29 baby!

Guess what! It's my birthday! I'm actually looking forward to today. I took the morning off so that I can get a morning run in because I see lots of calories coming my way! Yes, I made fun of my sister for working out on her birthday but I understand why now. I just feel so guilty about not working out. After that, I'm hoping I can treat myself to a mani/pedi before I head into work this afternoon. Tonight will consist of fun people, mexican food and margaritas!....3 of my most favorite things!

In honor of my 29th birthday, I am going to give YOU a treat.....29 things about ME! So here we go.....

1. I'm kinda nervous about doing this post. Hoping that I can think of enough interesting facts about me so that I don't bore you to death.

2. My birthday is the day after my mom's. I was the best birthday present she ever received, if you ask me ;)

3. I was named after Shari Lewis, the girl in that old tv show Lambchops. My dad found my middle name (Dane) in the TV guide.

4. The fact that my dad still calls me the baby makes me smile :)

5. I LOVE Mexican food and margaritas!...and this is an understatement. Have you ever finished you're meal and before you even leave the restaurant, you're already thinking about when you're going to get to eat there again?....I have!

6. When I eat a meal, I only eat one thing at a time....unless it's Mexican.....then I mix it all together.

7. I hate having clutter. I will never have tons of opened bottles of lotion, candles, shampoo, etc. If I begin using one bottle of lotion, I will use it until I cannot get another drop out and then I throw it away and open up the next bottle. Preferably a small bottle so that I can use it up quickly and throw it away and go to the next, and so on and so on.

8. I am soooo indecisive! Especially when it comes to home decor. It took me 2 years to find a table lamp.

9. My feet are ticklish. But I love my pedicures! I just have to think about other things when they touch the "hehehe" parts of my feet.

10. When I use a public restroom, I have a bad habit of unbuttoning my pants before I even get to the stall. I guess that's from living alone and then moving in with your best friend.

11. Most of my smiles come from watching my precious chihuahua, Tippy. It's amazing how much you can love a 5 pound, black, furry thing.

12. I love water and that's mainly what I drink. However, I've gotten into the habit of having a diet coke in the afternoons at work to give me a little pick-me-up. Then 3 hours later, I start getting the shakes. My body still isn't use to caffeine.

13. Things that I believe go hand-in-hand: Diet coke and chocolate. Beer and greasy food. It goes without saying...Mexican food and margaritas.

14. I drink water upside down to get rid of my hiccups....works every time!

15. My favorite movie of all time is Dirty Dancing.

16. My picture was on David Letterman....and yes, he made a joke about it.

17. I enjoy going to the dentist because he always compliments me on how perfect me teeth are. Never had a cavity or braces. I don't know how because I was that kid that would wet my toothbrush so my mom would THINK that I brushed them. Thank God it didn't come back and bite me.

18. I still have a baby tooth. It never had a permanent tooth form underneath it.

19. I'm a soap opera junkie. I have watched All My Children every day (unless my VCR, now DVR, didn't record it) since I was in elementary school. Then I started watching One Life to Live about 5 years ago when One Life to Live and All My Children did a crossover storyline. Yes, I got sucked in and I'm sure that was the only reason they did that! Btw, why do they call it a soap opera? It has nothing to do with soap or glass-shattering singing.

20. The smell of broccoli makes me wanna gag.

21. I'm not a huge fan of fruity hard candy. If I'm going to waste my calories on something sugary, I want chocolate.

22. I do not like to cook. If I want to eat, I want to eat right then. Not take 30 min to a hour to fix it. I think I would starve to death if it weren't for Lean Cuisine and Smart Ones.

23. I love light vanilla soy milk. Tastes so much better in your cereal than skim milk.

24. I still sleep with a teddy bear that my Nonny and Papaw gave me for Christmas when I was 5 years old. It came with a matching nightgown.....don't worry I don't have that anymore. I'm pretty sure I outgrew it. The teddy bear never leaves my bed so I never travel with it because 1) I'd be afraid I would leave it somewhere and 2) it's not the coolest thing to pack a 24 year old teddy bear everywhere you go.

25. I was a VERY picky eater when I was little and my brother was just as bad as I was. When we would have our big Christmas family gatherings with tons and tons of food, my Nonny would have to fix us a frozen pizza.

26. I wrecked/totaled my car 3 winters in a row. All 3 were in Lexington on Man O War Blvd. or within a 1/2 mile from Man O War.

27. I have seen Justin Timberlake in concert 4 times.

28. I am really liking lime green and turquoise right now.

29. I am going to try my best to enjoy the last year of my 20's. Next year is a biggun'!

The Office Quote of the Day:

It does not matter to me at all whether this baby is biologically mine. I am going to love it. It's like when the dog nurses the tiger cub. Have you seen that video? It is - it's so bizarre and unnatural. But it - it happens.

~Michael

Run a 5K: Check!

I know this about a week overdue but I've had internet problems so I apologize for the delay.....

