It's Official!

New Kids on the Block will be in Chicago at the AllState Arena October 4, 2008!!! Yes, ladies.....We will be able to see them in the FLESH singing "Oh OH OH oH OH OH THE RIGHT STUFF!" LOL! I've been a life long die hard fan...(yes I am a dork!). Pre-sale tickets go on sale May 5th! That is next week! I'm trying to get a few of my girlfriends to go...as a blast from the past!!! Here is a link to view their Tour Schedule.

Who is your favorite "New Kid"?

Here is mine...

Spring is finally here!

(My freshly bloomed tulips)

I'm happy to say Spring is finally here! We had a straight week of beautiful weather! Last week it was 60-70 degrees everyday! It has been a great week full of bike rides and fresh air circulating the house. We had some rain...but it helped my flowers bloom! I have tulips and an assortment of other flowers surrounding my house. This weekend and next week the forecast says lots of rain and temperatures below 60..but thats Ok... all of our flowers must get hydrated! More of my flower pix soon to come!

I missed him.

This past Sunday-Thursday my best friend Joel came to visit all the way from Vermont. It has been almost a year since I had last saw him! I really missed him. It was great to see him. He and I use to hang out and talk a lot...and It has felt like I've been missing something for the last few months. I guess I just didn't realize how much I missed him. He stayed at our friend's Steve and Rachael's home...and we all hung out every night. It was so nice!

The last night he was home was interesting. We (they) talked about camel jockeys.....listened to Dick Cheese (hilarious stuff!).....and basically just hung out in Steve's garage. It was slightly depressing as we all knew Joel was going home the following morning....I myself had to hold back tears as I was giving him a hug and walking out the door..

Here a picture I took...it isn'tthe greatest shot..but at least I have good memories to hold on to.


I have decided I am going to save my money and go to Vermont this fall. Just look at how beautiful it is there...

17 pounds gone.....30 to go!

Here is a 'Before' picture from Christmas 2007. And a picture I took today......Can you tell I've lost 17 pounds??? I can tell the most in my face and my tummy..

Here are 2 close ups. The first one is from Halloween 2007.

YUCK-O!

This is one I took today....

this is one of my new favs..

Mikey has also lost 15 pounds! I'm noticing now from working out I'm starting to loose inches not pounds....which is fine with me! I have 30 to go.....but am hoping to loose that over a course of a year...but most definitely by November 2009...(that post will come later...)

Under Construction

My basement has been 'under construction' for about a year now.......My Dad and my Uncle Mark (and Mikey!) have been taking their time, but have made great progress so far. Take a look...

The stairs use to be wide open...now they are enclosed with walls. It really keeps the upstairs warmer. So, now I actually have a laundry room. And a 'basement/storage' room.

(it's hard to see over my Dad's MESSY work table)

This big open area will be the furnished part of the basement. We plan to make a family area.....I hope to get a flat screen TV. We kinda want it our adult 'play' room. With a dart board, and my (kickass) stereo.....possibly a pool table.

The doors are real Oak wood and my Dad and I went with antique door knobs. I just love them! We went with a lighter stain, and I think they look really nice...What do you think?

(The door to the 'basement/storage area)

(The door to the laundry room)

There is still A LOT of work to be done. Only half the walls are up....but then the dry wall needs to go up. And we need to start thinking about the floor. I think we should go with ceramic tile with big area rugs. And of course the stairs........We will most likely carpet the stairs. Can't forget paint! I have no idea what 'color scheme' I will be going with....I guess it all depends on the tile. But it is so hard to even imagine it...finished! However...I'm getting antsy!!! I just want it over with!!!!! My Dad is such a good sport about it though...he comes over early Saturday mornings and tries to be really quiet until he hears me wake up...(how sweet!). My Uncle Mark works for Six Flags as one of the head honchos....so he isn't available in the summers to help my Dad. But my Dad fumbles away on his own or has Mikey help him....I think he (secretly) enjoys teaching Mike how to do things.......its like he is coaching him...for one day...I will be completely by myself, and will need Mikey to do a lot of the things my Dad is teaching him. All in all its so sweet to watch the 2 of them.

Oh and here is our Welcome mat....for when you walk in from our back door...which leads to the basement.

(ironically Stoli and Dimiti wipe their paws on it....actually they use it as a scratch post....this is why it all beat up!)

I will keep you updated as we get further to being finished.....!!!

Pet Peeves

Everyone has them, right?!

I have a big one. Actually it is work related.

I work at a Administration Center of a School District. I am located at the Receptionist desk but work as Accounts Payable (confusing..yes I know). Well, behind me sits the fax machine. And as you walk into my area sits all 30 mailboxes of all the other ladies and gentlemen that work in this office.

