Times are a Changin'

Today, I am 31 and 1 month.

I know I am a little late blogging my bithday, however I guess that is how it goes when you are in graduate school.

To celebrate, my roomate and I went to The Melting Pot. I love this place! I also got this...

 The Vera Bradly, Grand Traveler in Lemon Parfait!

I have used it once to go to the beach and then the fateful time in the hospital with Amanda, but it is a great bag. Here's to more vacations using it!

One thing that has been on my mind lately is my weight. I have had the oppertunity to go on so many great vacations ...

      April 09 - Las Vegas - Wt 165                             November 2009 - Bermuda - Wt 173

September 2010 - Brazil - Wt 169       March 2012 - Disney Cruise - Wt 175

Currently I weigh 180.5 as of today ... I attribute to some of the weight (5 punds) to the aforementioned roomie's stay in the hospital for 7 days and living on hospital food. I know that I cannot blame the weight gain on that as I am responsible for my own actions.

However, I want to look back on my photos and enjoy actually looking at myself!

 Back in 2010 we knew we were going to Brazil, we had just gone to Las Vegas and Bermua the previous year and realized how big we really were. We both were at the heaviest we had ever been! We had 6 months to loose as much weight as we could and we both lost 10-15 pounds! I felt good, however still wasn't happy with my weight. I continued to yo-yo after that and have returned to the heaviest weight I have been.

We have more trips planned. We are going back to Disney World (we were there in 2006) and Brazil (and hopefully Argentinia) in 2014 and maybe include a quick jaunt here or there and I want to be happy looking back at the wonderful memories and more Once-in-a-Lifetime trips in our future.

SO in the always continuing quest to loose weight, I thought I would post here. Not sure how many people will read it, however it is a way to keep myself accountable. Obviously, I don't update often, however if I succeed I want a journal of my journey; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I am not saying it is going to be easy, or quick, and I know it takes a lot of determination and willpower. So, as of now I have some great websites that I often rely on to assist.

First is Weight Watchers... I have tried the others, and have had success, however I enjoy the freedom that Weight Watchers provides. I enjoy thier moble app as it is convenient and they also have recipes.

Second is SkinnyTaste... This is a great resource for YUMMY recipes that includes Weight Watcher points.

The following are blogs, who have lost weight themselves and have been such an inspiration to me.

Can You Stay For Dinner

The Domestic Wannabe

Elizabeth Writes

I hope by posting my success here and documenting my journey, I will never let it get out of hand as much as I have over the past few years!

Oh, and one more thing...

CONGRATULATIONS to Amanda!

She is my biggest inspiration, as she has lost more than 40 pounds!

 Before (2009)                                       After (2011)      

30 days of 30: Day 1

Well it happened, or maybe I should say 'happening' ...

Today, I turn 30, the big 3-0. I have been dreading it since I turned 25, but the day has finally arrived. I have big plans for my 30s and in a way actually looking forward to them, but also sad to say good by to my 20s. When I turned 20, I was in college, dating my first love, looking forward to 21, graduating from nursing school, and getting my first nursing job. The last 5 years have been pretty uneventful staying in the same job, living in the same house and having the same dog, and while I have had a great time at all of my friends weddings, it hasn't been my wedding, and while I have enjoyed welcoming each beautiful baby that they have had, it hasn't been my baby. I am hoping in the next 10 years I get to experience those things that so many of my friends have and much more!

In the next 30 days I hope to post everyday. A little bit of me, right now, as I turn thirty. What my life is like; my hopes, dreams and goals for this new time in my life, and reminissing and so as the first post...

Your Favorite Song

This is a hard topic as I am not much of a music person. A likes to point out just how much I don't know by asking me music trivia on long car rides and I mostly answer everything incorrectly, however, if I do get something right it is usually the 80s era. I thought I would choose something from this era, however as I was scrolling thorough my iPod, there was one song that I just couldn't look over, get out of my head and move on from. I am going to have to go with my mom on this one and say 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' as it has always been her favorite as well. I am currently loving this version right now. It immediatly takes me away to an island, and I start day dreaming, and if I really listen to the words it makes me cry. I think it is an appropriate song as I move into this new time in my life.



So Goodbye 20's, HELLO 30s!

Enjoy!

Babies! and lots of them...

