Happy Monday

HI! Remember me... A girl who needs to lose weight that used to blog every day? Yeah, I've been slacking. Blame it on the spring weather, vacation and just being busy - but blogging has taken a back seat the last couple weeks.

So let me give you an update...

We went to the beach two weeks ago, it was fantastic. My MIL has a beach house in Florida so we try to get down there as much as possible. 

My husband LOVES to fish. He got his first pompano this trip and was ecstatic.

Happiest fisherman ever.

My happy place.

The only beach selfie you'll get from me. 

My favorite shopping place, ever.

We got back from the beach and it was snowing. Thanks Mother Nature. We spent last week just getting back into the groove and unpacking. We went to visit Justin's grandparents for Easter. Where I was able to get lots of TBT pictures. How cute are his hightops?

 This week my best friend is making a visit from St. Maarten. I am saving points for Mimosas :) Weight wise, I am not doing bad. I haven't got to weigh in a week bc of Easter but I am still weighing in at home. I will do a weight loss post this week, with some pictures.
I hope ya'll are doing well!

A few years ago, I made a 101 things list to complete. I was supposed to complete it by October of 2012. I ran across the list the other day when I was doing some blog clean up. I thought it would be fun to revisit this list and see what I was able to do. I completed 31 things. Not impressive. I turn 30 this year, this August. I will complete a 30 by 30... If you did a 30 before 30, what were some of your goals?

A few years ago, I made a 101 things list to complete. I was supposed to complete it by October of 2012. I ran across the list the other day when I was doing some blog clean up. I thought it would be fun to revisit this list and see what I was able to do.  I completed 31 things. Not impressive.  I turn 30 this year, this August. I will complete a 30 by 30... If you did a 30 before 30, what were some of your goals? 

If it is striked   it means I completed after the goal

If it is  highlighted it was completed before the goal.

MY 101 THINGS

Thanks to Molly I have decided to do my own 101 Things...

The mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The criteria: The tasks must be specific (no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined.

Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (represent some amount of effort on your part).

