birthday weekend celebrations

Well, it's another year past. Steve's birthday was yesterday and mine is tomorrow. Steve had to work all day Saturday, so I spent the day with my friend Jen, whom I've known since high school - she just had her second baby, so I made a lasagna and brought that over so she wouldn't have to cook. She has an almost two year old, Josh and little baby Jack is only two weeks old. Cutest thing ever. I seriously can't wait till it's my turn. Josh is like Jen says "a category 5 hurricane" and it's true. Ben was picking up the house and Josh was running around throwing everything on the floor. It was quite fun watching those two! I held Jack as long as I could - thinking how much he looked like Josh when he was born. But what's weird, is that Josh now looks white. I mean, blonde hair, blue eyes white. Jen is half Filipino and Ben is...you guessed it. White. When Josh was born, he had super dark hair and looked part Asian. As he grew, the Asianess wore off! His nice, dark hair fell out and was replaced by the blonde hair. Don't get my wrong, he's probably one of the cutest kids I've ever seen. I was hoping little Jack might maintain some of his heritage...but Jen's thinking, since he's so similar to Josh...that he'll eventually turn too.





So later that night, after my baby fix, we met up with my parents at a Chinese restaurant for dinner. Steve requested something different this time, and man....the food was GOOD! And it so happens to be Chinese New Year, so the dragon was out, the kids in the restaurant were all trying to get a glimpse and perhaps even give the dragon a "hong bao" which literally means "red bag" or "red purse" and money is usually in these little red envelopes. It was fun.





Then, after dinner, we headed over to Rich's house to hang out for a little bit. We made it an early night and left around 11:30 or so....I was of course tired and ready for bed at that time so it was fine by me!





Friday night I had started cooking for the weekend. I told Rich I'd bring over meatballs, so Friday night, as soon as I got home, hopped on the treadmill for about 30 minutes, got started with making the meatballs. I was up making meatballs for about 3 hours! 100 meatballs. Grandpa Teenie's recipe so I can't tell you what in them...but MAN they are GOOD. Then, Saturday, before going to Jen's, I was up making her lasagna. Then Sunday, since we had lunch plans with Steve's parents to celebrate our birthdays, I made another lasagna to bring over there. It's Steve's favorite and it beats take out any day. Hmmm...

Then, after lunch, we headed over to our friend's house to do some snowmobiling. It was cold. But fun.

Steve's parents got me new free weights (YES!!!!) and he got a part for his motorcycle (of COURSE).

My parents I think gave Steve cash and I got a GORGEOUS pair of diamond earrings. I was SHOCKED! My mom really surprised me with that one! I had been bugging her for probably 2 years now...she gave me diamond earrings a long time ago, and I, of course being so responsible, lost one on a NYC subway. Before I knew it...it was gone. Me bugging her had been a complete joke, since I'm now an adult and don't need my parents to buy me stuff (I had already told Steve it was on his list!) and they completely surprised me!





Oh, and my sister bought me the book "Eat. Pray. Love" By Elizabeth Gilbert. I can't wait to read it. I've heard so many wonderful things about this book. I can't wait to snuggle up and dive right in.





And I have to post this:





You know you're a redneck when....
you have a gas hookup to your pick up truck and your snowmobile is hanging off the end. Who says there's no room!?

BOO YAH AMERICA!

We have a new president. Hooray! I was able to watch the inauguration during lunch yesterday with a handful of coworkers. We had two TVs going all day so anyone who was interested could stop down (or up) to watch this historic day unfold.

Besides a little hiccup when Mr. Obama was being sworn in, it went off without a hitch.

I was thinking, that while Barack was walking George down to the helicopter, that he was saying in his ear "thank you George W, for what you've done, thank you for leaving me with this crazy mess to clean up"

I'm excited.

I'm ready for change.

Let's see what you can do Mr. President.

First real treadmill workout

Maybe I shouldn't use the word "workout." BUT, last night, after dinner at my parents' house, I hopped on the treadmill. I'm still learning how to use it, but man oh man. It was fun. Kind of. I was on it for approximately 45 minutes, I started out with a quick walk, slowly increasing to a jog. Then the "workout program" kicked in and it would slow it down, but increase the incline. Once I figured out what program I wanted to do, it did this the entire time. It'd speed up, decrease incline for maybe 5-6 minutes, then go back down, and the speed would increase. It was good. I really did feel it. I was sweating like a pig, my heartrate was increased. I definitely felt like I had "worked out." So, I gave myself a star on my calendar. My coworker told me how motivated it'd make her if she gave herself a star for working out. Once the calendar gets more filled, the more motivated she became. So, I'm doing the same thing.

