Saturday Fun

Ava and I went to dinner with our friends Eren and Emma Saturday night while Ron was having guys' night at our house. The girls were so funny; they posed like this without any guidance from us- too cute!

Brooke's Bargains 28

This was the best yard sale weekend I've had in MONTHS! The weather was a little cooler, and there were yard sales everywhere. I only got to stay out from 7-8:30 because Ron had to go to work and the satellite guy came to fix something. I never did post my finds from last week- mostly I just got maternity clothes & baby clothes for Brittany (maybe she'll put them on her blog:). I can only imagine what I missed...Ha! I've been doing some work on the side, so I had a little more to splurge with today.

I got these two lamp finials for $0.50.

Four throw pillows for $8

Cute canvas for $5

Two lamp shades, basket, picture frame, pottery, wreath: $5

This was my splurge (I usually only spend $10-$20 total on Saturdays). For almost 3 years, I've been needing a rug in my great room; those concrete floors are hard and cold! I've had my eye on one at Target very similar to this 96" x 132" rug. The problem was that Target's rug is $379.99! I got this one for $80. YAY!

My mom has one kinda like this for Ava's pics that she keeps in her purse; I knew she'd love one for Baby Reid  too. $1

Brittany registered for this same stroller (Target $55). I got it for $10; the lady said she only used it ONCE! She also registered for the little backpack/leash:). It's $12 in store; I paid $3.

Two pairs of shoes for Ava $4.

Polo shirt for Job $1.

Shirt for me $1.

Shirt for me $2

Pants for work $2

Cute dress $3

Stop by Thrifty Treasures and check out everyone else's finds!

Weigh-in Wednesday 3

I've lost another pound for a total of three. Sheesh, this is going slow, it seems...I am proud though because I have stuck to my workout routine for a month--and in this crazy Mississippi HOT month of August!! Since the last weigh-in I have jogged & fast-walked six miles on the track and played in two softball games.

I love this cereal with skim milk. I actually look forward to it. It's recommended on the Hershberg diet.

I tried these for a change from 'regular' whole wheat bread. Good!

Any Biggest Loser fans?? I am! I've been researching this and trying to decide if it would be worth saving up for... What do you think?

Supper Club

Eight of my best high school friends and I have an informal supper club now. I laugh more with these girls than anyone in the world. I have been friends with most of them since elementary school, so if there's a dull moment in the present we just laugh about what one of us did in third grade. Our house is for sale, so I wanted to host first.

I decided to make a homemade lasagna and chicken/mushroom/Alfredo sauce over penne pasta. Niki brought Caesar salad, and Anna brought cupcakes from AnnOlivia's (the glitter cupcakes that I raved about for Brittany's baby shower).

We didn't play games or do anything else, but we came up with ideas for the months ahead. Are any of you in a supper club? What activities do you do? Any ideas?

I love lamps.

I got this lamp at a yard sale weeks ago, and I finally found a shade that I like for it at Target.  Total cost for lamp & shade $15... not bad considering how expensive lamps can be.

I love the texture of this lamp!

Also love the texture of the shade... kinda rough compared to the smooth lamp.

Lamps make rooms so cozy, I think. My grandmother always had lamps on in the evening; my mom does too. Love it.

Baby Shower for Reid (Part II)

My mom & I hosted Brittany's friends/close family friends shower this afternoon. I LOVE to plan parties & showers. It turned out really nice, I think. The guests were in no hurry to leave, and I love that!! I sent little labels with the invitations and asked guests to bring a children's book instead of a card; I thought it would be a special way to expand Reid's library. He got some great classics like Dr. Seuss books, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," a nursery rhyme book, "Where the Wild Things Are," and I had to make sure he got the Bernstein Bears' "Messy Room"-- one of Britt's favorites.

AnnOlivia's Sweetshop is a pretty new addition to our town. Her cupcakes are UNBELIEVABLY delicious! The comment I hear most from people who try them is, "That's the best cupcake I've ever had!" These were our dessert, and my mom and I made four dips for appetizers: 7 Layer Mexican Dip, Bacon & Tomato Dip, Spinach Dip, & Buffalo Chicken Dip (everyone loved it & wanted the recipe:).

I found these gorgeous flowers at Wal-Mart!

 (This one is blurry because I got it off Britt's Facebook album:).

Ava LOVES her Aunt Brittany!

Our great-aunt Till and Aunt Bobbie

Mimi can't wait to spoil her first grandson!!! Reid will be so loved on by his family!

Weigh-in Wednesday 2

I've lost 2 pounds (which I know is the healthy amount to lose in a week), but I hoped for more... I've been reminded how easy it is to eat whatever you feel like eating when you're not making conscious decisions about nutrition. Gotta keep watching what goes in my mouth & push myself harder on the track! I can do it!!

Here's a few items that helped me:

Sugar-free creamer for my morning coffee!

I've eaten A LOT of salad. This dressing is wonderful! I especially liked it with lettuce, oranges, and low-fat feta cheese.

Brooke's Bargains 27

I feel like Brittany & I are back on yard sale schedule; we haven't been together in three months:( It's way more fun to go with someone!! I didn't find much today, but it was still a great morning. We stopped at the Farmers' Market; I bought tomatoes, and Britt got some homemade, fresh out of the oven blueberry bread-- since I'm watching what I eat, I just sampled it..Awesome!

I bought Ava these two shirts (they look brand-new) for $2.

Furniture Re-Do

A few weeks ago, I helped Niki paint some of her furniture. We painted an old secretary and a bedroom suite for Mary Abbott (more on that later-- waiting 'til the new pulls are installed:). I love how this turned out!

Before

During

After

We lightly sanded it. Then gave it a coat of Sherwin-Williams Watery. I applied a little dark stain to 'antique' it. Lastly, I used a little turquoise and white acrylic paint for added interest. I want to steal this from her:). Fun day!

Weigh-In Wednesday

I have been struggling with my weight on and off for six years, especially the last four. On our wedding day, I weighed 112 pounds, and I loved how I looked! I've never been that small again. Four and a half years later when I was nine months pregnant, I weighed 165 pounds. Now Ava is 3 years old and I've fluctuated between 128-152-- UGH! Right now, it's the higher end of that! I have taken phentermine several times in the last five years and it works; however, it makes me VERY cranky-- no longer an option. 

Sooooooo, here I am. Ron & I are talking about a little brother/sister for Ava:), but I'm desperately needing to get this weight off and get back into shape. In my childhood, teen years, & early twenties, I was extremely active with riding bikes with my sister & friends, skating, cheer leading, martial arts, softball, a little tennis, aerobic kickboxing, dance team... you get the idea, I was super-active (and could eat basically whatever I wanted). 

Fast-forward to today; I'm almost 29, a busy wife/mom/teacher/housekeeper, and I have to learn how to have a healthy body in this season of my life. I'm telling you all of this to hold myself accountable. Last week Niki and I starting meeting at the track in our town to walk/jog. It's great because we get to catch up on our lives while our kiddos are spending some quality time with daddy. We push each other. I also joined our church's softball team; we had our first practice two days ago, and I'm so sore!!! :( 

Monday we started to eat according to the plan laid out by Dr. Melissa Hershburg. I learned about her from our Alabama friend last year; Lonnie lost 60pounds, and the most important part is he's kept it off for two years and looks GREAT! He's incorporated her healthy/common sense principles into everyday life. So with the walking/jogging, healthy eating plan, softball playing, and 3 year old chasing,  I'm looking forward to being content with my body again! I'm putting this out there for accountability! 

Today's weight: 151.