Amazing, right?

I know you are probably shocked....2 posts in 3 days.  I am a bit amazed myself.  I can say that I feel like I am back in the weight loss zone that I was in so well that first year when I lost all my weight.  Yay!  

OK....so how is it going?  I went into work on tues feeling all great.  I had a plan!  I had all my food prepared and points counted out.  I am sitting there enjoying my mid shift shack and in rolls this HUGE chocolate cake for one of my favorite docs (Happy birthday Hartwell!)  I guess this is a good time to mention that I have a few trigger foods.  Salt is mostly what I am weak for....esp chips.  My second loves are cookies and cake.  Also on the creak room table was mounds of halloween candy.  I combined them all in one grocery sack.  I would be telling a lie if I said I was not tempted.  I am happy to say though that I did not give in to temptation.  

After we worked a particularly busy 12 hour shift in the ER Angela and I kept to our commitment of walking.  We walked 2.5 miles which I was happy with as day #1 exercising and it was midnight and we had our butts kicked at work already.

Today I did well also.  I bought a membership to 24 hour fitness today at Costco.  I have a gym membership to the nice snooty gym by my house but quite franky....it is not open a lot of the time when I would use it.....they close at 11.  So I did something that is completely wastful and now have memberships to 2 gyms.  If I am not going to my closer gym much within a month then I will let that membership go.  BUt with 24 hour fitness we can go after work....and go we did.  I ran 1.8 of 2.0 miles.  It sucked.  It was slow.  But I did it.  I also did some other elliptical like machine Angela likes.  I am still undecided on that but as much as it sucked...it also felt really great to be running again.  I cant wait to hit the trails again!

Hope all is well!

Murn

Shocked?

Yes I know....Its been a long time.  Too long.  I have a million excuses but I am back.  I have been doing some really fun things while I have been gone.  Been to a bunch of concerts & a football game. Life has been really pretty good!

 Lets cut to the chase though....this blog is about weight loss....so I assume thats why you are here reading.  I have gained weight.  Quite a bit.  I am not happy about it.  I knew it was happening.  My clothes are all too tight.  I stopped weighing myself daily when I get up and I have been going to weight watchers only sporadically.  All of this has lead to weight gain.  I honestly don't know the exact number. (I have a really good idea though since I had to weigh at the doctor today!)  I am going to weight watchers tomorrow morning before work and I will know a number then.  I do not plan on posting that number.  I need a few weeks to get things back on track to talk numbers.  

I had a really fun night tonight hanging out with 2 of my friends.  They both also want to lose some weight.  We all committed to work on it together.  We looked at our calendars and figured out what weight watchers meetings we will go to for Nov.  (trying to get 3 nurses all in the same place at the same time can be a bit of a logistical challenge!)  Anyways.....we all set goals. 

 Here is my goal....

We set the goal date as March 1.  That is 17 weeks away.  I want to lose 34 lbs by then (2 lbs a week!)  I can do that....know how I know that?  Cause I have done it before!  I really think it will be good to be on this with friends.  I have plans with Angela to walk after work every night this week and Kris is going to join us 2 of the nights.  

So there it is.  I am still struggling.  I really have been not paying much attention to my weight and when I dont give it attention....it sticks around.  Sigh!  I am afraid this is never going to be something I am going to be done with.  I am just going to keep managing it.  

I made the girls line up for a "before" picture.  I did one far away and one closer up.  So here we are! 

Kris, Angela and Me

 Here we are closer up! (Uggg...in these pictures I can totally see the weight I have gained in my face!)

On a happier note.....Today is Halloween!  Angela has some very creative, motorcycle riding neighbors that did this fun scene that I thought was worthy of posting.  

I can use all the encouragement I can get.  

Murn

beautiful day

I have known Rob for a long time.  We have been good friends since about 5th grade.  Rob is actually the one that nicknamed me Murn...a name that has followed me all the way to California.  He got married to a wonderful woman this weekend.  My brother was frat brothers with Rob.  Rob and I moved out to No Cal within weeks of each other.  He was here cause he is a smart guy and was getting his masters and PhD at Stanford.  I moved here to be closer to family and attempt to be a nurse.  When we first moved out here....we kept tight with our Auburn family watching games and spending thanksgivings together.  The wedding was absolutely beautiful and perfect.  I did not weigh what I had wanted to for this event.  I was 189 that morning I think....but it was ok.