I ended up walking/running for about 2 miles (it started over once I realized what program I wanted to use, so that's why it's an approximate, I don't exactly remember where it landed once I started over). I burned about 350 calories (I know, not a ton, but I'm still starting out!). I'm going to do it again tomorrow night, Friday night and Sunday. 4 times per week. Then I'll alternate with weights on the odd days.

Operation get skinny has officially started.

Need a new camera

Like I had previously mentioned in a previous post...I'm in dire need of a new camera. I don't take nearly enough pictures. I want to document our lives in its current state...I don't want to forget these memories. But, the question is, what camera should we get? I'm thinking about this one.

I'm not an electronic freak by any stretch of the imagination, so I've asked my sister to give me some advice. I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money on one, but I definitely want a good one that will last a few years. I feel like I'm not capturing enough moments with Steve. During Christmas last year...I didn't take not one photo. It makes me sad. I used to bring my camera with my everywhere I went. Everywhere. I used to be "that girl with the camera" - people used to get pretty annoyed that I was always snapping shots, but looking back, I'm so glad I did!

So, hopefully soon, after I pay off some bills (and pay a large chunk of the treadmill bill) I'll make the purchase.

And hooray! The treadmill is getting delivered today, between 9am and 11am. Steve is home to make sure the delivery happens smoothly. Can't wait to try it out! I'll make time tonight, even though tonight is going to be quite busy getting us ready for our weekend away.

Surprise party and moving to Las Vegas???

Steve and I have a bunch of friends who have birthdays in January: Tom (8th), Nick (12th), Nikki (16th), Steve (25th) and yours truly (27th).

We don't normally do anything special for our birthdays, we all live in different cities and just haven't ever done anything to celebrate. Steve and I usually just go to a nice dinner, drink some wine...and spend the evening together. This year, we're not even doing gifts.

Nikki decided a few weeks ago that she wanted to throw Tom a surprise 25th birthday party. Of course I was in as soon as she told me about it...so invitations went out and the party is this weekend. I'm psyched! I haven't seen Nikki and Tom since September. It's about time! So, Nikki invited a bunch of friends from here in Rochester and we're meeting up at her house Saturday afternoon while Tom is out rabbit hunting with her dad. I just hope we can pull this off and not have him find out!

I've got Hudson booked at his kennel already, so we're all set there. I feel so bad leaving him there...he doesn't look back at us ever. He just willingly goes with whoever has the leash in hand. It makes me kinda sad that he doesn't look back. Luckily for Shelby, she's so good, that Steve's mom can watch her while we're gone. She's one of the most well behaved dogs I've ever met. Ever. Hudson would be up on the couches, leaning and suffocating Steve's poor mom. And his dad isn't too fond of Hudson anyways...so he'll be at the boarding kennel. This is the same facility where he took his OB classes and they are really a state of the art facility. I also signed Hudson of up for group play and I can see on a webcam what's going on! I know, I'm a freak about my dogs. I just know poor Hudson isn't going to sleep and his poor little nose is going to be raw when we get him back on Sunday. He never sleeps there and catches up on sleep when we get home. And his poor little nose turns pink from sniffing the bottom of the door...poor guy. It's not THAT bad....but you still feel bad that he's left there without knowing anyone. What's nice about this place is that I can call whenever I want and they are always super nice and willing to give me an update. The last time he was boarded, he got sick so the staff there called me and asked if it was OK to give him some meds that would help his belly. And they took him out more than the 6 times they are supposed to...so that made me happy too.

I will promise to try to take more pictures from now on. I really do want a new camera...both cameras I have now are both hand me downs from my mom. They are OK, but I would like something newer and better. The one Canon I have is seriously like 7 years old and the other little Canon I have is like 4 years old. Nothing special and takes "eh" pictures. Maybe this summer Steve and I will invest in a new one. But, I plan on taking the camera with me to Binghamton this weekend, so I'll try to get some new pics posted soon.

