The Booth Shots - Finally

No.  This is not a post about my breakfast nook.

Tell me you didn't think it was for a split second.

I wish it were.

I really wish it were.  I have been so slow in sewing those pillows.

Do you know that the people who helped us build it still haven't seen it?

Appalling, I know.

But I am blaming it on the fact that the month of April is a huge time suck.

I want to take a moment to thank all of you who commented on the Botox post from yesterday.

You made me feel better.

Whether it was over the {practically non-existent} guilt that I carry for watching such a ridiculous show or the fact that I hate forehead wrinkles more than Ryan Seacrest hates slurred syllables.  (Seriously THIS IS A-MER-I-CAN I-DOL!  Could it BE more enunciated?*)

So, instead, I thought I would post some of the pics from my party.

In case you aren't friends with me on Facebook.

Or in case you are and were really wondering what I thought about each of the pics.

Because I know many of you wonder about the running commentary going on inside my head....

We'll start out with my personal favorite of me.

What?!  It's MY birthday....

This is the workout side of me coming out, and I apologize, but look at those ARMS.... 

A year of hard work.  Worth it.

Next up....  The Prom Date Pics.

At first I didn't get these.  And when I did, I laughed.  OUT LOUD.  ALOT.

I love these girls.

Next...the Locomotion pics.

And this guy???  Don't ask me....

These girls are like family....

And these girls ARE family....

My sister and my adorable niece.  She's like me.  ALOT like me.

My sister-in-law & my adorable niece.

Let's not forget the inlaws...

And nephews/nieces

And finally...the comedic relief....

My rockstar nephew - Cam...

Stealing a kiss....

This guy again...Because really. Comedic relief?  Um yeah.

My "Dancing Queen" pose.  Abba so should have seen this.  They'd have been proud, proud people.

The most random photo ever.  Partly because my SIL HATES the camera.  Partly because my child is screaming for Zoe.  And partly because Kyle just hopped in at the last second. 

I LOVE IT!

Silly girls.

Silly Us.

The Personal...yes...PERSONAL CHEF my hubby hired.

Jen.  And her crazy husband.  The one whose chest you saw here.

Kyle.  I love Kyle.  Big Pink Puffy Heart - LOVE. 

These 2 held the dance floor down for the first hour or 2.

Again, with Kyle.  Did I mention how much I love Kyle?

Ah.  Jen.  Poor Jen.

Honorable mention:

These guys...

Who were so busy dancing that they only ended up in this pic.

And yes, I did sketch in the amazing spaceman helmets on their heads in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first space mission.  (Or at least that's what Google said today was.)

But yeah. They are awesome.   And incredible dancers/balloon bouncers.

And for the record, if you happen to be local to this area and would be interested in a photo booth like this, I happen to have an in with (ahem, I may or may not be sleeping with....)

one of the photographers who runs it.  You can find out more about it here.

*please read this like Chandler Bing.  If you don't know who Chandler Bing is, don't tell me that. 
Because then I will feel old, but at least I won't be alone, right Chan???

Botox Beauty

I want it.

I admit.

I WANT BOTOX!!!!

This is a much less shameful statement than the next admission I am about to make....

Yes.  I promise.

Wait for it...

I watch the Housewives of ________________ (that blank can be filled with anything BUT Atlanta - ugh)

And these ladies have convinced me.

I want Botox and I want it now.

Actually, they have convinced me that I NEED it and I NEED it now.

Not convinced?

I submit to you...

Exhibit A: ME

Credit: This amazingly glamorous picture was taken with my cell phone.  NICEEEEEEEE.

Age: 30 Years and 8 Days

Complexion: Tire tracks around the eyes, freckles {ahem, baby age spots} EVERYWHERE despite all the sunscreen in the world!, and the forehead wrinkles for added effect.  They add alot, huh????

Overall Complexion Age: I-no-longer-get-carded-EVER-must-be-pretty-bad-45ish.

Exhibit B: Gretchen Rossi. 

Credit

Age: 33 Years. 

Complexion: FLAWLESS

Complexion Age: Um, Now that you have graduated high-school, where are you going to college?