Here is a picture of me with my older brother.  Many people at the wedding said we look so much alike. I dont really see it....but I guess thats usually the case.

 Here I am with the happy couple.  

Even though the wedding was so great, it did not change my mind on what I imagine my wedding to be like.  I dont want a wedding.  I want me, my special guy and someone getting us hitched.  I guess after being in so many weddings over the years I am just not interested in all the fanciness.  I dont like attention.  Someone that was with me at the wedding asked me if anyone said anything about my weight loss at the wedding.  I am very happy to say no...no one did.  I dont like talking about it.  It embarrasses me.  I dont know why but it does.  I was hiding behind all that weight avoiding attention.  The attention has been the hardest part about losing weight.  Its what has put me in therapy.  The people that I knew at the wedding have known me a long time.  In high school I was probably only 30 lbs heavier than I am now.  Thats not a big change in looks.  It was really nice to have a night where I never really wondered if I was going to have to talk about it.  

It was a great weekend and I wish Rob and Kat a lifetime of happiness together!

Murn

been a good girl

I have been a good girl with following the plan.  I have lost 7.6lbs in the last 2 weeks so I am feeling better about where I am.  I even updated the tracker on the top of this blog.
I have talked a bunch of people into running the San Jose Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon with me on Oct 2.  Anyone else wanna join us?  (I am looking at you Ruth!!!)  It is a flat course.  It will be with a bunch of really fun people!  It should be a nice and cool northern california morning!  There are bands playing all along the way!  Did I mention that me and a bunch of friends (mostly ER nurses) are going to run it so you have your own medical support with you!  Come On!
Here ....you can check it out for yourself!
http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-jose
Setting goals are important.  I tracked out my training for this race....it will start July 17th.

What are some of your goals?
Murn

I did it

I am happy to report that last Sunday I ran in my first 1/2 marathon.  It was one of the hardest things I have ever done but I ran all of it with 2 water stops.  The last 2 miles mentally were hard!  I was so ready to stop and walk but I just kept saying...one foot in front of the other...just keep going.  And somehow I was able to do it.  My official race time was 2hrs 40 min and 49 sec.  My garmin said I did 12.00 min miles in moving time.  It shows me my total time and then my time taking out the stops.  My goal for the race was to do under 12 min moving miles.  So....with that I was 1 sec over which I am totally good with.  Physically I had only 2 problems.  At mile 7 I started feeling a blister on my left foot.  I had never had foot issues on my runs so I was not prepared for that.  By the end I had a big blister between my big toe and the ball of the foot making it painful to move my big toe.  Also interestingly enough I rubbed myself raw with the top edge of my bra.  NOt sure what that was about but I have known I needed to get better exercise bras....guess this was the proof I needed.  

Music is really important to me on any day but esp for running.  I have a good "workout music" playlist that I listen to on my workouts.  The night before the race I downloaded some new stuff and made a "best of" playlist where it was only the music that really got me pumped up.  That sure helped a lot!  I like a  WIDE variety of music.  Several people have asked me for my list of workout songs....so here is my "ultimate workout" playlist.  Warning...some songs are not squeaky clean!  I like a little rap in there so download any songs at your own discretion.

Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) by Beyoncé

Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) by Big & Rich

Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas

Jai Ho! (as made famous by A. R. Rahman & Pussycat Dolls)

Run It! (Featuring Juelz Santana) by Chris Brown

One, Two Step by Ciara

All I Do Is Win (feat. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg & Rick Ross) by DJ Khaled

Lose Yourself by Eminem

Club Can't Handle Me (feat. David Guetta) by Flo Rida

Right Round by Flo Rida

Proud by Heather Small

I'll Be Your Man by James Blunt

Stay the Night by James Blunt

Empire State of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys) by Jay-Z

Somebody to Love by Justin Bieber

Firework by Katy Perry

Crazy Beautiful Life by Ke$ha

Doin It by LL Cool J

Control Myself (Featuring Jennifer Lopez)by LL Cool J & Jennifer Lopez

Party Rock Anthem (feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock)by LMFAO Party Rock Anthem

Country Girl (Shake It for Me) by Luke Bryan

Beauty in the World by Macy Gray

Your Moment (from the Biggest Loser) by Mark Holman

Faster by Matt Nathanson

Raise Your Glass by P!nk

Give Me Everything (feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer) by Pitbull

