Anyway not much longer to keep up this pace, and I’m ready for it to be over….

Other randomness:

• I finished the Host, and it was sooooo good. I mean, it’s no Twilight saga, but it is a really really entertaining and page turning piece of fiction, and I really loved it.
• It is so cold here right now, but not a lick of snow
• I am totally behind on LOST this year, I’m trying to catch up
• I’m trying to figure out how to transition out of the job I’ve been in for five years… it’s going to be interesting
• I tried taking a multi-vitamin a few weeks ago and I felt terrible from it. This does not bode well for me lol
• March is the “MONTH OF BIRTHDAYS!” Kristin Hesch, Kristin Lynch, Lexi, Danielle (30th!), Amy (25th!), Biz, my cousin Michael, my cousin Kaitlyn …. and my 27th isn’t far behind coming up April 2!
• Our worship band led by my wonderful husband has an actual out-of-town gig coming up! It’s going to be exciting. Although I just realized that I’ll have to miss the Twilight DVD Borders release party on the 21st.
• My sis is growing spiritually like leaps and bounds lately, and I am so honored to be part of her life and watching it all happen. I don’t know where all this will lead, but I can see the hand of God in the situation and I trust He will lead her down the right paths.
• I know a few people who’s jobs have either downgraded or laid them off and its a very scary time. All we can do is pray and wait, its going to be a while before the country gets back on its feet. And I think we all need to stop being so scared . . . I pray that I can do the same.

And lastly, if you are a reader, please leave a comment and say hi, I’d love to know who’s out there. Thanks

On that note, my personal new years resolutions this year are:

To lose the 20+ lbs I’ve put back on
To get into a real regular devotional schedule with my new ESV Study Bible (waiting for the leather bound to come in)
To spend more time with my grandparents, especially my grandma
To complain a lot less, and go out of my comfort zone to be with others, do things I may not want to do, and help and love as Christ loves me
To really really really stick to our gazelle/dave ramsey plan and pay off our student loans by this summer.
To sign up for PNC virtual wallet
To establish a great personal/business balance in working from home
To volunteer at an animal shelter or some animal organization around town 
Babies/talking/thinking/maybe 

My business new years resolutions this year are:

To increase my pricing confidently (it’s almost ready to go) and push puremotif, my freelance business in every direction, everything I can do
And on that note, to continue to expand my business, and not say no to any work that comes my way because of guilt or fear I can’t do it,shouldn’t do it, someone else is doing it or i don’t deserve it. I studied hard and went through four years of college in graphic design, art and photography to do all the things i love
To alter my contracts and make sure I’m covered legally in all my business ventures
To learn the ins and outs of my new camera
To not break any more lenses
To learn and become excellent at using my flash
To network with other photographers and designers and create great working relationships
To spend my business money wisely and only on essentials
To keep business and friendship completely separate

What are your new years resolutions? If you blog about them, link to them in the comments!

Also, I’m really glad it’s Friday. I haven’t really slept well all week and it’s making me feel exhausted. I will say I am so blessed and grateful for the shorter hours I’ve negotiated with my amazingly understanding bosses. I’m at work more often, but only from 9-?? (4 preferably)

Hung out with my mom, grandma and the kittens last night. It’s an unbelievable responsibility she and my family are dealing with. Especially because this week has been bad for grandma health-wise, she’s struggling with major pain and swelling in her feet, and potential heart problems amidst her normal post-cancer-treatment pain and problems. But, the cats/kittens wake her up at all hours of the night, the mom is struggling with poor digestion (you can put that together for yourself), the kittens are learning to eat solid food and the litter box… and the truth is EIGHT KITTENS??? It’s a ton. It’s way abnormal, and it’s hard. They are beautiful, adorable and so cute and sweet – but it’s hard. I am praying for good homes for all of them, and quickly, right around 9 weeks so that the responsibility can start to lesson as soon as possible.

Yesterday we found out great news about my grandma’s cancer: her PET scan revealed a lessening of cancerous activity in the areas that were there and no new growth. She was just walking around smiling and praising God. I think she had a rougher day with physical symptoms today, but I bet it was brought on by stress of my grandpa going in for surgery. He had parts of his thyroid removed due to suspicions of some growths there, and so far the news is good as they think they are benign. He is in some pain, so if you could lift him up we would appreciate it.

Work is nuts and it’s odd being back. I don’t know why but I was up half the night yesterday. I fell asleep beautifully, but around 3:15 am woke up and I was up rolling around until somewhere in the 6′s. I can’t tell if it’s a medication side effect or what. I tried reading, watching tv, being on the computer, talking to Brian… (lol), nothing would put me to sleep. When I finally dragged out of bed, I was feeling so PHYSICALLY exhausted I could barely move, and I could NOT stand in the shower. It was actually a bit scary. The fatigue was so real and tangible … I had to go into work late. I am praying for a solid night of sleep tonight… I can’t function at my job when I don’t get it, and I’m nervous about that – which in turn can make it harder to fall/stay asleep.