Now that you know the layout...let me tell you what peeves me off the most! Only 2 particular people come up to my desk and open their mail on my desk and grab the pen I am USING. First off...open your mail at your own desk! This is my area! Secondly, order your own office supplies! Then they grab the pen I am using. So, yes they walk all the way to where I am sitting (4 feet away from the mailboxes), and grab the pen I am using. Today someone took the pen out of my hand! I don't where they think its appropriate do this that sort of thing. And its highly irritating!

The most frustrating part is I get along great with both people. We aren't 'friends' or anything...but we get along. But I don't know if they think its OK to use MY desk as a work area or they just don't think about it. It's funny because the girls in my office that I would call my friends...would NEVER do this to me!

Does this sound petty? I truly don't think it is. It happens day in and day out...multiple times a day. And you don't see me going into their cubby or office and snatching their pens! Or opening mail on their desk.

Tell me what your pet peeves are!??? (and do you think I'm over reacting?!!!)

Coach

What's the deal with this wave of designer purses? Why do people seem like they need one? And it HAS to be Coach, Gucci, Prada..etc..

Here is MY new coach purse.

Yes. I got a Coach purse. I never thought I would own a purse worth $238. My girlfriend April and I went to the Coach outlet store on Friday (before the Milwaukee excursion) and she was on a mission to find a new Coach purse. She already has one and is "hooked". I went into the store thinking...I'm only going to look....but my $$ limit was $100. We must have circled the entire store 4 or 5 times. I saw a few I liked...but I wasn't going to spend $350! I have a purse fetish...so I would go broke! But I came across this one. And April and I both looked up at each other with WIDE eyes and gasped! We fell in love with it. So, as dumb as it sounds...we bought matching purses! The best part was it was marked down to $99 w/ additional 20% off (originally priced at $238)!!! I am really enjoying it because its a sling purse. I don't have to carry something OR hold it to my shoulder. It will be perfect for summer "outings" like Summerfest, Riversplash, Great America...etc. And I feel like I got a STEAL! I am in LOVE with it!

But I promise you that I will not buy any more....at least until next season..Ha!

Hotels, Strippers and Hangovers.

Let me start off by saying I had a very eventful weekend.

Friday night I ventured out to West Milwaukee to meet my mom and sister, Michelle at the Hamptons Inn. Across from the Hampton's are Joker's Comedy Club and Silk Exotic Entertainment. My sister got herself a job at Silk. Yes...at Silk Exotic. But she is only a shot girl NOT a stripper.

First off, the drive was NERVE RACKING. Any of you who know me......knows that I don't do well on the highway ALONE. I didn't really know where I was going...and my Mom was talking me though it. It was dark and raining! Lets just say my hands were hurting from gripping the wheel so tight. When I got there, I had to get ready...Then my Mom and I were off to Joker's Comedy Club. Its a very classy bar, the comedy club is downstairs. We didn't watch the show...we were only there to drink. Ha! The bouncer, Austin (yes I found out his name..) held great interest in talking to my Mom....then soon found out he was just trying to talk to me. He was a cutie. (Flirting is allowed, right??!?!?!!!...well it is when you've had 4 drinks and 4 shots!) He talked to us the majority of the night. He was good company, I let him know I have a bf. No worries! The bar was empty and he was bored, so my Mom entertained him. Yes. My mom likes to entertain. Austin was so nice enough to bring us through the back door of Silk (after my Mom BEGGED him to take her in)...............this was my first time entering a strip club......

The music was bumping hard. I've never seen so many men in 1 bar before (starring at as we walked in as we were the only chicks...in clothes.) There were no girls on stage...but the announcers was going on and on about something. We were trying to take it all in when the announcer says "Now lets meet ALL the girls..." There they came one by one circling around the pole. And here comes Michelle...aka Brittany. Yes..my sister was announced (apparently they announce all the girls even the shot girls). Strangely I hear this woman cheering "YEAH.......GO MICHELLE..." Ummmm its my Mom. By now we have had too many cocktails and too many shots of Patron. Ya...we were drunk! We got to hang out there for a while, but I know Michelle wanted us out so I had to pry my Mom out of there. Back to Joker's.....

This is where embarrassment sets in. My mom wanted to dance. I sat there a while and giggled to myself as she danced all alone on the dance floor. She was trying to drop it. You know...drop it like its hot.....lol. Well, she looked like she was trying to fall over on a toilet....it was bad! So, I had to teach her. So...there we were droppin it...(basically a sexy squat) over and over...and over again. The next day I felt like I was hit by a train...and I could barely walk.

All in all it was a good night..but I don't want to drink again for a long long time.....

Home sick

I made a lethal combination last night........Chipotle refried beans, taco salad and Correctol. Use your imagination...I won't go any further.

Soo...I'm here at home..Kinda bored. I decided to have a little lunch and I found this.


