The Little Pink and Brown Dress

One day, while on a mission looking for a specific item at a second hand store, I came across this adorable pink and brown floral dress.  Now for those of you that know me, know that I simply adore the pink and brown combo! 

I took the dress off the rack and looked at it, knowing full well it was all to small for me.  I didn't care, I loved it nonetheless.  So...I did what any other crazy normal person did and purchased it.  I took it home, washed it, and hung it in my closet and there it stayed.

My husband and I built our dream home in 2013 and moved in July.  I stumbled upon this dress in a box marked "MaryJo's skinny clothes" - (this is a box where I put all the clothes that I love, Love, LOVE but no longer could fit into and I didn't have the heart to get rid of them just yet). What did I do with the dress in July then?  Yup, hung it back in my closet and there it hung until a very cold January 2014 day.

I saw in a flyer, a story of a lady who was also on a weight loss mission.  She had this pair of black pants that she adored but could no longer fit into as well.  What she did was hung them up in plain-Jane sight.  Each and every time she worked out, she put one dollar bill in a pocket of those pants.  This motivated her so much that once she could wear these pants again, she had an undisclosed amount of dollar bills that she could go spend.  It worked for her.  This idea inspired me to do the same with this dress!! 

While there aren't any pockets in this dress or straps, I did hang it up in plain-Jane sight in my bathroom (a room I am in multiple times a day).  This dress is going to hang there until I can wear it.  My goal is to wear this dress on a cruise my hubs and I want to take so bad!!  Scratch that, my goal is to just be able to wear it!!!  I love it that much!!

Oh and PS - since the beginning of January, I am down 4.6 pounds.  That is mostly from watching what I eat, increasing water, counting calories, and very low exercise.  (Since the weather turned bad earlier in the month - I haven't been running like I should be.  This changes now too).

Here is the dress - allow me to swoon -  sigh!

Celebrate National Papercrafting Month

It's January! Celebrate National Papercrafting Month by capturing a cloud—Cloud Nine, to be exact—with an exclusive cardmaking kit. The Cloud Nine cardmaking kit, which includes 10 adorable cards (2 ea. of 5 designs) is available at a great discount or even FREE during January. Purchase it for just $15 (retail value $46) with a qualifying order of $35, or get it FREE when you enroll as a new Consultant in January and submit total personal sales of $300 or more. You’re sure to find your own little piece of heaven when you take advantage of this limited-time deal!!

Badger Mountain Hike Pictures

Pictures speak a thousand words - so here you go...some pic from my first of 33 hikes up Badger.

STATS
Date: January 5, 2014
Start Time: ~10:45am (ish)
End Time: ~12:15pm (ish)
Easy slope
Distance: 3.70 miles
Calories Gone: 1,011
Gain: 673ft

It's been one week into 2014

Greetings followers and visitors - I thought I would check in and let you know how I have done the first week of January 2014.  As of today, January 8, 2014 I have started the following:

#6 I cannot believe I have ran one mile every day so far!! Well, 1/4 was a rest day BUT I did vigorous cleaning in the garage for 3 hours! Sunday the 5th, I hiked Badger with Deb which was 3.7 miles AND I roller skated that night for 5.2 miles. I have enjoyed this and almost have the NEED to go run!  I feel great and I beat my best almost every day.  So far....if I complete this goal, then I can cross off #27 (Do something that I never thought I'd do).

#13 Boo-yah baby!  I love roller skating - I consider myself a "rink rat" from my childhood - attending our local skating rink at least 3 times a week. 2 of those days was practically all day Saturday and all day Sunday.  I attended the adult only skating session on 1/5.  I turned on "map my run" and logged roller skating activity just to see how well and much I did.  I did 5.2 miles and burnt 1,092 calories.  I fell once during the "reverse" skate - which uses a whole other set of muscles and body control used!  I hurt my bum, wrist, and ego.  But I am aok! Next session is 2/2 and as of now, I am soooo there!

#19 Started my secret goal #1 on 1/2 as well...so far I have every plan and desire to stick with this.  It is difficult but so worth it!

#23 My bestie Deb and I hiked to the tip top of badger Mountain on 1/4. It was 3.7 miles. We burnt 1,011 calories and just enjoyed each other's company!

#24 WOW!!  What a difference a week has made - logging my food/beverage intake, keeping within my caloric intake and SEEING it on paper is crazy!  It makes me not want that can of pop or that chocolate bar.  I do not want to log 170 calories for a pop and I do not want to log 250 calories for my candy bar!  Here is what I love the best....I love seeing my caloric allowance go up after I have entered any type of exercise or activity.  It doesn't mean I have consumed all the extra calories, oh no! But what it does mean, is sure, I can go ahead and indulge a little bit.  I did work for it. Doesn't mean I have...but it is there!!

