Running And Bubble Baths

Hey Friends!

I realize my blogging is sub par on this old blog. However, I really am working on some fitness goals and I'd love it if you'd check it out.

runningandbubblebaths

See ya there!

Newlyweds and Budgeting

Before getting married, I was maybe a bit of a spender. If you know me well you are already laughing. I can spend money faster than someone who stole a credit card. It's a skill we can discuss at a later time. However, I knew where the line was and I didn't spend over that line.
Once, my work allowed us all to take the Financial Peace classes (Dave Ramsey. If you haven't heard of him stop reading and call me. It's some good shiz my people.) Therefore, I'm not financially stupid. One of my favorite things was having and being an "accountability partner". I would talk to my close friend if I was unsure about a big purchase. If something good happened (paying off a debt, not buying an expensive purse) it was called a "personal victory". We would shout and cheer it to one another all day long, mostly to be dorks, but it was fun and motivational too!
So, blog friends welcome to being an accountability partner!
After getting married, Case and I made some big mistakes. We had separate accounts, but made weird transfers to each others accounts all the time. I literally just ordered a card for our joint account.  Which is dumb because 1. It's where the money is and 2. We've been married for over a year. It was complete laziness. On a positive note, I got the picture card so it's absolutely adorbs.
Another big thing we need to start working on is having goals. I have a bad habit: I have the money so let's just buy it. It can be anything from clothes, to a new washer to a down payment on a new vehicle. While that is nice, we don't need to be depleting our savings. We need to be saving up for the big things we want. That's what will give them value. If I have to work for it I'll really want it and I'll take care of it. I need to stop being so impulsive.

Did anyone else feel like money communication was lacking when they first got married? I married an accountant and I still feel that way. We weren't being stupid we just didn't want to hurt the other person's feelings or hold off on purchases. Money should not be a taboo subject. While we don't need to talk dollars and cents, it's helpful for me to know I'm not the only one feeling this way. I love people sharing their ways on pinterest, I love finding new ideas. It's helpful for me! My goal is to one day become a couponer and donate to a charity around me. I like people sharing tips on how they made that happen. It's awesome!

Moral of the story: I may occasionally talk about money. If it makes you feel uncomf, skip to the next post.

Alfonzo's Story

Casey and I have two adorable dogs. Before we got married, we each had 1. They complete our family of 4 and I often refer to them as the adorable twins. They are my favorite. They are always happy when I come home and I just love them. Anyways, I just wanted to share their stories over the next day or so.

Once upon a time, I was dating all kinds of bad ideas. I am fairly certain I was more depressed than I was willing to admit. I had just gotten out of a really long bad gig and felt 'meh'. (Haven't we all been there?) I lived about an hour away from my family so I went home to visit on weekends or at least for Sunday dinner.

<it's vital to the story to note that my family lives far far far out into the country. Mother commonly refers to it as "Egypt">

So, on this particular weekend we were staining an old door outside (every crafter knows it's an outside project). This dog kept wandering near us. He was calm and just had that look in his eyes. You know the one. I asked my mom who's dog it was. He was so sweet and country dogs wander. No big deal. My mom didn't know. But after some haggling and "your dad will kill you" we gave him food. I sat and petted my new pal for quite some time. I felt attached. I just knew this fella was in my life for a reason.

My dad came home and let us know he was a stray. He knew because he saw the dog being dropped off out out out in the far away lands of pasture and range. {Folk have been known to bring animals they don't want and just leave them. Please come back to this post when you stop crying over that}

I took it upon myself to name him "Alfonzo" and he started to hang with the neighborhood gang. Yes, all the dogs are besties. He was everyone's dog. He sort of meandered and hung out. I was happy. My friend had food and lots of love.

Then...

Dun dun dun...

He was gone! So was our neighbors yellow lab. Off to the pound they went. Naughty dogs. So, little Madison diligently called the pound. The pound stated that Alfonzo was chipped and his name was "...okay I won't tell you. In case his first owners ever see this and feel bad about their crime to my pal". The pound called those first owners and they said they sold him to a family in the country, but they couldn't remember their name..shady. So, my new friend, Alfonzo was going to be put down in 24 hours unless someone adopted him from the pound.

