Christmas is coming...

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!!! I know Mark and I did!!

Christmas will be here in 30 short days. Can you believe it??!!?? I have actually started my holiday planning a lot earlier than I ever have which makes me so excited. Mark and I put the trees (yes, plural) and decor up on Thanksgiving eve and then we decorated the trees while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade (it's a tradition that we have started). I also finished addressing all of my Christmas cards this evening and they will be going out in the mail tomorrow!! Hallelujah!!!

So, since I got a jump start on everything else, I want to get a start on planning out the spread of food that I will be making when my sister, her husband and their two kids come over on Christmas Eve. I know of a couple of things I will be making this year since they were a hit last year, and were requested again, but I'm struggling with some new stuff. I normally just have appetizers or finger foods since it's a real casual get together. I have a food board on Pinterest full of goodies but I don't know how to narrow it down.

Here is where you come in...what would you want to eat if I were cooking for you or which recipes would you choose (it's okay to base your vote off of the pictures).

Oreo Pudding Poke Cake

 

Caramel Cheesecake Apple Dip

 

Baked Mushrooms

 

Crock-pot Mac & Cheese

 

Cheesy Spinach and Bacon Nacho Dip

 

Or do you recommend anything else??

FREE at Walgreens...

Right now at Walgreens, you can get FREE Address Labels + FREE Shipping (your shipping will come off after you enter CC info) with the code ADDFREE. This isn't supposed to go live until Nov. 26 so if you can't get it now, you can get it then, but it worked for me.

You can also get a FREE 8x10 print with the code FREE2THANK. Here is what I made and ordered (Mark signed up for an account too). I selected a Walgreens near me and I can go there to pick it up so you won't be charged for shipping. This is only good until Nov. 24.

Head over to Walgreens Photo, sign in or register, upload your photo and order. It's just that easy!! I can't wait to see how my address labels and photos will turn out.

Treat

Have you heard about Treat? No, well, you are in luck. You get to know more about the company AND get a free card!!

Treat is Shutterfly's new greeting card brand that makes it easy for people to create and send one-of-a-kind greeting cards. Treat is perfect for sending holiday, birthday, congratulations, and thank you cards. they have something for every occasion. They make it fun and easy and totally personal.

I have ordered from both Shutterfly and Tiny Prints and I have always fallen in love with what I have ordered. They have great customer service and their products are great!! I love this new line, too. Check out some of my favorites!!

 

 

 



Since the holidays are quickly approaching, your holiday checklist just got shorter. Create and send a totally personalized greeting card from Treat for FREE. Whether saying thanks for Thanksgiving, wishing a best friend a holiday birthday, or simply sharing the holiday cheer with a just because card, Treat lets you create a one-of-a-kind card that is sure to impress.

All you have to do to get in on this deal is go to Treat, create your card and at checkout just enter the code below:

TREATBLOGR

This offer is only good for TODAY (Nov. 19) and TOMORROW (Nov. 20)

So what are you waiting for...check it out for yourself!!

This post is sponsored by Treat. My opinions are 100% my own.

random

Random Thoughts:

I'm still compiling all of my summer activities for you, in case you were wondering. Maybe by the time I am done with it, it will be really cold and it will take me back to the fun in the sun I had this summer.

I also fell off the weight loss band wagon. I am back in full force at work and it's been crazy. I have been so lazy when I come home at 8:30-9pm. that I don't want to do anything, even cook. We have been eating out like crazy and I have gained some (not all) pounds but I know that once I turn this apartment back into something wonderful, I will be back at losing the weight.

Which brings me to my next random thought - my apartment. It's in shambles. Complete and udder embarrassing shambles. Let me paint a picture - there was a foot and a half path from the front door to the living room that you could walk in between all the STUFF that I had laying everywhere. That STUFF was from summer camp, junk mail, shopping, my mom's house (that's another story for another time and place), Mark's Grandma's house, work, conferences, etc. Since Mark is working AND going to school full time AND I am working at work and at home MORE than full time, barely anything is able to get done. I became soooooo overwhelmed with it all that I didn't even know where to start...until this weekend. I've been a cleaning maniac today. It feels good. It felt good. And I'm sure I will be sore tomorrow.

