I got some good news this week.  We finally know where we will be moving and where I will be attending law school beginning in the fall.  Unfortunately, I did not get into my top choice, but PLEASE do not comment and say “I am so sorry” because I am totally fine with it.  My top choice was a private school and although it would have been so nice to live back at home near my friends and family, it would have cost us SO much more.  With my school, I will be saving about $22,000 because of my scholarship.  Also, Tom and I will be able to start our marriage completely fresh and on our own; not that I wouldn’t prefer to have his family and mine closer for us to lean on when we need them, but I really think it will help our marriage to be away.  We’ve already told our families that our house will be the “vacation house” so they will have to come visit.  I am so incredibly excited (and proud of myself) because I am actually doing it - really and truly going to law school!!!

With finals and all that, I have seriously been slacking with working out, and my good eating habits have gone out the window.  This morning, I started up again.  The gym is going to be my last “errand” of the day and when I get back from that, I will be shredding.  I weighed myself this morning AND I GAINED A POUND FROM LAST WEEK.  UGH.  I was talking with a friend and she recommended that I should stop weighing myself and instead get a measuring tape to measure myself once a week.  With all the strength training I’m doing, it makes more sense to pay attention to the inches but not the pounds. 

And lastly, I was tagged by one of my favorite people to post a picture of myself that I JUST took.  I took three and couldn’t choose, so I’ll just post all of them:

Um yeah.  Still in my pajamas, hair unwashed, face unwashed, and … I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet.  Why did you make me do this, Rachael?!

I am going to get a couple other people to do this, so consider yourself tagged Tiffany, Jessica, Katharina, and Lynn!  Here are the rules:  

• Take a picture of yourself right now.
• No primping or preparing.
• Just snap a picture.
• Load the picture onto your blog.
• Tag some people to play along.

Have fun! :)

A few months ago, Jen blogged about the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans.  Even though I’m not the most active member, I decided to hop on the bandwagon!  Anyway, they have a new challenge that utilizes The 30 Day Shred.  Whenever I’ve been out and about, I’ve always forgotten to pick it up (or couldn’t find it), but the other night I finally found it!  Anyway, I just completed the second workout from level 1.  I am feeling so amazing right now it’s not even funny.  Yes, I’m sore, but it’s a good kind of sore.  And it’s an easy 22 minute work out – a warm up, 3 sets of circuits, and a cool down.  I plan to use this both on the days that I do make it to the gym and on the days that I don’t.  If you guys are interested in something that you can do to help get in better shape without a gym membership, I highly recommend The 30 Day Shred.  It’s about $9 at Walmart and absolutely worth it!  And while you’re at it, hop on over to the Sisterhood and join!  It’s a great way to get support, whether you’re trying to lose 10 lbs or 100 lbs!

We came back on Sunday night and went to bed early.  Yesterday I hit the gym bright and early and learned a couple new machines – I even tried the rowing machine which I have never done before.  I liked it – burned 120 calories in 15 minutes!  That thing is amazing.  I’m going to need to get a pair of gloves or something, though, because my hands were rubbed raw from pulling the wooden bar so much.

I wanted to go back to the gym today but I am getting this allergy/cold thing (not sure which one just yet) and feeling pretty gross.  I tell you, when does the sickness end?!  It seems like everyone keeps getting sick over and over again.  STOP IT POLLEN.

In other news, I have received two acceptance letters to law school so far, with scholarships to both schools!  One is out of state and I will not be accepting it since I have received acceptance from one school (so far.. hopefully the rest will accept me also) that is in state.  In state means cheaper tuition and less money I will have to take out in loans.  Pllllllease keep your fingers crossed for me!  I still haven’t heard from my top school but I should be hearing in the next few weeks.  We would be okay with going to the in state school I’ve been accepted to so far, but it’s not as close to our parents’ homes, the beach, our nephew, etc. as my top choice is.  As Rachie put it, my top choice is the “perfect place” for us.  Plus Tom could transfer within his company and continue to create cad drawings instead of starting all over at another company.

I promise to be better with updating and commenting.  For the record, I really do read your blogs on a regular basis.  It’s just the commenting that I’m bad at sometimes.  I guess that’s why I don’t get upset when people comment on my site all the time.  Life is busy and hectic, and people’s first priority isn’t to visit the blog!

I had a two week hiatus due to a nasty sinus infection and then working full time over spring break.  I would come home from work just too tired to go.  I know, lame excuse, but that’s how I felt!

