Sunday, May 29, 2011

Live the Life: Kristi Approved!

So I stumbled upon Donene's blog where I was wowed by her achievement!

My dear husband was sitting next to me and says, "Wow, if a grandma can do it, then you can."

Glaring Smiling at him I shook my head in agreement.

thank you hubby for that comment--yes, I'm 25 and could certainly lose around 30ish pounds...

As I visited the Live the Life website, they offered a 7 day free trial! I thought... Why not?!

Now, as I am finishing up the school year with my lovely elementary students, I'm not sure how this will go.

In the next 7 days, I promise to:
-Try my best and stick to the plan
-Think positive thoughts ;)
-Really stick with it, even if I don't like certain foods. My motto: Let's try it.

Fair warning - I already have plans to go to Buffalo Wild Wings for a fund raiser on Wednesday. However, I'll try to make a good choice! ;)

Alrighty, I get to go get some groceries!

Has anyone else tried this program?

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Bacon and Parmesan Pasta

I have a list of recipes I'd like to try... and the Bacon and Parmesan Pasta was one of them!

I originally found it on a blog: A tasty recipe posted by Erica Berge. On Erica's blog post she mentions where she found it! Also on her blog post, she shows step by step pictures on how to make it... so fabulous!

Without further to do... here's the Bacon and Parmesan Pasta!

Photo Credit
What you will need:
-1 lb bacon
-Red pepper flakes
-Heavy cream (I used a homemade substitute)
-Pasta (I used whole grain... much healthier!)
-Cream cheese
-Grated Parmesan
-Eggs
-Freshly ground black pepper.

1. Fry bacon - sprinkle some red pepper flakes.
2. Flip bacon, sprinkle a little more red pepper flakes. ;)
3. Once cooked, set aside. Let it cool down.
4. Get a big pot full with water, when boiling pour in pasta.
5. Start the heavy cream (use homemade--less expensive!)
6. Check pasta
7. Add a whole brick of cream cheese into the heavy cream--on low heat. Keep stirring until all is melted.
8. Check pasta. ;)
9. Add parmesan and ground pepper
10. Check pasta. If tender--drain.
11. Put pasta in bowl.
12. Add 2 eggs to the heavy cream/cream cheese mixture.
13. Immediately pour mixture over pasta and stir. The hot pasta should cook the eggs.
14. Add cut up bacon.

And... serve, eat, and Enjoy!!

-->My picture update is coming! :)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Let's Get Going!

Whats the game plan?

It's Wednesday, May 18th--one day after my 3 year anniversary! I think when I got married 3 years ago, I weighed 135 pounds-ish. Maybe. But, who knows. I was so in love with the fiance that I just wanted to get married!

At that point, I was a size 8/9.

A senior in high school I was a size 6. Yes, it's true! I found my old prom dress!

My new plan:
-Make new plans/goals weekly
-Record weekly weigh ins (on Thursday)
-Share menus
-Start posting the pictures (embarrassing...)
-Look for inspiration--that's always a plus!
-Get off my behind--start walking/running weekly
-Find some recipes I'd like to try

Alrighty, off to find some of those things above. :)

Monday, May 16, 2011

Friend Makin' Monday - My Awesomeness

We all have our own set of strengths and weaknesses that make us unique, and I think it's time for us to celebrate those things.

If you've taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you're new, please take a moment to answer this week's question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers.




Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. 
The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it's time for this week's topic!

What makes you awesome? List at least five qualities/hobbies/habits make you cool and unique?

I think this is a great way to really look at our individual positives! Sometimes I feel like I put too much negative on myself--what a great question! :)

1) My husband told me yesterday that I should start a parenting class---we don't even have kids yet! I've always thought that teaching kids and disciplining kids all came as natural to others as it does to me. It doesn't. I really believe God has given me the gift in how I interact with kids. I think it's pretty neat, and that my husband notices too. :)

2) I have battle wounds from open heart surgery. My dad told me when I was little that my future husband would think it's cool (I always hated having a scar), and what do you know---my husband does!

3) I've stood up for doing what's right and can't wait to tell my future kids: you have the power to make good decisions and not give into peer pressure! My husband and family would say I'm black and white. It's sometimes viewed as a "bad" thing but I think I need to celebrate it for being a good thing in my life.

4) I have an amazing husband--he makes me a better person! (does that count as part of this?)

5) I have a sense of humor--at least the kids understand it. ;) I like to giggle... a lot. My students know!


That took me like 15 minutes to complete... now it's your turn! Have fun!

Freedom

You know when your house feels... cluttered? Messy? Full of... stuff? Yes, that's how I was feeling.

Then we purged. Oh, yes, we did.

We put things into piles of keep, sell, and trash.

Last week Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we hosted a garage sale at our house with 5 other families. It was a lot of work and not well thought/planned out. However it was fun and it was great seeing my old, unused stuff treasures go off with other people. I'm sure the other ladies felt the same way!

