The dead tree stands....thankfully!!

First...let me start by thanking everyone for all of their sweet comments and prayers....they worked!!!  Not only is my neighbor's dead tree still standing but we managed to get through the storm and keep power the WHOLE time....whoa, I never in my wildest dreams thought that was a possibility.  We were VERY fortunate in that we really have nothing to show for a Category 1 hurricane barreling through our area...a few very small branches in our yard and some pine straw.  We have no idea how or why we got so lucky but are SO thankful we did as we know millions up and down the east coast did not fare as well.  My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those whose lives have been affected by this horrible storm.  I can only hope that recovery from this storm will be swift and painless.

My blogging will continue to be sporadic as we decided to head out to Charleston for a shortened vacation with the fam - I hesitate to blog about that because I'm a worrier...BUT don't even think about touching my house....a large burly man and his little friend are watching it.  OOHH...and 90% of my neighbors are retired so we've got neighborhood watch like whoa.

J

I think we've battened our hatches

As I sit here writing this post I can't help but lament on the fact that we should packing our car for a one week vacation in Charleston...instead, the proverbial "waiting game" has begun for Hurricane Irene.  Things are looking better this evening than they were yesterday with the storm showing some signs of weakening but we are still being warned that this will be a very bad storm with widespread damage to property, flooding, and prolonged power loss (defined by our local news as 4+ days).  The hubs and I have spent the last 3 days ensuring we have the proper supplies and done everything we can to secure our property.  We've stowed away all of our outdoor furniture, bought tons of water, purchased a generator for a small fee (ouch! those things are pricey), organized our fridge and devised a meal plan for no power, filled every tank we own with gas, bought plenty of charcoal for grilling, taken pictures and video taped a tour of our house for insurance purposes, and screwed any loose doors shut (screen door on back porch and shed doors).  I'm exhausted from not only all of this hurricane preparedness that has consumed us but also from a crazy, long, and stressful week at work.  My largest concern right now is the 100 ft. pine trees that line our property line but belong to my neighbor so I can't touch them....yet, they could slice my house in half if any go down.  And just as fate would have it...one of those suckers is dead...like all of the needles are brown and bark is starting to rot off...which as a responsible homeowner would generally mean you would have the tree taken down.  Nope...not my neighbor...he has brand new windows and a new roof on his house...but the dead tree stands.  At this hour...that is what is scaring me the most.  We do not live in any form of flood plain and are actually located on some of the highest land in Virginia Beach (see....there are perks to not living on the beach:)) so I am not concerned about water coming into my house as a result of flooding.  The thought of power loss is unsettling but I've excepted that and know that it's temporary.  But the thought of a tree coming through my house...terrifies me.  They are calling for sustained tropical storm force winds for approximately 21 hours with hurricane force winds and higher gusts in there as well...starting tonight.  Tomorrow will be nerve rattling and I'm sure by Sunday when Irene has left to wreak havoc on other parts of the east coast I will fall flat.

I have no idea what will happen to my blogging...I suppose power will be key to that so don't expect to hear anything for awhile but I am hoping to tweet during and after the storm.  I too want to apologize for not reading and commenting on blogs this week...as you can see, I've been a bit....uummm, distracted.  The good news though is that the crazy amounts of rain we are expecting should be enough to put out the dismal swamp fire!!  I'm sending prayers and hugs to everyone tonight that is sitting in the same boat we are...crazy....stay safe!

J

A first for us and a change in perspective...

What a day...I spend so much time blogging about all of Addie's firsts but thought I should also mention that today we all experienced a first...think ground shaking and hysteria....yep, an earthquake on the east coast.  While chatting with a co-worker about the United Way campaign we paused to take in what we first thought was some work going on in the building...until we noticed the whole building was shaking.  As if in slow motion, we filed out into the hall to find everyone else doing the same...we all exchanged confused looks and systematically headed to the stairwells to file out of the building.  And not because an alarm had sounded...I suppose it was just our gut reaction to get out of the building....down 16 floors we all went.  Exiting the building was like joining the street party...people were every.where - it was surreal and at this point we still had no idea what was going on.  Honestly....earthquake didn't even cross my mind in those first 5 minutes but soon after joining the rest of my co-workers at our designated meeting spot we had it figured out.  Confusion set in as stories of shaking in New York and Roanoke spread from those that had been engaged in conversations with people in those locales when the quake hit.  Fortunately there was no damage...I forgot my phone and no one was able to get calls out anyhow...but soon after returning to my desk I got an email from my hubs and was able to get a call out to my parents to make sure everyone was doing well....everyone was safe...albeit a bit startled!  So...here I sit...reflecting on the fact that I experienced my first earthquake today...weird, right?!

