It's Crunch Time!

As I have posted on here before, I am working on losing some weight and getting back in shape in 2009. As of this morning, I have lost 16.4 lbs. Wow! Even though it's taken 8 months, I'm confident that those are lbs. that'll be gone for good, as I have finally learned how to take them off the right way, by cutting back, making changes, saying 'no' to myself and others and trying to exercise as much as my hectic life will allow. I have to say that I'm pretty proud of myself and am now wearing a skirt that a few months ago, I couldn't even button. Some of my 'pre-preggo' clothes are still too tight, but that's mostly due to the nasty effects of having a c-section! I don't think that part of my body will ever be the same...

Anywho ~ as proud as I am, I still have a long ways to go. I'm about 7 lbs. away from my pre-preggo weight, a goal I was hoping reach by the start of football season, well at least the 1st home game in Athens, which is two weeks away. That might sound reasonable, but since it's taken me 8 months to lose 16, I doubt 7 are going to fall off in that amount of time.

Should I just say 'oh well' and be happy with where I'm at? Probably. Am I? Of course not. Someone has burned in my brain to 'not settle' for anything, which is prety much ingrained in my character over the past 30 years. So, I'm not going to settle. I have become kind of complacent the past two weeks, eating whatever and not making working out a priority. But that's going to change, starting today. Today, I am going to commit to healthy eating, cutting out all nessessary sugars (read: no more starburst jellybeans and sweet tea), all fried stuff (read: mcdonald's and mexican), and get serious about working out. I now have a pilates reformer machine that I had been coveting for awhile, so I'm going to commit to doing that at least 5x a week for the next two weeks. I have an outfit for the first game in athens that is super cute. It looks okay on me, but I sure would be more comfortable with a little less flab and a lot more fab!

It's time to get pumped up! Athens is right around the corner!!!! :)

Welcome Baby Erin Elise...

I found out a dear ex-boyfriend of mine was blessed with a baby girl yesterday! She is so beautiful and finally has a name ~ Erin Elise Dumas! Even with all of our history, I could not be any happier or excited for them both. A long while ago, I took a leap of faith and decided to follow God's plan instead of my own. Trusting Him was hard, but in the end it looks like He led us both down a path that was just perfect for each of us. Now we both have living proof of the rewards that come from following Him and we will be able to raise our children in the same community in friendship. It seems that the big man really knew what he was doing after all! :)

Congratulations again to Walter and Lauren! May you know all the joys, the struggles, and the consuming love that comes from the endless source as you watch your little girl grow.

Show Me The Money!!

After five weeks of unemployment pay and having hubs out of work, I just checked our account and hallelujah! We have $2,500 in there!!!! Nevermind that it's Friday and we both got paid and we have about a month's worth of bills to pay, so it won't stay that way for long. For now, I'm doing the money dance and enjoying the next 30 sec. before I start paying those bills!

I'll leave you with this little piece of funny!



HAPPY FRIDAY!

The Incident at the Church....

You know those 'get-to-know-your-neighbor questions' you are always asked when you are in some sort of group participation event, like "What do you do for a living?" or "What is your most embarrassing moment?" Well, I now have a good answer for that last one...

We had to drive 8 hours round-trip yesterday to Hubs' uncle's funeral in South Georgia. It was a sad day, but we were celebrating Uncle Mickey's life which made it a little more raucous because, well..he was that kind of man. Uncle Mickey was the kind of person who really lived, and everyone had a story to prove it. So, while he is gone, he not only lives in our hearts, but also in our stories as we remember how he impacted each one of us personally.

All things considered (8 hour car ride, house full of strangers, quiet church service, graveside service in the rainy, south georgia heat), Rhett did surprisingly well. He has taken off walking, so he enjoyed exploring his surroundings and new environment and even did well meeting new people. Yep, he did really well...except for the incident at the church.

