Super Strict Crazy Woman On Board

I'm being really hard on myself this week seeing as it's the last week of the Biggest Loser Competition. I'm still eating healthy, but I've cut out all bad carbs, NO SWEETS, just veggies, fruits and lean proteins. I'm hoping for my biggest loss yet. I'm doing something a little different with my workouts too. Hopefully changing it up will be a shock for my body and it will "like" the changes. I only have two more days 'til final weigh in and I'm feeling GREAT! Excited for the big reveal. I'm so appreciative for all of the support I've received these last eight weeks. I'm also grateful to all the ladies in this competition...their devotion and hard work has truly inspired me. It's been so good LOSING alongside them. Hope you have a great weekend and here's a little tribute to creative cropping...
Yeah, I know this is just about unbearable to look at and I wouldn't even be showing you all this if it wasn't for how secure I am now in my body. I can't believe my husband didn't say..."Hey, honey, maybe you shouldn't wear white...I REALLY love you!" Oh well, I shocked a bunch of tourists in California...sorry for the sore eyes.
Thanks to Photoshop, I now look at least half way presentable...for posterity and all you know.

Decorate ME!

I saw these pins on clearance at WM the other day and I picked one up with a hair bnd in mind. I think it's fancy shcmancy and I like it a lot. I used my SU Blossom Party flower die, a piece of jean material from Aaron's HOLEY jeans, and a piece of white thriftstore fabric to make the flower. Then I placed the pin on the flower and hot glued to the headband with a circle of felt underneath. Isn't it lovely? I'm sure Tessa will love it when she see's it today! Have a super day.
Linking up to Someday Crafts

Sick, Sick, Sick

Some cuteness for you!

Last week started out okay but Tuesdy Tessa came home from school saying she felt terrible and Aaron wasn't acting right either. So I took them both to the doctor. Tessa had a temp of 105.3 and Aaron was 105.8. They checked them for strep but it was negative, then they did a flu swab (had to wait on that one). I just had to keep them doped up with Tylenol and Ibuprofen to keep the fevers down. The next day I took Jonah and Jakob in to see if they might have the flu, just in case. They didn't have the same symptoms BUT they both had ear infections! YAY for me! Travis went to the doctor the same day because his ear was hurting...ear infection TOO! Eventually the flu results came back negative so it was just some crazy virus. So yesterday Tessa came home from school complaining of ear pain...took her to the Dr....EAR INFECTION in both ears! SO That's FOUR out of FIVE people in my house with in ear infection which leaves Aaron and me without one BUT Aaron can't get ear infections because he has ear tubes so he probably would have gotten an ear infection. My house is brimming with antibiotics and I can't WAIT FOR SPRING!!!! So tire of the snow and the sick.

I made a pretty card though...wanna see...

So happy to know you!

I just feel happy looking at this card. It's so vibrant and feminine. I've been trying harder to make sure the store is stocked with cards and so I sat down the other day and made a few. Hope you all are enjoying your day. My kiddos had another 2 hour delay in school and they're playing babies now. FUN!

Weigh In Monday: Week 8

A little frustrated...I was REALLY good. I ate well (wondering if I'm not eating ENOUGH?!?!, but I'm not hungry ever) and worked out extremely hard but the results were just not there for me.

I lost less than I wanted to and I'm wondering if my body is just slowing down because it's getting to a comfortable place of weight. I feel pretty amazing but I'd like to say goodbye to at least another 4.8 pounds.
I began this weightloss journey knowing that I wanted to do it "the right way"...sustainably...no pills, no cleanses, no fad "diets". I wanted to work out, eat healthy, cut out the sugar and still be able to eat with my family. It has worked so well so far. I know it's something that I'll keep doing once the eight weeks are over. Even though I may not win this competition, I'VE WON... I have gained power over my body again... I'm in control.
I'll continue on this journey and see where I end up.
This week I lost 1.2 lbs. I know, it's a pound +, it's something, but it's not what I wanted to see. Maybe last week's 5 threw my body off. Who knows. I was also super stressed about the cub scout Blue & Gold banquet and pulling it all together. I have now lost 11% of my bodyweight in seven weeks, crazy! I'm grateful for the support of my friends and my husband who has been an amazing help this go 'round for me. Here's to the final five!!!!! Wish me luck.My honey and I at the Grand Canyon. I can't believe I thought this shirt looked cute. I'm practically bursting out of it! I am happy with me now.

Happy Anniversary

A fun little card I made for the store. I really like this cute little tree. Kraft cardstock, white ink and prismacolor pencils.

Thank You

Super simple thank you card for a sweet person I met in my recent travels. If it weren't for her I would've ended up sleeping in the Atlanta airport. Hope she likes it. Have a great day!

