is a journey;
Starting at forever,
And ending at never."
- anonymous
Is it just me, or can you actually see
the "glow of love"
when an older couple
touches each other,
kisses each other,
or when they simply
look at each other...?
Friday, July 29, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Photo Day... Measurements... and US at R.O'Sullivan's Irish Pub and the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe!
 |
| Our hope for the future... we head into dinner, and we hope to be blessed to be together as long as the couple behind us... |
We have had the most amazing celebrations for our anniversary! Very quiet... very personal... and so perfect! On our anniversary, we got rid of all of the kids for the night (WOO HOOO!) and had a DATE at our FAVORITE Irish Pub, "R. O'Sullivan's", in Escondido. Jeff had Bangers & Mash and I had Chicken Boxty ((( drool ))). We had a dark table in the back and enjoyed the live Irish music of O'Sullivan's owner and group, "Brehon Law." The food, music and atmosphere is always PERFECT at O'Sullivan's... we've been there when the ENTIRE restaurant was singing and swaying and dancing, EXACTLY as one would imagine happens in a traditional Irish Pub! We tapped our feet as we cuddled... together... ahhhhhh... :-)
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| Champagne... and our bungalow bathroom... |
Next, we spent a night at our favorite hidden resort... just about 20 miles from home... The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. I could write for several pages about the quiet elegance, the polished landscape of a time gone by, the romance that pours from every acre of this sprawling Inn... and, of course, the Internationally Award Winning restaurant, but you just need to check out the link above.
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| A special Marzipan note along with a delicious "music note" dessert... compliments of The Inn... |
From the bottle of champagne and chilled glasses that was delivered to our bungalow shortly after check in, to the special dessert sent to our table after a 5-star dinner, our anniversary stay was relaxing, intimate, and refreshed the passion that is growing everyday now that Jeff and I are acting like girlfriend and boyfriend... in the security of our marriage and decade of commitment... our first 10 years of marriage is like freshman year... the best part is yet to come...
Let me just say for the record, HOW HARD I had to work out in order to enjoy all of these celebrations and not totally compromise my journey. Ohhhhhhhh YEAH... I celebrated this week... and... did... not... gain... one... ounce!
 |
| 9 weeks later... 5 pounds BUT... 5 INCHES less |
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| First time in single digits ... 209.8 pounds and last measurements |
I AM CHANGING... after almost 7 months, here are my measurements...
At the start... at 9 weeks... at 19 weeks... and today...
Bust: 48.5"... 46"... 45"...44.75"
Chest: 40.75"...39.75"...38.75"...38"
Waist: 45.25"... 42.5"... 40.5"...38.5"
Hips: 48"...45"...45"...43.75"
Thighs: Left - 23.75"...25"...23"...22.25" Right - 24.75"...26"...23"...22.5"
Calves: Left - 16.5"...16"...15.75"...16" Right - 17"...16.5"...16.25"...16"
Upper Arm: Left - 13.25...12.5"...12.5"...13" Right - 14"...13"...13"...13.25"
I'VE LOST 23.75"... 4.75" JUST IN THE PAST 9 WEEKS!
32 pounds since I started this blog...
and 45 pounds from my heaviest!
and 45 pounds from my heaviest!
I am living my life... I am gaining confidence...
and I HAVE brought SEXY back to my marriage.
Am I done...?
HECK, NO!!! I am half way to my weight loss journey...
I am still working on my fitness journey...
And, after the past few days, I can tell you that our love journey is PASSIONATE,
but everyday is a choice...
everyday I choose to remember my vows...
everyday I choose to remember the love that brought us together...
and everyday I plan to be MY HUSBAND'S GIRLFRIEND!
... and everyday... these days... I am happy...
Thursday, July 21, 2011
7-21-11... Happy 10 Years, My Sweet Husband!
 |
| Jeff's Best Man (his Dad) giving a toast... and my Matron of Honor (my sister) with us at the reception... |
10 years ago today, Jeff and I came together as man and wife in the most beautiful mass at the Mission San Juan Capistrano with beloved Father Martin... followed by a perfect Southern California reception... a cool ocean breeze making the palm trees hum... the orange, red and yellow of a watercolor sunset... and 200 of our loved ones dancing the night away.
 |
| Mom, Dad and little me... |
Today, I want to share a few special moments in time that, I believe, led Jeff and me to each other... long before we even knew it was coming...