#25 Drink 24-32 oz of water a day...so this is easier than I thought.  Especially when I am sitting at a desk job all day.  Day 2 I doubled my 32 oz unknowingly. By 11:30 my first 32oz was gone and I hit a refill!  So far, so good....

#26 I had Jeff pick me up "some sort" of a woman's daily vitamin.  I read that taking a vitamin is important when you change your eating habits.  Although I have changed my habits for the better, and putting "good for me" things in my body, I still want to make sure my body is getting all it needs!!  I am not a pill taker - they make my tummy yucky.  But when I take my daily vitamin accordingly as directed, I have zero problems.  I ultimately feel good all around.  I am positive it has to do with my eating, exercising, attitude, and vitamin!

#38 Weekly photo of myself - while the first few weeks photos will be kept private, I cannot wait to post my future pictures.  My first picture was taken by Jeff 1/2 - they remain under lock and key!  But I plan to use these pictures as motivation, determination, and reminders. 

#58 Once a month date with Hailey!  We went and saw Frozen on 1/3 - I love ALL DISNEY ANYTHING!  This was her 2nd time seeing it, my first!  Oh Em Gee!  I loved, Loved, LOVED it!!  We had a great conversation.  Her love cup has been filled and she got mommy all to herself for a bit! 

#63 Money Challenge: OOOOH!! I am excited for this.  I started 2 of these.  One from my "allowance" account and one from our joint checking/savings account.  One of my friends suggested doing this backwards....meaning, putting $52.00 in this week, next week $51.00 so by the time the end of the year hits, that $1.00 you put in won't break the bank.  Just reminded me, I will share this idea with Jeff.
 
#64 - January 6, marks 40 days until Valentine's Day.  I started the Love Challenge for Jeff.  (He knows nothing about this challenge, as it is for me). He is a great man, husband, father, and provider.  Best part, he is all mine and my very best friend!! I want him to know in my words, actions, behaviors, and favors that he is so important to me and that I value him so very much!!  Here is the link to the Love Dare Challenge  The Love Dare (40 day love challenge) 

#94 I haven't wrote in a diary since I was in high school.  The only journaling I do is in our family scrap books.  Sometimes I have a tough time falling asleep and it is because my mind is STILL going.  So I decided to take some time a few nights a week and write.  Write about whatever is on my mind, perhaps I am struggling with telling someone something?  I have random journal cards that inspire me if I hit a brain block.  The point of the journal is to have my thoughts and ideas captured on paper so I can reflect back later or so my kids have something written about my life after I am gone. 

#97 Maintain my blog - well, here it is, January 8th and I have done a few blog posts.  I think I am getting the hang of things....

#100 No cell/texting while driving...I did not realize how bad I was at this.  It wasn't until I saw a few terrible videos and commercials from a result of texting/driving.  I thought no way am I going to make my husband a widow and my kids, motherless.  Worse, no way am I going to be the reason someone else looses a life or a loved one.  NO WAY!  I promise, it can wait!!  Now, I just need to figure out how to turn my phone to an "out of office/driving mode" status with an automatic reply to those that call me/text me while driving.  I have an iPhone - I am pretty sure that it's possible to do?   

Join my Close to My Heart Team

I am looking for some creative or not-so-creative ladies and gents, to join my Close to My Heart Team.  Let me tell you a little bit about Close to My Heart (CTMH).

CTMH is the "let me show you how" company.  From easy-to-follow patterns in our how-to books to coordinated embellishments for fast and gorgeous pages, I can show you how to discover your creativity and celebrate relationships--with handmade projects from the heart! CTMH began as the inspiration of founder, Jeanette Lynton, who started her first direct-sales decorative stamp business in 1984, eventually redirecting her success to form D.O.T.S (Dozens of Terrific Stamps), a company featuring her own designs.  In 1996, Jeanette introduced an exclusive line of scrapbooking products and techniques under the name "Close to My Heart."  In 2000, the stamping and scrapbooking lines were combined under the same name.  With CTMH, Jeanette continues to lead the paper crafting industry with a rewarding business opportunity and revolutionary new products, including a full line of stunning My Acrylix stamps and scrapbook albums with coordinating papers. 

