30 Days of Blogging - Day 8

Day 8 - Short term goals for this month and why

Well, if I do short term goals for December, it has to be the shortest term EVER.  So with that said - I think that I will go with my short term goals for the rest of December & January.  Now with that said, these are my goals for that period.  They are meant to help me tackle my New Year's Resolutions for 2011.  Yes, I have even put thought into those already.

So, for the rest of December & January - the focus is on me.  Making myself the top priority.  Now how am I going to do that? First and foremost is exercise!  Now that I am finally feeling better, I have started the Couch to 5k program again.  One week down and ready to look at Week 2 tomorrow.  In addition, I am also working through the 200 Situps and 100 Pushups apps.  Both begin Week 2 tomorrow.  I am putting my best steps forward to a slimmer, trimmer me.  Plus, on the days that I am not running and don't have to work at Lowe's, the dogs are going to be blessed with at least a two mile walk.  :)  So, I will be making sure I am logging at least 30 minutes of running/walking five days a week.  Eating has been healthier these days and that is a goal for January too - smart choices! 

The final plan which is probably going to be the biggest challenge for me is sticking to my budget.  Funny how that goes.  In any event, in my master plan, if I stick to it and end up with my best case scenario....I could have half of my debt paid of in 2011, including my car!

30 Days of Blogging - Day 7

Day 7 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you.

I think that it is safe to say that my mom has had the biggest impact on me.  Both of my parents have but some days those long distance calls are easier with my mom.  If you have every talked to my dad on the phone, you'll understand.

Of the years of my life, there are probably only a couple I wish I could have back.  Obviously my teenage years were one.  It wasn't until I was the high school/teenage coach and being the mediator for the girls did I understand what I put my mom through.  Then there were the few years I was blinded by a certain boy.  In the end, it didn't hurt my mom and I's relationship but there were those years that I missed talking to her, gaining advise and wisdom from her that I can't get back.  Of course, in the end when I was seeing clearly, I learned that she had my best interest at heart and my family just could see what was best for me and unfortunately I did not.

She is my BFF.  I talk to her every day on my way home from work, without fail.  Some days it is just a two minute call to say hi, other days it is a 30 or 45 minute call.  We can talk about everything from how the day is going to some of my biggest problems.  Whenever we have the chance to see each other in person, it feels like a blessing since 800 miles separate us today.  Of course, the goodbye and going home is always the hardiest on us and definitely results in tears being shed, however, as Grandma Schmidt would say, it isn't goodbye, it is see you soon!  Love you Mom!

30 Days of Blogging - Day 6

Day 6 - Your favorite Superhero and why.

Hmmm, this is a tough one.  I don't see myself as having a favorite superhero. However, that being said, it is pretty clear from family photos past, that Wonder Woman was my hero of choice.  Why, I don't know.  Maybe it was the strength and poise she portrayed on tv during a time when woman were just starting to emerge as leaders.  Who knows.

But, I do say that I would like to go back to a time when I was as active as I was in this picture.  I was always running, playing and enjoying life.  You can tell it in my size.  I would love to go back to that shape.  No, I don't want to weigh what I did in that picture, but I would love to have the shape and curves I do here.

30 Days of Blogging - Day 5

Day 5 - A picture of somewhere you've been.

This was a no brainer for me.  The picture to the right is from Jamica.  It was taken from the cruise the family took early in the year.  We spent the day on a private beach where you could read, play sand volleyball, drink, swim, snorkel, everything! 

It was the peace of the beach that I loved the best.  You could sit there and read a book, doing nothing and it was okay!  The water was just this amazing blue that the picture doesn't even do justice for. 

If I could just be lazy for a week and go anywhere, I would go to a beautiful beach such as this and just sit there and read my book and enjoy the beauty God has give us!

30 Days of Blogging - Day 4

Day 4 - A habit that you wish you didn't have.
 
Wow.  Which habit do I have that isn't bad?  But then again, if it is so bad, why do I still do it, why don't I change it?  What part of change is so scary that one allows themself to continue with a bad habit?  Why can I admit that it is a bad habit, but then do nothing to change it?  Maybe it is the procrastination habit that leads them all.  But at the end of the day, it is my weight that bothers me most and sinks my spirit the most, so lets go with that. 
 
I am an emotional eater.  No doubt about it.  It is my comfort when I am lonely.  It is my thing when I am bored.  It is my fix for my sad days.  It is there to celebrate.  Honestly, it is just always there and I don't want to blame my family, but I think a lot starts there.  I come from that large extended family that does not know how to gather without food and none of it is healthy.  Family gatherings are all day grazing events.  So, now that I admit that is bad habit number one, I need to work on changing that and finding other ways to recognize periods in my life.

30 Days of Blogging - Day 3

Day 3 -A picture of you and your friends.

As I am sure that all of you won't mind of posting some old photos with new photos. 

This first picture is from my crazy days of the 20s and 30s.  This picture was take seven years ago and is on the beaches of Hawaii.  Yes, five single girls took on Hawaii.  It wasn't my "skinniest" time, but I was in pretty good shape and had the confidence to wear a two piece back then!  If I could only get back to that weight! 

Now, for some of my now friends.  I say they are now friends because realize it or not, they have been there for me through some of the most difficult days of my life and are still here today!

The first is DC.  She and I met a zillion years ago on a weight loss board.  Honestly have no idea what the name of the group is.  We have only been able to hang a few times in person with her being in DC, but we talk almost daily!  We have definitely had some crazy, crazy conversations over the years and have battled this weight together.  Up for Twinkie's anyone?  (Only DC will understand that one!

The last picture I want to share is with Runner.  Ironically we met on the Weight Watcher's board.  She was on the Austin group with me and by the time we decided to meet it, we found out that our offices were right by each other!  The bad news, it was my last week at that job.  But, Runner was my first friend in Austin and she amazes me!  She wa a rock for me during some of my lowest points here in Austin and let me just be me when I needed it the most!  I love her for that!  When I was training to do the Cap Tex Triathlon, she was a faithful riding partner!  It was during those rides, I talked her into doing a Triathlon and this picture was from her first one, the Couple's Tri!  Today, she runs circles around me, training and doing so many Triathlons it makes my head spin.  I idol her abilities and she plain ROCKS!  Once I can kick this part-time job to the curb, I hope that I can join her in a few more Tri's!  I love that we can have a great time together and the best part of the friendship is that we can get in a sold 15 mile bike ride and catch up!

I have had so many friends that have been my rock when I needed it, dating all the way back to High School.  Sadly - I don't have any pictures of them, funny how I avoid the camera but don't mind taking pictures of others!  They know who they are and I appreciate all the love and support they have given me over the years!

30 Days of Blogging - Day 2

Day 2 - The meaning behind your blog name.

Is the glass really half full?
 
You know, I am not really sure how I came up with that name.  A lot has to do with my mentality.  I have been through some serious bumps in life.  Most would just curl up in a corner and be done, but I have pushed through them.  I like to believe that on most days, my glass is half full, or at least time for a beer run.  :)  
 
That said, there are those days that my glass is half empty or it feels like it.  I have my home sick days.  I have those days that I just really feel down.  I do have those days where I want to give up and just curl up in that corner.  But, I don't.  Or if I do, I don't allow the pitty party to continue on that long.  At the end of the day, no one wants to hear a constant sob story. 
 
So - the glass is really half full for me, or is it?