September 22, 1970... the day after I was born. Mom and Dad sat together in the hospital, staring at me and soaking in the miracle of this new little life. Mom said, "You know, Joel, there is a little 1 or 2 year old boy out there right now that will fall in love with and marry our little baby someday." And Dad, with a stern look on his face said, "... or there is a 9 or 10 year old boy..." Little did they know... Jeff is 9 years and 50 weeks older than me...
 |
| Scott and Jeff installing lights at Canyon Crest Estates in Mission Viejo... I would manage this association about 20 years later! Is it weird that I find Jeff wearing his tool bags... sexy...? |
May 1997... Mom asked me for an electrician referral to hang a new crystal chandelier in their front entry. My sister, Mary, was getting married and Mom was getting the house ready for all of the entertaining they would be doing leading up to the big day. Of course, I recommended Jeff... he had been my electrician for years. (Remember, at this point, I had been married for 7 years...) As Jeff was doing his work, he asked Mom if she had any other daughters (besides me). Mom said, "Yes, just one, and she is getting married in a few months." Jeff replied, "that is too bad because I really wanted to find someone just like Tracey to marry." Mom never told me about this conversation until years later...
A dark winter day... early 1998... my husband was having an affair with the girl that lived next door, which he adamantly denied at that time... the night before, I heard them together through the paper-thin walls... the next day at work, I sobbed almost all day. Jeff just happened to show up to check on the tennis court timers... it should have been a 5 minute service call... seeing that I was so upset, he hung around... he listened to me... he talked with me... he kept pretending to check this light or that fixture to stay around and make sure I was going to be OK... for several hours... he was my guardian angel that day...
 |
| One of our early dates... meeting lots of Jeff's family and friends. Ohhhhhh, I loved this man! |
April 21, 1999... our first date. We had known each other, professionally, for almost 10 years. I was so nervous and was sure he could feel me shaking when he arrived and gave me a hug. We spent the first 3 hours NON STOP talking at El Torito... we actually closed the place down... and had NO IDEA of the time. We went to see a movie and were the only two people in the theater. And... then it was time to say "good night." Was he going to kiss me...? I didn't know what to do... remember, it had been over 10 years since I had a "first date." Sure, I was an adult... SHOOT, I had 2 kids... I OBVIOUSLY knew WHAT to do, but there I was, shaking again. He reached out to me... and gave me a GREAT hug... again... did he feel me shaking...? I remember getting into my car, gripping TIGHT onto the steering wheel to make my head stop spinning... there were a colony of butterflies that had fluttered from the bottom of my belly to my head and were flipping through my thoughts. I didn't realize that I was breathing hard... trying to catch my breath... and that a big smile had come across my face... as one IMPOSSIBLE but absolutely CERTAIN thought kept bouncing in my brain... "I'm going to marry that man... I'm going to marry that man... I'm going to marry that man..." I knew that was crazy... I didn't believe in love at first sight (or first date)... I had kids... I had to be careful... but I knew... THAT NIGHT... with 100% conviction... I was going to marry that man... 2 years and 3 months later... I married my best friend.
 |
| Our family photo shoot last month... |
I love you with ALL MY HEART, my SWEET HUSBAND! What started with just the 2 of us has turned into a family of 5...then will be 8 (with spouses)... then, who knows how many grandkids and great grandkids we will be blessed with... all because of that first date... a shaky first hug... and a very special love.
I'm adding our first dance song to the music list over to the right...
"When A Man Loves A Woman..."
Miracles CAN happen!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Best Birthday Themed Party... EVER!...(and 1 day to go...)
A surprise 50th birthday bash for our friend, Deb... and the theme...
"Redneck Bash"...
and costumes were required! Jeff and I love comedian, Jeff Foxworthy and his "You know you're a redneck..." bits. And the "Blue Collar Comedy" troop with Bill Engvall, Ron White and Larry the Cable Guy... those shows have us CRYING we laugh so hard. So, it only made sense that when we were introduced to the TV show... "My Big Redneck Wedding," hosted by Tom Arnold, that it would become one of our guilty pleasures...