Never would have I thought that almost 5 1/2 months ago when I said that I wanted to run a 5k that it would actually turn into "I'm training to run a 5k" and then "I ran a 5k!" I've had many shoulda, coulda, wouldas in my life so I can't believe I actually did it! There's NO WAY that I could've done it without the help of my cousin Steve, who sent me a training schedule and even though he lives in West Virgina, he would occasionally check up on me and see how I was doing and give me a quick boot in the ass of motivation! I have to say that if you're searching for a good first 5k to run in, the Girl Scout's Thin Mint Sprint is the perfect race! A) There are tons of little kids which makes it less intimidating and B) There will be a box of Thin Mints waiting on you at the finish line!

And I'm off!!

Almost to the finish line

My motivation: Thin Mints at the finish line :)

End result

After the race, I headed to Paintsville to spend Mommy's Day with my mom. We did what we do every Saturday night....ate at El Azul's and had their yummy margaritas. Then we headed home and I made one of my new favorite drinks, a Dreamsicle. Remember those orange Push-up popsicles you ate when you were a kid? It tastes like that but has a little "twist".

Dreamsicle

2 oz. orange juice

2 oz. half and half

1 oz. Grand Marnier

1 oz. Amaretto

Fill with ice and shake

Enjoy!

Oh, The Joys of Moving!

It's a done deal! I closed on my duplex and I've moved in.....not settled, but moved in. The list of things I need (aka want) to buy for my new home is progressively growing longer and longer. I've already told people that I want gift cards to Bed, Bath & Beyond for my birthday.....which is May 25th if anybody is wondering ;)

Just a few pics taken along the moving process.....

Packing up the kitchen.....almost all of it is Kristen's. Remember, I don't cook.

As I went back and forth 48 times loading things up, Tippy layed there the entire time and watched me.

She was so confused.

I have to mention how blessed I am to have the family that I have. I can't even explain everything they have done for me during this process so I'll give you a little taste.

I love.....my brother: He was my loan officer and the closing was at his office. While we're sitting there waiting on everything to get approved, he walks in and hands me this.....

He had one of his clients paint it for me. I know, let's say it together, "Awww!" I was so shocked and didn't really know what to say! It's my first home and I'll treasure it forever! I'm still trying to figure out the perfect place to hang it. It goes without saying that he also helped me move. I think he's moved me 4 times in the last 3 years. Hopefully he won't have to move me again for a long time!

The day before I moved all my big stuff, my Mom and Dad came up.

I love....my mom: Mom cleaned the jacuzzi, the stove, the fridge, and everything else in the kitchen and unpacked all my kitchen stuff. I'm convinced that my glasses and silverware would still be in the boxes if it weren't for her.

I love....my dad: So what did Dad do while Mom worked inside? He worked outside, of course! I hate it that I didn't take before pics, but trust me when I say that it look NOTHING like this!

I went to Lowe's and picked out the stone and he picked out the plants....because I do not have a green thumb. It's the opposite of green, it's purple.....according to the color wheel.

Then he picked stuff out for the back. The only thing out here was the bed for tomato plants where those red and pink flower-thingys are. Can you see me with a garden? HA! I'd be afraid to eat any of it!

I love....my sister: Not only did she have her annual derby party that helped me relax and get away from the pressures of moving (and unpacking) but she also had El Toro cater it! Best derby party ever!

I PROMISE! Once I do some more unpacking, I'll be sure to show you some DIY projects that I have up my sleeve. Stay tuned!

Oh My Wordy, Look Who's 30!

I want to wish a VERY HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY to my best friend, roomie, confidant, supporter, baker, partner in crime, DVR diva, and wifey (lol). We had to celebrate her birthday a day early so while her work peeps took care of decorating her office, I took care of decorating her bedroom. I only wish I were there to see the look on her face when she opened her door and saw THIS.....

Tippy giving her Aunt Kristen a Happy Birthday roll :)

Happy Birthday Aunt Kristen! I promise I won't get into your garbage and make a mess.....but only because it's your birthday. ~Tippy

The Office Quote of Day:

"You should come in town this weekend, man. Yeah. We'll hang out Scranton style."

~ Ryan

Update on previous blog: BUSTED!!

Boy oh boy, did I get busted! I guess I didn't take into consideration that my cousin that has me training for this 5k might actually read my blog! Well he did...and I got in trouble. I received this message on facebook from him this morning:

"Alright there missy. Looks like I am gonna have to whip you into shape. So I read your blog that you posted on facebook. I'll tell you the same thing I told Becca. If you are wanting to lose weight, you got to watch what you eat. Especially if you have low metabolism. Count the amount of calories you can eat per day, and read the back of labels for nutrition facts. Veggies, Whole Grain, water not soda......And no chocalate covered peanut butter eggs! Now, with that said, you need to get online and register now. That way you are committing yourself to doing the race. No excuses. May 8th, you be running that race. What may help you, since you and Becca are going to be running the race, call her up (or facebook her), and set a time where you all can go running together. That way, if you all say you are gonna do a 3 mile run, you all can push each other, and won't let the other one quit. No more talk of having second thoughts. You are completing this run! Now stop reading this and register online."