So whether you are looking for additional income or an opportunity to get the best products and supplies at a DISCOUNT, please join my team!  I am looking for all types of people on all walks of life.  Stay-at-home moms, full time workers, part time employees, retired, the hobbyist, the enthusiast...whatever or where ever you are, lets meet up!!

I promise to hold once a month meetings, full of CTMH information, new product introduction, tips, and tricks to use in your business venture.  Call me now, email me tomorrow, sign-up today!

Let's get the party started!!

Roller Skating Adventures 1 of 33

I did it!!  I went roller skating one time out of my 33 that my goal is based on!  I had a blast.  At first I was the only one there.  Then after a bit, a roller derby girl came in, we visited here and there, off and on.  She was pretty cool.  THEN!!  My former artistic/speed skating coach came in with his wife and his student.  It was nice catching up with them, getting updated on all the other "club" members and where they are now.  We talked a bit about club back in the day.  I was enlightened on one incident involving my mom and was utterly crushed. I think I would have rather spent the rest of my life not knowing that little detail - but when it comes to my mom, nothing should shock or hurt me anymore.  OK! Enough about that...so.... Adult Skating - it was so much fun.  They played the old school music which made me even more ecstatic.  They even played NKOTB and I DID NOT request them to do so.  GIDDY!!

My goal for that particular night was to skate non-stop for the 2 hour session.  That did not happen.  However, it was just like riding a bike and I still "GOT IT" - I fell once during the reverse skate - (skating clockwise around the rink) more on my fall later.  Let me tell you skating in the reverse direction uses a whole different set of muscles and total opposite body control.  My left side has been trained and conditioned to skate the crap out of a rink...my right side is not!  I can't explain it better than that, you just have to try it to see what I am talking about.  Nevertheless, I said it before and I will say it again, I HAD A BLAST!

Ok, my fall...so I was facing forward, skating clockwise, rounding a curve, as I rounded the curve I had picked up way to much speed and momentum that I just lost control of my skate and balance.  My skate was coming right out from under me and I had the quick decision to either fall frontwards on my knees (I am 33 years old by the way), OR fall backward on my cushion.  I chose the latter and before my toosh hit, I tried to catch myself with my hands.  Hello hands and wrists, meet wood rink...and then my bootie wants to kiss you!  OUCH!!!  My tailbone and spine took the shock right up to my neck and my right wrist...killed!  I got up and slowly skated off the rink to rest.  I was more embarrassed than in pain I think.  I texted my hubs, caught my breath, and headed back out.   I was just fine after that.  Until I looked at my right wrist.  About half hour after the fall, my palm bone was swollen and had this bump, and the bruising started.  I made the decision to be done for the night.  I didn't want to fall again.  Not that I would. ;)  There wasn't much of the session left anyway and I shut the rink down being last man standing.  Er, um, last woman skating I mean. 

Anyways, so my stats - I skated 5.09 miles, burning 1,069 calories.  Pleased as punch!  I am so glad that workout was so much fun.  Fun just like I remembered from way back when.  The next session is 2/2/14 from 8pm to 10pm.  Rollarena is locally owned and operated!  It would be awesome to have you join me next month.

PS: How do I feel today - the day after?  I feel amazing.  I am not the least bit sore (exception of the wrist which I am monitoring by the way). I cannot wait to go back next month.

Here are some fun pics for you.  (I did not have the guts or grace to skate while taking pictures or videos with my phone).

Close to My Heart Janaury Freebie!

My Close to My Heart gift to you for January!  Click the download link under “Rediscover You.”  Don’t forget to check out the “While Supplies Last” and “Retiring Items” links as well!!

Freebies

While Supplies Last

Retiring Items 

Project Life and Picture My Life Solutions

Are you into the Project Life (and the like) fad?  It is an amazing new and easy spin on scrapbooking for busy people who want to beautifully archive their families lives!  Are you wondering how to organize, store, and transport all of your cards to crops, gatherings, and camps??

Have I got a storage/organizing solution for you!  Our medium organizers ($16.95) work perfectly for holding all your cards.  The removable dividers accommodate the 4x6 cards as well.  

Don’t stop with just your PL cards…the medium organizer also works great for storing your photos that are waiting to go in your books!  So how many can I get for you??  

Order by 1/24/14 and they will be here in time for my Comfy Cozy Crop!!  If you order from my online store, you will save about $3.00 in shipping !!! 

PS: Close To  My Heart is coming out with their spin on PL called Picture My Life. Starting in February.  Includes cards and protective sleeves!! Cannot wait!! 

My Close to My Heart store