Beachy Anniversary

Anywhere beachy is where I want to be. I love the smells, the sounds, the views. Everything about the beach and the ocean entrances me. Refreshes and rejuvenates me. Last year, our beaching was not so relaxing, as we had the kids with us and were only there for a couple of day trips. The beaches that we visited then were just not...our beach. This is our beach...

This year, we drove the twelve hours to get there. I loved every minute. For our anniversary, my Knight and I had six and a half days all to ourselves. Glorious!!! We tend to like to just look around and check things out. I love stopping at road-side stands and random shops or scenic places. We both enjoy looking at properties and real estate. I would be ecstatic to have a beach house of our own! Wouldn't you?!?! So, anyway, on the way there AND on the way back, we stopped at this little stand...

Specifically to buy some of these guys...

 They are called 'scuppernongs,' and I adore them! The are like a white muscadine, and so yummo! We also picked up some delish fresh peaches both stops (of which I made a peach crisp just this past weekend).

On this particular trip, we ate at the most phenomenal restaurant EVER! It is a little Italian hole-in-the-wall, and we will definitely be going back.

We also did a little deep-sea fishing (we brought some of that home too!)...

The ripple in the center of the picture above was actually a dolphin that kept following the boat...I just wasn't quick enough to catch her jumping and playing!

 












And of course, I spent a bit of time doing this...

On our way home, we stopped for the night in Vicksburg, Mississippi for some fun and a new experience (we'd never done this together)...

These were some of the views we had there...

Other crazy things on the way home...

Spooky school!!!

Corn field on fire. We could see the flames as we got closer.

Dust devils in the burnt up farmlands.

I so was not ready to come home. Until next time...

Bet You're Tired of This Topic...

yep: weight loss. I am rather tired of it myself. I don't know if I have just been setting unrealistic goals for myself, or am a complete dud at motivating myself to get the job done...but whatever the reason is, I suck at meeting weight loss goals. In fact, I just plain suck at weight loss in general. I have promised myself so many times and tried so many things, that I really wonder if anything will really work...and work permanently. Just like everyone else, I hate being overweight. I hate going shopping for myself and trying on cute things only to find that they won't go over my hips or shoulders. And let me tell you...I am a shopper. It is no fun to hate something you know you love so much! So with all of that negativity being said...I am at it again. This time, I am working towards being able to put my fat lady swimsuit on (without looking like sausage crammed into a casing) when Hubs and I go to Florida next month. I have no illusions of looking good at the beach; I just don't want to be mistaken for a beached whale! In order to accomplish this miracle, I am planning to do these three things.

1. Hit the gym Every.Day. from today until we leave (August 2).
2. Log daily on MyFitnessPal. I love this app!!!
3. The Body by Vi 90 Day Challenge. I started tinkering with this little program right before school ended, but haven't been home enough to really do it right. I should be home basically all of July, so it should be doable. For the next month, at least, these guys will be my best friends.

I am NOT going to post a pic of my start size...been there, done that. I did take a pic, and am hoping to put up a before and after shot the day we leave. I am hoping for 12 pounds. From reports I have seen/read about the Body by Vi program, it is totally possible. I just have to make sure that I am working while I am at the gym. I am kind of bad to just do a moderate pace and slack off when I think I will break a sweat! Sixteen pounds would even be better, but I'm not going to be greedy here! Wish me luck! 

Accountability: Day 1...gym treadmill for 60 minutes and 5 seconds, burned 240 calories, and logged 3.2 miles. No weights today. Weight = 166.4

Challenge Day 17...Highs and Lows

October 3, 2010 - October 3, 2011 was a fairly evenly keeled year. We will start with the lows...just to get them over with! I don't like to dwell on the bad days! The highs were much more plentiful and are much more fun to read about!

LOW TIMES

~hearing from my doctor that my yearly exam was abnormal and required a 'scraping' to determine what was wrong. She even used the 'C' word...
~frustrating relationships (a post for a different day)
~summer's end combined with a difficult beginning to the school year
~daughter drama
~having the flu for the first time...it was the worst sick I can ever remember being. Definitely getting a flu shot this year!!!

HIGH TIMES

~getting an 'all clear' from the doctor!

~finding the best bra ever! The Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Push-Up Bra. It.Is.Awesome. I got another.

~celebrating my one-year wedding anniversary with the love of my life!

~rediscovering my inner craftiness once again :-)

~finding a quilting class to take. I am stoked! And my mommy is taking it too!

Class supplies...it was therapeutic to buy these! :-)

~making a quilt in kindergarten!!! Oh YES we DID! And it was my first and only attempt at one...EVER!
~Florida vacation! Our first major trip as a family of 6! DISNEY!
~seeing the Yankees play...and taking Lefty to her first Yankee game...priceless.indeed.

Yes, those were real tears as she realized Derek Jeter was taking the field eighty yards away from her.

Challenge Day 13/30...Far From Home

At 33 years old, I have never lived in any town other than the one that I was born in. Chris and I have actually talked about places we would like to live after our kids are grown and on their own. I am not entirely sure that I could live anywhere that they are not...but maybe if it looked like this...






this girl...


with this guy


doing this...


and this...


and this!!!!

We will probably end our days somewhere beachy, if you couldn't tell. It is my favorite place other than where my babies are. I could definitely tolerate that. :-)