Birthday Wishes

My weigh-in tomorrow is going to be horrible. I haven't had a good workout since Friday, and I have eaten way too much candy. I'm disappointed and embarrassed, but I'm going to put that aside right now. 

A week from tomorrow, I will be celebrating my birthday! I needed something to put me in a better mood, so I am going to share with y'all some of the things on my birthday wish list!

I think this dress from Old Navy would be perfect paired with leggings, boots, and a pretty scarf!

I love the colors in this workout tank from ActivateApparel on Etsy.

I've heard good reviews on these non-slip headbands from Brady Bands. Elephants are one of my favorite animals, and I think this pattern is too cute!

I've wanted one of these heart rate monitors for a while now. I feel like it would give me a more accurate reading of my heart rate and calories burned as opposed to what the treadmill says.

I've had these shoes on my wish list since last September, and I still don't have a pair! Although last year, I really wanted the leopard pair, but I think these would go with more outfits. I've tried them on before, and they are super comfortable, which would be perfect for substitute teaching!

So, those are the top 5 things on my birthday wish list! Hint, hint, wink, wink, nudge, nudge to any of my family reading this ;-)

Saturday Shenanigans

{Linking up with Sami today for Weekend Shenanigans!}

I didn't really do much on Friday or Sunday, so this post is all about my Saturday I spent with these lovely ladies!

Mallory, Emily, and I started the morning at a festival in Sanger, TX where the city's public library was having their annual book sale. I found a few books that sounded interesting, and I only had to pay $5 for them all!

After the book sale, we walked around and browsed the different booths, but we didn't really find anything we had to have. While we were walking downtown, we saw a sign for a garage sale. We followed the signs and ended up at the Masonic Lodge where I found the best deal I've ever gotten at a garage sale...

Isn't she a beaut? I scooped this crock pot up as fast as I could! I was just telling my mom the other day that I needed one that had a removable inner pot. The older crock pots (if they're in good condition) work better than the newer ones with all the 'fancy schmancy' buttons. All you need is off, low, and high, and you're good to go!

Once we were finished shopping, we headed to Denton for lunch at Texas Roadhouse. We were seated by a big poster for Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch in Pilot Point. My sister said, "Let's go there after lunch!" None of us ever do anything spur of the moment. We always have everything planned down to the last detail. Well, somehow, we ended up at the wildlife ranch, and it was a lot of fun!

We were loaded onto a safari tram and saw camels, emus, zebras, zorses, and zedonks. I love how that camel looks like it's ready to give someone a big ol' kiss!

There were also bears and snakes, but of all the animals, I was most scared of this pig! She kept rooting her nose against my leg, and I was afraid she was gonna try to grab a bite! :-D

The sweetest animal there was this white-tailed deer named JD. When he was a baby, a car hit him and shattered part of his skull and jaw. Before he was found by anyone, it had already healed wrong. After being seen by a vet, it was decided that a surgery was not necessary, so they didn't want to risk his life to try and fix it. They said he is in no pain and will live out his days at the ranch. He loved to be petted as you can see in the picture.

By the time we finished up at the ranch, it was pretty hot outside, so we headed to QT for drinks. Our papa loves the frozen cappucino from there, so we all got one of those (our 1st time) and texted him this pic of us drinking them. It was really yummy! I'm glad I don't live closer to a QT, or I would go there more often to get one of them!

So, that's how I spent my Saturday! It was fun and partly unexpected!

Sunday Currently 9.15

{This 'Currently' format is borrowed from Julie!}

Current Book: I don't normally read more than one book at a time, but I'm reading Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn and Shelter Dogs: Amazing Stories of Adopted Strays by Peg Kehret. Since one is fiction and the other is non-fiction, I don't think I will confuse the stories going on in each of them. :-)

Current Music: "Say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out. Honestly, I wanna see you be brave!"

Current Guilty Pleasure: Oreos

Current Nail Color: Fina from Julep...sky blue silvery metallic

Fina

Current Drink: Coffee and Iced Water

Current Food: Toast with Peanut Butter and Honey

Current Favorite Show: One of the best shows I've ever watched...Parenthood. I just can't get enough of the Braverman family. I started season 4 last week, and almost every episode has left me in tears. Such an emotional show, but it has its funny moments too! I can't wait until season 5 starts.

