the pure interest

I’ll tell you what, being accountable on the internet is pretty exhausting. it’s hard to believe I’m already on day 6 of this. Only 5 more days to go (counting today). Yesterday went really well until a big picnic we had with some friends at Aaron & Kelly’s - again, thanks guys. It was so much fun! But, I basically threw rules out the window and ate normally last night. Sometimes I think it was worth it, other times I regret it because I was fighting waves of nausea all night due to eating more in quantity and more fat then my body has had in a week. I think I DON’T regret it way more though - everything was soooo good. And truthfully we had a lot of fruit and veggies - the main splurges were a hot dog, a little too much ranchy cornbread salad, a cupcake, a piece of cheesecake and a bit of cookie cake. (do you see where my main weaknesses lie?)

The picnic was great with little kids running around all over the place!! I’ll tell you what, kids are way funnier then adults, and they don’t even mean to be. They just… are. From Candace screaming with laughter when Brian peaked out from behind a corner, to watching she and Eli enjoy a classic game of “ring a round the rosie” (little do they know where that originated), Logan calling his mom and dad old, and Camden actually ENJOYING playing with Connick! 

Ok, the fact that all of those names are represented on the internet, INCLUDING THE DOG, freaked me out a little bit.

Back to business. Weigh-In today. 4.2 lbs less then Monday. Water retention, bloating, etc. aside, that is good news. I’m seriously impressed with myself. This morning I’m feeling a little bit off, sort of queasy (maybe as a result of overeating last night?) But excited to workout for the first time since Tuesday!! The busy-ness eliminated that possibility for three days!! Ok enough…

Day 6 Menu:

Breakfast: Feta, Black Olive, and Tomato mainly egg white Omelet (for me just eggs, tomatoes and feta)

Snack: Fruit & Cheese

Lunch: Turkey and Hummus Pita (I don’t even own hummus)

Snack: Peanut Butter & Banana Protein Smoothie

Dinner: Grilled Ahi Tuna Salad (no on tuna, probably use shredded chicken instead)

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Have a great Saturday everyone! the plans for me today are workout, clean, shoot a wedding, some web work, and do a lot of yardwork.

ServErie is in full swing at our church now. This movement partners with local organizations who help in a variety of ways around the community. City Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Mother-to-Mother, etc. Basically opportunities are presented to us, and slots are (hopefully) filled by the congregation.

Last weekend, the promoted opportunity was sorting clothes at the City Missio donation center. When I read it in the bulletin and saw on the ServErie board, I felt a very obvious “Go and do this,” from the Lord. Having some retail experience in sorting worn/used clothes and tagging (I worked atPlato’s Closet in college, w00t!), I knew this would be something I (and pretty much anyone who doesn’t mind laundry) could do. As I pulled up on Tuesday, I was a little nervous, but mainly because you don’t know the procedures of the organizations, if they’ll even need you, where to go, who you’ll work with, etc. The nervousness was totally unfounded, as I walked in they quickly ushered me in, kept asking if I was from Grace Fellowship Church (no) and introduced me to Tiffany, Nancy, Diane, Robert and Fred who usually hang out at the “sorting” table. I couldn’t believe the amount of clothes and donations - which was great. Bales full that were twice my height. But the need was also great - they definitely can use any volunteer to help with all of the merchandise. It is also the warehouse for furniture and all kinds of other items they get in to sell. So, in short - a simple behind-the-scenes job, but one that was really awesome. Fred told me… with a serious expression, “Your good.” Me “What? Why??” “Your good. We like you. You need to come back.” Me, red-faced “Ok. I’ll try.”

It’s also amazing to see the people that are there, and being there on Tuesday I joined them for their bible study and prayer time. I don’t know many of their histories, but I know they are all affected by and touched by the mission of the organization. I enjoyed the company of the people so much and was so glad to be serving outside of the church and helping the city, that I did go back today as well. Couldn’t stay as long, but everyone was glad to see me back. I’m hoping for one day a week, a few hours, but if my freelance picks back up I might not be able to swing it. I am doing my best though. Thanks, God and City Mission for the opportunity!

One of my best friends, Christy, finally got her playmate - a baby 9 week old cockapoo puppy named Violet. She was a little lethargic and tired this weekend, but when Kristin and I went to visit her we still got some adorable pictures. I wish I could do animal photography for a living sometimes! Christy was just glowing in the pictures - if she is this happy with a puppy, I can’t wait to take beautiful photos of her with her newborn baby (when the time comes)

I downloaded a photoshop action and had some fun with these… you can see how they’d be great for wedding photos or dreamy nature shots. I thought they were so cute for Violet! You obviously have to be careful with these things, but hey, it was fun!

This is a ROSE BUSH. It always freaks me out how plants start out SO tiny.

Seriously - Christy? Hello? Model?

This looked even cuter through the lens!

I love this picture!! My Nikon would NOT auto-focus. I still don’t know why. So excuse my slightly perturbed expression.

Happy Friday everyone!

sidenote: It is 12:40am. I stayed up late getting some of the many things done that need to be done this weekend - I’m really glad I did, because although I am tired, I am much less stressed now! Thanks to some crazy second wind I get around 11:45 if I can stick it out, I decided to blog. Anyway, I was typing something into my google search bar in safari and I saw this message:

UM….. WHAT?????

Look at that little guy!!!! Source.

I know, baby pink is similar to magenta. But, you have to admit, pinks and purples are sort of dominant right now, especially in spring in the NorthEastern part of the country!

I don’t have much else to say except, HOLY CRAP ON THE OFFICE LAST NIGHT, I screamed a lot (sorry friends), and YAY FOR SUNDAY!!!!

This might be my favorite flower photo I’ve ever taken…

Not much else to say today except

1. Download this if you like photoshop and use it ever, mainly for web design (although i’m sure i’d be helpful for anyone)
2. I’m eating way too much chocolate chip banana bread! I also now have a huge box of cookies from a party last night and box of cheez it party mix. (which is amazing by the way) I’m taking that all today to work hoping my colleagues will help me diminish it.
3. Financial/vacation/family segment: We got a generous offer from my in-laws last night about a trip to Myrtle Beach this summer. We’ve been trying to say no to basically any vacation plans for this year, as money is very tight and we wanted to save that potential money for this crucial year on our student loan pay-off. But they called and said that if budget is what is keeping us from going to Myrtle Beach with them, we can drive down to Maryland (which we were going to do anyway), then they will take us the rest of the way and pay for our expenses. We are so overwhelmed by their generosity… and of course we had to accept and will try to set aside some expense money for ourselves - so that will be the first week of July, and I am so excited. One thing that’s hard about being on a strict budget and letting your family know about it, is that people offer to do a lot for you sometimes, which can be so amazing and I am so grateful, but also makes us feel very guilty - because that is not our intention (to be mooches). Family and friends reactions to debt/money decisions are the toughest sometimes to gauge, especially when people are in different places in their lives with how they spend money, etc., priorities they put on travel and vacations and the like. We are just trying to say no and make some sacrifices, but somehow people keep coming through so we don’t have to make quite so many. Dave Ramsey would probably not be happy with us.
4. Still most excite about Niagara on Sunday… EEEEEeeeeee!!!!