Hips Don't Lie (featuring Wyclef Jean) by Shakira

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

Dynamite  by Taio Cruz

Hey, Soul Sister by  Train 2

Yeah! by Usher featuring Lil' Jon & Ludacris Confessions (

Knee Deep (feat. Jimmy Buffett) by Zac Brown Band

In da Club by 50 Cent

Candy Shop by 50 Cent

On the same day as my race there was a race in Livermore called the Hook and Ladder.  It is a race with hot firemen all along the course and it is shorter....5K or 10K.  All of my running friends were doing that race so I ran this one solo.  I was feeling a little sad when I started the race that there was going to be no one at the end to celebrate with when I finished.  Well at mile 9 I heard some yelling and I looked over to see my dear friend Jewell and her daughter on the course cheering me on!  They were so awesome!  At one point she drove by me with a sign out the truck cheering for me.  They were at mile 11 with a sign that said only 2 more miles!  That was EXACTLY what I needed at that point!  It was also awesome to have them at the finish line to help me celebrate! 

My official time put me 1096h place of 1519 overall and 207 place of 292 in my age bracket.  To the person that asked if I was in the bottom forth of finishers...I am happy to say no...I wasn't....for overall or age.  I am not sure I will ever run another one of these but I am proud to say I did it!  I feel like I have talked about it so much lately, so I promise to all of those that have to be around me in real life...I wont talk about it much more.  

Murn

struggling

I am struggling.  I said it.  I have not been following the program.  I talked to my councilor this week about it.  She is holding me accountable.  I went back to WW on tues.  I weigh 199.  Yikes!  I have gotten back to the strict things that worked so well for me.  I have been journaling.  I have been exercising.  I feel so good to be back in control.  I am working with my councilor in figuring out why I eat and try to get to the root of it.  Please dont nag me about it if you see me in person.  I feel bad enough on my own.
So thats why I have not blogged.  Many of you have mentioned it and I appreciate your support.  I am back and will get back to 188 soon.
I have kept exercising through this all.  It has become a really important thing for me mentally.  I am running my 1/2 marathon on sun and I actually do feel ready.

Thanks for the love and support!
murn

a little disappointing

I went to WW today.  I had a couple of disappointments.  Brenda has been my leader since the beginning.  She told me today that she is no longer going to be doing the Mon morning meetings in where I go.  It was just nice to have her know how far I have come and I have talked to her for help when I was getting discouraged (like when WW changed the point calculations!)  Secondly I only lost 1.6 lbs.  I really worked so hard this week and ate pretty darn carefully so I don't completely understand that but a loss is good so I am going to take it and keep working hard.  I have 7 more weigh-ins before the wedding where I want to be in the 170s so I should be able to get there.  I was 188.0 today.  Lowest ever weight at WW.
I went shopping to get a few new summer clothes.  I realized that I dont have any summer clothes that fit.  I bought a few things that are not usually what I would wear...like a couple skirts!  We'll see how comfortable I am wearing them.
I went to the gym today.  I left my stuff there and ran 4.3 miles on the trail (for my 1/2 marathon training I am suppose to be up to 4.5 miles for my short runs.)  I then did my weight training and ran 0.5 more as my cool down.  Feels good to have that checked off my "to do" list for today.
Hope you had a lovely Easter and have a good week!
Murn

trainer

I had my first workout today with Tanya, my trainer.  It took a while for us to get our schedules messed but this morning we had our first workout.  I really like her.  She said I am much stronger than I think I am....maybe that why I like her so much.  She made me work hard but it felt good  (when I was done!)  She also let me warm up adn cool down with running.  My beloved go to exercise!  She is running her first 1/2 marathon in 2 weeks so she is great about talking with me about where my running should be.  I did 6.3 mile run (long run) earlier this week.  I have been working hard at eating well too and so I am hoping for a good week on the scale.  Some of my personal life is not going so well so I am trying hard to have control over what I can.

Hope you have a good week!
Murn

Fat girls eat

I am a fat girl.  I need to eat.  I know there are girls out there (like my mom) that when they need to lose a few pounds they can just moderate the amount they eat and get back to where they are happy.  I am not so good at that.  I like to have a full belly.  To be able to do that and lose weight takes a lot of planning and work.  I have to really fill up on veggies and fruits.  