Via

Current Wish List: My birthday is in less than two weeks, so I'll actually be writing a post this week of things that are on my wish list! :-)

Current Needs: Some items for my substitute bag...stickers, planner, colorful pencils

Current Indulgence: There's some cupcakes in our kitchen that I've been eyeing, but I haven't indulged YET.

Current Blessing: My sister, Mallory, and my cousin, Emily...two great girls that I love oh so very much!

Current Outfit: Black workout pants and a Texas Longhorns shirt

Current Excitement: I have three sub jobs this coming week! The first ones of the year!!

{This link-up is brought to y'all from Lauren!}

Weekly Weigh-In #29

This Week: +0.2 lb

Total Loss: -28.4 lbs
Starting Weight: 251.2 lbs
Current Weight: 222.8 lbs
Starting BMI: 36.0
Current BMI: 32.0

Workouts for the Week

Friday - Day 3 Squat Circuit Challenge (90 squats)
Saturday - Day 4 Squat Circuit Challenge (Rest Day)

Sunday - Day 5 Squat Circuit Challenge (100 squats)

Monday - Day 6 Squat Circuit Challenge (50 squats)
Tuesday - Day 7 Squat Circuit Challenge (120 squats), 3.00 miles on treadmill (45 min)

Wednesday - Day 8 Squat Circuit Challenge (Rest Day), 3.10 miles on treadmill (57 min)

Thursday - Day 9 Squat Circuit Challenge (135 squats)

Total Mileage: 6.10 miles
Total Squats: 375
Total Time: 1 hour, 42 minutes

Up a little bit this week. I was disappointed when I stepped on the scale this morning, but I'm not going to let it ruin my day. I'm already looking ahead to this coming week and what I can do to make it better than this past week was.

I've decided I'm not going to list 'lose X amount of pounds' as one of my goals for this week. I feel like I obsess about that goal each week and stress myself out about it. I think I will have my mom hide the scale until next Friday because I weigh myself all week, and I don't think that helps me. All of my goals will deal with exercise of some sort.

Even though I'm not focusing on the number this week, when I finally hit the 30 pound mark, I'm going to treat myself and buy this shirt.

Elle Woods, FTW

I found a 50 minute workout for the treadmill that I tried out this week. I didn't get as much mileage in as I normally would, but I really liked it because it made me sweat a lot more and was constantly changing, which made the time go by quickly.

Via

 
LAST WEEK'S GOALS 
 

1) Lose at least 1.4 pounds 

2) Complete Days 3-9 of the Squat Circuit Challenge

 

3) Sell some of my clothes that are too big for me

I'm trying out Tradesy. I haven't sold anything yet, but I have a few things listed. I plan on listing some more items today.

4) Try this workout over the weekend

THIS WEEK'S GOALS
  
1) Make a workout plan for the week
 

Check!

2) Complete Days 10-16 of the Squat Circuit Challenge

3) Complete 4 5Ks, and improve my time with every one

4) Register for a 5K 

 Tomorrow I'm headed to a festival and book sale with Mallory and Emily. I'm looking forward to a fun, fabulous day!

Hope y'all enjoy your weekend! 

Thursday Thoughts

Linking up with Jennifer today for Thursday Thoughts! 

~I'm almost finished with the book I'm currently reading, Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult. I'm hoping to get one of the two books I've requested from the book swap group I'm in on Facebook. If I don't get either one today, I'm planning on reading The Girl in the Green Sweater next.

~This afternoon I have to take this guy to the vet to have his anal glands expressed. Some people do this themselves at home, but I'm not one of those people. If you know what this process involves, you can probably understand why I make the vet do it. It's not a pretty sight.

~I need to be certified in CPR and First Aid for my new job. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to find a class! The earliest class I found is on October 4th, and it's only CPR. I have to add a First Aid extension class and take it after the CPR class. Too bad they won't accept an online class certification...that would makes things a lot easier.

