Hello Sunday.... :(

Well, Dad's company picnic was a nice turnout once again. Even though they changed some things up this year, it was still nice to be with family and just have a good time. My precious niece really wore herself out this year! Now that she's a little older than last time, she can do more things. And did she ever! The heat was grotesque but thanks to the pool(s) we were able to cool off at any given time. I finally witnessed that my niece is a little water rat. She doesn't like to leave the water once she's in. She ate extremely well too, which is always a plus.

Unfortunately, I didn't have any good batteries so I couldn't take pics like I wanted to! But my sister did, so I'll have to "steal" some of hers and post them when I get a chance.
Friday we did dinner for Mom's birthday and then Saturday was the picnic --- so here we are at Sunday already and I'm back work. So strange that my work week starts on Sunday but then again it ends on Thursday when most people still have one more dreaded day!

Dr's

So I went to the dr tonight for what was my follow up blood pressure check and to discuss my blood work results.. Turns out that my triglycerides are elevated, but not extremely, and my cholesterol is said to be beyond excellent. That was what really shocked me the most.. She said it was really good.. I thought for sure she would say that my cholesterol and sugars and triglycerides were sky high but I was pleased that it wasn't quite what I had expected.

So as far as the triglycerides; I have to lose weight. I am really overweight and I need to lose at least 30 lbs to be where I should be for my frame/age etc.. The doctor says that she wants to see me again in 3 months and that my goal is to lose minimum 5 lbs. I would hope I can lose more than that but she is asking for less. I have been exercising more and watching what I eat more often but to be honest; I have not put forth a really big effort, so I know that I need to do that now. The triglycerides are what factors in when it comes to heart disease etc...
I'm already out of breath when I'm climbing the stairs or even just moving a lot. I come in from my car and once I get up the flight of steps and into the house I am huffin' and puffin'.. so that alone is a sign that I'm way out of shape and that means that my heart works harder.
I'm thinking I'll probably go back to Weight Watchers - My Dr. even suggested that.. and I know that it really works! I did it a few months back and it was really great. I lost about 6 lbs in the first 2 weeks - most of which was water weight initially - but it was a start. I felt better and I was sure that I'd started to look better... So I'm going to incorporate WW into my lifestyle change and also get the exercise going more often. I have a gym membership that I don't even use! So wish me luck - Stay tuned for a follow up post!

What fun!

Tam and I did our Atlantic City trip --- for the 2nd time!

Was just as, if not more, fun than last time! I really hope we've started something here that we plan to make a tradition of sorts..lol

It's so nice to get away for a night of just sheer relaxing and enjoying ourselves. Last time we weren't really sure where to go or what to do .. but this time we ended up at The Continental, which is inside the Shops at Ceasar's mall. It was so nice there! We had some cocktails and some appetizers that were simply delectable! It was a really nice, low key place that you could really unwind at.
We ended up at Providence, in the Tropicana, where we also stayed, and that place was pretty awesome. I read recently that it's a real "hot spot" in A.C. ... and I can believe it.
They offer VIP rooms etc.. They have dancers positioned throughout the nightclub and the music is the best mix of hip hop and house etc... that just makes you forget how long you've been on the dancefloor! They tell us that it's theh kind of club where they can turn you away at the door if they don't "approve".. or something like that. There are two entranes to the place - One is VIP entrance. (Which we didn't go through, but maybe next time!)
You can't even see in the place - until you've actually entered. They have a couple dancers in the windows that are your only glimpse of the place.. I guess they're supposed to be what entices you to want to go there. I wanted to go there the minute I heard the music coming out of there! The mix of people was good - some seemed like regulars.
I won't disclose what we paid for drinks there or what the final tally was when all was said and done .. but it was PRICEY to say the least. My sister's motto of Carpe Diem gets taken to the extreme sometimes! lol More like carpe second job to afford our next outing!



So all in all, it was a nice time once again to get out with my sister and just have a fun girls' night out.. We always finalize it with breakfast the next morning, and then head home - back to reality.

Priorities - (or not)

I titled it "Priorities" but once again, that is my opinion. I'm so irritated right now and maybe I don't have any right to be, but things really get to the heart of me sometimes.
So, here's the deal: I'm walking in an event in September to raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma - I put up a poster at work and sent email. The response I've received has been way less than desirable. While I've had a couple people in our corporate office ask to sponsor me; no one in my immediate office has asked me about it or said that they'd like to contribute. {I didn't directly ask people because it seems to put people on the spot.}
Then the other day, I see that another co-worker posted a (mind you, much smaller) poster on the same board announcing a raffle in which you can win either a brand new car or opt for the cash value instead. So now, everyone's running around getting their money together.
I know of, so far, at least 2 groups of 5 people who are each putting $20 towards the cost of the $100 ticket. This to me is just frustrating... that people are so hung up on something that will benefit them.

