Last weekend

My baby sister Chaz was in town last weekend for a short but necessary visit! She'll be in Seattle for the holidays so the girls and I won't see her until we venture to Dallas next month.

She accompanied me to my office holiday party New had to work (sad face here) and we had a blast!



After appetizers


The "official" party pic!



Last year I won a Target gift card AND an iPad! This year jewelry :)


I can't remember if this was taken before or after at the house??

I've been fooling around with lashes...something I said I'd NEVA do! Not those ugly batwings though O_0! Also I've been experimenting with different looks since I have a growing stock pile of makeup and tools, thanks to the man in my life! He forked over the $$$ for my birthday haul, and he never complains when I show him what else I've found i.e. purchased lol!

My sister had the bright idea to make a gingerbread house with the girls from scratch...another 0_o! We were already on a tight schedule from the outing she planned but she insisted!

We ended up coming home after the party and staying up until 2 am finishing this house sigh...










The house is monogrammed and all!! Happy holidays!

If you didn't see the girl's and my holiday shoot for 2012...take a look!
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Weekend in Dallas!

The girls and I ventured to Dallas this weekend to see my baby sister AND to go to the State Fair of Texas! In all my travels I've never been to Dallas! I have every reason to go now since my sis will be living there for the next two years.



I'm actually posting on my bus ride home (Megabus is an awesome, cheaper, cleaner alternative to Greyhound) so I'll be able to complete a couple of posts!

Anyhoo, we had a great time! It's nice to talk to my 24 year old sis like she's a grownup and share my advice. Well she is a grownup but being 10 years older than her, I still view her a certain way. Although I know she'll have to learn a lot on her own I know she appreciates my opinion. I don't give her my 2 cents unless she asks which she often does so I'm guessing she wants it?

Plus we are a lot alike, she's a Virgo too...birthday just 3 days after mine! I love my sister, I'm proud of her! She's accomplished all of the things she's set out to do thus far. And best of all she's also an awesome auntie to her nieces and nephews!
























This is why God created aunties!! Mommy doesn't do rides!

We had a BLAST! The fair is a little less than what I expected being that Texas is a HUGE state, the Western Washington fair AKA Puyallup Fair is much better in my opinion.



Gosh I missed New so much! He missed us too :)

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Living & Loving Life!

The past couple of weeks has been good, I feel well rested and ready to tackle the rest of the year! Crazy that we are just about in the last quarter of 2011! Where exactly did the time go? Who knows, all I do know is that I've been living & loving life!

This past weekend a couple friends and I took our one and only trip this summer to Galveston beach. Naturally I'm still finding sand all over the place but we had a great time! Weather was perfect and the kids couldn't get enough of that dirty water :-)



Julianni 9/17/11



Enjoying some sand!


Mimi 9/17/11

After the nice long day at the beach, we ate a "snack"...took showers and then headed out for a graduation party/fish fry.

Okay so we really didn't eat a "snack" and when we arrived at the fish fry I had absolutely NO BUSINESS eating again but hell...you only live once on this earth right?! The food was crazy good of course...this is TX and the strawberry daiquiri's were even better!



My friend and I on our way to the party

Basically this post is about how I'm choosing to enjoy my life! This has been a great year for me and I intend to finish it with a bang! Thanks for continuing to kick it with me on my lifestyle transformation!

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Weigh day..My birthday..Makes me wanna holla!!!

I realize I haven't posted since August 22nd...FAIL! Shoot me, it's summer and it's hot as fish grease in Houston! Those are my reasons and I'm rolling with it!

It's that time again...1st of the month, time to weigh in! I have to keep it 100 when I tell you that August was a bust...womp..womp..womp! I enjoyed myself and that's all that matters up until weigh day lol!

Against my better judgement I stepped on the scale a week and a half ago and I was up to a whopping 174.4!!!! Are you effing kidding me??!!! That's all I could think! There was NO way I was going out like that!!!



9/1/11...Weight 166.8

I was able to pull it together and tighten up ship!






September progress pics

That's enough about weight, I had a birthday yesterday!!! 33 years of life, such a blessing!! I had a great day outside of my girls' room upsetting me in the morning and felt so much love from my family & friends!!



Yes I enjoyed TWO slices of my cake!

