It's My Birthday?

Yep... It's my birthday lovelies!! I am 24 years older than dirt today! I have no real plans for today... Hopefully a run/walk tonight and who knows what else. It has been a really amazing birthday so far, since the celebrations started on Saturday :)

I've had a couple people ask for a recap of my date on Saturday, so here it goes!

I got to his house around 11:00am and was met with the biggest hug EVER. We went to get my car inspected (super romantic huh?) and then traded vehicles and went to lunch. Lunch was at some pizza place (the name escapes me at the moment), but I will say that the pizza was AMAZING. It was a Chicago Style Meat Lovers... NOM NOM.. Holy cow. He was so sweet through the entire meal.. He held my hands across the table and couldn't stop telling me how pretty I was (DAWW). He paid and we left to play video games at his house until movie time. I'm a bit of a gamer, but no where near what he is, so I got my ass handed to me. It's ok though, I'm getting better! (I did threated to not be very nice if he let me win... Which is probably why I got beat so bad... Oh well).

After video games we went to see Scary Movie 5... It kinda sucked... Not funny at all. But I did get an arm around my shoulders the entire movie and a shoulder to lay my head on :)

His parents took us out to dinner after our movie, then it was back to his house for more video games and some TV time. The night ended about 10:30pm with the aboslute, most amazing good night kiss. It was very soft and sweet. ::sigh:: I really like him... A lot...

We went out again yesterday, but that's a story for another time :)

I'll be sure to link up tomorrow with NSVs! I took yesterday off to get tires put on Damon, so I wasn't around a computer. So many victories to share this week!!

-Sammie

Non Scale Victories! Galveston Island Style

Good morning from the beautiful Galveston Island! Yesterday was pure insanity. I love all the kids that I'm traveling with.. They are an amazing, diverse group of young adults.

Our hotel is maybe 25 yards from the gulf. It's so beautiful. Except for the seagulls... Foul beasts.. I hate seagulls.. They are the bane of my existence!

My victory is a little bit bass-ackwards for today.. Yesterday, I let myself have an all out, no holds barred cheat day. From breakfast to dinner, I let myself go insane. And guess what? I don't feel bad about it. I'm back on healthy eating today (maybe except for that bagel, but whatevs) and I'm going to visit the fitness center tonight. My leg is feeling much better, so I think all I needed was a real cheat day. Just a day of vacation-esque break.

Today the kids from the Biomedical Debate Team have testing and we are set to attend the opening ceremonies tonight at 7:30pm. Then on Friday our PSA team competes and the Biomedical Debate team will get to debate if their test scores are in the top half of the competitors. Friday we are also planning on going to Pleasure Pier on Friday night! I'm really excited!

I've made sure to attach pictures from yesterday. I'll make sure to take lots of pictures today, we're going to the beach! I think we may also be going to the Rainforest Café for dinner tonight! I'm really excited :)

It's too early for this shit...

Love these kids!

Must have a picture in the funny hats

Mocha Almond Fudge... Coffee, Chocolate and Nuts.. Damn



Finally on the Island! The weather was terrible!



Pigtails... The only way to tame the beastly fro..

Foul beasts! EFFIN SEAGULLS!!

It was misty, windy, and damp.. But I love the beach!

2 Liebsters?? Holy Catfish Batman!

I am so honored to say that I have been nominated for 2 Liebster Awards!! Holy cow! O_O I wasn't expecting one nom nom nomination, much less TWO. Since I have been nominated for 2 awards, I will do the requirements for both :) All total that's 22 random facts about me, 22 questions answered, and  I will nominate for as many as I can.. I'm not sure I follow that many blogs..

So what exactly is a Liebster award? 

The Liebster Award is for bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. A Blogger nominates 11 fellow bloggers and asks them a set of 11 questions. The rules state that a nominee must link back to the blogger from whom they received a nomination. The nominee will write 11 random facts about themselves and then answer the 11 questions which have been set for them. They in turn will nominate another 11 bloggers and pose 11 questions to them. This is a really fun way to discover and connect with new bloggers and help us all gain some new followers along the way!