Today I worked a 4 hour shift (we call them princess shifts!)  I know I have a long work week ahead of me so I needed to get my food planned and prepped so I would be successful.  I went to Costco to stock up.  I can simply not beat their produce prices anywhere else.  I spent several hours once I got home chopping, cooking and prepping my food but I am ready for the week.  

Last night I went to dinner with a bunch of my friends.  One of their husbands asked if we cook daily or do marathon cooking on one day like his wife.  Every single one of us nurses said we do the marathon cooking.  He was bewildered by this.  I guess when you work 12 hour shifts in the ER you have no energy left for cooking when you get home and I certainly am not going to get up early to cook.  So this blog entry is for Chuck...to show you that Hannah is just like the rest of us!

I had one splurge idem today.  I have been craving animal crackers.  I love to eat them with pudding.  I am not sure why I like these so much I do.  I weighed out little baggies of 3 pts servings.

 I have been enjoying carrots dipped in salsa as a point free snack.  I bagged up my carrots and put salsa in little containers to take to work.  (First I had to blend the salsa cause I dont like chunky salsa!)

 I made beef with veggies.  I put that on 2 points of brown rice for my main meal at work for the week.  

 I made my salads for the week.  I measured out the feta and salad dressing.  All of the rest of this is free points.  

 I love my berries.  I put blackberries, raspberries and blueberries in the containers.  I eat half of the berries with yogurt and the other half with cottage cheese during the day.  

 I got the best grapes at the marina market in SF.  They are so crisp and sweet.  I made little baggies of those.  

 I cut up and baked my brussel sprouts the way I love them with roasted almonds.  I made these with oil so I am calling a serving of these about 3 points.  

 After they cooled I put them in zip locks to be able to take them to work.

 Lastly I cut up a big watermelon.  Not much I love as much as really cold watermelon.  I made several of these containers.  

 How do I get all of this in my fridge?  Its a tight fit but I got it all in there.

I have to do all this prepping to stay on my plan but its so worth it.  

Murn

it was close....

but I think I am gong to make it.  I went to spin class today for the first time.  I thought....I am a runner.....how hard can this be?   HA!  That spin class kicked my bootie!  I am going to hurt tomorrow.  It was great though...in a death coming to get me kindof way.  I love that I had 3 friends there with me suffering with me!  If you want to hurt....take a spin class!

maybe I need a goal

I am still here...plugging along.  It seems my weight is up a pound....down a pound....repeat for 5 months.  There are many things going on but one of them being my focus.  I am dating now and that takes time and effort too.  Last week I met and paid for a 20 sessions with a personal trainer.  I am hoping adding strength training to my routine is going to help.  That being said....my trainer and I can not meet this next week due to our schedules....but after that we are set for a while.  NOthing like missing the first week to look committed to something!  Haha!
I realized I have not really set any goals for what I want to lose by when.  This helped me in the past.  I have a wedding on June 18th.  I am not sure who will be there but I have been friends with the groom since 5th grade so I think it safe to assume that I a few people from my past will be there.  I loved the school I went to growing up.  I was fat and I dont remember EVER being made fun of.  In fact my memories are of the opposite....I was well liked.  That being said....I have not seen a lot of those people in a long long time so I would love to look smashing.  I even have a date for the shindig (although he is not that excited about it!)  My goal is to be at 179 for the wedding.  Think I can do it?  I have 2 months, a trainer and motivation!  This is my PMS week so I know I up a bit from that.  I also had a lot of wine on Friday night....and that never helps!  I think I can get there though.
To help me get there I have put some of my friends to work with me.  As I speak Laura is on her way over to come run with me before work.  I have also convinced Laura and Amelia to come do a spin class with me on MOnday.  I have never taken a spin class so this should be very interesting.  :)  I am going to get out of the 190s if it kills me!  I want to look smashing for this wedding on the arm of a cute boy.
Murn

almost there

I went to WW today.  I know when I have been doing good...cause I cant wait for weigh in morning.  When I am doing bad...I dread it!  I was looking forward to it today.  I was down 4.8 lbs this week.  I know that a lot of that weight was water I was retaining with my period but I am happy to take it!  I am only 1.2 lbs from my lowest weight and I am confident I can get there this week.  I have been a lazy bum today...not exercising but I think we need break days!
Hope you are having a good week too!  I will work on getting some pictures soon!
Murn

good week!

