Thursday, October 30, 2014

Transformation Thursday - Loving Every Step of My Journey

If you are my friend on Facebook then you saw a little mini blurb of this post already today.

I decided, upon reflecting, that it deserves a complete blog post of its own.

 My journey to health has been a long and winding one. It has taken many years, many tears, many motivational people in and out of my life, many hours of sweat, a few pounds lost and gained back and lost again! The photo below is me (one the left is 1996 and the right was last weekend). In that time I have lost over 150 pounds but gained so much more!



I had not really ever stopped to think when I decided to start trying to lose weight and become healthy until I got this picture via text from my sister yesterday.

She sent it because she came across it and was stunned by my size. She did not remember me ever being this big. I kind of chuckled because I definitely remember and, after a little reflecting, I remember what turned things around for me. Its not what most people are probably thinking. I read a lot of blogs that say it was a special event that you could not find a dress that fit for or a picture that you could not stand to look at. Mine is nothing like that.



Back in 1996 I got in recovery. I started to look at myself and my faults and my life and saw it was headed no where so I started to change things around. This has been a long process (almost 18 years now) of looking at my insides, making amends and changing my behaviors.  It has been life changing in so many ways. When I got into recovery I was promised one thing and that was the ability to live life without alcohol - I have been given sooooooo much more! I have been given a family that trusts me and can rely on me to do what I say I am going to do, I have been given friends that love and support me no matter how many times I trip up and I have been given a set of tools and steps that help me in all my life matters and I have been given a body that is capable of doing anything I train it to do (completed my first marathon in May 2014)! I am so overly blessed! The tools have spilled over into my life (outside of the program) and have shown me how to live better and be better and do better! It is because of this that today I strive to live a longer and healthier life!

I can remember a time when all I wanted was to not wake up the next morning. I am testimony to the fact that life does not have to be like that! There is an easier, softer way through recovery.

I know I do not have a lot of readers but if anyone out there that sees this needs help - please contact me and I promise to get you connected with people that can definitely change your life!

Today, I workout almost everyday, eat healthy everyday (aside from a little chocolate here and there), go to work everyday -except Sat and Sun ;-) and try my best to help others and care about others.
I am considering changing the face of my blog in the future but I have to plan a little more on that.

Thanks to all the Friends of Bill at helped me throughout the years, all the fitness instructors that motivated me to take one more class, family and friends that have loved me beyond what I deserve!

It has taken almost 18 years but I love where I am now (still have over 20 pounds to lose) and I would not change a single step of the journey! The picture below is also from last week - still a few more pounds to go but happier inside and outside!


Happy Thursday yinz!!!

I would love to read some of your transformations...please link below in the comments!





Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Fall swap

I joined in on the Fall Swap hosted by Four fantastic women and the swap was awesome!!!



I was paired with Renee from Married and Hungry and I loved everything she sent me!!! What an awesome swapper she is!! This was her first swap and she chose everything I would have chosen for myself. In fact, if you check oput her blog you will see we sent each other a lot of the same things! HA - Great minds, etc....


 He was the awesome package I saw waiting outside my door!!!!



Here is a "loot" shot!!!


This adorable candy dish!!! Love love love!!!!



And also some amazing crock pot sauce! I cannot wait to try this!!!! 


I got these from another swap and they are amazing!!!!!! Work perfectly in my scentsy!!!


I actually baked these already!!!!!!! So delish and my work peeps thank her also as they enjoyed the treat too!



And last but not least, this awesome scarecrow that looks adorable on my picture table!
 


Thanks so much Renee!!! I hope you enjoyed yours as much as I enjoyed mine!!! You are an awesome swapper and I wish you all the happiest of Fall's!!!!!!!


Happy Fall yinz!!!!!!






Monday, October 27, 2014

Boss's Anniversary Dinner

Friday night was spent at Baywood with my boss, his wife and a few co-workers. The company had a celebratory dinner in honor of his 15 years of service (as he kept reminding us it is 16 now! HA)

This is the menu for the evening - I had the tilapia and it was amazing!

This is the group picture that the bartender took for us! Terrible! HA HA But it is the only one so I have to post it! Sorry.....This is me and a few of my co-workers and my boss and his wife.




 This was a shot of the fountains out back! It is so beautiful here! It is called Baywood and it is fantastic scenery and the food is outstanding!



This was my outfit selfie that morning. Now, since I have lost about 40 pounds so far I am able to wear this Loft sweater - I was so happy that morning!




This is my boss in the middle with me and his two other team leads and a young lady he used to work with. Such a fun night!

 















 
This is the table setup! Beautiful

 













  




And this is after dinner. As you can tell, I am looking a little stuffed! I was!!!














 It really was an amazing evening and I am grateful that Chris selected me to celebrate with him and his lovely wife that evening! He truly is a fantastic boss!











Penn State Game Weekend

What an amazing Saturday I had!!

 My parents picked me up in Pittsburgh and we all drove to Harrisburg together to meet up with my sister. She got us tickets to the Penn State vs Ohio State last Saturday and it was an awesome day!

Got my nails ready with some amazing Jamberry designs (purchase here  just click on shop at the top). As you can tell, I was rooting for Penn State!
 



This is a car selfie on the way to the game of me and my mother! Love her!!!!!!!
 

This is a family selfie...ha! This is all my family that was at the game (L to R-my Dad, me, brother in law Steve (we met him there), Mom and then Sister)



Here I was attempting a picture of the lot - the tailgates were amazing~! So much fun~and I don't even drink!!



 This is the cheerleaders and band parading into the stadium before the start of the game!



And another...



And another...If these are your kids, your welcome!