Monday I was determined to get back into the routine.  I went with my best friend who I hadn’t seen for a couple weeks because she was out of the state for spring break.  It was nice catching up while we worked out.  I did not go on Tuesday because I was too busy.  I did go on Wednesday and learned two machines (one of which worked my inner and outer thighs… and I am DYIIIIING today) and yesterday.  When we went yesterday, we spent quite awhile on the treadmills and I managed to get a blister on my foot.  I get one on my right foot in the same place, but not every time I work out.  I’m thinking I need new socks or something.  Any ideas?

Anyway, our plan is to try and go swimming tonight before our friend’s birthday party.  Swimming is going to feel so good because it’s really warming up here in Florida.  I can’t wait!

Last week was my spring break and I spent it working fulltime at an attorney’s office.  I have been trying to find a job in an attorney’s office for the entire time I’ve been in college, and of course I found it right when I’m on my way out.  I had fun despite the fact that I just did office work for a week.  I filed, answered telephones, sent faxes, and made labels for letters to be mailed out.  It doesn’t matter though, it will look good on my resume.  At the end of the week, the attorney asked me to work every Friday, which will most likely turn into more work after I graduate!  Speaking of law, I haven’t heard back about law school, but I should start to hear back fairly soon.

What else has been going on… the weather!  It is absolutely GORGEOUS!  The azaleas, dog woods and wild plums are in full bloom and our little family is loving it.  Tom was lucky enough to go out on the boat a few times this past weekend, but I was busy doing wedding preparations, so I didn’t.  Hunter went out on the boat for the first time, and just like Remington he loved every minute of it.  We’ve got some great pictures on the hard drive, so I’ll have to get those and show them to you all.

Wedding plans are coming along nicely.  I slightly altered the color – instead of “Wild Orchid” on the David’s Bridal web site, we’re now going with “Lilac.”  The other color is called “Clover.”  The moms have their dresses, and the bridesmaids have at least started to look.  I am going to have three bridesmaids, because of a falling out with one of them.  It’s easier to have three because there won’t be as much drama, but my feelings are hurt because of the way it all went down.  Anyway.

This weekend, we also met with the priest that will be marrying us.  He gave us a book of readings to choose from and information that we will need to set all the music up for the mass.  It was really nice to talk with him.  He has been the monsignor at my church since before I was born, so I have completed all my sacraments under him.  He also married my mom and stepdad in 2003, so he knows the entire family.

Flowers are set.  My bouquet will consist of green and white hydrangeas and freesia, and a single green (very light … almost yellow) rose in the middle.  The rose is significant because my deceased paternal grandfather was a wholesale florist and absolutely loved yellow roses.  Since the yellow won’t match with our colors, we’re going with green.  It’s so beautiful!

We also went to two cake tastings and decided on a cake baker/decorator.  We’re doing a three tier with cornilly lace, and a sheet cake that will be decorated the same.  Very simple yet elegant, which is exactly what we wanted.

In other news … I planted an herb garden yesterday!  I only have four herbs in it because it’s just a small window box – basil, sage, flat leaf parsley and mint.

And, after a two week hiatus from the gym because of my sinus infection and working, I went back last night.  It was a little rough, but I’m going back tomorrow.  They actually demonstrated some safety equipment while I was there, which was kind of strange.  I should have pushed myself to go today, but I didn’t.  Tomorrow I’m going first thing in the morning and doing cardio and strength training.  I got some tips from my soon to be brother-in-law and that will also help jumpstart my weight loss again.

Off to finish the laundry and get ready for bed.  I have gotten back into the habit of reading right before bed again.  I really missed it!

Believe it or not, I came down with another cold.  All of a sudden it just hit me last night after we got back from driving.  My mom seems to think it’s the remnants of the cold I had a couple weeks ago, but I don’t know.  I do know that it’s killing my gym time!  I’m feeling too bad to go.

Yesterday we went to Sam’s Club to get our membership card and stock up on meat and fruit.  The strawberries they had were SO DELICIOUS looking that I almost bought two of them!  Now we won’t have to buy anything for awhile.  We’re going to use the strawberries to make homemade ice cream with the ice cream attachment I got for Christmas (to use with my stand mixer).

Gotta run, the dogs are going nuts and it’s making me crazy!

