November already gone???

This month FLEW by!!!

 I'm very pleased so far with my nail progress.  Ive been using a polish by Sally Hansen and also continually changing my polish so I wouldn't bite my nails. The results have been great. Its about a month and a half in between both pictures and im happy with the results. I'll be posting pics of different nail designs to come. I always feel more feminine when my nails are in good condition but thats just me.

Alot of chaos at work as one of my full time co-workers has started her maternity leave early.  I in turn have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off!!! Between baby shower, working extra houta, parent teacher conferences,  running errands with the kids, and thanksgiving festivities I truly dont know where the month went.

Ive been talking to a close friend of mine and we both discussed the possibility of starting a business venture together.  Why can't we be in charge of our destinies?  Why can't we have a larger piece of the American pie? There's nothing stopping us or getting in the way but ourselves.  Hopefully I will have more news to share in the future about this.  Keeping fingers crossed......

December is here tomorrow and I am determined to decorate and continue baking and cooking to make this an awesome holiday.  Its always been a great time but as I've mentioned in previous posts, I reallywant to make more of an effort and make memories for my family.

Lastly the weight loss has been at at a satnd still. Tomorrow I am starting my cleanse and I also ordered a weight loss supplement called Jadera.  I tried it a few years ago and it worked well but just like anything else its not a long term solution.  I do feel that its a great starting point for me now because I have more knowledge and have a better game plan.   I will post before and after pics next month and fill in the details of what I've done and any progress I have made.

My birthday is next month and I hope that this will be a great year.

Update....sort of ....

So the last week was pretty quiet as quiet can go in my life.  Just work and sleepovers and bday parties at chuck e cheese.  I have to update that the weightloss was a complete and total failure! ! I didn't put in any effort after the first two days so obviously it didnt work.  Im just finding it hard to decide on what route to take...wether its a cleanse or atkins or appetite suppressant or juicing.  Ofcourse with the holidays coming and all the yummy food that will follow I'm even considering holding off until the new year.  I'm very torn about the "New Years Resolution" idea of weightloss versus the "Stop the excuses and start THIS MINUTE" approach.  My birthday is next month and I will be turning 33 so I could use that as a mini goal to see if I can make any progress. We'll see....

Meanwhile. ...I have been cooking more. (Which might add to my weight problem lol)   I haven't done anything serious just packaged cookies and cupcakes and easy stuff like sausage and peppers. Its such a great way to bond with my kids and get them involved. But it has definitely lit the fire to get me cooking and baking more. I was a novice fondant decorator but I really enjoyed it and was so proud of myself so maybe I'll start again and take more pictures of my endeavor.  I'm eager to start trying new recipes to see what I'm really capable of.  Maybe I'll sign up for a few beginners classes.  I'm starting to think anything is possible but I have to TRY!

(Don't mind my little one's messy hair...it was the weekend...cut me some slack! lol)

  Finally dyed my hair back to black/brown and started growing my nails.  I'm also going to try and step up the home décor.  It's a struggle with working full time but I want my husband and kids to come home and feel like their wife/mom has tried to build a clean and loving and warm and also FESTIVE environment that they can be proud of. 

(I couldn't get the same lighting, sorry)

   I have so many ideas and goals to meet and i think my problem is knowing where to start.  I love to see everyone else's pictures and ideas for decorating and holiday comfort foods. Although October is still my favorite month. ..November and December are right behind. Especially this year because I am taking such an active approach to everything. I'm not just sitting back and doing the minimum... .ok so I am absolutely doing less than the minimum with my weight loss but that's another story,  as for everything else I am definitely trying harder. I want to take pictures of the things I'm doing and be proud. If I can inspire someone else by what I've achieved on my own that would be a bonus!! I'm looking forward to it!! :D

Weekend Family Fun.

It was a beautiful day on Saturday and we had to take advantage of it!  We went to Eisenhower Park and had a great time.   We also took a walk at the Veterans Memorial area where they also had the World Trade Center Memorial and we finally took a walk around the lake and the Rose garden.  It turned out to be a gorgeous day. 

Small steps.

So its been an interesting past few days. I was sick for a few days last week and had to take a few days off from work. I was stuck in bed and aside from watching tv all I did was read different blogs.  I had a lot of time to think about what I hope to achieve in my life and my goals.   Now I mentioned in one of my previous posts that I needed to get started and be active in pursuing the things I want.  Truth is that I have been making small steps.   No groundbreaking moves but still something is something right?