Start Date: January 5, 2010

End Date: October 2, 2012

Family

1. Get engaged

2. Get married

3. Surprise Justin (big or small) 5 times

4. Talk to my Grandparents every week for a year

5. Send cards to a family or friend 2x’s a month ( any member, can NOT be repeats)

6. Do something outdoorsy with Justin

7. Visit my grandparents every 6 weeks or sooner

8. Take lots and lots of pictures

9. Make sure my mother knows how much she means to me

10. Do something with just my brother. (lunch, tires)

11.Visit with my parents at least every 8 weeks

Food

12. Try 5 new restaurants - our honey moon boosted that!

13. Give a waiter 50% tip

14. Pay for the family behind me in a drive-thru

15. Eat an oyster

16. Try 50 new recipes

17. Bring dinner to a friend

18. Have a fondue party

19. Eat at Paula Deans

20. Make bread from scratch

21. Eat no fast food or frozen food for one week

22. Drink 8 glasses of water daily for a month

23. Make Justin 5 dinners of his request

24. Make Justin 5 breakfasts of his request

25. Try 5 new foods (German Buffet, The Inn)

26. Try Thai food

27. Go to a restaurant and eat alone

28. Make a whole meal from a cooking show

Travel

29. Go somewhere tropical St. Maarten Dec 2013 

30. Have a girlcation

31. Spend a weekend away with Justin

32. Random weekend getaway

33. See the Reds play

34. Go to the beach

35. Go to NFL game

36. Fly somewhere

37. Go to a state I have never been

38. Plan a honeymoon

39. Go to Washington DC

40. Go camping

41. Go to a ski resort

42. Sleigh Ride

43. Go to Vegas

44. Go to Nashvegas

45. Go to 1 away football game (WVU)

46. Go on a wine tasting

Physical

47. Get my weight to my goal.

48. Run in 3 5k’s

49. Workout 3 days a week for 3 months

50. Take a Pilates course

51. Try a spin course

52. Do 3 straight months of water running

Blogger

53. Meet a new blogger friend

54. Blog every week of the new year

55. Do a craft project

56. Re-vamp my blog (made my my own header)

Personal

57. Donate my hair to Locks of Love

58. Read 10 new books

59. Get a teaching job

60. Learn to sew

61. Get rid of all unworn clothes

62. Play the lotto 5 times

63. No Facebook or Twitter for an entire weekend.

64. Go back to dark hair

65. Get my brows tinted

66. Have false eyelashes put on

67. Get a manicure weekly for a month

68. Do 5 random acts of kindness

69. Make out at a drive-inn

70. See a bear

71. See a Panda Bear

72. Go to NYC

73. Move

74. Go on a date every weekend for a month

75. Swim with dolphins

76. Be on time for work every day for a month

77. Buy Justin 3 just because presents

78. Send my two girl cousins flowers, just because

79. Go visit my friends in Huntington and Columbus.

80. Eat at a Food Network place (Diner’s Drive-inns and Dives or something like that)

81. Learn to make a killer cocktail

82. Learn to make soft cookies

83. Take Buster on a walk at least 3 times a week for 2 months straight

84. Try 5 new beers (imports)

85. Babysit so my married friends can have a night out

86. Get dressed up to have a candle dinner at home

87. Go to Cooper’s Rock

88. Ice Skate

89. Ride a horse

90. Graduate Grad School

91. See 30 new movies

92. Volunteer 50 hours of my time

93. Spend that afternoon reading in a coffee shop

94. Buy NOTHING for two weeks (besides gas)

95. Save 10% of my income

96. Join a book club

97. Wear my cowboy boots with a dress (wedding)

98. Donate 5 bags of clothes

99. Find 5 awesome things at a yard/estate/tag sale

100. Be a big sister

101. Insipre someone else to do a 101 list….

Five on Friday

1.  I am sorry! I have been such a horrible blogger this week. Work has been kicking my butt and I have been putting in a few extra hours to get everything done before we leave for the beach Tuesday evening. I have weighed in, I am down. I will do a weight recap Sunday after Weight Watchers.  I haven't been weighing in every morning this week, there's a first for everything. I have been counting points and doing well so I am hopeful that Sunday it shows.

2. I love sharing good finds with you! I am so excited to share with you an (iPhone) ap called Groovebooks. It is $2.99 a month and totally worth it!! You pick 40-100 pictures a month to be printed and bound in a Groovebook. You wait a few weeks and in the mail arrives an adorable book filled with your pictures.

  The pictures come date & time stamped at the top. It is a great way to print of the pictures. If you use code Morell38 when checking out your book will be FREE.

3. Guess what gets installed in 2 weeks (well starts getting installed)??? Our privacy fence! If you would have told  me 5 years ago I would be this excited for fence, I would have laughed. I can't wait to be able to open the doors and let the dogs just run!

whohooo!!

4. Have you tried this yet? If not, pick some up during your next shopping trip. It is yummy, low calorie and somewhat healthy!!

5. I need book recommendations. I need a good trashy beach read and am now taking suggestions. I love anything girlie, romancey and fun. I don't need serious this trip or mind numbing :) Fun, trashy and beachy...
Some of my favorites are....
   

Happy Friday!!!

5 on Friday

Welcome to another addition of 5 on Friday. I fell asleep last night at 8:30. It was amazing! I woke up at 6am this morning ready to go. Apparently I needed some rest. I feel like a million dollars today. I am a little bummed I missed Grey's but will catch up on it Saturday while Justin works :) Leave me a comment if you link up on The Good Life Blog. Happy Friday!

 1. We are leaving for the beach in 12 days. I can not wait. Sunshine, 80 degree days, nothing on the agenda but yummy food, fishing for the hubs and relaxation!

All this picture needs in my beach chair.

2. After about a ear of car shopping I finally did it. I got rid of my Jeep and got a new Pilot. So far so good! It is much smoother and much more roomy than my Jeep. Although, I really do/did love my Jeep I am excited for 3rd row, blue tooth and more space!

3.  I need help!! I am having issues trying to figure out the best space for my living room! Anyone have any advice? Any websites or techniques? It is a weirdly shaped  area and I just can't figure out how to make the most room and most seating!

4. My FIL got me an Etsy gift card for Christmas.. I can't find what I want to spend my money on. I have found lots of ideas but nothing speaks the one! What are some of your favs on Etsy right now?

5. Thanks for all of your advice on manicures! I am going next Monday to get mine. I think I have decided on this ... (The first one). I will post pictures when it is done! 

A Pin a Day...

I love Pinterest, no secret. I love scouring for the best weight loss motivation/tips/ideas/ and healthy things I can find... I also love sharing them....

Ya'll know that I try to make my water count, and these easy water ideas are amazing! 

Need some more motivation? Try these tips!

What a great idea, but I don't want my weight on display lol! 

How true is this?? 

Hangs head in shame, this is sooo me!

How true?!?!

Do you use Pinterest? Add me, I would love to see what tips you have found!

http://www.pinterest.com/cassiewvu/

Happy Wednesday

We woke up to snow, icy road conditions and below normal temperatures. I, along with a lot of other people, am praying this is our last Spring snow and sunshine is on the way soon!