... which leads me to our costume for the party... inspired by "My Big Redneck Wedding," we HAD to be the "Shotgun Wedding Couple"... complete with a bouquet made of paper towel, brown bag and denim flowers and a veil made of tissue paper. My "pregnant wedding dress" was a white t-shirt and petticoat... Jeff was in his coverall, hat and his "Uncle Buck" teeth. Our son laughed when he saw me and said, "Mom, you just spent all this time losing weight and now you are padding your costume...?"
 |
| "This ain't no yard sale..." |
I'll let the photos tell the story... those photos I can share in public, that is... but I must say that the decor for the party (including a pick up truck Jacuzzi), the food, drinks and snacks (including a BBQ sauce fountain, pork rinds, spray cheese, deep fried corn dogs and tatter tots, and Jell-O shooters) and midnight karaoke brought this gala for 150 to redneck perfection.
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| Deb, the birthday girl, made into a Charger's Girl... with Paulette |
As far as the music for this special post day... this one is dedicated to my OHHHHHH SO HANDSOME REDNECK HUSBAND... Jimmy Buffett doing, "Hey, Good Lookin'!"
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| Me and Kellie... there must have been something in the water... |
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| Where do you get a rusted out claw foot bathtub for a party prop... AWEWOME! |
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| Decorated to perfection! |
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| SURPRISE! |
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| HEY, Good Lookin! Oh, and my denim garter belt... |
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| Our friends TOTALLY ROCK! ;-) |
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Photo Day... and 2 days to go...
I have to say... after taking photos every week for over 6 months, the pictures are starting to confuse me... in the previous 2 weeks, I lost almost 4 pounds... and the photos didn't really show a difference. This week, I went up 1.2 pounds, and my current photo looks better... and my clothes are fitting better...
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| 203.8 pounds |
 |
| 205.0 pounds |
Look at all that fabric gathering around my neck and arms... THAT IS TOTALLY SWIMMING! I'm also noticing some (muscle) definition in my lower arms... and those LEGS... I would comment on just the calves, but those quads... and SERIOUSLY, people... I am NOT going for ANY TYPE of muscle look... just toning... getting strong without getting bulky. HOWEVER, I have to say it makes me giggle to look at my arms and legs and notice some new muscles... DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN since I had muscles to see...? :-)
So, I went up a bit this week... I also went to one of the BEST PARTIES that I've been to in... well... maybe one of my top 5 favorite parties OF ALL TIME! You will see A BUNCH OF PHOTOS tomorrow... let me just say that 1.2 pounds was well earned... and that is TOTALLY OK... yes, I was shooting to be under 200 for our anniversary in 2 days... but the numbers aren't there... and that is FINE... I'm looking good... but more important, I'M FEELING GOOD...
... AND... THERE... IS... NOTHING... SEXIER... THAN...
FEELING SEXY...
See you tomorrow for some FUN PARTY PHOTOS and MUSIC DAY...
Monday, July 18, 2011
3 days and counting...
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| Our cruise to the Bahamas... I won a national cancer scrapbook contest and this cruise was the prize... |
YEAH, I know...
PHOTO DAY is coming tomorrow...
... HOWEVER,
it is our anniversary week,
so I had to leave you with this...
“Our MEMORIES of the ocean
will linger on,
long after our
FOOTPRINTS in the sand
are gone.”
--Anonymous
Sunday, July 17, 2011
I'm the YMCA MEMBER OF THE MONTH! WOOO HOOOOO!
Of course, I had to take Jeff into the Y and show him my special posting. ((( insert prideful giggles here ))) 4 days until our 10-year anniversary... I have lost almost 50 pounds (since my heaviest)... I feel confident... I'm proud of my accomplishments... and my sweet husband is beaming with pride... I see a very good anniversary celebration in our immediate future... (tee, hee, hee!)...
Below is a copy of my poster at the YMCA...
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Friday, July 15, 2011
6 days and counting...
Don't marry
the person
you think
you can
live with;
marry
ONLY
the individual you think
you can't live WITHOUT.
~James C. Dobson
Thursday, July 14, 2011
7 Days... Our Anniversary Countdown... and a simple question...
 |
| Last day of our Honeymoon... |
Jeff and I are ONE WEEK
away from our
10 year wedding anniversary!
I'm sitting here in HAPPY tears as I think about it...
... so much has happened in the past
10 years...
And as we go along this "Girlfriend" journey, it seems only fitting that I would spend the next week sharing inspirational stories or quotes, reminiscing, and "virtually" loving my sweet husband...
TODAY, I have a very simple thought for you...
I believe in the song lyric,
"I love you more today than yesterday..."