I cried.  I lived an hour away and couldn't have a pet. One of my parents neighbors would surely adopt him, right? There was some reluctance because it was expensive and some already had dogs. I called my dad. I called my mom. I cried. Madison cried. If I paid to adopt Alfonzo, Madison and our sweet neighbors would go pick him up.

Alfonzo lived at my parents for about a year. Then I moved home and got married. Finally, Alfie came to live with us! He is my very favorite in this whole world. Sometimes he gets into some crazy shenanigans, but hey he learned that from his mama (obviously that's me). He is a very picky eater. He only likes certain people foods. :) He loves going for walks, especially with Case because he goes faster. And when he gets excited he wags his tail like crazy. His other nicknames are: Relly Belly, Thunder, and Thunderbutt (that tail could kill a ho) oh, and sometimes he sits on the couch. It's absolutely precious. Casey gets mad. It is against the rules and he IS getting better at not disobeying.

We love him and he definitely completes our little family.

Day 1- AGAIN- 3/10/14

So yesterday I started my plan to be fit again. What am I on? Try #3? However, I am happy to say it was semi- successful.

What I want to Do Better:
1. Don't skip Breakfast.
2. Drink More Water!

What I did That I Am Proud Of:

1. Got a salad for lunch- Chick-Fil-A Asian Salad. Peeps, that thing was tasty. (Except for the mandarin oranges. Yuck)
2. Drank 16 oz of water- - -which is better than 0!
3. Went to a fitness class with my sis in law. felt like vomiting. didn't. completed the class!

I CAN make positive changes!

Throwback- Disneyland 2012

Casey and I had been dating a few months. He asked what I wanted to do for my birthday and I said "go to Disneyland" so we did. We left SO early and drove all day.

Upon arrival, we had dinner in Anaheim at California Pizza Kitchen.

The dessert was fantastic. It was a great way to start the celebration!

After dinner, this guy was creating balloon shapes. Anything Disney. How happy was I when he could make ARIEL for the low price of $30! Thanks, Case! Ariel is my home girl!

 The next day was DISNEYLAND! Now, Disneyland is not for beginners. Well, not Disneyland with me anyways. We got there as it opened and we were the last group to exit the park. 

Casey refused to let me ride "Dumbo", which is my favorite. Perchance it's because I turned 24 and we did not have a child with us. However, I did make him ride almost every other ride! We got on Indiana Jones and stood in like for less than 11 minutes. (Told you I was good). No line at the Tiki Room. No line for Haunted Mansion. No line for Splash Mountain or the Haunted House next to it. Less than 20 minutes for Soarin' Over California. Less than a 1/2 hour for Screamin. 

Serious, I'm that good ;)

Oh, and, I finally convinced Case we had to go to guest services and get me a birthday pin! It's a MUST people. Everyone told me "Happy Birthday"- how special! 

So, at the end of the night, Case was a bit tired... we did have some 1 hour lines for Star Wars and Space Mountain, but what did he expect? Once we got off of those it was fireworks and "The Wonderful World of Color". 

SO AMAZING. 

Then we went to leave. We rode the taxi train to the parking garage. We rode to the Daisy floor. . .And got lost. We walked, and walked, and walked for about 45 more minutes. FINALLY, it cleared out enough for us to find our car. Such an adventure. It's hilarious now (and was that night too. We were soo tired)!

I can't wait to go back! { Maybe for the big 2-6? }

March 2014 Goals

Who remembers monthly goals?! Well, no one gets anywhere without setting expectations of themselves so here we go-

1. Go to the Temple
2. Finish Taxes

•  These have been a Debbie Downer for sure. I have never not got a refund. . .well, hello marriage. This year is the year. Boo.

3. Exercise Daily {see previous post. This one's long term}
4. Be a better blogger.

• No promises. 