I have been busy lately, very busy. Aside from working my normal 3+ 12 hour shifts I have attempting to do a little photography on the side. Last December my sister had her 2nd baby and I was excited to attempt my photography skills on a newborn! Since then, 2 good friends had beautiful babies and a couple of people from work. Here are the results:

Baby Z - my neice (13 days old)

Then came Baby J (7 days old)

and Baby B (12 days old)

and Baby M (4 days old)

and another Baby M - but a girl! (16 days old)

Can you smell the newborn-ness?

Then my neice went turned 6 months old and the other graduated Kindergarten (!!)

We had a little photoshoot with Regan,

and one of Zoey (6 months)...

and then one of my friends asked me to watch her little baby and I just couldn't help by have my way with her!

Baby A (3 months)

Phew, I'm exhausted, but I have loved every minute of it! They are so cute I could just eat them up!

two-cup kinda day

Today has been a two-cup kind of day. a typical Monday morning where nothing goes right and to top it off it is raininh. Normally I am at work on Mondays, this week I am off and I really don't know what to do with myself. I have a list of things to do today and would like to accomplish, but with the way things are going, I am getting frustrated.

I have so many baby things to make! So many people are having babies right now and I would really like to make something for each of them.

Two baby blankets like this. I have meade one before, (but didn't take pictures of it) and loved it! However, it takes FOREVER to complete all of those lines and my back really starts to hurt :(

My sister has asked for a crochet hat for my neice. I love the look of this one.

So vintage-ey and beautiful. She has also asked for binkey clips and bibs.

I would love to crochet a blanket for a friend who is due in April. She lives in Africa and I think something crochet would be perfect, light and airy, but enough to cover her and protect her from the chill.

And then there are some things that I just want to make, like those cute tutu's!

I have the supplies, just running out of energy. Maybe one day!

But for now ... where to begin?

List of Resolutions

I have never been much of a list person. I don't really get motivated by lists and checking things off of them. I do, however, love to do things under pressure. This is really what motivates me. I have a warped sense of how long things will actually take, therefore, leaving things until the last minute.

In 2011 I hope to do things differently. Less chaotic, less "fly by the seat of your pants." I have goals that I would like to accomplish or at least start. I usually make one "resolution" and for the past 4 years has been to loose weight. This past year I have lost 15 pounds from April to September and since September, just "watching what I eat," not so much trying to loose weight and have gaind 5 pounds :(

So here is my list for 2011

1. Loose 15 more pounds, hopefully more, but 15 would make me happy.

Last April my roommate and I joined a gym and went regularly 3 times a week and felt Great! In June we saw how much success her mother and aunt had on Weight Watchers and decided to do it unofficially keeping eachother accountable for what we ate. September we both had reached our goals and were happy. After our vacation we had a hard time getting back into the routine hoping to loose an additional 10 pounds before the end of the year and falling short.

So this year I am going to plan on going to the gym and use the membership I pay for at least 2 times per week and continue to eat healthy and stay within my points. We usually use recipes from here.

2. Be more organized in both work and home life.

I am the Pediatric Lead Nurse in a busy Emergency Department. I was promoted to this position last December and really have only taken on the schedule. I know that they want me to be part of more meetings and encorporate more educational oppertunities. I need to learn to how to balance the clinical with administrative time and not overwork myself. Hopefully getting the new Verizon iPhone and balancing my calanders will help. I just can't get over the paper calanders, I love hand written calanders!

At home, I want to keep my house clean so that the days that I am off, I am not constantly picking up and cleaning. I need to become better organized and have a place for all things. This will help me with other goals that I have like paying bills on time. This is a great website to use to help begin to get yourself organized. I love the look of well organized areas!

3. Pay off debt and manage money better, including paying bills ontime.

I did pay off my debt last year, and managed to get in debt again. My mother is great at managing money and saving, I did not get that great gene from her. I currently don't live on a budget nor do I balance my checking account on a monthly basis. I don't think if that were a resolution of mine that I would every be able to check that off my list, however managing my bills and paying them ontime is a real and a necessary possibility. I have a lot of things direct debited and this is great, I just need to come up with a way to manage this and know when everything is being debited. I plan to make an excell worksheet with due dates and dates when things are debited untill I have another plan.

4. Start Masters program for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

This gives me palpatations just thinking about it! I have so many unanswered questions, however, there are many changes happening and soon, and after 2015, you would have to have a Doctorate to practice, so I better start now and I will graduate in 2014 and hopefully pass my boards so I don't have to go back for my Doctorate (sigh). This is why managing my money and home is so important. I know that it takes a lot of effort and most people can't do it holding a full time career, but I have no other option and will continue as planned going to school part time and continue to work as the Lead Nurse.