This message was followed by another message with the link to register for the race. Shew....committing to this and registering is almost as hard as running my fat @$$ through my neighborhood. But I'll do it! Ya hear me Steve!?!?! I'M GONNA DO IT!!!!!

To run? Or not to run?

Of all the cardio exercises out there, running is my LEAST favorite. I'm not a runner, never have been and more than likely, never will be. Not even when I was my most physically fit in high school when I had cut up arms and 4-pack abs. The only running I remember doing back then was during cheerleading practice when we would have to run laps around the gym while yelling the words to our cheers.....it's a lot harder than it sounds especially when you're gasping for air and yelling at the same time. So if I hate running so much, then why am I training to run a 5k? You heard me.....I'm training to run a 5k. I had the idea at the beginning of the year, kinda as a new years resolution, but then I never thought twice about it. I have a cousin that's a runner. A dedicated runner. A few weeks ago his sister ran her first 5k and that inspired me. So I got online and looked up the upcoming races. It just so happened that there was a race in 6 weeks that really peaked my interest.....the Thin Mint Sprint! It seems fitting that my first race be named after a cookie. So I email my cousin and basically said, "Ok, I've got 6 weeks.....can you send me a training schedule?" This is what he sent back:

Week 1: 3 runs, each for 1/2 mile

Week 2: 3 runs, each for 1 mile

Week 3: 3 runs, each for 1.5 miles

Week 4: 3 runs, 2 for 2 miles, 1 for 2.5 miles

Week 5: 4 runs, 2 for 2.5, 1 for 2.75 miles, 1 for 3 miles

Week 6: 2 runs for at least 2 miles but can go farther if I want, then the race on May 8th

Then he goes on to talk about other stuff like doing other cardio during the days I'm not running, doing stretches several times a day, eating healthy and blah blah blah.

OK so I haven't exactly paid my 20 bucks and registered for the race just yet. I want to at least get half way through my training and see if this is even going to be do-able. Maybe if I go ahead and register, then that will force me to go through with this. But what if it rains that day? What if I wake up with a headache or horrible cramps? What if Tippy would rather I stay home with her and play fetch with her purse or high heel shoe? You just never know what might come up!

One of the main reasons I wanted to do this is because I want those extra pounds to just melt right off of me! Let me just say that I've completed 2 weeks of my training and I've not lost ANY weight! I've exercised 5 days a week for the last 2 weeks and no change. Ok, so maybe my diet hasn't been greatest but I thought that when you become a "runner" you can eat whatever you want and brag to people that you just can't seem to keep the pounds from dropping off of you! It COULD be because I've only been running 1/2 mile to a mile. But this week I'm running 1.5 miles so watch out! I'm going to go dig out my box of "I'm-too-fat-for-these-clothes" clothes.

Ok, all this staying fit talk is started to get to me. So I will share with you what I ate over Easter weekend. My mom orders these for us every year from the church. They are filled will peanut butter. And it's the kind of peanut butter that's mixed with powdered sugar. (Hmm??? Could this be part of the reason of my lack of weight loss?)

The Office Quote of the Day:

Ryan: Kendall from corporate H.R. is on line and Holly's on her way in too.

Michael: What the only thing worse than one H.R. rep?

Ryan: Two H.R. reps.

Michael: You get me.

I'm gonna be a HOMEOWNER!!

I've been looking forward to the day that I could post a blog about being a homeowner! I haven't really talked too much about me searching for a home because I thought I might jinx myself. At first I was looking at a house. I wasn't too fond of the area and it needed some cosmetic work but it was only 3 years old. I put an offer on it but it wasn't accepted and deep inside I was glad but I was in such a hurry to find SOMETHING because A) my roommate was moving out at the end of April and B) I wanted that $8,000 tax credit! So then we started looking at duplexes. Luckily, there was one right up the street from where I live now that had one side vacant. So my dad and brother came and checked out the place and they really liked it. The next morning, we made an offer and by 6pm that day, we found out that it was accepted! They didn't even counter my offer! It's funny how things just fall right into place. My closing is April 28th so I hope to be moved in by the first of the month. The building is a ranch (Yay! No stairs!), 3 bedrooms, 3 walk-in closets, 2 full baths, a whirlpool tub in the master bath and an open floor plan. Another plus is that it is 0.18/mile from where I live now!

Home Sweet Home

I can't wait until I can add my own touch and show some "after" pics!

A huge THANK YOU to my dad and brother for ALL of their help on this process. There is no way that I could have done this without them. It helps to have a brother that is a loan officer(with an awesome realtor) and a dad that won't sign off on something that isn't up to par for one of his kids. He only wants the best for me and he said several times over the weekend that he was so happy that I ended up with this place.....that makes me very happy :)

If you are in the process of buying a house or refinacing your home, contact my brother, Casey VanHoose! He works with My Mortgage Pro in Lexington. He just saved my cousin $400 a month on her mortgage. He's the best! ;)

The Office Quote of the Day:

Oscar: I'm sorry you're offended by my shoes but I'm not going to drive home to change.

Toby: I can loan you a pair of socks.

Oscar: No.

Toby: No, they're clean. I was going to wear them to volleyball practice.