Cooling down

This may not be a long one - I just needed a cool down! I just got finished with the weights and the 20 min workout on the TV!! Whew - did that lady kick my butt! ha ha
It's awesome - I am so sweaty but I love it! Strange huh? It just means that it's working.
I'm going to start running this weekend or in the beginning of next week. I feel like a freakin fitness maniac now but it feels so good. Doesn't really make sense that I work out late at night when no one is downstairs b/c then I can't sleep. My body is like "Ok, you started it, now let's keep going!" I'm really energized right now and I feel like I could go to the park and run the track a couple times -- Honestly, I think I would if it weren't so hot out. It's almost midnight and the heat/humidity has not let up yet! It's incredible. Well, anyway - Off to my "ladies night out" tomorrow night with my sister - So if I have any juicy details, I'll blog it!

My Niece

Yes, I'm going to brag about my niece again. I will do that until she's in high school and then probably still after that...

She is just such a constant source of joy in my life. Even on my worst days; I come home to see her smiling face and suddenly I forget what brought me down in the first place.
Everyday is such a learning experience - she learns something new or says something new with every changing day. I will probably never know what it feels like to love a child through a mother's eyes, but it must feel much like loving her through an aunt's eyes. I often think about how innocent she is and how precious the time is that I get to spend with her, laughing, playing, acting goofy. I love it when she calls my name - when she comes home with Mommy and starts to look for me all over the house... (I'm usually hiding!) I feel so blessed to have this precious little person in my life. God truly sent a gift when He sent Maya Ashley to all of us.

I know you can't change a person - even if it's for the better. Not unless he/she wants to change. Sometimes a person thinks that he/she will be the one thing in life that makes that other person take a step back and day "this life is not working for me; I need to make a change". But I realized quickly that it's just not the case. You can't change someone unless they realize that the changes need to be made. At some point, we just pray to God that they see the reality of it.

So far ..so good

Boy, does it ever take alot of discipline to eat better! I did well today and yesterday.. I've stuck to just water for my beverages- although tonight at the mall, I opted for a diet soda. I didn't drink the whole thing though - just enough to wet my whistle. I hate diet soda anyway so trust me, if I have to cut out soda altogether, it's not a problem.

It's hard when people at work continue to bring in all the goodies and junk food when they know that you're dieting! But I guess that's when my long lost friend Will Power comes in!

I'm not saying it hasn't been tough because it has already, but I'm going to make it. I'm going to do this and drop the weight. I also remembered that Comcast on Demand has a nice plethora of Exercise programs! So tonight, I lifted some weights and then scrolled through the menu to find something that was geared towards "beginners" - and I did about 10 mins of it. I didn't want to over do it initially. Trainers always tell you to start out nice and easy so I'm going with that theory. I did sweat more than I probably have in a long, long time though! I walked at work today too - just until I broke a sweat. That, to me, means that I'm burning calories/fat - If I'm sweating.

It would be nice if overnight I could have a really fit body - but that won't happen.. I have to work at it.. REALLY HARD! But I'm prepared to do that.




Ask, and it shall be given you; seek; and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. [Matthew 7:7-8].

To share or not to share....that is the question

When I first started to use this, I was blogging for my own personal use. It began as a diary of sorts for me and has progressed into so much more.

I was thinking of sharing my blog with my friends and family... I realize how much I enjoy reading and following my friends' online blogs. It gives you a peek into each others' lives.
It's a channel for me to get ideas, and thoughts and other perspectives... It lets you into someone else's world for a change.

Who knows? Maybe even after viewing mine, someone will create their own blog and see just how great it is to have a place to go and store your thoughts, fears, dreams, memories....etc

Now if I could just figure out how to get the link to my blog! lol

Peace and Quiet ?

Figured I'd update the ol' blog today. Even though I'm at work; this is probably the one day out of the week when someone's not breathing down my neck... It's actually pretty peaceful. I get all my work finished with a couple hours to kill and then I just relax. Well, for the most part- because there's still phones to answer etc...

Just going to the grocery store after work today and hopefully finishing up the load of laundry that is growing in my bedroom!

I have to start on a diet this week and I really need to stick with it- No Excuses! I went to the doctor finally, because my blood pressure's been higher than normal for the past couple weeks.. and she said that first and foremost; we'll work on weightloss and healthier lifestyle changes.. So that means diet and exercise. I have to cut out all the junk that I put into my body and make better choices with meal planning. It's so easy to get caught up in the fast food circle when you don't prepare your lunches or dinners.. If I don't bring my lunch to work; I'm more apt to run to the Wendy's and grab a burger than I would be if I had a nice healthy lunch packed.

So, wish me luck~ I'll update how I'm doing as time goes.