Staycation 2013 {photo heavy}

Today is officially the last day of Staycation 2013. It wasn't nearly long enough but it was nice to not have to do anything for 9 days. It was pretty uneventful but I had a few NSV's so I thought I'd share.

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I probably did the most on Monday (03/04) as it was Chicago's 176th birthday and to celebrate they were giving free admission to the Chicago History Museum so I took full advantage of my time in the city. I viewed every section they had open and spent quite a bit of time in the Shalom Exhibit; if you're in the Chicago area this is a great (and inexpensive) day trip! NSV #1: being able to walk/stand all day with no pain or discomfort in back/feet!

 

This is the souvenir I picked out, does this REALLY surprise anyone?

 

 

 

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I spent the majority of Tuesday around the house doing some deep spring cleaning and organizing. I did discover my new favorite snack! Okra chips!

 

 

 

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Wednesday I took my pup, Pugsly, to the vet so he could get a shot for his arthritis.

 

Photo property of SleevedInTheCity

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Thursday evening I went to a friend's album release party and had a TON of fun! This was the first time I've dressed up and gone out since surgery. NSV# 2: the dress (and no sleeves)!

 

NSV#3: being able to stand/dance in these shoes for 4 hours with no back pain!

 

 

 

NSV#4: not being afraid of group pictures anymore!

 

Photo property of SleevedInTheCity

 

 

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Friday was a lazy, recoup day. Bella says hi.

 

Photo property of SleevedInTheCity

 

 

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Saturday was a shopping day. I went to Nordstrom Rack to have a pair of pants altered and I picked up this awesome studded iPhone case. I found this Torani syrup at World Market and it's my favorite yet. I mix 2 tbsps. with my Pure Protein chocolate shake and add some instant coffee granules...woah! 

 

 

 

My last stop was TJMaxx and I ran across a pair of NYMJ on clearance for $20! These things retail for $120 - and the best part? NSV#5....drumroll please.....

 

 

 

IM OFFICIALLY A SIZE 20!! Less than 6 months ago I was a 28 (tight). Not only do I look great, I feel great and I'm getting my health back. Nothing like seeing your hard work pay off =)

 

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That pretty much sums up Staycation 2013. I know Im missing an entry for last weekend and today but since I didn't do anything here is a picture of this weeks polish changes, Im partial to #3 myself.

 

 

 

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Until next time!

Besos xo

 



2012 Wrap-Up!

2012 is definitely one for the books. I've had so many life-enhancing experiences this year - my head is still spinning. I'm hoping 2013 will slow down for me just a bit (as it should since I'm more settled) so I can focus on my plot to take over the world. It's going to be epic! Epic I tell you!

 

Here's a little end of the year survey that I've doing the past few years, its a fun way to say adios!

 

 

Image courtesy of Google






 

1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
I left the only place Ive ever called home and moved 1,000 miles away to Chicago

Photo by SleevedintheCity

 

  

2. Did you keep your New Years resolutions? Will you any for 2013?
I did actually, I told myself I was going to lose weight this year and I did. Im making my next years resolutions as we speak!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! A few people actually - I cant wait until I visit Texas to squeeze baby cheeks!

 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

 Not anyone close but I had some close friends lose people they loved.
 

5. What countries did you visit?

Does Missouri count? Then no.
 

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
A greater support system and more denero.

 

7. What dates in 2012 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
01/17/12 - Moved to Chicago
08/20/12 - VSG Surgery

 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Definitely taking the leap of faith to move so far away from home, it gave me the courage to make other leaps in my life!

 

9. What was your biggest failure?
I didn't have any failures in 2012. I had some learning experiences.

 

10. Did you suffer injury or illness?
I got sick twice, once in January and in December.

 

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Smaller underwear, 3 sizes smaller to be exact!

 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
All the people who support and encourage me.

 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
All the people who don't believe in themselves enough to make better choices.

 

14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills. Can I borrow $5?

 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
So many things! Right now Im excited to be moving BACK to Texas next year!

 

16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Try by P!nk (seriously love her!)