Mom is going to be going overseas to Thailand in January 28th. She typically goes overseas to get away from the bitter cold winters here in Western NY...and she'll be gone for approximately 2 months. Dad is joining her in March and spending 3 weeks with her there. BUT, as the title of this blog mentions...mom and dad are buying a second home in Las Vegas. At least that's the plan for now. They have a trip planned for April to do some house hunting/meeting with the builders to see what they want, how much, etc. Then, if they decided to do it, they'll go back sometime during the summer to close the deal. I think I might go with them then, once it's all finalized...to help buy furniture and decorate. It'll be fun to have a place to visit in Vegas. I mean. It's Vegas! They plan to move there for good once my dad retires. Which kind of sucks for Steve and I since my mom said she was going to watch our kids for us so we didn't have to pay a ton of money for daycare. We'll see how things shake out. Either way, I'd so much prefer my parents buy a house in Las Vegas, in the Continental United States, versus moving overseas, which was their other option.

DJ

We met with one DJ company last night www.gosoundsystems.com. I had read good reviews about them on theknot.com and also got some good references from people I know who had used them. They have been in the business for 35 years and currently employ 12 DJs. The experience ranges from 5 years to 24 years. The lady we first met with, Joetta seemed to be really, really cool. Cool like I felt like I could sit and chat with her for hours. She seemed to know a lot about weddings and all things related. I really liked her right off the bat.

What's cool, is that they allow us to go "see" their DJs working, so we can get a feel for one or another or whatever. She gave us a list of upcoming events (a wedding at Casa Larga on 2/7!) that we can stop into to check out. We just have to be dressed properly and obviously not crash the wedding. We can just stand in the lobby area to get an idea. We really want to see the Casa Larga wedding, to see how the room looks and stuff when it's all set up. I'm excited for that!

My only concern would be that I don't want to get someone who has only done a handfull of weddings in his/her career. I'd like to have someone really upbeat, had done a ton of weddings, knows how to get a crowd going etc. I think being able to go see a DJ work in person will help us make the decision. We would also get this year's rate for next year. I've found that a lot of the vendors we're working with is doing this. I guess it's a good thing that we're planning so early! And Joetta made a good point. Doing everything this early makes sure that we get what we want. We won't be stuck with "whatever's left over." So that makes me happy.

So we're going to chat about this more - along with having a deeper conversation about Pastor Jack. We liked him. He was good. He didn't blow me away or anything...but I don't think anyone would. We'll see where things shake out.

This week is proving to be a good one. This weekend is Tom's surprise 25th birthday party. Nikki is throwing it for him at their house and invited all our friends to come down. We're heading over there around 12-1pm Saturday and helping to set up while Tom is out with Nikki's dad...we're hoping he can keep Tom away until 6pm! I'm not sure how this will all work out, but I'm super excited! I haven't seen Nik since September I think!

And one last thing. It's fucking cold outside. High of 10 today and tomorrow? High of 5. Awesome.

ok ok ok! Stop talking about it and freaking DO IT ALREADY!

That's right. I'm done talking about it and I'm going to make some changes. Last night, Steve and I bought a treadmill. The NordicTrack T7 Si Treadmill to be exact.

I'm THRILLED. I'm so tired of complaining about my weight and how I've ballooned in the past 3 years. 30lbs. That's right folks, I've gained 30 pounds. That's a lot when you're only 5'2". So, we had seen this treadmill on sale at Sears a week ago and tried it out. We wanted to buy it. But, of course, we didn't. Finally, after thinking about it and how I could get 0% financing on it until February 2010, I figured, the montly payments on this is less than a gym membership at my local recreation center. I still have money left over from my bonus and I thought, what better way to use this money than to get this and finally get fit?!?!?

I have already started eating better, watching my portions and what types of food I put in my mouth. I'm starting out really slow. I love food. I can't give it all up just like that. So, for instance, instead of buying chips and dip, I'm buying multigrain chips with hummus. And I'm not snacking past 7pm. At least I'm trying not to snack past 7pm. For dinner the other night, I had a half a piece of pesto/sun dried tomato stuffed chicken breast (they were HUGE), a small scoop of rice and two servings of peas. After that, I had a clementine. Each morning I'm starting out with a tall glass of OJ (this counts as 1 fruit serving). I'm motivated. I have to be. But, the thing is, this is not just for my wedding. This is a lifestyle change.

