Quick Update!

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Hello pretties! I just wanted to stop in and say a quick hello and let you all know that I am alive! Lol I am feeling MUCH better and appreciate all of your kind words and prayers. My days of sickness consisted of mostly living in the bathroom, getting stuck with needles and only eating saltine crackers. Sounds like paradise, right? However, God is so good and I am completely healed! YAY!

Right now I am in Atlanta with my husband and am having a wonderful time. :) Tonight we will be heading to the Braves game, and while this Yankee girl refuses to do the tomahawk chop, I will thoroughly enjoy myself. There are few places that I'd rather be than at a ballgame with my honey.

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I hope you all are having a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend! :)

Sick.

I have been missing from blogland for a few days now, but with good reason. I was home sick Monday and again today with a nasty stomach virus. I'll be back soon, but until then please pray for me. 

I am so miserable... :(

Weekly Health Update no. 7

Fitness 

This week I had hoped to work out at least three times, but it never happened. I'd usually feel really bad about this, however, I have excellent news to report in my nutrition...so let's skip to that!

Nutrition

On Monday I began Weight Watchers and I am happy to report that I absolutely positively LOVE it! :))) Monday was a bit rough and I ate more than I was allowed, but Tuesday through today I have stayed within range and actually have extra weekly points to burn! WOOP WOOP! The reason I slacked off of exercising was to give myself time to adjust to my new eating plan. Since I have always struggled with the nutritional part of this journey I felt that it was much more important to focus on this. I use my WW calculator to figure out points, and then log these points directly into the calculator. It is SO much easier to do this than to calorie count, and I am very excited that this is working for me! :)

Next Week's Motivating Picture

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Lauren Conrad - A long, lean body without looking rail thin. Gorgeous! 

Weight/Measurements

I have said this many times before, but I seriously hate the scale. If I see that I've lost weight, I get overly confident and start thinking "Hey! I lost 5 lbs, I can afford to eat this pint of ice cream" or the opposite happens and I feel helpless and defeated. On Monday I weighed myself to see my starting point and I am happy to report that I have lost 1 lb. I know it's not amazing, but it's a start, and I AM SO HAPPY! :)

Wrap-Up

Overall it has been a great week! I did not feel deprived of any food and have made great choices during my first week on WW. While I would have liked to exercise as well, I am happy with the progress I have made. Next week I'm hoping to keep up on WW and squeeze in a few work-outs.

To those on their own journey -- how is it going??

The Winner Is...

And the winner of one item from Tiffany & Co. is...

Nicole Elizabeth! :)

Out of 284 entries, she was lucky number 148!

 Nicole said: 

She is the new owner of this lovely necklace! 

Nicole Elizabeth, please contact me at lindseychristmas@yahoo.com with your shipping information! I am so happy for you! :)))))

Thanks to everyone who played along! :) I love hosting giveaways and will be sure to do another in the near future! Y'all have a wonderful, safe weekend! :)

Last Day to Enter!

Today is your last chance to enter my giveaway to win an item from Tiffany & Co! 

I will be sorting everything out tonight and choosing a name via random.org no later than tomorrow at 1:30pm EST. 

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Click here to see the items up for grabs!

Good luck everyone! :) 

The Greatest Show on Earth

Thanks to my little sister's change of plans, we decided to take a trip to the movies last night and see Water for Elephants. I finished reading the book last weekend and was very anxious to watch this story come to life. After my disappointment with Something Borrowed, I had pretty low expectations that this movie would do the book any justice.

Well, I was wrong.

This movie was absolutely superb. Yes, a few things were different but ultimately it stayed on track with the storyline. It was breathtaking. The actors, the setting, the wardrobe, the animals...all of it came to life in a way that made my heart flutter. 

Recently I have been reading a lot, and it all started when I laid my hands on Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin. I breezed through that novel, went on the Something Blue and continued with Emily's three other novels. After that I began Water for Elephants and am now reading Twilight. (Regardless of anyone's opinion of the Twilight series, I am loving the book.) The one thing that ties these books (other than EG's other three) together is the fact that they have been made into movies. I am completely captivated by the fact that a story can be created by an author and then come to life on the big screen. 

