This Is The Year

I'm so excited to take up Shortmama on her new challenge! She is putting together a home-redo challenge, one room at a time! The idea is to post some before pictures of the monthly room (this month is the living room), and explain what you'd like to have done with the room by the end of the month. You link up on her site so everyone can see each other's "before" pictures, and see the goals for that room. Then at the end of the month, you link up again to show what you've accomplished! This is sooo good for me, because I see so many beautiful homes of my fellow bloggers, and great decorating ideas and I think "I want to do that!" But I never seem to get around to implementing all the inspiration I get! So I am beyond excited for this challenge! I'm asking for a lot of input, so sorry...it's kinda long! So, I'm being brave here posting my before pictures (no room primping allowed)...I always crop very carefully because everyone in bloglan...

Wednesday again already? If you haven't heard, each Wednesday Amber hosts Extreme Makeover Me Edition . It's for all us ladies trying to make healthy changes to link up with each other and help each other out! Everyone is invited so c'mon and join the party! I'm excited to say I have a good report for this week. Last week I committed to exercising for 1 hr, 6 times. I did it! I really did it! I did an hour every night except Sunday. And it's weird, but I kind of enjoy doing it late at night after everyone is asleep. Hubby is at work and everything is quiet and peaceful. I don't have to worry about if the kids are in trouble, or if they're REALLY watching their little sister like they're supposed to be...it's just less stressful! I pop in my earbuds, listen to some tunes, and the time really flies! BTW - thanks everyone for all your music suggestions last week! I spent the next day downloading some great new music for my workout playlist! I've ...

Each Wednesday Amber hosts EMME . It's a way for women who are trying to make a healthy change in their lives connect with each other and give each other inspiration and encouragement. I love connecting with other women who are reaching towards the same things I am. Go here if you'd like to join us! This week I feel awesome. I didn't start my goal of exercising 6x until Monday. I know it's no excuse but last Saturday Ribbon Blossoms had a boutique and every minute that wasn't spent taking care of my family's necessities was spent making product! I know I should have made exercise a priority,but you see I have this wonderful friend and business partner who I can't let down! But Monday I was determined! Even though I wasn't able to exercise when I planned because of an extremely clingy, whiny 2 year old. I STILL got on the treadmill at 11:00 pm after daddy got home and could take said 2 year old off my hands! I refused to let the start of a new week g...

It's been a while since I've given an overall progress report on my 3 main goals for this year. If you came by yesterday you'll know that I've hit a little slump in the "fit" department. But I'm back on...full steam ahead! I'm still working hard at making healthy food choices and staying committed to regualar exercise. Organization ....hmmm. Well I haven't done anything fantastic since I posted about my spice cupboard, BUT I have managed to keep the spice cupboard, and pantry in the tip top shape you saw them in last! Ask my family...I've been like Hitler with them putting stuff back EXACTLY as they found it! I also did help my girls get their toys purged and organized. Food Storage ... this one I'm cruisin' along! A couple of weeks ago our grocery store had their semi-annual case lot sale. I got me some food baby! I'm going to try to remember off the top of my head...don't have the receipt in front of me, so I'm sure I...

Have I ever told you that I LOOOOOOVE cute shoes? Especially cute heels? Well, I do. So here's the deal...my baby brother's getting married on Thursday. I had to get a new dress, so OBVIOUSLY I have to get some new shoes, right? Actually, I really did need a new pair. All my black heels are looking pretty beat up and that's not okay for a wedding, ya know? Soooo I was on the hunt! I always go look at Forever Young whenever I'm at the mall (which isn't very often these days!), because I think they have the stinkin' cutest shoes. But it's never at a time when I have new shoes in the budget, so I just look and admire. I don't really have new shoes in the budget now, but it's a wedding, right? So today I eagerly went in knowing I would be able to buy something. I was immediately greeted by a bubbly size 0 18-year-old. I swear you have to be size 0 to work there, because I have never seen any normal size person in there. Anyway, she says "Do you kno...

I haven't given an update for awhile on my goals, but it's not because I haven't been working! I have increased from walking for an hour on my treadmill to jogging for 20 minutes and walking for 40 (in intervals). I am down 15 lbs!! I have some before and after pics for ya. This is my spice cupboard - another spot people just shove anything and everything, after they've shoved the pantry so full that nothing else will fit! Digging around looking for what I needed always caused a mini avalanche! Found these nifty little baskets and tote at Big Lots for $1!!! I labeled the tops of my spices so I can just get the basket down, look at the tops, and find what I need! Food Storage: I won't show everything, but we are making progress. I have recently purchased a year's supply of chili for my family - on sale at Smith's for 50 cents! Also got a 6 month's supply of Miracle Whip, a variety of salad dressings, and 40 cans of Chef Boyardee (also for 50 cents)! I...

Friday is weigh-in day for The Biggest Loser online. Down 11 lbs so far! Yay! Also, on my other goals... Today I will utilize my first food storage deals list and get some great grocery deals, plus stock up on some important items for my food storage...another Yay! My next organizing monsters are the game closet and the bookshelf - both victims of my family's laziness in putting stuff away! I'll make sure to post my progress! Sorry for the boring post...In our next episode...Recipe of the Week, and some tips and tricks that have helped me keep my bathroom organized!

So, in my first post I mentioned 3 goals I have for myself this year. Any of you who know me know that there are 3 things I am NOT! Those three things are: organized, prepared, and in shape! So what am I going to do to change this? Well, I will tell you. I am going to get back in shape! I never really struggled with my weight or fitness until I was an adult and married. Then with each new child came a whole new set of pounds that stayed with me after delivery! After baby number 3, I had had enough! (pounds, not babies) I worked really hard at being healthy, through both my diet and regular exercise. It was wonderful! Eventually life distracted me from my newfound healthy lifestyle. I had a little one in the hospital with pneumonia, 2 deaths in the family, followed soon by the holidays, and I allowed all this to interfere with my committment to daily exercise. Once the exercise went out the window, the healthy eating habits soon followed. When I became pregnant again - I was doomed! Wel...