I just may be back.... stay tuned!

I met my great old BYU roommate, Melissa the other night at the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. It was so much fun! We got to talking about blogs and I was telling her that I still look at everyone's blog, even though I haven't written since early 2010. She told me I needed to start up again... I think she may be right. So stay tuned peeps, you just may see me yet again!! Thanks Melissa for meeting with me, let's do it again soon!

Where do you find your motivation?

I want to hear from all of you on where you find your motivation. Especially when it comes to things like exercising, and eating right. I've found this will be a freaking lifelong project for me. One, I enjoy food! Two, I don't really enjoy being "thick". Three, I hate the actual part of exercising, but I loooooove how I feel when it's all said and done!!! Four, I hate going to bed early, it makes me feel old. I know I could get up in the morning and work out if I didn't go to bed so late. Plus, I have more energy to do it in the evenings vs in the morning, seriously, I'm a zombie in the mornings!!! Contradictory much Leslie? Ü

I had an experience this weekend of me figuring out that I finally wanted to upgrade my "juvenile" twin bed to a bigger bed. Once I find I want something, I don't stop thinking about it until I get it. And that can even go on for months!!! But when it's something I "need to do" it doesn't even work that way for me! What the... I'm trying to get started on my Dave Ramsey plan of getting out of debt. A bigger bed, is a want and not a need right? Sigh. I decided I needed to get my mind off of it completely and wrote a list down of things I need to work on and accomplish. Doing that helped me forget about getting a bigger bed, and my desire to get my "get out of debt" plan rolling and moving. I'll reward myself with a bigger bed when that's all said and done. (Thanks for your insight Jalaine!)

On my list was going to the gym or working out outside for my training and eating right. That's a HUGE focus. Writing that list made something within me "click" and I'm motivated to be faithful in my training for the Ragnar Relay. BUT! The motivation is somewhat short lived. I need to figure out how to be motivated in a long term basis. Why is that so hard? It's really not! But it is! Ü

So my friends, where do you find your motivation? DO TELL.

Act Like A Tennis Shoe...

I've signed on with my family to do the Wasatch Back Relay Race in June. It's a 183 mile race that happens over a course of 24 to 30 hours with 2 groups, 2 vans... 12 people total. Each person has 3 legs to run. Once the first van finishes the 6 legs, van 2 takes over. In that time we try to get some rest and eat, etc. Repeat two more times. My uncle and my work has done this for the last two years. My cousin Kara did it last year and had a lot of fun. Somehow we all got talked into it this year. I think our van name should be "I Have Made A HUGE Mistake". lol. Nevertheless, I'm actually looking forward to this challenge. I need something new to do and I need a goal to look to so I can keep losing weight and get in good shape. I'm excited right?! YEAH! Until...

Last night I made it to the gym, determined to see where I was at my fitness level in running. I wanted to see how many minute miles I could do. Granted, I'm not in the greatest shape EVER, but I'm in a better shape than I've been in years. I mean to say, in the fat loss portion but not in the cardio portion just yet. So I make it to the gym, I stretch out my legs, put my earphones on and get my ipod in place and turned on and just get myself in a good running mode.

I look forward, stand up straight and start to envision the road, and off I go. Only I see all these gym goers... a couple holding hands going from machine to machine, (say what?!) guys lifting weights in footflops, (I hope you drop a dumbbell on your foot) cougar moms wearing tank tops that show off their fake boobs and awesome abs, (can that really happen at that age?! Amazing! and I'm just jealous of their boobs since I've lost some of mine) I've gone off on a tangent. Really, in the middle of that all, I'm envisioning the pavement.... and I start to get into my groove. I'm not cruising at an awesome pace, but I'm doing pretty decent or so I thought. I start to pant, and breathe a little hard and I look down, 7 and a half minutes into it... I've only gone .65 miles. DISHEARTENING!!! I felt like a big fat blob that couldn't get very far, trying to run next to this little Provo "all-star" girl in skin tight pants and a tank top running effortlessly, hardly breathing at all. Grrrr. Yeah maybe I'm like THIS lady... SCARY!



Yeah, I don't want to be a "slow, fat triathlete". Not my dream no no. But I was so discouraged and freaked out let me tell you. I have, have, HAVE to get an 11 minute mile AT LEAST to run this Ragnar Race. And I want to be able to do a good job and do good for my team. Granted, I'm not a Marathon runner or a Cross Country runner. (HAHAHAH that's funny) but I'd like to be able to run a decent mile and be proud of myself when this time comes and is over and done with. I'm thinking all sorts of things, "I'm screwed!" "I've made a huge mistake" "Oh crap, what am I gonna do?!" "What can I do to get this pathetic bazillion minute mile down to 11?" I just let it go, and thought, "Okay, this is obviously going to be a process... I will just start preparing now and have a good attitude about this." Guess I'm gonna have to act like a tennis shoe, and "JUST DO IT!"