5. Become a better photographer!

I have always been interested in Photography, taking 2 classes in high school and one in college. I got a DLSR last year for my birthday present and have enjoyed taking pictures in Brazil along with photographing special moments in my friends life and taking newborn photos of my neice. I would also like to learn Photoshop better as well. I just have to find the time to get out and shoot!

There are some clases that are held in the area. PennCamera offer some and hopefully in the spring I will enroll.

Well this is all for now. I feel good about these goals for the new year and hopefully this time next year I will be skinnier, more organized, richer, back in school with 1 semester under my belt, and a better photographer! I hope that listing this on my blog will keep me accountable for each goal and I will update monthly with my progress. This will also help me blog more which is on my list, just not the top 5. I enjoy reading them much more thatn writing them.

Until next time!

Introducing Baby Zoey Brielle ...

Yesterday morning I was at work, taking care of the sick kids coming into the ER. As I was discharging a family the secretary taps me on the shoulder and says "Your mom's on the phone." I quickly finished with the family excused myself and rushed to the phone... (my mom never calls me at work.) My mother then said that my sister was in LABOR!

It was fine, but we had it all planned out with a few bumps in the road. Zoey was schedule to make her appearance on Wednesday not Monday. Zoey was supposed to come on November 26th but because of a previous c-section and some complications, my sister and her doctor decided to schedule her c-section for November 16th, tomorrow. Later my sister tells me that she started with contractions at 2am early Monday morning, they called the doctor and the doctor advised them to come to the hospital. Too bad the hospital is about 1 hour and 20 minutes away. So she quickly thew some items in a bag (shame, shame... she should have had this packed) and they rushed off to the hopsital with my 5 yr old neice, Regan in tow. Doing 80-95mph they reach the hospital and contractions for the 35 minute drive was every 2 minutes. They check her in, started monitoring the baby, placed her epidural and made my sister comfortable. Since Regan was there and no one was there to watch her, they were going to hold off untill my mother could arrive to take my neice. My mom arrived at 9:30 and the took my sister in to the OR. By 10:18 Zoey Brielle joined our family and I couldn't be more excited! So one of her first pics with her big sister!







I love this photo! It was taken with my mom's phone, since no one bothered to pack a camera. I can't get over Regan's orange lips. My mom says Regan wants to do EVERYTHING for Zoey. She feels extra special when Zoey always falls asleep in her arms. Such a little mama already. Zoey has so much hair! I know that Zoey will be loved much... WELCOME TO THE FAMILY ZOEY... Prepare for a crazy ride...

Much love,
Aunt Bobbi

Happy HALLOWEEN!!

I got to go away this weekend to the beach! We had such a great time hanging out with family and friends. We even got to go trick or treating! which is something I don't get to do since I don't have any kids and I don't think people would have anything appropriate for doggies!

We dressed our dogs up none the less. I found these great costumes at PetSmart for 75% off and they were great. So with out further adu ...

INTRODUCING PRESLEY AND ELLIE!!

Presley...


I loved this cow costume, Presley didn't enjoy the head piece very well, but it was so cute!

and Ellie...



We initially had a dragon costume, but I think the angel was much cuter. It was just the wings, but since our dogs have a top knot, I decided to make a halo out of pipe cleaners and wrap it around her top knot. It stayed remarkably well and didn't come off when she shook.

We went trick or treating with my roomates niece and the dogs got to go in their stroller. They were so well behaved!

One of the best trick or treaters that I heard about was a teenage mother, with her 3 mo old baby came trick o treating smoking a cigarette with either her baby's daddy or her husband. I wonder if that was her costume or if she was trick or treating for her baby... which then bring the question of "who is going to eat the candy?" AWESOME!!

I hope everyone have a safe and Happy Halloween!!

Brazil!!!

I can't believe that I have been home for over a month! It was a fabulous vacation and we saw many amazing things that I thought I would never see. So for a few of those asking for my pics, here they are. I hope to blog about each day. These are from Rio de Janerio.

good bye summer!

well I think the cooler temperatures are here to stay... had a great summer with many great vacations. Until next year...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to ME!!!

Yes it was my birthday a couple of days ago! It was wonderful! The weekend was spent with good friends that just happened to be here for the weekend, Julie and Brett, but unfortunatly Brett couldn't make it so she brought Jeremy, who was equally as fun (if not more fun, but don't tell Brett that, wink wink).