Anyhoo let's talk about what makes me wanna HOLLA!!! My girls' bedroom! Yesterday morning I had to take pics of the foolery that they call their bedroom! I was ready to throw every single item in the garbage! They live in a world of excess and it's clearly displayed all over their floor!
















THAT IS ALL!!

The solution??? All but 3 items a piece is getting bagged up until they can figure out how to manage their stuff!

September WILL be a great month!!

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The unintentional mini blog break!

I unintentionally ended up taking a mini break from blogging. I felt as though I didn't have much to write about. I haven't been working out, eating right or focusing on my journey. Why? I've had SO many family events going on and I need to restructure and refocus. Since I'm opting not to live my life obsessed with the scale anymore my attitude is changing.

I should be enjoying myself with balance. That is hard to do! My weight is no longer my primary focus, how I look and feel is! I want to live healthily and happily! This summer has been a true test of my strengths and weaknesses.

My mom, brother, nephew and baby sis were here last week for our family reunion. Oh how I'd missed them! We had such a great time and the girls were loving every single spoiled moment they got!

On Saturday I attended the 50th surprise (all white) birthday party for my cousin Nikki. Again, my family loves to party and this was no different! Here's a few pics of me before leaving the house.









This wasn't the white dress I wanted I took too long to order it but it was a $7 STEAL at Marshall's..I couldn't pass that up! I was concerned about looking preggers due to my lack of exercise but I like how the dress ended up working out. I'm not quite sure what it is with me and these one shoulder dresses!?

I'm all over the place right now! School is back in, I'm ready for my house hold to have structure again! Summer has been relaxed and lazy.

That's it for now, I've got ish to do!
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Weigh day! Stats! Mommy's birthday!

I have to start this post by first giving my mom a happy birthday shout out! Without her, there is no me. She is a huge part of why I am the woman that I am today! Love and miss you mom!



My mom :-)

Okay back to my weigh day and stats! I had to bury my old scale (may she RIP) a few days ago *sigh*...we had a good run together! So on Monday the girl's and I made a run to Target to pick up a new scale! I must admit I am smitten with her lol!!



Weight 6/1/11, 162.2

Stats look like this...

Bust: 33.5
Waist: 28.5
Hips: 39.5
Thighs: (R) 22.75, (L) 23

Total weight lost in May: 0.8 lbs

Total inches lost: 1.25 in



June body shot

I am finally starting to notice the progress in my abs!! Finally!!! I believe having two c-sections is playing a role in the slow journey back to flat abs...smdh!

I set a goal last month to complete four weeks of Jillian Michaels' Ripped in 30, this did not happen! I have yet to even complete weeks 3 & 4 workouts! Throughout my journey I've learned a few things about my body.

My body responds well to constant confusion. Meaning, the intensity and style of my workouts have to vary from week to week for me to see and feel a difference.

I've already noticed change with my current schedule 3 days on, 1 day rest cardio/strength split. Basically I'm doing three days of cardio, and three days of strength training on alternate days. I'm not planning my workouts more than one week out at a time.

Goals for this month:

* Continue my split routine with various workouts
* Start lifting heavier weights
* Bid farewell to the 160's
* Menu planning 1 week out...seriously I've been sloughing on this and I have NO excuses

Thank you all for continuing to follow and support my journey!

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Mommy makeover!

I had the pleasure of joining my baby's kindergarten class for a mommy makeover! My stylist Mimi had me looking a mess but this was lots of fun!



Compared to some of the other mommy's, I don't think I looked too bad lmao!

Happy mother's day to all of of the mommy's!! Hands down THE hardest job on earth yet the MOST rewarding!

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Emotional struggles

I'm feeling awful today! Yes it's Easter Sunday, yes I should be happy but right now I'm not. This being my first holiday away from my immediate family is harder on me than I thought it would be.

On top of all that, a dear friend of mine lost her mother suddenly last Wednesday. Just so happens that she's still grieving over the loss of her father whom passed 2 1/2 years ago. I am hurting for her, I wish I could've been there for her. She sent me this picture early this morning, made me want to start crying all over again.



Mama Edith, Tia & Me

I don't even remember how old we were when we took this picture but Tia and I have been friends since 6th grade, I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. I keep praying for her strength.