The incident at the church began we got stuck in the middle of the 3rd row pew at the First Baptist Church of Tifton. I whispered to hubs that I would like to sit on the end so I could get up and leave if necessary, so how we ended up in the middle is a mystery. Rhett was doing well, eating his goldfish and listening to the music, when I felt him go to the bathroom in his diaper. I was hoping that the service wouldn't take much longer b/c I didn't want everyone to notice the unpleasant smell, which was really, really strong. After he shifted around, I finally realized why the smell was burning my nose hairs ~ because the poop was sitting right there on my dress!!!!!! Not only was it on my dress, but it was on his clothes, legs, feet and had also worked it's way on his hands. OMG!!!!!!!! I thought I would die. Literally. They might as well of got me a casket right beside Uncle Mickey's.

I couldn't get out of that church fast enough! Of course, there was a rather large woman at the end of the aisle, so everyone on the pew had to get up to let us out (did I mention that we were stuck in the middle?!?!). The whole time I ran down that aisle, I was asking Jesus to please let that poop stay attached to my dress instead of falling in the middle of the aisle of the church!

Thankfully, I found the nursery where I was able to clean us up the best I could. The whole time I was scrubbing out the poop, I was thinking of Uncle Mickey. I just knew he would've gotten a kick out of that scenario and I could hear him now saying, "When the boy's gotta go, he's got to go!"

You know, even though Rhett will never know his great-great Uncle, he will have a 'Mickey story' of his own to tell, proving that even when we are gone from this life, we have the ability to impact the lives of others.

So, this one's for you, Uncle Mickey. May you have a good laugh with the angels today and be sure to thank Jesus for me ~ I made it out of the church without losing any of the poop.

Hallelujah!

I ♥ Faces and I ♥ My Mom...

This week, I'm entering the I ♥ Faces contest for the first time, since I got some awesome shots of Rhett at the beach! I love this picture because it captures his awe of seeing the ocean for the first time. It was sunset on Kiawah Island, S.C. and the setting couldn't have been more perfect. Even if I don't win, I will have enjoyed showing off my handsome little man!

Moving on to why I ♥ my mom. Other than the fact that she gave birth to me and she's always been there for me as an encourager, a challenger, and a friend. Yesterday I loved her the most because when I called to ask her if Rhett could stay over last night, she didn't hesitate to say yes. You see, I have a REALLY hard time asking people for help. In elementary school, I failed a test because I didn't want to ask if I could borrow a pencil. This bad trait has mostly reared its head where Rhett is concerned. I guess I believe that he is my child and therefore, my responsibility, so I should be the one to take care of him. But, I am not Superwoman. Let me say that again for my own benefit...I am not Superwoman. I cannot do all things and be all things to everyone. Sometimes I just give out and I can't go anymore. Which is exactly what happened yesterday.

Last week, we went to Kiawah for a little family getaway. Which would have been relaxing, if we didn't have a 15 month old on our hands. We enjoyed the three day trip, but it was a worldwind. We got back on Friday and then I had to go shopping on Saturday to buy a birthday gift and then had dinner with my parents Saturday night. Sunday a.m. brought church, the grocery store and the above mentioned birthday party for our friends' little boy. I collapsed in the bed @ 10:30 Sunday night. The only thing I could think about was that I would be up again in 2 hours when Rhett decided he couldn't possibly live without me, which he did three times.

Monday a.m. hit me like a truck, but up and off to work I went. That afternoon, I drove a hour one way for meetings all afternoon, not getting home until 6 p.m. When I walked in the door, I changed clothes and got ready to go get Rhett from my parents, since he had been there since about 9 that morning. Branden encouraged me to sit down and relax for a minute. I did as I was told, laying down and putting my feet up. Once I got in that position, I felt like I couldn't move. The thought of getting up to go get Rhett and doing dinner, bath and nighttime with him brought literal tears to my eyes. Branden asked me what was wrong, and all I could say is 'I'm just too tired.' So, he suggested letting Rhett spend the night at my parents so I could get some rest. The thought of that didn't make me happy. Not because I didn't want him to stay, but because I didn't want to ask. It took Branden about 15 minutes of coaxing and putting dinner on the stove for me to pick up the phone. I don't think my mom could hear the tears in my voice, but she could probably picture the look on my face. Although the call took her off guard and she had already had him all day long, she said it was fine and only asked me to bring some p.j.'s.

