Friday's Music of the Week

So, this week I have been listening to Emphatic. Love them! This is my favorite song.

They have a lot of great songs. Enjoy!

Tattoo Etsy Treasury

I haven't done one of these in a while but its fun and you never know what you can find on etsy. I have had an itch for a new tattoo or piercing for a while now so I am attempting to control the beast that is the itch with this treasury list. Silly I know but until I can go get one, this will have to do. Enjoy.

'Tattoos' by lesliemarquezdesigns

I love Tattoos. I would be covered in them if I could! But until I win the lottery, I will make do with Tattoo inspired things.

Barber For Life Tattoo Art P... ParlorTattooPr... $30	Tattoo Art Tattoo Parlor Sid... DexMex $30	Old School Tattoo Moon Art L... illustratedink $10
A4 deer tattoo print PixiesParlour $5	Retro Tattoo Cuff Bracelet BuffaloGoods $14	Tattoo Choker Vintage Stretc... BeadsndBobs $0.5
1 Pair of Temporary Tattoo M... cclstore $4	Tattoo sleeve Onesie Newborn... oohlalajanie $20	Divergent Inspired Four Tatt... Geekalacarte $15
Grassy Meadow Tattoo Tights ... kellyatlarge $28	Wall Decal Skull Crossbones ... WallStarGraphi... $175	1950's Vintage Pinup Gir... circlewallart $13.99
koi fish vinyl wall decal, t... beepart $48	Audrey Hepburn tattooing Mar... TheVintageHamm... $35	El Corazon Tarot Playing Car... PigAndGin $8
Vintage Tattoos Lampshade La... SpookyShades $47.9

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Lets do this!

OK, so it helps to have a goal when on a fitness journey. My Dad brought up a 5k run that is done in the woodlands, Run through the woods, around Thanksgiving. I have never done a 5k run in my life. 5k walk, sure, been there done that but never a run. I want to do this. In my fatter days, I used to say that I don't run unless I was being chased or the zombie apocalypse has hit. It was my joke to cover up my inability to actually do it. I tend to joke to cover up or make excuses for things.

While this is completely true, it's still an excuse!

So, I have started a workout program called Couch 2 5k.  I will admit that I have started this before but I barely completed a few days much less completed the program. So, I am determined to complete it. I started this morning with it. I did better than I could ever imagined. I think the fact that I have switched to vapor cigarettes has helped with the breathing and I used to get really out of breath before and I have slight asthma to begin with so it's no wonder I would give up, not to mention that I was not in the right frame of mind to push myself in that respect. So, the breathing, this time, was not an issue and I completed the first day with little to no problems! Yay! Now, the run itself was no problem. The aftermath, holy hell. I am so sore. I have sore muscles where I didn't know I had muscles. My abs, butt and legs scream every time I stand up. I make the old person noise every time, too! 

But I will keep going. I am on a positive changes kick. I will not let anything hold me back anymore. In that same aspect, I am going to finish what I started, even if its a little late, and complete the Thankful Challenge.

Today I am thankful for:

1. Positive Changes - I have to keep this in mind and change myself in a positive way little by little. Be it physically, mentally, emotionally, or otherwise. I will continue to strive for a positive change everyday.

2. Sore Muscles - They remind me that I am doing the right thing for my body and remind me that I am alive! 

3. My best friend - Who supports me even when I don't deserve it and you know who you are. 

I now challenge 3 people to do this challenge. I will tag you in my Facebook post so you know who you are. And I hope you are a bit more diligent in doing it than I was. 

The Thankful Challenge Day 5

Day 5

So, I missed a day, sue me!

I am thankful for:

1.  Energy Drinks. How do you think I keep up with four kids? No one has that much natural energy. If you do, you might want to see a doctor. 
2. Flip Flops - Because putting on actual shoes is sometimes a pain in the butt. 
3. Text Messaging - I am thankful for text messaging because for one, I sound like I have turrets syndrome when I am talking on the phone. With four kids, it is never easy to have a conversation on the phone when your always talking to a little person or yelling at someone. Two, I am not always good with the spoken word, I would much rather say what I need to in writing.  

Ok, I am going to work out now! Later! 

The Thankful Challenge Day 5

Day 5

I am thankful for...

1. My best friends. I had a great outing last night with friends, many of which I hadn't seen in a while. I am truly thankful to have the kind of friends that time and space do not affect how were are around each other. We laugh and joke and talk like no time has past. We still finish each others sentences and jokes and only we would get the weirdness of the jokes too. Love you guys!
2. My e-cig. I am trying to quit smoking. I will admit I have lapses, especially when out at a bar! But I will quit, for my health, for my kids and for myself.
3. Bedtime rituals. With my kids every night we read a story, say prayers and have kisses before bed. It is a quiet way to end the day and get ready for the much needed night of sleep. It also means I will get some peace and quiet soon after. YAY! 

The Thankful Challenge Day 4

Day 4

1. Biscuit in a can - or cinnamon rolls, or crescent rolls in a can. I am thankful for anything that makes my life easier in the morning.  I DO NOT function well in the morning. We joke that we are vampires and that we can't take the light. I kid you not, we do not turn turn on lights, we barely speak to each other. 
2. Coffee - like I said we do not function well in the morning. Give me coffee or give me death. Must have caffeine. 
3. My cell phone - How do we all stay connected to family and friends without them. I can actually remember a time when we didn't have cell phones. Hell, I remember when I had a pager, not that I always answered the page (sorry Dad) but I remember how hard it used to be to keep track of everyone.
   

The Thankful Challenge Day 3 and Music of the Week

Day 3

1. My past - I am thankful for my past because without it how do we grow, how do we learn and how to move on to our future. 

