Friday Confessional

I am linking up with Aubrey for Friday confessional and man do I need it this week!

I Confess....

It has been a little hard to concentrate this week at work since we all heard the news about my daddy's business partner but we are all staying positive now and that is a good thing!

I Confess...

I do love my job but sometimes some of my clients are major pains especially when I have to give bad news.  I hate getting fussed at for something I can't control but it is part of the job I guess. 

I Confess...

I have not been working hard enough on getting my weight off the past month or so.  I am going to have to get back on the wagon because I am going to start looking at wedding dresses in March!!!!  So I need to start busting my butt again!

I Confess....

I LOVE MY HOUSE!  I feel so at home there and I just love everything about it.  I also kinda like that Allen is on 2nd shift because he can take pepper out before he leaves and then I can when I get home and if I have a girls night with my bestie I don't have to worry about her making messes!  And I get to clean and pick up without having to worry about disturbing anyone else.  

I Confess...

I am super pumped about my Scentsy party tomorrow with the girls!  Then we are having a Co-ed Party afterwards for whoever wants to stay!  I have to admit I am ready to have so many parties at our house!!!!! And I am going to try my hardest to remember to take pictures. 

I Confess...

I have been down this week so last night after a rough afternoon trying to help a client...I went for some retail therapy at Old Navy.  I really want to find some jeans to fit me well but I cannot seem to find any that work for me.  I bought a lot of stuff and today I am returning a lot of stuff back.  I thought a sparkle cardi that I got was cream and when I got it home it was light pink!!!  I do not think so no pink for this girl.  My favorite purchase was this lovely belt.

 

Blindsided!

This is going to be a different post but man this year has thrown some crazy turns.  Some good, some bad...  My dad's business partner (and my direct boss) was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year.  She is 48 years old and has always been a health & exercise nut.  So when she was having some issues none of us thought that it would ever be the "worse case" scenario that the doctors painted.  She went through the "wipple" surgery and chemo brilliantly she was even told last month after her CT scan she was cancer free.  She went last Tuesday for a follow up CT scan and found a spot on her liver.  Yesterday she had some other test done and got her results today.  The results were grim!  The cancer has spread in just 3 weeks and was getting bigger.  So she is starting chemo not to cure her but to prolong her life which the doctor gave her a year.  I am just so in shock.  I am a believer and I know that everything happens for a reason but sometimes you wonder why...This woman has a 24 year old son in dental school and a 16 year old daughter in high school.  I just cannot understand why things happen the way they do and I know God is always in control and HE is the only one that knows but still why.  I have become so close to this woman I use could not stand and now she is like a 2nd mother to me.  I know that He heals and He will protect her.  I just hope that anyone that is reading this to remember TELL the people you love the most you love them!  HUG the people you love!  Never take anyone for granted because in a flash any of us can be gone. 

I am going to do better!

 I have been an absolutely terrible, terrible blogger.  There are no excuses but life has been a little insane lately.  First off,  I was the wedding coordinator for my bestie and make sure her wedding went off without a hitch.

This is not from her wedding but from our double date to dueling pianos!!! I really like the picture though :) 

My house has gone from this

To this (and I love it)

We are all moved in and now I am ready for some parties and diy projects. I will be doing better blogging because with the holidays coming up and my wedding next year I will have LOTS to talk about.  I am very excited because I am having a scentsy housewarming party Nov. 16th with the girls then whoever wants to stay the guys will be coming back and we will grill out :) Also on the 23rd I am going to my very first Trans Siberian Orchestra concert with Deana (my dad's business partner) and her daughter Miranda (who is also in love with Katy Perry like me but she is 16)!  Allen and I are also talking about hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our new house this year!! I am looking forward to that as well. Happy Tuesday Everyone!!!!

Wino Wednesday - Bestie's Birthday Edition

 I am linking up with Aubrey and Danielle for another Wine Wednesday!!! 

This post is going to be short and sweet since I am still trying to catch up from being on "vacation" last week.  

Today is my bestie's birthday and I am so excited we are getting to celebrate together!!  I do not believe I would have had half the fun I have had in the past 5 years without you!!! Love you so much Danielle!!!! 

And we are getting a picture of us together tonight if it the last thing I do!!!!!

I am wearing Yellow Shoes today!!!!!

My title has absolutely nothing to do with what I am going to write about but this weekend I found my favorite yellow shoes I bought last year for $10.  I thought I lost them forever!!!!! 

