Feb 16, 2014

Valentine's Weekend Recap

The Brooks Family Valentine festivities began with having the children fill in their Valentine's for their friends at school.  Aidan did a fantastic job, but sitting and waiting for a four year old to write her name on 28 individual cards gives time consuming a new definition!



Of course, they ended up adorable.  The most difficult part was that she was insisting that she give the broken sucker in the box to the kid in class who is mean to her.  While it made me chuckle a little, I had to have a talk about how that is not nice, etc.  It isn't that Darcy is mean herself, it is just that this kid pushes her down and knocks down her block castles.  This is major in a preschooler's world.  Oh well, still no need to disappoint a preschooler with a broken sucker.  Broken suckers are also major in a preschooler's world.

Tim and I don't usually buy one another anything major.  I don't like getting flowers because they die only a few days later...and it seems like such a waste of money.  I would rather have something I can keep.  I am also not a big fan of fancy jewelry.  Tim finds this awesome.  Sooo, we just go with simple stuff.  This year, I bought him a card and the usual package of Reese's peanut butter hearts.  I had a bit of a problem with the envelope though...


I handed it to him just like this.  It was actually pretty amusing.  Whoopsie!

We bought the kids Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 and I made them Tootsie Pop bouquets.  When Tim went shopping for them, he forgot to buy the cards.  I didn't mind though.  It gave me the opportunity to make them my own cards!  When I gave them their homemade cards, they were thrilled!



The fun part about Valentine's weekend is that Tim's mom and dad usually host a "Kids Night" for the younger grandchildren.  They invite them over without parents and do fun activities on Friday night throughout the entire day on Saturday.  I am sure it is utterly exhausting for them, but the kids always have a wonderful time.  I am sure it creates memories that they will still be talking about into their adulthood.  Since there are no parents allowed, and they live over 3 hours away, Tim and I get a hotel room for a night and go out to dinner at night.  We then have a nice breakfast and shop the following day.   It is so nice to have so much relaxing time together.  

This year was just as nice as every other year.  The only downer is that this is the ONE day out of the entire calendar year where Tim and I can sleep in until we damn well please, and what time did we wake up? 6:00 AM!!  Both of us woke up at the same stinkin' time at 6:00 in the damn morning on a Saturday!  

The highlight of my Saturday and the most awful for Tim, I am sure, was the clearance shopping I was able to do!  I hit the clearance jackpot!

I have been in the market for some simple black flats for work.  They are pretty much a staple in my professional wardrobe.  I walked into a DSW for the first time ever (I know, I know...I am behind.).  I experienced their clearance and all I can say is that it is a good thing that I live a minimum of  30 minutes away from the nearest one.  I got 3 pairs of shoes that I LOVE for under $60!!  SWEET!



The second and third pair are my favorites.  I LOVE the brown ones!  They were $70 shoes and I only paid $15!

The other bargain for the day was a dress I have had my eye on all winter at Lane Bryant.  It is just a nice little black dress.  It was originally an $80 dress.  I paid $19.99.  I never buy anything full price there.  I find what I like and then watch the sales and clearance wracks like a hawk.  I tried taking my own pictures of the dress, but it was too dark to see the detail.  The picture below is courtesy of the Lane Bryant website.  I plan to pair it with a cardigan.


So, yeah, in the spirit of Valentine's Day...nothing warms the heart more than a cute dress and multiple pairs of new shoes at amazing discount prices! ;)

I hope that you had a great weekend too!  



Feb 9, 2014

Celebrating the Victories

It has been too long since I wrote last.  I have been sick and without topics...unless you wanted winning topics such as:

"Sinus Headaches Suck"
"Oh, God, the Mucus!"   or...
"NyQuil is What Death Tastes Like"

Sooo, in order to spare you, I stayed away.  The good news is that I still ate really well while sick.  I mean, there is no point in eating delicious, "bad" foods when you cannot even taste them.  I mean, seriously, a carrot stick tastes the same as a Reese's cup when you have a bad head cold. The bad news is that I did not work out at all this week.  I don't feel bad about it because I was not well.  I am feeling much better today though and am looking forward to my big return to the gym tomorrow evening.

ANYWAY, since I am linking up for Motivation Monday this week, I thought it only appropriate to come up with some things to motivate me.  I have decided to reward myself when I reach certain weight loss milestones.  These are all THINGS I really really want and am refusing to buy myself until I meet my goals.
Health is always my first motivation, but these extra things can't hurt either.

10 Pounds

 A new beauty product -- like a scented body wash or lotion.  I LOVE the Philosophy scents.

This is by far my favorite scent!  I smell like a delicious when I use it!  Yes, I enjoy smelling like baked goods.  They don't have this scent anymore, but they DO have a birthday cake scent, that I think will be a welcome substitute!



20 Pounds

New headphones that are better for working out. My earbuds are constantly falling out!

I have heard really good things about Yurbuds earbuds.  They are made especially for exercise.  The price is right and they come in purple.  Score!


30 Pounds


A professional massage! (My gym has a spa inside.  Members get discounts on all spa
services. Sweet!)  Never in my 34 years have I had a professional massage.  I am hoping this year is the year!


40 Pounds

Manicure and Pedicure -- I get these very rarely...cause I am cheap.  I think 40 pounds deserves a splurge though, don't you?


50 Pounds

New clothes!  Hell yeah!  I cannot wait to go shopping with a smaller body.  



I think all of these things sound reasonable!  I know that all of my victories will not be measured on a scale.  I will celebrate those too...trust me!  It is just that trying to lose weight has always been such a frustrating journey for me.  I am trying to put a positive spin on things.  So, I choose to celebrate the victories (no matter what they may be) and learn from the setbacks.

Have a great Monday, everyone!


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