A-Z and work work work

Well I am finally off my 5 doubles in a row.  I was exhausted yesterday after work.. clocked out with 43.65 hours.  Good thing I gave away my Christmas Eve shift, otherwise I would have been at lease 50 hours!  I know a lot of you probably work 50 hours plus. But serving tables for 50 hours a week sucks ass and is exhausting.   Tonight is New Years Eve and I close the bar.  Luckily it's a bar in a restaurant that closes at 11pm so I can still have the chance to see Nate at midnight just in time for the kiss!

I have been seeing a new trend on blogs I read and am totally jumping on board!  Here is my A-Z!

A. Age: 28

B. Bed size: King, it's amazing!  We still want to upgrade to a Temperpedic (sp?) California King... we both are big and need our space :)

C. Chore you hate: Cleaning the bathroom.  Living with 2 boys and only 1 bathroom in the house sucks.  I leave that to Nate. 

D. Dogs:  2, a 3 year old cockapoo named Sadie, and a 4 month old Doberman named Panzer

 

E. Essential start to your day: I always check facebook and blogs as soon as I wake up to help me wake up for the day

F. Favorite color: dark purple

G. Gold or Silver: White gold

H. Height: 5'7 (and 3/4ths)

 

I. Instruments you play: I played piano from 1st to 12th grade.  still dabble a bit

 

J. Job Title: Depending on the day I am either a manager, bartender or server, but I tell everyone I am a manager

K. Kids: 8 year old step son Nate Jr.

L. Live: Mankato, MN

M. Married: 11-11-11

N. Nicknames: It used to be Mezzy, Mezzacorona, Mez... but that was because of my maiden name.  Now I don't have any nicknames.

O. Overnight hospital stays: None

P. Pet peeve: Waiting for someone when they said they were going to be ready at a certain time. 

Q. Quote: "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

R. Righty or Lefty: Righty.

S. Siblings: older sister, Beth

T. Time you wake up:  it's different every day.  My schedule changes daily. 

U. University attended: University of MN - Duluth, University of Birmingham England (studied abroad a year), Minnesota State University - Mankato, and now Rasmussen college.  I have a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Family Consumer Science Education, but I am going back to school for nursing.

V. Vegetables you dislike: Mushrooms

 

W. What makes you run late: my husband.

 

X. X-rays you've had: my wrist and my teeth

Y. Yummy food: Apple Pecan Salad with Chicken (I get it almost every time I work)

 

Z. Zoo animal favorite: The otters are always really cute!

 

I was going to post more, but my husband needs the computer to work... so on that note.. Happy New Year!  Everyone be safe!

 

The Post-Christmas blah's

  I am seeing a trend while reading blogs... everyone is in a blah state.  I am also.  I need to put my house back together, put away gifts, do laundry, dishes, etc. I will, just not right now :)

Weighing myself this morning and I weigh 220.0.  Not as bad as I thought.  Just gained a couple pounds which is standard over the holiday.  We had an excellent Christmas Eve dinner.  My sister is an amazing cook!  She made ham, au graten potatoes, and garlic green beans.  I had seconds.  Then my mom made a chocolate chip pie.  I shouldn't have had a slice, but I did anyway.  Christmas day we had an assortment of good food.  We hosted Christmas at our house and everyone brought a dish to share.  I had some spinach dip, pasta salad, bruschetta, bbq meatballs and weiners, and artichoke pizza.  There was nothing on the menu that was good for you, so I just (tried) to stick to small portions.

Our Christmas Eve dinner table

Christmas Eve is our tradition for opening the presents from family members, then Santa comes Christmas day to fill our stocking and deliver one more gift.

Here is our truck going to my parents house filled with presents.

Once we were done with dinner and gifts my family and I played the game Quelf.  This game is hilarious! 

 

 It is definitely more fun with alcohol.  There it's like the drinking game categories, where there can be rules, stunts, or different categories you have to name.  It is best to go into this game with an open mind and don't hold back.  Everyone will have to do something embarrassing, so it will be more fun to just go with the flow and do what the card says.  I had to recite Shakespeare on my knees, and talk with my belly button!  It is guarenteed laughter!

 

We also had 4 dogs at my parents house.  My mom, sister and I all have cockapoos and then we also have our doberman.  Needless to say it was pretty chaotic at times. 