For me personally, another thing that these novels have in common is their ability to hook the reader. With the exception of WFE's slow start, I have not been able to put any of these books down. Seriously. When I'm hooked, I'm hooked. I read during my lunch breaks, when I get home from work, while I bathe, and before bed. Heck, I'd read at work if I knew it was acceptable. :)

As someone who loves to write, these books and movies inspire me tremendously. I was talking to my Grandmother this morning and she was telling me about a book that had her hooked. My grandmother is 84 years old and barely ever reads (apparently by the time she gets to the end, she won't remember the beginning) but read this book in one day because she was captivated. This book made her heart soar. I sincerely hope to write a book like that one day. By all means it does not have to be made into a movie, but a book that makes the reader literally want to jump in is a book worth writing.

So here's my question...which books have you been completely and utterly enchanted by? Jodie from Bursting at the Seams recommended the book The Help, and I actually saw a preview for this movie last night. Let me just say this movie looks amazing, and I can't wait to get my hands on the book! :) Thanks Jodie!

*picture from here

My Sweet Husband & a Weekly Health Update no. 6

Yesterday, I mentioned that my husband travels each week, Monday through Friday, and that we only see each other on the weekends. Back in March he interviewed for this position and we were extremely blessed when he landed this job. His is a tax resolution consultant and loves helping people. Additionally, he gets to share his faith through this position. While this job is financially great for our family, I miss him so very much when he's gone. Yesterday we ate lunch together, and then he was off! When I got into my vehicle after work, I found this lovely note on the front seat...

Linds,

I just want to remind you of how beautiful you are. I thought so the day I first saw you at church. To tell you the truth you grow more beautiful to me each and every day...

The note continued on for a bit, and I was overjoyed by my husband's thoughtfulness and sweet words. When I got home I stumbled upon another one...

Linds,

I hope you have sweet dreams. Let's meet in our dreams. Start in New York and then head to Rome...

This note was on my pillow. Can I just say that I absolutely adore this man? Even when he isn't home he knows how to make me swoon. It's little things like this that are strengthening our marriage while he is away. We know that things will not be this way forever, and we are hoping that he gets promoted to a territory soon. If this happens, we may have to move, but at least we'd be together.

Keith Joseph, I love you! :) 

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Fitness

Same ole, same ole. Last week I didn't have any scheduled workouts. My nephew did sleep over one night, and I chased him around the house, but I really don't think that counts. 

Nutrition

On Thursday of last week my Weight Watchers materials arrived! I spent the end of the week reading over everything and preparing to start at the beginning of this week. I am happy to report that I did begin WW yesterday...but I must save that for next week's report! :) 

Next Week's Motivating Picture

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The beautiful Rachel McAdams - Toned back and slim arms. Just beautifully feminine!

Weight/Measurements

Tomorrow I will weigh myself so that I know what I'm starting at for Weight Watchers, and tonight I will take my measurements...seems as though I'm starting this whole journey over, but hey at least I'm still going, right?

Wrap-Up

I'm feeling pretty great about Weight Watchers and will hopefully have good news to report next week! :) I plan on working out 3 times this week, so here's to hoping that happens!!! :) 

My Miscellany Monday

* I don't know about you guys, but today is dragging. by. so. slowly. Blah! I always feel this way after having a pretty great weekend though. My husband (Keith, KC, sweet boy, etc.) travels every week for his job, (He meets me Mondays for lunch and then I don't see him again until Friday evening! Wahhh!) so the weekends tend to always be wonderful, but are always short lived. :/ This weekend we went with our friends Chad and Melissa, and the bro/sis-in-law Stephen and Ivey to the zoo. 

Me and Keith

 Elephant!

Beautiful Zebra

 Sleeping gorilla scratching it's armpit...bahahah

Gorillas have huge hands!

 Pretty little Tucan

 

Pretty pink flamingos! 

Gotta love penguins! :) 

Group shot after we had to literally haul booty through the rain!

Chad, Melissa, Ivey, Stephen, Keith, and me

* Over the weekend I finished reading Water for Elephants and I have to say that I was extremely impressed. This was such a fantastic novel! It was a slow start for me, but once I reached the middle I was seriously hooked. I could not put that book down! Going to the zoo while reading this book sort of changed my perspective about the animals there. I have no reason to think that these animals are getting abused, but  my heart has definitely softened for animals after reading WFE. I am planning on going solo to the movies tomorrow night to see the movie, but I just hope that it does the book justice! :)

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* If you haven't already, don't forget to enter my giveaway! Friday (around 12pm EST) is the last day to enter before I announce the winner at 1:30!! So what's up for grabs? An item from the darling, lovely Tiffany & Co.!!! :) 

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Click here for more information, or you can also click the picture on the right-hand side of my blog! Good luck to everyone who entered! :) 

* I'd like to send a very big congratulations to Chloe and her hubby Josiah over at Tryin' to Throw My Arms Around the World!!! They welcomed a baby boy into the world on Friday and I am just so happy for them! :) 

That's all for today. I hope this Monday is treating you well!