And just because mother nature threw a curve ball at us today doesn't mean she isn't also up to some of her old tricks...according to my friend Jim Cantore at the The Weather Channel (insert sarcasm here - he's not exactly the person you want visiting your neck of the woods) Hurricane Irene currently has her sights set on our area..or at least somewhere close by.  It's amazing how much my perspective on these events have changed...prior to being a mother, homeowner, and responsible adult these scenarios were actually kind of exciting for me.  Losing power was an excuse to light all of those candles my mother stored away in the drawers and grill a freezer worth of meat...and it always seemed like the community really united during these times...and part of me really enjoyed that.  I didn't mind picking up branches and debris or taking cold showers...cold meals were ok in my book too.  But today as I sit here and type this...I must admit...I'm terrified.  I worry about the pine tree farm that my neighbor behind me has growing (these trees are literally like 100 ft tall) and what they will do to my house.  Losing power is my worst nightmare...we have SO much meat frozen and trying to give Addie a cold bath would be disastrous.  I love my neighbors...I really do...but spending what is supposed to be "vacation" for me next week in the streets exchanging stories of how we rode out the storm is not the least bit appealing.  So...please, send up prayers to send this thing off the coast.

J

Bye-bye Baby Weight - Week 7

Two words to describe this journey: ROLLER COASTER...ha!  The overall trend is that I am still losing but I wish I had consistent week-to-week weight loss instead of this up and down...you'd think my scale was tied to gas prices.  Head over to visit the amazing Tami who is gracious enough to host this link-up and is only 3 pounds away from her pre-pregnancy weight...and sneak a peek of her precious little Emerson!!

This Week's Loss/Gain: +2.6

Total Weight Loss: 26.8

Weight to Go: 23.2

Food:  I spent a good part of the week out of town for work and although I did my best to pick the healthiest choices I could find (not an easy feat when you are dining out for every meal) I slipped up a few times and all in all had a pretty bad week food wise. 

Fitness:  Not too stellar in this department either...being out of town, the smoke from the wildfires and then getting sick over the weekend = failure on my fitness goals and:(  The two workouts I did manage to get in felt awesome and I know I'm in MUCH better shape than I was 7 weeks ago!

Week 7:

Monday - nothing

Tuesday - Day 1 of Week 5 of Couch to 5k + 35 sit-ups

Wednesday - Day 2 of Week 5 of Couch to 5k

Thursday - nothing

Friday - nothing

Saturday - nothing

Sunday - nothing

Last Week's Goals:

- Work out 3 times this week

- Complete 25 sit-ups three days this week

- Eat breakfast every morning

- Only have dessert once this week

- Drink more water and no soda 

This Week's Goals:

- Work out 3 times this week 

- Complete 35 sit-ups three days this week 

- Eat breakfast every morning 

- Only have dessert once this week 

- Drink more water and no soda


Thanks SO much to everyone for all of the wonderful and encouraging comments from everyone throughout this journey...it means so much to have people cheering me on:)

Saturday Morning Scene

I'm joining up with the fabulous Katie from "Loves of Life" this Saturday morning to share our Saturday Morning Scene!

After being out of town all week for work...it is SO nice to be back home with the hubs and little one.  Everyone somehow managed to get sick while I was away but Addie seems to be feeling much better this morning, despite the 2:30am wake-up call:(  Lots of coffee and love from the little one are making this Saturday much better.  After such a crazy week....we are planning to lay low and get all of those wonderful house chores done this weekend...hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Addie says "good morning" too!

It's the simple things...

Things have been a bit hectic around these parts to say the least so I thought I'd take a minute...or ten...to remember all of the wonderful things that I tend to take for granted while getting so caught up in the daily grind.  The sweet and fabulous Jesslyn Amber hosts this wonderful link-up every week...head over to her spot on the world wide web to see what everyone else is appreciating this week and join in on the fun too!