Here goes. Ü

It's been a while...

And again, it's because Jalaine said so! lol. I have NOT been able to write about anything. So here is one of "those" things. Enjoy.

25 Things About Me...

1. Jalaine had to give me a head start on some random things about me. lol. She truly is my best friend ever, even if she makes me do things. lol. What a motivator she is!!
   
2. I am obsessed with Puma socks. They are so soft and cushion-y! I get them whenever I'm in Vegas, or at a Puma outlet I see!
   
3. I still love my favorite bands from high school and listen to them in spurts for a period of time. ie: Depeche Mode. Oh yeah.
   
4. I am addicted to Diet Coke. It isn't even funny.
   
5. I've been at my current job for 11 years and 5 months.
   
6. I made out with my home teacher (my non-lds friends, just ask me what that is... lol) at a Ward camp out and it was mighty fun. lol.
   
7. I love all the friends that I have and appreciate them more than they know.
8. I am lucky to be able to go to Lake Powell with my cousin and her family and the rest of my family on their nice houseboat and it is pimpin', no lie!
   
9. I have a Cochlear Implant, but still have mad skills in lip reading.
   
10. I love Tiffany & Co. and wish I were rich enough to own any piece of jewelry from there!
    
11. I love dancing, and wish I could take a dance class for middle aged chubby people.
    
12. I play the piano, but want to take a piano lessons again.
    
13. I want to travel the world, and experience the culture. Especially Italy and Greece, since those were places my dad really loved.
    
14. I don't own any spices, but Kosher Salt and Pepper. lol. (Can you tell, I don't really cook) I'm too cheap to go buy them. lol.
    
15. I won a blue ribbon at the State Fair in high school for my Buttermilk Poundcake.
    
16. I love Netflix, and get tv shows from it, not movies.
    
17. I love sushi, but won't eat calamari and octupus.
18. I grew up in Virginia.
    
19. I can take 5 minute shower, that includes shampoo, conditioning, washing, and sometimes a quick shave. Military style baby.
    
20. I can cross one eye, and leave the other straight at the same time.
21. I love reading, but am very particular on what I read.
    
22. I have had 2 experiences in which I've called a goat, a puppy and not realizing it until I got up close to it. "Ohhh look at the cute puppies!" They were all in a field running together, and had long floppy ears, and the other was in the street on a leash. In my defense as to why they were called puppies!
    
23. I love digging my toes in the sand, and always have to take a picture of it. But ONLY if my toes are painted and cute. I love pedicures in a big way!!!
24. I have been on an air craft carrier, and taken out to sea. It made me sick, and I threw up, but still enjoyed the ride.
    

You're tagged... Kim and Laura! I think Kim has already done this, and I know Laura is busy moving, so I'll say anyone who is bored and wants to. lol

Because Jalaine said so!

I never do these posts... but this would be the second time Jalaine has "tagged" me, so I thought I'd do it for her. haha. Here goes!

• 1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper, I love it!! I have to admit, I like the really nice ones at Target that are always on display and I stare at them and covet them, then I end up getting something less expensive, but hopefully just as cute. haha. It's sad, but true.
  

• 2. Real tree or Artificial? None. I like everyone else's tree. lol. I'm not home enough to even enjoy a tree, so I didn't waste my time. However, I have decorated two trees this year, I've paid my dues! 'Nuff said!
  

• 3. When do you put up the tree? I helped my mom decorate her tree tonight, and she's had it up for over a week. I always think it's nice to put a tree up right after Thanksgiving.
  

• 4. When do you take the tree down? First of the year, out with the old and onto the New Year!
  

• 5. Do you like eggnog? Yep, guilty! I always have, though I don't drink it nearly as often as I used to. Now it's more like a treat.
  

• 6. Favorite gift received as a child? I have thought and thought about it, sad to say I cannot remember. lol.
  

• 7. Hardest person to buy for? No one!! Okay, I think my mom is.
  

• 8. Easiest person to buy for? No one is easy, I like to put thought into people's gifts. My brother even said I was the "queen of thoughtful gifts". THAT doesn't come easy all the time! But it is worth it!
  

• 9. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope.
  

• 10. Mail or email Christmas cards? MAIL all the way!!!
  

• 11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Just like I can't remember the best christmas gift, I can't remember the worst either. I must've not had an awful gift. And I'm not hoping for an awful one either!
  

• 12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation ALWAYS makes me laugh. Cousin Eddie heh heh. I love Elf, "Santa's coming! I know him! I KNOW him!" and of course, A Christmas Story always brings back fond childhood memories. Love the leg lamp.
  

• 13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Pretty much December. This year is probably the first year I was ahead and all my gifts are wrapped already! (Still have a couple more to buy though....)
  

• 14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas presents? I don't think so!
  