2. Music - Music has always had the power to lift up or make me contemplate. I listen to music when I am happy or sad. It is the blanket that keeps me warm and the ice that wakes me up. 

3. Art - It allows me to express myself in ways I can't in words. It allows me to say what I can't. 

For music of the week, I chose Icon for hire. They are a band I found through Pandora. They remind me of Paramore before they became poppy.  The words speak to me and pick me up at the same time. I love them

I want her hair, and to be a rock star but that's a story for another time.

The Thankful Challenge Day 2

Day 2

1,  My Dad - He has been another huge help in this very interesting time in my life. He has always been there with knowledge and wisdom and good advice. Love ya Dad.

2. My Siblings - My Brother and Sister are the best. We haven't always got along, we are siblings of course, but there is no doubt we all love each other, help each other and are there for each other no matter what distance lies between us. We are one big, LOUD, crazy family and I wouldn't have it any other way! Love you guys!

3. My Car - which is another shout out to my Mom and Dad. I am thankful to have a nice, semi-new, clean, great on gas mileage car. I love my little mint colored Ford Focus. I will work hard to keep it clean (I do have four kids, so, this is a major battle), nice and running properly, I love my car!!! 

I really like this challenge. It is so easy to forget how much we really have to be grateful and thankful for. I encourage anyone reading this that if you haven't been challenged, don't wait, it really makes you think. It also gives me something positive to focus on. I have good days and bad just like anyone else, but those that know me know I have bad days that just suck, and this allows me to stop and think about what I really love and appreciate. Thanks go to my friend for the challenging. You are next on my list!

Oh, and FYI, I love the Biggest Loser Boot Camp DVD, but man, the second day hurt. I woke up this morning with my leg muscles screaming at me!

Ok, I might be exaggerating a bit with the picture above, but I am ao sore.  However, I still got up and did the workout. I am more sore now, but I know the results will be worth it, more energy, healthier, looking good, and a clearer head! 

  

Best workout video ever!

The Thankful Challenge Day 1

So, I woke up this morning to this challenge from a very good friend of mine, you know who you are!

So, I thought why not share this on my blog. So here are my three things I am thankful for.

1. My kids

They may drive me a bit crazy but there are times when I appreciate the craziness. They are uniquely their own people and I wouldn't want them any other way.

2. My Mom

There have been huge changes in my life lately that I wouldn't have made it through without her. I love you Mom.

3. Having an in house washer and dryer.

Its the little thing, but my last place didn't have hook ups for a washer and dryer. I have 4 kids!! They dirty a lot of clothing, towels, etc! I swear I want to kiss the washer and dryer all the time. Even when its on the fritz I am still thankful for it.

So, In keeping with my exercise journey. I tried to get up this morning for my early, early morning walk. I will be honest, I failed miserably. I couldn't get up, too tired. So, I got up an hour later, got the kids up, got them to school, determined to exercise when I got home using the Biggest Loser Boot Camp DVD. I have used it for years, cause its a great work out you can do right in your own home. It's not just a basic work out dvd either, (I sound like an infomercial) it is a complete workout plan. You do the warm up, first set and cool down for the first week then add work outs as you go. LOVE IT.

Click above to buy it from amazon, you won't be sorry. 

See, sweaty, red and happy!!

I logged into Endomondo just to have a record of it. See...

Woah!

Wow,

I remember  back when I was serious into the blogging crafting thing and I looked at the overview on blogger to see how many people had looked at my blog all the time, practically drooling to see that number. One blog post and I had 152 views since the first post! Yay! Silly I know but hey, I get my thrills where I can lately. ha ha!

So, I found some inspiration today and made some more collage art. I haven't started my new job yet, so until then I am using as much of my time making and blogging.  Oh and spending time with this little booger!

She is dying to go to school like her other siblings. Poor thing doesn't know how much mommy wants the same thing!! 

Any way, So today I made these. I am still finding my voice or personal style when it comes to collage art but I have fun with it even if they turn out to be crap. 

I don't even know if these are any good. Please comment below and let me know what you think, even if you don't like it or think something has too much. I am open to criticism. 

Do your worst people! (or your best, I will gladly accept compliments too!!!)

Oh, and FYI, 

I got up early yesterday morning and walked. I have proof!

So, I did it, but it nearly killed me. I was so tired, I fell asleep in the couch with the above mentioned booger. I am not used to getting up or something, cause drool on my shirt midday is not attractive. HA HA HA! but I started the process and that's all that matters, right? Humor me people!

Here goes Nothing!!

So I haven't been blogging for a while now. Over a year to be more precise. Sooooo much has happened. Some of which I won't go into great detail about but some I will because I have things to be proud of. For starters, I have lost 70 pounds and kept it off for over a year. I still have some to lose but I will be using my blog to keep myself more accountable and get over this plateau. Below is a picture of the tremendous change I have gone through, a before and after picture if you will.

Still want to loose another 20 or 30 pounds but I have kind of been stuck. I am going to hit the diet and exercise thing again to keep going and post what and when I exercise. Thankfully Endomondo has a way to embed data directly on my blog. Thank you Endomondo. If you don't have the app, get it. I love it. It tracks everything. Wish I had the paid version. For those Family and Friends that are reading this, I want the full version of the app for Christmas! Although, I am hopeful that I will just be maintaining again by then. Wishful thinking, I know.  This is what the widget looks like. 

 I have also been doing a lot of collage art lately. Which is very cathartic for me. I made these recently. 

I have decided to get back into crafting as a second job. Right now, everything is helpful. I will be starting my etsy shop back up as well. 

I am also starting a new job at Jersey Village High School! Go Falcons! I worked there years ago when I was pregnant with my second child and had to give it up due to doctor prescribed bed rest. 

I look forward to starting the new job, getting healthy and making beautiful art and crafts I can be proud of.