I don't like Chinese food, but I picked it up at the grocery store anyway..And surprisingly it's REALLY good!!!!!!! I know the frozen meals are hit or miss, so I thought I would share one that was actually yummy. I took a picture for you....


The thing with these frozen meals is you need something else (at least that is what SBD online says..) So, I also had some cottage cheese. I'm completely full!

Since I am stuck at home today I think I might organize some drawers that have became messy over the past year and maybe do some Pilates if I feel up to it. Or may post another blog...(hehehe)

Hope your having a good Wednesday!

Phase 2

I've successfully made it through Phase 1 and have lost 15 pounds. And I have started Phase 2 today. Phase 2 is where you add 1 starch and 1 fruit. I have to admit..I'm a little nervous. I've done so good in phase 1, I really want to continue to do good in phase 2. SBD online informed me that I should choose a cereal with at least 5g of fiber and less than 8g of sugar. And let me tell you.....IT WAS HARD TO FIND! But I finally found Grape-Nuts. I guess you could call it like a granola cereal. The plan today was to mix some yogurt with the Grape-Nuts....which it's actually really good! Crunchy......but good! The trick is to let the Grape-Nuts 'soak' in the yogurt for a little bit...otherwise you will crunch so hard you will think your teeth are gonna break!

A lot of people stay on Phase 1 until they reach their goal weight and then put all their weight back on. That is why SBD has 3 phases. Its a lifestyle change NOT a diet. Phase 1 is all detoxing your body and getting rid of bad cravings. And Phase 2 helps you gradually add 'good' carbs in. And Phase 3 is maintaining. Ultimating Phase 2 is the weight loss phase, because its the weight that is going to stay off. Not the excess water weight you loose in Phase 1.

So, I feel more motivated than I ever have! All my pants are getting loose. I have so much more energy....And exercising is great!! I love it. When I'm done, I can't sit still. My house has never been cleaner...!!! I still have another 30 pounds to go....but if I get to 20 more I will be happy! In 4-7 more days I will get my Hip Hop Abs! Anyone wanna join me???

A Perfect Sunday..

Today was such a beautiful day! We went on a mile walk and a 4 mile bike ride. It was so much fun! And the weather was perfect. We went grocery shopping...and picked up a few things from Walmart (a tripmeter and ankle weights). Grocery shopping is always fun when you have someone to go with. We bought a bunch of healthy meats, cheeses and produce. We also got to shop for Phase 2, which we add 1 starch and 1 fruit(we start that one Tuesday). So...we bought all kinds of fruit....kiwi, grapefruit, grapes, apples, raspberries and oranges. We also bought Grape-nut cereal and whole grain wraps as our starch intake. But what I REALLY wanted to share is what we had for dinner and dessert! It was so delicious!!!!!!!!!!!! I HIGHLY recommend these 2 recipes....they are so good you will feel like you are cheating!

Baked Pesto Chicken

Description
Store-bought pesto and mozzarella cheese are all it takes to turn tender chicken breasts into an incredibly easy-to-make dish that will likely become a new family favorite.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Start to finish: 30minutes

Ingredients
4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup pesto (from a jar)
2 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese(1/2 cup)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper


Instructions
Heat oven to 375°F.
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Spread 1/4 cup of the pesto in a
9- by 13-inch baking dish. Lay chicken breasts over pesto in an even layer and spread with remaining pesto.
Cover baking dish with foil and bake chicken until cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Uncover and top with cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, 5 more minutes. Serve hot.


South Beach 'Peanut Butter Cup'

Serves 1

Ingredients
1 no sugar added fudgsicle
1-2 tablespoons peanut butter
1-2 tablespoons fat-free frozen whipped topping or whipping cream

Instructions
Take a no sugar added fudgsicle and scrape it off the stick (microwaving it for about 15 seconds helps). Then add 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter and 1-2 tablespoons of fat-free frozen whipped topping or whipping cream. Mix together and enjoy.

(Sorry...no pictures were taken...I forgot!)