• 15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I like it all! My aunt Nancy's Pecan Logs are pretty good.
  

• 16. Lights on the tree? Yes, of course. White ones.
  

• 17. Favorite Christmas song? I never knew that I had a favorite Christmas song until this Christmas. I really like Silent Night, Oh Come All Ye Faithful and Hark The Herald.
  

• 18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home, even though we always sleep over at my moms house Christmas Eve. So technically, I'm not at home!
  

• 19. Any holiday traditions? Every year my family gets together with the Longhursts and The Woods and we have dinner, sing carols and do a service project. Don't think that's happening this year, except the dinners and the games! I always end up doing a puzzle with my Aunt Jana who does one every Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year it seems my siblings are going to start a Texas Hold 'Em tradition. They want to stay up til 5 playing on Christmas eve!!! yikes.
  

• 20. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course!
  

• 21. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star, hands down.
  

• 22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Well, as a kid, teenager, and early adulthood, pj's Christmas Eve. Now that I'm too old, and my siblings have their families, we just open gifts Christmas day. SAD! lol. Maybe I'll just buy my own pj's now.
  

• 23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Impatient People

• 24. Favorite ornament theme or color? I'm more into a color theme, but I don't have a particular at the moment.
  

• 25. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Traditional Turkey dinner. Lately, I'm totally digging the Turkey and cranberry sauce!
  

• 26. What do you want for Christmas this year? Fun times, good memories and more fun times! And perhaps winning Texas Hold 'Em on Christmas Eve at 5 in the morning. lol.
  

"Baby It's Cold Outside!"

I don't know what to blog about, and not for lack of trying here.... it'd just be mindless ramblings pretty much! So I guess, here goes with just a few things I'm thinkin'. Eh.

1- I can't believe how fast the holidays have come!! They'll be gone before we know it!
2- I hate that I'm so close to being done with my Christmas shopping, but have to wait until next Friday to get paid so I can finish up the shopping. Gotta have money to live and function for the next 2 weeks!
3- Has anyone gained any weight yet? I think I have. YUCK. My goal is to maintain, I wonder if it's even doable?!
4- I wish it would snow more. I can't believe it hasn't snowed as much as it usually does by this time of year. Seriously, what is up?!?! I'm ready to get my ski on!!!
5- I'm losing my tan and I'm annoyed about it.
6- Anyone's skin feeling as dry as mine?!?!
7- I'm looking forward to all the get togethers, friend times, family times and memories to be made this month. SO MUCH FUN!!!
8- I got introduced to some AMAZING desserts this month!! (That must be where the weight gain is happening....)
9- Everyday, several times a day, I think about how I can't finish my shopping until I get paid again. I think I'm a bit neurotic.
10- If I hear Santa Baby one more time...
11- I wish I had some sort of sexy holiday shirt to wear to a holiday party. You know, a pretty silk type of shirt. Is that so cliched? (I just realized, I don't know how to spell that word properly!) Or even a gorgeous Cashmere sweater!
12- It's so cold in my apartment, but I'm dying for it to snow. How does that work?!
13- All the presents I've bought so far are all wrapped up. That's a first! And I love the wrapping paper I got from Target. Well, only 2 of the rolls do I really love.
14- I'm still looking forward to Christmas this year and I'm so grateful to be in the spirit, even though I'm gaining weight, losing my tan, and not finished with my Christmas shopping.
15- I haven't watched a holiday movie yet!
16- Inspite of these somewhat negative thoughts, deep down, I'm totally being sarcastic and trying to be funny. Really, I'm excited for the extra couple of pounds! lol.
17- Everyday, I'm so grateful for the dear friends that I have. And I'm so glad I get to share some of the holidays with you with our get togethers!

Hope everyone is having a fun December so far. It's not nearly over yet, but it is sure to be before you know it! ENJOY!!!!!

Look how they shine for you...

While I was at Body Worlds, my sister Kelly texted me and asked if I wanted to go to the Coldplay concert with her and my two other siblings that same night. They had bought these tickets 4 1/2 months ago, and her husband decided not to go, and she asked me if I wanted to go instead. I was surprised!! This was my first concert with my Cochlear Implant. It was AMAZING!!!! And it was Coldplay, which made it even more AMAZING!!!! And I was with my fun siblings, which made it a great night, period!!!!!

The set was pretty cool... all those globes had images on it throughout the concert.

I think we took this picture 5 times. Haha. Here's all of us!!

I thought it was the end of the concert and we were waiting for an encore. But lo and behold, the lights turned on at the bottom of the lower bowl, and up the stands the whole band went. They were right smack across from us practically in the same row! Oh why oh why couldn't they have come over where we were!!! That was fun.

Pretty butterfly confetti. I think Lindsay was jealous they didn't get dumped on us. haha. Matt went down and got us all some. Nice brother.

After the concert!! So much fun!!!