Weigh In Monday:Week 7

It's weigh in Monday again and it's a happy one. Last week I recorded no weight loss...well it was really .2 but how could I count that as an actual loss?!? That's okay though because my body was good to me this week and actually did what I wanted. I was so good, even for Valentine's Day. The best part is that I'm never hungry. I eat all good stuff and I never feel starved.

This week I'm down a total of 5 pounds. I am just amazed, really, amazed by what my body has been able to do...what I have been able to control about myself...namely my chocolate obsession. I never thought I could get through a day without chocolate but now it's no big deal. I want to be the best me that I can be and I'm getting closer and closer to my goal weight. I have to say that having my hubby support me in this has been a HUGE help. He still eats what he wants , but luckily it's not stuff I crave, he makes sure of that. Well, here's hoping for another great week. FYI: That's a total of 16.8 pounds in SIX WEEKS. I have now lost 10.3 % of my body weight! If I can do it, so can you. Keeping track of my food intake has been THE BIGGEST HELP.

Here's a pic of me last year on Valentine's Day. We had Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet and Jakob earned his Bobcat. I thought I looked pretty good, I mean I had just had a baby six months previous. I'd like to try that shirt on now and see what I look like in a picture.

Hair Band Rosette

Tessa is going to the Father/Daughter dance at her school tonight. I wanted to make something special for her to wear in her hair. While I was in Florida I picked up this beautiful ruffly ribbon at Michael's. I'll be the first to admit that it's a little tricky to work with. I ended up using my glue gun along the way to hold the folds in place. I just used the turn/fold back method I learned way back when, and on the last go round I just glued the ribbon flat against the bottom and let the ruffle be the edge. I cut out a circle of felt and glued the rosette to the head band. Whalah! I think it turned out darling and I hope Tessa likes it. She needs a belt to go with the simple black dress I found her at the thrift store and I'm going to look up some options online. TTFN! Hope you're having a great day!

Florida: I miss YOU!

Just a fun little collage of the goings on in Florida. You can tell we had fun together!

Weigh in Monday:Week 6

SOOOOOO. I JUST got home from a little jaunt to Florida that started on Thursday. I JUST weighed myself and I have mixed feelings. I'll start by saying that I spent probably a total of 48 hours of the trip either in a plane or WAITING to get on one! That's not good for weight loss, right. BUT I was still pretty good in the eating department and I did work out while I was in Florida, but I also missed a workout too. I'm just recommitting myself for this week. I'll begin again finnigan.
I've registered NO WEIGHT loss for last week. SAD, I know. Not too bad considering I spent a bunch of time on my butt (I would've done more walking but I was required to be dressed up due to the type of travel I was using). I know excuses, right!?!? Oh well. I DIDN'T go UP. So that's good. I'm exactly the same as last Monday. I feel ready to go, so bring it on!

Weigh In Monday: Week 5

Another week has come and gone. I was REALLY good this week. I worked out six days out of the week and I didn't cheat at all but unfortunately that didn't translate to bigger numbers on the scale. My body only wants to lose around three pounds a week...so far. I know that's really good in the scheme of things because I'm not taking any supplements and I'm doing this au natural. I feel so much better. I wore the cutest outfit to church yesterday... a skirt I haven't been able to fit into in quite sometime AND a jean jacket I've NEVER been able to wear since the day I bought it (it was too cute to pass up on sale). I kept telling myself that I'd slim down and be able to fit my chubby arms into the sleeves WELL it FINALLY happened...two years later. I did not want to give up on that jacket, darn it! I should've taken a picture, I guess I will when I wear it again.
I hope this week is just as good for me as last but I feel like Mother Nature is calling and I'm feeling really strong chocolate cravings which I haven't had in the past two weeks. I'm just going to push through it though and find alternatives.
So last week I lost a total of 2.8 lbs. In four weeks I am down 11.8 lbs...I like that myfitnesspal ticker just rounded up! I like seeing a nice round 12, that'll be tomorrow though. So wish me luck for this next four weeks to be as positive as the last four. WE CAN DO IT!

Like I said...Mother Nature...so here's a recipe that calmed my craving and didn't make me feel guilty.
Chocolate Chip Cookies made with white beans/no butter (I didn't use sugar either).
1 cup white beans1 cup splenda, truvia or stevia1 cup brown sugar or brown sugar splenda blend2 eggs1-2 tsp vanilla2 c. all purpose flour ( I used wheat flour)1 1/2 cups to 3 cups oatmeal finely blended3/4 tsp salt1 tsp baking soda1 tsp baking powder6 oz chocolate chips
Cream the beans and sugar together just like you would butter, add eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and oatmeal ( I used only a cup and a half of blended oatmeal). Add the flour mixture to the bean mixture and blend well. Add enough water to make the dough sticky but not runny. Add chocolate chips. Blend. Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes. Do not overcook or they'll become crispy. Enjoy these puffy chewy cookies without feeling guilty.