I feel pleasantly free.

Free from clutter. Just free.

My husband a few weeks back helped my grandparents go through their things since they sold their house. He came home and told me that he realized that he doesn't want to do that when we're older--that we should start now. :)

Every day I see myself becoming more and more like my husband in that way--needing/craving organization, wanting less stuff, desiring a clean house. If you know me, I'm the one that says "I'll do it later" and later means 2 weeks later, maybe.(I have good intentions...)

The garage sale was a great success--with our stuff alone, we made $5 shy of $400. Wow! Who knew we had that much stuff? We sold old appliances (and practically gave one away for 20 bucks.... ), home decor, clothes and everything in between. I think I'm still in shock with how much we sold.

On top of that we put money into the cash box which we got back--so altogether we are putting over $500 towards debt! With our tax refund, we get to put another $500 towards debt this month making it $1000 total! Wow, what a payment! :)

Dave Ramsey would be proud.
photo credit
In the last 16 months we have paid off a car loan ($2,000), husband's college loan ($3,000) and a medical bill ($700) and boy does it feel good! Any extra money goes toward the debt!

Of course we still have 2 credit card bills (related to the house-new appliances, new cabinets, new "stuff"), my college loan, and our home! We hope by the end of the summer we can pay the two credit cards--especially with a payment like $1000 will definitely help! Here's to the debt snowball--we CAN and WILL do it!

I just want to be free! :)

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Garage sale?

Yes!

I have sorted, cleaned, gone through lots of things and then started putting prices on them! We're getting ready for a garage sale, and boy, have we really gone through all our stuff! (I know I've said that before...)

We have SO much stuff--it's unbelievable! How in the world do we have all this? Oh, yes, it's the over head I bought from school to write stuff on the wall, or the stuffed animal from State Farm that was free and the lady insisted on us taking it home. It's the glasses that are extras because so many broke that we got a whole new set. Or the things that my mom and dad gave us before they moved to Florida that I thought we would use.

Wow, how things quickly acquire!

Thought I'd share some photos (not mine, but I can't wait to share with you our cleaner basement!)

Credit

credit
credit
Credit
credit
credit
credit (same as photo above)

Hahahaha I'm still laughing at all the above.

Now, time to keep pricing---anyone want to volunteer to do that for me? ;)

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day

It comes around every year;
but when you have empty arms,
it's very hard to hear.
It's a day to celebrate a mother,
for all the trials she overcame;
and a reminder to an infertile
of her loneliness and shame.
But what really makes a mother,
Is it just conception and birth?
Or is there something more,
that shows a mother's worth?
It's putting your child first,
in everything you do;
it's sacrifice and determination,
and love and patience too.
An infertile woman makes all her plans,
around a child not yet conceived;
she loves them even though they aren't here,
more than she ever could have believed.
She appreciates and understands,
what a blessing that children are;
she works hard for just a chance,
that motherhood is not that far.
All odds are stacked against her,
and yet she still has hope;
everyday is another struggle,
finding ways to help her cope.
So even though her arms are empty,
she can still be a mother too;
So say a special “Happy Mother's Day”
for those waiting for their dreams to come true!
  
Happy Mother's Day weekend to everyone... new mothers, experienced mothers, repeat mothers, mothers-to-be, mothers-to-be "one day", trying to become mothers, fill-in mothers, adopted mothers, mothers to angels, stepmothers, mothers-in-law, grandmothers raising grandkids, motherly types and fathers doing double duty. You ALL deserve a huge Happy Mother's Day!
 

Monday, May 2, 2011

Friend Makin' Monday - Are you...

a bookworm??

Over at All The Weigh it is Friend Making Monday! This is only my second time participating so bear with me. ;)




Friend Makin' Mondays: Are You A Bookworm?



1) How often do you read?  If it's not lesson planning or educational books.. then, I don't read too often. I know I should, but it's definitely hard to get started when life is so busy!

2) What's the last book you read and loved? The last book I read (which was quite recently) was "Just Walk Across the Room"

3) What book(s) are you currently reading?  *sigh* currently, nothing. I'll try to get right on that. ;) Anyone have any good ideas? I've read many of Nicholas Sparks and have loved them. I used to read quite a bit, but not so much these days.

4) Share a few of your favorite authors.  I really, really have enjoyed Nicholas Sparks' books. They always seem to keep me on my seat. However, I must say, I did go through the Harry Potter series and the Twilight series and enjoyed the creativity in them.

5) What's next on your list of must-reads? Well, do you have suggestions? I need to start making a "to read" list... ;) 

What do you read? Have you participated in FMM yet? Go check it out here!

I promise, my to do list for May will include some books. :) Better get on that, since today is May 2. Lookout bloggers, my May goals are coming soon!