Image courtesy of Rolling Stone

 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) happier b) thinner c) poorer

 

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Seeing all the sights Chicago has to offer, I feel like Im on a time crunch now.

 

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Shopping!

 

20. How did you spend Christmas?

 I went to the movies and saw Django Unchained (awesome!) - took a nap.
 

21. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Only with myself =)

 

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Sons of Anarchy is still numero uno, but I recently got into Game of Thrones!

 

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
 I don't hate anyone. I just realize that boundaries are needed for some people.

 

24. What was the best book you read?
Hunger Games

 

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Kendrick Lamar

 

26. What did you want and get?
To pay my car off, last payment was this month! Woot!

 

27. What did you want and not get?
A new Keurig and a Wii. Im cheap.

 

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I saw quite a few good ones but Im going with Django Unchained & Skyfall. My favorite live performance was Freud's Last Session.

 

29. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I turned 35 and my friend Amy surprised me with afternoon tea at the Drake Hotel!

Photo from SleevedintheCity

 

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I had gotten to see my family in Texas for the holidays.

 

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Big and baggy! Im refusing to buy new clothes. I've got a twine belt and am wearing my pants until they fall off LOL

 

32. What kept you sane?
Coffee, blogging and remembering tomorrow is a new day.

 

33. What celebrity/public figure did you fancy most?
P!nk. She's not only extremely talented but she's fit, healthy, and strong. I'm obsessed!

 

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Lets just say my vote counted.

 

35. Who did you miss?
My papito.

 

36. Who is the best new person you met?
Ive met so many great people this year that its hard to choose just one.

 

37. What is a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012?
"Forgiveness has nothing to do with absolving a criminal of his crime. It has everything to so with relieving oneself of the burden of being a victim -- letting go of the pain and transforming oneself from victim to survivor." ~ C.R. Strahan

 

38. What was the best new blog you discovered this year?
Iowa Girl Eats and I also rediscovered And Then We Saved

 

39. Who inspired you the most in 2012?
Not to sound cocky, but I inspired myself. I saw so much strength and determination in myself this year; I know I can do anything I set my mind to.
 

40. What do you want to happen in 2013?
I want to move back to Texas, lose 80 more pounds, maybe go on a date, run an entire 5k.

 

 
Here's to a new year, a new you and new dreams! Happy 2013!

 

 

 

Post Op: 4 Month Check-In

On Thursday I was officially 4 months post-op, I would have posted this then but the world was ending the next day so I had to finish Game of Thrones Season One. Priorities people!

Image courtesy of Google

Seriously though, I couldn't be more thrilled with the changes. I'm 66 pounds down and should be able to hit 70 pounds gone by the New Year with no problem. I was asked to wear the same outfit in my updated pictures, I tried to recreate the entire look, even with my hair. Maybe it's just me but I feel like I'm a bobble head - now my head looks really, really big to me LOL

I see the biggest difference in my stomach and face. I've always had a big butt so that won't be going anywhere anytime soon. I'm still losing inches but the scale itself is starting to slow down because I'm toning and gaining muscle.

A few posts back I talked about having possible issues with my gallbladder. Luckily that didn't seem to be the case, garlic is the culprit! My exercise restriction was lifted and I began the Couch25k program, I'm on Week 1 and so far I'm pleased to see my endurance and ability exceeds that of a "beginner" - I can already run a mile! A whole freaking mile! Non-stop!

My "I just ran a mile for the first time" face!

The program is 3 days a week, so I'll be incorporating some (much needed) toning exercises in the mix. We got our first snow yesterday and I wanted to make sure I wouldn't use the snow as an excuse so I picked this Gaiam DVD up at Marshall's for $3.99 and the weights were on clearance for $4 a set! This way I have no excuses and 3 different workouts if I find myself snowed in or just too warm to leave my casa.

So Im pleased with my progress but will be raising the bar now that I've reminded myself  that I really am as awesome as I think I am. My birthday is in 3 months and I'm looking forward to being the best me yet! Yay for healthy!