Here is us at our seats waiting for the start of the game! 












Here is a shot of the field and crowds during warmups...it was an energized stadium - so fun!

 









 










  
And finally, at my sisters house, all snuggled in my nieces bed for the night! Penn State lost at the very end but it really was an amazing game! Also, from tailgating and walking around the campus all day, I logged over 11 miles that day so that is a win win in my book!!!

 Before we left for Pittsburgh the next day, we made a Costco run as a family...as you will see, that is always a good time! HA  Here is my sister with her sock monkey (her friend is deathly afraid of them so she had me take a picture and we texted it to her - ha!)  Cruel, I know!


 My mom found the cute horsey to hop on. I swear, she did this all herself!!! I just grabbed the shot before she changed her mind!!! My family is soooooooooooo fun!!!!!


As always, weekends with family go wayyyyyyy to quick and it was time to head home!

Hope yinz all had an amazing weekend as well!!!







Friday, October 24, 2014

Five On Friday!



Today I am linking up four of my favorite bloggers for Five on Friday!

I was thinking when I was getting ready for work this morning how much I love my favorite makeup.  Every now and then I switch it up but normally, for day to day looks, I use the same things everyday in the same way and I love them all! I do not know what I would do if they discontinue my colors, etc.  HA

So, I thought what a perfect Five on Friday post! Well, here they are! My favorite GO TO's for my everyday look!

For your enjoyment (Ha Ha) I have added a selfie that I posted to Facebook this morning! This is after the makeup routine was done and I tried on a sweater that I have not been able to wear yet. I got it at the Loft a year or more ago and it has never fit. I recently lost over 40 pounds! I started the weight loss with the 24 day Advocare Challenge and have since then just continued on with healthy eating and working out and NOW IT FITS!!! I am losing about 5 pounds a week steadily!!! Yippeee!!




First I will show the finished product. I like minimal makeup - maybe too little? Anyway this is the normal day to day look when complete.





First product I love is Noxzema Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum, I swear this tightens my facial skin...I need all the tightening I can get at my age!!!



Next is primer. I just started using a primer in the past year or so and it makes a total difference for me. My skin holds on to the makeup all day without looking cakey, drippy or shiny at then end of a long day! I have tried a few and my favorite is bareMinerals PrimeTime...



After that bareMinerals Matte Foundation Powder...this is awesome...completley evens out my skin and makes it picture perfect!!!



Then my other have to have is my Clinique Chocolate Cherry eyeshowed duo. This is my go to everyday and I love how it looks together! All the bridesmaids used this for my sisters wedding day so a bug thank you to her for finding this for me! It rocks!!!



And my fifth and final must have is this new lipstick! I love it! It came in my Ipsy box and I have worn it everyday since! It is by Noyah and its called Deeply in Mauve.



I can not wait to see everyone else's Five on Friday!

Happy weekend yinz!






Walmart Beauty Box October

If you read my blog then you know I am a big fan of getting presents for myself. I have no significant other and I love gifts and presents - soooo I found a work around! 

I signed up for a lot of subscription boxes. I have tried them all! The only problem is that I am also kind of cheap so if it is not a value I quit pretty quickly! 

My all time favorites are Ipsy (a beauty product box) and Stridebox (running product box). They are reasonably priced and NEVER fail to excite!!! 


I have also recently quit a few (Grazebox and Birchbox because they are not worth the subscription value - in my opinion).

Recently, I came across one that I had not tried so I signed up!!!! It is called the Walmart Beauty Box!!! I just got my first one and it rocks!! It is chock full of full sized samples and all things that I cant wait to try!!!

Here is the box when it arrived!!!



A LARGE sample of Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream - I have wanted to try this but was way to cheap to buy it in case I did not like it!




Loreal Revitalift Deep Acting Moisturizer...so excited to try this also! My face needs all the moisture it can get!!!



This awesome full size lipstick - I love the color already!!! Perfect Fall shade so I am told and it looks terrific on!!!




Secret Clinical Strength Clear Gel - I have never tried the clear gel deodorant but since this sample (again large sample) I think I am sold! It dries so quickly and you do not have to worry at all about it getting on your clothing!!!




A little Juicy perfume - this smells awesome! I have worn it to work all week!


This box was a major - YEA!!! I am so happy that I signed up for this subscription and cant wait to see what the Winter box has in store us!!!!!!


Hope yinz all have an amazing weekend!!!!!!!
 




Thursday, October 23, 2014

October Ipsy

As you hear me say every month - I LOVE IPSY!!

This month is no exception!

Here is the cute bag for this months stash!!!



This face wash is AWESOME!!! It is my new favorite! It leaves my skin so soft and smooth and I swear my makeup goes on smoother also!!!




This polish rocks!! I have it on my nails in the picture below! It has a finish like that sand polish only it is not gritty at all. The dry polish is smooth on your nail...it is an awesome neutral color!! Also, it is a full size product sample!!



This is a lotion sample - I have not used this yet but I will keep you posted!



I LOVE this sample!! This is the most awesome color of lipstick ever!!! It is Noyah and it's called Deeply in Mauve.  My new favorite!!!



I like the color so much I took a selfie this morning after I tried it on!!! HA
 






















 I also got this full size sample of Mascara. It is by Model Co and so far I am loving it!!!


IPSY never disappoints!!! It is the best subscription box every month!!! So much so that I finally took the BIG STEP and cancelled my Birchbox. :-(  It just wasn't worth the money anymore!

Thanks Ipsy for NEVER disappointing!!!










ICU Nurse it is

 Hi everyone!! I am just here checking in quickly. I almost feel bad checking in as it has been an eternity since I posted!!! UGH! Life has ...