Early May

On Saturday I reached my 10% goal, which is 10% of my starting weight with Weight Watchers. I was so relieved, but I've been working really hard at trying to make it. My reward is a horseback riding lesson (now I have to save up the money to actually do it)!

On Sunday, Marshall and I participated in Austin's 5K Bun Run (#95 on 101/1001). We just walked it; I had no intention of trying to run, lol. We were part of my Weight Watcher's group (which had the most team members by the way!). I need to find out if my WW group is also doing a 5K somewhere for WW's Walk-It Challenge May 22nd. I would do that one as well.

This week Marshall is studying for three finals on Thursday. His last one will be the following Monday, then he will be done with school until late August. He's decided that returning to ACC, the local community college, would work out just as well as him continuing at TSU. ACC has the same classes; he can drive to campus; and he wouldn't have a $40 bus pass each week. I like the idea of him getting home at a decent hour as well. :) This past semester he didn't get home until 10:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I have Memorial day off of work, but I won't be taking any vacation until mid-August when we go to Oregon for a long weekend. Work will keep me plenty busy I'm sure. I just have to remember that we're going to have lots of fun at the end of the summer with our trips.

Marshall's parents have started their multi-month bike trip to Alaska. We probably won't see them until July at the earliest. They are going to have a great time. We'll be hearing stories for months to come. :)

At the end of the month, my only nephew turns 1! I can't believe it. Marshall's mom's side of the family is about to welcome another grandbaby this year. He should be born within the next 2 weeks. I will have a new little cousin born in October on my Thiele side. Babies, babies--it's not to think about them. Marshall and I have decided that if we've achieved our list of goals by the time I turn 26, we'll start get the ball rolling on the kiddos. Big smiley face.

Masterbathroom--in Color!

The inside of our house is entirely painted in a neutral, fleshy brown color, and I'm tired of looking at it. I needed a little side project of my own (Marshall has plenty of projects between the garage, yard, and painting in order to put up gutters). I started with the master bathroom, and I was fully intent on doing some sponge painting. How did it turn out?

Marshall also installed a new light fixture that we both really like. It was the perfect opportunity, so we took it.

The first picture is of the left side of the bathroom being reflected in the mirror. The second picture is of the right side wall. The bath tub is to the right of the window.

Made a decision

I'm going to start taking prenatal pills in January 2012. ;D

Bike Ride!

I bought a bike at the end of February, but hadn't found the time to remove the tags until this past Saturday. Marshall and I went for a bike ride, which we have never been able to do before! I need a more comfortable seat (here I come Amazon...), and then I'm sure I'll be out on the trail more often. Owning a bike was one of the tasks on my 101/1001 list. Here are some other updates: 1. I've donated $25 worth of non-perishable food items to our local food bank for 8 straight months now. September will make it 12. 24. I've now tried 3 different flavors of ice cream at Amy's Ice Cream. My goal is ten. My latest was chocolate cheesecake, which was quite delicious! 42. So far I've lowered my BMI by over four points in 2011! 64. I've made 49 notes for my husband to find. I need to kick it into gear if I am going to make it to 1001! Others that are coming up very soon: 49. Go horseback riding (which is my reward when I lose 10% of my starting body weight with Weight Watchers). 66. Read the Freakonomics books (rented from the library 4/17/11).

No Cap & Gown

Marshall has decided that getting a college degree is not in his best interest. I know, I gasped too. He is dissatisfied with how his science classes are taught and structured. He also realized that he does not like the concept of a degree plan. Marshall has decided that getting a degree is beneficial for someone who wants to get a job working for somone else. That is not my husband. He has already started up his own small business, and desires to be self-employed making inventions. The solution? Lessen the school work load by taking classes that Marshall can't learn from a book, and invest more time in the projects he's committed to for his business. He has three more semesters--fall, spring, fall 2012--before his GI Bill (and stipend) are all used up. He's interested in taking mostly communication courses, which will greatly benefit him. Going to college will still be his "job;" however, he will not have enough credit, or the specific courses, to earn a degree. I'm very excited that Marshall may be getting done with school earlier than we originally planned. As long as we live in Texas, he will always get free tuition (military thing), so if down the road he does need a degree, he can go back and get it. I support my husband in whatever endeavor he believes will make him successful and our family prosper. This is one of them.

20 Packages of Butter and an Island

Strap 80 sticks of butter to your body. Sounds like fun, huh? Find a way to not let the butter melt though as you carry it around for 3 years. Ok, now you can take them off. That's where I am with my weight loss so far--I've lost 20 pounds!

I have lowered my BMI by 4.3 points since my wedding at the end of July. If I follow the plan and get some great exercise in this week, I'll reach my 10% lost goal in 2 more weeks. By the end of May, I will never see the scale read over 200 pounds ever again.

This is how I feel right now. I feel like a woman who keeps paddling towards her perfect island, the place she has always wanted to go and be forever. I have this image as the background on my computer as well as a printed picture on my wall at work. I see it constantly, and this image is my reminder to "keep paddling." Coasting along will eventually get me to my island, but if I keep going strong, I'm going to get their faster. Most importantly I will be satisfied with how I acheived my goals.

When I reach my island, I'm going to enjoy having pictures taken of me and being in home videos. I'm going to be in the best physical shape I can be. I'm going to be ready to be a mother. Marshall is going to be able to give me piggy-back rides. I'm going to be able to run a 10K. Hopefully I will also be able to not be on medication any more either. :)

When I really want to know what I should do about a situaiton or how I should feel, I ask my subconscious, which often pops a picture in my head. My consciousness interprets it, and I trust it is correct. That is another reason why I like this picture so much.

Up, Up and Away

We're going to the International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico this year September 29th-October 3rd!

I wanted to book our hotel room as far in advance as possible because I have no doubt this is a huge attraction for the city. It will be a 12.5 hour drive each way (709 miles). We are driving Thursday and Monday. We're going to spend Friday and Sunday sight-seeing the area and the city. Saturday morning we will be at the balloon festival. I'm going to bring lots of batteries for my camera!