We had Jackson this weekend.  Allen and I want to take Jackson camping in the future but we know we need to get him kinda use to the idea so they "camped out" in the living room.  Allen has a small army tent that fit in our living room and we had lanterns and I found this awesome alarm clock that projects images on the ceiling so they could sleep under the stars.  I grilled hot dogs and pre heated my oven to make some fries.  I go take pepper out and come back in my house is filled with smoke.  My oven was so dirty that it started a small fire in the bottom.  I made my mind up that Saturday I would clean that thing and it would not happen again.  Side note: we did get the smoke out and the camping was a success.  We even watched Yogi Bear the movie perfect night :) 

That night I started looking up ways to safely clean your oven on Pinterest.  I did not want to use chemicals or anything that would be harmful so I found this site.Hometalk.com

So many awesome cleaning tips and ideas.  I used baking soda and water made a paste, put it all over my oven and let it sit for about 2 1/2 hours.  Then I sprayed a vinegar and water mixture in the oven and let that sit for another 30 minutes.  My oven was gross to say the least.  When I started scrubbing most of the baked on food just came off with ease.  The hardest part was getting all the baking soda out of the oven but I was extremely impressed with my results.  I forgot to take a before and after but it was so much better. 

 

This is probably the closest to what my oven looked like before.   Nasty right! 

I did not know how powerful baking soda and vinegar are on spills and such so I had an idea, since I am on vacation this week (and Allen and I are getting ready to move) I figured this was a perfect time to deep clean my house. I am going to post each day a before and after of what I do and my reviews of some tips I have found on Pinterest.   So excited!!! Tomorrow is the refrigerator :)  

Happy Monday!!!!

 

Transformation Thursday!

Whew!! This has been some week my friends....Allen and I finalized our color selections on our house.  I am over the moon excited about starting our lives together in a home we (I) customized.  Those post will be coming soon :) Work is still as crazy as it can be but this past weekend I bought (felt like I stole b/c it was an awesome deal) a treadmill from the one and only Danielle.  So at least I can get up in the morning at get some cardio going before work.  Allen is loving it too!!!  

So on to what people care about :)

I have weighed this morning and I was down more 226.5!!!!  WooHoo!!!!  I was very happy especially since I kinda stress ate last night and got the best chicken fingers ever. And sometimes a girl just needs some fried food, a glass bottle of wine, and her best friend to make an awful day better! But I did run/walk this morning so that makes up for it my stress eating.   

I am getting so close to my first goal!!! I am going to write about a few recipes this afternoon when I am not as busy!!!  

Past Week!

So I have been so busy with so much exciting-ness (I know it isn't a word but it is all good ) that I haven't been able to blog about any of it.  So I am going to update ya'll on the past two weeks!

Tuesday

 

 Hands down the best time I have ever had! Allen had bought tickets for my daddy and I to go see KISS a while back.  It was such a wonderful time.  I got to spend time with my daddy and we got to see our favorite band up-close and personal!  And we got to touch Paul Stanley's boot!!  

 Just a few more of my 2 favorites!!!  

Gene Simmons

 Paul Stanley - Paul is my absolute favorite because he can rock feathers, sequins and stars better than anyone I know and he is actually an extremely talented singer.  He even starred as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera! 

 

Friday

Allen and I met with our realtor and started a contract on our house!!!!  We picked all the colors out and everything and surprisingly Allen agreed with my choices.  I cannot wait to see everything come together!!! 

Saturday was a lazy rainy day.  I was going to get up early and go to the Farmer's market and make a organic farm to table breakfast for us but I slept in.  Allen and I got to spend sometime with Jackson and we helped Danielle and Jason get stuff into their storage building.  I really wish I had take a picture of Jackson moving his "heavy" boxes.  I hated we didn't get to spend more time with them but we will soon!  Also Saturday night after we took Jackson home, Allen and I stumbled on this show called Too Cute on Animal Planet.  It is seriously the sweetest show ever.  Makes me miss my pup being that little.  

She even enjoyed the show!!!  

Friday Confessional

It's Friday, It's Friday, It's Friday!!! I am linking up with Aubrey for Friday Confessional!

I CONFESS....

I have been a little obsessed more than normal with Pinterest.  My wedding is over a year away but I just keep pinning ideas. I just keep thinking at least I am being proactive, right?

I CONFESS....

I might be a little TOO excited about us buying and building our first home.  We picked a lot last week and hopefully going to put the money down early part of next week.  I just can't believe I get to customize our  home and we will be living in a brand new home.  I have never done that in my life so I am so excited.  I am also pinning tons of DIY ideas that I want to do.  

I CONFESS....

I am also a little excited that next week will be the last week that my brother and his girlfriend will be staying with us.  I love both of them but my apartment was getting too cramped and I cannot wait to be able to clean his room out!

I CONFESS....

