5 Tonight let's party like it's 2009!

Wow...hard to believe that 2009 only has about 6 hours left...how is that even possible?  This year has been full of emotions.  Here are some of my highs and lows from the last year:

• I lost 45 lbs
• Then I gained about 15 lbs back
  
• I struggled with my Mom's passing 
• I had to help clean out Mom's house she shared with Grandma because she couldn't afford to live there alone.  I felt guilty for everything that I had to throw away or get rid of, but knew they would be better used by donating them to someone who needed them
  
• I heard my biological clock ticking...and I realized I wanted to be a Mother
  
• I came across a wonderful group of ladies at Shrinking Jeans...that often spoke of other ladies...who were linked to other ladies (you get the idea) that I have come to admire and relate to in so many ways...they are going thru many of the same things that I am, and if they are not, their life experiences make me smile and laugh and give me hope that there are still really genuine people out there...they just live in a different area code
• I got a promotion at work
• I was scared of working for an automotive supplier in this economy and tried to pinch pennies and be responsible
  
• I started blogging on a regular basis, even joining up with You Capture and exposed myself to the entire internetz!
  
• I started tweeting
  
• I've had the most money in my checking account ever
• I've been ashamed of how little I had let my checking account get down to
• I started to run....almost 5 minutes at a time!  That may not sound like much but try it...it's harder than you think if you are not a runner
• I finished my 1st 5K....not official but it still counts!
  
• My cousin had a beautiful baby girl in August, another cousin announced she was due in April with a girl and another cousin just delivered a baby girl yesterday....thus making my biological clock tick even louder...and of course the clock has a pink background
• My best friend had twins!  Of course they were beautiful baby girls!
  
• I loved my husband more than ever as we celebrated our 5 year anniversary
• I couldn't believe how annoyed I got at my husband sometimes
• I made my first apron 
• I cried more times than I can count
• I felt loved and am blessed to have such a big wonderful family

I'm ready for 2010...a new year, heck a whole new decade!  I am going to reach my goal weight this year.  I hope to blessed with a baby this year.   I am going to stop and appreciate all of those people in my life that make it better this year.  I am going to do things just because I want to, because I deserve it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE...thanks for stopping by and reading my ramblings from time to time.  Your comments mean a lot to me.  I hope we can help each other thru all the highs and lows of 2010!

8 Weigh-in Wednesday -Starting to Rethink My Shrink!

It's a new day...a fresh start so to speak, over at Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans today.  For the last few months, I have completely gotten away from exercising and tracking what I eat. The scale has inched upwards slowly a pound at a time, yet I continued to shovel crap and sugary treats into my face.  And well we all know, well most of us anyway, that the holiday yummies make it even harder to stay on course. 

That's another reason I am soo excited about this new challenge, I know the basics of how to lose weight...we all do.  Eat better and move your ass.  Simple.  Yet I have found myself reverting back to old ways and turning off my better judgement.  My husband notices I have given up, and I can't explain why...I just am off.  The Sisterhood hopes to help us all understand why we are off....what lies beneath the exterior that prohibits us from reaching our goals.  But that changes today.

The scale today screamed at me and blurted out 158.6.  Gulp...pretty hard to see.  But I did it...I made that number be what it is.  That's what happens when you let go of all self control and sit on your butt instead of working out.  My HRM probably misses me soo much!

There...I did it.  It hurt alot, but I know that it is the LAST time I want to see a number that high.  Its painful, but I can control it.  And with the support and motivation of all the ladies (and gent) at Shrinking Jeans, I am hoping that I can understand why I allow myself to take 5 steps back everytime I reach a goal.  My goal for this challenge weight wise is to get under 150.  I will do it!

5 True Confessions Tuesday

This is the first time (that I recall at least) doing a True Confession with the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans.  Like several of you have said, this one hurts just a bit alot.  So here goes...some of the things I need to get off my chest as I head into the New Year.

• I ate probably 10 lbs of candy in the last week, guesstimating of course.  Mostly toffee (work of the devil...tasty little devil), but also including Snickers nutcrackers, rice crispie treats, McD's Holiday Pies, etc.
• I am guilty of sneaking some treats behind hubby's back....I hate doing this really it feels soo wrong, but it tastes so good for some reason.  I feel kinda like an addict...jonesing for some toffee!
• I realized yesterday that I didn't cry once on Christmas about my mom...and I feel guilty about that.  I cried a few times the week of....but I didn't have that wave of sadness from the minute I woke up after having a dream like I did last year.
• I love the fact that I got Pyrex, a knitting loom and socks for Christmas...and am so thrilled about all of them!
• I have been staying up until about 2 or 3 during this holiday break and waking up about 9ish...my schedule is sooo out of whack!  Monday will be a rough morning when I have to go back to work.
• I have yet to go git fitted for the bridesmaid dress that I will be wearing in May...need to do that in January.  Putting it off for a few reasons (hoping for preg and need to stop eating the candy).  I think the two are confused...because one is happening way easier than the other.  Bummer.
  