We spent the mornings at brunch and Saturday night we went down town. We bought passess for the water taxi, which was a waste of time, but fun and went from dinner at the Cheesecake Factory in the Inner Harbor, to Fells Point and then the last part was spent at Bay Cafe in Canton.

Amanda and Julie at Fells Point

Waiting for the water taxi... what best way than to have a mini photo shoot?

(Trying to get one picture with everyone in is hard if you are posing and the photographer!)

After our guests left, I combined my birthday money, and off to Best Buy to get my birthday gift! I have always had a passion for photography and read many photogs. I have owned 2 SLRs in my life and have wanted a digital SLR for many years now... So what did I do with my birthday money, you ask? I bought myself this...

Now I have a lot of learning to do, but am very excited!

As with every birthday there is always going to be sadness... the day after my birthday 4 years ago I had to put my beloved Gigi down. She was the best dog EVER! I had her for 2 years and it was just her and I.

I was young when I got her and many nights she was left till the wee hours of the morning alone and by herself, but she was always happy when I got home and never held it against me. I was working 12 hr shifts and never once was there an accident in my home!

She only lived 2 short years and lost her life to Distemper. I had her vaccinated but for some reason she didn't become immune like every other dog. I don't know if I will ever feel that way about another dog. I have Ellie now, and I love her very much... just the same if not more that Gigi, but each dog has a special place in your heart and Gigi takes a big portion of mine.

RIP Gigi Girl, you are still loved and missed VERY much!

Gigi and I the weekend we got Presley (January 2006)

After my big purchase, we got ready for dinner and my roomie took me to a wonderful dinner at my FAVORITE place, the Melting Pot, and we had delicious fondue.

PAC-MAN 30th Anniversary!

Love the Google Banner today! For PAC-MAN 30th Anniversary they put up an interactive PAC-MAN game! Go check them out and ENJOY!

WARNING: You will be addicted!

Long time comming...

CRAFT TIME!!!

Making some BABY GIFTS for my for my cousin Taryn, including a baby blanket with these fabrics!

Also making those great nylon baby headbands with the flowers.

I am EXCITED to get working on them!

I made a tabby blanket for this little CUTIE 2 years ago when he was born. Taryn informed me that he is carrying it everywhere.

How Sweet!

This picture was taken last April, right after he turned 1. Now he is going to be 2!!

My mom and I are going out again in April, right before she has her new BABY GIRL!

So many new babies arriving in SPRING. If you're expecting soon, be prepared. You might be getting something TOO!

Patience Running Low...

So lately my roomie and I have been trying hard to cook at home. In the past, we have gone out WAY too much, at least 3-4 nights a week. This summer I have noticed that we were grilling a lot at home and having leftovers for lunch, I soon noticed that we were saving money as well. My roommate recently got a new job, about a month ago. She is now home at 4:30 and has more time to cook. However I have recently noticed that between both of us we were going to the store about 4 times a week and spending about $80 each time. I am sure you are all good at math and figure that that equal $260/week.

Everytime I get home from the store and putting away the groceries I hate the fact that I bought maybe 10 items and spent at least $60 to $80.

Today I woke up with a list of dinners I wanted to cook over this next week. So when my roomie woke up we came up with a grocery list and off to Costco we went, well about 4 grocery stores, 6 hours, $160, and alot of patience later we had our groceries for the week. Now some of you might say that $160 is a lot of money for 1 week of groceries for just 2 people, but we also bought bulk toliet paper, paper towels, diced and tomato sauce (so we can make speghetti multiple times this winter) and 4# of ground turkey. I think we did really good and do have to say that I am pround of us.

So here is our Menu for this week for dinner.

Sunday
BBQ ribs and asian cole slaw

Monday
Turkey Burgers and Fries

(photo courtesy of Dishing up Delights)

Tuesday
Speghetti with Garlic bread

Wednesday
Roast Beef with carrots, onions, and potatoes

Thurdsay
Mediterranean Chicken pockets with greek salad


(photo courtesy of Martha Stewart - Everyday Food)

Friday
Left overs

Saturday
Hopefully not here ! :)

Recepie for Sunday Night dinner

This recepie is from my mom, it is great to throw in the oven before you go to work on low setting or let it cook for 3-4 hours on higher. The longer they cook the more tender they are.


BBQ Spare Ribs

Pork or Beef spare ribs
Beef Bullion
BBQ sauce of choice
Water

Place ribs in a 13x9x2 baking dish place 3-4 beef bullion cubes and about 1/4 inch of water in the bottom. Cover with tin foil. Place in oven on about 250 (low setting) for 6 hours or 350 (high setting) for 3-4 hours. About 30 minutes before you are ready to eat, pour off the liquid in the bottom, cover with BBQ sauce and crank up the heat to 400 -450 degrees and cook for 30 more munutes or to desired crispiness.