I'm appreciating...cooler days we've been having as of late...fall, are you out there?!

I'm appreciating...football back on the box...it's really such a comfort thing for me.

I'm appreciating...the amazing deal on Starbucks Iced Vias that my dear friend scored for me at Sam's Club ($5 for 10!!).

I'm appreciating...the sweet relationship our furbaby Junior is creating with Addie.

I'm appreciating...Addie dancing to the "Elmo song."

Almost Wordless Wednesday

I'm a proud wifey and wanted to share a picture of all the dolphin (not like Flipper...think "mahi-mahi" like they serve in restaurants) and tuna my husband, dad, uncle, and 3 cousins caught on their deep sea fishing trip while we were in the Outer Banks a week and half ago.  I'm pretty sure we have enough filets and tuna steaks to get us through the winter!!

Addie's favorite things...

As much as I'd love to do a giveaway of Addie's favorite things...it's just not possible...unless of course I'm willing to have no means of communication, no way to change the channel, no way to drive my car, and no place for my dogs to get water.  I sometimes wonder why baby toys aren't designed to look a little more grown up....that seems to be all Addie is interested in these days.  I try hard to keep her occupied with HER toys and books and music but she bores quickly...like in 2 minutes...and is on the hunt for the dogs' water bowl, the remote, the computer, or my cell phone.  There are days I give in...well, with the exception of the dogs' water bowl...thats dangerous and disgusting so we have actually relocated the bowl to the garage.  Just for fun I thought I'd share a video of her dancing to the "Elmo song"...all the while doing all sorts of fun things to my computer...just watch the screen (on my computer she pounds away at)...or don't...its definitely a minute or two of your life you won't get back!  Ohh...and the annoying mom voice...that's mine!

Bye-Bye Baby Weight - Week 7

Whoa...7 weeks of joining this fabulous link-up of my journey to my "healthy weight"...based on my age of 29 and height of 5'8 they tell me thats 145 pounds.  I've been there before so I totally know its attainable and I also know that it looks better on me than the current 166 I'm sitting at.  So...I've found this link-up to be the best thing to help hold me accountable...although this week was not my best work-out week I did manage to shed some considerable weight!  So, here are the deets:

This Week's Loss/Gain: -5.4

Total Weight Loss: 29.4

Weight to Go: 20.6

Food:  I did better with the food this week and thanks to my hubs, who's a wonderful cook, we had some delicious and rather healthy dinners! 

Fitness:  Uuugghhh....this week was a bad one when it came to achieving my fitness goals.  It seemed like every night I had a work-out planned something else came up...so frustrating!  It's no excuse....I've simply got to do better this week!

Week 6:

Monday - 25 sit-ups

Tuesday - Day 3 of Week 4 of Couch to 5k - Week 4 completed

Wednesday - 25 sit-ups

Thursday - nothing

Friday - nothing

Saturday - worked in the garden for 1 hour

Sunday - 25 sit-ups

Last Week's Goals:

- Work out 3 times this week

- Complete 25 sit-ups three days this week

- Eat breakfast every morning

- Only have dessert once this week

- Drink more water and no soda 

This Week's Goals:

- Work out 3 times this week - I fell flat on my face with this goal this past week so it's super important that I don't fall off the wagon for another week.  I'm actually hoping to squeeze in an extra work-out to make up for some lost time last week!

- Complete 35 sit-ups three days this week - This seemed pretty easy so I've increased the number to 35 for this week's goal!

- Eat breakfast every morning - I've done well with this but I need to focus on making sure I make healthy choices when it comes to breakfast as well.

- Only have dessert once this week - This has been easier than I thought...so I'm sticking with once just to keep my metabolism up...ha!

- Drink more water and no soda - I had one soda last week but did make up for it by drinking extra water that day....we had pizza to celebrate a co-worker's return to her home office and so I indulged a little!

J

You can find me here...

Today you can find me over at Becky's blog - "From Mrs. to Mama."  If you don't already read her completely honest and absolutely hysterical blog I totally advise you to do so!!!  She shoots it straight...has an amazingly beautiful little girl who is only a month younger than Addie and is a working momma like myself.  She also manages to find time to take some awesome photos of her little girl and this girl really knows how to coupon!!!  A huge "thank you" to Becky for sharing a piece of her blog with me to talk about some baby stuff and tell a funny story or two....