Stop over for dreaded weigh-in Wednesday with the Sisterhood.  Even bigger news: there is a new exciting challenge Re-Think your Shrink starting tomorrow that I am sooo psyched about and I know will give me the boost that I need to get back on track.  I have faith in my Sisters...they are awesome and helped me so much this fall...I just have to believe in myself that I can do it!

4 Christmas and Emotions....what a combo!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and got to spend time with family and friends.  It was a nice Christmas, didn't get our Holiday bonus at work (no big surprise there) so it was alot smaller than normal, but that was perfectly ok, my DSLR camera will have to wait.  We were together and the few things we did get were appreciated that much more. Or at least I hope so.

I did have a little breakdown Christmas night and ended up in tears in my husbands arms, but someone said something that really hurt my feelings and I just lost it.  Was better by the time I went to bed, but sometimes words can hurt so bad.  I need to not let some things affet me so much in the new year, but that will be hard because I am such as emotional person...sometimes too emotional.

I ate TOOO many sweets, but didn't overdo it on food since I've been off work.  Only had a few glasses of wine, which I will have another of tonight.  I ate the last piece of toffee that I am sticking in my mouth last night, so I've sworn off munching on sweets.  Been loving getting to relax in my PJ's all day yesterday and chill.  I'm off work until next Monday, and I'm going to enjoy every last minute of it.  Going to get some things straightened up around the house and organized, but enjoying the downtime with my hibs and pup.

But the last 24 hours have been raher annoying.  Ever have one of those days where the stars just aren't lining up?  Last night I went to download my Christmas pictures and only 5 of them are there.  Pissed me right off.  Took a few minutes of video of my cousins baby starting to push herself (early crawling I guess) towards a toy on Christmas Day.  Took on of the 4 generations of ladies, a good one of my hubby and I....all now are gone. Then today, our garage door opener decided to take a crap, of course when it's been snowing for the last 2 days and is really cold. 

So I thought I'd take a few minutes and share a few of my favortie gifts from Christmas to de-stress myself.

My favoritest gift of this Christmas would have to be toe socks!  You know those socks that have toeholes, like gloves for your feet?  I have wanted a pair for the longest time, but never really felt the need to buy them for myself.  I asked Santa for a pair of rainbow striped ones.  He did better than that...he brought me rainbow ones, green and red striped ones with rudolph on them, a pair with penguins...and these fuzzy Santa ones.  They are the warmest socks ever...I am so lucky to have 4 pairs of them!  Each toe stays warm and cozy-love them!

I also got some knitting looms which I've been enjoying so much!  I started working on a scarf to match my runners headband/earwarmer I got....which I can't wait to wear outside!!  Love the looms....much easier than knitting freehand, but not as precise and delicate, although I feel much more accomlished seeing it progress!

Got some awesome new athletic socks (I know I'm such a dork to ask for running socks)...can't wait to put those to use in 2010!

I got a really really cute apron made out of my favorite fabric in my stocking!  Love it!  The holiday one I made will be getting put away but this one will be worn often!

My cousin had a purse party earlier this month, so I picked out a bold handbag...I normally just go for black or brown...but wanted something a little different.  Love the zebra patch on this one-figure I will help remind me be an individual in the new year and not worry about what people say!

What was your favorite gifts this year?  Did you get something, big or small, that brought a huge smile to your face that hasn't been wiped off yet?

6 Let the Holiday Baking begin!

Monday is my last day of work for 2009, I am going to spend Tuesday baking Christmas goodies to give to our families on Christmas.  So far here is whats on the menu.

1) Buckeyes
2) Christmas Cutouts
3) Toffee shared by Ace
4) Peppermint Bark and Chocolate Peppermint Cookies shared by Beth
5) Puppy Chow

Some of you who follow me on Twitter, may recall that I have been looking at aprons for the last few months.  I saw some really cute ones, most of them in black and white damask fabric that I am IN LOVE with lately (hence my blog background) and then got to thinking how cute it would be to have a Christmas apron to wear when I do my holiday baking!

So....I had the amazing idea that it might be fun to get out my Mom's sewing machine and see how hard it would be to make one of my own!  I learned how to sew when I was in 7th grade or so and made a skirt and blazer out of this horrendous purple and green plaid wool that I wore to church once.  I'm sure I could remember the basics and maybe make several of them...and maybe they would turn out so good, I could make some for Christmas gifts next year!  OK....slow down, I'm getting a little ahead of myself.

I went to JoAnns and bought a few patterns and some holiday fabric that was on sale...and set out to make my holiday apron!  I cut out the pieces for the apron I wanted...only to realize about half way thru that I started to cut out the child's size on accident.  Thank goodness I realized this before I actually cut the fabric.  So I started cutting out the adult size pattern pieces.  Got them all laid out on the fabric and cut them out.  Pinned all the pieces together and was ready to sew them together.  Had a few issues getting the bobbin threaded but finally got it to work one night and knocked the whole thing out in a few hours.