Mark is graciously taking 3 bags and 3 boxes full of stuff  to Goodwill tomorrow AND we are getting a storage unit so we can properly use our closet space for the RIGHT reasons. Like hanging coats in and all that jazz. I didn't really know how cheap storage spaces were and if i did research before TODAY then I would have totally had one a long time ago. I can't wait to store the holiday decorations and the new appliances that Mark brought from his Grandma's house and the GIANT workout bench that I have concealed in my dining area AND everything else that we DON'T need right now.

One of my goals this year was to become more organized. Does it matter that we are approaching month eleven and I am just now taking the steps? Heck no...at least I'm doing something about it!

It's not too early

The holidays are fast approaching and it's that time again to think about Christmas cards!

Snail mail is one of my favorite things to send and receive and this year Shutterfly has yet again outdone themselves on the options you have for Christmas Cards.

I love the whole collection but here are some of my favorites

 

 

There is most definitely something for everyone (even your fur babies) so I encourage you to head over to Shutterfly and check out their special offers.

If you are into social media, check out Shutterfly's Social Channels:

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Pinterest

• Instagram: Shutterfly

• Google +

• Blog

 

*This is a sponsored post and I will be compensated for promoting products of Shutterfly.



cheers

So it's been about a hundred years since I last blogged. I think that I was just having a blast this summer and then got hit with the W word so hard that I couldn't even think straight. I still can't.

Work has been incredibly busy for me so I don't get a whole lot of me time. I mostly don't even get to use my laptop (I blog better on a computer) to do anything since I am either in my car or in my bed; unfortunately with my phone.

Once I find my camera USB (which is stuck in some bag that I used this summer), I will upload some pics of my FUN summer so ya'll don't start to think I am that lame.

Here's to more consistent blogging...

how it all turns out

This could not have come at a better time!!!

violated

Has something ever happened to you in your life that completely made you feel so vulnerable??

I've seen a lot and been through a lot in my twenty-eight short years but nothing has made me feel so violated than the one small incident that happened yesterday.

In short, Mark was hanging out with some (so-called) "buddies". Some things went down between them and they stole Mark's cash, his day old new cell phone and the most important thing, his keys. His keys with my car keys, house keys, etc. on it.

I've never felt so paranoid, so afraid. I'll take the loss on the cash and the phone. I'm glad that Mark is okay (even after a trip to the hospital only to find out that one of the guys had put something - read: roofie or drug of some kind - in his drink). But I'll tell you what I'm not okay with - someone having full access to my car, to my house and to all of my possessions. Talk about a sense of fear, vulnerability and stress.

Mark is nice to anyone and everyone he meets, I honestly think he's too nice to people most days but he insists that "they just need a hand", or "they just need someone to talk to", etc. but this time around, he got dealt a bad hand of no-good people and took advantage of him, of us.

So hopefully Monday night I'll eventually get to sleep when the maintenance guy will actually be allowed to make my apartment safe because apparently being cheap and not wanting to pay your worker for overtime is more important than my safety. Until then, you will find me at home looking for a new place to live.

Moral of the story: Be careful who you hang out with, never take a drink from a stranger and leave before it gets worse. I never thought I would be writing such post as this stage (and age) in my life.

Summer Pics!

Lately, I feel like every time I start a new blog it's "Sorry I've been away" or "I've been busy" or "I know it's been awhile" but really, I am sorry that I've been away and I really have been busy and boy, do I know that it's been awhile since my last blog...but, sometimes I feel like I don't have anything blog worthy to say, but today, I'll just show you...

I spent a week here at Sr. High Camp! I don't have any pics of me from the actual camp because I was the one behind the camera this time :)

I've been learning how to be a really great fish mom. We added a couple, lost a couple and now we only have Kiki, Maui, Flash, Jeff, and Wiggles. They are pretty entertaining to say the least.

