Would you like to resume your journey?

We went to weigh-in tonight, and the weekly topic was goals. Weight loss really is a journey. Sometimes, people don't realize it. It's not like I went from an 18W to 12 overnight. It has taken me over a year.

My leader, Leah, read a little story from the Shot in the Arm book. It was about the GPS system, who gets "mad" when you go off your path. But, in the story, the person stopped at Applebees. When she restarted the car, the GPS asked "Would you like to resume your journey?" Rather than making them start all over........

Weight loss is a journey. When I stopped for my health and stress and everything else, I went back to Weight Watchers. I wasn't asked to start over - I was "asked" if I wanted to continue my journey. Obviously, I have done just that. Very powerful message!

So, the results.... I lost another 2.2 lbs! I normally don't post my actual weight, BUT I will say that I have hit a milestone and get to go to a winery now! I am definitely thinner than I have ever been - wearing a size 12 - and the only time I will ever go past that number again will be when I get pregnant.

Oh, today is Dad's birthday. Rather than taking him out, we decided to cook for him. We are making Enchilada Pie, which we've never made before. If it's good, I'll post it for you! We're also doing salad and a "mexican" rice mix (brown rice, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, and jalepenos). This is David's favorite way to eat brown rice - practically the only!

Taco Soup

Here's another new recipe. I've heard lots of different versions of Taco Soup, but never tried it. Yet another easy, yummy recipe to add to the file!

POINTS® Value: 3 for 1 cup
Servings: ? (Not sure yet but it's alot!)
Preparation Time: 5 min
Cooking Time: 5 min or so

Ingredients
1 lb lean ground turkey
1 large can V8 juice
2 cans beans (any kind - I used kidney beans; drain a little but not all the way)
1 can corn (could use frozen or fresh during the summer)
2 cans Mexican style tomatoes
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 pkg ranch dressing mix

Directions
Cook and drain turkey

Put everything into a big pot and let it get hot.

*I topped my bowl with a tiny bit of cheese and sour cream, so I added a point for that. Super, super yummy!

Meatloaf Muffins

Okay, so this is by far the easiest WW recipe I've made! The sloppy joes are easy, too, but these are even easier! And they taste yummy too! :-) This recipe came from our WW leader.

POINTS® Value: 2
Servings: 12
Preparation Time: 5 min
Cooking Time: 30 min

Ingredients
1 lb lean ground turkey
1 egg
1 box stove top stuffing
1 cup water
1 onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced

Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and spray them with spray.

Mix everything together and put into the tins. Cook for 30 min.

New hair and new current pic!

I am a very high maintenance girl! I LOVE getting my hair done. That is the one thing I ask David to keep, even when we cut our budget. A few weeks ago, I actually offered to stop getting my hair colored. Well, I asked if I could go once more to have her dye it to my natural color so it wouldn't look like shit growing out, but then I'd give it up for a year or two. David actually told me no! He said this was the one thing that I did for me and he didn't want me to lose it (he has hunting in the winter and golf in the summer, so he seems it's only fair!).

So, I went in on Thursday with my mid-winter boredom blues! I gave Jess free reign. I've been seeing her for 5 years and have never been unhappy. She is wonderful. She works at Blonde Salon in Omaha (they don't have a website or I'd link it). I went from my regular slightly lighter than natural brown with blonde streaks and slightly longer than shoulder blade length to:



Not the best pics in the world, but basically, she did an all over auburn that actually produced different shades (from where my hair had been highlighted before) and "peekaboo" highlights of darker blonde. We also cut it and wedged it a little - the front sits just below my shoulders and the back sits just above my shoulders. I really like it! Since my hair is naturally curly, I'll straighten it most days which is fine as long as I shower at night so it dries by morning! I may wear it curly some days, but I think it might "shrink" too much and not look cute.

Now, for the rest of the title: new current pic....
David and I had pictures taken today - should be back in 2 weeks. I wanted to get a new top so that I'd have something that fits. We had a few minutes, so I decided to try on a pair of jeans.


I ended up buying a pair of ---

ready??? ----

size 12 jeans!!!!! I have never, ever, ever worn a 12! I can button and zip and wear them comfortably! One of the cuts was slightly tighter, but these are the "easy fit" from Walmart and they fit awesome! Since that picture isn't the best, I'm calling this one my "current" pic:


I'm making Meatloaf Muffins tonight, so be prepared for a new recipe (hopefully). I'm planning on making Taco Soup tomorrow night, which makes tons of servings, so that will be a nice one to freeze and have on cold days! Can't wait to try them both!

I'm it!