I have been a good girl (mostly) this week. I am feeling good about things.  I have been doing all the things I said I would including exercising!  I am happy to report that I have run 15 miles in the last week and swam twice as well.  Today I went out for a run.  Something amazing happened....I ran 4 miles at an average less than 11 min miles!!!!  This is a HUGE improvement for me!  I am hoping I have made progress but am going to wait and see how my next run goes.  Sometimes you are just "on" and things magical happen.  I weigh in at WW tomorrow and I am feeling good about it.  Of course I will let you know!
Hope you had a good weekend!
Murn

Todays run at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by megrover6 at Garmin Connect - Details

breakfast!

I am having a lazy morning.  We all need those right?  I guess that is an advantage of no kids or hubby!  So when I tolled out of bed at 11am I was HUNGRY!  I made up this delightful breakfast and thought I would share.  The placemats were left on my table after having someone over for dinner.  My older sister always sets a nice table.  I am trying to do more of that.  

The sandwich is point friendly too.  Here it is:

Sandwhich thin: 3 points

Fried Egg: 2 points

Small amount of cheese: 1 point

3 slices of Canadian Bacon: 1 point

7 points total

Is a few more points than I usually eat for breakfast but I am eating a good bit later than I usually do.  Canadian bacon is my new favorite thing for breakfast.  I got a big package of it at Costco.  3 slices are one point!  You can microwave it too....30 sec per slice!  I am trying to add more lean protein in my diet so this helps get some in my morning.  I just made up zip lock bags each with 3 slices in them and threw them in the freezer.  Every few days I put a couple bags in the fridge so they are defrosted.  

Hope you are having a lazy St Patrick's day too!

Murn

Just Hold On

As I have mentioned in the past few posts....I have been struggling with my weight loss.  I am still working on on it but this week I have really been trying to put new things in place to help me.  There is a book...."A Million Little Pieces" This book was one of the Oprah books.  I admit that I usually love all things Oprah...except her book selections!  Well this book was about a guy who was overcoming addiction.  It came out later that he made up a good part of this story...blah blah blah.  I still got a lot out of the book.  I can recognize that my relationship with food is not different from an addict to Heroine....except mine is much more socially acceptable.  

In this book James has a phrase he says when he is Jonesing for drugs....He just keeps saying "just hold on" and he knows the strong desire for drugs will pass.  This has been something that I have used in the past in attempts to lose weight.  I have not really used it this time....til now.  Last week I felt I needed a phrase to say.  I was talking to my friend Lance and he reminded me of how powerful I felt this phrase was in the past.  I suddenly had my phrase.  JUST HOLD ON!  I had a silver bracelet made with it on it and have been wearing it since I got it.

I had a hard time getting a good picture of the bracelet but you get the idea.  Just Hold on!

Murn

one day at a time

I worked today but I had in my mind that I was going to go to the gym after work.  After working 12 hours I must say the last thing I wanted to do tonight was go to the gym....but I did....because I am committed to continuing this journey.  It was not a pretty or easy work out but I did it.  I did not eat perfect today but I journaled everything I ate.  I was a few points over but I earned 9 exercise points so I was in my points.

On a funny note....tonight on the treadmill (aka torture machine) the guy next to me was a young guy who appeared to be in good shape.  Here is the thing....he grunted and moaned the whole time he was on the treadmill!  It was so annoying!!!  I kept thinking....shut up!  I am killing myself over here and you don't hear me grunting loudly!  Just then the song "Shut Up" came on my Ipod by the Black Eyed Peas.  I chucked out loud and then thought of him the whole time it played.  Somehow that made it all ok.  :)

One day at a time.  I am not sure why this is so hard for me to get a handle on.  I guess some days I have to take it a minute at a time.

Murn

Pizza Weight Watchers style!

I am feeling really good about my recommitment.  I work up today feeling a sense of relief.  Yesterday I really worked on thinking about my weight loss.  I watched Ruby and the biggest loser.  I read tons of weight loss blogs.  Just had to get my head back into it.  More importantly I stuck to my plan.  I swam a mile and ate in my points.  

I love pizza!  I am a little tired of Lean cusine pizzas so I have been trying to come up with one I can make myself.  Here is what I have come up with....and it is not too bad!