My first nomination came from my best heifer in the whoooole wide world, Natalie at Beauty and Brains with Brown Eyes. She is also the designer of my ultra fab layout! She's also tall. Super tall. Amazonian tall. 6'4" how's the weather up there tall.

11 facts about me for Natalie:

1. I once shared a group hug with Natalie, her sister and her dad... The top of my head came up to Nat's boobs. I was the shortest person in the hug. It was a bit awkward to look straight and see chests...
2. I am obsessed with shoes. I think I have around 40 pair... All of which I wear...
3. I only wear glasses when I'm too lazy to put my contacts in.
4. I am a nationally registered EMT-Basic.
5. I love working for charitable causes. Have a silent auction that you need items for? Selling raffle tickets? Need volunteers for a school carnival? I'm your girl!
6. Speaking of charitable causes, did I mention that I'm also a volunteer firefighter? Basically I risk my arse to save yours FO FREE :) You're welcome.
7. I'm a little cocky... I don't beleive I'm the best... I know. That's a fact Jack.
8. I love the TV Show Duck Dynasty! Most of my Wednesdays are rest days, simply so I can watch.
9. I've been engaged twice. Yes... Twice... Did I mention that I'm turning 24 next month?
10. I am a teacher. Yep.. Right now I only sub, but I am looking for work as an English teacher! Love my high school kids.
11. I am a HUGE believer in the concept of Karma. What goes around, comes around. ALL.THE.TIME.

Natalie's Questions

What do you enjoy most about blogging?

Gathering my thoughts in written form... It's theraputic to be able to go back and read about what was on my mind on a specific day.

What is your dream vacation?
I reallllllly want to visit Europe. More specifically, Germany, France and the UK. I'm a mixed breed of cultures, but I do know that I'm over half German with a smattering of Irish and Cherokee. I think spending like... A month in Europe would be amazing. I'm also a fan of WWII history, so I would visit so many museums, etc.. Oh and maybe I should mention that I LOVE BRITISH LITERATURE! Seriously.. Shakespeare is my homeboy.

Phone call or text?
Depends on the convo taking place and who I'm talking to.. My friends Natalie and Richard I text, but I talk on the phone with Ellie and Britt...

What song(s) are you currently in love with?


I love this song!!! OMG LOVE IT!!

If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?
Pay off my student loan debt! I know it sounds lame, but that is my one goal in life! Debt free!

What is your favorite book or movie?
I am a book nerd.. I have lots of books at  I love .. I guess the one I'm currently obsessed with is the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. I love any and all things post-apocolyptic and dystopian.

What is one thing you can NEVER leave home without?
My phone. It;s how I track all of my calories and everything.. I can't go without it. I'm terrible at rememberings to log things if I don't do it immediately.

What 4 words would you use to describe yourself?
Quirky, dependable, cocky, confident

What is your biggest pet peeve?
Teachers that don't leave lesson plans!

What is your favorite post or most viewed post to date?
Probably one of my NSV Link Ups. It's so important to celebrate things in health and fitness not related to the number on the scale.Also maybe my giveaway post.. It was my first one!

Would you rather be famous for the rest of your life or be the best friend of someone famous?
I would much rather be the best friend of someone famous... You still get perks, but you don't get all the attention..

My next nom nom nomination came from Sue at Limefreckle. I started following her blog through one of my several link ups... The first thing that caught my eye was her jewelry! I like to make jewelry myself, so I was drawn to the sparkles :) Check out her Etsy shop here! Isn't it all TO FREAKIN DIE FOR?! Love love love.

Facts for Sue

1. I love to make jewelry, but I rarely wear my creations. My daily jewelry is my watch and my Aggie Ring. I used to wear an engagement ring, but we know how that ended :(

2. I was born with blonde hair and brown eyes... As I got older, my hair turned red and my eyes morphed into a crazy combo of green and brown.

3. I obsessively check my email. It's an addiction.

4. I love to crochet! It's very relaxing.. In fact, I may add something homemade to my giveaway in April!

5. I tend to name my vehicles. My current car's name is Damon.. My previous car was named Winston. Winston was an 85 Mercedes 300SD. Winston's girlfriend's name was Winifred or Winnie. She was Natalie's 92 Honda Accord.