I tried to reason that Rhett could come home and Branden could just take care of him. But, Branden knew that even if he had taken care of Rhett all night long, I wouldn't be able to relax, since I am his (Rhett's)favorite playmate and taker-carer. He was really great in taking care of me though...cooking dinner, taking the p.j.'s over, and cleaning the kitchen. I took an hour long bath, reading 'Breaking Dawn,' turned off the monitor, and was in bed by 9 p.m. I slept soundly until 6 a.m. and woke up refreshed and able to function for the rest of the week.

I know it wasn't easy on mama. She had him for almost 24 hours straight, with no advanced notice. While he has spent the night with them before, it was always been because I was out of town. In 15 months, I haven't had an entire night off, sleeping through the night in my own bed, without the monitor buzzing in my ear. It was a little piece of heaven which I am so grateful for.

So, mom ~ if you're reading this...thank you. You don't know how much last night meant to me. Rhett is so blessed to call you his 'CeeCee' as I am to call you 'Mama'.

Nostalgia and all that good stuff....

I swear I wish I could post more, but by the time I think of something to write about ~ it takes me about two weeks to find the time to sit down and hash it out! Things here are good, but it's actually been a pretty busy summer ~ first I had to travel for work, then a week at the lake with the fam, and then Rhett's been sick & CRANKY for about a week. Next week, we're going to the coast of S.C. for a few days and then it'll be almost time for hubs to go back to work! Yah! He's been trying to enjoy his month off, but it's hard for a workaholic like him. His day consists of getting up @ 7ish, drinking coffee, reading paper, FB and TV until about 10. Then he drives around for a little while, has some lunch, takes a nap and goes to the gym at 2. Every day. Life is so rough some times....

Anyway ~ I've titled this post about nostalgia because that's what a couple of days at the lake always does to me. My family has been going to the same campground at the same lake for about 100 years. Ever since my dad was a little boy, the Wells family has packed up the house and took their summer vacation at Clark Hill for eating, swimming, boating and...more eating. Last year was the first year I hadn't gone to the lake in my 29 years of existence. That's what having a newborn does to you.

Now we stay in cabins, which have been the exact same since...well probably for about 100 years. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, wood paneling, about 800 sq. ft and sometimes as many as 15 people. We have always traveled with my grandparents and my aunt, uncle and their three kids and whatever friends have come along. Clark Hill is what it is. You always know what you're gonna get and you always know what to expect. We have the same meals on the same days each year. We have the same bedrooms, play the same card games, and hear the same stories over and over again. Did you hear the one about the 'Mount Pilot Girls?" Or 'Take me to the tire?' or what about 'Beat It' and the time my mom got locked out of the cabin with a screaming baby in the middle of the night? Oh ~ you haven't heard those stories? Well, I have...about 100 times. That water, those pine trees, and those rolling hills all hold the memories of my summers growing up. It's where I learned to swim, tried to ski, fell in love, fell out of love, and learned a painful lesson of growing up and moving on. When I go back there, I am mezmorized by the memories of summers past where what started out as a summer romance turned into much more. Those times at the lake where right out of a Kenny Chesney song and no matter how bad things got, once we were back at the lake, all was right with the world.

It's easy for me to slip into nostalgia's warm embrace and only remember the good times ~ that's the campground where we spent every weekend together. The cove in the middle is where we jetskied and the one in the back is where we skinny dipped (mom ~ ignore that line!) Those trees held the hammock where we napped and there's where we hung out at night, building fires, sneaking drinks of boone's farm strawberry hill and listening to lynard skynard, the allman brothers, and conway twitty. Around every corner is another memory.