I'm putting in more effort in keeping in touch with friends.  I am trying to be more involved with the kids schools as far as volunteering with other parents.  I have been trying to be more put together in what I wear and not being lazy.  I think if I start putting in more effort it will eventually come easier to me.  I'm trying to step out my comfort zone in all aspects of my life.  I will start baking and cooking with new recipes.  I used to love baking and decorating cakes with home made fondant but I just gave it up.  I think its time to start again.

 I'll be making more posts with more focus, details, pictures and reviews.  Hopefully when I look back in a few months there will be a significant change.  Making my husband and kids happy are my first and most important concern but I want to make myself happy too.  They are my greatest loves and accomplishment but I want to offer them more. I want to make them and myself proud. 

I believe it when people say that you're never too old to achieve your dreams.  I tell my kids that if they work hard then there is nothing they can not do.  So now its time for me to prove it to myself.

Have a great week...I know I will!!! :D

When Mom is Sick....

When Mom is sick........
When Mom is sick the house gets turned upside down
No one knows where anything is
Little mountains of mess appear everywhere and dont disappear on their own
Everyone decides they must all meet in moms room while she tries to sleep
Questions must be asked and only mom knows the answer
Homework doesn't get started until mom reminds them
They look at mom and she doesn't look too good
Its the day the siblings all get along and try to keep the noise down
My oldest daughter tries to do the laundry
My son cleans the kitchen
They go to sleep early
Mom is happy that they tried
Mom is happy that she is needed
Mom has to get better soon
They are the best medicine

Halloween!!!!

So Halloween is by far my favorite holiday.   I know there's no presents like Christmas but I love love LOVE this month.   Decorating the house and yard, scary movies,  ghots and paranormal shows, costumes for the kids and have I mentioned the FOOD!!! lol.

Ok...so I know my last post was about weight loss and I still have to update you on that at the end of 30 days....but for now lets just push that aside.   The food is fabulous!!  Funnel cakes, corn on the cob, pumpkin anything!!  CANDY!! Need I say more??? lol

Basically fall is my favorite season. I love the weather....not too cold but you can throw on your favorite boots and dress in layers! So many more outfit options than summer in my opinion.  The leaves turn beautiful colors. I get to snuggle with my kids under blankets on the couch and watch out favorite shows like The Walking Dead, Ghost Adventures, Halloween Wars on the Food Network, etc.  (don't judge me) :P 

Had a great time taking the kids to Eisenhower Park in Westbury for a fall fair.  It was very reasonably priced  compared to other well known places.  And it had everything we wanted.  Food, bouncy ride, haunted house, a little maze, pumpkin decorating and face painting.  They even showed a movie while we sat on bales of hay.  It wasn't packed and very close to home.  Definitely worth a look.

My husband and I decided to check out a more grown up version of a haunted house in Wading River called the  Darkside Haunted House.  It was definitely a trip to get there and the drive alone added to the excitement and atmosphere of the evening.  It was literally in the middle of NO WHERE!! No street lights, winding roads and at night it was pitch black!  The line wasn't too bad and the coast was 20 dollars for both attractions,  the haunted grave walk and haunted house.  It was DEFINITELY worth it!!  We had a fantastic time!! 

Looking ahead the rest of this month there is still much more fun to be had! Halloween parties and costume shopping. :) Also hoping to check out the Jack-O-Lantern display at Westbury Gardens.  From the online pictures it looks amazing! Hope everyone enjoys getting into the spirit of things this month and stays safe!

A new me!

So it's about that time of year when my clothes are getting tighter, my skin is breaking out from eczema, my asthma is at its worst.  I'm just unhappy with my weight all around.  Yes,  I've tried it all....master cleanse, eating healthy with exercise, weight loss pills, no carb all protein,  you name it I've probably tried it.  Now I will be completely honest...I've gotten great results...but as all the critics will be sure to say the "fad diets" don't work...at least not permanently.  What I will say is that they can be a great starting off point.  My problem is that I never continue eating healthy.  I am either at one extreme or the other.  I'm either super healthy and wont indulge in any treats at all and I'm MISERABLE or I'm binging out on bags of chips, packs of cookies, slices of cakes, a multitude of donuts...you catch my drift right?  (nom nom nom)   Oh yea...and STILL MISERABLE.

Now that I'm blogging I feel that its the perfect time to re-start with my weight loss.  I'm going to document this venture and hopefully this will keep me accountable and motivate me to stick to the program.  I'll check in after a week and list what I've done and any progress.  I'm going to try just eating healthy(healthier) not over doing it with the junk but not being a total scrooge either. Just portion control and being smarter about my choices.  No starving. No skipping meals.  I'll combine this with the 30 day ab/arm/squat challenges.  Wish me Luck!!

Starting Stats

Height 5'6"
Weight 179.2 lbs - OMG :/
Goal Weight  155 lbs