I've been crazy busy with the garden at work. Lots of time and days spent in the scorching sun but it's looking really good (and this pic only shows half of it).

Visited the Tipp City Antique Show, bought an all maple double dresser for $50 and saw these two favorite friends of mine and scored some soap and a FREE $10 gift card to Living Simply Soap!!

Marked "Seeing Dave Matthews Band in concert" off my bucket list. AWESOME!

And I completed my first 5K as an adult in 45:13 coming in 69th place in my age bracket and 919 overall out of 1,053 and average 15:31/mile. I seriously only wanted to finish but I beat all of my previous times! I am sooooo PROUD of myself. I even beat Jared, the subway guy, who came in behind me!

Since I am a girl who loves photos (obviously - see above), and capturing those unforgettable moments, I want to tell you all about Shutterfly's Long Live Summer Contest!

All you need to do is log onto Shutterfly's Long Live Facebook Photo Contest page during July 9 through August 12 and participate in the multi-week summer themed photo sweepstakes and be eligible to win instant prizes. 

Here is the skinny on this awesome (and fun) contest!

You could win a trip for four to The Bahamas and a professional photo shoot so you’ll remember your vacation forever. All you need to do is upload your favorite photo and caption based on the theme of the week. Get a gift from Shutterfly just for entering! You can enter at any point during the 5-week sweepstakes period.

PHOTO THEMES

• Week 1(7/9): Americana

• Week 2 (7/16): Great Outdoors

• Week 3 (7/23): Water Fun

• Week 4 (7/30): Sports & Activities

• Week 5 (8/6): Parties & Celebrations

PRIZES

• Instant win prizes just for submitting a photo!

• Weekly prizes (contestants can enter one time/week)

• Weekly featured photos: up to 5 weekly entries will be selected from the gallery and featured on the Facebook fan page and awarded a $500 gift card on Shutterfly and a copy of the new Lonely Planet travel photography book.

• Grand prize: trip for 4 to Bahamas, 4 nights, family photo shoot

So what do you have to lose...go ahead and show Shutterfly what your friends, family and YOU are doing this summer!!!

Shutterfly Sweepstakes - Official Rules

Thanks for allowing me to show you what I've been up to, now tell me what you have been up to this summer...

prep work

I know it's been awhile since the last post, like usual, but I have been preparing for a summer camp AND preparing my youth at work for their summer schedule AND trying to keep my apartment from being turned into a girl's camp cabin which leaves me very little time to blog or do much of anything lately.

If I don't update BEFORE I leave on Saturday. I'll catch you up AFTER I come home...and sleep for approximately 20392782934729 hours before I return to work that Monday.

Have fun and be safe out there, friends!

5K..say whaaaaaaaaaaaaat???!!!!????

That's right friends, I have signed up for my very first (er, second) 5K. I did a 5K waaaaaay back in the day when I was approximately 11, 12 or 13 years old. I can't even remember it's been so long!

On July 15th, I will be heading to Fifth Third Field and joining thousands of other runners, walkers and "get healthy" enthusiasts along with this guy

                        

When I registered, I thought I was just going to be able to cross "finish a 5K" off my bucket list, but apparently you also score an awesome goodie bag that includes vouchers for FREE FRESH FIT subs from Subway, a custom Subway Dragons 5k dri-fit shirt, a Subway refillable jug, a Dragons hat, tickets to a Dragons game and more!

Not only do I get to run/walk this 5K with my best friend and significant other, but I also get to do it with a co-worker.

I've come a long way since April 24, the day I decided to take back my life. I've managed to push myself harder than I ever had, strengthen my lungs, and look and feel lighter - 13.6 pounds lighter, that is.

What more could a girl want...besides to shed some more pounds???!!!!???

This week started a new challenge for me. I accepted the challenge as a BzzAgent to Live Below the Line.

Live Below the Line is a campaign that challenges individuals and communities to eat and drink on just $1.50 per day for 5 days. By exposing participants to a glimpse of some of the daily difficulties experienced by the 1.4 billion people who live in extreme poverty every day, for everything, the campaign provides a unique window into understanding the realities of life for so many.
Through the insights gained over the 5 days, Live Below the Line is assembling a movement of people passionate about eradicating extreme poverty. Through partnerships with various charities, the campaign raises both awareness and critical funds.