6. One of my students once told me that he was in love with my hair... Apparently gingers are appealing..

7. I'm clumsy. I'm constantly covered in bruises, most of which I have no clues as to the origins.

8. I'm the captain of cheesy one liners and puns... PMS jokes aren't funny.... Period...

9. I am disgraphic...

10. I am partially deaf. I only hear out of my left ear. My right ear canal is about the size of a sewing needle. I also have no ear drum and the inner ear is deformed. I was born that way and the problems were discovered around 9 weeks of age. My deafness is why I typically do not speak with any sort of accent. I can, but it's a matter of choice. I haven't had any surgeries to correct the problem and I really don't want any.. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer! I have no shame.

11. I have ZERO fashion sense. I can put together something cute in my head or for someone else, but I can barely dress myself. When I'm not at work, I live in jeans and tshirts.

Questions from Sue

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs! I love dogs... Cats don't love me.

What is your favourite song right now?
Just Give Me A Reason by Pink... LOVE. Also a huge fan of Thrift Shop by Macklemore

What book are you reading, and is it in book format, or kindle/ipad?
The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan. It's the 5th book in the Percy Jackson series. It is in regular book format. I also have a stack of books waiting to be read...

What do you like most about blogging?
Thoughts into words and actually seeing that people are interested in what goes on inside my twisted mind.

What would be your dream job?
Librarian! I'm working on making that a reality... Ugh grad school.

Where did you last go on vacation?
New Orleans. I was there for a work conference last August and got to do lots of touristy junk.

What kind of car do you drive?
2011 Volkswagon Jetta.. His name is Damon.

Favourite jewelry - earrings, bracelet or necklace?
I have a pair of studs that I wear every day. They literally never come out of my ears.My grandmother gave them to me for my 18th birthday. They are birthstones (diamond) and go with everything.

What is your favourite workout?
Running! I know it sounds odd, but I love to go out and pound the pavement. I used to love to do Zumba, but I don't have a class to attend at the moment.

Last movie you saw in a theatre?
Django Unchained

Do you know anyone on the Autism Spectrum?
Yep! A couple of my cousins... Such sweet kids..

Ok loves... Here are my 11 blogs that I'm nominating for a Liebster! I read all of these blogs on  a regular basis and I love love love them all!

Jenn at A Healthy Makeover

Regine at R's Rue

Melinda at Does This Scale Make Me Look Fat?

Hollie at Hollie Runs This

Laurie at Lulu And Daisy

Carrie at The Carrie Gland

Meagan at Healthy Skinny Bitch

Ashlee at Iseminger Chronicles

Sara at A Year Of Transformation

Bekah at Re Solve

Theresa at She Waddles Like A Duck

Nominees! Here are your questions, if you so chose to accept my challenge..

1. How old were you when you had your first kiss?

2. How do you relax?

3. If I handed you $1000, what would you do?

4. Favorite flavor of Jello?

5. Favorite childhood cartoon?

6. Why did you start blogging?

7. Give us a dirty little secret! :)

8. Who is your celebrity crush? Bonus points if you post a pic!

9. What is on your mind RIGHT NOW?

10. What song gets stuck in your head constantly?

11. Favorite sport to watch?

Non Scale Victories!

It's that time again my dears :) Time for another NSV Link Up!! I may venture to say that this may be the best part of my week. I love reading about how everyone is doing and how many things we have to celebrate and be thankful for!

This week my victory is HUGE! Especially for me. I am definitely the type that self-sabotages. If things don't go my way, more often than not I will find some lame ass excuse and quit.

This week... I didn't... I didn't quit... I posted a 3 pound gain for the first time and I DIDN'T QUIT!! I didn't take a picture and I was really bummed out when I saw it on Monday morning. In the words of my mother, "Why let something so small throw off progress?" Thanks Mom.. I didn't..