~I live in a small town with lots of other small towns around us. One of those towns is having a festival on Saturday, and my sister and I are going. Possibly Emily too if she doesn't have to work. I love small town festivals! The main reason I want to go is because their public library is having a book sale. $5 for a bag full of paperbacks? Don't mind if I do!

~There's another festival next weekend that includes a 5K. I really want to do a 5K but not by myself. Mallory and Emily both have to work. Boo! Maybe I'll conquer two of my fears at once...actually completing a 5K and doing it on my own! Today is the last day for early registration and to be guaranteed a t-shirt. I mean, c'mon, it's all about the t-shirt you get right? ;-)

Weekly Weigh-In #28

This Week: -1.0 lb

Total Loss: -28.6 lbs
Starting Weight: 251.2 lbs
Current Weight: 222.6 lbs
Starting BMI: 36.0
Current BMI: 31.9

Workouts for the Week

Saturday - 2.10 miles on bike (13 min), No Excuses Gymless Workout (19 min)

Sunday - 2.50 miles on bike (18 min)

Tuesday - 3.00 miles on treadmill (45 min)

Wednesday - Day 1: Squat Circuit Challenge (not timed), No Excuses Gymless Workout (19 min)

Thursday - Day 2: Squat Circuit Challenge (not timed), 3.00 miles on treadmill (45 min)

Total Mileage: 10.60 miles
Total Time: 2 hours, 39 minutes

Down another pound! So far, that has been the best part of my day. We're having Crock Pot BBQ pork chops tonight for supper. When I went to get the crock pot from the top of the refrigerator, I heard the glass lid shift, and I knew what was coming. I bent my head down. The lid rolled down the back of my head, crashed to the floor, and ended up in hundreds of pieces. So frustrating! Thankfully, nobody was hurt (me or the dogs), and I found another crock pot lid I could use.

That stupid deer head magnet fell first

Anyway, I found two workouts on Pinterest that I tried this week, and I really like them.

LAST WEEK'S GOALS 

1) Try a new healthy recipe

I made a roasted veggie and hummus pizza for lunch twice this week. It is so good! I will definitely be making it again! I added black beans to mine and substituted mozzarella for the goat cheese.

Click here for recipe

2) Lose at least 2 pounds

3) Log at least 20 miles

4) Do this workout on Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday.

THIS WEEK'S GOALS

 

1) Lose at least 1.4 pounds 

I want to be at a 30 pound loss by next Friday!

2) Complete Days 3-9 of the Squat Circuit Challenge

 

3) Sell some of my clothes that are too big for me

  I can't decide where I should sell them...Ebay, a local Facebook group, or somewhere else. Anybody have a suggestion? 

4) Try this workout over the weekend

 

Thursday Thoughts

Linking up with Jennifer today for Thursday Thoughts!

-I'm so glad substitute jobs are starting to come in! School started last week, so there's usually not much for a couple of weeks since it's very important for teachers to be there at the beginning of the year to set the routines and procedures. I've got three jobs lined up for the middle of the month, so I'm looking forward to that!

-As some of you know, my cousin Emily is getting married next year. My sister and I will be her bridesmaids. She told us the colors she wants for her wedding and told us to pick our dress. How awesome is she? We're 99.9% sure we will be choosing this one. I like that it doesn't look too 'bridesmaidsy,' so I could wear it again somewhere else. It also doesn't hurt that Emily loves our choice! Well...my choice...Mallory just does what I say ;-)

Via

-We're also going to be using tissue paper pom poms in some way for the wedding. I made my first one for practice the other night. I think it turned out pretty good, but instead of being a pom pom, it's a half sphere. I looked at different tutorials, so I think I know now how to make it a pom pom.

-I don't watch Dancing with the Stars every season, but I always like to hear about the cast announcement. After reading about who will be on it, I think I'm going to watch! I'm already rooting for Leah Remini! My guess on the first to go? Bill Nye the Science Guy...sorry Bill, I just can't picture you being any good. Maybe he'll surprise me! Who knows?

-I'm going to be writing a Q&A post about my new job with Carnival Cruise Lines soon! I have some questions from family and friends, but if any of you have questions, feel free to leave them in the comments, or send me an email!