Exhibit C: Alexis Bellino 

Credit

Age : 34 Years 

Complexion: FLAWLESS 

Overall Complexion Age: Can I buy you a drink, Miss 21st birthday?

Yeah.

Note to self: one should not watch HW of OC while you are feeling OLD.  This leads to feeling older and looking more hagard due to the facial sagging that comes with feeling older....

Note to self: Botox commercials would be BRILLIANT and make millions if they aired during the HW of OC marathons....  I should pitch this to someone....  Maybe then I could afford Botox....

Based on this information, I now realize that Botox probably should have made it to my birthday list.

And finally, based on this information, should you happen to see a Groupon for 1/2 price Botox, you should probably call me IMMEDIATELY.

Inspired Yet?

No, this post is not about how you can decorate your mantel to be the most adorable mantel on the block, although...we all know how I feel about mantels, right?

No, this post is not about the 200 ways to save $1,000 on your groceries this month, although...well, I guess I do have a little thing for coupons....

No, this post is not even remotely related to construction projects or home makeovers.

And we can all breathe a big sigh of relief that I am not giving a tutorial on how to make anything reminiscent of my greatest creation to date....

But this is a little post to remind us all how a little hard work can take you places.

And make big things happen.

Just one step at a time....

Because when you start out here...

Just one little mile....

(And that was after 5 months of working out and getting strong enough to do one little mile.)

But yeah, so when just a few months ago 1 mile was painful.

And terrifying....

Ten feels INCREDIBLE!!!

And no, it doesn't happen over night.

But I am here to tell you...it CAN be done.

Weekly Weigh-In #23

This day has been a long time coming.

After 1 year, 4 months and 11 days, I finally hit pre-preggo weight.

Actually BELOW pre-preggo weight.

By almost a whole lb.

Which is 1.2 lbs from my last weigh in, 2 weeks ago.

This coming after a week of what I have considered to be "maintenance mode" eating and exercising.

Yes, I ran 9 miles on Sunday, but since then I haven't done anything extreme.

Yoga, elliptical, running - only 2.6 miles logged this week, though, a little more elliptical....

And the eating has been...well, um...

Can I just say, on Monday and Tuesday I thought I was going to chew my arm off.

So my calorie intake has been slightly higher.

But I figured my body needed to recover from the ridiculousness that 9 miles does to you.

No, I didn't ingest a large cow as I may have preferred, but I definitely didn't stick to 20 points as I had intended.

And I kinda figured, what the heck, I'm really in maintenance mode now....

So I upped my Weight Watcher's Points all week.

To 25.

And I still lost.

Scratching my head at that one.

But I totally think it has more to do with contentment.

Kinda like when Charlotte* tried to get pregnant for years but couldn't and then had to adopt and then found out she was pregnant.

Yeah.

Like that.

*Total SATC reference.  Keep up, people.

Stop In

And no, I don't mean the food stores...

I would actually be referring to my guest post over at Honey Bear Lane.

And while you are over there, you can drool over her puff quilts...oh.my.heavens.

I swear, before baby #2 arrives I WILL learn how to make one of those!

Anyway, head on over!  I look forward to seeing you there!

My Honest Opinion: Sometimes Memories Lie

Remember that day when I complained about how LITTLE my child looked like me?

I don't think my argument is relevant anymore.

Maybe you don't see it.

But I do...

Take away the red hair in my pic and that's totally the face my kid makes to me when he's acting bashful or not feeling good.

What.a.relief.

Giveaway Winners!

Sorry for the delay in posting this.

My mind has been a flurry with all kinds of posts floating around up in there, that I forgot.

What?

I'm honest, right?

Anyway, without further ado, here are our winners!

Thanks to the assistance of Random.org...

The first winner was Carrie who said...

And the second winner was...

Sarah (and no, not my sister, Sarah)

Who said....

And I totally hear what you are saying, girls! 

Tomato sauce and coffee stains plague my clothes (as well as my teeth, hehe!) almost daily.

Make sure to email me your contact info so I can get you your freebies as soon as possible!