 

 

My Sadie wearing a doggie hoodie. :)

 

 

My sister getting the dogs to sit... looks like Sadie and Gracie got it down, Panzer is still learning :)  (Gracie is to the left of my sister, behind the table... you can only see her head and foot)

 

I promise I will get back into trying to eat healthy and exercise soon.  I work the next 12 days in a row... starting with 5 doubles.  I will be busy for the next 2 weeks, but we will see what happens.  Weigh-In Wednesdays will also come back!  For now, might go to bed soon.. another 10 hour shift tomorrow bartending :)





Posting a Doberman's Ears

We got our Doberman about 2 months ago, and around 6 weeks ago we got his ear's cropped.  We took the bandages off today and they are standing up pretty good!

The first night we got him, so little! 

Picture of his floppy ears on Halloween (he was a pirate!)

First bandage from the Vet

We glued his ears to a foam block for a little while so his scabs would heal on the sides of his ears

Then they were posted with foam tubing and tape

Looking good Panzer!

Now he looks like a real doberman! He now just needs to grow into those paws!

 



They should stay standing when he is alert from now on.  If they don't we will continue to post them.  We also gave him calcium pills to help with the development of cartilage.  Right now he is about 26 lbs.  His dad was 138 lbs.  We are hoping he will get to be around 100lbs.  We will see!

Holiday Link Up!

What's your favorite holiday movie?
I just watched Home Alone the other day for the first time in years... it is still hilarious!  I always watch the Sound of Music around the holidays as well. 

Do you have any special traditions?
Go to my parent's house on Christmas Eve and have a nice dinner, go to church, and then open presents.  Wake up the next day to see what Santa brought... yes he still comes even though my sister and I are 28 and 30... :)

What's your favorite ornament or decoration?
I made a wreath last year out of ornaments (thank you pinterest).  I still love it!

Best gift you've ever received?
My husband gave me a car starter 2 years ago.  It's amazing! So nice to go into a nice warm car when getting off work at midnight!

Worst gift you've ever received?
Not sure about this one... everyone usually sticks to the list!

Favorite winter accessory?
Scarfs!

Real tree or fake?
Fake

When and how did you find out that Santa was not real?
I think I always had a hunch that it was my parents putting the presents out from Santa.  I definitely snooped one year and found all the stocking stuffers (sorry mom!)

Wednesday Weigh In!... or not so much...

What a week!  I got sick last Thursday with the start of a long, achy, sniffling cold.  I am still sick.  Longest. cold. ever.  I don't see it letting up any time soon.  I am also on my period.  I know TMI.  But sorry, it's nature.  This means I can't get enough chocolate!  Even through my feeling like shit, I have made chocolate covered Oreo balls, chocolate coconut clusters, and chocolate chip cookies... oh boy.  Reason 1 why I will not be weighing in today. 

I think I am going to wait until after Christmas to get back into the grove of working out and weighing in.  I know I should just stick through it, but  I am sick and I don't feel like it. 

This weekend was pretty eventful.  We had Nate's work Christmas party on Saturday night and we hosted a Christmas party with his immediate family and my immediate family on Sunday afternoon.  That means Saturday we spent the day cleaning out house.  I love those days!  Sunday was fun, people started arriving around 2pm.  We made pasta, garlic bread, Caesar salad, and had bruschetta and chips and salsa for appetizers.  We also had 4 dogs running around!  My mom, my sister and I all have cockapoos.  So we had Gracie, Bella, and my two Sadie and doberman puppy Panzer.  Good thing my mom bought some bones to chew on, because that at least kept my two occupied (the two rowdiest ones!)  She just informed me that she bought enough to occupy them over Christmas day also :) what a good mom!  I have pics of this day on a different camera, but I don't know where the thing to put the SD card in to go into the computer is. So, those will have to wait. 

Monday and yesterday I was still pretty sick. Did not want to do anything.  I had to close the restaurant last night, so I didn't get home until about midnight.  

Today I have been trying to organize my life by paying bills, doing some laundry, and organizing cupboards and drawers.  I have now organized the spice/baking cupboard and have an official drawer for all the extra party paper plates, cups, and plastic silverware... I don't know what we are going to do with them all, we have a ton of them!  And I finally have a drawer that is for towels and oven mitts.  (I know, this is what it's like being an adult, I am excited about organized drawers!!)  Now I just have to organize the 4 other junk drawers we have in the kitchen.  (if it was up to me I would just take the whole drawer out and empty it into the trash... but Nate wouldn't be too happy with me...)