I think I am going to start out walking on this beast 3-4 times a week. Slowly increasing to a jog. Then slowly increasing the incline. We're putting this in the basement, where we have a TV, couch, etc. so I can watch my shows, while doing something active. My goal is to lose 15 pounds by April 30 so when it's time to get our engagement photos done, I'll be good to go.

The treadmill comes with an iPod hookup, speakers, fan, cupholders, 12 pre-programmed "workouts" (I have no idea what this means), and adjustable cushioning (which is really good for Steve's back). I'm sure there are more features, but I can't remember.

It gets delivered next Friday (which kind of sucks because we're going away that weekend so I won't be able to really USE it until we get back).

I can't wait. I know I can do it. I know I can be skinny again. I just have to put my mind to it.

So what really kick-started me to do this? Steve and I over the holiday break got my shoe closet in order. (I will have pictures to post later). During the "clean all the shit out of the closet first" part, I came across a TON of old college photos. Spring break in Daytona, FL. Yep. Me in a bikini. Something I haven't seen in AGES. Something I don't want to think about....there were SO many pictures of me about 20 pounds lighter and I got sick thinking about how I have let myself go. Even in 2006, I remember wearing these really nice jeans...that I ended up giving to my sister a few weeks ago. The fact that she looked SO good in them really sucked. I thought "Damn! I used to look that good!" so here I am. Motivated to wear a teeny, tiny bikini when Steve and I go to Bora Bora for our honeymoon. I refuse, absolutely REFUSE to wear a one-piece with a skirt. Not for me. No thanks.

I'm going to start a "journal" or something similar. I might even do it here so I can track my progress.

I will post my current weight (not until the treadmill arrives) and what I've been eating each day. Then, I hope, as the weeks go by...I'll see some progress. I have 14 weeks to lose 15 pounds. That's about a pound per week.

Wish me luck!

woah...update

Wow - it's been so long since I've blogged! I'm not exactly sure why either...I don't have any new pictures to post...I really want a new camera so I can get more into taking photos.

Hmm...what's happened in the last few weeks...

Christmas was good, I ended up being sick for most of my time off, which totally sucked...but I'm glad that I was able to take some time off. Christmas Eve we spent with Steve's parents, ate some really good filet mignon and opened our stockings. Christmas morning Steve and I had our own little Christmas and opened our gifts to each other. Then we headed over to his parents' house again and did the whole thing over there again. We were having turkey for lunch, so I made Grandpa's stuffing, sweet potatoes, and squash and we brought the turkey over the night before so they could get that started before we showed up. It was really good! I'm pretty proud of myself on how well things turned out. After we ate, we opened more gifts and hung out and just enjoyed being around family. Then, we stopped home to take care of the dogs, then headed out to my parents' house to have Christmas dinner with them and open even MORE gifts! It was good, a lot of running around, but after that, Steve and I had 4 full days of NOTHING do to. It was glorious. Or so I thought. Nick came home the Tuesday before Christmas and the boys went out to the bars. I chose not to go, since I thought I'd have plenty of time to go out...so I let the boys have a boys night and I stayed home, cozy on the couch. Well, after all the festivities, I ended up getting sick Friday. I was sick until Tuesday! I even had to all off of work so I could get better.

Work last week was good, we had Thursday off for the New Year, and Steve and I didn't do anything for New Year's Eve. I never make it to midnight and I really tried this time too! We ended up falling asleep around 10:30 and Steve woke me up at mignight to kiss me. Then we went to bed. We really ARE old people! Haha...it makes me laugh at how old we act.

Saturday mom and I went to Pittsford Wegmans to check out the florist there for the wedding. They are really, really reasonably priced, so we went ahead and signed the contract right away. Steve and I are meeting with Pastor Jack this Friday evening...so I'm super excited about that. Then we have a meeting with the DJ next week too. So, once all of these are done and booked, we're done with the big stuff. Then it's just on to the little details.

It's fun, now that we're able to say we're getting married "next May" instead of "May, 2010" It sounds so much closer now!