... and knowing the feeling of love...
...the butterflies that rise from my stomach and make my head all a flutter...
...our electric touch...
... and the POWER that our amazing love can produce...
...that rises and rises and rises EVERYDAY...
... SOMEDAY...
... will we EXPLODE...?
Wouldn't that be a GREAT way to go... ;-)
Monday, July 11, 2011
Want to see what 1/2 pound looks like...? Photo Day!
Yes, I know... no matter how hard I try to have my weekly photos taken in the same position with the same clothes on and with Jeff standing the same distance away from me, just a slight difference in angle will effect the comparison photos. Last week was a perfect example with a 3-pound weight loss and the photos looking almost identical... but then I have a .6 pound weight loss this week and the photos... well... take a look...
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| 203.8 pounds |
 |
| 204.4 pounds |
Yep... they still look almost identical! (ha, ha, ha!) The shirt is getting looser around the neck, shoulder and arm areas and as we were taking the photos, we noticed that the rolls in my waist area were almost straight! Trust me... it looked good in person! ;-)
Soooooo... I have a GOAL! Our 10-year wedding anniversary is coming up next week and I am going to do everything I can to be in ONE-derland for our special celebration in 2 weeks. 4 pounds in 2 weeks... after already losing almost 50 pounds (since my heaviest last summer)... HERE... WE...GO!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Rock Anthem for Alex Spanos All Star Game...
Last night was one of those "Moment in Time" events. Chris was selected for the 21st Annual Alex Spanos All Star Football game!!! Last night was THE GAME, and a party night for the parents/family supporting their All Stars... which leads me to a special song for the week...
I have a new favorite song that my kids have been FREAKING OUT about because they are "concerned" about the "underlying message" of the song/lyrics. SERIOUSLY... it is a fun song with a FANTASTICALY WONDERFUL video and I really don't care where they think the term "shuffling" came from... as far as I'm concerned, it is a dance that I am MADLY learning so I can win a bet with a friend next week... my kids are HORRIFIED watching my dancing, but I'm having a BLAST!  |
| My sister, Mary and my skinny cousin, Kyle! |
1. A once in a lifetime night for our son...
 |
| OHHHHH, The Smith Family looks sooooooo good in PATRIOT COLORS... we love you guys! |
2. A special night of family and friends...
 |
| Kendra and Jess... |
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| Following the game... SWEATY Chris and his cheerleaders! |
3. A GREAT new workout song that brings a smile to my face, reminds me of a WONDERFUL football event, and, ummmm... seriously... reminds me that I... CAN... DO... ANYTHING... even learn to "shuffle" at 40... :-)
... and you HAVE to watch this video... the song is listed on the right, but here is the link to the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ6zr6kCPj8
which TOTALLY CRACKS ME UP!
What a FANTASTIC NIGHT!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
"Find Your Strong..." INSPIRATION...
It is TOUR de FRANCE time, which means that we are watching a few hours of the race... and the commercials... everyday... for 3 weeks. This year seems to be a particularly GREAT year for Tour commercials, and this is one of my new favorites...Here is the link to the commercial http://vimeo.com/22756449
"What is Strong?
STRONG
is what you have left
when you've used up
all your
WEAK..."
THAT, my friends, is what
"getting your sweat on"
is ALL ABOUT!
(Where is my workout bag... my shoes... my sweat towel...
OHHHHHHHHHH, this ad inspires me... GOTTA RUN!)
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy 4th of July and Photo Day!
First and foremost, Happy 4th of July and
THANK YOU
to all of our service men and women, past, present and future, whom allow us our freedoms and our safety!
THANK YOU
to all of our service men and women, past, present and future, whom allow us our freedoms and our safety!
Today is also a bit of Independence for me... finally going under 205!
 |
| 207.4 pounds |
 |
| 204.4 pounds |
Losing 3 pounds this week, I figured the photos would be more dramatic... hummm... I can share that there are changes going on. I put on my bra this morning and started giggling because the cups, that barely used to contain the girls, were now like a pool because the girls were SWIMMING! Numbers on a scale... going down in sizes... bras flapping in the wind... ahhhhhhh... all proof of weight loss and success! (tee, hee, hee!)
I've got to make it a quick one today... off to Home Depot to get plants for our front yard... it might be almost 100 degrees and humid here, but we have some landscaping to do before our family gets here this weekend. Make it a FANTASTIC holiday!
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