I am hoping on Friday (my day off) to organize our bedroom and put all the laundry away. (yikes) I want to get this house pretty organized before my two weeks of working with only 1 day off (Christmas).  Yep, that's what I get when I ask the scheduling manager to schedule me as much as he wants.  I work Christmas eve day, and then the day after Christmas for the next 12 days straight.  Awesome. 

This post was kind of boring.. I will try to make the next one more interesting with pictures :)

Wednesday Weigh In!

This week I have been a slacker.  I have no excuse for it, I have been sleeping in and not working out.  My diet has been okay.  I have been conscious about what I have been putting in my mouth.  This includes all the m&m's, pop, and pizza... ugh.  I will say that it is final's week and a week before my period (TMI?) which means I am stressed and need chocolate every second of my life. 

On that note here are the stats.

                                       Last Week                 Total
Weight:      218.6 lbs.     -1.4 lbs.                 -2.2 lbs.
Waist:        35 in.            -2 in.                      -3 in.
Stomach:   46 in.              0 in.                      -2 in.
Hips:          50 in.              0 in                      -1 in.
Thigh:        25 in.          -1.5 in.                    - 2 in.
Arm:          15 in.             0 in.                     0                                
Calf:           16 in.           -.5 in.                     -1 in.
Total:                          4 inches lost         9 inches lost                                 

Well that isn't too shabby!  I am noticing that I lose inches fast in my waist, but not in my arms.  I should pay special attention to my arms.  I have to admit, I have been weighing myself every day, and with my busy weekend schedule of usually working 30 hours in 3 days on my feet, Saturday is the day I weigh the least.. I was at 216.8.  Maybe I should do a weigh in Saturday? just kidding.  I will keep to the Wednesday's because then I know it's true. :) 

Now I have to take a Medical Terminology Final I have been putting off... wish me luck!!!

Sunday night randomness

If you work in the restaurant industry you know that your work week is usually over the weekends.  I have been working weekends for almost 12 years now.  I don't mind it, I am just glad right now I actually have Sunday's off so I can do my homework. 

Thursday, Friday and Saturday I put in about 10 hours each day serving tables and/or bar tending.  I went to the gym Thursday morning doing a body reform class.  I had every intention on going to the gym Friday morning and Saturday morning, but I am always so exhausted.  Working 10 hours on your feet is SO tiring.  I have worn a pedometer while at work and it averages out around 10,000 steps per day. Breaks are only if there are no customers that I have to wait on.  I think on Friday it took me an hour to eat my lunch because we always had customers, and Saturday my lunch got thrown away because it had been that long since I touched it. :(  I know it will be the same when I am a nurse.  At least I am used to being on my feet all day!! I couldn't imagine a desk job.

My diet has been okay this weekend. Lunch's consist of salads and sweet potato's.  Once my shift is done I am usually starving, my husband almost always has pizza on weekends. ugh. and he ordered half a pizza with my favorite topping (pineapple) which he won't touch.  I would feel bad if I didn't have a slice... I know that losing weight is going to be super hard when you live with someone who likes junk food.  I will have to keep healthier options in the house and try not to give in to the bad stuff that smells so good... and tell him not to order pizza with my toppings on it. 

Today I went to the dog park with my pups.  It was SOO SNOWY! I was a little nervous driving there, but I was meeting friends, so I couldn't turn around.  The pups had fun! They like chasing each other and chasing after balls. It was a good way to wear them out also so I could focus on homework later.

This week is finals week! YAY!!! I have A's in all my classes and hope to maintain those this week.  I would have to do some major damage not to keep them, but there is always a worry that I will screw something up.  I have never gotten straight A's in high school or college.  Now that I am back in college, I am really applying myself and this will be the second quarter of straight A's.  I am pretty proud of this. 

Tomorrow I am planning on going to step class at 8:30 in the morning and then take a final in Anatomy and Physiology. By Friday I will be done for the quarter and have 3 weeks off!! Can't wait to not worry about school for a little while. 

I was trying to upload pics from my phone, but it's being difficult, so those will have to wait.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Down a notch!

Went to another class today at the Y.  This one was called Body Reform.  I was (again) intimidated because the description is " an intense, interval-based class that combines bursts of cardio and strength training to improve endurance and build muscle " intense was the word that scared me.  I sucked it up, dragged a friend with me and we went to class.  This one was hard, but good.  I was dripping with sweat within the first 10 minutes, but that's good right? 