Nostalgia is such a powerful force whose rose tinted glasses cover the ugly truth with warm fuzzies tied up in a pretty ribbon. In reality, the relationship that started out as a summer romance lasted about five years too long. As we both have grown up and moved on, I know that we are right were we should be. I wouldn't trade my life now for anything in the world and I'm looking forward to making new memories with the hubs and the kid as he grows up. Who knows, maybe he'll have a Clark Hill summer romance of his own! After all, everyone needs to experience that magic. Let's just hope it's not with the ex'es little girl. That would just be weird! :)

I Want It...Now!

It's been forever and a day since I blogged about anything. I guess I haven't been very inspired lately. Not to worry though...I've had something brewing in my head for awhile now, so I get to share it here b/c afterall...it is MY blog!

For those that do not know, my husband is being temporarily laid off for five weeks. This will be his last week of work until the first of August. For those of you that know my hubbie, you will not be surprised when I write about him driving me up a wall in a couple of weeks! It will be interesting to see how he handles having so much time on his hands. I better start making a list of projects to keep him busy! :)

Me, on the other hand, well ~ I have my own list in the works. This list is all of the things I don't just want...but I feel like I NEED! In this crazy head of mine, I have come up with all of these things that I feel like I can't live without. I know a shrink would probably say all of this coveting is because I'm fearful of being 'without' in the short term, so I want to fill my closet, my home and my life with a bunch of stuff! In an effort to knock a little sense into this head of mine, I decided to make a list of all the things I'm obsessing over in an effort to let it go. Ready? Here it goes:

1. Prescription Sunglasses ~ why do I feel I need these? I just got some new regular glasses that I wear when I drive. But, it's always so bright out, that I need my shades, but I also need my glasses to see. To solve this quandry would set me back @ $350. The verdict...it can wait. I've been driving without my regular glasses for like four years, so a few months won't be a big deal, really.

2. Clothes ~ Not only am I bored with the clothes that I have, but I 'NEED' some new things for vacation. Plus, I am a weird, 'out of maternity, not quite into my pre-preggo' size, so nothing fits well. In actuality, we are only going to the lake for 3 days, where I'll live in tanks, shorts and flip flops. Plus, I'm working out like crazy, so I'm bound to be back in my old clothes before long. The only real need in this category would be for a new swimsuit, b/c no one really wants to see all of that!

3. A Pilates Reformer machine ~ this is my latest obsession. My neighbor was telling me how her reformer machine has changed her life and she has the arms, abs and butt to prove it! I felt myself getting excited just thinking of the possibility of being that in shape again...without having to go to the gym. What is the cost of this? $300 on QVC. The problem is this: I had an elliptical machine once at home...it got used like a total of 10 times. So, would I use this machine? Probably not. What I love about this is that it has gotten me to think about the 'possibility' of being slim instead of doubting that I could ever do it.

4. A Wii. I think we could use one of these b/c I could do Wii Fit and it would give Branden something to do when he's bored at home for five weeks. The cost for this $250 + accessories. In reality, I would probably never do it (see above) AND my parents have a Wii at their house that we've never played...not even once.

5. A new purse ~ or a new vera bradley tote ~ or both. My bestie, Abby is reading this and laughing b/c she knows that I got THREE purses for Christmas this past year and it's only six months down the road and I'm ready for a new one! I love bags...any kind. In particular ~ I love this yellow bag hanging in the window of a store that I pass every day on my way to and from the office. And the Vera tote ~ I love the Hope Garden pattern and could use on of those to take stuff to and from work...and everywhere else. I just love that bag! In actuality, those things can wait too. I've already got like 30 bags that will work just fine.

There are other things I could list, like a quality knife set, front and back porch furniture, shutters, etc. But, those don't occupy my time as much...for now anyway. I know that irregardless of what I WANT, I can't have any of that stuff right now b/c I don't know what July will bring.

I'm sure that although things will be tight, we will be fine financially. After all, it's not having what you want, but wanting what you have. We might not have awesome workout equipment, new clothes or costa del mar's, but we'll have what matters most...time as a family to hang out and enjoy the summer together. Lots and lots of time. Here's hoping the crazies don't make an appearance. Stay tuned and I'll keep you updated! :)