Take one Light Italian Flatout (2 pts)

Spread some pizza sauce on it (1 pt)

2 servings of 2% mozzarella cheese (4pts) 

Pile on the veggies (I didnt have any to pile on!)

 Bake at 400 til golden brown and you have.....

YUMM-O!
Murn

recommitment

I went back to WW today.  My weight is up....a good bit!  I was 198.0 today.  I am not happy about it.  Oprah had people that were on a weigh loss journey before sign a contract with themselves.  I am doing that with myself.  I am getting back to the basics.  I have gotten sloppy and thought I had a handle on this weight loss thing.  Not the case!

*I will not go out for fast food with the exception of Subway.

*I will track my points every day.  

*I will stay in my points for the day.

*I will track my exercise again on a calendar so I can see what I have been doing for the week.  

*I will not binge eat late in the evening.
*I will weigh in at WW every week.

I have a reward that I get an Ipad for my 100lbs reward.  I can get there and I know I will like my body much better when I get there.  100lbs will be when I get to 171.8.
I am not done.....
Murn

quick

This has to be quick as I am heading out the door but many of you have been telling me you have been noticing that I have not been blogging.....so I am trying to do better.

Vegas was fantastic.  I will do more on that soon.  Since getting home I have really been trying to eat back on plan.  I do fine til night comes....then I blow it all to hell.  Today the plan is to go to SF with friends.  We are going to go on a walk then eat at my favorite place....the grove.  I am already craving their salad which I think is pretty healthy except the cheese on it.  Why has this gotten so much harder?

Murn

Introducing my new best friend Dory!

In my family we rotate through each sibling.  This year my older brother had me.  He knows how I have been running.  He gave me a new garmin!  It does amazing things!  

I thought long and hard about her name.  I have settled on Dory from Finding Nemo.   "Just keep swimming (running)" seems like a good motto for me.  Dory was also always lost.  :)

Here is a glimpse at what Dory does for me....

Untitled by megrover6 at Garmin Connect - Details

I need to admit that I didnt run for almost 2 weeks.  I am back on track with it.  I have run 3 times this week so far.  Tonight I ran 5 miles.  The first mile was my fastest ever....11 min mile.  The 2nd mile.....well it sucked!  I had a terrible cramp in my abdomen.  Then miles 3-4 were pretty effortless.  About halfway through mile 5 I was ready to be done.
Murn

where in the world have I been?

I am here!  I promise!  Life is busy I guess is all I can say.  When I got home from Minnesota I had all of my life waiting for me!  One of the things I did was go on a girls trip to Santa Cruz.  I was not there as much as I had hoped but when I was there....it was great.  We had the most spectacular view of the ocean.

 Here we are at family dinner one night.  Amelia is missing from the picture.

I had to go home early because my little Sophie dog was attacked by bigger dog and her leg got broken. Poor thing is already afraid of other dogs and this did not help.  She is doing ok now but was pretty pathetic for a few days.
I have been fluctuating a little bit with my weight loss but mostly staying the same.  This weekend I am going to Vegas and then I am getting serious about losing.  :)

Hope you are having a great winter!
Murn

I'm Home!

I want to start with the topic that this blog is suppose to be about....my weight loss.  I missed last week at weight watchers but I did go today (I am working tomorrow and wont be able to go to my usual Monday meeting.)  I have happy news!  I lost 7.2lbs!!  Yippeee!  I guess I can'd keep hating the new program so badly since its working.  This brings my total weight loss to 82.4lbs and I am finally in the 180s!  At WW there was one of my coworkers who was on her way to walk the Lafayette Reservoir. I jumped on her trip and we went and walked around the VERY hilly upper rim.  Whew!  My thighs are going to be hurting tomorrow!  I spent the afternoon shopping for healthy foods and cooking up some of them for the week.  

I came home on Thurs.  from several weeks in Minnesota!  I need to say that I loved my run on my first day back!  It was SUNNY and 60 degrees and I could run outside!  It was great!  Here is a picture I took one morning of my sister's 5 great kids!  I had a fun time being with them.  Everyone of them has a unique personality that I love.  

 In this picture I think Caroline is sharing some wisdom on how to get more milk with Andrew.  

 I went snow shoeing one day with the boys!  We walked across a frozen lake!!  I have never done that before. 

 Here is my snow shoe on top of the ice!