I wanted to mention something about my healthy eating habits.  The nice thing about working out and eating healthy is that I am still able to get in some of the things I like that have less nutritional value.  For instance, with my lunch I had Bugles.  Because my stomach is so different now that I eat better, I honestly didn’t want even the whole serving.  Instead, I ended up with half a serving.  Another benefit is that healthy fruits and vegetables are actually more appealing to me than junk food.  I have never downed strawberries, blueberries, grapes, bananas, peppers, etc. before, but I really look forward to them now.

Strength training is going out of this world; again today I was able to increase some of my weights by 4 lbs. and some by 2 lbs.  Either way, all my weights were increased.  I didn’t get a chance to do the ab rotator but I’ll do that on Friday.

I love the renewed energy and GREAT nights of sleep I get with a week full of dedicated exercise.  I’m also in such a better mood and when I go even when I don’t want to, I come out just feeling so proud of myself.

One thing I’d like to do is utilize the wii accessories – specifically the Wii Fit that we bought in September – on the days that I’m not doing strength training at the gym.  That way, I can work on the yoga moves.  I always loved the yoga moves!

Alright, enough chatter.  I have to go study for my midterms, which are tomorrow!  Happy Hump Day!

PS – I am charging my camera so I can do a video of my apartment for you all.  So get excited!

So, Tom and I had A BLAST at the hunt camp on Saturday.  We got so many cool pictures which I will post when I get back from my noon appointment with the Catholic Charities guy.  We’re going to see the test results from our first marriage class.  It should be interesting – are we compatible or not, I wonder?  I would hope so, since we’ve been dating forever-and-a-day!

Anyway, on Saturday night we did the Beef and Broccoli Stirfry that I mentioned.  It turned out AMAZING and I’m not usually one to really enjoy Asian food.  We will definitely be making it again, especially because it has lots of good for you vegetables in it.  After dinner we ran up to a liquor store to see if they have Tom’s favorite red wine, but they didn’t.  We picked up two new bottles to try though, and ended up going through one of them while we played Brain Academy on the Wii.

Sunday we ran errands, did laundry, I read, and we played with the pups.  It was a fairly lazy day, complete with a trip to Checkers for me (because I feel like I earned it, thankyouverymuch).  See, on Friday I found out that I moved to the next level in strength training.  A new color of my card means they spot me more and push me that much harder.  You should feel my muscles – they are yummy :)  Not like crazy body builder yummy, but strapless wedding dress yummy.

I’ve got three tests in the next week, a quiz due by Friday and lots to do before the engagement party.  We may or may not have picked out our invitations.  The sample came in but it went to my parents’ house, so I’ll have to see it when I get home on Friday.

I’m thinking sometime this week I’d love to show you guys what our apartment looks like.  First I have to get the spare bedroom back together though.  We are rearranging the room and doing some spring cleaning since the elliptical is out of here now.  It looks a little roomier in here now but we’re still contemplating on where we should put the TV and desk (or if we should just leave them where they are right now).

Time for makeup and hair!  Have a great week and come back to see the pictures I promised :)

I did something extremely stupid last night.  I was calling my sister to wish her a happy birthday (she turned 21).  When she didn’t pick up, I left a voicemail.  Instead of hanging up, though, I just closed my phone.  As I was talking to a friend, I realized that for about 3 minutes I was still connected to my sister’s voicemail.  I was talking about something I really didn’t want my sister to hear.  Hopefully she will just ignore the voicemail (like she normally does).  Keep your fingers crossed for me!

I also got a weird charge on my cell phone bill and I’m not happy about it.  I dialed a toll free number to get help with reordering my newspaper subscription but managed to get charged for the long distance somehow.  I need to figure that out today.  That’s not okay if you advertise that your phone number is toll free!

Tom and I are hoping to use the new camera at the hunt camp tomorrow.  It’ll be so nice to get some gorgeous shots while we’re there.  And, the weather is going to be amazing.  I think the high is something like 65 degrees.  How awesome is that?

I found a couple new cooking web sites yesterday that I’m going to add to my list of dailies.  A recipe that we’re trying tonight is Broccoli and Beef Stir-Fry.  Doesn’t that sound yummy?  I’ll let you know how it turns out.  This will be the first time that I’ve done an Asian dish, and the first time I’ve used fresh ginger.

Anyway, my final weigh-in for this challenge is 180.6.  I am so close to the 170s that I can SEE and TASTE them!  Hopefully with more gym days, water, and implementing the Eat Clean Diet that I’ve been reading about, I will continue to see results.

Congratulations to those of you who lost weight during this challenge!