The side dish to go along with this is one of the best I have tasted so far, and so easy to make. It is a new receipe for me. My roommates mother introduced us to it.

Asian Cole Slaw

2 pkg of Beef Ramen Noodles
2c. slivered almonds
1/2 c sunflower seeds
1/2 c sugar
1/3 c. vinegar
1c vegetable oil
1 pkg cole slaw

Toast ramen noodles (broken up), almonds, and sunflower seeds until lightly brown (suggestion: brown only ramen noodles until almost golden, throw in almonds and seeds for a couple minutes) tossing/stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Combine sugar, vinegar, oil and beef seasoning packets. Mix dressing, ramen noodles and slaw together right before serving.

Suggestion: Since this makes a lot, I just serve the dressing on the side and not mix the slaw and toppings. This way they stay crispy and not get soggy.

I am hoping to continue this every week. Wish us luck! Hope you all have a good week!

Sun & Sand HERE WE COME!!!

Cruise is booked!!

We are off to the great pink beaches just as it starts to get cold here. I haven't been to bermuda in a LONG time, actually I haven't been on a true vacation in forever! I don't think I can say as an adult that I have paid my way on a true vacation. Well that is just one more thing that I can check off my list. CAN'T WAIT!!!

almost there...

this has been a long time coming and still not complete, however, all the counter tops are installed... for now that is. (that is another story) but don't they look great!

i know that there is still work to do on the walls. We are planning on tiling the backsplash with subway tile and changing the color of the walls to a mossy green color. I did also find some great fabric to make a valance with.

i already love the way it looks. hopefuly the tiling will go much more smoothly than the countertop install. the only thing that worries me is i am doing the backsplash tiling and someone else installed the counters. YIKES.

So far here is the collage of how the progress has gone. the first 3 photos are of the actual demolition. the next 3 photos are the issues we have had and still have with the install. fixed the chip and the seam that is there is uneven and still waiting for a resolution. the last 3 are of the completed project as of today.

can't wait for it to be completed! almost there...

Memorial Day Weekend

every year i look forward to Memorial Day weekend. not only is it a time to pay tribute to those who serve our county, to many, it is also the begining of summer!

for the past 3 years that i have known my roommate, we have gone up to Long Beach Island, NJ (LBI), where she is from. it is about 18 mi long and at its widest point, .5mi wide. it is scattered with georgous houses and bungalows. it has great beaches, shopping and more than 100 restraunts. i would say that it is about 100x better that Ocean City, MD or Rehobeth Beach, DE.



this year we took advantage of the Memorial Day yard sales and i found a great table, for only $40. i plan to sand it down and restain it. similar to this one... i love the black chunky legs and the natural color top.


courtesy of Hudson Goods

it will be great and so much nicer that the table i currently have. the one i have now is so small!
there are some big changes going on here. we are currently living without countertops in our kitchen, oh, no sink or stove either. IT TOTALLY SUCKS!!!

we are eating off of paper plates with plasticware and plastic cups (feel like i am in college again) and washing whatever dishes we use in a small 1/2 bath. hopefully this week we will get a phone call to schedule an install date. it has been almost 2 weeks!

a lot of my inspiration has come from Layla over that The Lettered Cottage... I have posted about her before and i ADORE her kitchen... and basically all of her room makeovers... CAN'T wait to see her guest room makeover that is going to have it's full reveal shortly and on her blog she is giving away some of her Quote Jars... this would be so cute to put in the guest room!

To sign up for your own quote jars... visit The Lettered Cottage and follow her directions...

Good Luck... I am crossing my fingers....

You can also visit this other great blog and look at more great giveaways! I love free stuff...

LAS VEGAS!

Spring is Springing!

over the last few weeks i have noticed that the trees on my one hour drive to work have an aura about them. i love this time of year right before things start to bloom. The buds with their flowers about to break through give the tree a hue of color. around here in maryland there are so many flowering trees, i think the pear tree being the most abundant. as i took the dogs for a walk this afternoon, when the the sun started coming out i couldn't resist but to come back and get my camera. on our little walk i took photos of the trees that are just starting to bloom.

i can't wait till the weather gets a bit more warm and the rain stops! Almost Summertime! maybe i should just relax and enjoy spring.

Later!