I had a great trip but it is sure great to be home too!

Murn

National Champs and Babies

Well since I have last posted my Auburn Tigers won the national championship!  WAR EAGLE!!!!  It was a crazy game but we did it!  An Auburn tradition that I love is that when Auburn wins a game...the town all goes to a corner of campus and rolls the big oak tree called Toomers Corner.  It is spectacular!!  People are screaming out Auburn cheers.  Its about being around the rest of the Auburn family!  Should you need a reminder about how I feel about Auburn you can check my post....here!

Well on facebook I found this picture on a friend of a friend of a friend's page.  How awesome is it???  This is Toomers Corner the morning after the game.  I want to give credit where it is due....I stole this off facebook.  Here is the link where you can get your own copy of it (I am going to....I want this framed on my wall!)

Ok...on to the point of this blog.  I finally did it.  Yes, I went to Weight Watchers and am doing the new program.  I am still not happy about it but I recognize its an important part of my program.  I was only 0.2lbs up from where I was in the beginning of Nov.  No loss but no gain over the holidays either so I am ok with that.  Here is all my new loot!

There are many of you that read this that are related to me.  It is you I am making this next section for. Does it get any cuter than this?

 Andrew was cheering on the Auburn Tigers in the outfit his Auntie Vanessa and cousin Peyton gave him. 

 This was Croline's reaction today when she heard that Cam Newton was going pro!  I am sure she was thinking....."Sad to see you go Cam, but we understand"

 Now as cute as the new additions are I felt like I could not leave out the older kids.  They are cute too...esp when they are asking to play games on my phone through the bathroom door when I am trying to have "private" time.  (moms out there....hats off to you!!)

 Elizabeth is fresh out of the shower and I clearly am showing my Auntie inexperience with leaving the bathroom before we brushed out her hair.  Pretend it is all brushed and cute....because it was soon after the picture was taken.  Sometimes Aunties forget things.  

Anyways....doesn't my sister have cute kids?  They sure are sweet too.  Elizabeth asked me when I picked her up from school yesterday....."Did the twins miss me today?" then she asked...""Do you think they know my name or think of me as the smallest of the big kids?"  Have to love them!

Tomorrow I am going to go shopping at the Mall of America.  Not sure if I will find anything I cant live without but I am going to try!

Murn

War Eagle!

Last night I went to the store to get stocked up on foods that are easy choices for me.  I have found that scavenging in an unfamiliar kitchen has had a few temptations.  I did really pretty good today when i had my safe foods.  

Funny story: on the way home last night I got pulled over.  I was going about 6 miles over the speed limit (which I didn't think was bad.)  Here is the thing....I not dressed appropriate for the weather.  I was in sweat pants and a T-shirt.  I had gone to the gym but had planned on only walking on the treadmill but could not resist running some so I was sweaty.  I had an out of town license.  The cop then questioned how I was just at the gym if I didn't live locally.  He also mentioned that it was strange I didn't have my coat on in -2 degree weather.  So guess what?  I got to get out of the car for a sobriety test!  I did ask to put my coat on for that!  I am happy to say I had not one drop of booze in me and he let me go with only a warning but that was a first for me!  What a fun Sat night!

My favorite team, Auburn Tigers are going for the National Championship tomorrow.  This is the first time in my lifetime that we have gone to this game.  I am so excited.  In anticipation my niece and I made auburn cupcakes!  We used a yellow cake mix so the actual cake part was dangerously close to green (we are playing the Oregon ducks who are green.)  we had fun making them.  

WAR EAGLE!!!

Murn

Baby, its cold outside!

Well there is not much I can say but its cold in Minnesota.  My first day here I felt cabin fever (not a good sign for the days to come.)  Luckily it was a heat wave and was 22 degrees so I put on my shoes and gear (thank you Laura!) and went for a run.  I only ran 3 miles....but I got out there.  Later in the day I went for a 2 mile walk in the snow with my dad.  Today my sister got me signed up at the gym for my membership so I am all set.  I went there today and got some of my wiggles out.

 Now on to the good stuff.....
My older sister had twins last week.  She has 3 older kids (11,10 and 6) so I am here in minnesota helping out and loving on the kids.
Introducing Caroline Julia.....

 And this little guy is Andrew Jacob.

Dont worry...there will be more pictures!!

All is well here!

Murn!