Hip Hop Abs

I was watching the Hip Hop abs commercial and got sucked in! Yup, I bought it ($82...!!) I didn't just buy it because of all the poeple that say they lost 50+ pounds....it actually looks like a lot of fun! I love working out at home...in my living room. Mike keeps teasing me, telling me I'm gonna start dancing like retard.....but little does he know, I'm gonna make him try it too! He can actually dance (I met him at Smart Bar...while he was breakin..) I was also thinking its soon to be summer and as much as I love bike riding....its going to get REALLY hot and it sometimes it gets unbearably hard to breathe. So, I thought giving myself another option would be a good idea. So, in total I have a few pilates dvds, a stationary bike...a real bike and now in just 5-7 days I will be receiving Hip Hop Abs!!! I have no excuse not to exercise. When I lost 120 pounds a few years ago, I worked out everyday. It was easy since I had Joel, my workout partner (he moved to Michigan a year ago..). But now I've seemed to be slacking a little bit. I've only worked out maybe 3 or 4 times each week since I started the SBD. Not only do I want to loose weight, but I also want to be healthy. In 13 days I've lost 13 pounds. Yes, I've done really good so far...but I've been the same weight for 4 days. It gets frustrating sometimes. I know your not suppose to look at the scale every day..but sometimes I just can't help it. Yesterday we got so much exercise in. We went on a early morning bike ride and rode about 2 1/2 miles. And then I cleaned out my car...which I think is exercise (squatting..etc.). Then we went on a 2nd bike ride and rode about a mile, Mike was getting tired. I could have kept going, and would have but I felt bad for him. And THEN we went bowling!! I guess its not much of exercising but at least we weren't sitting on our butts watching TV. Today I plan on going on a 1 mile walk and then a 2 mile bike ride. 2 miles don't seem that far, but where we bike its all UP hill...so it ends up being a great workout.

On another note...its been beautiful ALL weekend. Its been 60 degrees!! Its been awesome! I can see me tulips coming up from the ground.....the sun is shining...people are bumping their stereos down the street...It feels like summer! It bums me out that this coming week it's going to drop down to 40 degrees and rainy. But its a lot better than 30 degrees and snowing, right?! Hopefully, this will be the last week of coldness...........Because I have a huge case of Spring fever!

Enjoy the weather today....I'm off for a walk!

They're back!!!!!

New Kids On The Block...are BACK!! It's NO JOKE! Check this website out! Look how older and hotter they are!!

I was OBSESSED with NKOTB when I was younger. My favorite was Joey McIntyre. I swore he was singing "Please Don't Go Girl" to ME! So, you can oonly imagine how INCREDIABLY excited I am for their reunion! In this article the tell you about their untitled new album coming out this fall. And their international tour!!! I've always wanted to go to a NKOTB concert....I am so happy that this time I will be able to!!!

Yes, I am big DORK! But I don't care.........I will always be a loyal NKOTB fan!

Day 10

I'm in Day 10 of Phase 1. And I've lost 12 pounds! I'm really excited! I am so motivated, too! I have to admit, I have absolutely lost ALL cravings of "bad" foods. It's amazing. Just the other day it was my co-workers birthday....and everyone brought in a dessert. It sat in the kitchen until today, and I didn't even want it...A month ago I would have been all over one of the brownies (my fav). I feel great too. I have so much more energy...and I'm never hungry. I do feel like I'm eating constantly...But it ends up in my favor. Because when I use to let myself get hungry, I would eat anything that was around. Now eating little bits at a time, I don't ever grab something "unhealthy" because my tummy is always full. I've also been drinking about 5 liters of water a day. They say drink 8-10 glasses a day...but I feel that more water I drink the more I'm full....and I eat even less. Which is great....since then the weight comes off even faster and more healthier! I have to give Mike credit too. He started this diet a day after me, and he has lost 17 pounds!!!! He has also cheated a couple times by eating a little chocolate. I'm a little jealous....but he ways a lot more than me so it's expected for him to loose more. We have 4-5 more days of Phase 1 and then we move into Phase 2. We will add 1 starch and 1 fruit. That is when the weight really starts to come off. I'm really excited because I LOVE fruit. It will be a real "sweet" snack.

P.S. It's so nice to feel your pants feeling looser!

Here is a recipe I am going to try tomorrow....It looks like it will be yummy..thought I would share :)

Mini Eggplant Pizzettes

Serves 4

Ingredients
1 eggplant, 3 inches in diameter, peeled and cut into 4 half-inch thick slices
4 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup pasta sauce
1/2 cup (2 1/2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Instructions
Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 425°F. Brush both sides of the eggplant with the oil and season with the salt and pepper. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake until browned and almost tender, 6 to 8 minutes, turning once. Spread 1 tablespoon of pasta sauce on each eggplant slice. Top, if desired, with the Canadian bacon (optional) and shredded cheese. Bake until the cheese melts, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve hot.

New glasses!!

So, last Friday (ya I'm a little late) I got my new glasses! And I LOVE them! I was really worried at first.....I usually HATE every pair of glasses I own. And Mike picked these out...so I was weary. But I absolutely adore these! I took this picture right after I got them, its not the greatest picture but you get the idea...
I sent this picture to my good friend April...and she said I looked like Lisa Loeb. (Remember that song "Stay"...it goes.."You say I only hear what I want to...") Well, I remembered the song but I couldn't remember what she looked like. I then asked Mike what he thought and his words were "You look just like her!". So here is a picture of her...What do you think?
She is a very pretty girl.......I wouldn't say we are twins or anything..but I think I see a resemblance. Either way...I LOVE my new glasses! I think I will definitely wear them a lot....which will give my eyes a break from my contacts (which I where 24/7..literally).