5. Save money for a fabulous vacation. {like the skinny cruise I'm a beggin for. I only call it "skinny" because I want a small swimsuit. I refuse to go otherwise.}

Recommiting- 21 Day Fix

So, I was doing decent with 21 Day Fix. The diet was throwing me, but I WAS doing the workouts and I was eating healthier and less. {It's all about the portion control}

We went on vacation last weekend. It was so fabulous. My work has been a little crazy as of late so I needed a brief break (does anyone else feel like I say my work is a bit out of control a lot? ..sigh, me too..) I did really well, but the days leading up to the vacation I was missing workouts. I tried making up for it and doing 2 a day's to catch up with no such luck. I spiraled while on vacation. :( Bummer, I know. I came home and did one of those "whatever. I'm fat. And ate like I was fat."

Boo.

I decided I was fine. Then, as fate would have it, I downloaded all the pictures off the camera to my computer. Hello, before pictures. Not even posting those! It's bad.

Therefore, tomorrow is DAY 1- AGAIN. And I will be successful this time. My main goals for this time are:

1. Drink More Water! I am supposed to drink 80 oz a day. I am starting slow so 60 oz to start it is. I have been water bottling and counting so that's a positive.
2. Exercise Daily. No matter what the exercise is, DO SOMETHING.
3. No Soda. Cold Turkey! It's time to be done. Change this old girl for the better.

I'm starting slow with 3 goals! I can do this and once I'm done I'll be taking recommendations for teeny yellow polka dot bikinis!

Day 0- 21 Day Fit (2/16/14)

So, I suck at blogging. There's that. I would make an old fashioned promise to get better but, I won't. And I don't like making promises I can't keep.

Growing up, I took dance classes. I wasn't terrific but it got my cardio in. In high school, I got to go to Gold's Gym every other day for a semester. Bomb! Throughout it all, I thought I was fat. There are pictures of me when I'm 3 and my thighs touch. So, I always felt like a chub. Looking back (especially to my junior high years), I wish I could write to myself- a 00 is not fat. Cherish this time before your metabolism crashes!

In college, I steadily gained a few pounds each year.  My biggest problem has always been eating healthy. I am a horrible eater. Horrible. I eat fast food at least once a day. At the very least.

Enter marriage-
I thought once I was married I would do better. We are on a budget and good wives cook dinner. We ate out at least 4 times a week for most of that first year. I blamed it on working too much and being tired when I got home. Casey would agree and off we would go. I felt like a bad wife. Casey should come home to a clean house, laundry done, and dinner ready. (Hello inner 1950's sexist) He never has. Case has never once complained. He will cook, he will do dishes. I really did get super lucky with him. Inside though, I still felt like I wasn't being a good enough wife. Occassionally, Case and I would go for a run (be real- my run is any other person's speed walk.) Still, I was packing on the pounds. I sit at a desk 96% of the time and eat like crap. What did I expect to happen?! A few months ago, I decided I was fed up. I drank a large McDonald's coke everyday without fail. I do not do well without my coke. (This deserves it's own post recognition and it will get it ASAP) I decided to be done. And, I was. I did not have 1 drop of coke for a whole month!! My friend, Alycia told me I looked better. I think that I look better- less bloated, but no weight loss. That's fine. I just want to feel good. I will occassionally get a coke, dr. Pepper, or sprite now. I just watch how much of each I get a week so I can make sure I am not developing a dependence on one.

I'm still not happy with how I look. I feel like a fat wife. Case has never said or done anything to make me feel this way. It's a me issue. But it's one I don't like and I am going to change.
I had Casey measure me (2/16/14) to get my starting numbers. I felt so embarrassed. He says he is proud of me and I'm always hot.

*Yeah, he's going to think hot when I wear skanky swimwear on our cruise!! Woot, woot! *

Then, Monday, February 17, I started Beachbody's 21 Day Fit! I plan on updating each day. I'll feel more accountable. And, spoiler alert, it's already working! ♡ IT!

Last, we all have different shapes. We will all probably all have things we want to change, but no one should feel so down on theirself that they don't feel like trying. Just be happy with yourself and if you don't like something (outside or in), improve it! Goals are what make you better! Love yourself!