I'm eating my good, healthy breakfast. Packing my lunch. And most importantly, I'm surrounding myself with some of the best friends a girl could ask for. I will admit that this week has been a bit difficult with the break up. I find myself missing the comfort of having someone to text/irritate/harass 24-7. I'm spiritually in a better place now. He's healing, very slowly.. I can't help but to feel terrible for him. I've been through that heartache before. I know how he feels.

This post isn't as long as they normally are... I just don't have a whole lot to say I guess...

Until next time blogosphere... Stay sane my loves..

-Sammie

Monday Morning Weigh In! And Spring Break Recap!

Good Monday morning lovlies!! I have to say that I have missed you all sosososososo much. Since I wasn't at work last week, I felt like I never had time to actually sit down in front of the computer and read, much less type a blog post. My SB2013 was NUTS! And in a totally amazing way!

The absolute highlights of my SB were definitely the weekends. The first weekend I got to go out dancing with a friend of mine for a bachelorette party. I danced my bum off. I was so insanely sore the next day! The entire lower half of my body was around the consistency of Jello. I felt like I looked pretty cute, but I think pictures tell a different story. I had my hair back most of the night, because it was too damn hot! Ugh. Sweaty messes alert below...

Left to Right: April (MOH), Michelle (Bride), my BFF Manda, and Me!

The week was spent catching up on Glee, yardwork, and cleaning. As a side job, I clean my great-grandmother's house on the weekends and I spot clean on a week night. It's not great money, but it makes the car payment!

This weekend I got to visit with one of my best girlfriends. Her mom was in Austin with her for SB2013, so I went up and spent Friday night with them. Her birthday is today, so I brought her cake and we watched Life of Pi. Then we stayed up until around 3:00am talking about books, movies, love and our lives. It may sound lame, but I honestly had a better time with her than I did dancing. We didn't really take any pictures, but I can say that we shut down a Barnes and Noble AND a Chipotle. Nom nom burrito bowl.

During the rest of the weekend, I went to church and had lunch with James. We messed around shopping for a while and I started buying stuff for the Birthday Edition of the My Favorite Things Giveaway! I'm really excited about that one :)

I did manage, during the insanity of SB to finish Week 1 of C25K!! Pretty exciting stuff! Only bad thing is that my knee is realllllly sore today. I'm pretty sure it's meniscus pain. It's a bit swollen and sore. Oh well. I'll be icing it and staying low impact.

1 week down!! WOOHOO!

Which brings me to my weigh in! I'm down another 3 pounds during my official weigh in this morning! Which brings me to a total of 23.8 pounds lost and never to be found again!

Yay for pretty toes! And a pretty number!

I've gotten to where I like to take sweaty/nasty ass/gross pictures after I get done working out. I personally think they are hilarious to look at. And quite attractive! (Please denote a high level of sarcasm). It's motivating to me to see how hard I worked during the previous 30-45 minutes. Love the red face, sweat, and panting :)

This is the face of hard work... And Death... And too much cake in a lifetime.

Until next time blogosphere! Stay sane! :)

-Sammie

Giveaway Swag, Weigh In and Worries

GOOOOOOOOOOOD MONDAY MORNING!!! Ok.. That was just a tad too peppy for me.. Oops.. Sorry about that. I'm just SO EFFIN EXCITED about today's post! WOOT!

So, if you've read my last few posts, you've seen that I promised some additional awesomeness in addition to that BEAUTIFUL journal I'm giving away here. Well.. In my P.S. I promised some additional swag in the package. When I originally wrote that comment, I had no idea what I was going to toss in the box. No.Effing.Clue. So I was browsing around my local dollar store and this caught my eye.

They are around 77 cals a ball. A bit high, but a tasty treat!

LOVE THIS TUMBLER!! OMG

The only sad part is that the tumbler doesn't have a lid. Oh well. It's so cute!! I knew I had to give it away. So along with the journal, I will throw in the tumbler and the truffles. Nom nom. 