I have always had a love for the band KISS probably because my daddy love that band so much but still they are awesome and put on such a great show.  Next Tuesday, daddy and me will be rocking out to KISS courtesy of my wonderful fiance!  I cannot wait!

I CONFESS....

Allen has drill this weekend and he is having to stay overnight.  As much as I love him and I will miss him, I am looking forward to hopefully having some much needed Jennifer time.  

So much Happy is going on right now and I am truly blessed!!  It is so easy to look at what you DON'T have instead of basking in the blessings you do have!   

Transformation Thursday

This post is going to be short because it is crazy busy at my office today :) 

This morning when I weighed the scale teetered between 228.7 and 229.1 so I am going to go with the higher number just to be more accurate. I have lost 2.1 pounds YAY which I am so excited about.  I didn't post last week because I was feeling bloated and gross but I am feeling great today.  I have been to the gym 1 this week already and I am going tonight and tomorrow morning!!!  I am getting closer and closer to my first goal and I am so happy.  I am hoping to be under 200 (even if it is 199.9) by the end of the year.  I hope everyone has a wonderful day and I apologize it is short but momma's gotta work to pay her bills :) 

 Yay for finally feeling like I am looking smaller in my face!!  I had a lady in one of the offices in our office building stop me and say I didn't know you could wear patterned scarves and patterned shirts together.  I told her I don't know if you can but I love the look. :) Gotta love conversations you will have with random people in the bathroom.  I did actually wash my hair in the correct shampoo yay!  But didn't have time to (or feel like) drying and styling my hair today :) 

Reasons Why I Drink Wine

    

So I have been a little crazy busy the past few weeks and weekends...Most of it has been very fun and exciting, some sadly has been a little stressful and draining.  But nevertheless I am excited for the most part.  

Exciting Things to Celebrate so therefore I drink wine!

*We have finally started to plan our wedding and I am getting so excited.  I know it is a long time away but still I am excited!

*Last night Allen and I picked our lot to start building our house!!!  We actually picked a 1st choice and a 2nd just incase our 1st choice was taken.  We are putting a down payment on it next week and hopefully will be in it by the end of the year.  I am OVER THE MOON about it!!!!!  I have also found a few DIY projects from pinterest that I am dying to try and if I could convince a very crafty friend of mine(after her wedding, of course) to help we could possibly get somethings done....and Yes there will be WINE involved. 

 Just a few projects I want to start with:

 

  *I have really come to absolutely LOVE my job.  Granted it is also something that gives me lots of stress but I feel like I finally found my career!

*I know I gush about Danielle on her (maybe a little too much) but have always been a cheerleader for the people I love and she is no different.  I continue to be amazed with her talents.  She is making something very special for me to give to very special people and it is going to be gorgeous. (and no that wasn't to butter you up to help me either friend :) )

Stressful Things to calm me down therefore I drink wine!

*FAMILY DRAMA!!!!  That is all that I am going to say

*Other people's opinions.  Do not get me wrong.  I love getting people's opinions when I ask for them but when people I hardly know me (or family that think that they know what I like) want to tell me what I should do for my wedding I get very annoyed.  I had to tell my aunt whom I love very much that my momma and I are on the same page and I am going to do what is pretty to me.  If I wanted monkeys hanging off the ceiling that is what I am going to have...

*People telling me I better invite them to my wedding.  People that I have had limited contact with keep asking to come to my wedding.  I just act like I don't hear them because I am just shocked that people do that.  But it must be the equivalent to random people touching a pregnant woman's belly.

 

 

Weekend in Pictures :)

I have to say I had one of the best weekends I have had in a long time even though a migraine had me in bed at 7:30 Friday night. 

Friday after work my momma and I went to look at where I was wanting to have a wedding and during the meeting we picked out almost everything.  I told momma I didn't want to look anywhere else.  So Allen and I are getting married on Saturday September 20, 2014 at 5pm.  I didn't take many pictures because I forgot I had my phone with me.  But it is going to be perfect. Right down to the gold leaf wallpaper and purple accented carpet :)

Saturday Allen and I went to go visit my aunt, uncle and cousin in Columbia.  We had a scare 2 weeks ago with my Uncle Greg.  He went in to the hospital for some exploratory surgery to see what was wrong with his heart and we almost lost him.  He has always been my favorite uncle and he is my momma's youngest brother so we were all upset.  But by the grace of God he is doing well and I was so happy to see him looking very good.  He didn't look sick at all. It rained on and off most of the day but we stayed inside and just visited with them.  We didn't even know it was as late as it was until Nicholas started falling asleep.  We left around 9:15 but it was such a fun time. 

