chest and it struck his heart. What a tragedy, he was so full of life and loved what he did. At least that's some comfort. He died totally in his element. Rest in Peace.

2 Peas Challenge: What would you do today if you could do anything you have a deep desire to do? If you had the means, what would you do?

There are a few worldly things I'd want to take care of. As in, bring the troops home, end hunger...that kind of thing. But if I'm thinking more personally, then I would get my brother out of the slump he's currently in. He's at a low point right now and he just needs a good bit of help to get him out of it. I'd also hook my mom up with all kinds of good stuff. She is an awesome, awesome person and deserves only the best. She really does not give herself enough credit. She's like an angel on earth. Such a huge heart.

Yeah buddy, it's football season! Last year we went to the Homecoming game, and we were wanting to go so badly to the Michigan/Ohio State game this year, but unfortunately it's not gonna happen. I love Michigan Football. I think it came from the years growing up where we'd visit Aunt Ronda and Uncle Jim. There would always be a Michigan game on, or a Michigan decal on the patio door, license plates....the works without being tacky. Uncle Jim and then my cousin Jimmy (his son) attended U of M. I think this is the reason I've always wanted to attend myself- I never actually thought I'd be close though. But, right now I'm rockin a 4.0 so hopefully I can at least keep it close to that and be able to transfer in a few years with no problems whatsoever. The thought makes me want to jump for joy. I mean, there isn't really a feeling that compares to being at a college football game. Even if you don't go there, if it's your team, you enter with a huge sense of pride. It's almost overwhelming. Go Blue!!!!!!!

2 Peas Challenge- What did you think life had in store for you? Where did you think you'd be today? What surprises has life brought you?

Ooh I love the interesting questions.... I am now at the ripe old age of 27. I thought by now my life would include a husband, and two little kiddies. I thought I'd be a stay at home mom, with a small side job that was more meaningful than necessary. I'll never forget a lady at work asking me one day what my goal was in life -and when I responded with 'I want to be a stay at home mom' -she laughed and said 'honey, that's not a goal'. There were a few that came to my defense, and I do honestly believe it is a goal. It's something that you have to fight hard for. In this day and age, families are barely making it on two incomes, let alone one. So I do think it's a goal. I want my children raised by me. If that means I have to cut back on this high speed internet connection, and on the frivolous things I purchase, then so be it.

Alas, it is not heading the way I'd planned. Tom and I have spent many, many nights discussing this. He just doesn't think we'd be able to make it. He wants to be able to provide our children with things we'd missed out on- vacations every year, the newest clothes, the best cars. He's not a very materialistic person, but it's important to him that our children don't miss out on that kind of thing, so we're trying to meet halfway. It's such a hard thing to back down from what you've wanted all along. I love our parents, but I don't want our children raised by them. I want them raised by us.

I'm not saying I wanted to stay home for their entire lives. Just until they were all safely in school during the day. Then I'd go back to work and be a teacher. But it doesn't appear that is going to happen. I mean, who knows, right? Maybe, down the line, we will be in a financial place where we can do that. We are just preparing for that not being the case. Not that I think our incomes will be amazing as teachers. But at least there will be two of them.

Wow. I finally have all of my thank you cards done. That was a lot of writing and I'm sure that some of it is just not pretty. lol. I also started school for Fall Thursday. Tom got stuck in traffic and couldn't make it :( Bummer. But our professor seems really really cool. Very bohemian, gypsy-ish looking woman. Very smart. Dr. McKeand. Prounounced Mccain. Uber cool. Tomorrow we have two classes back to back. Here's to hoping that we don't have some horrible assholes. I really wish we'd have gotten on the ball a little earlier and registered. We completely missed out on online classes, which is a huge disappointment. We do surprisingly well in them.