I am home from work for a few hours while I wait on the washer repairman to come. Suddenly, our almost new, won't drain. I am looking forward to the washer being fixed but not the price to fix it.

Yesterday, I shared a tiny bit of what I am eating. I got a few emails asking for some recipes/examples of dinners. So I thought today would be the perfect day to share!

Below are next week's dinner plans...

I am "cooking" 3 nights next week, Justin works late 3 nights next week so I figured we'd have 2 dinners together, I'd make the 3rd meal for left overs, something for me to eat and for him when he gets off work.  (I'll eat leftovers the other nights) I also want to try to find something sweet that I love and is low points so I am going to try the peanut butter cookies.

Yummy, The Buffalo Meatloaf cups look super easy!

http://livingachangedlife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/recipe-review-buffalo-chicken-meatloaf.html

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/140526450844709488/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/39617671695356970/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/34832597090388994/

 or    http://www.weightwatchers.ca/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeid=87921

What  is on your meal plan next week?

Diet Bet Updates...

I weighed in this morning, down another 5lbs! Whoohooooooooooooooo. I was so excited to see the loss, to see the hard work pay off. I sadly didn't get to weigh in yesterday at WW, but I was excited to see the loss on my scale none the less.

To be honest, all I am doing is tracking. I am tracking every single thing that goes in my mouth. No cheats. No nibbles, no taste. It works, it works really well for me when I do it. 

My exercise habits haven't improved :( It is still snowing here. It is the winter that never ends! But I am doing well with my water intake and again tracking.

How true is this?!?!

Breakfast is usually oatmeal or some turkey bacon with hard boiled eggs (with Franks Red Hot).

My lunches are usually a fruit and some deli meat and low fat cheese roll-ups with Special K Crackers (sometimes I don't do the crackers and eat a Chobani yogurt instead), salads, soups or left overs.

Dinners - anything! I meal plan weekly :) I will have this weeks plan up on the blog soon!

Snacks - fruit, nutritional bars, hummus and veggies

I have to be down 9.1 pounds this diet bet, putting me at 265.3, that is exactly 20 pounds from when I first started Weight Watchers. To be honest, it really excites me to think I can be down 20lbs.  Losing 20lbs is one of my first big goals.

How are things going for you? Any tips?!

5 on Friday

1. It is Friday! WHOHOOOOO . It has been a crazy week. I was thankful when this little goody showed up at work today. (don't judge, I ship all my stuff to my office). It is soooo soft and long. I love it. Very cute with a denim shirt and maxi skirt. I absolutely love Lila Rose. They have the best quality and everything is priced well.

I got the coral one - far right

2. I joined Skinny Meg's newest diet bet. I haven't checked the scale this week. I am waiting till Sunday. I am hopeful! I have done pretty well with everything this week. But, AF is supposed to show this weekend and that always throws my weight for a loop :( But I am trying not to think of her. Again, thank you for your support :)

3. Mani and Pedis -- We leave for the beach in a little over 2 weeks. YEAH! I am going to attempt to get a really cute mani before hand (ha, get it? before hand?..feel free to roll your eyes) - I really would like something like this...But I am wondering if they can do it on my real nails? Or do I need to get fake nails? Thoughts

   

4. Do you have a face wash you love? Something that makes your face feel fantastic? If so let me know, I am in the market for something new! Leave me a link letting me know what you like and why!I am debating this one, any thoughts?

5. And lastly, it is a day late - but a little story and video to make you happy. Does anyone else love Pharrell?

Gold at the end of my rainbow...

So it has been  two days since my dreaded weigh in. And I am happy to report I have done a lot better the last two days. Everyone always talks about the moment their life changed, the moment they hit rock bottom with their weight and things changed.

I thought I was there, apparently I wasn't. Sunday, weigh in day, it has to be the lowest. I can't imagine feeling any lower than I did weighing in. It isn't going to be an easy smooth ride, but it is a ride that is worth it!

Skinny Meg is starting a new Diet Bet. I am excited to join! Again, public accountability works for me. Plus I made $15 the last time - not bad for getting healthier!

Thank you for the support, your emails, comments and feedback really does help. It also helps knowing that I am not alone!

Happy Tuesday!

The post I never wanted to write...

I weighed in on Sunday. I had another gain. I am pretty sure I have never felt worse about my weight than I did yesterday. After the weigh in clerk recorded my weight, I bit my lip and held back my tears as  I made my way to my seat. I wanted to run away from the meeting. Go sit in my car and cry. But, I didn't. I texted Justin and my friend that is helping me trying to help me stay on track.  I continued to bite my lip while my leader discussed exercise. I felt like a huge failure and like I didn't deserve to be there.