This is my sweet cousin Nicholas!  He is so smart. and didn't want us to leave especially Allen.

He even beat Allen at boxing and Golf on the wii.

Sunday was a kinda lazy day.  I got up early and got ready because my brother wanted to go with me to church but of course he slept in.  So I went to the grocery store to get stuff for the week.  Once, I came back I started some chicken, carrots and mushrooms in the crock-pot.  Then I cleaned up a little.  After that, I sat down with a nice glass of wine and watched some CSI:NY (my newest obsession on Netflix)  After a few episodes and a few glasses of wine I started cooking low-fat mac and cheese and it was yummy.  We even had Jackson come over for a "surprise" visit.  (I would not have been drinking if I knew that we were going to have him) But he was so happy to see pepper.  He even got my phone and took a few pictures.  I will let you guess which ones he took. 

Has such a wonderful imagination. 

These two own my heart!

Love this picture except for my red-eye and no make-up but oh well.  I love that he looks so happy.

By Jackson!

Another by Jackson was trying to clean up and he got me!

Another Jackson Picture

This was my brother's photography!  Not any better than a 4 years haha This was right after we picked out what our first song is going to be. 

This morning I woke up when Allen left and I started going through my jewelry.  This job is going to take some time.  But when I was looking I found a little box that had To: MY Angel From: Daddy, when I opened it it was two gold bracelets that he had bought me YEARS ago.  I think one was for my 15th birthday and one for my 16th.  But I just started crying because I remember how I hated them because they were gold and I thought they were so ugly.   How times change because now I love them. I just love that I have a daddy that actually picked out and bought me jewelry. They went straight on my left wrist and will probably never leave again. When I got to work I was talking to him and he noticed them and he said he bought them for me because I was his heart.  I am getting so sentimental especially about my wedding and I started crying again. 

If you look closely one design is a heart and one has heart charms hanging from the chain.

Transformation Thursday!

My name is Jennifer and this week I have been a complete STRUGGLE PUPPY!!!!  I have been working so hard at work and going home just to crash.  This morning alone I forgot to fold clothes and make my bed.  Washed my hair with my conditioner instead of shampoo and had to put my makeup on at work.  Lord help! It has also been the week when your "special gift" comes so I am not feeling too hot.  But nevertheless, I am here to document my weight loss so here we go!

Please ignore my hair, like I said I washed it with conditioner not shampoo.  Struggle Puppy!

Yesterday I wore a pair of pants that I have not been able to fit into for almost a year!!  Woohoo!!!!  Today I am wearing a skirt that was WAY too tight and now I feel comfortable in it.  My weight is at 231.2 which is a little down from the last time I posted but not that great.  I am taking into the fact that I am a little bloated and I have also eaten fries the past two days at lunch and gave in to some sweet tea....with Danielle :)  I normally get un-sweet and put Splenda in my tea.  Definitely not as good as sweet tea but still it works some of the time.  But not this week I needed some fatty foods.   I will say though that it was totally worth it.  I am continuing to drink tons of water.  I think now I am getting use to it.  I love my Diet Coke but I don't crave it like I use to, which is awesome. I am going to do better this weekend and next week though. 

I hope everyone has a great Thursday :)

The Beginning!!!

Allen and I have been engaged since April 28th so I figured it was about time I start planning.  I don't want to do it too far in advance because I would probably second guess myself and spend way way way too much money.  But yesterday,  I contacted the place that I am really wanting to have my wedding and my momma and I are meeting with her FRIDAY!!!!!!  I am starting to get excited :) I know it will be September/October of next year but hopefully by this weekend we will have an official date!!  Yay!

New Music

I listen to the music on my iPhone all day but I am getting tired of what I have!  I need some music suggestions.  I rarely listen to the radio anymore.  I like just about everything, except for Country music.  My favorite type would have to indie rock, classic rock, or rap.  I also really like soundtracks because is a variety of artists.  I just need some help!

Friday Madness

This is my desk today....Holy Hello I will be ending a drink when I get off today!

Transformation Thursday

I have not been doing the best job updating my weekly progress....with my new job I don't have the time like I use to to blog, which I guess is good considering I am always busy.  But I am going to start doing better.  I really think that this journey will be great to look back on for myself and other bloggers.  It has been a bit of a struggle but as of today I am down 20 POUNDS!!!!!  I finally feel like I am starting to see some results.  Although, with the holiday this past week I was worried because I did indulge a little in red wine and I had a steak which I haven't had in almost 2 months.  It was delicious but only in moderation.  

 

Today I am a little nervous because I am going to my "lady doctor"  I do not like going.  I am sure all women feel this way but I always get nervous when I go to the doctor that something is going to be wrong.  Thankfully, I have already had blood work done by my regular doctor so I know that all that checks out.

