So close!!

Today after the gym, I weighed in at 200.2!!! SOOOO close to breaking that milestone! YAY. It has literally been almost 6 years since I've been below 200. And while that still means I have a long way to go, it is also exciting to be on the other side of that line. And I am determined to get there (and stay there). I would love to be comfortable in a bikini next summer and I have faith that I can do it. Minus 41 pounds since January, and counting! 

What is new...

Well, for starters, I have found a renewed energy for reaching my weight loss goals. All I have to say is yay for technology and deadlines (especially the one telling me I only have two months before I need to order my dress!)! I have swam laps every day this week and hope to do the same next week (thank you mom for having a pool)! 

For those who follow, I have not yet heard back from Kaiser, they keep saying "very soon" but it looks like they are still weighing their options. So, i continue to wait (not so patiently, but I am trying). 

Also, it looks like I'll be getting a new blog design soon! Thanks to Creative Creations by Cristin who has so generously volunteered her skills and abilities to make me a beautiful blog! I can't even tell you how excited I am to see it! :) 

That is all I have for now. Thanks again for checking in and I will talk with you soon!

Amy :) 

To all the moms, I need your thoughts!!

Let me preface this posting with a heartfelt disclaimer: I do not mean anything negative by what I say or the questions I ask. I am not questioning your decisions or judging you for them. I am merely expressing how my mind works and hoping to get some other opinions/points of view. I hope you all can help (if you are still out there since I've been absent). 

Here it goes: I have never really been the motherly type. Truly, if you knew me, you would know this to be true. I do not have that natural nurturing ability, lack in sympathy and imagination, and wanted to be a grown up for as long as I can remember. Even as a child I got better along with adults than other kids my age. I think this is one large reason I've never had a desire to have children of my own. I really just don't get them. I can't relate to their imaginary world as mine is based in reality and logic (something children typically lack). But as I am growing up and now planning a future with Mr. Sir, the topic of children has come up. My stance previous to Tom had always been "absolutely not, no way I am ever having kids. They are expensive (in every sense of the word) and offer very little return. Worst investment ever. No". Well, as many had told me before, this opinion started shifting as I could see my future with Tom becoming a reality. 

However, I still can list MANY more reasons not to have children than to have them. But I think I must be missing a piece of the puzzle or a point in the argument, because most people have kids and seem to love them. I know I have a number of mother readers out there, I'm hoping you can help enlighten me. I know Tom has a desire for children but is okay with not having them. Anyway, before we make final decisions I would like all sides to the argument/coin/insert euphemism here. 

I hope you can help. Thank you. :)

The Waiting Game...

Boy, is it killer! I think waiting to hear back how I did in the interview is harder and more nerve-racking for me than the interviews! Geez. I just hope and pray they get back to me quickly, regardless of the result. That way I can make a plan on how I'm either going to transition....or not. I do think the interview went well. Not quite as perfectly as the first (but then again that could just be the difference between talking to like-minded analysts and administrators). But, I do think I have a good chance so now I will just have to wait and hope. 

In the meantime I will continue finding things to occupy my time. Like Bejeweled, Family Feud, and cleaning :D Oh! and my beloved coupon cutting. :D 

Life is good

So, today I was able to use my coupon magic to save more than I spent (at Rite Aid, CVS, and Vons)! I am pretty dang excited. Even Tom was impressed (although didn't think he really needed 24 disposable razors...). I feel like I am making some great progress in my ability to find and utilize the deals and save money. Woot. I'd also like to give a shoutout to my coupon/money saving helper, my mom. Thanks mom! 


Here comes the fun part...and really the reason I have not blogged much recently (are you excited? I sure am!). So, I have not been posting because I have this HUGE news (well huge for me) that I want to share, but couldn't (since you never know who is reading), but at this point the people I'd be mostly concerned about already know so I can't do TOO much more damage. 


**Drum Roll**


I am one interview away from a new job with Kaiser Permanente! I applied about 6 weeks ago and have been waiting and answering questions and waiting and then interviewing and waiting and answering more questions! Whew! Well, now I just have one more interview (with 3 administrators) and then hopefully (cross your fingers and toes) they will make me an offer I can't refuse. :) If not, it really isn't the end of the world since I do love my job. But it would be nice to work in a company that offers promotions and rewards efforts (unlike the County). So, I am pretty excited. Also, I know this would be a fairly significant bump in salary (with great benefits too)! An all around win-win. 


Well, not total win. It will not be so happy leaving my bosses and co-workers I admire so much (also my heart office-decorated by Tom for the proposal) and my wonderful hours. But life goes on and I am excited to see where this will lead. So, if you pray, send a prayer up around 1:30 (PST) on Monday afternoon, and if not I still appreciate well wishes and your thoughts! 


Now that the cat is out of the bag, I will be sure to update you as soon as I am able. Thank you for tolerating my absence and I am sure to resume regular blogging. :) 

Punks

That is what I like to use when referring to Tom's two dogs. They may look cute, but don't let them fool you! We have been working with them for the past year (really solidly the last 2 months) to try and break them of some old bad habits like: staying out of the kitchen, off the couch, not waking up Tom for food (he has to do this one on his own), and not constantly licking. Every time I think we are making real progress, they show me they really are just getting better at pretending they are listening.


For example...tonight, Tom decided to smoke the cigar I got him out front and I decided to join him just to chat. I come back inside after about 5-10 minutes to get a glass of Riesling to find Buzz on the couch (although he quickly got off when he heard me come in) and Tigger in my kitchen (once again trying to leave the kitchen). I swear I could kill them both (okay, not really, but it is REALLY frustrating). So...all this tells me is that they pretend we are in charge to get extra treats and stay out of trouble, but really think they rule the joint. Ugh! 


So, now they sit, locked outside in the back, because I'm not going to let them get back up on the couch while I go outside and also, I just don't know what else to do! We have tried scolding, rubbing their nose, smacking their noses/butts, spraying water, giving treats, words of praise and punishment, locking outside, and the list goes on, but to no avail! How do you get dogs to continue following the rules when you're not constantly watching?! I've never had this problem with any of my other dogs (then again I started training from puppyhood), they all learned and listened and stayed out of trouble even when I couldn't watch. These two just refuse!!! HELP!!

Sleep

I have decided, is wonderful! I somehow managed to get 12 hours of it last night plus a 2 hour nap today! yay for catching up on a week with a bit less than I hoped for. :) We also had a nice dinner tonight with Tom's family (healthy too!). We haven't done that as much lately, mostly just because we were busy and have had odd schedules. I'm thinking it'll go back to the normal weekly thing soon. Which will be nice. I enjoy Tom's parents and know they like seeing him on a regular basis :) I am quite blessed to have some great "in-laws" to-be. 


Speaking of the "to-be", Tom and I continue to blend our lives, this time monetarily. We are just about officially operating off one account (waiting for a couple things to clear). It has been an interesting process but not nearly as stressful as I had thought it would be. We have a solid budget and have set up all the bills (we hope) so we can stay on top of it all. It feels great to have a budget and goals and not to be worrying about having enough or living paycheck to paycheck (as I had done earlier in my 20s). Hopefully this will also bring less stress to my hubby to be. Money is definitely one of those things that can stress him out. This way, I'll be doing most the daily stuff so he has to worry less. :) 


Does anyone know how to (or if) you can change the default font and color of blogger posts? It would be nice not to have to change it every time!