It turned out much better then I thought for my first sewing attempt in over 2 decades.  While it isn't going to fall apart and looks like an apron, the stiches on the hems aren't exactly straight.  I need to work on the rounded adges a bit, but overall I am super-pleased with how it turned out.  I did it...I made an apron!

I can't wait to start my holiday baking on Tuesday.  I will be wearing my apron and listening to Christmas music...what a great way to get ready for the big day!

What  is one of your favorite holiday treats...is there something that you always make or always look forward to having at Christmas?

3 Is he here yet?

Somebody is waiting patiently for SANTA.  She's got on her MRS. SANTA  jacket....and the snow has started to fall...so the time must be near!

Yes...I'm one of those people who have multiple pieces of clothing for their dog-a girls gotta have choices.  Gotta keep my wienie warm during these cold days!

12 You Capture - Holiday Decor

Tis the season to deck the halls!  At our house, the decorating begins the weekend after Thanksgiving.  We have 2 trees up, one upstairs and one downstairs and snowmen and holiday baskets scattered thruout the house.  It brightens my day to see these decorations, especially with the cold weather keeping us indoors more and more.
 
Beth wants us to share our holiday decor this week....so here are some of my favorites from around our home!

Stop over and share your holiday pretties at I Should be Folding Laundry.

6 Weigh-in Wednesday

This challenge flew by didn’t it? Maybe it’s because I wasn’t really WORKING at it that much, (bad Mendie….baaaaad Mendie). First challenge I really slacked on and boy does it show.  I feel huge and lazy and sleepy.  Not good feelings when you should be focused on loosing weight.

Total for the challenge is 4 lbs….weighed in this morning at 151.4. gulp. Doesn’t surprise me, the only physical activity I have gotten is housework related and I haven’t been tracking calories for a few weeks now. Knowing full well that each day is very much over my 1200 allotted calories.

No excuses, the holidays aren’t going to be easy for me, but the only pledge that I am making to myself is to go into 2010 weighing less than 150 lbs. That is my GOAL.

Stop by The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and see how everyone else did…we have some amazing globetrotters amongst us who have racked up more miles then I have driven back and forth to work in the past month! That’s something to be proud of.  Cheers to you!

Thank you all for your continued encouragement even thru my sucking at weightloss right now. I hope to make you prouder in the next challenge!

5 I ♥ Faces -Pets Only

My husband and I say that Emma, our 6 yr old dachshund is the Gene Simmons of dogs.
This picture, taken when she was a little bit younger, is what we provide for evidence.

Come over and share your funny or cute pet at I ♥ Faces this week!

17 You Capture - LINES

The Christmas baskets are lining the floors and tables.

The Snowmen are lining the mantle.

And when I woke up this morning...the snow had arrived and covered the patio!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Stop over and share the lines that you saw this week at I Should be Folding Laundry.

6 Weigh-in Wednesday

It's been a week already?  Wow that one flew by.  Busy month-end at work kept me from snacking on any leftovers from Thanksgiving, which was good. Bad thing about working so much is that I was exhausted and only got 1 day of exercising in.  Better than the last month of no exercising but not what I hoped for.

Scale didn't budge, which is a plus after the last few weeks of seeing it move up.

I'm off to enjoy my day off and try to fight the winds that are blowing....might go visit the twins!

Stop over and weigh in with all of us at Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans!

9 The season is getting merrier! Final tree is up!

Scarlet and Grey are colors for every season in our house!  We decorate the tree downstairs in Ohio State ornaments and get a new one each year....the last shot above is the one we got for 2009.  We even have the little replica helmet for a topper!  Go Buckeyes-Rose Bowl 2010!

24 You Capture - SHOW ME HAPPY

Her eyes can brighten up the darkest of days. 

She loves to soak up the rays of sun that shine thru the door.


She's a great helper and is constantly interested in what's going on.


She's a great cuddle buddy and we help each other stay warm! 

Emma makes me happy...just by being herself!  I love my pups!

Come share what makes you happy at I Should be Folding Laundry.

7 Weigh-in Wednesday

Time to weigh-in, I almost skipped it but had to be accountable for my girls over at Shrinking Jeans

I'm up .8 this week...which isn't awful considering all the junk and sugary treats that I had this holiday.  It does however put me over the 150 mark by .4....so I'm not thrilled with it by any means, but I'm accepting it and moving on.

Short and sweet post today...just like me.  (Ha!  Just seeing if you were paying attention!) Have a great day ladies!

5 The season has begun! Tree #1 is up!

I LOVE decorating for the holidays.  I turn on the Christmas music and sing along to all the classics...makes me smile almost the whole time!

I started decorating on Saturday and got one tree up.  This tree is our more traditional tree, it is upstairs in the living room.  It was the first tree that I bought when I moved out on my own, and actually the same ornaments, even though some of them have broken over the years. The angel holds a special place in my heart, as it is the one that we used to have at my Grandparents house when I was growing up.  I will keep that as long as it continues to glow!

It makes me feel warm and cozy...the gold and creams soothe me!  Does anyone else use those little grape clusters on their tree?  Not sure if you are supposed to seperate them, but I like them just randomly placed over some bare spots.