Then to put the icing on the cake, my honey and I are having our first fight disagreement. I said some very hurtful things to him yesterday, not intentionally to hurt him but out of frustration. It really rattled him. It's never my intent to purposely hurt someone that I love, so not talking to him right now until he gets over it is difficult. Words are just as powerful as actions.

All I'd really like to do right now is curl up and cry myself back to sleep. What I'm going to do is get up, workout and try to enjoy the rest of my day with my girls. Happy Easter!

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Friday!!!!

It's going to be a great day! I'm already claiming it! My mom sent the family pictures that we took before I left. The picture below is of my siblings and I.


Marquita, Miesha, Marcus and Chaz

The picture is a scan I took with my phone so the quality isn't that great but you get the idea lol! We argue and fuss but I wouldn't trade them for the world! No matter what, we always have each other's back.

Anyhoo, I'm SO looking forward to the weekend! I don't have any plans but I did join a social group that has a couple of activities planned and I just might go! My honey keeps telling me I need to get out and meet people...I'm trying! When you leave friends that you've had since childhood it's hard to jump out there because most people are just as cautious as I am. Like I said, I'm making the effort!

This morning I got up and went hard with my Turbo Fire disk 45 EZ. I feel amazing!! I worked out yesterday morning and I was in a good mood all day. I swear it's what I've been missing! The break is officially over!

I'll be checking out the reviews on Jillian Michaels' latest DVD. I pretty much LOVE all of her stuff so I'm hoping for great reviews! It's time to take my body to the next level and honestly I don't like going to the gym, at home works best for me. I lost 100 pounds working out at home, maybe I'll order P90X and sculpt off the next 20???

My mind is racing with the possibilities! Everyone have a fabulous Friday!

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Random ish' March 18, 2011

I've never written a post about my random ish' but I've got things on my mind!

1. If I see one more chick in Houston with those damn bat wing eyelashes I'm going to scream! They look absolutely ridiculous!

2. I miss my family!










Pictures of my three siblings with the girls the day before we left.

3. Folks in Texas drive like bats out of HELL! Seriously do they even do a drivers test?

4. I'm soul searching for the things my heart truly desires.

5. I really want to start making and selling my jewelry again.

6. Why do men always want you when you have someone? These fools are coming from all over the place! How can I politely say, "get the f**k out of here!"

7. I miss spin class SO MUCH!

8. I need a BFF (female) in Houston. My honey is great but he won't step foot in the MAC store. It's very hard for me to make new friends so I don't know how this will happen?

9. I need to redo my blog page.

10. It feels good to be in love!

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New beginnings!

This is my first post of the new year...happy 2011! I spent my new year weekend packing, cleaning and moving...smdh. I am mentally and physically tired. I am in bad need of a mani/pedi and a full body massage. My honey should have that massage covered when I see him next week!

Phase one of my relocation to Houston will be over as of today! I'll be turning in the keys to my old place today, finally! Thank God my mom came over to help me finish cleaning my place yesterday. She helped save at least four hours off of my day. To say the least I am thankful that my mom loves me and proud that I did not succumb to a mini melt down!

With this move I am even more convinced of the healing power of purging. I threw away a lot of stuff! I never realized I had so many things. I'm okay with saying "goodbye" to the old because new beginnings await me. I'm at a great place right now, in my eyes the sky is the limit. If this year is better than the last, I am in for so much happiness!



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My favorite photos of 2010!

I've decided to post some of my favorite photos from 2010, of myself and family. I finally completed my detailed list of goals/plans for 2011, one of them is to utilize my camera more! Last year my iPhone took most of my photos, this has to change!! ***post is pic heavy***




They do love each other in between the bickering!



My nephew Marcus Jr. (MJ) he turned one December 23rd!




My mom and her new husband Alva. I never thought my mom would marry again, I'm glad she's happy!




My nephew Cam'Ron on roller skates :-)




Mimi as the Spider Princess




Julianni as the Bat Princess




The girls and I with the Seattle skyline in the background




Mimi and our cousin at MJ's 1st birthday party




Beautiful ME!




My niece Courtney




My niece Lyric bugg! She turned one on December 30th!




The Gulf Coast sent from my honey




Yes lovely ME again!

If I stick with my plan I should have way more to add to my "favs" list for 2011.