I will say that I avoided fitness classes for years for fear of being the fat kid in class and not being able to keep up.  I have to say that I am glad I went yesterday and today, and I will continue to go.  There are people all ages and sizes.  I might be slower now, but that is because I have 70lbs of extra weight that I am carrying around.  If any skinny person wears an extra 70lbs of weight on themselves, they would be slower too.  I have to keep telling myself that.

Oh, and I am down a belt notch!! wahoo!!! hopefully soon I will out of the 18's and into the 16's. :)

Wednesday Weigh-In!

I decided to do weigh-in's on Wednesdays.  Not only because I will have a catchy name for my post, but it for now it's my day off during the week so I have more time.  This might change with my school schedule changing come January 7th. 

Today I weighed in at 220.0.  I lost .8 lbs this week.  Kind of disappointing.  Although my measurements put me in a better mood!

Waist:      37 in.        down 1 inch from last week!
Stomach: 46 in.        down 2 inches from last week!!
Hips:       50 in.         down 1 inch from last week!
Thigh:     26.5 in.      down .5 inches from last week!
Arms:      15 in.         stayed the same
Calf:        16.5 in.      down .5 inches from last week!

That is a total of 5 inches lost in one week... not too shabby!!!

Today Nate and I went to the gym after dropping Jr. off at school.  I knew my friend from work was going to a step class the same time I would be there, but I was hesitant to go considering I can hardly get through a Jillian workout.  I wasn't going to go, I was just going to do the treadmill and maybe elliptical.  Then she texted me.  So I sucked it up and went.  It was awful awesome.  I struggled though it.  There were all shapes and sizes in the class which made me feel more comfortable.  Even two older men in the class.  Those two men had so much enthusiasm! They were doing the counts with the instructor and shouting encouraging comments out while we I was struggling. 

Then one of the guys came up to me after the step workout and asked if it was my first time... (how could you tell?)  Apparently I was stepping on the step wrong.. oops my bad.. leave it to the fat newbie.  

I am glad I sucked it up and went.  It was a great work out and I will definitely go back.  Since I didn't want to creep anyone out by taking a picture of people, I waiting until nobody was in the room after class to snap a pic.

After the workout I went to meet up with Nate in the weight room and told him I was going to run on the treadmill for 30 minutes.  Well that didn't last long.  My workout pants were falling down when I ran.  Good thing and bad thing at the same time. Looks like I need to go shopping for smaller pants!!

This coming week I need to lay off the Christmas goodies... worst time of the year to start changing my habits. I believe that was the reason I didn't show much loss on the scale this week. 

Until next time!

please wear deodorant

Made it to the gym today.  Did couch to 5k, and it was painful.  I don't know why I was struggling with it so much.  Here's to hoping the next workout will be more successful, which won't be until Wednesday :(

 After I struggled though the running workout I went on the elliptical. Not two minutes later there was a horrible stench.. someone forgot their deodorant today and they decided to hop on the machine next to me. Oh man it was awful.  First, of course I checked to make sure it wasn't me.. it wasn't, I smelled "shower fresh" and it was wonderful.  Too bad I couldn't continue on the elliptical with my nose in my armpit to get rid of the odor that was to the right of me.  I contemplated getting off the machine and onto another one, but I thought that would be too obvious.  Then I see that she is getting off the machine (thank the lord!).. only to get on the machine to the left of me... ugh. Now the stench has traveled and I am in a bubble of this women's (yes it was a woman!) body odor.  So now it is time to get off, because I am gagging.

Nate was working out in the weight room and still had a half hour left, so I decided since it was so nice out to walk home.  (We live less than a mile from the Y).  I would have stayed and done another machine, but I needed to get home anyway to shower because I had to get to class.

In other news, the flu has made it to our house :( Jr. got sick tonight.  I will be staying home with him tomorrow (which is why I can't make it to the gym until wed.)  Hope my flu shot I got this year will save me from flu season.

Finally, saw this on facebook and have to share it. 

Awesome moments in history -- In 1967, Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to run the Boston marathon. After realizing that a woman was running, race organizer Jock Semple went after Switzer shouting, “Get the hell out of my race and give me those numbers.” However, Switzer’s boyfriend and other male runners provided a protective shield during the entire marathon.The photographs taken of the incident made world headlines, and Kathrine later won the NYC marathon with a time of 3:07:29. [Wiki] / ~ In appreciation of all you strong women and all your supportive partners out there!

 

 

Now get out there and run!