This seemed perfect for me since I work for a non-profit organization and part of our mission statement is "...to eliminate the causes and conditions of poverty...".

I encourage you all to check out Live Below the Line and to actually live on $1.50 a day.

On Monday, for dinner I had sauteed onions and green peppers, a medley of frozen vegetables on Tuesday and tonight I had a veggie sandwich.

I think it's really important that each one of us put ourselves in the shoes of poverty to really get a glimpse of what those 1.4 billion people in poverty go through each and everyday.

Working with low income, poverty stricken families has really taught me to never take what I have for granted and to truly be appreciative of whatever I do have.

I encourage all of you to take the challenge with me and to Live Below the Line until May 11th. Even if you don't think you can take the challenge this week, I hope you try it out for a week in the very near future.

And in case you are looking for a good, but cheap meal, try this recipe:

Pasta with Shredded Onions, Carrots and Garlic:

1 package of bow-tie pasta

1 tablespoon salt

3 carrots

1 tablespoon pepper

1 onion

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 cup canola oil

Peel the onion and finely chop. Peel the carrots and chop into half-inch long sections. Separate half a cup of canola oil and heat over high flame. Put onions into the oiled pan. After a minute, add chopped carrots. Let cook in covered pan until carrots are soft. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Cook pasta until al dente. Once pasta is cooked, add the other half cup of canola oil until pasta is coated. Add carrot and onion mix. Add garlic powder to taste.

I'll be eating this for dinner tomorrow but with GF penne pasta instead.

And if nothing else, thanks for the support!!!!! 

running

I'm not one to normally exercise...consistently, however, I am seeing results and loving it! In just NINE days I have lost 9.6 pounds. I thought it was longer than that, but I didn't start counting calories and really exercising until April 24! I keep pushing myself each and every time and I love challenging myself, feeling healthy, and looking thinnier. Working out does help that I now have some cute workout clothes and shoes to go along with it. I switch days between these two snazzy pairs of running shoes...

...and I love my workout clothes but just because I look cute when I start does NOT mean I look anything close to cute when I finish. I'm normally a hot, sweaty mess.

This past weekend, while Mark and I were out shopping for some new workout clothes, I picked up a pair of jean shorts that were a size smaller than what I normally wear. It may only be one size, but I think that's quite an accomplishment for being so new to the game.

I'm excited about my new journey!!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Awhile back, and I mean awhile back, I posted about some changes that were going to be coming and well, those changes are here!!!

I've always known that I had a love/hate relationship with food and exercise. I loved food, it hated me. I hated exercise and exercise would love me. I didn't want to compromise. Until now. I've come to a point in my life where I actually WANT to do something about it. When I spoke the words, "I KNOW I NEED TO CHANGE, it sounded great, but physically and mentally I didn't want to do anything about it. I just didn't want it bad enough. I was at the point where I accepted the way that I was and I was comfortable being there.

Recently, I decided that I don't want to be comfortable anymore and I've decided to make a change. A few, actually. And this BIG change comes with a lot of support of Mark. He is such a rock in my life especially since a lot of changes at once can be overwhelming but so far, I'm doing really good and I'm really proud of myself and I'm so elated to be on this journey with a man that I love!

Change One: I'm counting calories and FINALLY watching what I am eating. The myfitnesspal app on my phone is really helping me with this. I'm ashamed that I actually had the app downloaded for a long time, I just never utilized it. Better late than never, right?
Change Two: I'm exercising. This includes walking, jogging, running (slowly but surely) and hiking. And the funny thing about it - I'm actually enjoying it. It probably helps that I have some really comfortable (and awesome) running shoes, too.
Change Three: I'm drinking a looooooooooooot more water AND eating breakfast. Water is my favorite but I wasn't doing so good about consuming it. Same thing goes for breakfast.
Change Four: I'm being more positive. Overall, I'm typically an uber positive person but I'm looking at everything in a brighter light now and on a much more positive note.
Change Five: I'm not making excuses. For so long I've made excuses. And I made a LOT of them. Like a lot a lot a lot. One really consistent and major excuse that I ALWAYS, ALWAYS made was that I had asthma. While I do still have chronic asthma, I have not had to use my inhaler during ANY of the times that I have exercised. Just for that, I feel like I can do anything. No need to mention any of my other excuses, this one blows them all out of the water.

