the ups and the downs...

The downs:

The thing that truly kills you as a fat person is the reflection in the mirror on an off day, the way something you love fits a little snug and the way your emotions slowly tear down what little self esteem you have left.

On my recent trip to Mexico, I found myself surrounded by endless drinks, buffets and mirrors galore.  When I say mirrors... I mean Mirrors. Full length mirrors on every wall in the bathroom and three full length mirrors in the room.  To top it off, these aren't your handpicked skinny mirrors (you know what I'm talking about ladies). All three of these in combination was enough to shatter my tough girl veneer. 

I weighed in when I got home from Mexico and I was 10lbs heavier then on the 8th of that month. Ekkk Gadddd!!!  I cannot even pretend to be shocked. Between my meds, the drinks and the buffet... I know exactly where each of these slimy little lbs came from.


The Ups:

I learned to overcome some of my self esteem issues while on this trip. I embraced shorts (which I haven't worn in 10 or so years in public), I trotted around in a swimsuit (amazing!!!!) without desperately wanting to apologize to the skinny people around me and to top it off... I allowed myself to have fun regardless.

The downer above was a really low point for me... and for me to be able to flip that pity trip and be better to myself was an life changing experience for me.

Now that I'm home its time to enact my plans for a healthier life.  With my body media fit on my arm and my head in the game I'm ready to start this journey.

I have a 5k on Saturday in Cincinnati. The color run!!! I cannot wait!!! Next year I will be able to run the entire thing. That is my starter goal. Just watch how far I go people... just watch ;)

sea turtles

Just got back from Mexico (Cancun... don't be jealous) and I couldn't wait to share with you all the amazing experience I had.  I was lucky enough to be able to release a baby white sea turtle into the ocean!!!

These precious animals are on the verge of extinction. These animals do not develop their hard shells until the age of 15 when they become adults.  This makes them extremely venerable to birds, sharks and other animals.  The worst killer is humans by far.  If netting them by accident isn't bad enough... people also eat these turtles regardless of their fragile status on the engendered list.

I cannot tell you how this once in a lifetime experience has bettered my life. The turtles happened to hatch the morning of our last day in Cancun. The community waited to release these turtles into the ocean at night. Without doing this most of the 86 baby turtles would have been picked up by the crabs, seagulls, pelicans and racoons all waiting for them. Releasing them at night gave them a higher chance of survival from the get go.

My husband and I got to name our turtles... Hector was my husbands and Mantequilla (yes that's butter in Spanish. Its the prettiest Spanish name I know :)  was my little turtle. Watching her flap in my hands, ready to take on the world, made my heart flutter. Letting her go... was so hard knowing her chances. watching her run to the ocean and take on her life... AMAZING!!!

Mantequilla.... I wish you the best of luck in this crazy world and I hope that in 15 years you'll get the chance to continue the chain of life.

BirchBox #1

Boy oh Boy..
Let me tell you...

I was like a kid on Christmas morning when this box finally showed up!!!


This little pink box made my day in a way I cant explain. As a nut for new things and a collector of nail polish the Birchbox is a dream come true for a gal like me. 

Now back to the start.

About 3 months ago I signed up. Ever since I've been waiting my turn at a chance of having my very own Birchbox. When I was accepted... The wait, the anticipation and frustration each time I checked the mail was the worst part about the Birchbox.

So whats in my beautiful pink box of wonders...??


Here is a run down:

1. Soy Body Whip
     -Awesome and Amazing
2. Twistband
    - from twistband.com
     -This is fantastic for your hair
3. Nail Polish
     -the uber blue is wicked looking
4. Twirl from Kate spade
       -Smells great
5. Matte Moisture tint from Jouer
        - Tiny little thing...
6. Fashion tape
        -Anything that can keep the sisters inline while I'm in Mexico... Heck yes!!!


 I am currently in love with Birchbox (don't tell my hubby!) and at $10.00 a month... This is the best way to give yourself a little gift all while sampling the new and fantastic!!! Birchbox you are fantastic and totally worth the wait ;) 





 

Spray tanning = Oompa Loompa

Oompa Loompa

doompadee doo….

I’ve got a really fake

orange tan for you!!!

^^^^ here's what I look like a day later... I think I'm looking pretty good :D   ^^^^^^^^^

In exactly 6 days I will be half naked, toes deep in the sand and a big fruity drink in my hand. What this means for a white (I mean whiter then Michael Jackson white)… help me!!! No one wants to look like the underbelly of a seal while swimming in Mexico.

‘Jaws’ scared me for life… I can be in a hot tub alone at night and still hear “nanana nanana”.  So for me, a tan is necessary for me to play in the ocean without having Jaws creep up from below thinking that I’m a huge seal.

And after my experience with the Cobra Tanning bed (ouch ouch ouch) I decided to try out alternative methods of tanning before my trip to Cancun.

Today I tried out spray tanning. Besides the fact that I think I inhaled something that may be worse for you then the UV rays from a tanning bed, I think this is a good option.

Downsides to spray tanning:

1. I smell oddly of bread
2. Where I was mostly white, there seams to be an odd orangish tint.
3. I feel sticky.

So besides the fact that I could look a bit like an Oompa Loompa that just rolled around in honey while I was also multitasking and baking bread… I think this might be ok. 

Insomnia

 You would think that not sleeping would provide a person the time it takes to clean your house, do all your crafts and finally learn how to get the “cat eye” look down with liquid liner and not look like a street walker.

Instead it makes you a little frazzled and gives you the time to waste your time. So what does this insomniac do at 3 am??

One word…    PINTEREST

Pinterest is the mecca for slackers and people who would love to be crafty but have never actually finished a project in their lives. That’s right… I’m one of the many crafters that Pinterest surf instead of actually doing the crafting. I spend so much time repining that I never do any of the things id love to do. 

Pinterest is an insomniac’s best friend.  Although I must say… 3am without sleep… do not take up sewing. ;) 

Things like this never happen to others... i swear...

Things you should never have to text to your Landlord:

"I'm sorry that Knox (my pup) acted like a rapist... At least we know that he likes you!!"


Seriously,  I've never met someone who on a daily bases has something embarrassing happen to them quite like me. My dog had his arms wrapped so tightly around his thigh that we couldnt pry him off. And theres my boy... pumping away without a care in the world and a grin on his furry little face.

So embarrassing.

Red as a lobster...

Tanning isn’t for the weak

I should have known better.  In a world filled with animals, some predator and some prey, I should never have signed up for the cobra.  That’s right a species of venomous snakes known for killing nice Minnesotan travelers in the Middle East.

I should have picked out a tanning bed called the butterfly sissy.  But no, I just had to have the Cobra! 

In just a week and a half I’ll be in Cancun Mexico. Being a true Minnesotan I’m rocking the MN tan. Tan arms, chest, tan knees and calves, everything else is pristine white.  This is a kind of tan that blinds unsuspecting travelers on the beach and terrifies small children.

Out of respect for the Children I decided to tan.

Now out of disdain for the Children and snakes I’m nursing a bright red color that can only be explained as pure heat and future cancer. 

 Dreams Resort in Cancun... jealous yet??  ;)

Update:  people should never where lace undies to a tanning booth... trust me... the burn design left behind is not cute.  lol