So.... Time for a weigh in.. I think I may re-weigh tomorrow, because this was actually done after my work out this morning. Oops. Yes my loves, that says I AM UNDER 270 POUNDS!!!!! That brings me to a grand total of 20.8 pounds lost for this part of my journey. It's not a whole lot, but dammit it's progress! I'm so insanely proud of myself.

-20.8 pounds total!!

Which brings me to my worries... I am 7.6 pounds down in a week. ONE WEEK. That really scares me. I'm happy with the loss,don't get me wrong... I'm just so scared of effin up my body. I'm not trying to lose fast. I eat about 2000 cals a day or a tad under. (I never have less than about 1200). I'm drinking lots of water and I stepped up my workout game last week with tiny bit of running and my elliptical time. Could the workouts be making that much of a difference? I really don't want to screw my body up.  I track EVERYTHING I eat, drink more water, and I started taking a multivitamin this morning with breakfast. 

Most everyone I've talked to says the weight comes off fast in the beginning and the workouts kicked my metabolism in the arse. I've decided to wait another week and see what happens. Here's hoping...

Happy Monday my dears!! Don't forget to enter to win the journal!! :) 

Until next time blogosphere. Stay sane!

-Sammie

Monday Weigh In and Weekend Musings

My friend the scale and I had a meeting this morning. It was successful, I think. I told the scale that he could, under no circumstance, define my self worth. He was only allowed to monitor my progress in my journey to health, fitness and Funky-dom. He agreed and so I stepped on... Boy was I shocked when I looked down...





Ugh.. Those toes are terrible...



Holy Cow! Seriously? WOOT! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Ignore my funky looking toes... I promise to make them prettier by the next scale pic.

One of the things that I found quite enlightening this weekend is a conversation I had with one of my closest friends. Ellie (she doesn't have a blog to link... Boo!) and I are both in extremely similar situations. I met her when she was one of the only people to be nice to me when I started my old job. She said that she recognized a kindred spirit in me and we became quick friends.

She and I are currently in (what we call) a spiritual funk... Like our propensity to not put our laundry away when it's done. Instead we live out of hampers and or the dryer. We recognize that it's not laziness. It's much deeper than that. It's feeling like we don't deserve to have clothes put away. Or me with my hair. Sometimes I only wash my hair once a week. Not because I'm lazy... I feel like I deserve to feel as dingy on the outside as I do on the inside. These feelings are direct byproducts of our depression.

She and I made a pact with each other. 3 times a week, we go to the gym/workout. This is one thing that we both agree makes us feel better and something that we actually enjoy doing. It's our me time. I have to say that my medication is helping immensly, but it's not a fix all. I have to make the effort to do something good for myself. I have to remember... Life isn't as crappy as it seems and it could be a hell of a lot worse.

And for a reference point... Check out the face side by side! AWESOME!!!

What did the five fingers say to the temptation?

That's right Chick Fil A... Your delicious, warm chicken minis called my name this morning like a siren's song. We even had an extra order in the bag. Oops. You wanted me to eat you. I know you did. Your minis and your hashbrowns too... Well guess what Chick Fil A... SLAP!

Jimmy Dean sends his best regards...

In all seriousness... This is a big deal for me. Chick Fil A is like my own personal brand of crack. I freakin love Chick Fil A. In college, one of my favorite things to eat for lunch was a Chick Fil A sammich, waffle fries and a smoothie (looking back, is it any wonder that I gained 100+ pounds?). 

This morning I made my yummy Jimmy Dean turkey sausage sammich (yes that spelling is on purpose!) and I was craving a little sweet. In the interest of time, I had some vanilla yogurt. Of course I also had my bottle of water (along with my antibiotic). My carrots, granola bars, and Special K meal bar were packed and ready. On the way to work, Mom pulls into Chick Fil A and says, "I'm starving.. What do you want?" Crap on toast. What do I want?? Well, I really want an order of those minis and a spicy chicken biscut and some hashbrowns. BUT I DIDN'T ORDER THAT!!! Instead I asked for my normal lg Coke Zero and nothing else!

Yes Mr. Murray... I'm awesome!

How have you dodged temptation recently? (Remember, celebrate the small.. Every small step leads to a big step!)

-Sammie