I'm normally a person that would do something one time and then not do it again if I weren't seeing any results but I had to really put it in my mind and grasp the concept that I didn't get chunky overnight so it's not going to come off overnight.

I've managed to consistently exercise, eat healthy, and consume about 1,200 calories everyday this week. I feel really good and I've managed to lose 9lbs. (don't worry though, it wasn't all in one week). Some people diet and exercise because they want a beach bod while others do it for their health. Me, I'm doing it for both!!!

If you would have asked me several months ago if I would be at this point in my life (especially exercising), I would have laughed in your face. There is something about this journey that makes me so overwhelmed with happiness and joy. I can't wait to see what lies ahead...

I'm baaaaaaaaaack!!!

Now I know I don't have too many readers but for the handful that actually do read, I'm back. I'm back thanks to Google. For some reason, I had a 2-step verification on my account and the only way to obtain it was by my phone number. One problem, I no longer had that phone number and couldn't get a verification code. So here I was trying to contact Google, filling out form after form, checking my back-up email account, filling out more forms because I was still able to check my email on my smart phone but couldn't do anything else and then that messed up my forms so I was back to filling out more forms, trying to remember when I started Blogger and when I started using Gmail and any other Google service. So here I am, back to blogging....

and it feels good!!!

missing in action

I have been MIA for awhile, on both of my blogs actually. At first, I was in a blogging funk and then we had some really big changes at work. And then those big changes became even BIGGER changes including a PROMOTION for me, which means, my time is pretty precious these days. I bring a lot of work home and even when I don't physically bring the paperwork home, I am constantly working on something. When it comes to the weekends, I want to spend as much time as I can with Mark and get caught up on my cleaning duties and maybe get a date night in. I'm so lucky that Mark does a lot for our little apartment and supports my passion for the line of work that I am in.

If I don't blog again this week...it's because I'm busy working, planning a game for a camp retreat this weekend or catching up on my sleep since I will be sleep deprived come Sunday.

Have a great week, everyone!!!

Love & Laughter,
J

Smart(erer)

A few months back, I mentioned that I was a BzzAgent. Well, I had another opportunity to test something new.

Smarterer is a platform designed to score individuals on their digital, social, and technical skills. But, the real power in Smarterer is that you can "show what you know" to the world and prove to your friends, co-workers, and just about anyone how Smart(erer) you really are. Sign up for Smarterer TODAY and take a test right now and see how you stack up! After you are finished with that, head on over to BzzAgent and sign up to test new products and services  and share your honest opinions about them with people you know.

Check out my scores below:

I think they are pretty accurate if I do say so myself. I clearly don't understand Twitter - and I don't know that I ever will.

Love & Laughter,

J

happy valentine's day

I hope everyone had a great day celebrating LOVE with family and friends!

Love & Laughter,

J

my weekend recap

what i'm loving wednesday

HAPPY FEBRUARY!

February is the month for love. With Valentine's Day right around the corner, here are a few things that I am loving right now! Link up with Jamie at this kind of love for What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm loving that my kids at work are so thoughtful. Look what they gave/made me at an event that we went to on Saturday

I'm loving that I am reading more, even if it is a book to help my eBay business grow.

I'm loving that I get off work early tomorrow.

I'm loving that I get to see some of my camp friends on Saturday at a training.

I'm loving that I get to see a musical and have dinner with some friends who I don't get to see often.

I'm loving that I just ate the biggest bowl of GF mac n cheese!

And I'm loving these LOVEly Pinterest finds!





Love & Laughter,

J