A Dreamer's Wordless Wednesday

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Life and a Weekly Health Update no. 5

Hello dears. :) I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend! (And a Happy late Mother's Day to all of the moms out there!) My weekend, as always, went by way too quickly but it was delightful. It was the first school-free weekend for me and the hubs and we thoroughly enjoyed it. 

On Friday night I went with my co-worker/friend Karie to see Something Borrowed and I have to say that I was a little disappointed. Overall I did like the movie, but my expectations may have been a bit too high. The storyline stayed pretty true to the book, but I thought that there were some very important things that were left out, and a few added items that were unnecessary. I guess this is what happens when you take an amazing book and condense it into a 2 hour movie. BUT, I'd definitely see it again, I'll probably buy the DVD, and you can bet I am still a huge Emily Giffin fan. :)

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Fitness

Let's face it -- I have completely slacked off of my "a whole new healthy me!" regimen. The reason? I have lost any and all motivation. Sure, working out and eating better makes me feel better, but sometimes I feel like I am fighting a battle against laziness/procrastination and I am losing badly. Last week I failed to write this update, and even though I have nothing good to report I must keep posting because the accountability is priceless. 

I didn't work out last week at all, so there's really nothing to update.

Nutrition

I have been doing an okay job at eating healthy, but I'm still refusing to count calories. I know it's a necessary evil but I just can't stick with it. I do have somewhat promising news -- last week I ordered Keith and I each a Weight Watchers member's starter kit. While this will still be sort of like counting calories, I think I'll feel a lot better by having a point system and keeping track of everything. A year ago Keith and I did WW for a few weeks...he lost 10 pounds, I lost 5. (Don't you just love how quickly men lose weight?) 

Next Week's Motivating Picture

 

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Jennifer Hudson - Because losing weight and being healthy IS possible. She's gorgeous. :)

Weight/Measurements

I still have not stepped a foot on the scale since the last time, so I have no clue how much I'm weighing. I can guarantee I haven't lost any further weight just by the way my pants are fitting. As for measurements, there's really no improvement. I mean come on, you can't stop working out and eating good and expect results. 

Wrap-Up

While I feel like a borderline failure, I am hopeful. My challenge of posting a bathing suit picture of myself on July 30th still stands, so I better get my butt in gear or prepare for embarrassment. Wish me luck! 

To the ladies that started their own regime, how are y'all doing? Any advice?

*Read about the start of this journey here. You can also see my past weeks progress here. Thanks for stopping by!

Fiiiiinally!!!

Tonight I will be here

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Eating this

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Drinking one of these

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While watching this!

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I.can't.wait. :))))))

Have a wonderful weekend lovelies!

(Oh, and I get to pick this stud up at the airport after the movie.)

Life is good great.

200th Follower **Giveaway!**

First off, welcome new followers! I am so very excited that you are here! :) I have been wanting to host another giveaway, and this seems like as good a time as any!

I will be giving away one (1) item from Tiffany & Co.!

Yesterday's post about the lovely Audrey (aka Ms. Holly Golightly herself) inspired me to host this particular brand.  I mean really, who doesn't love Tiffany's? :) Whenever I am deciding what to pick for giveaways I always think of a few things I'd like, talk it over with the hubs, and then put that item up for grabs! While I am not actually the one receiving the gift, I absolutely love giving. I find more joy in giving than I have ever in receiving. (Although I would maybe like one of these Tiffany items (#8 to be exact) *cough,cough,husband*) ;)  The items to choose from are:

 

all from here

How to enter:

1. Follow my blog. (1 entry)

2. Tell me which item you like and why. (2 entries)

3. Blog about or link to this giveaway. (3 entries)

*Please be sure to leave a comment on this post telling me what you have done so that I can keep track of your entries.*

*If you do not have a blog, please leave your email address so that I can contact you!*

This giveaway is only open to those in the United States. Sorry!!! :( Tiffany's online does not ship internationally.

The winner will be chosen on Friday, May 20th at 1:30PM (EST)

Good luck everyone!

Gone But Never Forgotten

 

 

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Today is Audrey Hepburn's birthday. She would have been 82 years old. 

To say that I admire this woman is an understatement. 

Her grace, poise, generosity, and heart for humanity are unfathomable. 

She was, and always will be exquisite.

Happy Birthday, Audrey. You are dearly missed.