Friend Makin’ Mondays: Christmas Questions

 

Its that time of the week again! You know what to do, answer these questions on your blog (after commenting on mine of course lol) and link back to www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

 

 

Christmas Questions

 

 

1. How will you celebrate the holidays this year? This year I'm going solo, all my family is back in Texas. I'm not sad though, its my first Chicago Christmas so there's lots of new traditions to be made.

2. What’s the weather currently like where you live? Its starting to get colder but as we've now hit a record 281 days without snow, I can say I'm far past ready for some white powder awesomeness!

3. Do you decorate your home for the holidays? If so, share a picture please!  I did a little as I left most of my decorations at my parents house in Texas. Here is my mini tree:

4. What is your favorite Christmas movie?  ELF! Best Christmas movie, EVER. A do have a soft spot for the old claymation classics and who can forget Emmitt Otter's Jug-Band Christmas? Love!

Image courtesy of google.com

5. What is your favorite Christmas songs?  Carol of the Bells, Feliz Navidad, Last Christmas, Little Drummer Boy and Santa Baby top my list.

6. Do you have an advent calendar?  No, I had one every year as a child but I've grown out of them.

7. Do you prefer color lights or white lights?  I have white lights on my tree but I prefer colored lights on the outside of a home.

8. What is your favorite food to eat over the holidays?  That's hard to say, ever since the surgery I haven't been indulging (yay me!). It used to be pumpkin flavored anything, now I'd have to say its an XL coffee with Peppermint Mocha from Dunkin Donuts. I live dangerously, I know.

Image courtesy of google.com

9. Do you display a live tree, or do you prefer fake trees? I'm a city dweller in an apartment, its nothing but fake for me!

10. What would you need to make your holiday perfect this year?  I'm alive, healthy, losing weight, employed, and have happy pups...I'd say its already perfect =)

 

Okie dokie, your turn! Don't forget to link back!

 

Happy Monday!

 

The Beginning of the End

Its officially the first day of the last month of this year. Say goodbye to 2012!

 

I cant even begin to recount all the crazy, wondrous, amazing, scary things that has happened to me this year. I know that it has changed me and for the better! I cant wait to see what awesomeness 2013 has in store. Until then I'll enjoy my first Christmas in Chicago. I'm planning a day/night trip to the city to check out all the festivities and see the infamous Macy's tree lighting and window displays.

 

My first Chicago Christmas tree =)

And a little bit of Texas to help celebrate!

 

Lots of fun things coming up this month. Next week is my bariatric surgeons Christmas party (really looking forward to this!), my trip to the city, my first sponsored blog giveaway, starting a 250 book reading challenge with my friend Nicki, and just really focusing on wrapping the year up and continuing to make good choices into the new one. That being said I'm following in my friend Brooke's footsteps and have made myself some December goals, something to help keep me accountable during the crazy holiday season! I joined her Skinny Snowman Challenge and boy I have tanked big time, hopefully you guys are doing much better!

 

3 workouts per week - easy enough! My doctor put me on a core restriction until we get my gallbladder/heartburn issue solved but I can still get up and move...no excuses on this!

 

64 oz of fluid per day/half clear - now this one I struggle with. I easily get my fluids in but most of it is coffee which I know isn't the best choice; so I'm cutting back and making sure at least half of my daily intake is water.

 

2013 budget - I try this every year and I'm never "prepared" enough to keep it going. So this time I'm taking the entire freaking month to get my poop in a group to really stick to it this time. I've been following Anna over at AndThenWeSaved for a while now and have decided to follow her program. She paid off $17k in debt in a year on a salary making not even twice that much, is that awesome or what? I haven't decided if I'll be doing the Spending Diet, the Spending Fast or maybe even a combo of the two. I'll figure it out and post on it later.

 

2 blog posts per week - I need to make a habit of blogging regularly so I'm committing to posting at least twice a week, recipes NOT included. Hear that self? Recipes are NOT included.

 

 

Do you have any goals for December? Anything fun you're looking forward to?

 

 

 

 

Have a great week!