I know what I am doing wrong. I am not following the plan. I am not counting points. I am not keeping myself accountable. I am having food from work. I am not exercising. I am not making good choices when we eat out. I know what to do right. I know I have to count points, be honest with myself, only eat food I know what is in it, MOVE/exercise and most importantly, when we eat out - don't throw all my hard work out the window. But why is it so damn hard? It is like having an open book test but not using your books? Why do I make this so complicated? Why?!?!

For some reason I keep slipping. I keep making bad food choices. I am not ready to give up or go back to eating whatever I want all the time. I am not ready to stop trying to get healthy. I so badly want to start a family of our own. I have no idea why losing weight is so hard when I have a goal of a family.
Now, don't worry. I am going to give this week my all.  I am going to go back to tracking everything and drinking my water. I am going to go back to putting 100% into this. But I wish it was easier. I wish there was a magic button to push or a magic pill to take and the weight would be gone instantly. Don't we all?

Tell me, have you experienced these kind of highs and lows on your journey? How'd you overcome them?

Here is to a new week.

5 on Friday

1. Do you watch How I Met Your Mother? Have you seen the spoiler thing going around Facebook? If that's true, I will be soooooo disappointed. This show has put me through enough of a roller coaster of emotions.  Only 4 more episodes! I feel like this show is a part of my life, these characters, the relationships... I know, I know I have a problem. I was this way with The Office too.

2.Have you ever heard of Oil Pulling? I haven't, but I am intrigued. If you have done this, have you had any benefits? Any concerns? I am going to order some coconut oil for some other uses and thought I may try it.
                                               

3. Last week the Hubs and I went to see Old Crow and The Avett Brothers. I love string music, fiddles, and harmonicas. I also love these two bands. But I love Country Roads more than all the above, so when both bands came out to end the show singing WV's favorite song... well my heart was happy.

4. The stomach bug hit our house last weekend, of course it did. My BFF from high school came to celebrate her 30th birthday and I couldn't get out of bed. I am still not feeling 100%. I am ready for spring. For cold and flu season to be done. For kiddos to get outside and not keep all the germs indoors. Spring is almost here. We were actually under a county wide state emergency last Sunday b/c of the snow.

5. Does anyone here watch Private Lives of Nashville Wives?  I grew up with one of the girls on the show and it is kind of neat to watch her now! Cassie was always one of the sweetest girls. It is more of a family housewives show, not so catty. If you haven't been watching, you really should. If you are watching, what do you think??
                           

Saving Money

Justin and I are both trying to be more frugal. We both have taken an interest in Dave Ramsey and have started changing some of our habits to be better spenders and smarter with our money. No one likes to talk about money, me included. But I do like to tell you and talk about ways to save money. Or make money.

I am by no means an expert on any of these things. And I don't know if they are the best choice, but they are are easy, simple and work for us!

Ebates. 

If you don't use this website you are missing out! It is FREE, it gives you cash back on stuff you buy online. Any you do nothing else but shop. I made a nice little extra earnings during Christmas time last year. Enough to pay for a few Christmas gifts :) You typically get anywhere from 1-5% back in CASH for every dollar you spend. Most websites participate with Ebates. Kohls, Amazon (departments change all the time), Walmart... It is the most easy process. It is literally paying you to shop!! If you aren't using it and want to start, use this link, please!
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=IVgCXl6HG3Lc%2B%2Bju%2B3oKdQ%3D%3D


Swag Bucks

Swag bucks is one of the easiest ways to earn gift cards to your favorite shopping site. I love the 5$ Amazon GC for 450 Swag bucks. I can usually earn 3-6 a month minimum. Save those up for Christmas, presents, on just to feed your Amazon addiction and it is a win win situation lol :)

Swag bucks pays you to use their search engine or participate in their special offers. I usually find one or two special offers I was going to use anyways and get paid to do it. Like booking out Hotel for our February getaway - I used the Hotels.com offer on their site and got paid 10% back to do it! Not bad! The concept is Search, Earn, Redeem - no extra expense to you and you get awesome free gift cards for searching the web!

If you haven't signed up - here is a link swagbucks.com/refer/CassieM2012

Viggle



Viggle is the one I probably use the least, but it also the easiest! You download the ap, and use your phone to check in when you watch tv. You earn points for every minute of every show you watch. Rewards are gift cards, merchandise, special offers... I haven't redeemed my points yet for Viggle so don't have a lot to offer but, I use it when I remember and have around 50,000 points since November.  My username is CCMWVU



Now again, I am not a expert. Just a trying to be frugal newlywed :) What money/budget system do you use? Do you have any tips? Anything you use to make extra money?