And last but not least, I had to create an icanhascheeseburger for one of the kitten pics. Please go vote!!

moar funny pictures

Overall weight loss: 6 lbs

Overall inches lost: 7 inches

(Now before you flip, that means all around, so some of the waist, belly, chest, thighs, etc) I did NOT lose 7 inches around only my waist
Thanks for following along if you did, or if you didn’t. Should resume regular less frequent posting and photos next week

Day 10 Meals

Breakfast: Eggwhite, broccoli and feta omelet

Snack: Celery and Peanut Butter

Lunch: Turkey Burger with… um. no bun, and veggies

Snack: Plain yogurt with kiwi and flaxseeds

Dinner: Broiled chicken with onion, swiss and tomato sauce on whole wheat pita (chicken parm pita?)

Results to come next post.

This just made my day. Any time I see people rescuing animals or other people it breaks and mends my heart all at once. Look at those poor kitties – they just don’t know what to do

Today I am tired, a little embarrassed (for reasons I wont disclose here), feeling kind of sickish, and overwhelmed by the workload – hardly any of which I can pass on to anyone else. It would be ok but everyone is on the same schedule and want things NOW rather than a week from now or two weeks.

I’ll tell you what, I’m really starting to look forward to Myrtle Beach.

Fitness wise, I’m going to be fighting temptation all day as my boss brought in a huge and beautiful strawberry pie, one of my big weaknesses. But then the payoff happened as I was drinking my protein smoothie when a coworker said “you need to tell me how you are losing weight, you are looking very thin today.” So, keeping that in mind, I’m going to keep doing this for today and tomorrow, then gradually start bringing some of my favorite foods I’ve been denying back into my diet again!

Today’s Meals:

Breakfast: Cottage Cheese and Raspberries (doing yesterday’s tomato omelet)

Snack: Mango Yogurt Protein Smoothie (had a banana/peanut butter instead)

Lunch: Chicken Curry -Broiled chicken breast with long-grain brown rice, veggies (cauliflower, garlic, tomato paste, curry)

Ok seriously no one has time to cook like that on their lunch break. gah!!

Snack: Celery with Peanut Butter

Dinner: Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs — this is sort of what I made with turkey last week… too bad no pineapple left and our grocery budget is TOTALLY GONE for June. NO more food allowed to be bought so I’ll have to make do with what I need.  (chicken, onion, yellow pepper, pineapple,  cherry tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil)

Today’s Meals

Breakfast: Egg White and Tomato Omelet (although I actually had multigrain waffle with cottage cheese and fruit)

Snack: 20 almonds (had later with some dried cranberries)

Lunch: Salmon and arugula/romaine salad with light italian (Instead Meghan and I went to Marketplace grill and I had an amazing salad with grilled chicken, light italian, and some parmasan cheese & croutons – I know – i’m bad)

Snack: Strawberry protein smoothie

Dinner: Baked or Broiled Chicken Breast with, frozen peas and carrots (ooooor grape nuts with fresh strawberries and a bit of sugar)

Workout: Cardio Party (I did Cardio Party Remix – 30 min + some weights)

So… how am I? I am really stressed at the agency – things are kind of crazy for me. It’s a good problem, but we keep getting new projects!!! I barely have time to quote them all and get it together, plus work on existing projects that are dragging on.

Physically, I was down another pound and a half this morning which was great. Today, the lower back is a bit achy, but I’m planning on asking for a massage from the hubby. There was so much to do when I got home, so that was a bit overwhelming, and it’s done now (dishes, laundry, cat feedings, litter, etc., blech).

Today’s Meals:

Breakfast: Breakfast Burrito, tortilla, pinto/black beans, salsa

Snack: Strawberry Protein Smoothie

Lunch: Chicken Salad (I was pretty close on this except I did have bread)

Snack: Cottage Cheese & Tomatoes (mmm…. um…. I really only like the cottage cheese with sweet stuff)

Dinner: Pork Chop and Apple (this sounds really small, lean, and weird)

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Last night was a hard night… Brian and I were both very stressed and emotional due to family issues, priorities and finances, but you know what? We got through it and in the end ended up hugging in the middle of the living room floor laughing. I had a long talk about it with my friends today too, and it felt good to be able to open with them and just talk it all out. It’s amazing how you have people, and we all have lives, and everyone’s is so full of these complicated little messes, victories, triumphs, sadnesses, fears . . . etc. and sometimes just getting them out in the open is the most valuable thing you can do for each other, and tell that person “i understand, i get you, and i’m praying for you.” And when your friends problems are bigger and more major, it helps you get perspective too.

relationships are cool.

Sundays are my hardest day.

we’ll see if I messed up too much by slacking today!