My dear friend over at Wanting, Waiting, & Praying tagged me, and since my blog is all about randomness, this one is perfect!

It's 7 random things about me, and then 7 random people should be tagged. But, anybody who is reading this - consider yourself tagged! I'd hate to leave anybody out!

So, my randomness....
1. I got my hair cut tonight. I absolutely LOVE it! But, because I suck at taking pictures of myself, you will have to wait to see it until David gets home.

2. I love wine. Yeah, I know you know it. But, seriously. I love it. I could care less about any other alcohol unless the purpose is to get drunk. But, I could easily drink a glass or two or three of wine every night and not blink an eye!

3. We're getting family pics taken on Sunday. So excited!

4. I still have my Christmas tree up. Yeah, I'm lame. But, I love Christmas and don't want it to end.

5. I can't wait to do stuff to our house. David and I have talked about all the things we want to do, starting with stripping border off the walls and painting!!!

6. I've given up buying my dogs toys. They destroy them. Case in point: I just had to clean up fuzz from all over my living room because Chewy wanted the squeaker out of the middle of the toy.

7. I'm tired and I'm going to bed on my flannel Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer sheets that I love. Oh, and I'm sleeping in my green reindeer pants that I got for Christmas!

Weekly Weigh In....

Well, I was really good today - chose to avoid cookies (even though a coworker tried to sabotage me - in a fun-spirited way!), ate healthy lunch, etc.... And I wore my light-weight pants and top!

David weighed first - he lost 6 lbs this week, for a total of 22 this month! I asked him to get some pretzels or bars because I needed to eat - I usually have a 4:30 snack, but when I'm weighing in at 5:00, that's not such a good idea! And I went to weigh in..............



That's right ~~~ I lost 2.4 lbs this week for a total of 50.2 lbs! I got my new charm for my key ring, and I'm only 12 lbs away from lifetime! In the last year (and a week), I've gone from an 18/20W to a 12/14 depending on the brand! Since we're getting pictures done this weekend, you will have to wait until I get them back before a current pictures, but I don't look much different than I did a month ago.

I got a couple new recipes tonight, too, so stay tuned. One was Meatloaf Muffins and one was Taco Soup. We'll be trying both soon, so reviews and recipes will be coming.......

History, Dinner, and Wine!

Today was a big day in history. Barack Obama became president. My principal gave us permission to watch the festivities. Even though my students are only 4-5 yrs old, they came in that morning and telling me about Obama. I was surprised but figured, hey, they know about him, let's watch! They were very excited when he came out, and even though they didn't really understand what was happening, they knew he was special and they clapped when he came out before the swearing in! They loved the parade and got super excited when the Obama's got out of the limo to walk for a few blocks!

I had tutoring tonight, and then went to the gym. I had an AWESOME workout. I'm starting to really enjoy the hills program and finding it easier and easier. So, Thursday (tomorrow is my off day) I'm going to up the level and see how I do.

I came home and David had made Baked Ziti. We haven't had this for quite some time, but it is yummy and relatively easy. David asked me to serve it up and he threw some salad on the plates (I mixed some up a few days ago so it's ready to go when we want it).

So, you all know how much I love my wine! That's one of my weaknesses. When Corum's did their design show a few months ago, they invited Prairie Crossing to sell/offer tastings. David bought 3 bottles (he's my hero!), and we had saved one... then, we got strong on Weight Watchers again, and wine isn't always worth the 2 points for only 4 ounces.

Well, I told David that I was craving wine, so I wanted to have it one night for dinner. He said it sounded good, so we figured we would open a bottle of Windswept White. Last night didn't work because we worked out right after dinner. We had planned on tomorrow night because David was supposed to have fire training and I went to work out after tutoring. David didn't make it to training because he forgot he had to work, so he made a late dinner! YAY! So, we enjoyed our glass of wine.

Now, I had more than my 4 oz, closer to 6-7.... so I'm taking my 3 points and enjoying it! I can tell I haven't had wine for a while because I'm feeling a little tipsy. But, you know what? I've worked damn hard for that glass of wine! And, damn, it was yummy!

Tomorrow is weigh in. I am so excited because I know I'm doing well. I wore my size 16 pants to work today and they are falling off. I know that means I'm getting closer and closer to my 12s that I'm dying to get into! I've never ever been in a 12. In high school, when I started buying my own clothes, and paying attention to sizes, it was always 16 or higher.

Sunday, David and I are having pictures taken. I have a friend who is just getting into photography and is willing to try to get the puppies into the pictures! We're so excited!!!! I can't wait to see how they turn out - I know she will do an awesome job!