So Dr McKeand was talking to us about how we grow up hearing certain types of language and how it's natural for us to use that same vocabulary. Interesting. Will start to work on bringing my vocabulary back up to par because otherwise I'm in for a world of trouble. Lol, words like worsh or ain't. Sorry mom, love you, but you use them alot ;) She was also talking to us about how deep, analytical thinkers write better. This absolutely makes sense. I've been so caught up in internet and chat writing for the past few years that I've really let my thoughts just turn to mush. I just don't think you get as deep usually on the internet. Lots of words like LOL and not so many good words like omniscient or ubiquitous. Mmm. Those are two of my favorite words. Say them aloud.....don't they just sound awesome?

Anyway, she wants us to start thinking about our mini-research paper that she's having us do to prepare for the 132 course. She's very cool in that she wants us to write something that we feel strongly about, assuming we'll write better when it's something important to us. Absolutely true. I'm not sure what I'm choosing yet, but I've tossed a couple of ideas around. Stem cell research, breast cancer awareness, the lack of good health benefits in the US, Walmart and how I wish they'd go under with all their evil practices, why with all our technology no one can come up with a pill to make you lose 100 pounds overnight.......you know, the important things.

Wow. Sunday was my bridal shower. I absolutely had an awesome time. There was a few times I thought I'd pull my hair out because my aunt was being a bit demanding about how she wanted things, lol, but other than that it was so so nice. My mom, Jennifer, aunt Rhonda, Uncle Jim, Debbie and Uncle Jim's sister were there at 9 a.m. to get the food going and set up the tables. Cheryl and Karen arrived at 11 as planned. Dawn was running a bit late, so since I was picking her up and my mom and Jennifer back up after they'd stopped home to have a shower- we were all late. But still early. Just not as early as Rhonda would have liked.

People started to arrive, and of course I was meeting everyone at the door and introducing my mom to his family and his mom to mine. Had to pop an ativan to get through that one. I was really so nervous. It was horrible at first, and then I finally started to loosen up a bit. We played a couple games, which were really fun. Actually, the game that Rhonda thought that no one would like- everyone loved. They had a lot of fun with that one.

The food was so good. And there was so much of it. Chicken, ham, mostacolli, salad, bread and rolls, corn, veggies, fruits, cheesy potatoes, buttered red potatoes and the deserts were insane. Chris' mom made our cake....beautiful...will add pics. On top of that, we had three different kinds of brownies, 3 cheesecakes, pineapple upside down cake, apple pie, banana bread w/ cream cheese, ambrosia. It was just endless.

As were the presents. I swear it must have taken me so long to open all of them! But they played Bingo while I was doing it, so at least that took off some of the pressure. Rhonda wanted me standing up (NO!) and kept coming to tell me that no one could see me and they were complaining. Debbie Laginess (not cousin Deb of course) actually stuck up for me and said, hey, it's your shower, you do what you want. I swear, if I'd have had to open them standing up I'd have probably passed out. Seriously.

There were probably about 50 people there. The guys came at the end and we got pictures with them and everything. I need to go into the gifts and post some pics but I am beat. Will update tomorrow.....

2 Peas challenge: Summer questions

1.What was your favorite summer event? The Taylor fireworks. It's the one fireworks set that we all get together for and never miss. Much fun.
2.Favorite picture of the summer? This one I took of my best friends' daughter Shannon. What a little angel...
3.Favorite movie of the summer? Click, for sure. I'll say it again, see this movie!
4.Best song of the summer? Mmmmm.... good question. I'm a music nut so there's probably a ton of songs I loved this summer. But, I can name a summer fave - Kenny Chesney's Summertime.
5.Did you go on vacation, where? Unfortunately no. We were planning on at least going camping at Lake Michigan like last year but Tom ended up going back to work before we worked anything out.

I'm so excited! I reserved my room at the Hyatt for CKU-Detroit! I've never been to a CKU so I had to jump all over that. It's in April and I can not wait. I hope I don't somehow miss registration. That's my luck. Wouldn't that just stink!