Anyway I wanted to tell you about a new obessession Panko Breadcrumbs.  You get the same crunch from fried foods without the grease and fat.  Allen and I stayed at my parent's this past weekend while they were at the beach to have a little vacation ourselves.  My parents have an awesome porch, backyard and pool area that was where we spent a great deal of time.  We actually breaded some catfish, seasoned with salt, pepper and cajun seasoning and grilled it.  It was amazing.  Also another amazing thing to do with the breadcrumbs is combine (in a ziplock bag, I prefer Ikea Bags ) that with low fat or fat free cheese, ranch seasoning, pepper and cajun seasoning.  Throw chicken in the bag and shake until coated.  Bake in the oven on 350 for 25 minutes.  Top with some bacon bits yummo!

Just for fun - Pictures of Pepper at the pool :)

Happy Thursday!

Best Friends and Wine

Linking up with two fantastic ladies Danielle & Aubrey for my favorite unofficial weekly holiday!

Tonight we are having a girls night again.  I am very excited and I am going to sign the correct receipt this time. 

It is no surprise to anyone that reads this blog that Danielle is my very best friend.  I love her and she is pretty much awesome.  I have talked before about our friendship but I just have to praise her for being such an awesome, loving, caring friend and I couldn't live without.  

This week I was having some personal things going on and she was there to listen and give advice and tell me what I needed to hear not what I wanted to hear.  I am so very lucky and blessed to have her in my life. 

Enough sappy now Funny--

I compare my relationship to Danielle as my relationship with wine. I have found that I am quick to snap judgement on people.  When I first met Danielle she was quiet and a little shy.  I thought she was stuck up...furthest thing from the truth now that I know her so well.  But when I hung out with her again I realized she is a pretty cool girl.  I mean she took me to my first tattoo place to watch her get a tattoo.  That is really cool. When I first tried wine I HATED it.  I gave it another try and now it is a love! (BTW I didn't hate Danielle when I met her)  

A little bit of wine can make anything better.  That is the same with Danielle she can make you feel better.  

Laughs and a good time are always expected with wine and Danielle.  And maybe some dancing...

I thank God everyday that he brought such an amazing friend into my life.  And God made wine...coincidence.  I think not!

                                            

Transformation Thursday!

Thank you to miss Danielle for my pretty logo :)

Here we go!

 

Well I haven't done that great this week.  I am up 1 lb so now I am at 238.3  I will get it back off I and lose more next week hopefully.

I have been really stressed and down this week.  Partly due to my new job.  I do not like not being able to know what I should know.  I will get there I just feel a little overwhelmed this week.  I have been really down this week.  I want to always keep my blog happy and light but this has been a rough one friends.  I am looking at the good in my life and trying to stay positive though.  I am more motivated than ever though to get this weight off and when I used to be sad I would just gorge myself with food.  I haven't done that this week so that shows me my self control is getting better!!! So that is a plus!  

 

Men's Wine Logic

Happy Wednesday Lovelies!!!  I am linking up with Danielle and Aubrey for yet another Wino Wednesday :)

Ok so there are a lot of things that women do that we think are totally normal but men think are strange and confusing.

*Having more than one pair of the same shoe....Gulity

*Saying "bless her heart" before talking about someone - in Southern law this negates anything negative you   say about said person so that you can say you never talk about them...Gulity

*Having lots of different jewelry but always wearing the same thing...Gulity

*Buying makeup that you know you will probably never wear but on a Saturday night after a few glasses of wine trying to use it at home in your bathroom...Gulity

*Decorative throw pillows...Gulity and truth be told I am a little too obsessed with my throw pillows but I love them and they make a room.  I am my mothers daughter.  

*Glitter - Allen still cannot understand my obession

Heck just watch the Real Housewives and you can come up with lots of examples.

But....

Men are just as strange!  I won't go into everything because I would never get to my wine post!!!  

So Monday night, my brother was going to the grocery store and asked if I needed anything I gave him a few items and said "IF Bi-lo has Liberty Creek Pinot Nior (notice I said if) would you please get me 2 bottles." (Ok, I will admit, I wasn't out but getting close in my eyes of being that way) And besides if you get two big bottles you get a discount :) 

About 35 minutes later Adam comes back with this...

 

That is MERLOT.  If you know me fairly well Merlot is no my favorite.  Honestly I hate it I don't know why it just isn't good to me.  I asked Adam why he got it and he said he thought I drank it.  WHAT you have lived with me for years you should know better.  

Then he said it is red so I figured they all taste alike. My mind was blown!